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 all the time calling me residence. But 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 so many defining moments and “aha!” moments I’ve had on my solo adventures throughout Europe. If you’re something like me and search out the most effective, you’ve come to the appropriate place. This is my definitive checklist of essentially the most stunning cities in Europe.
Post up to date April 2023.
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 through the years, 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 route and soak all of it in! Beyond the Cathedral and the Ponte Vecchio, make sure you permit time to get off the primary vacationer thoroughfare. As quickly as you stroll throughout one of many many bridges, a complete different world awaits. Outside 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 a variety of occasions, I can’t argue with that. The espresso home tradition is nevertheless my favorite facet of Vienna. It has a method of transporting you to a earlier period with how stuffy and old skool it’s. But one way or the other it’s also affectionately welcomed with open arms. Even for the youthful era, espresso homes are on development!
Read 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) virtually immediately or in my case, earlier than you even arrive. Bonus: there are a bunch of Harry Potter places within the metropolis. This 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 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 Old Town is abuzz with guests any time of 12 months. Therefore in case you are making an attempt to flee the crowds, get off the overwhelmed path. Many 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. But if you happen to’re on the lookout 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. Year-round that is one in every 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 pondering you had been in an actual life story ebook. Commonly regarded to as the most stunning metropolis in all of Europe, Bruges’ previous world appeal has an authenticity that isn’t usually 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
When you arrive in Verona you would possibly move out in sheer disbelief of how a metropolis could be so darn stunning in such an informal, cool-girl kinda method. Verona is claimed to be the birthplace of Romeo and Juliet (though it’s price mentioning it is a contentious declare), nevertheless you’ll quickly see how the hearsay began while you spend greater than 5 minutes within the place.
8. Annecy, France
Annecy is the type 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 consider, I do know!) Located 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 surprise the Hungarian capital has turn out to be a scorching spot for travellers doing the loop round Europe. Just a three-hour practice experience from Vienna, Budapest is a vital cease in central Europe not just for its distinctive and engaging historical past but in addition for its grandeur and sweetness that would rival even Paris. The metropolis is sprawling however principally walkable, as a lot of the points of interest are centred across the Danube. Be certain to enterprise over the river to Buda and go to Castle Hill and Fisherman’s Bastion for the most effective 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. Full of 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. As far as magnificence goes, you’ll be able to’t beat the limitless architectural marvels in Barcelona – its an image excellent postcard ready to occur.
11. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is one in every of Europe’s most visited cities and for good purpose. Once often known as the weed capital of the world (California’s legalisation and people who adopted go well with 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 one of the vital stunning cities in all of Europe.
12. Paris, France
If 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. If you’ll be able to see Paris by 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 by its many cafes, bars, streets and sidewalks which have appeared within the works of the misplaced era.
13. Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos is a kind 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 the most effective of Mykonos, make 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 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 previous because it seems to be.
15. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is without doubt 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 purpose – it seems to be too stunning to be actual! However there may be rather more of this metropolis to find while you enterprise in to town streets – castles, whimsical gardens and Danish pastries are just the start.
16. Stockholm, Sweden
When 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 virtually a million inhabitants. The metropolis 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 Old Town Walls, be surrounded by what appears like magic. There’s an unique chemist promoting unicorn mud, for a begin.
18. Alesund, Norway
When 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 checklist for fairly a while, I used to be shocked to see the unbelievable Art 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, 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 sort of magnificence indescribable by phrases alone. The metropolis is about 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 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 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 every of my favorite cities in Western Europe, regardless of changing into one of the vital well-liked and trending cities im Europe over current years (thanks partly to how inexpensive it’s!) The metropolis 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 of it a stopover metropolis en path to Colmar within the Alsace area. However 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 gained’t discover elsewhere.
23. Ghent, Belgium
Ghent will steal your coronary heart straight away. This college metropolis is an attention-grabbing one: previous in seems to be however younger at coronary heart, with a thriving scholar inhabitants that make this a very enjoyable metropolis to go to. Only a brief practice experience from Bruges, I’d argue if you happen to’re visiting one you should go to the opposite: they’re each so comparable however but so completely 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 virtually appears like a dream wanting again. We spent per week exploring the sights and consuming our method right into a carb-induced coma and I can say with certainty there’s just one factor I’d do in a different way: put on higher strolling sneakers.
25. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik grew to become actually well-liked round 5-6 years in the past and has solely elevated in recognition since changing into one of many fundamental taking pictures places for HBO’s Game of Thrones. This metropolis is as fairly as a postcard with an idyllic location on the seaside – a mix that may’t be overwhelmed!
26. Warsaw, Poland
Despite being the capital, Warsaw just 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 wished to go to on my first time within the nation some ten years in the past. As it seems, Warsaw is simply as (if no more) stunning to discover and has an exquisite 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 might have imagined. The individuals particularly are extraordinarily pleasant and happy with their nation, desperate to be taught the place you might be from and what introduced you to Iceland. Wandering the streets on foot is one of the simplest ways to get round, simply make sure you permit your self to get misplaced – as that is the place the magic occurs!
28. Venice, Italy
This checklist 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 claimed to have a time restrict in place, so make sure you make it a precedence if you wish to see it earlier than it goes!
29. Antwerp, Belgium
When 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. As it seems this was one in every of my favorite cities to find in Belgium: filled with younger individuals, extraordinarily trendy and enjoyable to experience a motorbike round. The metropolis centre is gorgeous to walk round and you would spend at the very least 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 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 foul technique to move time if you happen to’re so inclined!)
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