We’ve compiled our list of the most beautiful cities in Europe from years of visiting the continent. This list is not someone else’s opinion; these are the best European cities that we have personally visited in real life. We’ve seen and experienced all of these cities firsthand, and when you see them, you can click through to read more in-depth guides. So get ready to let us help you choose the best city to add to your European travel itinerary.
We most certainly haven’t seen all of Europe, but we have been to most of them. We chose these cities for their stunning architecture and fascinating history. If you are looking for historical sites, a vibrant nightlife scene, or even stunning beaches, we’ve got you covered.
Table of Contents
1. Dubrovnik
Located on the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea 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 lovely 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, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is surrounded by a medieval wall that was built in the 13th century. Walk along the wall for panoramic city views. Places of interest include Dubrovnik Cathedral, the Rector’s Palace, and the Sponza Palace. Dubrovnik was also used as a filming location for Game of Thrones.
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2. Porto, Portugal
Located in Northern Portugal, Porto has skyrocketed to the top of people’s list of cities to see when they visit Europe. The Medieval architecture of Porto is what stands out in this lovely city on the Douro River. This coastal city has golden beaches by the sea and grand boulevards along the river. Porto has transformed over the years to become our favorite romantic city in Europe. Today, it is also one of the most visited cities in Portugal. When visiting Porto, stroll through its old town, beginning at the banks of the River Douro. Stroll its charming streets in search of a Fado performance, or hop on a river cruise to see its Medieval buildings from a different angle.
Walking along the bustling waterfront makes for a romantic evening, sipping port wine takes you back in time, and don’t forget to take the funicular up for panoramic views.
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3. Paris, France
Paris is often considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is undoubtedly at the top as a romantic city, and we can’t help but fall in love with it whenever we visit again and again. It may seem cliché, but it will always be the most beautiful city in Europe to us. Paris is also one of the few cities that we revisit regularly. No matter how many other cities we see, we still return to the City of Lights and gaze upon it with wonder and awe. We never tire of seeing different views of the Eiffel Tower, and going up for a champagne toast is one for the bucket list.
- Read more about Paris
4. 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.
Nyhavn is probably the most scenic cityscape of all 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 unique is that they are painted in bright colors.
- To see more of Copenhagen, check out:
5. Venice, Italy
Venice is one of the best European cities to visit if you don’t go on a cruise. Traveling independently and staying overnight in the city is a fantastic experience. Even though it is known for its canals, getting lost in its maze of narrow cobblestone streets and back alleys is part of the fun of visiting this charming city.
We spent six days exploring Venice, and it quickly became 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. Taking boat trips through the canals created a picture-perfect experience, and enjoying quiet drinks on a bistro terrace felt like a dream.
- Read more about Venice
6. Athens
Athens is home to some of the most famous ancient ruins in the world, including the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and The Ancient Agora. Nothing is more breathtaking than sitting at a rooftop bar at Monastiraki Square, looking at the Acropolis standing proudly over the city.
There are 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. 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. Whether you are interested in history, art, or just enjoying the sights and sounds of a vibrant city, Athens has something to offer you.
- Read more about Athens.
7. Budapest, Hungary
Located on the Danube River in Central Europe, visitors will be in awe of the Budapest waterfront. Walking over the chain bridge to witness the beauty of the Hungarian twin cities of Buda and Pest is pure perfection. When 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 buildings dominate the Hungarian Capital and shines at night as the Széchenyi Chain Bridge reflects in its waters, making for a magical scene. Budapest at night is truly one of the prettiest cities in Europe. Budapest is known for its thermal baths and ruin bars. These two tourist destinations are what make Budapest so unique.
- Read more about Budapest
8. Florence, Italy
Florence is truly a city of art and one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Europe. With every turn, you will run into sculptures or intricate etchings 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. Known for the Sculpture of David, the Ponte Vechhio and Fabulous cuisine, Florence is a city you’ll want to take your time to enjoy.
The Duomo stands proud in the city center, and endless streets free from traffic make walking a pleasure. Make sure to spend more than a day trip when visiting Florence, spend several to really delve into the art and culture of this gorgeous metropolis.
- Read more about Florence
9. 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 genuinely picture-perfect. The historic Bryggen Area makes for a picturesque waterfront. It may not be the apparent Norwegian city to visit in Europe (most people naturally think of Oslo first), but Bergen is undoubtedly 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 with good reason. Bergen is surrounded by seven 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.
10. 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 revisited it 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 Europe. Its art nouveau buildings are some of the best in Europe. Horta Hotel Tassa was the first European building constructed in the Art Nouveau style. It’s an absolutely beautiful city filled with history and charm, but it is the city square that puts it near the top of our favorite of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
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11. Bruges, Belgium
Often, people think Bruges is one of the most beautiful European cities. We visited Bruges in 1996 and honestly can’t remember thinking it was beautiful, but we thought we’d sneak it in after Brussels as a hidden gem of a European city to visit on this list. Luckily, we have had people write articles about Bruges for us; we did see the movie “In Bruges,” to gain further appreciation since our visit nearly 30 years ago. Check this out and see what you think!
12. Rome, Italy
Rome made the list of beautiful cities to visit in Europe because of how ancient ruins weave through modern architecture. The Eternal City has a mix of old and new, leaving 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.
- Read more about Rome
- 21 Best Monuments in Rome To See In Your Lifetime
- 22 of the Best Things to Do in Rome
- Places to Visit Near Rome – Top 10 Alternative Attractions
- Where to Stay in Rome
- The Ultimate One Day in Rome Itinerary: How To Maximize Your Visit
- 15 Best Day Trips From Rome
- 3 Days in Rome: Planning the Perfect Rome Itinerary
13. Prague, Czechia
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 an affordable pint. Like any city in Europe, the river offers the most beautiful views. The Prague Castle stands proud overhead as the Charles Bridge spans the lovely Vltava River of Eastern Europe.
If you wake up early and walk around the city, you will have it all to yourself. The 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 after 9:00 am, which gave us plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful architecture and medieval churches in private.
- Read more at 20 of The Best Things to do in Prague, Czechia
14. Istanbul, Turkey
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 the East meets the West. It’s an enormous city, yet it is easy to walk and navigate.
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15. London, England
Our favorite part of London was hanging out by the river, with Tower Bridge spanning the Thames. Like most cities, the best attractions of London are located on the water. We took water taxis and ferries, took in the city’s beauty from the river, and explored its world class museums. London has transformed in the past 20 years to become a wonderful mix of historic architecture blending with modern skyscrapers. With Iconic Landmarks from Big Ben and the Tower of London to the London Eye to The Shard and The Gherkin, London has one of the most eclectic skylines in Europe, and it’s beautiful. Do you agree?
- Read more about London
16. Dublin, Ireland
It took me a while to add Dublin to my list of beautiful cities but Dublin is by far one of our favourite European cities. When I started compiling this, I only thought of skylines and places that took my breath away. But after visiting Dublin several times, I realized 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 pub scene. The more we travel to it, the more beautiful it becomes.
- Read more about Dublin
17. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Dave and I visited Amsterdam before our travel blogging careers, but it left an impression. Known as the Venice of the North, Amsterdam is a city of picturesque canals. The colorful waterways make it one of the prettiest cities in Europe, and the canals 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.
- Read more about Amsterdam
18. Stockholm, Sweden
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 by ferries that take visitors to 14 islands. You won’t forget your visit to Stockholm, it’s one of the best tourist destinations in northern Europe.
- Read more:
- How to Visit Stockholm on a Budget
- 14 Spectacular and Colourful Stockholm Pictures
- Check out another picturesque city in Sweden in our Malmo Itinerary
19. Tallinn, Estonia
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 it is an exciting country with a very rich history. We can’t wait to go back and see more! With its medieval square, high lookouts, and an ancient wall, it has everything you need to see when visiting a European City. If you are traveling through Scandinavia, add Estonia to your list.
Read more: 6 Must-Have Experiences When you Visit Estonia
20. Reykjavik, Iceland
Visiting Iceland was a dream come true, and its capital city, 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 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 huge Game of Thrones fans and visited many destinations around the world. Check out this Game of Thrones Tour of Northern Ireland that recreates some of the scenes shot in Iceland.
- Read more about Iceland
21. Barcelona, Spain
The more we visit Barcelona, the more we love it. At first, we weren’t fans of Gaudi’s works, but as we got to know his work more, we fell in love with his innovative, colorful, and playful architecture. In fact, Barcelona’s architecture is so unique and important that it nine of its buildings are designated UNESCO World Heritage sites. Seven of which belong to Anotnie Gaudi himself.
With a beautiful waterfront, quiet parks, downtown walking streets, and bustling markets, Barcelona is definitely one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities we’ve visited in Europe.
- Read more about Barcelona:
22. 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, countless historic sites, 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.
- Read more about Zurich.
23. Vienna, Austria
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. This is why 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 famous.
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.
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24. 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 the most populous city in Bavaria, and it is a lively town with beer halls, a university, an expansive park, and fantastic architecture. Munich is a city filled with cobblestone streets that are perfect for walking in the Old Town, and the picturesque squares make it easy to explore on foot or by bicycle.
- Read more about Bavaria
25. Bern, Switzerland
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 shopping pleasant in any type of weather. Seeing Bern from the Aare River reinforces our decision to include it in our list of the most beautiful cities we’ve ever visited.
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26. Lisbon, Portugal
There are so many beautiful cities in Portugal that it is challenging to choose, but Lisbon is a star. 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 and Jeronimos Monastery.
Go to the Alfama neighborhood to wander its narrow streets and colorful houses and enjoy its vibrant cultural scene at one of its Fado Bars. The Baixa neighborhood, on the other hand, is a more modern neighborhood that is known for its wide boulevards and elegant buildings. 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.
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27. Seville, Spain
We popped into Seville on a road trip through Spain and Italy years ago and we wished we had 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 city of Seville is no exception.
People have taken note of Seville all over again thanks to Game of Thrones, which 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!
- Check out
28. Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki was our final stop on our Scandinavian tour, and like all the cities we visited in Northern Europe, it was beautiful, too! The Helsinki Cathedral is the center point of the city, towering over the colorful buildings that line 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.
29. 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 fantastic 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 Rhine River.)
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30. Edinburgh, Scotland
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 streets and towering castles and churches. The Royal Mile is the oldest section of the city.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Edinburgh is Edinburgh Castle, a medieval fortress perched atop a volcanic rock that offers breathtaking views of the city. The castle is home to the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny. The Scott Monument, a towering Victorian Gothic monument, is a popular attraction and offers panoramic views of this charming city.
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Europe is such a vast continent. It may be small in area, but it is enormous 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.
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Most European cities have done an amazing job preserving their buildings and history, which plays a big part in determining where they are places on this list. Want more information on European Capital Cities? Check out 14 Best European Capital Cities To Visit
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
in Paris I like Eiffel Tower but I recommend you to go Disneyland Paris its an amazing place
Warsaw – the capital city of Poland is really beautiful and modern. I can really recommend to visit it.
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.
Absolutely, deserves to be in top 10.
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.
Great list! I’ve been to a little more than half of these.
Bern and Bergen both sound incredible! Thanks for putting it together
If you ever visit Edinburgh in Scotland and Turin in Italy, I’m sure you would add them to your list!
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 …
I would love to go to Salzburg.
Yes its one of the best cities in Europe. Zell am see near Salzburg is also beautiful.
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.
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!
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.
Where is Zagreb (if you prefer Austro-Hungarian architecture) or Split (more of a Roman style)
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.
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!
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.
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.
Where is Edinburgh???
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!
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….
So no love for Madrid or Sevilla or the Canary islands…
And Sevilla? Sevilla is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe!!!
We haven’t been, but would love to go and when we do, we will be able to add it to our list!
Salzburg!
Have you been to bled in Slovenia it is so stunning and beautiful
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!
No Vienna on the list? After Paris, It’s probably the most beautiful city in Europe.
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.
Lovely article, thank you. May I recommend Wroclaw. The Christmas market is breathtakingly pretty.
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
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.
Berlin is wonderfully beautiful from Museum Island, around Unter den Linden then on to the fabulous Tiergarten and Zoo.
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.
What of Hamburg
And where is Madrid, the most beautiful and liveable city of Europe?
VIENNA ist beautiful too.
Thessaloniki
I second that ^^
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.
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.
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good list but i am surprised lisbon and edinburgh are not on there
We haven’t been to Lisbon or we would have included it. We hear it is beautiful. I cannot wait to visit one day.
The most beautiful city in Europe without doubt is Berlin Germany. No city in Europe can get any close to it.
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
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 .
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
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!
Were is Lisbon?
Not only should be in your list, it also must be in the top of your list…
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.
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…
How i cannot see Lisbon in the chart 🙁
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.
Don’t forget edinburgh. Wonderful magical place. Amsterdam too
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.
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.
Wow! You’ve seen a lot of Europe! I think you will have to give Budapest and Prague a try. I think you’ll love them.
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
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!
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!
WOW! That photo of Barcelona is amazing!!! Did you guys take it?
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Yes we did. Cheers.
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!
Unfortunately we haven’t been to Madrid personally but when we go, I’m sure we’ll add it. Same with Seville.
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
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.
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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
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
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 🙂
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.
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.
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.
Great list, lots of wonderful cities I still have to visit.
My top 10 European cities list would also include: Porto, Valencia and Lisbon.
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.
Great choices, but Europe has enough beautiful cities for 3 more editions 🙂
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 🙂
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.
Can’t disagree with any of these choices. Great photos too.
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.
An amazing place with such natural delights. I will surely plan my upcoming vacation to this place. thanks for posting nice views.
Amazing pictures and some of the cities I’ve been to. Wish I had spent more time in Florence than in Rome though.
Amsterdam is definitely missing. The city is not only just nice, it is the coolest place in Europe.
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.
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.
Ick. The HDR is such a turnoff and doesn’t represent how any of those cities actually appear in real life…
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.
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 🙂
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!
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!
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!
Thanks Hugh, we’re going to Athens in October and I have a feeling it will be added to our list for sure!
I’m sure you going to enjoy all of your days there!
Aw, thanks for the shout-out guys! And I agree. Grand Place still takes my breath away even after 9 years of living here.
So glad that Grand Place is still beautiful to you too! We still think it is gorgeous!
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:)
So glad to hear that you agree! We do love Paris.
OOh, I like that description too. that could be a whole other post.
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! 🙂
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!
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.
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 🙂
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.
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!
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.
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.
We’re definitely hoping to get to Norway next year.
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 🙂
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.
Great images! You missed Dubrovnik though! Just beautiful!
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.
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.
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.
Dubrovnik, Amsterdam, Siena, Stockholm, Monaco, Seville… 😉
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
5 out of 10 are in Italy………what more can i say?
Amsterdam didn’t make the list??? It’s much more beautiful than Brussels.
This post just awaken my European Travel Dream! The cities are all magnificent and stunning!
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!
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 🙂
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.
Krakow rocks with its Medieval churches, castles, fun underground bars and amazing squares. Well worth a visit.
We agree, we have to get to Krakow!
*Sigh* what a terrific feature and beautiful pics thanks SO much 🙂 PS London always deserves a spot, you are right!
Thank you! I’m glad you agree with London, we thought it was beautiful, but I know that everyone has different tastes.
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! 🙂
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!
Updated URL for my website! 🙂
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!
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!
I suggest Lisbon too…very picturesque !
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.
Beautiful photos! Agree with all nominations except for Brussels, never enjoyed it there…probably cause I’ve been there too much for work.
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.
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.
Great list
Wow- stunning photos! Especially the one of Florence.
I wish Ferrara was on your list!
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. 🙂
Bergen is very beautiful. Just sayin’, guys 🙂
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.
nice compilation, however I really dislike your use of HDR pictures (always look like radioactive vomit)!
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
I’ve been to several of these cities and I agree wholeheartedly with them being on the list.
Thanks Zoe, it’s always subjective which cities to include, but these ones usually are favoruites.
Europe is the best! It has many nice places to visit. My target ones are the Venice and Paris. 🙂
two great choices for cities!