Europe, in addition to having a great history, houses many of the most beautiful cities in the world. Cities that bring together everything a traveler could want: monuments and historic buildings, parks to relax, original shops and stores, museums, shopping streets, historic centers to get lost, areas with a good atmosphere for a drink, good food and all kinds of cultural and entertainment activities, with which to spend unforgettable days.
We have made a list of 25 essential cities to visit in Europe to enjoy all kinds of experiences. We start!
1. Rome
No city can compare its history with that of Rome, in which it seems that time has stopped in it. Visiting places like the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Roman Forum or the Pantheon of Agrippa is like going back in time and entering the bowels of history.
One of our favorite places in the city is the Trastevere neighborhood, where you can stroll in the afternoon through its narrow streets and eat in one of its trattorias, we assure you, it is one of the best experiences you can have in the city. Eternal City.
Coliseum
- 100 essential things to see and do in Rome
2. Amsterdam
Amsterdam is another city what to visit in Europe more essential, perfect to travel by bike or by boat through one of its many channels. Its historic center and its museums such as the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, or the Anne Frank House, are some of the many jewels you can find in the city.
Another of the things we would like to highlight and highlight is the good and liberal atmosphere that is felt in every corner and place of the city.
Amsterdam
- 50 essential things to see and do in Amsterdam
3. Prague
Prague, considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with a historic center that you will remember and that you will want to return to many times.
A walking route starting at the Old Town square with its spectacular Astronomical Clock, continuing through the Jewish quarter and then crossing the Charles IV Bridge and climbing up to Prague Castle, through the bohemian neighborhood of Mala Strana, is one of the routes you can't stop doing.
Old Town Square at Night
- 50 essential things to see and do in Prague
4. Lisbon
Lisbon, that romantic city with a decadent air, that falls in love as soon as we meet it and that is another of our favorite cities in Europe.
Getting lost at sunset through the Alfama neighborhood and entering a tavern to listen to a fado or have a good cod dinner, is one of the best experiences that the city offers and we advise you not to get lost. You also can't leave Lisbon without trying their delicious Bélem cakes or see the city from one of its magnificent viewpoints.
Of course, we warn you: Lisbon hooks and much.
Lisbon
- 50 essential things to see and do in Lisbon
5. Barcelona
Barcelona is the city we have visited more times and where we always find a place, restaurant, shop or place that surprises us.
A city with kilometers of beach, with good gastronomy, especially its rice, fish and tapas, with the Ramblas and neighborhoods to get lost like El Born, the Gothic or Grace, good weather and with the best example of modernism thanks to the genius Gaudí. Do you dare to meet her?
The Batlló House in Barcelona
- 75 things to see and do in Barcelona essential
6. St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, former capital of the Russian Empire, former Leningrad and one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Full of famous museums, palaces, churches, well-kept parks and monuments, which will surprise you in a city with only 300 years of history.
Some of its essentials include attending an opera or ballet in one of its theaters, strolling along Nevski Avenue, visiting the Hermitage Museum, taking a cruise on the Neva River or being speechless when you see the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood.
7. Paris
Paris will always be at the top of the best cities to visit in Europe. A romantic city where you can stroll along the banks of the Seine, visit neighborhoods such as Le Marais or Montmartre, see the Eiffel Tower from all possible viewpoints or have a croisant with a coffee in one of its beautiful terraces.
Nor can you stop entering the beautiful churches of Sainte Chapelle or Notre Dame, see all of Paris from the Montparnasse Tower, get drunk of art in the Louvre and keep naming things until you have an infinite list of experiences.
Montmartre neighborhood
- 100 things to see and do in Paris
8. Witches
Bruges, the city that always competes with Ghent in beauty, is one of Europe's medieval jewels. They are such cities in which the map is left over and where the best thing you can do is lose yourself in its streets and find some of the most charming corners of the city.
A good alternative is to take a boat and explore the different canals watching the old and beautiful brick facades reflected on the water, thus having a new perspective of this incredible city.
Bruges, one of the best cities to visit in Europe
- Guide to tour Bruges and Brussels in 4 days
9. London
London mixes its traditional customs with a multicultural and cosmopolitan atmosphere, in which getting bored is impossible. With a wide cultural and entertainment offer, where to look for a bargain in the markets of Portobello or Camden, climb the London Eye, photograph the Big Ben or the red telephone booths or relax in its well-kept parks, they should be part of your day a day.
And if you still want more, don't forget to cross the Thames on a cruise, go shopping in Oxford Street, take a pint in a pub, cross the Tower Bridge or visit a museum for free. You fancy?
Camden Market
- 100 essential things to see and do in London
10. Krakow
The historic center of Krakow is one of the most beautiful in Europe, besides being declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Visit the beautiful Market Square at night and day, climb up to Wawel Hill with the Wawel Royal Castle and the Cathedral of St. Wenceslas and St. Stanislaus, or tour the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz with its magnificent murals, are just a few of the essentials of the city.
- 50 essential things to see and do in Krakow
11. Berlin
Berlin, a city that has managed to resurface from the ashes of World War II and become a reference in Europe. More than seeing monuments or strolling through its beautiful streets, Berlin offers you a cultural and entertainment offer, difficult to match.
Nor can you forget to visit places such as the Brandenburg Gate, the New and Pergamon museums, or tour its famous Wall converted today into an outdoor art gallery.
Berlin
- 50 essential things to see and do in Berlin
12. Venice, one of the best cities to visit in Europe
Venice, the city of canals in which getting lost in its alleys is almost a must. Tour the Grand Canal by vaporetto, admire the beauty of St. Mark's Square with its Basilica, visit the Doge's Palace, ride a gondola, cross the Rialto Bridge or get to the beautiful neighboring island of Burano, are just some of the moments that You will live in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and the world.
Because of these characteristics, Venice is also one of the most visited cities in the world, even having to go to live outside many Venetians. Although this should not overwhelm you, if you move away from the most famous areas, you can walk with the greatest tranquility and know that other Venice.
Venice
- 50 essential things to see and do in Venice
13. Madrid
Madrid is another city that we have visited more times, and where we feel at home. Once you are here you can not miss the Gran Vía full of theaters, visit the Prado Museum, go see the sunset at the Temple of Debod, look for a bargain on the Trail, relax in the Retiro Park, take yourself a cane in one of the terraces of La Plaza Mayor or immerse yourself in the atmosphere of any of the neighborhoods by day, and especially at night.
Crystal Palace. Madrid
- 50 essential things to see and do in Madrid
- 10 essential places to visit in Madrid
14. Porto
Porto has nothing to envy of its neighboring Lisbon, and can also be considered as one of the best cities to visit in Europe.
You cannot leave the city of wine without entering the Lello e Irmão bookstore, one of the most beautiful in the world, climb to the Clérigos Tower to see the city at your feet, tour the Mercado do Bolhao, eat a Little Frenchie, taste the port wine in one of the wineries of Vila Nova de Gaia or simply stroll along the banks of the Douro at sunset. There are many things to see in Porto and experiences that we are sure, you will never forget.
Porto, one of the best getaways for a weekend
- 50 essential things to see and do in Porto
15. Vienna
Vienna, the imperial and music city is another of those chosen from among Cities to visit in Europe. The capital of Austria has many things to see and do such as tram the Ringstrasse, eat the famous Sacher cake at Café Sacher, enter the Vienna Opera, visit its spectacular palaces like Schönbrunn with beautiful gardens, enter the Austrian National Library or have fun in the old Prater amusement park, among many other things that will give you the best moments in the city.
Schonbrunn Palace, one of the best things to see and do in Vienna
- 50 essential things to see and do in Vienna
16. Stockholm
Stockholm is one of those cities that at first sight falls in love for later, exceeding all the expectations that you had placed in it.
Surrounded by large canals and full of green areas where you can relax or have a picnic when the desired sun rises, it is a perfect city to spend a few days. Its historic center, Gamla Stan, with its colorful houses and narrow alleys is wonderful, although you can't miss the Skansen open-air museum and the Vasa museum, or take a cruise on its canals, things that will make you fall in love , much more, of this amazing city.
Gamla Stan, historic center
- 50 essential things to see and do in Stockholm
17. Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, located on the Dalmatian Coast, is known as the Pearl of the Adriatic. The city, a World Heritage Site, stands out for its medieval historical center and its incredible 13th-century walls. Despite the large number of tourists that invade the city, it is a key stop for cruises, we can still find times of day to visit places with tranquility.
Walking along Stradun Street, visiting the Sponza Palace and the Church of San Blas, or taking a ferry to go to the Islet of Lokrum, are some of its essentials.
18. Dublin
Dublin is a friendly city that welcomes you with open arms. It does not stand out for having to spend a lot of time visiting large buildings or monuments, the best thing you can do in the city is to enjoy its atmosphere. One of the best ways is to have a pint of black beer in the Temple Bar area. We also recommend visiting the Trinity College Library, touring O'Connell Street, entering St. Patrick's Cathedral, relaxing in a park or seeing the Jail from Kilmainham.
Dublin. One of the 10 best summer getaways
- 50 essential things to see and do in Dublin
19. Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a welcoming city with visitors, which together with Dublin, stands out more for its great atmosphere than for its tourist visits.
The city is divided between Old Town and New Town, where its great castle stands out, a visit that you cannot miss in the city.
Enter a tavern to have a pint, a whiskey or try the haggis, are just some of its essential gastronomic.
But if we talk about places to know, you cannot leave the city without visiting the Palace of Holyrood, tour the entire Royal Mile or climb at sunset to the hill of Calton Hill, with incredible views of the city.
Edinburgh Castle
- 50 essential things to see and do in Edinburgh
20. Budapest
Known as the Jewel of the Danube, Budapest is one of the essential cities to visit in Europe, without a doubt.
Both day and night, the city is spectacular, where you can make a route visiting the part of Pest with its magnificent Parliament, tour the Central Market and relax in its spas.
At dusk you cannot stop crossing the Chain Bridge and climb up the Buda hill, where the Fisherman's Bastion is located, the best viewpoint in Budapest.
Budapest
- 50 essential things to see and do in Budapest
21. Moscow
Despite the Russian character, Moscow is an impressive city, full of large buildings and monuments, which makes it one of the Cities to visit in Europe.
The Red Square with the Lenin Mausoleum, the Cathedral of St. Basil and Kremlin, is considered one of the most beautiful squares in the world and is one of those places that we are safe, you will remember forever.
Seeing a show at the Bolshoi Theater, touring the GUM, a luxury shopping mall, walking along Arbat Street, entering the Cosmonautics Museum or going down to the luxurious subway, are other jewels that you cannot miss in the city.
22. Istanbul
Istanbul, the city that lies between Asia and Europe, forming a perfect mix between the cultures of the East and the West, is one of those cities that catch up as soon as they set foot in them.
The best thing about Istanbul is to walk the streets, get lost in its markets of species and bazaars, such as the spectacular Grand Bazaar, tour the Bosphorus by boat or enter silently in some of its magnificent mosques.
We recommend you climb up the hill of Pierre Loti at sunset and listen to the call to prayer while having a mint tea. We assure you that you will not regret it.
Istanbul
- 50 essential things to see and do in Istanbul
23. Tallinn
Tallinn is a fairytale city and one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Europe, especially when snow covers it.
With a very well preserved historical center and surrounded by a great wall with magnificent towers, in which the Town Hall Square stands out, this is an area where you can enjoy the liveliest atmosphere of the city, getting lost in the many alleys that await you loaded with surprises.
We recommend you go up to Toompea, the upper part of the city and go through all eyes, especially Patkuli, with stunning panoramic views of the city.
Tallinn
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24. Florence
Florence is an open-air museum where you can see art in every corner of its historic center.
Climb at sunset to Piazzale Michelangelo with the best views of Florence, cross the Ponte Vecchio, walk calmly across Piazza della Signoria, Piazza del Duomo or Santa Croce, climb to the dome of Santa María del Fiore, visit the Gallery Uffizi and the Accademia Gallery with Michelangelo's David, or relaxing in the Bóboli garden, are just some of its essentials.
Florence from Michelangelo Square
- 50 essential things to see and do in Florence
25. Athens
Just to see the Acropolis, with its impressive Parthenon, is it worth a trip to Athens and the city where democracy and the origin of Western civilization emerged is a wonder despite its chaotic traffic.
In addition to investing hours in the Acropolis you cannot leave Athens without walking through the Monastiraki and Plaka neighborhood, the oldest and liveliest in the city, visit the Agora and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, or have a panoramic view of the City from Mount Lycabettus.
- 50 things to do in Athens
If you feel like helping us complete the list of the 25 cities to visit in Europe, add yours in the comments.
