Tuesday, December 3, 2024

The 30 Most Stunning Cities in Europe

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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 house. However as for probably the most lovely 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 case you’re something like me and hunt down the perfect, you’ve come to the fitting place. That is my definitive checklist of probably the most lovely cities in Europe.

Put up up to date April 2023.

Florence Italy | WOW

Probably the most lovely cities in Europe

1. Florence, Italy

The capital of Italy’s area of Tuscany is often considered 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 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 path and soak all of it in! Past the Cathedral and the Ponte Vecchio, you’ll want to enable time to get off the primary vacationer thoroughfare. As quickly as you stroll throughout one of many many bridges, an entire different world awaits. Outdoors of the 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 quite a few instances, I can’t argue with that. The espresso home tradition is nevertheless my favorite facet of Vienna. It has a means of transporting you to a earlier period with how stuffy and old skool it’s. However by some means additionally it is affectionately welcomed with open arms. Even for the youthful technology, espresso homes are on pattern!

Learn extra: The central European trifecta: Visiting Vienna, Prague and Budapest

3. Edinburgh, Scotland

I’ve mentioned 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 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.

Prague at Christmas | WORLD OF WANDERLUST

4. Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is undeniably one 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 Outdated City is abuzz with guests any time of yr. Due to this fact 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.

Munich Germany

5. Munich, Germany

Visiting Germany for the primary time is a feast for the senses. However should you’re on the lookout 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. 12 months-round that is certainly one of our high picks for probably the most lovely cities in Europe.

Bruges Belgium | WOW
Bruges Belgium by WORLD OF WANDERLUST

6. Bruges, Belgium

Bruges is a metropolis so lovely, you’d be forgiven for considering you had been in an actual life story e book. Generally regarded to as the most lovely metropolis in all of Europe, Bruges’ outdated world appeal has an authenticity that isn’t usually mimicked in cities when hoards of travellers discover out about its’ existence however – by some means – it’s managed to retain its’ appeal.

Verona Italy | WORLD OF WANDERLUST

7. Verona, Italy

While you arrive in Verona you may cross out in sheer disbelief of how a metropolis might be so darn lovely 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 this can be a contentious declare), nevertheless you’ll quickly see how the hearsay began whenever you spend greater than 5 minutes within the place.

Annecy_France
Annecy_France

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 individual (laborious to consider, 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 beautiful as Budapest, it’s no marvel the Hungarian capital has turn into a scorching spot for travellers doing the loop round Europe. Only a three-hour practice 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. Town is sprawling however principally walkable, as a lot of the sights 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 the town from above.

How to Spend Four Days in Barcelona | WORLD OF WANDERLUST
Gaudi Architecture in Barcelona Spain | WORLD OF WANDERLUST
Gaudi Architecture in Barcelona Spain | WORLD OF WANDERLUST

10. Barcelona, Spain

It didn’t take me lengthy to fall in love with Barcelona, certainly one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. Filled 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’ll be able to’t beat the countless architectural marvels in Barcelona – its an image excellent postcard ready to occur. Hire a van in Barcelona and go to see the wonders of the town with mates.

Where to Travel Solo | Amsterdam WORLD OF WANDERLUST
Pulitzer Hotel Amsterdam by World of Wanderlust

11. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is certainly one of Europe’s most visited cities and for good purpose. As soon as generally known as the weed capital of the world (California’s legalisation and those who adopted swimsuit has kinda dulled it down), Amsterdam has a full of life attraction that pulls 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.

Solo Travel in Europe | WOW
Solo in Paris | WORLD OF WANDERLUST

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 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.

A Guide to Mykonos Greece | WORLD OF WANDERLUST

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 occasion centre is as enjoyable as it’s lovely – however for the perfect of Mykonos, you’ll want to discover within the early hours of the morning earlier than the crowds take to the streets.

Malta Valletta

14. Valletta, Malta

I didn’t spend sufficient time in Malta however I’m itching to return. This nation is filled with lovely structure, a powerful historical past, and a few of the loveliest locals you’ll meet – they’re proud to name Malta house 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 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 certainly one of Europe’s most photographed spots and for good purpose – it seems too lovely to be actual! Nevertheless there’s way 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 simply’d be forgiven for forgetting this can be a metropolis of just about 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.

Tallinn Photo Diary | World of Wanderlust

17. Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn is Europe’s fairytale city: the one and solely metropolis the place you easy can’t, at any flip inside the Outdated City Partitions, be surrounded by what seems like magic. There’s an unique chemist promoting unicorn mud, for a begin.

Guide to Alesund Norway | World of Wanderlust

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 checklist for fairly a while, I used to be stunned to see the unimaginable 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 fireplace in 1904, the town has managed to retain its authenticity and appeal with ease.

St Petersburg Russia | WORLD OF WANDERLUST
Seville_Spain

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 about alongside the Guadalquivir river, characterised by slender 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 without doubt one of the most lovely cities in all of Switzerland and simply by taking a look at images alone, it isn’t laborious to see why. This metropolis if charming with an consideration to element like no different.

alfama_neighbourhood_guide

21. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon remains to be certainly one of my favorite cities in Western Europe, regardless of changing into one of the common 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.

Quick_Guide_to_Strasbourg_France
Quick_Guide_to_Strasbourg_France

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. Nevertheless 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 simply gained’t discover elsewhere.

Ghent_Travel_Guide

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 very enjoyable metropolis to go to. Solely a brief practice experience from Bruges, I might argue should you’re visiting one it’s essential to go to the opposite: they’re each so comparable however but so completely different!

Rome Italy | WORLD OF WANDERLUST
Rome

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 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 seems like a dream wanting again. We spent per 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 might do otherwise: put on higher strolling footwear.

Dubrovnik Croatia | WORLD OF WANDERLUST

25. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik turned actually common round 5-6 years in the past and has solely elevated in reputation since changing into one of many predominant taking pictures 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!

Warsaw | WORLD OF WANDERLUST

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 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) lovely to discover and has an exquisite outdated city that involves life over the Christmas interval.

Reykjavik | WORLD OF WANDERLUST

27. Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik was a lot smaller than I anticipated but additionally extra lovely than I might have imagined. The folks specifically are extraordinarily pleasant and pleased with their nation, desperate to be taught the place you’re from and what introduced you to Iceland. Wandering the streets on foot is one of the simplest ways to get round, simply you’ll want to enable your self to get misplaced – as that is the place the magic occurs!

Fall in love with Italy | WORLD OF WANDERLUST

28. Venice, Italy

This checklist wouldn’t be full with out Venice, certainly one of Europe’s most visited and wanted cities to go to. The sinking metropolis is alleged to have a time restrict in place, so you’ll want to make it a precedence if you wish to see it earlier than it goes!

Antwerp_Belgium

29. Antwerp, Belgium

Once I arrived in Antwerp I wasn’t positive 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 trendy and enjoyable to experience a motorcycle round. Town centre is gorgeous to walk round and you may spend a minimum of 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’s a lot to see and do in help of the royal household, or you’ll be able to merely spend just a few hours strolling the streets of Mayfair pretending to be posh (not a nasty approach to cross time should you’re so inclined!)

Like this? Now learn:

8 Romantic Cities in Europe to Go to

The 18 Finest Cities to Go to in Jap Europe

Europe Bucket Checklist: 50 Locations it’s essential to go to

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Brooke Saward

Brooke Saward based World of Wanderlust as a spot to share inspiration from her travels and to encourage others to see our world. She now divides her time between adventures overseas and adventures within the kitchen, with a specific weak spot for French pastries.

Discover me on: Twitter | Instagram | Fb



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