This curated list explores Europe’s best places to visit this year, considering both timeless destinations and exciting new trends. We’ll highlight cities brimming with local culture, breathtaking natural wonders perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, and sustainable travel options that allow you to explore responsibly.
Top places to visit in Europe
1. Paris, France
Paris is a city that needs no headline event as an attractive destination. Paris has some of the world’s most visited monuments and attractions. A visit to Paris is an experience to cherish forever. Paris has something to offer everyone—from a stroll along the world-famous Eiffel Tower’s lawns to a visit to the galleries of the Louvre Museum. It is the unique experiences that do its charm: a dinner at a Parisian café, an evening in Montmartre, which is a residence of well-known writers and artists like Dali and Picasso, and a live performance at the world-famous cabaret – Moulin Rouge.
2. London, England
More than a metropolis of people, ideas, and exuberant energy, it is a dynamic and cosmopolitan city. London is a wonderful blend of tradition and modern convenience and one of the world’s most influential cities. It is a living testimonial to history and culture. It is undoubtedly one of the best tourist destinations for a European holiday. One cannot help but sense that the great buildings and museums of London or the royal family are a part of something magnificent in London that blatantly combines the past and present, appreciating and revering everything about its legacy.
If you visit, you should plan to spend some days in this city because there is so much to see, including Big Ben, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, and many more. The best times to visit London are during its magical spring, when the gardens are in full bloom, and the temperature is mild, or in December when the city is aglitter with festive lights and filled with festivity.
3. Rome, Italy
What can we say of Rome? It is most travelers’ idea of Italy. But Rome is not only one of Italy’s destinations but also a doorstep to a world of wonder. There is so much to learn about: the places rich in history, unique architecture, famous museums, hill towns, refreshing beaches, beautiful cities, among them the most loved Venice and Verona, the towns from fairy tales. Every place has a unique charm and beauty that will leave you in awe and eagerness to experience.
Rome breathes life into the ancient Western world and presents contemporary life, filling up its crevices of preserved history. A torrent of churches, ancient ruins, and well-known family-run restaurants lies in the Italian capital. The many vital icons display a staggering spectacle, supporting the delights of the city’s la dolce vita ambiance, which can be enjoyed at bustling sidewalk cafes. There is just something about Rome: its inspiring art galleries, vibrant street life, ancient building style, and an eternal sense of luxury make Rome a must-stop for any European vacation.
4. Amsterdam, Netherlands
It’s a great idea to consider including Amsterdam as one of your cities to visit while touring Europe. This attractive Dutch capital city boasts up to 165 canals running through, each of which is a treasury of artistic impressions; all this is finely complemented by neat and pretty rows of narrow houses, augmenting the city’s attraction. Amsterdam—with museums, bicyclists, pancakes, and canals—is the most agreeable location to take the pulse of Dutch culture. Taking a cruise along the waterways inspired by some beautiful bridges and townhomes is worthwhile. There is something for every visitor, be it for serious partying, culture, history, or simply soaking in the old European city’s tranquil beauty.
5. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site known as The Golden City or The City of a Hundred Spires. Its numerous stunning towers, cobblestone streets, and attractive buildings create a fairy-tale-like ambiance. Prague is the place to visit if you like European cities with architectural marvels and historical sites. There is something to cater to almost every visitor in Prague tourism, from historical tours to romantic getaways.
The tourist attractiveness of the capital city of the Czech Republic lies in its gardens and parks, as well as in different types of spires, from castles and towns to various cathedral spires. Some famous tourist attractions include city tours by vintage trams, Karlovy Vary, etc. If you’re looking for a quieter holiday experience, December can be the perfect time to visit Prague, offering the possibility of enjoying Prague’s fairy-tale snow landscape.
6. Venice, Italy
Venice is pure romantic personification, a perfect example of European magic! A trip to Venice is a fantastic experience. The visitors are welcomed by this city’s melodious gondoliers, winding streets, and ancient sites. The ride includes a stop at the never-quite Grand Canal before you finally embark on a gondola to ply through the face canals of the city in a genuinely Venetian way. A tour of the palace of Doge, a show in the famous opera house, and an opportunity to view the site where they produce glass are, naturally, must-sees when visiting Venice. If you like a peaceful ambiance with fewer crowds gathering there, the late summer and early fall months, starting from September till October, would be more convenient for decent temperatures and less hustle and bustle.
7. Florence, Italy
Florence is all about history and culture. And that’s the best part—walk its streets and take a tour on a Segway to see them at your own pace. The city is full of churches and galleries, holding masterpieces from the masters Michelangelo to Brunelleschi in their halls, ushering you from medieval times into the Italian Golden Age. Like Paris, Florence is filled with many more art galleries and beautiful buildings so that it won’t be boring. If you spend a few days in Florence, you must visit at least one Florentine market to dive into the colorful and aromatic atmosphere or wander through its alleys, seeing the stone houses standing there as if time stood still for them.
8. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is so vibrant, with its edgy culture and architecture, unlike Spain. One can not love this city. Barcelona offers abundant must-see attractions, from the narrow streets and medieval buildings of the Gothic Quarter to the fantastical Park Guell and the awe-inspiring Sagrada Familia. Of course, there is a lot of good food and many bars, too. The city is marvelous, and Barcelona has the best nightlife, even clubs, in the world.
9. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon, the coastal capital city of Portugal, is often regarded as one of Europe’s most underrated gems. Cinematic hills and a relative riverside panorama lie across Lisbon’s terrain, leading to cobbled alleyways and ancient ruins—cathedrals crowned with white domes—a charming, unhurried pace of life. These colorful streets reflect hundreds of years of history, supporting the country’s age of discovery. Museums, monuments, and intriguing museums filled with good food are packed into narrow streets or lining the riverbank promenade of Lisbon tours.
10. Vienna, Austria
Vienna is the capital city of Austria. The city is situated on the Danube River and dates back to a Roman settlement. Vienna is a superb vacation choice with numerous Baroque structures contrasting steel and modern glass. Viennese life is enriched by a vibrant coffee culture, delicious food, and diverse indoor and outdoor activities. The coffee house is where people who hail from Vienna sit and relax in their spare time, savoring the locally renowned famous dishes. If you love the festive atmosphere and Christmas markets, there is no better place you would want to be than Vienna in December.
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