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 probably the most lovely cities in Europe, I can’t choose 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 hunt down one of the best, you’ve come to the fitting place. That is my definitive listing of probably the most lovely cities in Europe.
Put up up to date April 2023.
Essentially the most lovely cities in Europe
1. Florence, Italy
The capital of Italy’s area of Tuscany is usually thought to be one of the lovely cities on this planet. After visiting a handful of instances over time, I’ve gotta say I wholeheartedly agree. Florence is dwelling 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 primary vacationer thoroughfare. As quickly as you stroll throughout one of many many bridges, a complete different world awaits. Outdoors 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 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 numerous instances, I can’t argue with that. The espresso home tradition is nonetheless my favorite side of Vienna. It has a manner of transporting you to a earlier period with how stuffy and old style it’s. However someway it is usually 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 underrated cities in Europe, if not probably 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 locations within the metropolis. That is the place J. Okay. 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 charming cities to go to the world over. With a novel mixture of gothic, romanesque and renaissance architectures, this metropolis has infinite magnificence. The Outdated City is abuzz with guests any time of yr. Due to this fact if you’re making an attempt 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 if you happen to’re searching for probably the most lovely 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 lovely regardless of the altering seasons. Yr-round that is considered one of our prime picks for probably the most lovely cities in Europe.
6. Bruges, Belgium
Bruges is a metropolis so lovely, you’d be forgiven for considering you have been in an actual life story e-book. Generally regarded to as the most lovely metropolis in all of Europe, Bruges’ outdated world allure has an authenticity that isn’t usually mimicked in cities when hoards of travellers discover out about its’ existence however – someway – it’s managed to retain its’ allure.
7. Verona, Italy
While you arrive in Verona you would possibly go out in sheer disbelief of how a metropolis will be so darn lovely in such an informal, cool-girl kinda manner. Verona is claimed 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 whenever 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 lovely in individual (onerous 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 develop into a scorching spot for travellers doing the loop round Europe. Only a three-hour practice journey 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 sweetness that would rival even Paris. The 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 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, considered one 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 possibly can’t beat the infinite architectural marvels in Barcelona – its an image good postcard ready to occur. Rent a van in Barcelona and go to see the wonders of the town with pals.
11. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is considered one of Europe’s most visited cities and for good motive. As soon as referred to 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 full of life enchantment that draws younger travellers with magnetic pressure. With its canals and well-known canal homes, that is simply one of the lovely 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 the town of sunshine – stuffed 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 kind 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 social gathering centre is as enjoyable as it’s lovely – 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 stuffed with lovely structure, a powerful historical past, and among 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 outdated because it appears to be like.
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 considered one of Europe’s most photographed spots and for good motive – it appears to be like too lovely to be actual! Nonetheless there may be far more of this metropolis to find whenever 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 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 – related 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 Outdated City Partitions, be surrounded by what appears like magic. There’s an unique chemist promoting unicorn mud, for a begin.
18. Alesund, Norway
While 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 shocked 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 about alongside the Guadalquivir river, characterised by slim winding streets and Arabic affect. This mixture of cultures and centuries makes it one of the lovely cities in Europe and positively amongst the highest three most lovely cities in Spain.
20. Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich is likely one of the most lovely cities in all of Switzerland and simply by 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 remains to be considered one of my favorite cities in Western Europe, regardless of changing into one of the widespread and trending cities im Europe over latest years (thanks partially to how inexpensive 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 practically as a lot as I did and as such, thought of it a stopover metropolis en path to Colmar within the Alsace area. Nonetheless this must be considered one 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: outdated in appears to be like however younger at coronary heart, with a thriving scholar inhabitants that make this a extremely enjoyable metropolis to go to. Solely a brief practice journey from Bruges, I might argue if you happen to’re visiting one it’s essential to go to the opposite: they’re each so related 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 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 appears like a dream wanting again. We spent per week exploring the sights and consuming our manner right into a carb-induced coma and I can say with certainty there’s just one factor I might do in a different way: put on higher strolling footwear.
25. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik turned actually widespread round 5-6 years in the past and has solely elevated in recognition since changing into one of many foremost capturing places for HBO’s Recreation 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
Regardless of being the capital, Warsaw shouldn’t 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 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) lovely 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 lovely than I might have imagined. The individuals specifically are extraordinarily pleasant and pleased with their nation, desirous to be taught 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 listing wouldn’t be full with out Venice, considered 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 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 considered one of my favorite cities to find in Belgium: stuffed with younger individuals, extraordinarily trendy and enjoyable to journey a motorbike round. The town centre is gorgeous to walk round and you could possibly spend not less than a few days doing simply that.
30. London, United Kingdom
London will at all times be one of the lovely 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 possibly can merely spend just a few hours strolling the streets of Mayfair pretending to be posh (not a foul method to go time if you happen to’re so inclined!)
Like this? Now learn:
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