Traveling around Europe is fun… Not only do you get to see new places, meet new people or ‘catch cruise, ’ you ultimately get to learn about new cultures and also mingle with people from an entirely different race.
However, there are certain cities around Europe that you must visit. These places will not only leave a mark on you, but you’ll get more stories to tell your loved ones. Interested in knowing them? Well, let’s a dive in to see the 25 cities in Europe that you must visit in your lifetime.
The Best European Cities to Visit in your Lifetime
1.. Paris, France
Have you never visited France before? Paris is a city to discover if you fancy romance, gastronomy and architecture.
From the famous Marais to the chic Madeleine district, you will love strolling through its main streets with imposing Haussmann buildings. Your journey around Europe isn’t complete without a tour of Montmartre, with a glass of wine at Rosa Bonheur in the Buttes Chaumont park, a cheese board at the Recyclerie, a burlesque show in Pigalle and a walk on the Champ-de-Mars to see the Eiffel Tower at night.
2. Berlin, Germany
Are you hungry for culture and want to go out in the most famous electronic clubs in Europe until the early hours of the morning? Then Berlin is the destination for you.
Renowned for its culture, the German capital also offers a multitude of places steeped in history to explore. Among them are the Berlin Wall and its East Side Gallery, the Jewish Memorial, the Brandenburg Gate and the famous Checkpoint Charlie.
Between your visit in Europe, try sitting in front of a curry wurst and taste this famous sausaso/fries with curry sauce renowned throughout Europe.
3. Lisbon, Portugal
Fancy some sun, a glass of port and pasteis de nata, these little pastries with smooth cream? We understand your cravings… Come to Lisbon to discover its many squares, belvederes and other monuments adorned with magnificent blue azulejos.
Take a trip to this European city to visit the Bairro Alto or Alfama in search of these famous little bars where singers of Fado, traditional Portuguese music, make the audience vibrate with their melancholy saudades.
Also discover Sintra and the Pena Palace, a few kilometers by train from Rossio station. Before leaving, don’t forget to take a ride in the Electrico n ° 28, this vintage yellow tram that appears on all postcards …
4. Budapest, Hungary
A relaxed and gourmet stay: this is what awaits you in Budapest. Our ideal program is as follows: start by visiting the city, including its imposing synagogues and Varosliget Park.
Once you’ve got around well, head to the thermal baths for a relaxing afternoon.
The most famous experience are those of Szechenyi which offers many pools of different temperatures, exterior or interior. Once you’re well rested, you can go for a drink in the famous “ruin bars” of the European city, such as Szimpla Kert.
Want to grab a bite to eat? Try the central covered market, installed at a small high table, you will taste goulash, a very thick soup that mixes vegetables, meat and paprika.
5. London, United Kingdom
Are you on a short trip to Europe and you are confused on the next stop to have fun? Why not try England to explore this magnificent “world city”, as some like to call it.
You will quickly be imbued with the many influences and cultures that can be found there.
Get on one of the red buses that crisscross the city to discover its famous monuments like Big Ben or Westminster Abbey, but also its magnificent Thames and its many museums. Among these, we will inevitably mention the National Gallery, the Tate Modern or the British Museum.
At the end of a busy day, it’s time to sit down at a pub counter to enjoy a pint of beer accompanied by fish and chips, to stay in the tradition.
6. Prague, Czech Republic
As soon as you have disembarked in the immense central station of what is called “the magical capital of Europe”, you will understand that the city of Prague offers treasures of architecture and culture with its many baroque churches, Art Nouveau buildings. and synagogues with exceptional gilding.
Under no circumstances should you miss the following places during your tour in this European city: the emblematic Charles Bridge which connects the old town to the Baroque quarter of Malá Strana, the Jewish cemetery and its entangled tombs or the royal castle.
When it comes to shopping, Prague is the queen of jewelry, porcelain and wooden toys … The city one of the best European places to visit if you have promised to bring back a souvenir for everyone.
7. Rome, Italy
From Rome-Termini station, take Via Cavour and you will immerse yourself in the Roman atmosphere in two steps, and at the end of this street you will come face to face with the Colosseum.
During your stay in one of the oldest city in Europe, some of the main things to do are: throw a coin in the Trevi fountain to bring you good luck, visit Villa Borghese, the Pantheon, the Vatican and its Sistine Chapel, take a walk on the Piazza Navona then at the Campo de Fiori flower market, stroll through the colorful and hectic district of Trastevere, eat a pizza at the Da Baffeto trattoria, then drink a coffee in Sant’Eustacchio square.
Well, your journey to visit Europe is almost complete except for one thing; you’re yet to book your train ticket to Rome!
8. Barcelona, Spain
This Mediterranean European city, renowned for its endless party nights, offers a range of incredible monuments, eight of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Not only that, the city offers a multitude of cafes, restaurants and parks to stroll.
Don’t miss the Sagrada Familia, unfinished basilica by artist Gaudi, the famous Parc Guell with its colorful mosaics or the Long Rambla, the Spanish-style Champs-Élysées and Peckish?
In Barcelona , you will easily find a tapas bar where you can enjoy a tortilla, patatas bravas or chorizo, all accompanied by a glass of sangria. For party animals, go wander around the Vila Olimpica, along the port, where many bars and clubs are waiting for you.
Not to forget that it’s the home to one of the best soccer team in the world, and also the abode of a six-time Ballon D’or football winning superstar, Lionel Messi.
9. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is best known for its canals and numerous museums. Among the classics, we will mention the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Franck House or the Rijkmuseum.
Among those that stand out: the museum of eroticism, that of cannabis or that of glasses.
One Important characteristic to know about this ancient European city is that the best way to discover the city is by bicycle. With it, you can trust a fast and convenient spree for walking the streets lined with narrow houses.
Before heading home, consider trying the Dutch raw herring, bitterballen (meatballs) or even Stroopwafe , a thin sweet waffle.
10. Dublin, Ireland
Dublin: its brick-paved streets, its pubs and even its famous Guinness… So many clichés that make you want to discover the Irish capital. Renowned for always maintaining a small village atmosphere, this European city offers a range of museums, parks, restaurants, Street art spots and lively bars.
If we have to name a few must-sees: the Guinness Museum, famous Irish dark beer, the library of Trinity College, named among the most beautiful in the world, the Temple Bar district and its countless traditional pubs or the covered market on Georges Street Arcade.
11. Vienna, Austria
Another flagship destination in Europe for art lovers: Vienna, capital of Austria. In addition to the multiple museums installed in the Museums Quartier, the museum district as its name suggests, do not miss that of the Belvedere, which brings together a large collection of paintings by Klimt.
Also worth seeing: the Hofburg Palace, Stephansplatz and its many shops and Schönbrunn Palace, the Austrian Palace of Versailles. Before leaving, consider tasting the Wiener Schnitzel: a breaded cutlet typical of the local gastronomy.
12. Madrid, Spain
Fancy a sunny weekend? See you in Madrid, the third city in the European Union.
After visiting the must-see Prado Museum, Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral or the Las Ventas bullring or the Bernabeu stadium, sit on a terrace in the Plaza Mayor and enjoy!
Want to extend your adventure to evening? Then, it’s the Latina and Arguelles districts that you will have to go, where many bars and clubs have made their home.
13. Krakow, Poland
In the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Krakow has been the trendy destination for several years. All in alleys and old buildings, it offers a good number of museums, churches and castles to visit. Its large central square is one of the most beautiful in Europe and is surrounded by shops of local craftsmen where you will find some souvenirs to take home.
Do you like history? Head to the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz, where some scenes from Spielberg’s Schindler’s List were filmed.
14. Reykjavik, Iceland
On the program for your stay in the Icelandic capital should include strolling through the old port, visit of the ultra modern Hallgrìmskirkja church and the contemporary Harpa concert hall, walk around Lake Tjörnin …
If you are keen on highly renowned Icelandic design, the city has many galleries and other design concept stores.
Also, ensure to buy a jacquard sweater, typical of the region, from the Association of Grandmothers Knitters of Iceland during your visit to the European city.
15. Istanbul, Turkey
Informally called Byzantium or Constantinople, Istanbul is an European city full of unusual monuments to discover, starting with the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace or the Blue Mosque to name a few.
After making a tour on the Bosphorus, you can head straight to the Grand Bazaar to do some shopping.
Want to taste the local gastronomy? In the Etiler district, you will find many restaurants offering the traditional Sis Kebab. Once you’re sated, if your heart tells you, you can always go party in Taksim Square, a must-see in Turkish nightlife.
16. Florence, Italy
This is a destination that will appeal to lovers of art and gastronomy. So, what are the essentials not to be missed in Florence? The Duomo, dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore, the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery, where we find Michelangelo’s famous David, the Medici Chapels and several other unusual squares and monuments.
Have you been longing to discover some really local corners since your journey to Europe began? Go have lunch at Ia Pizzacchiere, an authentic Florentine pizzeria. Later, taste the cannoliwith chocolate (crunchy pastry filled with sweet ricotta) from Caffè Neri.
Finally, after wandering the streets for hours, try the aperitivo in one of the city’s bars. The concept? By paying for your drink, you treat yourself to access to an antipasti buffet. Perfect way to end the day.
17. Copenhagen, Denmark
Planning a brief escape to Denmark to discover its culture, gastronomy and world famous design? Copenhagen is for you.
Within a few days of your visit to the city, you will undoubtedly appreciate its unique architecture between history and modernity, its many museums and galleries, and its multitude of restaurants, 17 of which are starred in the Michelin Guide.
While in one of them, do not hesitate to taste the real Smørrebrød (toast of rye bread), and especially the many fish and seafood, they are undoubtedly the kings of Danish gastronomy.
18. Zagreb, Croatia
Croatia and more particularly Zagreb, the place to be for a few years, should delight revelers globetrotters: indeed, the capital is especially famous for its nightlife.
Beyond this aspect, you will have the leisure to discover there pretty colored streets giving on the place Ban Jelacic, the museum of the broken relations or the Saint-Marc church of Zagreb which make it one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
For the taste buds, you will have to try the zagorski štrukli , cheese puff pastry, as well as the slatki pušlek, bouquets of candied flowers.
19. Stockholm, Sweden
Fancy a weekend between design and ecology? So Stockholm is the destination to choose. This green city, where art is everywhere, offers an impressive array of things to do, see and taste.
Among the “unmissable” places you must visit during your stay in this European city, we have the royal palace, the island of Södermalm very trendy for a few years, the Fotografiska (photo museum) or the visit of the archipelago by boat. You’ll agree that it’s perfect stay to disconnect.
20. Thessaloniki, Greece
A festive city full of life, Thessaloniki in Greece offers many activities: visit the White Tower, party until the end of the night in the Ladadika district, taste a real tzatziki and taste ouzo, the local pastis.
Last but not least: bask on the beaches located a few kilometers from the city. In a nutshell, you’ll live the thrill of enjoying your stay in Europe.
21. Marseille, France
Head to the south of France for a sunny and authentic weekend in Marseille. During your getaway, you should not miss a walk at the foot of the good mother, Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde.
Make sure to find the MUCEM, whose exhibitions are as impressive as the spot itself.
In the heart of Le Panier, the oldest district of the city, you will easily find a small bar where you can dine. In short, a Provencal weekend as we like them.
22. Porto, Portugal
A small fishing town, Porto will seduce you as soon as you arrive in Portugal. Its colorful houses, picturesque fish markets, beaches and numerous museums: everything is done to ensure that you have a perfect stay.
Make sure not to miss the Lello bookstore, which served as the backdrop for one of the Harry Potter shutters, but also the Palacio de Bolsa or the Port cellars.
23. Lugano, Switzerland
Lugano, less known but which amply deserves its place in the ranking of the most beautiful cities in Europe, is located in Italian Switzerland, in the canton of Ticino. It also promises you a more than charming stay.
After enjoying the wonderful view of Lake Lugano, take a stroll to Piazza della Riforma for a coffee, then visit the Cathedral of Di San Lorenza.
The rest of the time: enjoy the landscapes that the region offers. You won’t find a better way to take the stress out of everyday life while you enjoy in Europe.
24. Brussels, Belgium
Just arrived at the Bruxelles-Midi station, here is what is on offer: a city tour, starting with the Grand-Place and its many typical cafes, serving real Belgian beers accompanied by cones of fries, but also the Manneken-Pis, a very small statue famous all over the world, the Royal Palace and the parliament just opposite.
The comic book museum is also recommended, Brussels being the worthy representative of the 9th art. One last thing, besides beer and fries, don’t forget to try Belgian chocolates… They are to die for.
25. Lyon, France
To close this top, Lyon: capital of gastronomy. Precisely, if you like to eat, do not miss to take a tour in the famous Halles Bocuse, where you will find stalls more gourmet than the others.
While in the European city, places worth seeing includes the Musée des Confluences, Place Bellecour and Place des Terreaux. A short stroll in Old Lyon where all the “bouchons” are gathered, these typically Lyonnais restaurants.
Before leaving for Lyon-Part-Dieu train station. Also, don’t forget to stop off at Fourvière on the one hand to discover the basilica, but above all to enjoy the panoramic view of the capital of the Gauls …
Now it’s up to you to choose from these 25 destinations the one you want the most, book your plane tickets online while making other preparations to to your stay in Europe worth it!
