Newcastle upon Tyne has reinvented itself from coal and shipyards to culture and style, its skyline stitched together by the Tyne Bridge and the tilting Millennium Bridge. Roman legions once patrolled nearby Hadrian’s Wall; today you’ll find galleries, indie breweries, and a legendary music scene. In one compact city you get a rich history, coastal escapes, and some of northern England’s best food.

Fun fact: Grey Street—sweeping past the Theatre Royal through elegant Grainger Town—is often cited as one of Britain’s most beautiful streets. Across the river, the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and The Glasshouse International Centre for Music anchor a futuristic Gateshead waterfront, perfectly contrasted by the medieval keep of Newcastle Castle.

Practical notes: The Tyne and Wear Metro zips to the coast in under 30 minutes and day tickets are excellent value. Expect hearty Geordie hospitality, locally roasted coffee, standout seafood at the coast, and refined tasting menus back on the Quayside. Pack layers—the North Sea breeze is bracing even in summer.

Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle rewards wanderers: cross the Millennium Bridge at dusk, drift through Ouseburn’s studios and live-music bars, and browse the historic Grainger Market for a quick bite. Football fans will love St James’ Park; history fans can head west for forts and milecastles on Hadrian’s Wall.

Stay on the Quayside for river views and easy strolls to the bridges; choose Jesmond for leafy streets and café culture; or base in Ouseburn for a creative neighborhood vibe. Find stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

How to get there from Budapest (direct flights only—then train/bus to Newcastle):

• Fly BUD to Manchester (MAN). Typical flight time ~2h45. From Manchester Airport, trains to Newcastle take ~2h30–2h50 (often direct). Search and book on Omio Trains (advance fares often ~£25–£50).
• Fly BUD to Edinburgh (EDI). Flight ~2h55. Edinburgh Waverley to Newcastle is ~1h25–1h45 on fast services. See schedules and tickets via Omio Trains (from ~£12–£35 advance).
• Fly BUD to Leeds Bradford (LBA). Flight ~2h45. Bus to Leeds station (~40 min), then train to Newcastle (~1h25). Plan on Omio Buses + Omio Trains (total ~2.5–3h).
• Fly BUD to Glasgow (GLA). Flight ~3h. Glasgow to Newcastle by train ~2h45–3h15 (some direct). Check Omio Trains.
• Fly BUD to Birmingham (BHX) or Liverpool (LPL). Trains to Newcastle are ~3–4h; see Omio Trains.
• Cheapest abundance: BUD to London (LTN, LGW, STN). Then London King’s Cross to Newcastle ~2h40–3h; total journey ~4–5h including transfer. Compare options on Omio Flights + Omio Trains.

Note: Routes and schedules for April 18–19, 2026 will publish closer to departure; use Omio Flights to filter for direct flights only, then pair with Omio Trains for a fast connection to Newcastle.

Day 1: Quayside Arrival, Bridges, and a Warm Geordie Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive via train from your chosen UK airport and check in near the Quayside or Grainger Town. Shake off travel with a riverside stroll under the Tyne Bridge and over the Millennium Bridge; pop into the BALTIC’s viewing deck for sweeping views.

Evening: Dinner on the Quayside. For elevated British cooking, book House of Tides (seasonal tasting menu). For upscale pub fare and perfect pints, try The Broad Chare (Scotch egg, slow-cooked beef). Nightcap at Mother Mercy (award-winning cocktails) or The Bridge Tavern (brewpub tucked under the bridge).

Day 2: Grainger Town, Newcastle Castle, and Ouseburn Nights

Morning: Coffee at Pink Lane Coffee (house roasts) or Laneway & Co near Central Station. Wander elegant Grey Street and Grainger Town; peek into the Theatre Royal and the Grainger Market—graze on Acropolis Street Food (gyros), Redheads Mac ‘n’ Cheese, or Slice for Roman-style pizza by the slice.

Afternoon: Tour Newcastle Castle (the Keep and Black Gate) for the city’s medieval core. Cross to Gateshead for the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art—free galleries and a rooftop outlook—and the gleaming Glasshouse, home to orchestras and global acts.

Evening: Head to Ouseburn. Dine at Kiln (wood-fired Middle Eastern plates, ceramics workshop inside) or Cook House (seasonal small plates). Catch live music at The Cluny, then finish with a riverside walk beneath the arching bridges.

Day 3: Durham UNESCO Day Trip

Morning: Take a quick 12–15 minute train to Durham (frequent departures; check Omio Trains—advance singles often from ~£6–£12). Climb to the UNESCO-listed Durham Cathedral, a masterpiece of Norman architecture, and the adjoining Castle (University College).

Afternoon: Lunch at Flat White Kitchen (homemade cakes, comforting brunch) or try Coarse for a clever set menu. Walk the River Wear loop beneath the cathedral for postcard views, or browse the indoor market.

Evening: Return to Newcastle for modern Indian at Khai Khai (smoked over traditional methods; try the tandoori broccoli and coal-roasted dal) or vibrant Dabbawal (street-food classics). Drinks at Pleased To Meet You (gin-forward) or Alvinos (creative cocktails, retro vibe).

Day 4: Alnwick Castle and The Alnwick Garden (Northumberland)

Morning: Train from Newcastle to Alnmouth (~30–35 minutes; Omio Trains), then bus to Alnwick (~10–15 minutes; Omio Buses). Explore Alnwick Castle—home of the Dukes of Northumberland and film location for screen favorites—then stroll the grand state rooms and grounds.

Afternoon: Visit The Alnwick Garden: the Poison Garden tour, the dramatic cascade fountains, and the famous Treehouse. Lunch at the Treehouse (book ahead) or grab bites from local bakeries in town.

Evening: Back in Newcastle, tuck into Träkol at By The River Brew Co (open-fire cooking overlooking the Tyne) or Dobson & Parnell (classic techniques, seasonal menus). Optional late pint at The Free Trade Inn—one of the city’s best river views.

Day 5: Tynemouth and Whitley Bay—Surf, Priory, and Spanish City

Morning: Ride the Tyne and Wear Metro to Tynemouth (~25 minutes). On weekends, browse Tynemouth Market inside the Victorian station. Walk to Tynemouth Priory & Castle for cliff-top ruins and North Sea vistas.

Afternoon: Lunch at Riley’s Fish Shack right on King Edward’s Bay—order the grilled monkfish or mackerel if it’s on. Continue by Metro to Whitley Bay for a stroll along the promenade and the restored Spanish City. Coffee and cake at PureKnead or Kith & Kin.

Evening: Return to Exhibition Park for Wylam Brewery in the old Palace of Arts (great craft lineup and beer-friendly dishes). Alternatively, casual small plates and natural wine at Horticulture back in the city center.

Day 6: Hadrian’s Wall—Romans on the Edge of Empire

Morning: Train to Hexham (~30–35 minutes; Omio Trains) and seasonal AD122 bus to key wall sites. Aim for Housesteads Roman Fort for sweeping moorland views and a superb stretch of wall, or Vindolanda for live archaeology in season.

Afternoon: Hike a short, rewarding section—between Housesteads and Steel Rigg is dramatic and well waymarked. Pack snacks; cafés cluster at visitor centers and in Hexham’s market square.

Evening: Back in Newcastle, grab elevated gastropub plates at The Broad Chare or comfort fare at The Bridge Tavern. For music, check what’s on at The Glasshouse; for a quiet dram, try Whisky & Wine on Grey Street.

Day 7: Victoria Tunnel, Museums, and Farewell Views

Morning: Book a Victoria Tunnel tour in Ouseburn—this 19th-century coal waggonway turned WWII shelter is a fascinating dive underground. Coffee after at Northern Rye (Ouseburn) or Camber in nearby Tynemouth if you fancy one last coastal sprint.

Afternoon: Pop into the Great North Museum: Hancock (natural history, Hadrian’s Wall gallery) or Laing Art Gallery (British painting and decorative arts). Football fans can squeeze in a St James’ Park stadium tour if schedules align.

Evening: Departure day: have an early dinner at Pani’s Café (Sardinian stalwart; try the culurgiones) or The Patricia (intimate, ingredient-led cooking; reservations advised). Head to your airport by train—plan via Omio Trains and Omio Buses—for an afternoon/early evening flight home.

Where to stay (search and compare): For Quayside views and easy walking, start with Hotels.com. For flats and family-sized places in Jesmond or Ouseburn, browse VRBO. Jesmond is great for leafy streets and cafés; Ouseburn puts you steps from creative studios, riverside pubs, and live music.

Getting around locally: The Tyne and Wear Metro covers city and coast; day tickets are excellent value across zones. Trains for day trips (Durham, Alnmouth, Hexham) are frequent from Central Station—compare fares and buy e-tickets on Omio Trains.

Direct flights plan from Budapest (April 18–19, 2026): Filter for direct-only on Omio Flights and target MAN or EDI first for the best blend of price and quick onward trains; LON airports are often cheapest but add ~2–3 hours by rail. For the final leg, use Omio Trains and, where needed, Omio Buses to reach Newcastle comfortably and on budget.

In a week you’ll taste the North East’s full spectrum: mighty bridges and medieval keeps, golden beaches and Roman ramparts, indie cafés and serious kitchens. Newcastle upon Tyne makes a brilliant base, with quick trains to coast and countryside—easy to get to, hard to leave.