Europe has many beautiful cities that you can discover. Some of these destinations might be less popular but definitely worth a visit. But what city do you want to visit first? And which one will surprise you the most? To answer these questions we came up with the idea to draw up a list with 10 interesting and best destinations for a city trip in Europe!
10 beautiful cities in Europe for a citytrip
1 / Edinburgh (Scotland)
Edinburgh is also called “Auld Reekie” by the inhabitants because of the numerous chimneys that bring warmth to the homes. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland where you can walk through the narrow cobbled alleys, dark corners and squares that hide hidden mysteries everywhere. In addition, this is the place where you have to visit the many cozy cafes and pubs, make impressive pictures of the green gardens and spend hours in the museums full of art.
2/ Antwerp (Belgium)
Antwerp was the most important cultural center in the early seventeenth century and one of the most important commercial cities in Northern Europe. The art of Rubens is found everywhere, mainly in the churches, which are all worth visiting: The Cathedral of Our Lady, San Pablo (with baroque and paintings by Van Dyck & Jordaens), San Andrés and San Carlos Borromeo. This city in Belgium is also known for their port, one of the most important in Europe. Thanks to the Schelde, large merchant ships can reach Antwerp. Finally, we must not forget to mention that Antwerp is one of the best places to eat the most delicious chocolate. Do not forget to try it!
3 / Stockholm (Sweden)
Stockholm is the capital and also the largest city of Sweden. The city is spread over 14 islands in Lake Mälaren and extends in the Baltic Sea. Stockholm has with over 700 years of history which is reflected in the impressive public buildings, palaces and museums. Visit, for example, the island of Gamla Stan, the oldest island and the place where Stockholm was founded in 1252. You will find many cobbled streets, buildings that have been there since much of Stockholm’s history and famous colourful houses on Storgotet square. You can also admire the many Gothic churches in Stockholm. And of course, there must also be a break during your visit. The best breaks in Stockholm contain a cup of coffee and one of the typical Swedish pastries.
4 / Ljubljana (Slovenia)
The literal translation of Ljubljana is “to love, like”. In 2016, the city was called Green Capital of Europe for the following reasons: it works on sustainable development and has a number of protected green spaces in the centre of the city. Some of the city’s highlights include the Ljubljanica River and its original bridges. Also, you would certainly want to drink a cup of coffee on one of the outdoor terraces, or visit the old castle on the highest hill of the city. Besides, we recommend you to visit the area among the capital and region of central Slovenia.
5 / St. Petersburg (Russia)
The former capital of St. Petersburg is Russia’s most important city after Moscow. It is a tourist attraction especially due to the architecture, canals, gardens, parks and palaces. This city is not “just” one of the most beautiful regions. One of the most important must-sees is the Nevski Prospekt. On this boulevard you will find beautiful buildings, nice restaurants and beautiful stores.
6 / Vilnius (Lithuania)
The historic center of Lithuania’s capital covers 360 hectares, the most extensive of Eastern Europe. Vilnius was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1994. To enjoy the best view, we recommend climbing the Three Crosses Hill, where the former Gediminas Castle was located. One of the towers has still been preserved. From the highest bell tower of the church of Santos Juanes you will discover the most beautiful panoramas.
7 / Geneva (Switzerland)
Geneva is the city with the most green areas per inhabitant in Switzerland. It is the world centre of diplomacy thanks to the numerous international organisations which are located here, such as the United Nations and Red Cross headquarters. We recommend visiting the Museum of Art and History and Clocks Museum, as well as the San Pedro Temple, a 12th-century cathedral where you can enjoy beautiful views of the city.
8 / Monte Carlo (Monaco)
First of all, it is necessary to indicate that Montecarlo is not the capital of Monaco, but one of its districts. Monaco is a principality which is the world’s smallest country after the Vatican. It is one of the most luxurious regions in Europe and is famous for its casinos, beaches and glamour. Many famous people live in Montecarlo and many international events are organized here.
9 / Salzburg (Austria)
Also known as the Rome of the Alps and the city of Mozart you will find this Austrian metropolis in the centre of a natural area. Around the lake on the northwest there are small places full of summer cottages, such as Gmundsen, at Lake Traunsee. For the traveler visiting Salzburg, it is immediately clear that you are visiting a city that has found the perfect spot between nature, culture and development. We are sure that you will fall in love with this special city!
10 / Athens (Greece)
Athens is the capital of Greece and the centre of the country’s economic, political and cultural life. In this city the birth of some great artists and philosophers of antiquity took place and the city played a fundamental role in the development of Western culture. A visit to Athens means visiting the ancient Greek cultures where you get acquainted with the magic of temples and ancient buildings. On the other hand, you also enjoy the vibrant city in which, despite the stifling economic conditions in which the residents live, they have not lost the sympathy and desire to go on the streets when the night falls.
This is our selection of the 10 most interesting European cities to visit. They are not all obvious, making it even more fun to discover them. What city do you want to visit first?