Top 24 Best Places to Visit in Europe - Travel Europe
1.rome
Rome, man... the stories this city could tell. Italys capital is basically a living museum—one
minute youre dodging scooters, next thing you know youre standing in the shadow of the
Colosseum, picturing gladiators and emperors.
The Roman Empire called the shots from here, and
you can feel it. Art, ruins, pizza thatll ruin you for all others—Romes got it all.
Vatican
Citys tucked in there too, with all the drama and grandeur youd expect. Honestly, walking
through Rome feels like time travel, just with more gelato.
2. paris
Paris, baby! The City of Light. Theres just something about it—a little magic in the air, maybe
all those croissants. Youve got the Eiffel Tower (yeah, it lives up to the hype, especially at
night), the Louvre with the Mona Lisas mysterious half-smirk, and Notre-Dame, still standing
proud.
Wander down the Champs-Élysées, dodge some aggressive pigeons, and maybe treat yourself
to a river cruise on the Seine (super romantic, even if youre solo). The café scene?
Iconic.
Parisians somehow make sipping coffee look like performance art. Fashion, pastries, art, and
history all rolled into one—Paris knows how to live.
3. santorini
Santorini is that postcard place you save on your phone and swear youll get to someday. White
houses, blue domes, sunsets that make you question if youve ever really seen orange before. The
place literally exploded (volcano, not just popularity), which is why the beaches have that wild
red and black sand thing going on. Oia and Fira are the spots for those “wish you were here”
photos, and the islands wine—Assyrtiko, weird name, but trust me, its good—goes down way too
easy. If youre into wandering through ancient ruins or just staring out over the sea with a
glass in hand, Santorinis your jam.
Oia and Fira are the spots for those “wish you were here”
photos, and the islands wine—Assyrtiko, weird name, but trust me, its good—goes down way
too
easy. If youre into wandering through ancient ruins or just staring out over the sea with a
glass in hand, Santorinis your jam.
4. Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, man. This place doesnt just sit there quietly—its straight-up flexing, and Im here
for it. Think stone fortresses, those iconic orange rooftops, the Adriatic doing its sparkly
thing in the background—seriously, its like someone dialed up “medieval charm” to eleven. And
lets not pretend: if youre into Game of Thrones, your inner geek is gonna be doing cartwheels.
Spotting those filming spots? Its basically a scavenger hunt for nerds.
But hey, you dont need to be a fantasy buff to get swept up. Just strolling those epic
walls or losing yourself in the twisty streets of the Old Town? Chefs kiss. Snag a drink on
Stradun (touristy? Sure. Worth it? Yup), then maybe hop a boat to Lokrum if you need to
escape the selfie-stick brigade for a hot minute. The citys seriously ancient—been around
since, like, the 7th century—so youre practically tripping over stories everywhere you go.
5.Barcelona
Barcelona just doesnt know how to be boring. The citys practically buzzing 24/7. Gaudí left
his weirdly magical fingerprints everywhere—Sagrada Família looks like something from a dream,
and Park Güell is basically a playground for grownups. La Ramblas wild, full of street
performers and snack stalls; Barceloneta Beach is made for lazy afternoons and people-watching.
Football fans? Camp Nou is hallowed ground, no joke. The food scene—tapas, cava,
churros—dont
even get me started. Plus, the nightlife? Lets just say you wont be sleeping much.
Barcelona
is a full-on sensory overload, in the best way.
6.geirangerfjord
Geirangerfjord is just... wow. Norway really flexed on this one. Its like Mother Nature decided
to show off—towering cliffs, deep blue water, and waterfalls everywhere (Seven Sisters, I see
you). You can hike up to old mountain farms like Skageflå or just kick back on a boat cruise and
try not to drop your jaw.
If youve seen that disaster movie “The Wave,” yep, inspired by this
spot. Scenic drives here? Next level—Dalsnibba viewpoint will have your phone storage
screaming.
If youre into epic landscapes and dont mind a little rain, Geirangerfjord will blow your
mind.
7.istanbul
Istanbul is basically history and chaos mashed together—and somehow it works. The city straddles
Europe and Asia, so you get this wild mashup of cultures, food, and vibes. Hagia Sophia?
Jaw-dropping, and its been everything from a church to a mosque to a museum. The Blue Mosque
glows at sunset, and Topkapı Palace is all look at my bling.
The Grand Bazaar is pure sensory
overload spices carpets, trinkets, and a little bit of haggling. Grab some Turkish tea, hop
on a
ferry across the Bosphorus, and let the city surprise you. Istanbuls got layers and great
kebab.
8.prague
Prague, man its just straight-up magical. If youre into wild towers old-school castles, and the
kind of streets that make you feel like youve stumbled into a fantasy novel—yep, thats Prague.
Folks call it the City of a Hundred Spires, which is honestly underselling it. Its like a
gothic, baroque, renaissance fever dream.
Whats cool in Prague?
1 Prague Castle: This thing is massive. Like, “how is this even real?” levels of big.
2 Charles Bridge: Statues everywhere, selfie central, and killer sunset views if you time it
right.
3 Old Town Square: The Astronomical Clock does its little dance. Gets crowded, but its
worth it.
4 Jewish Quarter: Super old, super moving, with synagogues and museums tucked all over.
5 Vltava River Cruises: You get to float past the whole skyline. Pretty chill way to see the
city.
Oh, and the beer? Basically cheaper than water. Nightlifes wild, cobblestone streets are a
workout for your ankles, and honestly, youll probably never want to leave.
9.amsterdam
Amsterdam is that city that just… vibes. Canals everywhere, bikes zipping past, and more art
than you could ever process in one trip. Folks call it the “Venice of the North,” but honestly,
its got its own thing going on—laid-back, quirky, and a little bit rebellious.
Stuff you gotta see:
1 Rijksmuseum: Rembrandt, Vermeer, and a bunch of art youll pretend to understand.
2 Van Gogh Museum: All the sunflowers, all the ear drama.
3 Anne Frank House: Bring tissues. Its heavy, but so important.
4 Canal Cruises: Hop on a boat, see the city from the water, feel fancy for an hour.
5 Jordaan District: Cute cafés, indie shops, old houses—Instagram heaven.
Plus, this place is obsessed with bikes (seriously, there are more bikes than people),
tulips are a whole lifestyle, and the nightlife? Lets just say it gets wild.
10.neuschwanstein castle
Neuschwanstein Castle is basically where Disney went, “yeah, we want that.” Its tucked
away in the Bavarian Alps, looking all mysterious and majestic. King Ludwig II built it back in
the 1800s because, why not have your own fantasy castle, right?
Whys it awesome?
1 The architecture is next-level. Like, medieval meets I have too much money.
2 The views? Unreal. You can see lakes, mountains, and probably some lost hikers.
3 Ludwig never got to live in it, but now over a million people show up every year.
4 Disney totally ripped it off for Sleeping Beautys castle, but hey, imitation = flattery.
If youre into fairy tales, or just want that perfect Instagram shot, this place is
straight-up magic.
11. london
Londons just… iconic. You walk around and its like every block wants to remind you its been
here for 2,000 years. Double-decker buses everywhere, accents bouncing off the walls, and enough
history to make your head spin.
London must-sees:
1 Big Ben & Parliament: You cant not take a pic. Its the law.
2 Buckingham Palace: The Queens crib. Maybe youll catch the guards doing their thing.
3 Tower of London: Jewels, ravens, medieval drama—all in one spot.
4 British Museum: Stole half the worlds history and put it on display (yeah, I said it).
5 West End: Musicals, plays, and overpriced snacks. Worth it, though.
The citys a mash-up of old and new, every neighborhoods got a vibe, and trust me, youll
never run out of places to get lost (in a good way).
12.florence
Florence is an art lovers fever dream. Renaissance everything—statues, paintings, buildings,
even the gelato feels fancier. Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dante yeah, they all hung out here
probably drinking wine and arguing about brushstrokes.
Dont miss:
1 The Duomo: That dome is wild. Brunelleschi was a mad genius.
2 Uffizi Gallery: Botticelli, Raphael, and about a million other masterpieces.
3 Ponte Vecchio: Old bridge, little shops, gold everywhere.
4 Palazzo Pitti & Boboli Gardens: Palaces and gardens so pretty youll wonder if you
accidentally walked into a movie.
Michelangelos David: Honestly, the guys ripped.
Foods unreal hello, Tuscan steak, piazzas are always buzzing, and youll probably leave
with a new appreciation for, well, everything.
13. alhambra
The Alhambra? Straight-up jaw-dropping. Sitting in Granada, this place is all red walls,
intricate tiles, and gardens that feel like they were designed by someone with way too much time
and way too many fountains. Built by sultans, taken over by kings, and now swarmed by tourists
with cameras.
The musts:
1 Nasrid Palaces: So many patterns, your brain will short-circuit.
2 Generalife: Gardens where you just want to nap forever.
3 Court of the Lions: Fountain, lions, and a vibe thats pure magic.
4 Alcazaba: Climb up, get a view of all Granada, and pretend youre a medieval lookout.
5 Charles V Palace: Random Renaissance building, because why not?
Columbus got his “go explore” ticket here, and now its UNESCO-famous. If youre into
history, architecture, or just want to feel fancy, this is your spot.
14. monte carlo
Monte Carlo is what happens when you mix James Bond, superyachts, and people who think “casual
Friday” means wearing a $10,000 watch. Its all glitz, casinos that look like movie sets, and
Mediterranean views thatll have you reconsidering your life choices.
The scene:
1 Monte Carlo Casino: Dress codes, chandeliers, and the hope you dont lose your shirt.
2 F1 Monaco Grand Prix: The loudest, flashiest race youll ever see—cars flying past
billionaires sipping champagne.
15.venice
Man, Venice is just wild. Its not even a city in the normal sense—its like someone took a
handful of islands (118, to be exact), tossed ‘em into a lagoon, and said, “Yeah, lets connect
these with a bunch of bridges and see what happens.” Spoiler: what happened was magic. Once the
ultimate boss of maritime trade, the Venetian Republic basically ran the show for centuries.
Stuff you gotta see:
1 Grand Canal – The big watery highway, lined with palaces so fancy they make you wonder
what youre even doing with your life.
2 St. Marks Basilica – The place looks like someone dumped a treasure chest upside down and
called it a church. Mosaics everywhere, gold everywhere.
3 Doges Palace – The old power HQ, where Venices top dogs did their scheming.
4 Rialto Bridge – Yeah, its touristy, but cmon, its iconic.
5 Murano & Burano – Ones all about glassblowing, the others got houses so colorful your
phone will run out of storage taking pics.
And if you dont at least think about hopping on a gondola, are you even in Venice? The vibe
is straight-up romantic, and the art scene is next level.
16.bay of kotor
Okay, so picture this: the Bay of Kotor. If that name means nothing to you, trust me, youre
missing out. Were talking about Montenegros crown jewel here. Seriously, just calling it a
“bay” is like saying Beyoncé can “hold a tune.” The place is wild—craggy cliffs, wiggly
coastlines, the whole dramatic package. People love to argue its a fjord, but, turns out, its
officially a ria. (Yeah, I had to Google it too. Geography geeks, rise up.) UNESCO has its stamp
all over it, and lets be real, its basically Instagrams personal runway.
Must-sees:
1 Kotor Old Town – Looks like something straight outta Game of Thrones. Medieval walls,
cobblestone streets, the works.
2 Perast & Our Lady of the Rocks – Tiny town, big charm, plus this church on an island
thats basically begging to be photographed.
3 Lovćen Mountains – For those “Im on top of the world!” moments. The views are insane.
4 Risan – Theyve got ancient Roman mosaics just chilling there. Not bad for a pit stop.
5 Tivat & Porto Montenegro – If you wanna feel fancy, this is your spot. Yachts, nice
restaurants, the good life.
Surrounded by sky-high mountains, this place is a playground for hikers, history buffs, or
anyone who likes their scenery dialed up to eleven.
17.athens
Athens is old. Like, seriously old. Were talking thousands of years of people doing their
thing—arguing, inventing democracy, and carving statues that put modern gym rats to shame.
People call it the “Cradle of Western Civilization,” and, honestly, thats not an exaggeration.
You cant skip:
1 Acropolis & Parthenon – The OG Instagram backdrop. Those columns? Iconic.
2 Plaka & Monastiraki – Neighborhoods with more charm than your grandmas cat. Think street
markets, tiny cafes, and history lurking around every corner.
3 National Archaeological Museum – If youre into ancient stuff, youll never want to leave.
4 Temple of Olympian Zeus – This thing is massive. Like, “how did they even build this”
massive.
5 Mount Lycabettus – Best spot for panoramic selfies, hands down.
Athens is a mashup of the ancient and the now. Youll see ruins next to modern bars, and
somehow, it just works.
18.gullfoss
Iceland doesnt play around when it comes to waterfalls, and Gullfoss is like, the Beyoncé of
the bunch. “Golden Falls” sounds fancy, but when you actually see it roaring into a canyon,
youll get why people lose their minds over it.
Whats cool:
1 Two-Tiered Waterfall – It drops in not one, but TWO stages—32 meters total. Youll feel
tiny just standing there.
2 Hvítá River – Glacier water, so cold your teeth hurt just looking at it. Thats what gives
the falls their glow.
3 Sigríður Tómasdóttir – Local legend. She literally fought to save this place from becoming
a dam. Hero status.
4 Golden Circle Route – Gullfoss is part of the classic Iceland road trip trio, along with
Thingvellir and Geysir. If you dont see this, did you even go to Iceland?
In summer, rainbows show up in the mist. In winter? Its a frozen wonderland. Either way,
bring a camera and maybe a spare pair of socks.
19.lisbon
Lisbon is one of those cities that just oozes cool without even trying. Its older than most
European capitals, built on hills thatll give your legs a workout, and man, the views! History?
Loads of it. But also, killer food and music everywhere.
Stuff you cant miss:
1 Belém Tower – Its like someone built a castle just to show off Portugals glory days.
2 Jerónimos Monastery – The architecture here is so extra, its basically showing off.
3 Alfama District – Winding streets, Fado music pouring out of doorways, and vibes for days.
4 São Jorge Castle – Climb up for views thatll make you forget your phones at 5%.
5 Tram 28 – Hop on and rattle your way through Lisbons prettiest neighborhoods. Old school
in the best way.
Seafoods fresh, nightlifes buzzing, and the viewpoints (miradouros, if you wanna sound
local) are everywhere. Youll fall in love, probably more than once.
20.budapest
Budapest is like two cities smashed together—literally. The Danube splits it into Buda (old,
hilly, castle-y) and Pest (flatter, party-central, full of life). The whole place is packed with
jaw-dropping architecture, cheap eats, and a vibe thats equal parts gritty and glam.
Dont miss:
1 Buda Castle – The views are ridiculous, plus the buildings not too shabby, either.
2 Parliament Building – Looks like Hogwarts, but with politicians.
3 Fishermans Bastion – This place is so fairy-tale, youll expect to see a dragon flying
by.
4 Széchenyi Thermal Baths – Soak with the locals and pretend youre royalty.
5 Chain Bridge – The citys signature crossing, especially gorgeous all lit up at night.
Budapest has these ruin bars too—think rundown buildings turned into wild, artsy hangouts.
Add some Hungarian goulash and a festival or two, and youll probably never want to leave.
21.Plitvice Lakes
Alright picture this emerald water tumbling down a staircase of lakes trees everywhere, and
wooden walkways that make you feel like you re floating above a fairy tale. Thats Plitvice
Lakes National Park in Croatia. Oldest, biggest, the OG of Croatian parks—UNESCOs had it on
their cool list since 79.
Whats cool here?
1 Veliki Slap This ones the show-off, a waterfall dropping 78 meters. Yeah, its as
dramatic as it sounds.
2 Those wooden boardwalks? Kinda feel like youre tiptoeing across the surface of the water.
Insta gold.
3 Upper and Lower Lakes: Basically, a never-ending chain of “oh my god, look at that view.”
4 Boats and shuttles—because sometimes you wanna glide, not hike.
5 Wildlifes wild, literally. From rare plants to animals youll probably never spot, but
hey, thats half the fun.
If youre into hiking, snapping a million photos, or just pretending youre in a fantasy
movie, Plitvices your jam.
22. Matterhorn
The Matterhorn isnt just a mountain its the mountain. That pointy one you see on Swiss
chocolate bars? Yep, thats her, straddling Switzerland and Italy, looking all intimidating at
4,478 meters. Frankly, shes a bit of a show-off, but I get it. If I looked that good, Id pose
for tourists too.
Highlights? Lets roll:
1 First ascent was in 1865, led by Edward Whymper. Epic, but ending was rough—a few climbers
didnt make it back down.
2 Zermatt and Breuil-Cervinia: Two alpine towns chilling at her feet, both with major ski
vibes.
3 Hörnli Ridge: The “standard” way up, if by “standard” you mean “prepare to suffer unless
youre super fit.
4 Matterhorn Glacier Paradise: Sounds made up, but its a real spot with views thatll melt
your face off.
5 Theodul Pass: People have been dragging stuff through here since the Romans—talk about
ancient traffic jams.
Every hiker, skier, or general thrill-seeker wants a selfie here. The Matterhorns basically
the Beyoncé of mountains.
23.Stonehenge
Okay, so Stonehenge? Its just... weird, in a cool, ancient-mystery kind of way. Plopped out in
the English countryside, its a ring of giant rocks thats older than the freaking pyramids.
Wiltshires claim to fame, and honestly, nobody knows exactly what the builders were up to.
The cool bits:
1 Built in fits and starts—took them over a thousand years, which is some serious
commitment.
2 Lined up with the sun for the solstices because apparently, Neolithic folks were into
astronomy (or maybe just epic parties).
3 Purpose? Your guess is as good as mine: burial ground, calendar, cult hangout... take a
pick.
4 Human bones have been dug up, so yeah, its definitely seen some drama.
UNESCO slapped a gold sticker on it back in 86, so yeah—Stonehenge? Certified Big Deal.
Its got that whole “wait, what? how?” energy. Kinda eerie, too. You stand there, gawking at
these giant rocks, half expecting some ancient druid to pop out and say, “Hey, hands off the
history, buddy.”
24.Vienna
Viennas basically the trust fund kid of Europe. The place oozes class—like, you could waltz in
wearing a tux and still feel like you forgot to iron it. Palaces everywhere, music that makes
your playlist look like a joke, and enough art to make your head spin. Honestly, its almost
intimidating how fancy this city is.
Whats worth checking out?
1 Schönbrunn Palace: Basically the Habsburgs answer to “how fancy can we get?” Hint: very.
2 St. Stephens Cathedral: Gothic, dramatic, and right in the middle of everything.
3 Belvedere Palace: Not just a pretty building—also houses Klimts “The Kiss,” which, trust
me, youve seen on a mug or tote bag somewhere.
4 Vienna State Opera: Even if you dont care about opera, this place is so extra its worth
a peek.
5 Prater and its giant Ferris wheel: Old-school fun with killer city views.
And honestly, the coffeehouse culture here? Next level. Sit for hours, order one coffee, and
nobody rushes you. Viennas both timeless and effortlessly stylish—kind of like that one
friend who always looks good without trying.