There’s no denying my coronary heart is in some ways in Europe. From the second I stepped foot on the continent to my first time, biting right into a croissant in Le Marais, there are such a lot of occasions I’ve scattered items of my coronary heart round this continent. And I’m satisfied Europe is at all times calling me dwelling. However as for essentially the most stunning cities in Europe, I can’t decide only a few.
Europe is filled with fascinating cities. From capital cities like Budapest and Prague to the smaller cities of Alesund and Bruges. There are such a lot of defining moments and “aha!” moments I’ve had on my solo adventures throughout Europe. In case you’re something like me and hunt down the very best, you’ve come to the correct place. That is my definitive listing of essentially the most stunning cities in Europe.
Put up up to date April 2023.
Probably the most stunning cities in Europe
1. Florence, Italy
The capital of Italy’s area of Tuscany is usually considered one of the vital stunning cities on the planet. After visiting a handful of occasions over time, I’ve gotta say I wholeheartedly agree. Florence is dwelling to a lot residing historical past from the Renaissance interval. You’ll be forgiven for giving your self whiplash as you attempt to look in each path and soak all of it in! Past the Cathedral and the Ponte Vecchio, make sure to permit time to get off the principle vacationer thoroughfare. As quickly as you stroll throughout one of many many bridges, an entire different world awaits. Exterior of the town centre, you may uncover public parks, libraries, and smaller artwork galleries.
2. Vienna, Austria
There are few cities I can say examine to the fantastic thing about Paris however Vienna is one such metropolis that comes shut. It has been described to me as a cleaner model of the French capital and having visited each numerous occasions, I can’t argue with that. The espresso home tradition is nevertheless my favorite side of Vienna. It has a approach of transporting you to a earlier period with how stuffy and old fashioned it’s. However one way or the other it’s also affectionately welcomed with open arms. Even for the youthful technology, espresso homes are on development!
Learn extra: The central European trifecta: Visiting Vienna, Prague and Budapest
3. Edinburgh, Scotland
I’ve mentioned it earlier than and I’ll stand by it time after time, Edinburgh must be one of the vital underrated cities in Europe, if not essentially the most. There’s one thing so magical and ethereal about this metropolis that wins the hearts of many (myself included) nearly immediately or in my case, earlier than you even arrive. Bonus: there are a bunch of Harry Potter areas within the metropolis. That is the place J. Ok. Rowling herself wrote a lot of her work in cafes, drawing inspiration from areas all through Edinburgh.
4. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is undeniably one of the vital charming cities to go to the world over. With a singular mixture of gothic, romanesque and renaissance architectures, this metropolis has countless magnificence. The Previous City is abuzz with guests any time of yr. Due to this fact in case you are attempting to flee the crowds, get off the overwhelmed path. Lots of my favorite finds in Prague can’t be present in guidebooks.
5. Munich, Germany
Visiting Germany for the primary time is a feast for the senses. However when you’re in search of essentially the most stunning German metropolis to go to, look no additional than Munich. This romantic metropolis within the South of Germany is characterised by its beer halls, cafe tradition and charming structure that makes the town stunning regardless of the altering seasons. Yr-round that is certainly one of our high picks for essentially the most stunning cities in Europe.
6. Bruges, Belgium
Bruges is a metropolis so stunning, you’d be forgiven for considering you had been in an actual life story guide. Generally regarded to as the most stunning metropolis in all of Europe, Bruges’ previous world attraction has an authenticity that isn’t typically mimicked in cities when hoards of travellers discover out about its’ existence however – one way or the other – it’s managed to retain its’ attraction.
7. Verona, Italy
Whenever you arrive in Verona you may go out in sheer disbelief of how a metropolis might be so darn stunning in such an off-the-cuff, cool-girl kinda approach. Verona is claimed to be the birthplace of Romeo and Juliet (though it’s value mentioning it is a contentious declare), nevertheless you’ll quickly see how the hearsay began if you spend greater than 5 minutes within the place.
8. Annecy, France
Annecy is the type of postcard city you assume wouldn’t exist in actual life however talking from expertise I can say with certainty that it’s much more stunning in particular person (exhausting to consider, I do know!) Positioned within the southeast of France, the town overlooks Lake Annecy, has its’ personal system of waterways and isn’t removed from the alps, leaving it with a pinch-me backdrop to make it much more ethereal.
9. Budapest, Hungary
A metropolis as pretty as Budapest, it’s no marvel the Hungarian capital has turn into a sizzling spot for travellers doing the loop round Europe. Only a three-hour practice experience from Vienna, Budapest is a necessary cease in central Europe not just for its distinctive and interesting historical past but additionally for its grandeur and wonder that might rival even Paris. Town is sprawling however principally walkable, as a lot of the points of interest are centred across the Danube. Be sure you enterprise over the river to Buda and go to Fortress Hill and Fisherman’s Bastion for the very best views of the town from above.
10. Barcelona, Spain
It didn’t take me lengthy to fall in love with Barcelona, certainly one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. Stuffed with color, magnificent Gaudi structure and a number of the finest meals you’ll discover throughout Europe (patatas bravas anybody!?), there’s a lot to like about this metropolis. So far as magnificence goes, you may’t beat the countless architectural marvels in Barcelona – its an image good postcard ready to occur. Hire a van in Barcelona and go to see the wonders of the town with buddies.
11. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is certainly one of Europe’s most visited cities and for good purpose. As soon as generally known as the weed capital of the world (California’s legalisation and people who adopted swimsuit has kinda dulled it down), Amsterdam has a vigorous enchantment that draws younger travellers with magnetic drive. With its canals and well-known canal homes, that is simply one of the vital stunning cities in all of Europe.
12. Paris, France
In case you’ve been on this weblog earlier than, you’ll know first hand that my obsession with Paris is actual. As actual because it will get. In case you can see Paris via the lens of the 1950’s, you’ll fall much more in love with the town of sunshine – stuffed with tradition, artwork and a residing literary historical past via its many cafes, bars, streets and sidewalks which have appeared within the works of the misplaced technology.
13. Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos is a type of cities I knew I’d fall head over heels in love with however for one purpose or one other, it took me a while earlier than I lastly visited Greece. This celebration centre is as enjoyable as it’s stunning – however for the very best of Mykonos, make sure to discover within the early hours of the morning earlier than the crowds take to the streets.
14. Valletta, Malta
I didn’t spend sufficient time in Malta however I’m itching to return. This nation is filled with stunning structure, a powerful historical past, and a number of the loveliest locals you’ll meet – they’re proud to name Malta dwelling they usually can’t wait to share it with you. Valletta, the capital, is on the coronary heart of this nation and having been established in 1500, is as previous because it appears to be like.
15. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is among the prettiest seaside cities and as basic as Nordic cities come. Nyhaven, the gathering of vibrant homes by the ocean, is certainly one of Europe’s most photographed spots and for good purpose – it appears to be like too stunning to be actual! Nevertheless there may be way more of this metropolis to find if you enterprise in to the town streets – castles, whimsical gardens and Danish pastries are just the start.
16. Stockholm, Sweden
After I visited Stockholm for the primary time I knew it wouldn’t be the final. The capital of Sweden is so charming and quaint that you just’d be forgiven for forgetting it is a metropolis of just about a million inhabitants. Town encompasses 14 islands and thus a lot of it’s surrounded by water – linked by bridges and illuminating effortlessly within the setting solar.
17. Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn is Europe’s fairytale city: the one and solely metropolis the place you easy can’t, at any flip inside the Previous City Partitions, be surrounded by what looks like magic. There’s an unique chemist promoting unicorn mud, for a begin.
18. Alesund, Norway
Whenever you hear individuals discuss of the prettiest metropolis in Norway you by no means actually hear them say Alesund. I’m altering that. Having had Bergen on my bucket listing for fairly a while, I used to be stunned to see the unbelievable Artwork Nouveau structure of Alesund. And fairly frankly, I used to be shocked that I had not stumbled upon it sooner. Having rebuilt after a fireplace in 1904, the town has managed to retain its authenticity and attraction with ease.
19. Seville, Spain
Like most cities situated on a physique of water, Seville has a way of romanticism about it that breeds a kind of magnificence indescribable by phrases alone. Town is ready alongside the Guadalquivir river, characterised by slender winding streets and Arabic affect. This mixture of cultures and centuries makes it one of the vital stunning cities in Europe and positively amongst the highest three most stunning cities in Spain.
20. Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich is among the most stunning cities in all of Switzerland and simply by taking a look at pictures alone, it isn’t exhausting to see why. This metropolis if charming with an consideration to element like no different.
21. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon continues to be certainly one of my favorite cities in Western Europe, regardless of turning into one of the vital in style and trending cities im Europe over current years (thanks partially to how reasonably priced it’s!) Town is bursting with color and life at each flip, particularly within the neighbourhood of Alfama.
22. Strasbourg, France
I wasn’t anticipating to like Strasbourg almost as a lot as I did and as such, thought-about it a stopover metropolis en path to Colmar within the Alsace area. Nevertheless this must be certainly one of Europe’s most underrated, prettiest cities. Bordering Germany, the French metropolis has a singular mix of structure that you just gained’t discover elsewhere.
23. Ghent, Belgium
Ghent will steal your coronary heart right away. This college metropolis is an fascinating one: previous in appears to be like however younger at coronary heart, with a thriving pupil inhabitants that make this a extremely enjoyable metropolis to go to. Solely a brief practice experience from Bruges, I’d argue when you’re visiting one it’s essential to go to the opposite: they’re each so comparable however but so totally different!
24. Rome, Italy
I’ll always remember the primary time I visited Rome. It was with my father at 17 years of age and maybe the single-most metropolis I bear in mind most: each element. We had been each visiting Europe for the primary time and had been in awe of the historical past – a lot in order that it nearly looks like a dream trying again. We spent every week exploring the sights and consuming our approach right into a carb-induced coma and I can say with certainty there’s just one factor I’d do otherwise: put on higher strolling footwear.
25. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik grew to become actually in style round 5-6 years in the past and has solely elevated in recognition since turning into one of many primary capturing areas for HBO’s Recreation of Thrones. This metropolis is as fairly as a postcard with an idyllic location on the seaside – a mixture that may’t be overwhelmed!
26. Warsaw, Poland
Regardless of being the capital, Warsaw isn’t the primary metropolis many travellers consider when visiting Poland. I too had fallen into this entice and thought of Krakow the one metropolis I desperately needed to go to on my first time within the nation some ten years in the past. Because it seems, Warsaw is simply as (if no more) stunning to discover and has a beautiful previous city that involves life over the Christmas interval.
27. Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik was a lot smaller than I anticipated but additionally extra stunning than I may have imagined. The individuals particularly are extraordinarily pleasant and pleased with their nation, wanting to be taught the place you’re from and what introduced you to Iceland. Wandering the streets on foot is one of the simplest ways to get round, simply make sure to permit your self to get misplaced – as that is the place the magic occurs!
28. Venice, Italy
This listing wouldn’t be full with out Venice, certainly one of Europe’s most visited and wanted cities to go to. The sinking metropolis is claimed to have a time restrict in place, so make sure to make it a precedence if you wish to see it earlier than it goes!
29. Antwerp, Belgium
After I arrived in Antwerp I wasn’t positive what to anticipate as a result of fairly frankly, I hadn’t heard a factor about it. Because it seems this was certainly one of my favorite cities to find in Belgium: stuffed with younger individuals, extraordinarily trendy and enjoyable to experience a motorcycle round. Town centre is gorgeous to walk round and you can spend at the very least a few days doing simply that.
30. London, United Kingdom
London will at all times be one of the vital stunning cities in Europe and there’s no denying it has earned its title as one of many world’s most visited cities yr after yr. For the royal followers (myself included) there may be a lot to see and do in assist of the royal household, or you may merely spend just a few hours strolling the streets of Mayfair pretending to be posh (not a nasty solution to go time when you’re so inclined!)
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