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 residence. However as for probably the most lovely 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. In case you’re something like me and search out the perfect, you’ve come to the correct 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 often considered some of the lovely cities on the earth. After visiting a handful of instances 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 path and soak all of it in! Past the Cathedral and the Ponte Vecchio, you should definitely 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. Exterior of town centre, you may 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 a variety of instances, I can’t argue with that. The espresso home tradition is nonetheless my favorite side of Vienna. It has a method of transporting you to a earlier period with how stuffy and old style it’s. However someway it’s also 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 stated it earlier than and I’ll stand by it time after time, Edinburgh must be some 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 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 some of the charming cities to go to the world over. With a singular mixture of gothic, romanesque and renaissance architectures, this metropolis has countless magnificence. The Previous City is abuzz with guests any time of 12 months. Due to this fact in case you are 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 in the event you’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 town lovely regardless of the altering seasons. 12 months-round that is certainly 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 pondering you have been in an actual life story ebook. Generally regarded to as the most lovely 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 – someway – it’s managed to retain its’ appeal.
7. Verona, Italy
While you arrive in Verona you may move out in sheer disbelief of how a metropolis will be so darn lovely in such an informal, cool-girl kinda method. 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 sort 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 lovely in particular person (onerous to imagine, I do know!) Positioned 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 change into a scorching spot for travellers doing the loop round Europe. Only a three-hour prepare experience 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 might rival even Paris. The 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 Citadel 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, certainly one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. Stuffed with color, magnificent Gaudi structure and a few 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 may’t beat the countless architectural marvels in Barcelona – its an image good postcard ready to occur. Hire a van in Barcelona and go to see the wonders of town with associates.
11. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is certainly one of Europe’s most visited cities and for good cause. As soon as often known as the weed capital of the world (California’s legalisation and those who adopted go well with has kinda dulled it down), Amsterdam has a full of life attraction that draws younger travellers with magnetic pressure. With its canals and well-known canal homes, that is simply some of the lovely cities in all of Europe.
12. Paris, France
In case 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 case you can see Paris by way of the lens of the 1950’s, you’ll fall much more in love with town of sunshine – stuffed with tradition, artwork and a dwelling literary historical past by way of 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 cause 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 the perfect of Mykonos, you should definitely 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 formidable historical past, and a few 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 previous 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 certainly one of Europe’s most photographed spots and for good cause – it seems too lovely to be actual! Nonetheless there may be way more of this metropolis to find whenever you enterprise in to 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 virtually 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 unique chemist promoting unicorn mud, for a begin.
18. Alesund, Norway
While you hear folks 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 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 hearth 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 town is ready alongside the Guadalquivir river, characterised by slender winding streets and Arabic affect. This mixture of cultures and centuries makes it some of the lovely cities in Europe and positively amongst the highest three most lovely cities in Spain.
20. Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich is among the most lovely 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 continues to be certainly one of my favorite cities in Western Europe, regardless of changing into some of the well-liked and trending cities im Europe over latest 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 of it a stopover metropolis en path to Colmar within the Alsace area. Nonetheless this must be certainly one of Europe’s most underrated, prettiest cities. Bordering Germany, the French metropolis has a singular mix of structure that you just gained’t discover elsewhere.
23. Ghent, Belgium
Ghent will steal your coronary heart right away. This college metropolis is an fascinating one: previous in seems however younger at coronary heart, with a thriving pupil inhabitants that make this a extremely enjoyable metropolis to go to. Solely a brief prepare experience from Bruges, I’d argue in the event you’re visiting one you have to 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 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 method 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 sneakers.
25. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik grew to become actually well-liked round 5-6 years in the past and has solely elevated in reputation since changing into one of many major 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 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 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 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 lovely than I might have imagined. The folks particularly are extraordinarily pleasant and happy with their nation, wanting 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 you should definitely 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, certainly 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 you should definitely 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 certainly one of my favorite cities to find in Belgium: stuffed with younger folks, extraordinarily modern and enjoyable to experience a motorbike round. The 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 at all times be some 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 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 may merely spend a couple of hours strolling the streets of Mayfair pretending to be posh (not a nasty solution to move time in the event you’re so inclined!)
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