10 Beautiful Cities in Europe You Have to Visit

Europe is well-known for its deep history, great architecture, and natural beauty. I’ll be honest with you, making this list of the most beautiful cities in Europe was one of the hardest articles I’ve ever written, just because it was so hard to choose between the countless gorgeous and unique cities.

In the end, I decided to only list the cities I’ve visited myself so I can assure you from first-hand experience that they are truly the prettiest cities in Europe. So here goes the list of the best cities in the continent that you need to put on your Europe bucket list right away!

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Most Beautiful Cities in Europe

1. Paris, France

Paris is not only one of the most beautiful cities in Europe but it’s also one of the most breathtaking dream destinations in the world. You can easily spend there weeks without getting bored but spending 4 days in Paris is a good start to discovering the best of the city.

If you’re visiting Paris for the first time, seeing the famous Eiffel Tower must be on your itinerary. No pictures do justice to how incredible the Iron Lady is in real life!

Paris is home to many world-class museums and while many people decide to visit the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa, the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée Rodin are also worth exploring.

The best things to do in Paris include shopping on the Champs-Elysées, eating countless macarons and croissants, visiting the Sacré-Coeur, wandering through the cute streets of Montmartre, and seeing a show at the famous Moulin Rouge.

In the City of Love, everyone will find their favorite type of activity!

2. Barcelona, Spain

Nestled between the beautiful mountains and the inviting coastline, Barcelona is definitely one of the most popular cities to visit in Europe. The capital of Catalonia is mostly known for the famous La Sagrada Familia and the many colorful and breathtaking works of Antonio Gaudi across the city.

Starting from the gorgeous architecture to the most amazing local food, there are just so many things to love about Barcelona!

Although you can see almost all the must-see spots in just 24 hours in Barcelona, it’s worth spending at least 3 days in the city to truly experience its unique vibe.

Walking through the Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter, admiring the unique architecture of the La Sagrada Familia, visiting Casa Batlló and Casa Mila, and seeing the sunset in the Park Güell is a real must when visiting Barcelona!

If you have more time in the city, you can go up to Mount Tibidabo where you can spend a fun day in the amusement park and have an amazing panoramic view over Barcelona.

Since Barcelona is really popular among tourists, it usually gets very crowded during the summer. If you want to visit without the crowds, try to plan a trip to Barcelona in the off-season.

3. Rome, Italy

No Europe trip is really complete without visiting the Italian capital, Rome. It’s full of ancient ruins, historical sites, and amazing landmarks and it’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Italy.

The Eternal City is also home to one of the new seven wonders of the world, the Colosseum, which makes it a must-see destination on every traveler’s bucket list.

While you can visit the city all year round, the best time to visit Rome is definitely in the shoulder season when the weather is still mild but the crowds are thinner.

Being one of the most interesting and historically important places in Europe, you can easily spend weeks exploring all the beauties Rome has to offer.

Even if you only have one day in Rome, you need to explore the Vatican City and admire the St. Peter’s Basilica, visit the Pantheon, throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, and see the inside of the Colosseum.

Of course, spending longer in Rome means you get to explore more sights and get a better feeling of the city. If you’re a first-timer, it’s best to spend at least 3 days in Rome.

To maximize your time, I would recommend staying in Centro Storico, which is one of the best areas to stay in Rome for sightseeing and for finding the best Instagram spots in Rome.

If you want to avoid the crowds during the day, join a Rome by night tour which is one of the most unique ways to discover the Italian capital. Oh, and while you’re at it, don’t forget to try some of the best food in Rome! Pizza, pasta, gelato – do I need to continue?

4. Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is definitely one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and trust me, I’m not just saying that because I’m a local!

If you’re looking for gorgeous architecture, fairytale castles, world-famous thermal baths, cool ruin bars, and delicious cuisine – and all of that for a reasonable price – you need to put Budapest on your Europe bucket list right away.

Spending a weekend in Budapest will give you the chance to visit the most famous Hungarian landmarks such as the Hungarian Parliament, the Buda Castle, and the Fisherman’s Bastion, which is undoubtedly one of the most Instagrammable places in Budapest.

If you have more time, spending 4 days in Budapest is even better, as you get to see more sides of the city! Whatever time you choose, taking a walk along the Danube River and seeing the majestic buildings rising on both sides will be an unforgettable memory.

If you’re visiting Budapest for the first time, try to stay somewhere in or close to the city center (District V-VI-VII) which is definitely one of the best areas to stay in Budapest for sightseeing.

5. Prague, Czech Republic

Prague became a very popular hotspot for hen and stag parties recently due to its laid-back vibe, vibrant nightlife, and affordable prices. Don’t worry, even if you’re not a big party person there are many other things to do in the city!

The historical center of Prague is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and exploring the charming little streets in the Old Town is a really unique experience.

Walking across the charming Charles Bridge is one of the best romantic things to do in Prague and if you’re traveling with your significant other, you can also put up a lock on the Love Lock Bridge.

Other great things to do in Prague include taking a walking tour in the Jewish Quarter, admiring the unique Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square, visiting the Prague Castle, and trying the delicious Czech cuisine.

The Czech Republic is also famous for its world-class beers so if you’re a beer lover you can go for a beer tour or visit the Czech Beer Museum as well. If you want to see one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, visiting Prague around the holidays is a great idea!

6. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Often referred to as the Venice of the North due to its hundreds of canals, Amsterdam has a truly unique vibe and it’s definitely one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

The city is mostly known for the Red Light District and its world-famous coffee shops (which basically means weeds shop in Amsterdam) but it has many more things to offer.

Amsterdam is home to many great museums like the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum and if you’re interested in Jewish history you can visit the Anne Frank House as well. It’s worth scheduling your visit in spring to see the tulip fields in full bloom and enjoy the mild weather.

Spending 2 days in Amsterdam is enough to cover the main tourist spots but if you have more time in the city, rent a bike and take a day trip to the nearby Zaanse Schans windmills as well!

7. London, United Kingdom

London is one of the most iconic and well-known cities in Europe, attracting millions of tourists every year. Home to the British royal family and many historical landmarks, London is definitely a city that needs to be on everyone’s Europe bucket list.

Seeing the Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament is a must when visiting London, and no London bucket list is complete without admiring the Tower Bridge and taking a ride on the London Eye.

Apart from the historical landmarks, there are many unique things to do in London. If you’re a Harry Potter fan you definitely need to go for a Warner Bro’s Studio Tour where you can explore the wonders of the Wizarding World.

You can also visit the Madame Tussauds wax museum and the London Dungeon or watch a musical at one of the famous theatres in London. Don’t forget to try an authentic English breakfast and fish and chips while you’re in the city!

8. Venice, Italy

Venice is not only one of the most beautiful cities in Europe but it’s also one of the most unique places in the world. Known for its hundreds of canals, gondolas, and footbridges, it’s no surprise that the city is really popular amongst foreign visitors.

The summer is almost unenjoyable due to the millions of tourists so it’s better to go in the shoulder seasons or off-season.

The St. Mark’s Square with the Basilica is so iconic that it has been the inspiration for The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas and for the largest casino in the world, The Venetian Macao. Venice is quite small so it’s a totally walkable city, although it’s easy to get lost in the canals and narrow streets.

Spending 2 days in Venice is the perfect amount of time to visit the best places in the city and enjoy some of the best Italian foods!

Taking a gondola ride is one of the best ways to see the city but be prepared to pay big bucks for that, as a 30-minute long gondola ride typically costs around €100 ($120 US).

If you love photography, you’re in for a real treat as you can find countless Instagrammable spots in Venice, such as the Rialto Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs, or the Scala Contarini del Bovolo.

9. Vienna, Austria

The capital city of Austria is located in the eastern part of the country, close to the borders of Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Vienna was also the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and it has always played a major role in the European world.

The city is packed with majestic palaces, churches, beautiful parks, and gardens and it still has an undoubtedly royal vibe. No wonder you can find tons of stunning Instagram spots in Vienna – the whole city is utterly gorgeous!

Although you can see a big chunk of the city by spending a weekend in Vienna, it’s easy to spend up to one week in Vienna as well. It’s also a great starting point for a wider Austria road trip!

Vienna is often referred to as the City of Music thanks to its world-famous residents like Mozart, Beethoven, and Sigmund Freud. The Vienna State Opera is one of the must-visit places in the city along with the St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Schönbrunn Palace, and the Rathaus.

The city is also home to one of the best Christmas markets in Europe so it’s definitely worth scheduling your visit to the winter months.

10. Milan, Italy

Milan is the capital city of the Lombardy region in Italy and it’s also known as the fashion and design capital of the country. If you’re into shopping there is no shortage of shops and boutiques in the city!

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is probably the most famous shopping center in the world and seeing the breathtaking interior design of the hallways is a true bucket list experience.

The most famous landmark in Milan is undoubtedly the Duomo di Milano, otherwise known as the Milan Cathedral. It looks majestic from the outside as well but it’s worth checking out the interior too. Furthermore, you can also go up to the roofs from where you can have an amazing view of the city.

Spending 2 days in Milan will give you plenty of time to visit the main attractions in the city and try to most delicious Italian dishes. Milan is also a great starting point for every Northern Italy road trip as you can easily reach Lake Como, Lake Garda, or even the Dolomites from the city.