Europe is every traveller’s dream destination. Europe is a massive continent and there is so much diversity it offers to the tourists, be it in the form places to visit, things to do, experiences, stay options, climatic conditions, and many more. There are 44 countries in Europe, and one can only say travelling through all the 44 countries’ top cities is going to take a very long time.
There are few prominent cities you must consider visiting if you are planning for a trip to Europe because despite Europe offering a plethora of options for you in every aspect, realistically you’d not be able to visit them all under constraints.
Here are the top 15 cities that you can consider visiting in your dream Europe vacation
1. Amsterdam
Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands, is one of the most favored cities in Europe for the tourists. Amsterdam has very good connectivity across flights to all top cities of the world and offers a lot of variety in terms of experiences. The Keukenhof gardens, the Danube cruise, the Royal Palace, Heineken beer experience, adjacent city of Rotterdam, Canals, Red light district, etc. are few of the top tourist attractions in the Amsterdam area.
2. Brussels
Brussels, the capital city of Belgium, is a lively, colorful, and bustling cosmopolitan city located in Central Europe. You can visit the famous Atomium building, walk around the streets in the evening to experience the lively nightlife and culture of the locals, take up the famous beer tasting and chocolate tasting, and you can also visit the adjacent towns of Ghent and Antwerp.
3. Paris
Paris, the capital city of France, is one of the most visited cities by tourists across the world. Paris has tourists flowing in throughout the year, and there are a plethora of places to visit and things to do across the city. Paris is the city of romance and light, where mingling with the locals and trying authentic French cuisine is an important part of your trip to Paris. Apart from that, a few major attractions that you must consider visiting are the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Montmartre, Notre Dame Cathedral, Disneyland, etc.
4. Lucerne
Lucerne is one of the primely located cities in Switzerland, and one of the must-visit cities as well, considering its proximity to the airport and also to the major points of attraction. From Lucerne, you can visit Mount Titlis, Mount Jungfraujoch, take up the Rigi Cog railway, visit Lake Lucerne and Rhine falls, and also visit Mount Schilthorn. Lucerne also has a lot of fashion brand stores, making it a hotspot for luxury shopping in Switzerland. Don’t forget to taste the amazing Swiss chocolates!
5. Rome
Rome, the capital city of Italy, is a must-visit for people who are keen on art, architecture, history, and culture. The archaic feel you get in Rome is unparalleled and something which you will never forget. Rome has a lot of attractions, few important ones being the Colosseum, Vatican Museum, Pantheon, Spanish steps, Trevi fountain. It is very well connected through flights to all major cities across the world.
6. Venice
Venice, the capital of Northern Italy, should definitely be one of the places that you must visit when you tour the country of Italy. Venice is a city best explored by foot, as the streets are small, there are water bodies in between, and also you get to embrace the culture and heritage only when you walk through it. Places that you can consider visiting are the Grand Canal, Gondola rides, St. Mark’s Basilica, and a tour to the Murano, Burano, and Torcello islands, which are quite famous.
7. Barcelona
Barcelona, the capital city of Spain, is a world-famous city due to the FC Barcelona football club. Despite football being ingrained in the blood of the Spaniards, there is a lot more to Barcelona than football. The architecture, culture, and nightlife of Barcelona is what keeps it in high regard amongst the tourists. The famous places you can consider visiting is the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Ice bar experience, Toledo tour, FC Barcelona football stadium tour, and also the buzzing nightlife in the city.
8. Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and also the largest city of Portugal. It is a hilly coastal city, ensuring the climatic conditions are almost perfect throughout the year, barring occasional months. The city’s pastel-colored buildings are its primary highlights and those streets are very worthy of Instagram photos. Major attractions to visit in Lisbon include the Jeronimos Monastery, Belem Tower, Ponte suspension bridge, Jorge Castle, and National Sanctuary of Christ the King.
9. Prague
Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, is located in the Eastern part of Europe. Prague isn’t considered as expensive as other cities in Central Europe like Paris and Amsterdam. Prague can be your ideal destination to visit if you are tight on your budget. You can visit the Old Town, Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, St. Vitus Cathedral, take up the Vltava River Cruise, and also make day trips to Cesky Krumlov and Brno.
10. Vienna
Vienna is the capital city and also the largest city in Austria. In terms of quality of living, Vienna is one of the top-rated cities in the world. Vienna carries a rich lineage of artistic and intellectual legacy, mainly due to the artistic intellectuals like Beethoven, Mozart, and Sigmund Freud. It is very well known for its Imperial Palaces and stunning architecture. Major places to visit in Vienna are the Schonbrunn Palace, State Opera, Belvedere Palace, Austrian Parliament Building, and many more.
11. Salzburg
No trip to Austria is complete without a tour to Salzburg, which is a quaint city closer to the border of Germany. What makes Salzburg one of the most visited places is the view of the Eastern Alps from Salzburg. This city is also famous and known for the birthplace of Mozart, and there is a museum that preserves his birthplace and also the instruments he used in his childhood. Consider visiting the Mirabell Palace, Salzburg Cathedral, and also take the beautiful Sound of Music and Mountain tour from Salzburg.
12. Budapest
Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, is located in the Eastern part of Europe. This city is one of the most visited cities in the world and is known for its grandeur and extravagant architecture. Budapest is one of the liveliest cities and the city is electrifying with happenings all throughout the year. A few of the must-visit places in Budapest are the Hungarian Parliament Building, Gellert Hill, Margaret Island, River Cruise, State Opera, and also Széchenyi Thermal Bath, which is the largest medicinal bath in Europe.
13. Santorini
Santorini, an island located in Greece, is one of the top-rated destinations for honeymoon in the world. What appeases the tourists most is the stunning views of the coast, the colorful houses and buildings, dramatic Sunset view, the towns of Oia and Fira, and also the active volcano. Santorini is meant to be enjoyed in leisure, as it is a getaway experience you can never find elsewhere in Europe.
14. Istanbul
Istanbul is the most populous city and also is the cultural, financial, and historic center of Turkey. Istanbul should be a must-visit for people who are very interested in traveling to places with rich history, culture, and splendid architecture. A few of the must-visit places in Istanbul are Hagia Sophia Museum, The Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and the Bosphorus river cruise. You can also take short flights and visit adjacent cities like Antalya, Goreme, etc. from which you can also experience the world-famous hot air balloon ride.
15. Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is one of the most prominent and frequently visited tourist destinations in Croatia. Dubrovnik is located in the Southern part and is accessible via flights from major cities. The City Walls of Dubrovnik is one of the major tourist attractions. Along with that, you can also combine the Game of Thrones tour here as major scenes of Game of Thrones shooting had taken place in Dubrovnik.
Europe is a massive continent and it takes a lot of time, money, and effort to ensure you cover the right destinations offering variety with value for your money. An expert planning your Europe trip will ensure your dream vacation goes on without any hassle. Europe tours are offered by travel companies like Pickyourtrail, Travel Triangle who will customize your Europe trip according to your needs through their Europe tour packages. What are you waiting for? Pack your bags and take up the dream vacation to Europe!