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 instances 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 stuffed 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. For those who’re something like me and hunt down the perfect, you’ve come to the best place. That is my definitive record of essentially the most stunning cities in Europe.
Submit up to date April 2023.
Probably the most stunning cities in Europe
1. Florence, Italy
The capital of Italy’s area of Tuscany is often thought to be probably the most stunning cities on the earth. After visiting a handful of instances through the years, 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 route and soak all of it in! Past the Cathedral and the Ponte Vecchio, be sure you enable time to get off the primary vacationer thoroughfare. As quickly as you stroll throughout one of many many bridges, an entire different world awaits. Outdoors of the town centre, you’ll be able to 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 a lot of instances, I can’t argue with that. The espresso home tradition is nonetheless my favorite facet of Vienna. It has a approach of transporting you to a earlier period with how stuffy and old style it’s. However by some means it is usually affectionately welcomed with open arms. Even for the youthful era, 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 probably the most 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) virtually immediately or in my case, earlier than you even arrive. Bonus: there are a bunch of Harry Potter places within the metropolis. That is the place J. Ok. Rowling herself wrote a lot of her work in cafes, drawing inspiration from places all through Edinburgh.
4. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is undeniably probably the most charming cities to go to the world over. With a novel mixture of gothic, romanesque and renaissance architectures, this metropolis has infinite magnificence. The Previous City is abuzz with guests any time of yr. Subsequently if you’re making an attempt to flee the crowds, get off the crushed 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. 12 months-round that is one in every of our prime picks for essentially the most stunning cities in Europe.
6. Bruges, Belgium
Bruges is a metropolis so stunning, you’d be forgiven for pondering you have been in an actual life story ebook. Generally regarded to as the most stunning metropolis in all of Europe, Bruges’ previous world allure has an authenticity that isn’t usually mimicked in cities when hoards of travellers discover out about its’ existence however – by some means – it’s managed to retain its’ allure.
7. Verona, Italy
If you arrive in Verona you may cross out in sheer disbelief of how a metropolis may be so darn stunning in such an informal, cool-girl kinda approach. Verona is alleged to be the birthplace of Romeo and Juliet (though it’s value mentioning it is a contentious declare), nonetheless you’ll quickly see how the hearsay began once you spend greater than 5 minutes within the place.
8. Annecy, France
Annecy is the form 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 (onerous to consider, I do know!) Situated 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 beautiful as Budapest, it’s no marvel the Hungarian capital has develop into a scorching spot for travellers doing the loop round Europe. Only a three-hour practice trip from Vienna, Budapest is a necessary cease in central Europe not just for its distinctive and engaging historical past but in addition for its grandeur and sweetness that might rival even Paris. The town is sprawling however principally walkable, as a lot of the sights are centred across the Danube. Be sure you enterprise over the river to Buda and go to Citadel Hill and Fisherman’s Bastion for the perfect views of the town from above.
10. Barcelona, Spain
It didn’t take me lengthy to fall in love with Barcelona, one in every of Europe’s most vibrant cities. Filled with color, magnificent Gaudi structure and a number of the greatest meals you’ll discover throughout Europe (patatas bravas anybody!?), there’s a lot to like about this metropolis. So far as magnificence goes, you’ll be able to’t beat the infinite architectural marvels in Barcelona – its an image excellent postcard ready to occur. Lease a van in Barcelona and go to see the wonders of the town with pals.
11. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is one in every of Europe’s most visited cities and for good motive. 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 attraction that pulls younger travellers with magnetic drive. With its canals and well-known canal homes, that is simply probably the most stunning cities in all of Europe.
12. Paris, France
For those who’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. For those who can see Paris by 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 by its many cafes, bars, streets and sidewalks which have appeared within the works of the misplaced era.
13. Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos is a type of cities I knew I’d fall head over heels in love with however for one motive or one other, it took me a while earlier than I lastly visited Greece. This get together centre is as enjoyable as it’s stunning – however for the perfect of Mykonos, be sure you 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 stuffed 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 seems.
15. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is likely one of the prettiest seaside cities and as basic as Nordic cities come. Nyhaven, the gathering of vibrant homes by the ocean, is one in every of Europe’s most photographed spots and for good motive – it seems too stunning to be actual! Nevertheless there’s rather more of this metropolis to find once you enterprise in to the town streets – castles, whimsical gardens and Danish pastries are only the start.
16. Stockholm, Sweden
Once 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. The 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 not, at any flip inside the Previous City Partitions, be surrounded by what looks like magic. There’s an authentic chemist promoting unicorn mud, for a begin.
18. Alesund, Norway
If 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 record 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 surprised that I had not stumbled upon it sooner. Having rebuilt after a fireplace in 1904, the town has managed to retain its authenticity and allure with ease.
19. Seville, Spain
Like most cities positioned on a physique of water, Seville has a way of romanticism about it that breeds a kind of magnificence indescribable by phrases alone. The town is ready alongside the Guadalquivir river, characterised by slender winding streets and Arabic affect. This mixture of cultures and centuries makes it probably the most stunning cities in Europe and definitely amongst the highest three most stunning cities in Spain.
20. Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich is likely one of the most stunning cities in all of Switzerland and simply by taking a look at photographs alone, it isn’t onerous to see why. This metropolis if charming with an consideration to element like no different.
21. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon continues to be one in every of my favorite cities in Western Europe, regardless of changing into probably the most fashionable and trending cities im Europe over current years (thanks partially to how reasonably priced it’s!) The 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 one in every of Europe’s most underrated, prettiest cities. Bordering Germany, the French metropolis has a novel mix of structure that you just received’t discover elsewhere.
23. Ghent, Belgium
Ghent will steal your coronary heart instantly. This college metropolis is an fascinating one: previous in seems however younger at coronary heart, with a thriving scholar inhabitants that make this a very enjoyable metropolis to go to. Solely a brief practice trip from Bruges, I might 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 have been each visiting Europe for the primary time and have been in awe of the historical past – a lot in order that it virtually looks like a dream wanting 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 might do otherwise: put on higher strolling footwear.
25. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik turned actually fashionable round 5-6 years in the past and has solely elevated in recognition since changing into one of many foremost taking pictures places for HBO’s Sport of Thrones. This metropolis is as fairly as a postcard with an idyllic location on the seaside – a mixture that may’t be crushed!
26. Warsaw, Poland
Regardless of being the capital, Warsaw just isn’t the primary metropolis many travellers consider when visiting Poland. I too had fallen into this entice and regarded Krakow the one metropolis I desperately wished 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 in addition extra stunning than I may have imagined. The individuals specifically are extraordinarily pleasant and pleased with their nation, desperate to study the place you might be from and what introduced you to Iceland. Wandering the streets on foot is one of the best ways to get round, simply be sure you enable your self to get misplaced – as that is the place the magic occurs!
28. Venice, Italy
This record wouldn’t be full with out Venice, one in every of Europe’s most visited and wanted cities to go to. The sinking metropolis is alleged to have a time restrict in place, so be sure you make it a precedence if you wish to see it earlier than it goes!
29. Antwerp, Belgium
Once 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 one in every of my favorite cities to find in Belgium: stuffed with younger individuals, extraordinarily modern and enjoyable to trip a motorcycle round. The town centre is gorgeous to walk round and you would spend not less than a few days doing simply that.
30. London, United Kingdom
London will at all times be probably the most 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’s a lot to see and do in assist of the royal household, or you’ll be able to merely spend a number of hours strolling the streets of Mayfair pretending to be posh (not a foul option to cross time when you’re so inclined!)
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