Europe is full of fantastic cities to visit that offer the perfect opportunity to get away from the office, discover a new place, try new experiences, party or just simply unwind. There are cities that are incredibly picturesque or come with a fascinating history. Here are 10 of the best and must-see cities in Europe that make for a perfect city break.
1. Amsterdam, Netherlands
One of the most picturesque cities in the world. It is easy to spend hours just wandering the canals and enjoying the quirky buildings all around. Cycling is a big part of the culture and on every corner you will see bikes parked on railings or cyclists going about their everyday life.
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2. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is a popular city with the beautiful Charles Bridge connecting Old Town to Lesser Town (Malá Strana). The city has plenty of things to do on both sides of the river. A few things in Old Town include the historic Astronomical Clock, The Church of Our Lady before Týn and Town Hall Tower viewpoint. On the Lesser Town side a few things include Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral and Golden Lane. Along with fantastic places to eat and low prices, it’s the perfect place for a cheap and very memorable trip.
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3. Paris, France
The city of Love, Paris is a great place for a romantic break. This city is packed with things to see such as going up the Eiffel Tower or going below ground to the scary Catacombs. A nice experience is a boat ride along the river Seine, or a walk up to the Sacré-Cœur for some breathtaking views of the city.
4. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is home to incredible architecture such as the Park Güell designed by Gaudí and the still being constructed Sagrada Família. This city also has wonderful beaches, as well as many restaurants serving extremely tasty Tapas and Sangria.
5. Vienna, Austria
Everywhere you walk in Vienna you will be surrounded by elegant and beautiful architecture. There is plenty to do in this city, from heading to a ball, seeing Opera or having lunch up in the wineries overlooking the city. Vienna is a particularly nice city to visit for a romantic trip with your loved one, as well as for including in a multi-destination trip, visiting multiple destinations (or countries) nearby.
6. Berlin, Germany
Germany’s Capital is well organised with lots of history. You will find the Holocaust Memorial, The Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie, as well as landmarks such as the Reichstag Building and Brandenburg Gate. For breathtaking views of the city head up the Berlin TV Tower. Berlin serves as a great destination for history lovers as well as those looking for top nightlife experiences.
7. Venice, Italy
Venice is a city like no over. From the bus station, you will find no land vehicles, only boats and people. A great experience is to get lost among the narrow streets and canals, soaking up the unique world heritage scenery. A nice excursion would be to visit Burano, located not too far from Venice where you’ll see some of the most colourful buildings on the planet.
More pictures: Over 20 photographs of Venice that’ll make you want to visit.
8. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is home to incredible thermal spas and other great attractions. A nice day out includes walking up to Fisherman’s Bastion for some incredible views of the city, including the Hungarian Parliament seen below, and then in the afternoon heading to one of the thermal baths for some well-earned relaxation.
9. London, England
A city full of life, London is a busy city that never stops. Here you will enjoy many free museums, as well as wonderful landmarks such as Tower Bridge and the Palace of Westminster. Other things to do include seeing a performance along the West End, or going to Oxford Street for a high-quality shopping experience.
10. Ghent, Belgium
Ghent is a beautiful historic city with the impressive Het Belfort van Gent Bell Tower at the centre. From here you could take a beautiful walk along the River Leie along the Korenlei and Graslei paths. If you wanted something a bit alternative you could head to Werregarenstraat which is Ghent’s very own graffiti alley. As well as lots to see, Ghent comes with plenty of beautiful restaurants to enjoy a tasty meal.
To read our post on seeing multiple cities in Belgium in one trip head to Belgium Multi City Trip – Ghent Bruges Brussels.
Summary
One of the best things about Europe is just how easy it is to get between places. This means that you can visit multiple cities or countries during a single trip. Such as a Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Hungary multi-destination trip, Balkans trip or a journey through some of the Nordic countries. See more of our multi-destination articles for ideas.
Visiting Asia? Then check out 10 Incredible Cities to Visit in South East Asia for ideas of cities to visit.
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