35 Most Beautiful Cities in Europe to See This Year

Written By: The Planet D

Enjoy our list of the most beautiful cities in Europe that have actually been to. This is not someone else’s opinion, these are the best European cities that we have visited personally in real life. We’ve seen and experienced all of these cities firsthand. That way we can give you an honest opinion of what we think the prettiest cities in Europe are. We did not pick cities off a press release nor did we copy from another list on the Internet so let us know if you agree in the comments once you are finished!

most beautiful cities in europe venice gondolas
One of the most beautiful cities in Europe is Venice, Italy

Best Cities in Europe

There are some European cities that didn’t make the list but we are constantly updating this list each time we visit a new European destination. It can be difficult to narrow down which are the best cities in Europe to visit on beauty alone.

Most European cities have done an amazing job preserving their buildings and history which plays such a big part in determining where they place on this list. Want more information on European Capital Cities? Check out 14 Best European Capital Cities To Visit

We most certainly haven’t seen all of Europe, but we wanted to do a round-up of Europe’s most beautiful cities….that we’ve seen so far. So without further adieu, enjoy our photos and memories of the most beautiful cities in Europe to visit… according to us!

1. Paris, France

Paris is definitely one of the most beautiful cities in Europe
Paris is definitely one of the best cities in Europe

Paris is often considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It may seem cliché, but will always be the most beautiful city in Europe to us. No matter how many other cities we see, we still come back to the City of Lights and gaze upon it with wonder and awe. We never tire of seeing different views of the Eiffel Tower an going up for a champagne toast is one for the bucket list.

beautiful cities to visit in europe paris eiffel tower
Go up the Eiffel Tower for beautiful views of the city

Walking through the city streets at night is one of our favorite things to do and each time we visit Paris, we are mesmerized by seeing the Eiffel Tower twinkle in the night. With each visit to one of the most famous cities in the world, we find more art galleries to explore and we always stumble upon a quiet corner to have a romantic escape. It is the cornerstone of what makes this city great.

2. Copenhagen, Denmark

Most Beautiful Cities in Europe - Copenhagen, Denmark
One of the most beautiful cities to visit in Europe is Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen holds a special place in our hearts. This enchanting city is a treat to explore. With Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn, The Little Mermaid, and an endless stream of canals, Copenhagen definitely deserves to be named one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. It is like a fairytale to walk around.

Nyhavn is probably the most scenic cityscape in all of the Scandinavian cities we visited. This waterfront canal is located in the Old Town and is a must see when visiting Copenhagen. 17th-century townhouses line the canal filled with historic sailboats. What makes these townhouses so special is the fact that they are painted in bright colors.

3. Venice, Italy

Most Beautiful Cities in Europe - Venice, Italy
One of the Best European Cities to Visit Independently

Venice is one of the best European cities to visit as long as you don’t go on a cruise. Traveling independently and staying overnight in the city is an amazing experience. Even though it is known for its canals, getting lost in its maze of cobblestone streets and back alleys is part of the fun of visiting this charming city.

Many people don’t love Venice, but we think it is because they have never stayed there long enough. We spent six days exploring Venice and it quickly because one of our favorite cities to visit in Europe. We would watch cruise lines and bus tours come in for a day and zip right back out before they had a chance to really explore Venice.

beautiful cities in europe venice
We listed Venice as one of the most romantic cities to visit in the world. Watch our video here

Taking boat trips through the canals created a picture-perfect experience and enjoying quiet drinks on a bistro terrace felt like a dream. See what it’s like to see Venice by Private Water Taxi, it was our favorite tour we’ve ever taken.

4. Budapest, Hungary

Most beautiful Cities in Europe - Budapest, Hungary
Most Beautiful Cities in Europe: Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is probably the most beautiful city in Europe that’s on the water. Walking over the chain bridge to witness the beauty of Buda and Pest looking back at one another across the Danube is pure perfection. hen the lights come on in Budapest, make your way down to the river and take in the splendor of the two cities.

The Hungarian Parliament shines at night overlooking the Danube River with The Széchenyi Chain Bridge reflecting in its waters making for a magical scene. Budapest at night is truly one of the prettiest cities in Europe. Budapest is surprisingly known for its thermal baths and ruin bars. These two tourist destinations are what make Budapest so unique.

5. Florence, Italy

Most Beautiful Cities in Europe Florence
Florence, Italy is a city of Art

Florence is truly a city of art and one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Europe. With every turn you make you will run into sculptures or intricate etching in the architecture. It’s a city where you can walk slowly through its cobbled streets while enjoying each and every building you lay eyes upon.

The Duomo stands proud in the city center and endless cobblestone streets weave around allowing you to get lost and simply enjoy. See more at Florence in Photos: A City of Art Make sure to make more than a day trip out of visiting Florence, spend several to really delve into the art and culture of this gorgeous metropolis.

6. Bern, Switzerland

Most Beautiful Cities in Europe Bern, Switzerland
Most Beautiful Cities in Europe: Bern, Switzerland overlooks the Aare River

Bern, Switzerland is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the political center of Switzerland. It is also the capital city of Switzerland. Bern doesn’t feel like a political hub though, this city was made for walking. The walkways of Bern are all covered making for pleasant shopping in any type of weather.

Seeing Bern from the Aare River reinforces our decision why we included it in our list of the most beautiful cities we’ve ever visited.

7. Barcelona, Spain

Most Beautiful Cities in Europe Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain

The more we visit Barcelona, the more we love it. At first, we weren’t fans of the works of Gaudi, but as we got to know him a bit more, we fell in love with his innovative, colorful and playful architecture. In fact, the works of Gaudi are not only designated as 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site but there are 9 UNESCO-designated sites in Barcelona alone! 7 of which belong to Anotnie Gaudi himself.

With a beautiful waterfront, quiet parks, downtown walking streets, and bustling markets, Barcelona is definitely up there as one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities we’ve visited in Europe.

8. Bergen, Norway

Most Beautiful Cities in Europe Bergen Norway

We think Bergen Norway is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe due to its natural beauty. Surrounded by mountains, it is truly picture-perfect. the historic Bryggen Area makes for a picturesque waterfront. It may not be the obvious Norwegian city to visit in Europe (most people naturally think of Oslo first) but Bergen is certainly one for the bucket list.

The first place you should visit in Bergen is Bryggen, the fairytale village of historic wooden houses lining the waterfront. This historic quarter of Bergen is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and with good reason. Bergen is surrounded by 7 mountains, picture-perfect views and old-world architecture. Make sure to take the cable car to the top of Mount Fløyen for amazing views of the city. When you see Bergen, you’ll agree that it may be one of the prettiest cities in Europe.

We even named our original post about Bergina: Things to do in Norway’s Most Beautiful City

9. Brussels, Belgium

Most Beautiful Cities in Europe  Brussels
Most Beautiful Cities in Europe: Brussels, Belgium.

Brussels was one of the first European cities we’ve ever visited and I will never forget the feeling we had when we finally found the square. We had been walking the city streets and rounded a corner to see the famous Old Town Square. And the sight took our breath away. We visited it again a couple of years ago and the feeling did not fade.

We still think that the Square of Brussels is one of the most beautiful squares in all of Europe. Its art nouveau buildings are some of the best in Europe. In fact, Horta Hotel Tassa was the first building in Europe constructed in the Art Nouveau style. It’s an absolutely beautiful city filled with history and charm. Brussels, Belgium is a charming city to visit, but it is the old town square that put it near the top of our favourite of the beautiful cities in Europe.

Bruges, Belgium

beautiful cities in europe bruges belgium

Often people think Bruges is one of the most beautiful European cities. We haven’t been to Bruges yet, but we thought we’d sneak it in after Brussels as a hidden European city to visit on this list (you won’t see it in the table of contents until we’ve visited) But we have had people write articles about Bruges for us, we did see the movie “In Bruges” and we’ve done a lot of research. When we go back to Europe next, this town will be one of our first stops. Check it out and see what you think!

10. Tallinn, Estonia

Most Beautiful Cities in Europe Tallin

We only managed to pop over to Estonia for a day, but I am so happy that the city we visited was beautiful Tallinn. If you are doing a Scandinavia tour, Tallinn is definitely one of the prettiest cities to visit (in northern Europe at least)on the list.

Tallinn was surprising. We didn’t really know what to expect when visiting Estonia, but what an interesting country with a very rich history. We can’t wait to go back and see more! With its medieval square, high lookouts and ancient wall, it has everything you need to see when visiting a European City. If you are traveling through Scandinavia, make sure to add Estonia to your list.

11. Rome, Italy

Most Beautiful Cities in Europe Rome
Most Beautiful Cities in Europe: Rome, Italy

Rome made the list of beautiful cities to visit in Europe because of the way the ancient ruins weave through modern architecture. Rome is a city that has left Roman history intact. They have incorporated the old Roman architecture into the plans of the city. Modern buildings spring up between ancient monuments and we love it!

The entire old city center of Rome is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Witnessing places like the Colosseum, Pantheon and St. Peter’s Basilica is on many a traveler’s bucket list. It is one awe-inspiring sight after another when you visit this European City. So add Rome to your list of must visit cities in Europe, you won’t be disappointed. Rent or Buy Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn to get into your Rome travel mood.

12. Prague, Czech Republic

Most Beautiful Cities in Europe Prague czech republic
We really fell in love with Prague. Such a beautiful city.

We had often heard that Prague, Czech Republic (Czechia) was a beautiful city in Europe, and when we first laid eyes on her, she didn’t disappoint. Yes, it is busy and crowded, but if you step out of the main trail, you’ll find quiet spots to grab a bite or a pint. Like any cities in Europe, the river offers the most beautiful views. The Prague Castle stands proud overhead as the Charles Bridge spans the lovely Vltava River.

If you wake up early and walk around the city, you will have it all to yourself. The old town square is one of the prettiest in Europe and when you have it all to yourself, it is truly breathtaking. Dave and I were amazed to see that people didn’t really get started until well after 9:00 am giving us plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful architecture in private. See our visit: Mongolia Pictures from the Russian Border to the Gobi Desert

Did you know that the Czech Republic is now called Czechia? Read more at 20 of The Best Things to do in Prague, Czechia

13. Istanbul, Turkey

Most Beautiful Cities in Europe Istanbul
Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia is such a beautiful city

When gazing upon the city of Istanbul from our rooftop terrace at night, it is set afire with light. Istanbul is a city with two personalities. One foot in the West with a European flair and the other foot in the East of Asia. Spanning two continents it is also Europe’s largest city. It is the Eastern influence that makes this city so beautiful.

Mosques dot the cityscape as spires peek out from above the skyline. The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia do not disappoint and the Old City is the perfect place to get lost in time. Take a stroll through the Grand Baazar or go up to the top of Galata Tower for the best views of the city.

Visiting Istanbul is a rich cultural experience where East meets West. It’s an enormous city yet it is easy to walk and navigate. If you can make it up the Galata Tower to witness it from above, make sure that you do. You’ll understand why we say it is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

14. London, England

beautiful cities in Europe london tower brige

I know we will probably get some flack for putting London in as one of our most beautiful cities in europe, but we find it to be stunning. Our favorite part of London was hanging out by the river. With Tower Bridge, We took water taxis and ferries and took in the beauty of the city from the water. It is filled with memorable and notable architecture. It’s colorful, massive, and beautiful. Do you agree?

15. Dublin, Ireland

prettiest cities in europe dublin

It took me a while to add Dublin to my list of beautiful cities. When I first started compiling this, I only thought of skylines and places that took my breath away. But after visiting Dublin on several different occasions, I realize that it isn’t just about a skyline of skyscrapers that makes a city beautiful, it’s the culture and people. The River Liffey snakes through the heart of the city and when going for a walk, one can really take in its charm.

Dublin has quiet parks for getaways, castles to explore and an excellent put scene. The more we travel to it, the more beautiful it becomes.

16. Amsterdam, Netherlands

prettiest cities in europe amsterdam

Dave and I visited Amsterdam before our travel blogging careers, but it left an impression. Known as the Venice of the North, Amsterdam truly is a city of picturesque canals. The colorful waterways make it one of the prettiest cities in Europe and they are perfect for a stroll making it a perfect walking city. Of course, you can ride a bicycle too! We feel a kinship with Amsterdam’s Liberal values. Being Canadian, we have a lot in common with the people of the Netherlands.

17. Stockholm, Sweden

sweden travel guide

Stockholm was one of our favorite cities in Scandinavia. The capital city of Sweden is located on the Baltic Sea and the colorful buildings of the old town line the waterfront taking your breath away.

What we love about Scandinavian towns is how there are amusement parks right in the center of the city and Stockholm is no exception with its grounds on the river. This northern city is connected with ferries taking visitors to 14 different islands. You won’t forget your visit Stockholm, it’s one of the best tourist destinations in northern Europe.

18. Dubrovnik

Best Things to do in Dubrovnik Croatia

Located on the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is surrounded by crystal clear waters and picturesque beaches that make it a truly beautiful place to visit. The city is also home to a number of charming islands, including the island of Lokrum, which is home to a beautiful botanical garden and a monastery that dates back to the 12th century.

One of the main things that make Dubrovnik so beautiful is its Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Town is surrounded by a medieval wall that was built in the 13th century and is filled with narrow streets, charming squares, and beautiful buildings that are a testament to the city’s rich history.

The Old Town is also home to a number of important landmarks, including the Dubrovnik Cathedral, the Rector’s Palace, and the Sponza Palace. Dubrovnik was also used as a filming location for Game of Thrones. Dubrovnik’s old city was used extensively for Kings Landing since season two and there are plenty of places that you will recognize.

19. Reykjavik, Iceland

reykjavik waterfront beautiful cities in europe

Visiting Iceland was a dream come true and its capital city of Reykjavik is beautiful. Reykjavik is one of the smaller cities on our list, but it packs a punch. Like many of Europe’s beautiful cities, Reykjavik has colorful buildings lining the waterfront, pedestrian avenues, and lots of shopping, dining, and nightlife. It is a city that is quintessentially Nordic and when visiting Iceland deserves a couple of days to explore.

Like many European Cities to visit on this list, Iceland was used as a filming location for Game of Thrones. Even though Reykjavik wasn’t used, the crew stayed here and many of the surrounding national parks, glaciers and lagoons were used in the popular series. We were huges Game of Thrones fans and visited many destination around the world. Check out this Game of Thrones Tour of Northern Ireland that recreates some of the scenes shot in Iceland.

20. Bologna, Italy

Most Beautiful Cities in Europe - Bologna
Bologna, Italy. Beautiful food and people.

When we found out we were spending three weeks in Bologna, we were excited. But we didn’t know much about it. It turns out, that Bologna should be added to everyone’s Italian itinerary. Bologna is one of the most underrate cities to visit in Europe and that is a good thing. It’s not as crowded as Rome or Venice, but there is just as much history, amazing food and architecture.

Bologna has a more local vibe and as you can see it’s absolutely stunning. Take a stroll through the old city and its cobblestone streets as you find one hidden gem after another. Bologna even has the highest leaning tower in all of Italy and when you walk up it, you’ll have amazing views of the city. Move over Pisa, this leaning tower is the real deal. (note, we took this photo from the top of Bologna’s leaning tower.)

21. Berlin, Germany

Cool Berlin

Having only been to Berlin once, we debated if we were allowed to include it in our list of beautiful cities. It’s been filled with so much graffiti over the years, instead of fighting it, it has embraced it. It has turned vandalism into a work of art. The architecture of Berlin is all over the place with a mix of buildings that clash with one another. And that is what makes Berlin Beautiful.

Not only is it beautiful, but Berlin is also one of the hippest cities to visit in Europe with amazing nightlife, cool neighborhoods and funky cafes. Read more: The Best Places to Visit in Berlin, Germany

22. Zurich Switzerland

beautiful cities in europe zurich switzerland

The beautiful European city of Zurich is a dream destination. The picturesque setting on Lake Zurich and the Limmat River make for a gorgeous spot to take in the sunset and watch the beautiful people walk by. Zurich has it all with a well-preserved old town, a rich history, and incomparable wealth. Walking through the cobbled streets will take you back in time.

One of our favorite things to do in Zurich was to see it from above. Take the Felsenegg cable car up to 803 meters above sea level for breathtaking views of the city.

23. Vienna, Austria

beautiful cities in europe vienna austria christmas

We visited Vienna, Austria during the holiday season and it is second to none when it comes to Christmas Markets. The city shines with lights and festivities. There is a reason that Vienna is referred to as one of the most beautiful capital cities in Europe. From its magnificent architecture and impressive museums to its musical history and art scene, it is easy to see why Vienna is so popular.

Bundle up and drink some mulled wine while you browse the walking streets and outdoor shops. Vienna’s opera house was rebuilt after World War II and is considered one of the most glamorous in the world. Read more: The 24 Best Things to do in Vienna, Austria

24. Munich, Germany

beautiful cities in europe munich germany

Germany’s Bavaria surprised us. We didn’t expect to love it so much, but it is Europe’s hidden gem. Munich is a city filled with cobblestone streets that are perfect for walking in the Old Town and picturesque squares, and it’s perfect to explore by bicycle.

Just outside the city is Europe’s largest park and there are plenty of beer halls and beer gardens. Plus don’t forget the famous Glockenspiel located at Marienplatz. Read more: Best Things to do in Munich, Germany

25. Athens

beautiful cities to visit in europe athens
Watch our video here to see just how much of a beautiful city Athens is

It took us three different visits to Athens before we really appreciated its beauty. The city is home to some of the most famous ancient ruins in the world, including the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and The Agora. There is nothing more breathtaking than sitting at a rooftop bar at Monastiraki Square looking at the Acropolis standing proud over the city.

There are so many places to take in views of the city with rooftop bars and patios all over Athens. One of the best places though is to take the cable car up to Lybitacus Hill for the overall best views of Athens.

best cities to visit in europe athens greece

A visit to Athens was on our bucket list for years. It was at a travel bloggers conference that we had our first taste of this eternal city and we have gone back a couple of times to really take in its beauty. Make sure to stay in the city center to be able to walk to all of the popular tourist attractions. It’s one of the most walkable capital cities in Europe and we love it.

Athens is also home to many beautiful parks and gardens. The National Garden is a lush oasis in the heart of the city where you can escape between viewing its impressive buildings and structures such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Panathenaic Stadium, and the Syntagma Square. Whether you are interested in history, art, or just enjoying the sights and sounds of a vibrant city, Athens has something to offer you.

26. Porto, Portugal

beautiful european cities to visit porto

The Medieval architecture of Porto is a lovely city located on the Douro River. Taking a tram ride through the city takes you back in time. They are designated with a heritage status for tourists to enjoy the historic transportation. When visiting Porto make sure to take a stroll through its old town beginning at the banks of the River Douro.

Taking a walk along the bustling waterfront makes for a romantic evening and don’t forget to take the funicular up for panoramic views. Lisbon may be one of the most popular cities to visit in Portugal, but Porto stole our hearts. Read more: 14 Best Things to Do in Sintra, Portugal in 2023

27. Brasov, Romania

brasov square is a beautiful european city

We fell in love with Romania and while the city of Bucharest is lively and exciting, it is the area of Transylvania that stole our hearts. While Dracula’s Castle is the popular tourist attraction in the area, make sure to spend a couple of days in Brasov.

The Old Town of Brasov is filled with walking streets, medieval architecture, and gothic churches. Take a stroll through the cobblestone streets of the Old Town Square and marvel at the sights and sounds. Council Square in the city center is one of the best places to hang out in Brasov. Watch our video: Scenes from Romania

28. Lisbon, Portugal

best cities to visit in europe lisbon portugal

There are so many beautiful cities in Portugal it is difficult to choose, but let’s go with the Capital City, Lisbon. Located on the Atlantic coast, the city is home to a number of impressive buildings and landmarks, including the Belem Tower overlooking the Tagus River, Jeronimos Monastery, and the Sao Jorge Castle. Besides its historic landmarks, Lisbon is also home to a number of modern structures, such as the Vasco da Gama Bridge, which is the longest bridge in Europe and offers breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding area.

Make sure to go to the Alfama neighborhood to wander its narrow streets, colorful houses, and lively atmosphere. The Baixa neighborhood, on the other hand, is a more modern neighborhood that is known for its wide boulevards and elegant buildings.

29. Seville, Spain

beautiful cities in europe - seville

We popped into Seville on a road trip through Spain and Italy years ago. That was when we traveled to check off a lot of places at once and we wish we stayed longer! Something we love about European cities is how they don’t change the historic parts of towns. If you’ve visited them before, they are just as beautiful as they are today, and the old town of Seville is no exception

People have taken note of Seville all over again thanks to Game of Thrones who used this location for the city of Mareen and locations in Dorne. It’s no wonder, Seville is one of the most beautiful places in Europe! See more Game of Thrones filming locations around the world at Game of Thrones Filming Locations You Can Visit in Real Life

30. Helsinki, Finland

beautiful cities in europe - finland

Helsinki was our final stop on our Scandinavian tour and like all the cities we visited in Northern Europe, it too was beautiful! The Helsinki Cathedral is the center point of the city towering over the colorful buildings lining the waterfront.

We love how Scandinavians always have swimming pools right in the heart of the city. Helsinki has a prominent swimming hole at the canal. The water is so clean! Like so many cities we love, there are walking streets, shopping and plenty of bistros and cafes.

31. Basel Switzerland

beautiful cities to visit in europe basel switzerland
Beaufitul Basel Switzerland

Switzerland has one beautiful city after another and we couldn’t end our beautiful cities in Europe list without including our favorite city in Switzerland, Basel. Located on the Rhine River, Basel it has the perfect blend of old and new. The history of the Old Town blends beautifully with the contemporary architectural designs throughout the city. The cultural capital of Switzerland has a magnificent Old Town.

Take a tour of The Altstadt (Old City) to see the amazing Basel Munster Cathedral which captures the soul of the city through its twin towers and red sandstone walls. The Rhine River cuts through the city center and there is no better way to take in the views of the city than by either taking a boat tour, or swimming in the river. (you heard me correctly, one of the top things to do in Basel is to swim in the River Rhine.

I know that Edinburgh is another beautiful city in Europe. Do you think it deserves to make the list?

32. Edinburgh, Scotland

beautiful cities to visit in europe edinbrugh

Edinburgh is built atop a series of extinct volcanoes and rocky crags, providing panoramic views of the surrounding area. The Old Town is a particularly picturesque area, with its winding medieval cobblestone streets and towering castles and churches. The Royal Mile is a popular tourist destination that runs from High Street section of Old Town down. It is the oldest section of the city. The Royal Mile area itself is actually 5 separate streets within the Old Town and it is worth it to explore all of them

One of the most iconic landmarks in Edinburgh is Edinburgh Castle, a medieval fortress perched atop a volcanic rock and offering breathtaking views of the city. The castle is home to the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny, a powerful symbol of the country’s royal heritage.

The Scott Monument, a towering Victorian Gothic monument, is a popular attraction and offers panoramic views of this charmoing city. The city’s many churches and cathedrals, including St. Giles Cathedral and Greyfriars Kirk, are also beautiful examples of architecture.

33. Kyiv, Ukraine

beautiful cities in europe kyiv

Sadly, Kyiv and Ukraine are suffering from Russia’s invasion so travel here is not happening in 2023 but we want to let the people know that they are in our hearts and minds. This is a beautiful city in Europe that we hope will survive and we hope the war ends soon so that the people of Ukraine can have their lives back. Read more about Kyiv at Unusual Things to Do in Kyiv, Ukraine

We traveled to Kyiv while taking part in the Mongol Rally. It was one of the best cities we stopped in during our overland journey from England to Mongolia. It’s filled with Orthodox Churches and cathedrals, wide avenues, and lovely ornate buildings all stemming out from Independence Square. During the Mongol Rally, we went through Ukraine and Russia, and while we are infuriated with Putin

34. San Marino

Most Beautiful Cities in Europe San Marino

San Marino is a city and an independent republic in the middle of Italy. It sits high on a hill overlooking possibly the most beautiful view we’ve ever seen from a city. It overlooks the Italian Apennines, rivaling the beauty of Tuscany. San Marino is the oldest surviving sovereign state in the world and it’s known as the Serene Republic. Serene it is indeed. Get Your Complete Guide to World Heritage Sites

35. Oia, Santorini – Greece

most beautiful cities in europe santorini
Oia, Santorini. Definitely a beautiful city in Europe.

I debated whether to put Oia, Santorini into this post or not. Is it a city or is it a destination? But considering it is one of the prettiest places we have ever been in our lives, we couldn’t leave our beautiful cities to visit in Europe list without mentioning this urban center located on a small island.

I don’t think there is a more beautiful spot on earth than overlooking the Caldera from the whitewashed buildings of Oia. Sure, Santorini was created to be a tourist destination, but it ended up being a masterpiece. So, we end with one of the top bucket list destinations in Europe and will let you debate whether it should be on our list or not.

And these are the most beautiful cities in Europe according to Dave and Deb. Europe is such a vast continent. It may be small in area, but it is huge in population and urban centers. From Russia to Greece or Northern Europe’s Scandinavia countries to Istanbul straddling two continents, there are so many cities to visit in Europe it will take a lifetime to see them all. But we are going to do our best!

Do you have any additions to our beautiful cities to visit in Europe? Do you think some of our suggestions are downright crazy? We want to know! 

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beautiful cities in europe
The Most Beautiful Cities in Europe

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine, the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

Leave a Comment

157 thoughts on “35 Most Beautiful Cities in Europe to See This Year”

  1. A bit surprised Naples is not in the ranking (if Edinburgh and Wien are). Notwithstanding some of its problems, it’s worth a top position as for beauty, art and culture

    Reply
  2. Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is an incredibly beautiful city with a mediaeval Old Town and neo-classical New Town separated by the gorgeous Princes Street Gardens.

    Reply
  3. World is so beautiful. I am so lucky that I born on this planet & I thankful my parents they gave birth on the earth.
    I couldn’t go outside India, but through media Imagine the beautiful world.
    Thanks everyone who is trying to bring things up to me.

    Reply
  4. Great list! I’ve been to a little more than half of these.
    Bern and Bergen both sound incredible! Thanks for putting it together

    Reply
  5. Frankly, I’ve always thought of London as an impressive city, but not a beautiful one. To me, Paris was built by artists — London was built by bureaucrats. My choice for beautiful city that’s often overlooked is Salzburg, Austria. There’s a palace in the middle of town where scenes from the Sound of Music were filmed, and the major buildings in the old quarter were influenced by classic Italian achitecture. And of course, there’s Mozart and the music …

    Reply
  6. Any list is imperfect by definition. In your case, for a start you miss many nice places for not having been to them. And then beauty is a very subjective concept. Nice effort anyway and I am happy to say that I have been to all 31 sites you mention. Plus many others you don’t, like St. Petersburg, Riga, Vilnius, Gdansk, Krakow, Bratislava, Dresden, Salzburg, Annecy, Bruges, Ghent, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Verona, Dubrovnik or Granada.
    All of them worth being in such a list, for me far more than Helsinki, Reykjavik or Dublin, that are interesting places, or call them exotic if you want, but not really beautiful.
    Europe is amazing, and there is no country or region that is not worth a visit.

    Reply
  7. Well I’ve only been to 7/31 so far…so I’ve got some traveling to do!

    I lived in Florence for 3-months during University and have been to Prague twice. I highly recommend both cities!

    Copenhagen, Budapest, and Berlin are next up on my list!

    Reply
  8. Brussels a beautiful city?
    And Dublin’s skyscrapers adds to its beauty?
    I don’t think I’m on the same page at all with the writer 😀 I prefer cities with old and beuatiful architecture and nice views. Brussels used to have an old town too, but most of it was bombed in WW2, and now it is mostly just a very small part of town that has old architecture.

    Reply
  9. Where is Moscow, the unreal, and the iconic city. And where is Amsterdam, the city with flowers and river canals.
    Not just moscow and amsterdam and your listed city is beautiful. Every city of europe is beautiful with their style, place, climate, architecture, people, street and many more.

    Reply
    • Unfortunately we haven’t been to Moscow Personally. We only included cities that we have been to. It’s been a long time since we have been to Amsterdam, but I really should add it to our list, I didnt’ think of it and will definitely do more research. Cheers!

      Reply
      • In that case I will encourage you to visit Spain, because it´s funny there´s only one city on the list from the world´s second most visited country on earth.

  10. Interesting list. If you’re only including cities you have visited (good idea), it would be great if you were to visit Edinburgh, Riga, Vienna, Turin, Bordeaux, Lyon, Toulouse, Lubeck, Bruges, Heidelberg, Munich, Stockholm, Dresden, Leipzig, Bonn, Bratislava and Ljubljana. It would be interesting to see how you rate them.

    Reply
    • We haven’t been to Edinburgh personally and only included cities that we have visited. WE have a wonderful guest writer that has written about Edinburgh though and as soon as we do visit, we will be sure to add it!

      Reply
  11. I like your blog but there’s something missing, Lisbon. Budapest is veautiful no doubt but not the most beautiful over the water, that would Lisbon. Visit it asap and see if I’am right….

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  12. MADRID??? It is completely incredulous that Madrid is not pretty much at top of this list – it is infinitely more beautiful and with more cultural depth to it than the vast majority of cities listed here! And to note the one unique aspect of Madrid that no other city in Europe shares: an incredibly deep blue sky almost every single day of the year due to its position as the capital city of highest altitude in Europe!

    Reply
  13. Its subjective what makes a city beautiful. Personally I like authenticity and places that have become less spoiled and wrapped up in globalisation and convenience.

    I love Tallinn, Rome, Budapest and Brussels and they’d probably be in my top 4 in some order.

    Riga is a lovely city with amazing Art Nouveau buildings. and I’d also have space for Ghent and Mechelen. Porto has a beauty to it and Innsbruck, the dramatic mountains surrounding it are stunning. I’d have Stockholm ahead of Copenhagen and someone mentioned Wroclaw which is lovely with all the little gnomes and lots of spires.

    I’d probably include Turin and Verona too, and much overlooked Luxembourg City. A quaint city with plenty of huge business on the outskirts, but a lovely core and valley with some grand buildings and structures.

    I’d also recommend Rovinj in Croatia and finally looking closer to home in Britain…. Bristol is a beautiful city by the waterfront and up in Clifton.

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  14. i can say all european countries are stunning. i pray one day to be lucky and visit europe at least. #help me please any one

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  15. Berlin beautiful!? I live in Berlin. It is an extremely interesting city. No doubt about it! Beautiful? Nah! However, nearby Potsdam is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. London beautiful? Must be a joke! European cities like Urbino, Perugia or Susdal are true pleasures for our sore eyes. London and Berlin are just famous, big and capitals.

    Reply
    • Berlin is wonderfully beautiful from Museum Island, around Unter den Linden then on to the fabulous Tiergarten and Zoo.

      Reply
  16. Agree with the most of your picks. But Definitely will change London with Viena . .. . Viena is one of the most beatiful pearls in the world. London ..well, London is definitely a must for visit but beatiful ..is too strong statement.

    Reply
  17. Surprised Edinburgh isn’t on the list.

    Even more surprised that San Marino and Santorini are. They’re both beautiful, but they arent cities. You could put my living room on the list – it’s beautiful and also isn’t a city.

    Reply
    • We haven’t been to Edinburgh so I can’t include it. This isn’t’ a list based on photographs from the Internet, it is a list based on where we have visited. I would love to see it one day though, and I am sure I will add it when I do.
      I actually stated that I debated Santorini, but then decided to go with Oia because it is so beautiful. It is the one place in Europe that literally took my breath away.
      San Marino is a republic, but the city of San Marino is the capital city of the republic. And it is beautiful. It’s a small city, but it is still a city.

      Reply
  18. Simply want to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness in your put up is just cool and i could think you are a professional in this subject. Well along with your permission let me to take hold of your feed to keep up to date with drawing close post. Thanks 1,000,000 and please carry on the rewarding work.

    Reply
    • We have since visited Berlin and agree. It’s not the typical beautiful city, but it is eclectic and filled with energy. So we added it to the list now that we have visited. Cheers

      Reply
    • It is my first time to hear your claim. Are you okay btw ? I know berlin is very beautiful but to claim as number one is totally insane .

      Reply
  19. In my opinion i’d go with madrid,paris,rome,milan,lisbon,venice,berlin,london,brussels,barcelona as my top 10…i love the madrid city

    Reply
    • We have yet to visit Madrid, Milan, or Lisbon, but I hear they are beautiful. I can’t wait to get back to Europe to see them in person. Then I will be able to update this list!

      Reply
    • When we visit Lisbon I am sure we’ll add it. We haven’t been personally, but we have had some other bloggers write guest posts for us about it and they say it is beautiful. I can’t wait to see it in person.

      Reply
  20. WOW, EXCELLENT…
    I LOVED BUDAPEST… LOOK HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THE NIGHT VIEW… IT JUST LOOK AWESOME…
    IT LOOK SO RICH AND BEAUTIFUL…
    THANK YOU FOR SHARING THESE 17 MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN EUROPE…
    KEEP POSTING AWESOME POSTS LIKE THIS…

    Reply
    • That is because we didn’t spend enough time there, we were there for a short time a few years ago for a conference. For this post, we only shared where we had been personally.

      Reply
    • We can’t wait to visit Edinburgh. We have been to Amsterdam, but it was before we owned a digital camera. I wanted to include only places we’ve been to personally and could post a photo to go with hit. I’ll have to dig one out because yes, Amsterdam is beautiful.

      Reply
  21. Hi Dave & Deb,

    Amazing choices! I been to Venice, Rome and Florence on my honeymoon and Barcelona, Granada, Seville and Madrid for our first anniversary this year, I think I am in LOVE with Europe. 🙂
    Need some help to decide which other cities I can cover in Feb 2015 in 10 days.

    Reply
  22. Not sure if anyone else has mentioned it but Salzburg is almost impossibly picturesque.

    But Europe has so many stunningly beautiful cities it’s almost unfair to rate them. Still, I thought I’d try! So here’s my list of the ten most beautiful European cities I’ve visited:
    -Salzburg
    -Vienna
    -Prague
    -Krakow
    -St Petersburg
    -Riga
    -Amsterdam
    -Bruges
    -Salamanca
    -Florence

    Reply
    • You are right. So many beautiful cities I. Europe. We didn’t spend enough time in Salzburg but would love to go back and really discover it. Thanks for sharing your list!

      Reply
    • Thanks for sharing. WE haven’t been to Krakow, St. Petersburg, Riga or Salamanca. Can’t wait to see them and add them to the list!

      Reply
  23. Great post! I’m glad you included Budapest, it’s often overlooked but it’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world! Yet I disagree with Barcelona being in the list, there are so many cities in Spain much more beautiful than Barcelona like Seville! Plus including Barcelona and not Madrid (which in my opinion is way more beautiful than BCN) would be like including Reims but not Paris, or Birmingham and not London… I would really recommend to visit Madrid if you haven’t yet. The list is great otherwise, Europe is such a fascinating continent!

    Reply
  24. I live in Budapest and a lot has changed since 1999, the city can hardly compare to now begin with a huge investment in the restoration of pre-war Castle which is the greatest spectacle will be in Budapest

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  25. This is well-sorted list of beautiful cities in the Europe. However, I do feel that cities like Vienna and St. Petersberg should have been included in the list. I have been to St. Petersburg, I loved the Russian architecture there, they are really a treat for the art lovers. I strongly feel the city should have featured in your list of beautiful European cities, but then Europe has so many beautiful cities that compiling a list is really difficult.

    http://www.travelspec.com

    Reply
    • Thanks for the heads up! We haven’t been to St. Petersberg yet, but it’s definitely on our list and I’m sure we’ll be adding it to another list when we see it with our own eyes

      Reply
  26. Beauty is so subjective, but you’ve managed to include my top 3 picks – Paris (my spiritual home), Barcelona, which would probably be my favorite if I spoke Spanish or Catalan, and Istanbul – my current crush. All very different, but vibrant, stunning to look at and deeply proud of their cultures

    Reply
  27. Krakow is definitely one of my favourite European cities and like a lot of Eastern Europe, it’s pretty underrated. To me, the juxtaposition of the largely rundown Jewish quarters with the fairytale like Old Town is extremely interesting. I spent nearly 3 months in Poland a couple of years ago and loved every minute of it!

    This is a great list! Paris, Barcelona & London are some of my other top European cities too 🙂

    Reply
    • We have heard that Krakow is beautiful. I hope to go one day. We only included places we’ve visited, but when we go, I’m sure it will be added.

      Reply
  28. I love this post is a tribute for Europe, but Valencia should be in the list before Barcelona (Valencia is more authentic), instead of Brussels should be Bruges (for me Bruges is very beautiful) and I think Lisbon should be in the list.

    Reply
    • Great additions. We have been to Valencia and I didn’t think of it. I’ll look through my photos again. We have not been to Bruges, but have always wanted to go.

      Reply
  29. Great list, lots of wonderful cities I still have to visit.
    My top 10 European cities list would also include: Porto, Valencia and Lisbon.

    Reply
    • Great additions. We’ve been to Porto and Valencia, we’ll have to revisit our photos and take a look at them. Porto was only a short 3 day trip for a conference, so I don’t think we gave it the attention it deserves.

      Reply
  30. Nice summary of europe 🙂 For me the best city in Barcelona. I really love Spain and the people in Barcelona are friendly all the time. Furthermore there are a lot of inhabitants from middle and south america. Awesome mix of cultures 🙂

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  31. They are really 13 amazing cities to visit. This year I’m on my way to Barcelona and I must say your picture looks more than promising.

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  32. Great post Dave and Deb. Since there are still countries in Europe I haven’t visited yet. This post is very helpful for me for specific destinations for my travelling plan.

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  33. An amazing place with such natural delights. I will surely plan my upcoming vacation to this place. thanks for posting nice views.

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  34. Amazing pictures and some of the cities I’ve been to. Wish I had spent more time in Florence than in Rome though.

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  35. Okay, there are 3 cities on your list I haven’t visited. Obviously I’m falling down on the job of touring Italy because I missed San Marino and Bologna. The other city I haven’t visited is Brussels – except to whiz through on the train. Back to Europe I go! PS Astounding photos as usual.

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  36. I adored the Italian cities of Rome and Venice. Your photos are stunning! I should make the effort to learn HDR photography this summer. Always loved seeing the effects, but I never learned the technique.

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  37. Your pictures are beautiful. I don’t know what HDR is but I think it’s great.
    I’ve traveled a lot with my daughter throughout Europe and loved it all.
    Spain and Portugal are high on my list. Did love London because of all the
    history. Spent some time in Shanghai, China. It’s so crowded but loved all the
    temples and the parks. They do have a lot of green spaces. Get to go to
    Latvia in November. Looking forward to that and traveling to all the countries
    near by.

    Reply
    • Thanks Deanna. HDR Is a process that takes several different exposures of one scene and then you blend the photos together. The human eye sees all the exposures at once, but normally a camera can only focus on one, so if there is a blue sky and rich green scenery, you only see one or the other in a photograph. With HDR, you see it all.
      We loved Shanghai too. We’re going to have to do the best cities around the world one day soon,but we’re lacking in our South America travels, We’ve only been to Peru and Ecuador on that continent so once we get more SA cities, we’ll have to do a round up. I think we can do Asian cities though easily, I believe we’ve seen most of them. You’ve got me thinking 🙂

      Reply
  38. I think that Prague is probably the most beautiful city in the entire world, let alone Europe! I’d also argue that Madrid, Granada and Lisbon should make the list. I’ve just moved to Riga, Latvia and, from what I’ve seen so far, this place is also quite stunning. That’s the trouble with Europe – every place you visit is more charming than the last!

    Reply
    • Great choices Heather. We didn’t spend enough time in Lisbon. We were only there a couple of days, and although it was pretty walking in the old town, I don’t think we got to see it from the proper vantage point. I must go back. Ooh, we haven’t been to Latvia yet, you must keep us posted how it is. I’ll keep checking out your blog for updates!

      Reply
  39. I beleive Athens should be in the list too.Just came back from there and was awsome.The places to visit were just numberless.Visited almost every place seen in a video guides’ site (http://www.myathens.tv/en/ if you are interested which site was it) . Cheers!

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  40. Aw, thanks for the shout-out guys! And I agree. Grand Place still takes my breath away even after 9 years of living here.

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  41. INDEED!!!!! Paris is the most beautiful city EVER!!!! Summed up in one word: MESMORIZING.
    It may also be considered the sexiest city in the world:)

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  42. Not sure about Budapest and Bern. Although Budapest looks very good on “paper”, I got there during a heat wave in 1999. It was hot, humid, smelly (everybody smoked), people were unfriendly, and I almost got pick-pocketed while trying to get that night view from the bridge. As you say, experiences are subjective. Bern has a nice view from that high point above the river, but because of the covered walkways, your views are often limited. I was in Brussels for the first time less than two weeks ago and the Grand Place is definitely impressive!

    Beautiful cities not on your list: Dubrovnik, Ljubljana, Lisbon, Salzburg, Lyon
    European cities I really want to visit next: Prague, Berlin, Krakow, Seville, Istanbul. So many places! 🙂

    Reply
    • A heat wave can turn off almost everone 🙂 1999 is a lot different than today too. Everybody smoked in Toronto in 1999 as well. I din’t really notice the smokers and I’m quite sensitive to it, so maybe it’s not so bad anymore. Italy and Spain is where I noticed a lot of smoking still going on. It’s funny, the covered walkways are what I love about Bern 🙂 Glad we agree on Grand Place! We’ve been to Croatia, but didn’t get to Dubrovnik, I can see it being beautiful as the smaller cities we visited there were lovely. Cheers!

      Reply
  43. Absolutely fantastic imagery to represent each of these incredible cities. I’m making Budapest my 8th out of those 13 later this year. Fingers crossed to add Istanbul and Bologna within the next year too! Happy travels.

    Reply
    • Fantastic and thank you! We hope you enjoy Budapest. It is really a beautiful city. And Istanbul is so unique you are going to love it as well. We traveled from Istanbul to Budapest when we went. Maybe you’ll be able to go from Budapest to Istanbul 🙂

      Reply
  44. Wow what a great list, I can’t wait to explore Europe more. I have visited a few on your list but that was when I worked on cruise ships and you get such a small amount of time in port its hard to really discover the best, hidden parts of a city. Stunning pics as always – I can’t wait to see these sights for myself.

    Reply
    • What a great way to see the world! Working on a cruise ships gives you a taste of everything and then you can go back later to explore in depth. Appreciate the comment!

      Reply
  45. Nice list! I totally agree with Rome, Barcelona and Prague, my favourites! Have you been to Oslo or other cities in Norway yet? I think you will like Norway, with it’s mountains and fjords, midnight sun and northern lights.

    Reply
    • We haven’t been to Oslo yet. We’re hoping to get more Scandinavia travel under our belt next year. (fingers crossed) I have a feeling this list will change a lot over the years as we explore more.

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  46. I remember the first time I went to Europe I actually considered skipping Paris as I was worried it was too cliché. What a mistake that would have been. Paris truly is the world’s most beautiful city, although I do have a soft spot in my soul for Madrid 🙂

    Reply
    • It’s true isn’t it Mike? Even after visiting so many European Cities, we still love Paris. We haven’t truly explored Madrid yet, so we’ll have to get back and explore some more.

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    • I know! we didn’t make it to Dubrovnik when we were in Croatia. But judging from the parts of the country we visited, I bet it is beautiful. We visited Rijeka and the islands of Rab, Krk and and Cres. The towns on these islands were absolutely beautiful and we nearly considered including one of them but thought that they probably weren’t large enough.

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  47. Sometimes I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I love Venice because so many people complain that it’s too touristy. It’s definitely crowded – particularly if you stick to the big sites – but, for me, it still has this magical feeling about it that even the crowds can’t take away.

    Reply
    • I know how you feel Jessica. We love Venice and Paris and many people think that you have to go for the more obscure choices, but there’s a reason these places have always been so popular. They are beautiful! Same with us, even the crowds are ok. getting lost in the back streets is a wonderful way to escape them.

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    • Great choices! We forgot about Monaco. I think it is only because we simply drove through it quickly. We wanted to say that we popped into see it, but didn’t spend enough time exploring. We’ve got to get to Dubrovnik. We loved Croatia and hear it is beautiful.

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  48. I am on your blog after a while and I’m happy to be treated with gorgeous photos of Europe! My personal favorites are cities in Italy. I’m not sure about Paris, because I have heard it is getting dirty and too much of construction going on.

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    • Thanks Renuka! Hopefully you’ll be able to give Paris a try and see what you think. Some people love it some people hate it. I think either way, people always have a strong opinion of the city.

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  49. I have to agree with Lucas. I have been following your blog for years, but the excessive use of HDR in travel photography has gotten excessive. When I want to think dream and learn about travel, I want to see what things REALLY look like. I respect HDR as an art form, but I don’t think it should be a default for travel photojournalism. The surreal approach is a turn off (and at the end of the day appears to be the tool of a weak photographer – which I know you are not as you have posted some other lovely pictures). But the majority of your 11 here are posted as HDR and I think that does a disservice to the beauty of these actual cities. Maybe consider taking a break?

    Reply
    • Thanks for your comment Alyssa and I am sorry that you feel that way about HDR in travel photography. I have personally found it a great way to increase my creativity around the places that we visit. For some it works for others it does not. HDR is certainly not the only type of photography I practice as you can see if you have a look though other posts and our gallery. As for your comment that HDR is the tool of a weak photographer this is applying a broad stroke to the subject. I know quite a few wonderful and successful travel photographers that use HDR in a lot of their work and that would beg to differ with your opinion. As I replied to Lucas above, photography is an art and therefore based on personal taste. As far as doing a disservice to these places I think you may have blown that a little out of proportion. If you look around there are millions of photos of each destinations on the net. These are just our interpretation of them. Beauty after all is in the eye of the beholder 🙂
      Thank you again for your comment and I hope you will continue to read and visit The Planet D.

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  50. Yes those are some of my favorite cities because they are so photo worthy and too many incredible places to visit with scenic vistas and amazing views.

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  51. Love the list could only imagine how difficult it was to pick top 10. I know Dublin didn’t make top 10 but look at competition, maybe next trip go the city park “Phoenix Park” where you will find 10 square miles of park land including Dublin zoo, presidents house, US embassy and papal cross among the wild deer.

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    • I know eh. We had Dublin on the list. It’s definitely in our top 12. I think Dublin can go down as one of the coolest cities in Europe. That’s where we’d place it alongside Berlin.

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  52. Brussels is an under-appreciated city. I hear far too many people dismiss it–but it is gorgeous. (Just got back from Amsterdam–also beautiful, Ruby).

    And, wow, your photo of Casa Batllo is way better than any I took.

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  53. Great list (and pictures)!! I completely agree with Paris – it seems cliche, but no European city can top Paris in my option either! I personally would have swapped Bruges for Brussels, but there are so many beautiful cities in Europe, hard to narrow it down to 10!

    Reply
    • Thanks Helen. I know exactly how you feel. We wrote this post because we were having such joyous conversations about our times in Europe, we started making a little list as we talked and said, let’s share!

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  54. I recently visited Prague, Budapest and Vienna. Each city was beautiful but Budapest in night was something magical. I never knew a city can look so different in day and night. River cruise in Danube was the highlight of my trip. Hope to see rest of cities in above list in upcoming years 🙂

    Reply
    • Ah yes, Vienna. We had thought about including it, but it just didn’t do for us what it has done for others. I think I must go back and give it another try. Sometimes a city can grow on you after another visit. I agree as well about the Danube. The first time we were in Budapest, we didn’t cruise the Danube, we just walked along the riverfront, but when we went a second time and saw it from the river, it was even more outstanding.

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  55. *Sigh* what a terrific feature and beautiful pics thanks SO much 🙂 PS London always deserves a spot, you are right!

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    • Thank you! I’m glad you agree with London, we thought it was beautiful, but I know that everyone has different tastes.

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  56. I have been to many places on this list and agree with most! We visited Budapest in April and were blown away by its beauty especially at night as you mentioned. We have also just returned from Dublin which is also beautiful. I do love Hamburg though after I spent sometime on work experience there whilst at university and also Moscow with st Basil’s and the metro is an amazing sight. Visiting krakow later in the year and as mentioned I have heard it is very nice. Have to give a shout out to Edinburgh too. Prague is also one of my favourite places in Europe. Nice list! 🙂

    Reply
    • Hi Nic, great addition about Dublin. We almost put in on the list. We were just there last month and loved it. We found it to be a bit like Berlin, a very cool city with a fun hip vibe, but it wasn’t the traditionally beautiful city we were thinking of. I can understand why you’d add it though, we had a bit of a discussion about it. We have yet to visit Hamburg, but I have heard it is beautiful. We love the conversation it is sparking about what cities are beautiful and which ones are not, it raises our wanderlust even more. We’re going to see Edinburgh in October, can’t wait! And Moscow has been a dream of ours for quite some time. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  57. Galway, Edinburgh and Berlin would make my list. Brussels wouldn’t make my top 100 and London would be just outside top 10. Otherwise I agree, good choices!

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    • Galway is nice too. Good choice, maybe we should have taken a closer look at things when we were there. We haven’t been to Edinburgh but are going in October. Hopefully we’ll feel the same way. Berlin is definitely the coolest city in Europe. For us it is not the most beautiful of them all, but definitely the hippest and coolest of them all for sure. We loved it too!

      Reply
    • We have been to Lisbon, but only spent a couple of days there. WE didn’t get to explore it as much as we would have liked. Hopefully we’ll have more time there in the future and it can make it.

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  58. Beautiful photos! Agree with all nominations except for Brussels, never enjoyed it there…probably cause I’ve been there too much for work.

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    • Ah yes, when you spend too much time at a place for work it can turn you off. I think Brussels stays with us because we saw it on one of our first trips to Europe and we were blown away by the square then. It has a special place in our hearts.

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  59. Europe is a very beautiful place and these are some very nice pictures. Thank you for sharing this as I believe traveling will help you live longer as you enjoy this beautiful world.

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    • Ferrara we a great town and it nearly made the list. There are so many beautiful cities in Italy. We loved Ferrara too but it just didn’t quite make it. But definitely in the top 20 for us. 🙂

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    • Thanks Sophie, we haven’t been to Bergen, but we’ll definitely check it out. We’ll be doing more of Europe this year, so we’ll have to do a follow up piece next year for sure as we add more. We’ll keep it always to 13 so we’ll have to either take away.

      Reply
    • Thanks for stopping by Lucas. HDR is not for everyone and I don’t use it all of the time. One of the things that I love about photography is that it is subjective. What one person likes perhaps another doesn’t. I hope you have been able to peruse our gallery and enjoy some of the other images we have posted.

      Cheers,

      Dave

      Reply
  60. I’ve been to several of these cities and I agree wholeheartedly with them being on the list.

    Reply
  61. Europe is the best! It has many nice places to visit. My target ones are the Venice and Paris. 🙂

    Reply