Europe is a continent with many amazing cities to explore, and it can be hard to decide which one you should visit first. To make the decision easier, here are our ’15 Best Cities in Europe to Visit for 2022′ that we recommend you visit on your next vacation!)
You’ve been dreaming of your next big trip for months, and you can’t wait to jet off on an international adventure. But with so many destinations to choose from, where should you go? Our list of the top 15 cities in Europe is designed to help make that decision easier! So sit back, relax, and start planning your next vacation.
The following blog post will be a ranking of what we believe are the best European cities to visit based on their history, cost-of-living index (so it doesn’t break the bank), food options (you’ll never get tired of exploring new cuisines!), nightlife opportunities (we know how important this one is), and more. We hope this helps narrow down some potential destinations for your next trip!
1. Rome
There is no place like Rome. The ancient city is the birthplace of one of the world’s most famous and enduring civilizations. It is a city of beauty, art, food, and romance. It is a city of grand structures, world-famous landmarks, and local flavor.
To experience the grandeur of Rome, visitors can tour St Peter’s Basilica or explore one of many museums. To venture beyond memorable attractions, visit Trastevere for its authentic cuisine and vibrant nightlife scene. From experiencing rich history to indulging in culinary delights to reveling at lively nightclubs, there is no better city than Rome to capture Europe’s spirit.
Rome is a delight to visit any time of the year, but it’s especially lovely in May when the city celebrates its birthday.
2. Paris-The Best Cities in Europe to Visit
Paris is known for its iconic attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral, but it’s also home to wonderful museums such as the Musée d’Orsay. Explore Paris on foot or take a boat ride down the Seine River! The city has so much culture that you can spend days exploring all of it. In fact, you could spend weeks there and still not see it all.
There’s a reason why over 30 million people visit the city every year. If you haven’t been there yet, it’s time to make your travel plans and see what all the fuss is about.
3. Barcelona
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, an autonomous community in Spain. It’s also one of the largest cities in Europe with a population of over two million people. The city consists of four districts: Ciutat Vella (the old town), Eixample, Gràcia, and Sants-Montjuïc. Each district has its unique features which make exploring Barcelona very interesting for tourists.
As one of the top tourist destinations in Europe, the city has a huge range of entertainment, making it the perfect place to visit for any age group. The city is also famous for its football team, Barcelona FC, who are five-time La Liga champions and four-time UEFA Champions League winners.
4. Amsterdam-The Best Cities in Europe to Visit
Amsterdam is filled with unique history, architecture, and art. It’s the perfect destination for people who love to explore because you can’t walk an inch without finding something new.
It’s one of the most vibrant cities in Europe with bustling streets lined with beautiful historic homes with red-tiled roofs. If you’re into cycling or walking around town taking in the scenery, Amsterdam is a must-visit city that will never disappoint.
While Amsterdam is home to several world-class museums, it’s also known for its vibrant streets full of life. Everywhere you go in the city, there is always something to see and do.
5. Venice
Venice is located in the northeast of Italy. The city was noted for its maritime power after it fell under French rule in 1797. The city also became known for trade by combining the salt trade. One major trading partner that Venice had during this time was England, which helped to fuel its economy. Foreigners were not allowed to live within the walls of the city until 1826 when Louis Phillippe reformed decrees about foreigners living in Italy.
Venice is known for its rich history and culture, but it also has amazing architecture. Venice was built on more than 100 small islands with only about 30 feet between each island in many areas.
Because of this, they developed a system where people could move around using boats rather than walking through narrow streets that would have happened if the city had been built on just one landmass like most cities are today.
6. Berlin-The Best Cities in Europe to Visit
Berlin is the capital of Germany and although it’s smaller than most European capitals, it’s one of the most important cities in Europe. It is full of great history and has a lot to offer in terms of culture. There are so many attractions in Berlin with so many things to do. Whether you’re interested in art or architecture, there is something for everyone.
One of the most popular tourist attractions of the city is the Berlin Wall. The wall was a symbol of the Cold War and divided Germany into two parts, which resulted in one side being democratic while the other part staying communist. Today, there are many remnants from that era which you can visit today if interested to learn more about it.
Another popular attraction is Brandenburg Gate where people gather every day for sunsets or just take pictures with their friends and family members. It’s an iconic landmark of Europe so be sure to add it to your list!
7. Helsinki
The capital of Finland is a great city to visit if you are looking for some peacetime in nature. The city has several islands that can be visited by ferry or rented boat, such as Suomenlinna island, which was declared World Heritage Site in 1991.
Helsinki has great architecture including works by renowned architect Alvar Aalto who designed masterpieces all over Europe. You can walk around the city or take a bus tour if interested in learning more about it. Especially for those who love nature, Helsinki may not seem like much but once you start exploring this capital’s attractions, you will realize why so many visitors come back year after year!
8. Dublin-The Best Cities in Europe to Visit
Dublin is a city of great diversity with a population of around 2 million people. The city is the location headquarters for Facebook, Google, and Twitter. There are plenty of multinational companies from diverse industries that have chosen Dublin as their home.
The capital of Ireland is a beautiful and populated city with a rich history and culture, too. There are many exciting things to see when visiting Dublin such as the Trinity College, Old Library Gallery, or the National Museum. Most people think of Dublin for the Guinness Storehouse, which is an amazing brewery tour with a free pint at the end!
9. Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a favorite tourist destination and one of the top 15 cities in Europe you should visit. There are many historic buildings to see, from Rosenborg Castle to Frederiksborg Castle. The city is also home to several art museums including Denmark’s Museum of Art & Design and Thorvaldsens Museum. The Copenhagen Opera House, which was completed in 2005, has been hailed as one of the most modern opera houses in the world.
If you plan to visit Copenhagen during Christmas, there are several activities you should participate in. The city hosts a Christmas market with over 90 booths, and the Tivoli Gardens theme park has an annual Christmas-themed show that many consider being one of the best shows in all of Europe.
10. Athens-The Best Cities in Europe to Visit
Athens should be high on your list of places to visit. The city is a center point for all tourists. It’s known for its incredible architecture, delicious food, and lively atmosphere. Greeks are known for their hospitality and you will find many people willing to strike up a conversation with you!
The Acropolis Museum has a variety of artifacts from the ancient era, while the National Theatre shows several theatrical productions every year. Athens is also home to some of the best nightlife in all of Europe. Check out places like Abyssinia, Loft, and A for Athens.
11. Florence
Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and is well-known for its architecture, art, and history. Sitting on the back of the Arno River, the city was founded in 59 BC by Julius Caesar and became the center of Renaissance culture during the Middle Ages.
A lot of people flock to Florence every year because it’s a perfect place for tourists to visit on vacation. You can explore the city on foot or by walking through the many galleries that are located throughout Florence. With so much to do, this city is worth checking out if you’re thinking about where you should go next!
12. London-The Best Cities in Europe to Visit
London is the capital city of England. With more than 8 million people living in London, it’s also one of the most populous cities in the European Union. The population of the city multiplies by a factor of nearly 10 during work hours, making it one of the world’s largest financial centers.
London is an expensive hub of more than 500 years of history and culture, but also of recent changes that are shaping its future for better or worse. It has an enormous cultural heritage but gets more diverse by the day with interesting immigrants from all over the world. If you are traveling to London, make sure to visit Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, and Westminster Abbey.
13. Prague
Prague is a city with many different faces, from the old quaint buildings to modern cafes. It has been called “the Paris of Eastern Europe” and it’s easy to see why when taking a stroll down one of its cobblestone streets or walking through Old Town Square.
If you prefer your history less crowded, head over to Letna Park on the west side for views across the river and beyond. Be sure not to miss out on visiting Charles Bridge (Karlův most), which crosses the Vltava River that runs right through town. This historic bridge is lined with stone statues representing some of our favorite saints as well as some slightly more esoteric ones like St John Nepomuk who was thrown off said bridge by King Wenceslas IV.
14. Budapest-The Best Cities in Europe to Visit
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and has an interesting history that starts with its origins as a Roman settlement. There are many examples of its history throughout the city, especially in Castle Hill where you can see ruins from an old fortress built by the Romans as well as structures left behind after invasions and occupations through the centuries.
The city of Budapest is also home to many hot springs, which means it’s no surprise that you can visit the Széchenyi Baths for a relaxing soak. Built at the end of the 19th century these baths are an amazing example of Neo-Baroque architecture, with more than 20 pools and even private rooms available if you’re looking for some time away from everyone else.
15. Vienna
Vienna is one of the top tourist destinations in Europe and for good reason. The capital of Austria has a rich history that is on display everywhere you look, especially at museums like the Kunsthistorisches Museum, which was purpose-built to house some of the most important collections of art from all over Europe.
Vienna is also seen as the “City of Dreams” due to its significant art and culture scene and intense focus on beauty and tranquility. The city is spread out over three different types of landscape: the old town, the foothills, and the plains. Vienna has impressive architecture, beautiful parks, fantastic nightlife, and a flourishing wine scene.
The city also has a thriving coffee culture, with plenty of cafes scattered around the city center so you can enjoy coffee brewed by some of Vienna’s best baristas while watching people go about their daily lives.
Final Words
Looking at the top 15 cities in Europe list above, which city would you like to visit most? Which city do you think is the best place to visit in Europe?
If none of these places suit your travel plans, there are plenty more great cities to choose from. You may even find that some other European countries have better attractions than those on this list! However, if you want a mix of history and culture with modern architecture then Europe has something for everyone.
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