Need some inspiration for your next trip? Enchanting fairytale villages, thriving metropolises, and scenic mountain getaways—Europe truly has it all.
When people ask me for my personal top recommendations for European travel, the list is always evolving based on recent trips and new discoveries. The history, culture, safety, food, and people draw travelers to this continent again and again. Plus, with a little planning, you can easily find affordable flights and put together an incredible itinerary.
Whether you are traveling overseas for the first time or the fiftieth, it can be tough to narrow down where to go. Do you like big cities or small towns? Royal palaces or quiet cobblestone streets? To help point you in the right direction, here are 12 of the absolute best places to visit in Europe, highlighting exactly why they make the cut!
1. Florence, Italy
Best for: Art, food, and wine lovers
Hands down, this is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. This Renaissance city is small enough to be entirely walkable, yet packed with enough art, wine, gorgeous views, and incredible gelato to keep you busy for days.
- Highlights: Tour the Uffizi Gallery, eat your weight in pasta, and use it as a perfect home base for exploring the Tuscan countryside.
- Day Trips: Bologna, Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa, or the colorful coastal villages of Cinque Terre.
2. Seville, Spain
Best for: Affordability, passion, and culture
Seville offers some of the best food and culture in Europe, but what really sets it apart is how budget-friendly it is. You can enjoy a glass of sangria for under €5, sip an espresso for €1, and feast on a massive dinner of tapas for around €20.
- Highlights: Watch a mesmerizing Flamenco show, enjoy piping hot churros con chocolate, and step into a Game of Thrones filming site at the Royal Alcázar. Don’t miss the breathtaking Plaza de España!
3. Edinburgh, Scotland
Best for: Harry Potter fans and history buffs
J.K. Rowling wrote the majority of the Harry Potter series while living in Edinburgh, and you will immediately see the similarities to the fictional wizarding world the moment you arrive.
- Highlights: Wander the charming cobblestone streets, explore the hilltop Edinburgh Castle, and take a ghost tour through the city’s underground vaults.
- Day Trips: It’s the perfect starting point to explore the Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness, and historic castles.
4. Mykonos, Greece
Best for: Instagrammable views and vibrant beach life
Mykonos absolutely lives up to the hype. While it is a popular cruise ship destination, you can still find an authentic Greek experience by wandering slightly off the beaten path.
- Highlights: Explore Mykonos Town (Chora) with its white stucco buildings, bright blue doors, and fuchsia bougainvillea. Hit the beaches during the day and head to Scorpios beach club for an unforgettable sunset ritual.
5. Jungfrau, Switzerland OR Chamonix, France
Best for: Epic mountain escapes and hiking
If you want an alpine getaway, these two are neck-and-neck:
- Jungfrau, Switzerland: Base yourself in Grindelwald, Wengen, or Lauterbrunnen. It offers endless hikes, scenic gondola rides, and idyllic Swiss cows with tinkling bells. (Note: It is very expensive!)
- Chamonix, France: Located right below Mont Blanc, this town is generally more affordable than Switzerland and offers incredible cuisine. Take the cable car to the peak of Aiguille du Midi for a jaw-dropping panorama.
6. Barcelona, Spain
Best for: Unique architecture and scrumptious tapas
Barcelona truly has it all: the ocean, mountains, bustling streets, quiet squares, parks, art, food, and wine.
- Highlights: Marvel at Antoni Gaudí’s quirky architectural masterpieces like the Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell. Stroll down Las Ramblas, grab jamón at Mercado de la Boqueria, and relax at Barceloneta Beach.
7. Venice, Italy
Best for: Photographers and those who love to wander
Yes, Venice is touristy, but once you learn how to navigate it, you will fall in love. The trick? Wake up early. Wandering the city as the sun rises, before St. Mark’s Square or the Rialto Bridge get crowded, is pure magic.
- Highlights: Get lost in the never-ending paths, bridges, and squares. Take an afternoon ferry to the nearby glass-blowing island of Murano or the colorful island of Burano.
8. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Best for: Turquoise waters and stunning views
Dubrovnik’s popularity exploded as the filming location for “King’s Landing” in Game of Thrones. The red-tiled rooftops, turquoise ocean, high city walls, and narrow streets make it a spectacular coastal escape.
- Highlights: Walk the intact City Walls for incredible views, view the city from below on a sea kayak tour, and sip wine in the nearby Pelješac Peninsula.
9. Bruges, Belgium
Best for: Romantics and foodies
Bruges looks like it was plucked straight out of a fairytale. Nicknamed the “Venice of the North,” this small city is famous for its Flemish architecture and endless water canals.
- Highlights: Sample some of the best Belgian chocolate in the world, eat melt-in-your-mouth Liège waffles, take a romantic boat ride along the canals, and dine at one of its many Michelin-star restaurants.
10. Vienna, Austria
Best for: Opulence, grandeur, and cafe culture
You can clearly see the glory days of the Habsburg Empire in Vienna. The buildings are grandiose, and it is arguably one of the cleanest cities in Europe.
- Highlights: Duck into an elaborate cafe (like Cafe Demel) for decadent cake and strong espresso. Tour the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, catch an opera, and visit their world-famous Christmas markets in the winter.
11. London, United Kingdom
Best for: History buffs and urban explorers
London hums with a bustling, diverse energy. From the street food markets to the royal palaces, it caters to absolutely every taste and travel style.
- Highlights: Tour the Tower of London, enjoy a fancy afternoon tea, watch the Changing of the Guard, and navigate the Tube like a local.
- Day Trips: The Cotswolds, Oxford, Cambridge, Windsor Castle, or Stonehenge.
12. Colmar & Strasbourg, France
Best for: Fairytale settings
The Alsace region seems like a faraway land. In fact, Colmar and Strasbourg served as Walt Disney’s inspiration for the village in Beauty and the Beast. Because the region has switched between German and French control throughout history, the culture and architecture are a beautiful blend of both.
- Highlights: Admire the half-timbered houses painted in every color of the rainbow and the water canals overflowing with hanging flowers.
Also Read : 12 Best Cities to Visit in Europe: A Guide to History, Beauty, and Culture
