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 all the time calling me residence. However as for essentially the most stunning cities in Europe, I can’t choose 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 the event you’re something like me and hunt down one of the best, you’ve come to the precise 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 usually thought to be one of the vital stunning cities on the planet. After visiting a handful of instances over time, I’ve gotta say I wholeheartedly agree. Florence is residence to a lot dwelling historical past from the Renaissance interval. You’ll be forgiven for giving your self whiplash as you attempt to look in each course and soak all of it in! Past the Cathedral and the Ponte Vecchio, be sure you enable 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 possibly can uncover public parks, libraries, and smaller artwork galleries.
2. Vienna, Austria
There are few cities I can say evaluate 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 plenty of instances, I can’t argue with that. The espresso home tradition is nonetheless 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 additionally it is 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 stated 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 novel mixture of gothic, romanesque and renaissance architectures, this metropolis has limitless magnificence. The Previous City is abuzz with guests any time of 12 months. Subsequently if you’re attempting 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 should you’re searching for 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 all 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 pondering you had been in an actual life story e-book. Generally regarded to as the most stunning metropolis in all of Europe, Bruges’ outdated world appeal 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’ appeal.
7. Verona, Italy
If you arrive in Verona you would possibly cross out in sheer disbelief of how a metropolis might 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 sort of postcard city you suppose wouldn’t exist in actual life however talking from expertise I can say with certainty that it’s much more stunning in individual (arduous to imagine, 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 pretty as Budapest, it’s no marvel the Hungarian capital has turn out to be a sizzling spot for travellers doing the loop round Europe. Only a three-hour prepare journey from Vienna, Budapest is an important cease in central Europe not just for its distinctive and interesting historical past but additionally for its grandeur and wonder that would rival even Paris. Town is sprawling however principally walkable, as a lot of the sights are centred across the Danube. You’ll want to enterprise over the river to Buda and go to Fortress Hill and Fisherman’s Bastion for one of the best views of the town from above.
10. Barcelona, Spain
It didn’t take me lengthy to fall in love with Barcelona, one in all 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 possibly can’t beat the limitless architectural marvels in Barcelona – its an image excellent postcard ready to occur.
11. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is one in all Europe’s most visited cities and for good purpose. As soon as referred to as the weed capital of the world (California’s legalisation and people who adopted swimsuit has kinda dulled it down), Amsterdam has a full of life attraction that pulls 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 the event 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 the event you can see Paris via the lens of the 1950’s, you’ll fall much more in love with the town of sunshine – filled with tradition, artwork and a dwelling 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 get together centre is as enjoyable as it’s stunning – however for one of the best 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 filled with stunning structure, a formidable historical past, and a number of the loveliest locals you’ll meet – they’re proud to name Malta residence 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 outdated because it seems.
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 one in all Europe’s most photographed spots and for good purpose – it seems too stunning to be actual! Nonetheless there may be rather more of this metropolis to find once you enterprise in to the town streets – castles, whimsical gardens and Danish pastries are just 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 simply’d be forgiven for forgetting it is a metropolis of virtually 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 throughout the Previous City Partitions, be surrounded by what appears like magic. There’s an unique chemist promoting unicorn mud, for a begin.
18. Alesund, Norway
If you hear folks 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 shocked to see the unimaginable 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 appeal 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. Town is ready alongside the Guadalquivir river, characterised by slim winding streets and Arabic affect. This mixture of cultures and centuries makes it one of the vital stunning cities in Europe and definitely 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 images alone, it isn’t arduous to see why. This metropolis if charming with an consideration to element like no different.
21. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon remains to be one in all my favorite cities in Western Europe, regardless of changing into one of the vital common 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 practically as a lot as I did and as such, thought-about it a stopover metropolis en path to Colmar within the Alsace area. Nonetheless this must be one in all Europe’s most underrated, prettiest cities. Bordering Germany, the French metropolis has a novel mix of structure that you simply gained’t discover elsewhere.
23. Ghent, Belgium
Ghent will steal your coronary heart right away. This college metropolis is an fascinating one: outdated in seems however younger at coronary heart, with a thriving scholar inhabitants that make this a extremely enjoyable metropolis to go to. Solely a brief prepare journey from Bruges, I’d argue should you’re visiting one you need to go to the opposite: they’re each so related 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 keep 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 appears 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 turned actually common round 5-6 years in the past and has solely elevated in recognition since changing into one of many important 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 crushed!
26. Warsaw, Poland
Regardless of being the capital, Warsaw will not be 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 an exquisite outdated 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 folks particularly are extraordinarily pleasant and happy with their nation, desirous 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 all 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 certain what to anticipate as a result of fairly frankly, I hadn’t heard a factor about it. Because it seems this was one in all my favorite cities to find in Belgium: filled with younger folks, extraordinarily trendy and enjoyable to journey a motorcycle round. Town centre is gorgeous to walk round and you would spend no less than a few days doing simply that.
30. London, United Kingdom
London will all the time 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 12 months after 12 months. For the royal followers (myself included) there may be a lot to see and do in assist of the royal household, or you possibly can merely spend a number of hours strolling the streets of Mayfair pretending to be posh (not a nasty method to cross time should you’re so inclined!)
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