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 house. However as for essentially the most stunning cities in Europe, I can’t decide just some.
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. If you happen to’re something like me and search out the perfect, you’ve come to the suitable place. That is my definitive record of essentially the most stunning cities in Europe.
Submit up to date April 2023.
Essentially the most stunning cities in Europe
1. Florence, Italy
The capital of Italy’s area of Tuscany is often considered 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 house 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 permit time to get off the principle vacationer thoroughfare. As quickly as you stroll throughout one of many many bridges, a complete different world awaits. Outdoors of 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 great 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 various instances, I can’t argue with that. The espresso home tradition is nonetheless my favorite facet of Vienna. It has a means of transporting you to a earlier period with how stuffy and old-fashioned it’s. However by some means 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 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 areas within the metropolis. That is the place J. Okay. Rowling herself wrote a lot of her work in cafes, drawing inspiration from areas 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 countless magnificence. The Outdated City is abuzz with guests any time of 12 months. Subsequently if you’re 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 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 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 typically 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
While you arrive in Verona you may cross out in sheer disbelief of how a metropolis may be so darn stunning in such an off-the-cuff, cool-girl kinda means. Verona is alleged to be the birthplace of Romeo and Juliet (though it’s price mentioning it is a contentious declare), nonetheless you’ll quickly see how the hearsay began if 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 imagine, I do know!) Situated within the southeast of France, 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 grow to be a scorching 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 engaging 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 points of interest are centred across the Danube. You should definitely enterprise over the river to Buda and go to Fort Hill and Fisherman’s Bastion for the perfect views of 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 among 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 countless architectural marvels in Barcelona – its an image good postcard ready to occur.
11. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is one in every of Europe’s most visited cities and for good purpose. As soon as often known as the weed capital of the world (California’s legalisation and people who adopted swimsuit has kinda dulled it down), Amsterdam has a energetic attraction that draws 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
If you happen to’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. If you happen to can see Paris via the lens of the 1950’s, you’ll fall much more in love with 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 social gathering 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 formidable historical past, and among the loveliest locals you’ll meet – they’re proud to name Malta house and so they 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 without doubt one of the prettiest seaside cities and as traditional 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 purpose – it appears to be like too stunning to be actual! Nonetheless there may be way more of this metropolis to find if you enterprise in to town streets – castles, whimsical gardens and Danish pastries are only 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 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 not, at any flip throughout the Outdated City Partitions, be surrounded by what seems like magic. There’s an unique chemist promoting unicorn mud, for a begin.
18. Alesund, Norway
While you hear individuals speak 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 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 hearth in 1904, town has managed to retain its authenticity and allure 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 sort 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 probably the most stunning cities in Europe and positively amongst the highest three most stunning cities in Spain.
20. Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich is without doubt one of the most stunning cities in all of Switzerland and simply by taking a look at images alone, it isn’t onerous to see why. This metropolis if charming with an consideration to element like no different.
21. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon remains to be one in every of my favorite cities in Western Europe, regardless of turning into probably the most standard and trending cities im Europe over current years (thanks partially to how inexpensive 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 every of 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 immediately. This college metropolis is an attention-grabbing one: previous in appears to be like however younger at coronary heart, with a thriving pupil inhabitants that make this a very enjoyable metropolis to go to. Solely a brief prepare journey from Bruges, I’d argue when you’re visiting one it’s essential 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 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 seems like a dream wanting again. We spent every week exploring the sights and consuming our means right into a carb-induced coma and I can say with certainty there’s just one factor I’d do in another way: put on higher strolling sneakers.
25. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik turned actually standard round 5-6 years in the past and has solely elevated in reputation since turning into one of many major taking pictures areas 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 overwhelmed!
26. Warsaw, Poland
Regardless of being the capital, Warsaw is just not 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 specifically 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 the easiest way to get round, simply be sure you permit 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
After 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 every of my favorite cities to find in Belgium: filled with younger individuals, extraordinarily modern and enjoyable to journey a motorcycle round. Town centre is gorgeous to walk round and you might spend at the least a few days doing simply that.
30. London, United Kingdom
London will all the time 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 12 months after 12 months. For the royal followers (myself included) there may be a lot to see and do in help 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 nasty strategy to cross time when you’re so inclined!)
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