Best Places to Visit in Europe

Overview

• Europe: Second smallest continent
• More than half of all tourists worldwide
• 7 of the 10 most visited countries are European
• Attributes: Well-preserved cultural heritage, rich history, safety, efficient infrastructure

Top 50 Places to Visit

50. Peloponnese (Greece)

• Shaped like a large leaf (Mulberry Leaf)
• Located in southernmost Europe/Greece
• Features: Classical Greek temples, Venetian fortresses, Byzantine churches, Mycenaean palaces
• Notable Site: Olympia (first Olympic Games)

49. Copenhagen (Denmark)

• Linked with Malmo, Sweden
• Known for: 17th-century waterfront, colorful townhouses, scenic canals
• Key Activities: Sightseeing cruises, visiting historic wooden ships

48. Istria (Croatia)

• Bordered by the Adriatic Sea
• Highlights: Pebbled beaches, seaside towns (Pula and Rovinj), Roman temples
• Activities: Hiking, cycling, water sports

47. Bruges (Belgium)

• Known for: Medieval streets, canals, ancient church spiers
• Nicknamed: Venice of the North
• Recommendations: Visit midweek to avoid crowds, sample Belgian beers

46. Belgrade (Serbia)

• History: Romans, Slavic tribes, Ottomans, Habsburg Royals
• Characteristics: Soviet blocks, Art Nouveau buildings
• Activities: Quirky cafes, pedestrianized boulevards, riverside bars

45. Scottish Highlands (Scotland)

• Features: Rugged mountainous region, dramatic scenery
• Key Sites: Glencoe Valley, Ben Nevis (UK's highest peak), Loch Ness
• Main City: Inverness

44. Malta

• Attributes: Historical sites, natural landscapes, warm climate
• Influences: Maltese, Sicilian, Middle Eastern
• Notable Sites: Megalithic temples (world’s oldest structures)

43. Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

• Famous for: Old bridge over the Neretva river
• History: Built in 1556, destroyed in 1993, rebuilt
• Recommendations: Stay overnight to enjoy the local vibe

42. High Tatras (Slovakia)

• Features: Tallest range in the Carpathian Mountains
• Activities: Hiking, skiing
• Notable Peak: Mount Crevon

41. Wild Atlantic Way (Ireland)

• Route: 2500 kilometers from Donegal to Kinsale
• Attractions: Dramatic sea cliffs, crashing waves, windswept beaches
• Ideal For: Road trips

40. Berlin (Germany)

• Known for: WWII history, Berlin Wall
• Key Attractions: Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Berlin Wall remnants
• Character: Diverse, rich in culture, vibrant nightlife

39. Madeira (Portugal)

• Nickname: Floating Garden of the Atlantic
• Must-sees: Orchid Garden, Laura Silva Forest
• Main City: Funchal

38. Krakow (Poland)

• Features: Medieval buildings, modern nightlife
• Popular Places: Old Town Market Square, Jewish Quarter, Auschwitz

37. Alsace Region (France)

• Location: Between the Vosges Mountains and Rhine River
• Character: Mix of French and German influences
• Highlights: Wine traditions, medieval villages, colorful streets

36. Algarve (Portugal)

• Attractions: Mediterranean climate, beaches, towns, cuisine
• Key Locations: Faro (capital), Lagos (nightlife)

35. Lake Bled (Slovenia)

• Setting: Julian Alps
• Key Sites: Bled Castle, Bled Island, traditional wooden boats (platna)
• Activities: Hiking around the lake

34. Faroe Islands (Denmark)

• Characteristics: Volcanic, scenic, Northern Lights
• Activities: Hiking, bird-watching
• Wildlife: Coastal birds, puffin colonies

33. Vienna (Austria)

• Known for: Waltzes, classical music, yearly balls
• Key Sites: Hofburg, Kunsthistorisches Museum
• Famous for: Cafes, relaxing atmosphere

32. Athens (Greece)

• One of the world’s oldest cities (3,400+ years)
• Key Landmarks: Acropolis, Temple of Olympian Zeus
• Culture: Lively cafes, fantastic restaurants

31. Normandy (France)

• History: Viking colonization, WWII battles
• Attractions: Historic battlefields, medieval buildings, Mont Saint-Michel

30. Stockholm (Sweden)

• Features: Baltic Sea archipelago, 14 islands linked by bridges
• Activities: Boating, exploring Old Town
• Key Sites: Royal Palace, Nobel Prize Museum

29. Balearic Islands (Spain)

• Main Islands: Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca, Menorca
• Each Island: Unique character and attractions
• Highlights: Ibiza’s party scene, Mallorca’s Gothic Cathedral

28. Lofoten Islands (Norway)

• Known for: Dramatic landscapes, rugged peaks
• Activities: Hiking, cycling, sailing
• Key Attraction: Aurora Borealis

27. Tallinn (Estonia)

• Features: 14th-century Old Town, medieval city walls
• Activities: Exploring historic churches, modern hipster areas

26. Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia)

• Famous for: 16 terraced lakes, waterfalls, Limestone Canyon
• Activities: Hiking, boardwalks, scenic trails

25. Meteora (Greece)

• Setting: Jutting rock formations, hill-like boulders
• Key Sites: Monasteries on cliffs, Holy Trinity Monastery

24. Salzkammergut (Austria)

• Features: Lakes, hills, mountains, romantic towns
• Popularized By: Film “The Sound of Music”
• Activities: Relaxing, spa treatments

23. Amalfi Coast (Italy)

• Known for: Rugged cliffs, idyllic towns
• Key Towns: Positano, Amalfi, Ravello
• Activities: Beach lounging, hiking, sailing

22. Budapest (Hungary)

• Straddles the Danube river
• Known for: Baroque and neoclassical architecture
• Highlights: Fisherman's Bastion, thermal baths, ruin bars

21. Lapland (Finland)

• Location: Arctic Circle
• Features: Vast forests, lakes, ice fields
• Activities: Hiking, skiing, dog sledding, Northern Lights

20. Lisbon (Portugal)

• Characteristics: Colorful neighborhoods, steep hills
• Historic District: Alfama
• Recommended Activity: Tram 28

19. Amsterdam (Netherlands)

• Features: Canals, Anne Frank House, art museums
• Key Sites: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum
• Activities: Tour breweries, canal cruises

18. Bay of Kotor (Montenegro)

• Setting: Adriatic Sea, Jagged hills, medieval towns
• Key Town: Kotor
• Activities: Scenic drives, seafood dining

17. Provence (France)

• Known for: French Riviera, ancient history
• Highlights: Hilltop villages, rugged scenery

16. Vatnajökull National Park (Iceland)

• Features: Largest glacier in Europe, volcanic craters
• Key Sites: Skaftafell, Dettifoss waterfall
• Activities: Climbing, exploring glaciers

15. Andalusia (Spain)

• Known for: Moorish architecture, historical landmarks
• Key Sites: Sierra Nevada, Alhambra in Granada
• Features: Beautiful beaches, mountain scenery

14. Venice (Italy)

• Known for: Canals, Gondoliers, San Marco Square
• Key Attractions: Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica
• Activities: Boat tours, exploring bridges

13. Transylvania (Romania)

• Famous for: Dracula lore, medieval fortresses
• Key Sites: Bran Castle
• Setting: Carpathian Mountains, scenic countryside

12. London (United Kingdom)

• Known for: Historic landmarks, diverse culture
• Key Sites: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London
• Activities: Shopping, theater, dining

11. Bavaria (Germany)

• Known for: Fairy-tale towns, beer halls
• Key Attractions: Bavarian Alps, historical castles
• Activities: Exploring medieval towns, enjoying local cuisine

10. Prague (Czech Republic)

• Known for: Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque architecture
• Key Sites: Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square
• Features: Rich history, vibrant cultural scene

9. Istanbul (Turkey)

• Attributes: Rich history, mosques, markets
• Key Sites: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar
• Unique Feature: Half-European, half-Asian

8. Tuscany (Italy)

• Known for: Rolling hills, vineyards, Renaissance art
• Key Towns: Florence, Siena
• Highlights: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Tuscan Islands

7. Barcelona (Spain)

• Features: Historic architecture, vibrant nightlife
• Key Sites: Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo
• Activities: Strolling Las Ramblas, sunbathing on Barceloneta

6. Fjords of Norway

• Known for: Majestic fjords, breathtaking landscapes
• Activities: Cruises, hiking
• Famous Fjords: Geirangerfjord, Nærøyfjord

5. Paris (France)

• Key Landmarks: Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Louvre
• Culture: Historical, fashionable, culinary capital
• Activities: Museum visits, Seine river cruises

4. Dubrovnik (Croatia)

• Known for: Walled Old Town, Game of Thrones filming
• Key Activities: Walking city walls, exploring Baroque buildings

3. Swiss Alps (Switzerland)

• Known for: High peaks, alpine valleys
• Key Regions: Bernese Oberland, Matterhorn
• Activities: Skiing, hiking, climbing

2. Cyclades Islands (Greece)

• Known for: Beautiful islands, white villages
• Famous Islands: Santorini, Mykonos
• Activities: Beach relaxation, exploring villages

1. Rome (Italy)

• Known for: Ancient Roman structures, Vatican City
• Key Landmarks: Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica
• Features: Rich cultural history, modern vibrancy