TRENDING DESTINATIONS & YACHTS

There is simply no way to tour Europe and not be awestruck by its natural beauty, fascinating history, rich culture and dazzling artistic and culinary diversity. From sun-smooched islands to secret corners, there’s always somewhere new to discover.

Europe’s wealth of attractions is its biggest single draw. Who hasn’t dreamed of seeing Florence’s Renaissance art, Venice’s graceful canals, Paris’ Napoleonic splendor, and the multilayered historical and cultural canvas of London?

There’s also a huge diversity of natural scenery: rugged Scottish Highlands dotted with glens and lochs; the flower fields and hilltop villages of Provence; the coastlines of the Adriatic and Aegean, speckled with thousands of islands. And those are just the highlights.

Some of Europe’s most popular spots have felt the effects of tourism in recent years, as increasing visitor numbers have impacted local populations, services and historic sites. But with a little planning and care, you’re in for the journey of a lifetime. Here are 27 of the best places to visit in Europe.

Take in iconic views of London, including Tower Bridge, the most famous Thames crossing. Alexander Spatari/Getty Images

1. London, UK

Truly one of the world’s greatest cities

London is mercurial and endlessly fascinating. You could spend a lifetime getting to know it, then realize the city has gone and changed again. Stretching back from the mighty River Thames, its lush parks and historic districts are crammed with extraordinary sights: royal palaces, towering cathedrals and remarkable museums and galleries. Add some of the world’s top theaters, restaurants, sports venues and shops, and you’ll be very reluctant to leave.

Travelers who want to dive deeper into London will be rewarded by exploring its varied and characterful neighborhoods, taking in the cool clubs of Shoreditch or the picturesque streets of Notting Hill. With more time, tack on a day trip to explore nature in the New Forest, admire the Roman ruins of Bath, or soak up the creativity of Brighton.

2. Venice, Italy

Magical city seemingly floating on water

A sunny winter’s day, with far fewer tourists around, is the perfect time to lap up Venice‘s unique and magical atmosphere. Ditch your map and wander the shadowy back lanes of Dorsoduro while imagining secret assignations and whispered conspiracies at every turn. Then visit two of Venice’s top galleries, the Gallerie dell’Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, which house works by many giants of Italian and European art.

In recent years, Venice has struggled under the pressures of mass tourism, and visitors should brush up on how to be mindful while traveling in this gorgeous but fragile city. A new entry fee for day-trippers may inspire people to stay longer, which is one way to get a deeper understanding of this incredible place.

The Eiffel Tower is the defining feature of the Paris skyline. Michal Bednarek/500px

3. Paris, France

Get up close to an architectural icon

Designed as a temporary exhibit for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World Fair), the elegant, iconic Eiffel Tower has become the defining fixture of the Paris skyline. In fact, it’s hard to imagine a city more iconic than the City of Light. From legendary culinary offerings and alluring nightlife to a seemingly endless selection of museums, galleries and flea markets, Paris is a travel dream made real.

Spend your days wandering through the city’s 20 intriguing arrondissements (districts), or head further afield on a day trip to Monet’s garden at Giverny or Marie Antoinette’s former home at Versailles. Whatever you do, it’ll be a trip to remember.

4. Rome, Italy

Classical ruins mixed with contemporary style

From the crumbling Colosseum to the ancient Forum and the timeless Via Appia Antica, few sights are more evocative than the ruins of ancient Rome. Two thousand years ago, this city was the center of the greatest empire of the ancient world, where gladiators battled and emperors lived in unimaginable luxury. Nowadays, its ancient sites have a haunting mystery; as you walk the cobbled paths, you can almost sense the ghosts in the air.

But don’t miss the city’s contemporary side. Shop for hip handbags or handmade jewelry in Rome’s coolest independent boutiques. Rub shoulders with locals over aperitivo (pre-meal drinks) at trendy bars or check out the street art in neighborhoods such as Ostiense and San Lorenzo. In a city that’s been around for thousands of years, there are always plenty of new treasures to find.

Berlin is a dynamic, modern city studded with reminders of a divided past. Eddy Galeotti/Shutterstock

5. Berlin, Germany

Catch the ever-changing zeitgeist

Nearly 35 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, it’s hard to believe that this most cosmopolitan of cities once marked one of the key frontiers in the Cold War. But reminders of Berlin‘s divided past remain. Whether you’re passing the Brandenburg Gate, gazing at graffiti-covered sections of the old Berlin Wall at East Side Gallery or studying the exhibits at the DDR Museum, it’s an essential part of understanding the forces that have shaped Germany’s capital. From the past to the future – be sure to soak up the city’s amazing modern touches, like its iconic club culture, unique independent shops and cool neighborhoods.

6. Dubrovnik, Croatia

A spectacular walled city

Dubrovnik‘s main claim to fame is its historic city wall, considered among the grandest in the world, which surrounds luminous marble streets and finely ornamented buildings. Built between the 13th and 16th centuries, the walls are still remarkably intact, and the vistas over the terracotta rooftops and the Adriatic Sea are sublime, especially at dusk, when the fading light makes the hues dramatic and the panoramas unforgettable.

The city’s prominent role in the TV series Game of Thrones has caused a massive surge in visitors ⁠– and in the number of tours taking people to all the starring spots. But travelers can still get to know the real Dubrovnik by diving deeper into its top attractions and wandering outside of the Old Town.

Prague’s Old Town swims with historic grandeur. Pauline Lewis/Getty Images

7. Prague, Czechia

An architectural central European jewel

The capital of Czechia (formerly Czech Republic), Prague is one of Europe’s most alluring and dynamic cities. For all its modern verve, some parts of town have hardly changed since medieval times. Cobbled cul-de-sacs twist and turn, framed by teetering townhouses, baroque buildings and graceful bridges.

If castles are your thing, Prague has an absolute beauty: a 1000-year-old fortress covering around 7 hectares (17 acres) – the world’s largest ancient castle complex. The Old Town is where you’ll find many of the city’s quintessential attractions, but you’ll be rewarded for exploring other intriguing neighborhoods ⁠– which also happen to be where you’ll find many of the city’s best restaurants.

8. Vienna, Austria

Grand heart of a former empire

The monumentally graceful Hofburg palace whisks you back to the age of empires in Vienna. You can marvel at the treasury’s imperial crowns, the equine ballet of the Spanish Riding School and chandelier-lit apartments once occupied by Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth. The palace, a legacy of the 640-year-long Habsburg Empire, is rivaled in grandeur only by the 1441-room Schloss Schönbrunn, a Unesco World Heritage Site, and the baroque Schloss Belvedere, both set in exquisite gardens.

Amsterdam is at its most evocative when viewed from the water. Getty Images

9. Amsterdam, Netherlands

World Heritage-listed canals and gabled buildings

To say residents of Amsterdam love the water is an understatement. Take a stroll beside the canals and check out the thousands of houseboats, or take a canal boat ride, and you’ll soon understand why. From the water, you’ll notice a whole new set of architectural details, such as the ornamentation bedecking the city’s famous bridges. Each time you pass an appealing canalside cafe terrace, mark the location for a later return.

Getting around in Amsterdam is a breeze, making it an ideal city for exploring hip neighborhoods in search of the best things to eat and drink. While there’s always plenty to do in Amsterdam, sometimes the best experiences come from slowing down, skipping the tourist sights, and soaking up the city vibe.

10. Budapest, Hungary

Beautiful capital city straddling the Danube

Along both sides of the romantic Danube River, with the Buda Hills to the west and the start of the Great Plain to the east, Budapest is perhaps the most beautiful city in Eastern Europe. Parks brim with attractions, the architecture is second to none, museums are filled with treasures, pleasure boats sail up and down the scenic Danube Bend, Baroque and Turkish-era thermal baths billow steam and the city’s nightlife throbs till dawn.

See designs by Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona, including his masterpiece, La Sagrada Família. Sylvain Sonnet/Getty Images

11. Barcelona, Spain

See the genius of a visionary architect

Barcelona is famous for its Modernista architecture, including the iconic buildings of Antoni Gaudí. His masterpiece is the mighty cathedral La Sagrada Família, which remains a work in progress close to a century after its creator’s death. It’s a bizarre combination of crazy and classic – Gothic touches intersect with eccentric experimental flourishes and improbable angles. Even half completed, it’s a modern-day wonder.

Of course, there’s much more to the Catalonian capital than its most famous church. Barcelona heaves with tapas restaurants, art museums and history-steeped neighborhoods ⁠– not to mention its incredible beaches. The city has been in the spotlight due to the high visitor numbers and the impact on local communities, so make sure you understand the issues before you go.

12. Lisbon, Portugal

Scenic city with soul

The district of Alfama, with its labyrinthine alleyways, hidden courtyards and curving, shadow-filled lanes, is a magical place to lose all sense of direction and delve into Lisbon‘s soul. On the journey, you’ll pass breadbox-sized grocers, brilliantly tiled buildings and views of steeply pitched rooftops leading down to the glittering Tagus River.

Pause at cozy taverns filled with easygoing chatter, with the scent of chargrilled sardines and the mournful rhythms of fado drifting in the breeze, and toast the city with a glass of Portugal’s famous port wine.

The Scottish Highlands call out to be explored on foot or on a thrilling road trip. Joe Dunckley/Shutterstock

13. The Scottish Highlands

Scenic grandeur and echoes of the past

Whether you explore on foot, by rail, or on a thrilling road trip, breathtaking views abound in the Scottish Highlands. From the regal charm of Royal Deeside to the brooding majesty of Glen Coe and the mysterious waters of sweeping Loch Ness, these are landscapes that inspire awe. The region is scattered with fairy-tale castles and the hiking is suitably glorious. Add in the Highland hospitality found in classic rural pubs and romantic country hotels, and you’re guaranteed to forge memories in this unforgettable corner of Scotland.

14. Dublin, Ireland

Pints of Guinness and literary connections

Whether you’re wandering around the leafy Georgian terraces of St Stephen’s Green or getting acquainted with the past at Kilmainham Gaol or Trinity College, you’re never far from a literary or historic sight in Dublin.

Then there are the city’s pubs: there are few better places to down a pint than Dublin. You can even make a pilgrimage to the original Guinness brewery. Either way, you’ll surely make a few Irish friends along the way.

The beauty of Florence and Tuscany is the stuff of legend. Getty Images

15. Florence and Tuscany, Italy

Renaissance charm and timeless romance

The undulating hills of Tuscany, bathed in golden light and dotted with vineyards, sum up Italy’s attractions in a nutshell. Here, picture-perfect hilltop towns vie with magnificent scenery and some of Italy’s best food and wine. Experiencing Tuscany for the first time is one of Europe’s great pleasures. Seek out the famed vintages of Chianti and stroll the evocative main square of historic Siena.

Then there’s Florence – aah, Firenze! – home to what Unesco describes as “the greatest concentration of universally renowned works of art in the world.” The Tuscan capital is packed with blockbuster museums, elegant churches and flawless Renaissance streetscapes. Naturally, a city this iconic also heaves with crowds, so make sure you plan your trip around the best times to visit.

16. Copenhagen, Denmark

The cool kid on the Nordic block

Scandinavia is all about pared-back contemporary style – something that the Danish capital has in spades. Home to a thriving design scene, Copenhagen has Michelin-starred restaurants, hipster cafes and bars and swoon-worthy boutiques around every corner. Add in top-class museums and galleries and a 1000-year-old harbor with handsome historic architecture and you have the perfect Scandi city break.

While Copenhagen is known for being expensive, there are ways to budget for your trip and plenty of free things to do in the city. Strolling around and soaking up the atmosphere won’t cost you a Danish krone.

Admire the incredible architecture of the Alhambra in historic Granada. Victor Torres/Stocksy

17. Andalucía, Spain

Vibrant cities studded with impressive architecture

Andalucía – al-Andalus in Moorish times – is awash with glorious architecture spanning eight centuries of Islamic rule in Spain and all the centuries since. Granada, Córdoba and Seville are the high points of a journey of extraordinary riches. In Granada, the palace complex of the Alhambra comes close to perfection, and is perhaps one of the most impressive works of Islamic architecture anywhere in the world. For many, this is Spain’s signature monument.

18. Ruins of Pompeii, Italy

Ancient city destroyed and preserved by Vesuvius

Frozen in its death throes, the sprawling, time-warped ruins of Pompeii near Naples hurtle visitors 2000 years into the past. Wander through chariot-grooved Roman streets and duck into lavishly frescoed villas and bathhouses, food stores and markets, theaters and even an ancient brothel.

Then, in the eerie stillness, with your eye on the ominous profile of Mt Vesuvius, ponder the town’s final hours when the skies grew dark with choking volcanic ash. One of the most intriguing experiences in this ancient city is investigating the ongoing excavations, which continue to shed new light on life in 79 CE.

Wander up the famous Rainbow Street in downtown Reykjavik. Finn Hafemann/Getty Images

19. Reykjavík, Iceland

The world’s most northerly capital

More than half of the population of Iceland live in Reykjavík – a city smaller than Anchorage, Alaska – but even on the shortest visit you’ll be struck by the quirky character and creativity of the population.

Despite being on the northern margins of Europe, on an island sculpted by volcanoes and ice, locals have forged a city packed with captivating art, rich cuisine and energetic nightlife, hosting an epic music scene. Learn about a history stretching back to Viking times and use the city as a base for trips to Iceland’s amazing natural wonders.

Provence is the France you’ve always imagined, dotted with postcard-perfect hilltop villages. iStock

20. Provence, France

Gallic charm in the south of France

For many people, the pastoral landscapes of Provence are a French fantasy brought to life. Provence seems to sum up everything enviable about the French lifestyle: fantastic food, legendary wines, bustling markets and long, balmy evenings, perfect for enjoying the good life. For decades, the villages of Provence have been hot spots for vacationers and second-homers, inspired by a dreamy vision of rustic living.

Seek out the postcard-perfect view of lavender fields and medieval cloisters at the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque or grab an espresso among the students hanging out in Aix-en-Provence. Whatever you do, eating, drinking and living well will surely be on the menu.

21. Swiss Alps, Switzerland

Hike, ski and admire these postcard-perfect peaks

The stirring ramparts of the Swiss Alps grace chocolate bar wrappers and muesli packets, but nothing prepares you for the magic of seeing these mountains up close.

The most famous summit, the Matterhorn, is a mesmerizing wedge of rock and ice that looms above the timber-chalet-filled village of Zermatt. Gaze at it from a tranquil cafe, hike in its shadow along the tangle of alpine paths above town with cowbells clinking in the distance, or pause on a ski slope and admire its craggy, chiseled outline.