The Most beautiful cities in Europe
The cities of Europe are really beautiful. We have spent years traveling Europe exploring its historic cities and charming towns. The continent continues to beckon us to explore deeper and deeper each time. Europe has us hooked.
We love Europe for its architecture, art, squares, cafes, castles, history, ruins and typical European foods . After visiting almost every country in Europe we decided to share some of our favorite towns and cities. These are, for us, the most beautiful cities in Europe and they are essential to visit.
Here are the top most beautiful cities in Europe
- Florence, Italy
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Bruges, Belgium
- Oía, Santorini, Greece
- Rovinj, Croatia
- Brasov, Romania
- Innsbruck, Austria
- Tallinn, Estonia
- Sevilla Spain
- Vilnius, Lithuania
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Verona, Italy
- Istanbul, Turkey
- amsterdam, netherlands
- Honfleur, France
- Krakow, Poland
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Lagos, Portugal
Frequently asked questions about European cities
What is the most beautiful city in Europe?
What are the most beautiful cities in Europe to visit and have fun?
Florence, Italy
Florence , is the capital of Tuscany and a highlight of any trip to Italy. You have to add this city to your Italy itinerary if it isn’t already. The city is famous for its world-class cuisine, its museums, its works of art and its landscape . Florence’s architecture draws you in and begs you to lose yourself in its historic heart. Florence is easily the most beautiful city in Northern Italy and will enchant any visitor.
History will go crazy as Florence is known to be the birthplace of the Renaissance and is full of treasures. As you walk through the narrow cobbled streets it seems that little has changed over the centuries with marble basilicas, dark chapels, gas lanterns and charming frescoes . You really have the opportunity to lose yourself in time.
Prague, Czech Republic
It could be argued that Prague is the most beautiful city in Europe and the world. The Czech capital is full of old buildings, churches, medieval bridges and markets . With a lively nightlife filled with jazz, cocktail bars and clubs, it’s easy to see why Prague attracts millions of tourists a year.
Bruges, Belgium
Bruges is a city in the north of Belgium and is a perfect European city to visit. Normally Brussels is often visited, but without a doubt Bruges has nothing to envy to the Belgian capital . Indeed, its charming streets are a stark contrast to dirty Brussels.
The best way to get around is to rent a bike. On a bike, you can explore the charming historic houses and canals. If it’s a nice day, you can take a canal boat tour or venture to the Koeleweimolen and Sint-Janshuismolen windmills . My favorite thing to do in Bruges is a trip to the Half Moon brewery for some local beer.
Oía, Santorini, Greece
Almost everyone has heard of the beautiful Greek island of Santorini. The famous town of Oia is full of whitewashed buildings topped by vivid blue roofs , all set on a cliff overlooking the stunning Mediterranean Sea. What’s not to love? The city is easily the most picturesque in all of Greece and has been seen in photos around the world.
Oia is situated on top of a crescent-shaped cliff that offers expansive views of the calm sea and the volcanic center of Santorini. Most notable are the stunning sunsets that occur almost every day, as the island only has a few cloudy days a year. It is loved by Greeks and tourists alike, so prepare for a crowded experience in the summer months.
Rovinj, Croatia
It is a very difficult decision to choose the most beautiful city in Croatia , but Rovinj may take the cake. It is a must visit if you are in Croatia. The colorful coastal city is like the older cousin of the Cinque Terre in Italy and has nothing to envy Dubrovnik. Not to mention that it attracts far fewer tourists than Dubrovnik, especially in peak seasons.
Visitors should head to Rovinj’s Old Town, which is small and walkable. The Church of Santa Eufemia deserves to be visited and is free to the public. The real charm of Rovinj lies in its cobbled alleys, its atmosphere, the coastal air and the trendy shops .
Brasov, Romania
Brasov is easily one of the most beautiful cities in Romania . It is another destination that we traveled to unexpectedly but ended up getting lost in the uniqueness of Transylvania. Brasov is located in the Carpathian Mountains, making it an outdoor destination in Europe.
It also has very mild temperatures in the summer, making it a great place to escape the heat that intensifies in other European cities. Winter sports and temperatures aside, Brasov is close to Bran Castle, or better known as one of “Dracula’s Castles”.
Innsbruck, Austria
There are not many cities in Europe like Innsbruck. The title “Capital of the Alps” has been coined and it’s easy to understand why once you set foot in the city. Flanked by the impressive Nordkette mountain range that dominates the city, nature never feels far away. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium and easily the most beautiful city in Europe during the winter when it is covered in fresh snow.
It’s the only city where you can ski, explore a grand palace, a stained glass window and eat a strudel in one day. There are many things to do in Innsbruck with the Austrian Alps and a city rich in history. In many ways it is everything we love about Austria, all in one modern and historic city. We love the fact that you can be in a beautiful medieval old town and then in a few minutes it puts you in the heart of the Alps with bells ringing and fresh alpine air .
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn is one of the best preserved ancient cities in all of Europe . Cobblestone streets and medieval houses make up the historic district, but that doesn’t mean Tallinn is stuck in time. Estonia has a very active technology sector that is home to thousands of startups and e-businesses. Bring a young, hip vibe to suburbia with breweries, cafes, art galleries, and restaurants.
Sevilla Spain
This beautiful city in the south of Spain needs no introduction from the most beautiful places in Europe, as it has been winning hearts for decades. It is home to decadent gardens, flamenco dancing and tapas, all in a Mediterranean climate. Seville recently became famous for its Game of Thrones filming locations . Our favorite time to visit southern Spain is October, when the vast majority of summer tourists are long gone and central Europe starts to look a lot like autumn.
Vilnius, Lithuania
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania and the country’s most populous city . It is a picturesque city with a small population of half a million inhabitants that allows you to feel cozy. It is the perfect place to get lost for a few days and a popular stop on the Baltic tourist route. The city center is the largest preserved example of Baroque architecture in Europe. It is full of Catholic and Orthodox churches, and no matter where you are in the city, you can see the ubiquitous Gediminas Tower…
We had a fun few days venturing out to the many little cafes, breweries, charming shops, restaurants and art galleries. The city is worth a few days and we can’t wait to return one day.
Copenhagen, Denmark
The city will win you over with its modern cuisine, museums and a plethora of parks. Copenhagen is known for its lifestyle, but it is still full of historical wonders. Just be warned that Copenhagen is probably the most expensive city to visit in Europe. If you book a trip, you’ll wonder why you haven’t spent more time.
Verona, Italy
The home of Romeo and Juliet Verona has many reasons to inspire . The city is wonderful with so much to do and see. It has some fantastic Roman ruins including the well-preserved Verona Arena, which still hosts operas in the summer. It has close access to mountains, lakes, and beautifully preserved plazas and churches. It could be said that it is the most charming city in Italy full of romance.
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Istanbul, Turkey
Turkey’s most popular city is one of the most amazing in the world and definitely one of the most beautiful in Europe. Istanbul is a bridge between Europe and Asia , and the city crams in both cultures for all to experience. You can take a ferry across the Bosphorus and literally take a picture between two continents, where else in the world can you do that? It has long served as a crossroads between the two continents and thus has a staggering amount of history, architecture and culture.
Istanbul is a huge city and even with two return trips here, we have yet to even scratch the surface of what Istanbul has to offer. It is the perfect place to stroll along the Bosphorus and enjoy the old buildings and beautiful mosques nearby .
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The city of Amsterdam needs no introduction as it is one of the most beautiful places in Europe in summer. It is known as the Venice of the North for its hundreds of canals. Amsterdam is nothing short of stunning and a must see in Europe. Whether you love history, architecture, parties, food, shopping, art or cafes, there is something for everyone here.
A summer day in Amsterdam is almost impossible to beat in any other city. Our favorite thing to do in Amsterdam is just sit by the canal in a quiet neighborhood like the Jordaan and enjoy a cold Amstel. Or you could make it even better with a boat cruise. If you are looking for traditional sights, visit the Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.
Honfleur, France
We didn’t know what to expect when we arrived in the small port city of Honfleur, France. This beautiful 17th century port city has maintained its charm through the decades. Honfleur remains a fishing port and marina. There is so much to see and do here in Honfleur that I would suggest spending at least three days walking the old cobbled streets and visiting the historic churches and monuments.
Krakow, Poland
Krakow is one of the best preserved cities in Europe because it was surprisingly spared from destruction in World War II. The city is located in the south of Poland and has an amazing medieval core and a Jewish quarter. The central point of the city is the huge Ryenk Glówny (market square).
In the square, you’ll find the amazing Sala de Telas, a Renaissance-era market, and the Basilica de Santa María, a 14th-century Gothic church. It’s a beautiful city and best of all, it’s the most affordable to visit, so you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck.
Edinburgh, Scotland
It’s hard to argue with Edinburgh’s appeal as it is one of the most impressive cities in all of Europe. The Scottish capital is steeped in a long and dark history. The city center is divided in two, between the mixture of medieval buildings in the Old Town and the perfectly aligned Georgian buildings in the New Town. The city is a disaster in many ways, but a beautiful city. It is packed with class, sights and character and I assure you there is no shortage of things to do in Edinburgh.
The city contains many contrasts and offers everything from world-class art festivals to fine dining, rowdy pubs, designer shops, comedy clubs, luxury hotels and trendy cafes. It is almost impossible for any visitor to have the same experience or opinion of Edinburgh. We try to enjoy a little of all this, but like all visitors, we will definitely have to return one day with more time.
Lagos, Portugal
Portugal is a year-round destination where vacationers and locals can be found for body surfing, parasailing, deep-sea fishing, water skiing and surfing. We spent November and December based in Lagos in search of the best beaches in the Algarve and made the most of every sunny day.
The coastline around Lagos has some of the tastiest waves, cleanest water, and most spectacular scenery. To top it off, Lagos is one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal and boasts an average of 300 days of sunshine per year. Not only are the beaches around Lagos fabulous, but the town is small, walkable and sculpted by traditional architecture.
We spent many days walking around Lagos watching old Portuguese people play chess, enjoy their coffee and sunbathe.
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