top cities to visit europe 2023

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Travel + Leisure Readers' 15 Favorite Cities in Europe of 2023

T+L readers chose European cities known for food, architecture, and a good deal in our annual "World’s Best Awards" survey for 2023.

How Voting Works

What readers loved, the full list.

Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images

Did you know that, at midnight on New Year’s Eve, they waltz in Vienna (which snuck onto this year’s list at No. 15)? And that you can actually road trip from San Sebastián, Spain (No. 8) to Bordeaux, France (No. 14)? How about this one: did you know that you can cross a bridge in Ljubljana, Slovenia (No. 9) that's guarded by four green dragons? Here’s the point: Europe is full of magic, full of mystery, and full of surprises.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 165,000 T+L readers completed the 2023 survey, an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels. A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). Cities were specifically rated on the criteria below:

• Sights/landmarks
• Friendliness

For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.

Spain had a fantastic year on this list. Four Spanish cities were named the best in Europe by T+L readers, trouncing Italy, Portugal, and Austria, each of which had two winners. From Seville (No. 6) to Madrid (No. 13), the Spanish cities mesmerized readers. We don’t often see so many precious-stone analogies among reader responses. One voter called San Sebastián a “jewel,” another called Seville a “gem.”

It’s telling that the two Italian destinations both landed in the top five, with No. 2 Florence and No. 3 Rome. Rome is set to have a wild year, with a deluge of hotel openings, including a new Six Senses, Bulgari, InterContinental, and Edition, among others. Both cities made the list last year, but Florence gave up its No. 1 spot to last year’s runner-up: Istanbul.

Read on to learn why Istanbul topped the podium this year and for more on the 15 best cities in Europe, according to T+L readers. 

1. Istanbul, Turkey

Kerem Uzel/Travel + Leisure

Even as Turkey weathers a challenging year, T+L readers still put Istanbul at the very top of the list. One reader said it’s a “beautiful city with so much to offer,” while another loved that it’s a city “that’s good for all budgets.” Among readers, favorite sites include the Grand Bazaar, Sultanahmet Square — where the Four Seasons claimed the title of Best Hotel in the World this year —  and, of course, the Bosphorous, Turkey's scenic strait bisecting Istanbul and connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.

Reader Score: 90.23

Beautiful city with so much to offer.

Suttipong Sutiratanachai/Getty Images

2. Florence, Italy

Ah, Firenze . “My favorite city in Italy, and maybe the world,” said one voter, who added that there’s really no wrong time to go. “World-class art, food, and culture in the heart of Tuscany.” Of course, the Uffizi Gallery is a must, and another reader added, “you can't miss Galleria Accademia and seeing David.” They also called Florence a “perfect romantic destination!”

Reader Score: 89.48

Camilla Glorioso/Travel + Leisure

3. Rome, Italy

Rome wasn’t going to let Florence get away with being the only Italian city in the top five. One reader said the city’s “history, culture, and food” are what make “life worth living.” Sightseeing recommendations from readers include the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, the Forum, Vatican City, Trastevere, and Villa Borghese. 

Reader Score: 88.91

4. Lisbon, Portugal

“Lisbon is a hidden gem,” one T+L reader said. “Beautiful city. Fantastic shopping. Delicious food. Very friendly people.” That about sums up our readers’ responses — they love the history, architecture, food, affordability, and the “beautiful beaches within a 30-minute drive.” Our readers specifically recommended riding the clean metro and city trams, and taking a “free walking tour of the Chiado area.”

Reader Score: 88.62

Wayfarerlife Photography/Getty Images

5. Porto, Portugal Looking to knock off two World’s Best European cities in one go? One reader drove from Lisbon to Porto and said, “the road trip itself was a delight; stopping in all the little towns in between was an amazing experience.” That same reader said they were mesmerized by “the food, the port tours, and the views of the Douro River.”

Reader Score: 88.09

Rory Fuller/Travel + Leisure 

6. Seville, Spain

Our readers rave about Seville because it's a relatively small city that’s exceptionally easy to get around. Many say you don’t need a car; one reader said “their trains and buses are great and reasonable.” The same person added “people are very nice, restaurants are to die for,” while another fan called Seville “the gem of Andalusia.”

Reader Score: 87.83

Lauren Breedlove/Travel + Leisure

7. Ljubljana, Slovenia

Slovenia’s capital, once under Habsburg rule, is a consistent favorite among T+L readers, ranking in the top 10 for the last two years. 

Reader Score: 87.82

Xantana/Getty Images

8. San Sebastián, Spain Why let Seville have all the glory? This city on the Bay of Biscay, so close to the French border it’s within driving distance from Bordeaux (No. 14), entrances readers. As one says, “San Sebastián is one of my favorite cities in the world. It is beautiful with something for everyone; medieval city, beaches, the best restaurants in the world, culture, wine bars, sites, and nearby excursions. It's wonderful.”

Reader Score: 87.79

Alexander Spatari/Getty Images

9. Prague, Czech Republic

The breathtaking beauty of Prague makes it a favorite among T+L readers. “The architecture was phenomenal,” one WBA voter said. “The food was yummy, the city was easy to navigate, the people were friendly, and the place was very clean and well-maintained. Can't wait for a return visit.”

10. Barcelona, Spain

T+L readers love Barcelona for Antoni Gaudí’s Park Güell and Sagrada Familia, the al fresco restaurants lining Las Ramblas, and, of course, as a jumping off point to other smaller — but no less idyllic — Spanish cities, including those in the nearby Spanish wine region of Penedés. Reader Score: 87.66

Marie-Louise Titze/Getty Images

11. Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg ranked higher than Vienna (No. 15) this year. The fourth-largest city in Austria is a marriage of old and new; it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but this year it will get a brand-new Rosewood hotel.

Reader Score: 87.53

Jess Macdonald/Travel + Lesiure 

12. Edinburgh, Scotland

Come for the history, stay for the idyllic Gleneagles Townhouse hotel, an It List winner this year. T+L readers say there is always more to explore in Edinburgh, whether this is your second visit or your 22nd. “The highlight was probably the ‘Original Rosslyn Inn,’” one reader said. “A quaint bed-and-breakfast with a great restaurant; the staff were very helpful in guiding us around the small village and to the Rosslyn Chapel.”

Reader Score: 87.32

13. Madrid, Spain

The fourth Spanish city to make the list of best European cities, Madrid is the land of bocadillo de calamares , the Baroque arcades of Plaza Mayor, and dark El Greco paintings at the Prado Museum. It came in at No. 13, losing out to Edinburgh by just .04 points.

 Reader Score: 87.28

MarioGuti/Getty Images

14. Bordeaux, France Last year, Strasbourg was the only French city among readers' favorites in Europe. This year, the namesake hub of the Bordeaux wine region swooped in to nab the penultimate spot on the list. It is worth noting that one T+L reader succinctly commented, “Wine!” — which about sums it up. Other readers touted the charming waterfront, “classic architecture,” and “beautiful main square.” But the best compliment of all? “Very French,” one reader raved. “English not spoken by many.” That’s how you know you picked the right city.

Reader Score: 86.96

15. Vienna, Austria Named the world’s most liveable city this year by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Vienna is where Gothic architecture meets postmodern design. The city’s cup runneth over with charming bars serving Austrian natural wines, exceptional art museums (see: the new Albertina Modern), and a “great transportation system makes it easy to get around,” according to one T+L reader.

Reader Score: 86.74

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The best cities in Europe: 2023 Readers' Choice Awards

By Condé Nast Traveller

In order to make the cut for our list of the best cities in  Europe , certain criteria must be met. A European city should have a world-class food scene, plenty of  smart hotels , friendly locals and intriguing history. In this year’s  Readers’ Choice Awards  survey, multiple cities in Spain ranked highly – but you also voted for cities in Denmark, Switzerland, Portugal, Iceland, Croatia and Norway. In fact, cities across Scandinavia are well-loved by  Condé Nast Traveller  readers, with two cities from the region making the top five – pipped only to the post for the top spot by a diminutive Spanish city set right on the sea.

These are the best cities in Europe, according to the 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards . The scores below are percentages representing overall average levels of satisfaction.

The best cities in Europe

10. Dubrovnik, Croatia. Score 82.82

This Adriatic city might be the most famous and most-loved in Croatia. It’s encircled with stone walls completed in the 16th century, creating a dramatic landscape. It’s also a great jumping-off point for a Croatian island-hopping adventure.

Where to stay: Dubrovnik has some of the best hotels in Croatia. We particularly like Ninion Boutique Hotel , an adults-only hideout.

9. Reykjavik, Iceland. Score 82.98

“Iceland’s capital may be busier than ever, but it still has a tangible soul and culturally punches far above its weight,” features director Toby Skinner said in our cheat’s guide to Iceland . Its high-low food scene spans from music-first bars to New Nordic spots that compete with its Scandi neighbours, and a handful of cool festivals take place here each summer, too.

Where to stay: The arrival of Ian Schrager’s Reykjavik Edition at the end of 2021 felt like a step up for the city.

8. Zurich, Switzerland. Score 82.62

Zurich – the largest city in Switzerland – is the only Swiss entry to make the top 10 this year. The city scored highly in categories such as shopping and outdoor activities – perhaps unsurprising, as it sits on a lake and is surrounded by mountains.

Where to stay: Marktgasse Hotel occupies two 15th-century buildings in the Old Town, while Baur au Lac , overlooking the lake, is the grandest of the old palace hotels.

7. Bruges, Belgium. Score 83.69

Tread the cobbles to find this charming city’s real masterpieces – canal-side restaurants, sweet bakeries, exceptional chocolate shops and pretty neighbourhoods that are perfect for exploring by bike are just some of the reasons it’s ranked highly in this year’s survey. Bruges also scored highly for friendliness, as well as for its hotels and resorts.

Where to stay: Maison Amodio is a three-room B&B themed on places the owners enjoy - Paris , Biarritz and nearby Knokke.

6. Porto, Portugal. Score 84.29

Lisbon gets more airtime than its little sister, Porto, but this smaller city is hot on the capital’s heels. It has, says contributor Abigail Malbon in our edit of the best hotels in Porto , “arguably the most beautiful train station in the world and port tastings available at every wine bar on every corner.” There are also beautiful restaurants in Porto , making it a perfect weekend break – here’s how to spend 72 hours in Porto.

Where to stay: Overlooking the Douro River on the corner of one of the city’s oldest squares, Gran Cruz House is right in the thick of it.

5. Dublin, Ireland. Score 85.18

Millions of tourists descend on the Republic of Ireland’s capital each year – and it’s still a favourite among our readers, rounding out the top five. A mass of fabulous new hotels in Dublin for every type of traveller has opened, alongside lots of exciting things to do , and the restaurants here are some of our favourites in Ireland.

Where to stay: In the heart of pretty Georgian Dublin, The Merrion Hotel comprises an impeccable restoration of four townhouses that have been stitched together.

4. Malaga, Spain. Score 86.90

This coastal city is back in the game following an arty resurgence, hot new restaurants and a spattering of stylish places to stay. A cluster of museums, including Museo de Málaga and the Picasso Museum Málaga, has opened. The food scene spotlights hangouts such as Mercado Central de Atarazanas, in a central market that was a shipyard in the 14th century, and La Terraza de San Juan, at the Hotel Málaga Premium, remains a favourite.

Where to stay: Palacio Solecio is an 18th-century palace built for a Genoese merchant, while La Zambra is one of the newest creations from the Marugal hotel group.

3. Oslo, Norway. Score 88.67

The citizens of  Oslo  are a population notably keen to showcase the best of their city to visitors, from the Oslo Cathedral – still used by the Norwegian Royal Family and the Norwegian Government for key events throughout the year – to Akershus Castle. Baroque architecture dots the city and in and amongst it, no less than 30 museums showcasing the city’s history, art and political history, as well as myriad hiking trails around the rivers and gardens that wind their way around the outskirts.

Where to stay: Glamorous newcomer Sommerro has the city’s first year-round rooftop pool and sauna, plus seven restaurants and bars.

2. Copenhagen, Denmark. Score 88.78

Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen , has long upheld its accolade of the happiest city in the world , known for its hardy community spirit, exciting foodie scene and myriad canals that link the city’s various districts. From the 18th-century Rococo district – built during the reign of Frederick V and the site of the Amalienborg Palace – to Østerbro, perched on the outskirts of the city, built around Copenhagen’s medieval fortification.

Where to stay: Villa Copenhagen has a great location right next to Tivoli Gardens and a buzzy atmosphere at its all-day brasserie and in-house bakery, headed up by former Noma chef Gonzalo Guarda.

1. San Sebastian, Spain. Score 90.54

Spilling up and around the coastline of the Bay of Biscay, the resort town of San Sebastián in Spain’s mountainous Basque Country bags the top spot as Europe’s best city to visit. It’s an area known for its relaxed atmosphere, long stretches of honey-hued beaches and various foodie outposts with world-famous chefs at their helm.

Where to stay: For a central stay, Arbaso is the city’s coolest urban hotel. Elsewhere, in the Parte Vieja’s vast universe of pintxo bars, Lasala Plaza is home to a rare rooftop ‘solarium.’ See our guide to the best San Sebastían hotels for more

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• European Best Destinations 2023

The best places to visit in Europe selected by travellers

Best places to travel in Europe

Over half a million travellers from 178 countries have voted for the European Best Destinations 2023 .

Discover the 20 most voted destinations  (out of over 400 destinations) awarded the title of "Best European Destinations 2023".

Discover your top European destinations to visit and find inspiration among European destinations perfect for a city break , a sunny holiday , a romantic getaway , shopping , culture or immersion in nature .

Need more inspiration? Discover the Best Countries to visit in Europe , Best Places to Visit in Spain ,  Most Beautiful Islands in Greece , Most Incredible Castles in Germany , Best Secret Destinations in Italy , Best Places to visit in Turkey,   Most Beautiful Beaches in Croatia  and much more…

Book your flights , accommodation , tours and activities and discover the very best of Europe .

1. Warsaw, Poland

Beautiful, friendly, green, open-minded, perfect for a family city break, a cultural city break , a shopping experience, a romantic stay, Warsaw , your European Best Destinations 2023 has something to offer to everyone. Take a walk in its beautiful parks, relax on its city beaches, take advantage of its great gastronomic offer, come at any time of the year and take advantage of its rich calendar of events.

You will be dazzled by its emblematic places such as the Old Town Market Square and its colourful buildings, the Palace of Culture and Science, the Łazienki Park and its palaces, pavilions and orangeries. During your stay in the Best European destination 2023 do not miss to stroll in "Krakowskie Przedmieście" the most prestigious street in Warsaw and to visit The Warsaw Barbican, the historic fortifications that once encircled Warsaw.

Warsaw is a dynamic and sparkling city and there are a thousand activities and experiences to enjoy in Warsaw from tasting local culinary specialties, to a hot air balloon flight or zip line in one of the city's parks. Would you rarther enjoy a cruise on Warsaw's beautiful Vistula River? Are you travelling with family? Be sure to visit Warsaw Zoo and take a dip at Moczydlo Water Park and enjoy its slides, wave pools and other water activities.

Warsaw is considered one of the safest city breaks in Europe . Did you know that Warsaw is three times safer than Paris? Twice as safe as Rome and even safer than Vienna (Numbeo datas) and that the feeling of safety while walking alone was one of the highest for a European capital? It seems there are only good reasons to visit Warsaw this year.

During your stay do not miss to discover the amazing Mazovia Region . Mazovia is full of historic palaces and manor houses, one of them is the Birthplace of Fryderik Chopin! Do not miss to visit the pristine forests, ideal for hiking and cycling.

Book your flights to Warsaw, your accommodation in Warsaw , your activities and tours as a " Warsaw: Chopin Concert in the Old Town " and discover your destination number one this year.

  Best for:   City break, Foodies, Culture, Instagrammers, Lovers, Families, Shopping, Safety, Green Spaces.

  Nearest airports:   Book your flights to Warsaw and your transfer .

  Where to stay:  " Hotel Indigo Warsaw ". Stay in the heart of Warsaw.

2. Athens, Greece

The capital of Greece is a  must-see destination  for many reasons. First of all, it is the cradle of democracy and philosophy. Many assume that the blue of the sea, the incredible landscapes, and the beautiful sunlight help spirits escape from everyday life and arise.

Athens  is a sophisticated cosmopolitan hub with excellent gastronomic delights, electrifying nightlife, creative vibes and a booming art scene. It is an artistic beacon of the ancient world with spectacular Mediterranean landscapes. Did you know that Athens is also one of the Best Street Art Destinations in Europe ?

Book your flights  to Athens, your  accommodation  in Athens as well as your  tours & activities in Athens  and discover one of the European Best Destinations 2023 . 

During your stay do not miss to visit the Most Beautiful Beaches in Greece , Best Hidden Gems in Greece , Most Beautiful Islands in Greece and Best Natural Wonders in Greece ! 

  Best for:  Culture, History, Street Art, Shopping, Instagrammers, Lovers, Families, Foodies, Nightlife.

  Nearest airport:   Book your flights    to Athens  and your transfer .

  Where to stay:   For excellent value and location with the Acropolis reachable within 100 metres, we recommend the " Coco-mat Athens BC " in the heart of Athens .

3. Maribor, Slovenia

Maribor , one of the most beautiful Slovenian destinations in on your podium of the European Best Destinations 2023 !

The city of Maribor is a charming cultural, culinary, and educational centre in the north-eastern part of the country. The city’s deep cultural and historical roots date back to the Middle Ages, and therefore the old city centre offers a rich heritage and a wealth of genuine experiences. In particular, the locals are proud of their Guinness World Record holder, the oldest grapevine in the world .

Maribor – the European Capital of Culture in 2012 – has a reputation for a happy and hospitable city, hosting numerous international cultural and sporting events throughout the year. Don’t miss the lively atmosphere of summer festivals , and enjoy an active city break just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the city centre on the green Mt. Pohorje. The picturesque natural scenery offers endless opportunities for hiking, biking, skiing, and adrenaline sports .

Need another reason to visit Maribor in 2023? It has been awarded the title of Best Culinary Destination in Europe !

Book your flights to Graz (45 min) or Ljubljana (1h20), your accommodation in Maribor and stay in one of the Best Places to Visit in Europe in 2023 ! 

  Best for:  Gastronomy , Nature Lovers, Families, Wine lovers, Culture, Romantic Getaway.

  Nearest airport:   Book your flights to Graz (Austria  - 45 min) or Ljubljana (1h20). 

  Where to stay:     “ Nesting Resort ". Maribor Thermal Spa is 8 km away.

4. Vienna, Austria

Vienna is an ideal destination for romantics: what better than a horse-drawn carriage ride followed by a visit to the Royal Palaces of Vienna ? And in the evening, a waltz to the sound of Strauss's Blue Danube to transport you to the time of the Empress Sissi?

That said, Vienna is also the perfect city for a sparkling, original city break for friends, families, lovers and singles.

An openly gay-friendly city (you’ll remember Conchita Wurst was from Vienna ), it is also one of the safest cities in Europe . The feeling of security is very high and Vienna is known for its quality of life and low crime rate.

We love Vienna in Spring and Summer, with its parks classified among the most beautiful city parks in Europe.  Did you know that its amusement park "The Prater" is home to one of the most beautiful Ferris wheels in Europe ? It is also considered to be one of the best places for a marriage proposal . 

Do you want to meet people? Meet at the Palmenhaus; in addition to being the largest greenhouse in Europe , it houses a bar where you can drink lighter cocktails more suited to cruising and a super trendy restaurant of Austrian specialties.

Book your flights to Vienna as well as your accommodation , tours and activities in Vienna , such as a " Vienna: Classical Concert at the Mozarthaus " and stay in one of the best destinations to visit in 2023 . 

  Best for:   Lovers, Singles, Foodies, LGBTQ+, City Break, Families, Culture, Safety.

  Nearest airports:   Book your flights  to Vienna as well as your  transfer  from the airport.

  Where to stay:  " High Street Suites " for a perfect stay in the heart of Vienna.

5. Cittadella, Italy

We invite you to visit Cittadella , the most beautiful walled city in all of Europe . Cittadella is located in the heart of the Veneto Region, in Northern Italy, in a strategic position because it is close to all the most important cities in the area. It is located 60 km from Venice and Verona (1H by car), and only 3h drive from Milan or Florence .

From Cittadella you can easily reach both the sea of the Venetian Lagoon and the the Dolomite mountains with a daily trip. It is obviously an ideal starting point, given its central position, to visit the Veneto and all of Northern Italy. Cittadella is not only the most beautiful walled city in all of Europe, it is also the best-preserved walled city in all of Europe.

Its origin is medieval, its foundation dates back to 1220. This explains the high historical value of its walls, which in 2020 celebrated 800 years of history and foundation. The walls are impressive and are the symbol of all the walled cities in the area because Cittadella is the only walled city in all of Europe to have a medieval walkway, elliptical in shape and completely walkable . 

Thanks to your votes, Cittadella enters the major European destinations by ranking among your 5 best European destinations 2023 !

  Best for:  Culture, History Buffs, Foodies, Lovers, Families, Medieval City Break, Literature Lovers.

  Nearest airport:   Book your flights to Venice (1h), Verona (1h) or Bologna (1h30). 

  Where to stay:  " Hotel Due Mori ". Located in a 15th-Century Monastery.

6. Essen, Germany

Essen is the most exciting big city you may not have heard of before. Germany 's third greenest city, Capital of Culture 2010, European Green Capital and pulsating metropolis in the heart of the Ruhr region. Hardly any other German city stands for so many exciting contrasts.

Here, urban trendy districts meet historic old towns, high culture meets street art, lush green meadows and forests meet the incomparable charm of the spoil heaps of former collieries, the UNESCO World Heritage Zollverein meets the magnificent Villa Hügel, the former family seat of the Krupp family, and a high-tech city tour that is unique in the world meets the oldest fully sculptural statue of the Virgin Mary in the world - the Golden Madonna in Essen Cathedral. Essen got it all!

Explore the green south along Baldeneysee and the Ruhr valley or the urban north with its industrial culture and the old colliery settlements. Discover the city on around 260 km of cycle paths, by train or bus. In hardly any other large city you can reach so many highlights from the city centre in less than 20 minutes by car. And if you simply want to unwind, enjoy the tranquillity of the central 70-hectare Grugapark or the Baldeneysee leisure paradise with its numerous water sports activities.

Experience your very own personal contrast programme in one of Germany's most exciting metropoles. Let yourself drift and discover the diverse possibilities. First here, digitally, then in real life. Essen is looking forward to your visit! 

  Best for:  City Break, UNESCO Heritage, Green Capitals, City Parks, Shopping, Water Sports, Christmas Market.

  Nearest airports:   Book your flights to  Düsseldorf Airport (20 min).

  Where to stay:   " Hotel Essener Hof ". Stay in the heart of Essen.

7. Veszprém, Hungary

Veszprém , the European Capital of Culture 2023 is also one of your Best European Destinations 2023 and the Best Destination to visit in Hungary in 2023 ! 

The city of Veszprém is wedged between the wooded slopes of the Bakony Hills and the northern shore of Lake Balaton. It is a place of rare and distinct natural and environmental assets and an attractive cityscape. This amazing city has been a meeting place for cultures for a thousand years.

Take your time to explore the contemporary art galleries and experience a diverse creative community’s art through the frequently changing exhibitions. The vibrant music life and the diverse music festivals play an even more significant role in shaping the cultural life of the city. 

High-quality gastronomy enterprises also make the city inviting: cosy cafés and confectioneries, atmospheric bistros and first-rate restaurants.

For a special family experience follow the signs for Veszprém ZOO. The constantly refreshed attraction awaits both young and old all-year-round for an adventure across six continents. Year after year, the City of Queens has something new to offer; visitors will always find novelties to explore.

  Where to stay:  “ Historia & Historante ”. Situated in the heart of Veszprém. 

8. London, UK

After Brexit, Covid and border closures, it is high time to rediscover  London  in 2023, one of Europe's most extravagant destinations. Capital of the United Kingdom,  London  brings together like no other destination, traders, business people, eccentrics, artists, creators, designers and more. Its tourist offer goes well beyond Big Ben, the London Eye and Madame Tussauds, which will always delight young and old.  London  is also an atmosphere, parks of rare beauty ranked among the  most attractive city parks in Europe .

Head for Portobello flea markets and colourful houses that are the backdrop to  legendary films like “Notting Hill” . Discover the eccentric and colourful neighbourhood of Camden Town. Stroll between the tidy commercial streets of Regent Street and Oxford Street to the designer, artistic and independent shopping districts of Carnaby Street or Covent Garden; do not miss the gay and  LGBTQ  district of Soho and marvel at the theatre posters hosting world renowned musicals.

There are a  thousand good reasons  to visit  London  this year. Our favourite time to discover  London  is in Spring and Summer. It is less crowded and the parks in the city centre and surrounding areas like Richmond Park, are sublime with flowering plants ancient trees and deer roaming freely. 

Book your flights  to London, your  accommodation  and your  tours and activities in London , such as a " Magical London: Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour ". 

Want to leave the city for a few days? Discover the  Best nature Wonders in England , the  Best Hidden gems in England  and  Best places to visit in England  and treat yourself to an unforgettable tailor-made stay.

  Best for:   Shopping, Foodies, Instagram, Lovers, Families, Culture, City Break, Friends.

  Nearest airport:   B ook your flights to  London and your   transfer . 

  Where to stay:   " The Portobello Hotel " with a quiet location in elegant Notting Hill.

9. Grenoble Alpes, France

Grenoble has an exceptional geographical location, nestled at the heart of emblematic mountain ranges like Vercors, Chartreuse and Belledonne. A pioneer, innovative and inspiring city , the Capital of the Alps is constantly reinventing itself. Selected as the green destination for this year's competition (awarded by the EU the title of European Green Capital ), you have ranked Grenoble Alpes in your 10 Favourite Destinations in Europe !

It is the ideal destination for an urban and nature-based stay , accessible without a car , offering a subtle balance between culture, living arts, wide open spaces and outdoor activities in winter as in summer (ski touring at ‘Col de Porte’, urban via-ferrata on the foothills of the Bastille, canoeing on the Isère river, paragliding in Saint Hilaire du Touvet, night skiing with breathtaking views of Grenoble…). Everything is possible in Grenoble and in the neighbouring massifs so close and so different from each other!

The flattest city in France, Grenoble Alpes is easily run through by two-wheelers: on a daily basis (450 km of cycle paths) and during leisure time (21 bike loops, signposted paths for mountain biking, etc.). The destination is developing ‘low-carbon’ holiday packages pointing at soft mobility, and in particular cycling. 

Did you know that Grenoble is also considered the best destination to visit in France in 2023  and that it is ranked among the Best Street Art Destinations in Europe ? There are only good reasons to visit Grenoble this year.

  Best for:  Nature City Break, Car Free, Street Art, Sustainable Tourism, Green Capitals, Outdoor Sport, Families, Skiing, Biking, Culture.

  Nearest airports:   Book your flights  to Lyon (1h by car or public transport).

  Where to stay:    " Okko Hotel Grenoble " Great location to explore the city on foot.

10. Mannheim, Germany

Mannheim is the exciting city of experiences at the heart of the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region. There’s always something going on here. Pure zest for life, enjoyment, a multicultural flair and a jam-packed event calendar await travellers. Known as the city of squares, Mannheim impresses with a host of  architectural treasures : the baroque palace, a historic water tower and an Art Nouveau square.

Did you know that Mannheim hosted the best event 2023 and was considered the Best Street Art Destination in Europe ?

People from more than 170 nations shape the atmosphere of this university city. The city of culture and festivals attracts everyone from theatre lovers to techno fans, jazz connoisseurs or cinema buffs. While the Reiss-Engelhorn museum complex and Kunsthalle art gallery whisk visitors away into worlds of experiences ranging from the early days of human history to contemporary art, the murals by graffiti artists form an open-air gallery for international street art. The green city on the banks of two rivers combines urbanity with recreational activities in almost entirely untouched natural settings.

A highlight for Mannheim in 2023 is the Federal Garden Show “BUGA” (April 14th to October 08th 2023) a large laboratory of the future of urban development that goes far beyond a mere exhibition of plants and flowers.

  Best for:  Architecture Lovers, Art Nouveau, Baroque, Street Art, Nature Lovers, Music Festival, All-Year Round Events, Green City, Star-Awarded Cuisine.

  Nearest airport:   Book your flights to  Mannheim.

  Where to stay:  " Syte ". Centrally Located in Mannheim.

11. Porto-Santo, Madeira Islands

This island, little sister of the main island of Madeira , is accessible by plane or by ferry and offers wellness hotels , trendy bars and restaurants, the most beautiful sunsets in Europe, a sunny climate almost all year round.

Porto Santo is an invitation to discover paradisiacal beaches, historical heritage and geological exuberance.

Visiting Porto Santo is discovering a golden island, famous for its nine-kilometer sandy beach. The smallest inhabited island of the Madeira Archipelago is only an hour and a half flight away from Lisbon , in the extreme southwest of Europe, 500 km from the African coast and 1000 km from the European continent.

If you want to disconnect from your tumultuous life,  experience nature, relax,  have no goal in the day except that of watching the sunset, waiting for a good spa treatment, a game of golf or a  nautical activity, then Porto Santo is really for you.

Book your flights to Porto Santo or to Funchal + a domestic flight to Porto Santo (20 min) or a Ferry to Porto Santo (2h30) as well as your accommodation in Porto Santo and your activities & tours in Madeira Islands .

  Best for:  Beach Lovers, Families, Sunny Holidays, Wellness, Golf, Digital Detox.

  Nearest airport:   Book your flights to Porto Santo or Funchal (+ Ferry or domestic Flight - 20 min).

  Where to stay:  " Pestana Porto Santo Beach ". Along the Porto Santo shore.

12. Toledo, Spain

Toledo blends eras, styles and identities since it is both one of the best medieval destinations in Europe but also one of the Best Erasmus destinations in Europe with its famous world-renowned University. A young and historic city, Toledo is authentic and sparkling, traditional and modern. 

‘Toledo’ comes from the Latin word "Toletum" which means "fortified population". Come and discover this city built by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. Located in the centre of Spain , Toledo is within easy reach from Madrid (30 min by train). You can either stay in a hotel, a guesthouse or an apartment in Toledo or find your accommodation in Madrid and book your activities in the region such as a Toledo full-day tour from Madrid .

Discover the "city of three cultures" and live unforgettable experiences in Toledo such as a " Madrid: Segovia and Toledo Tour " or a " From Madrid: Toledo Tour with Wine Tasting and 7 Monuments ".

  Best for:  History Buffs, Lovers, Short Breaks, Foodies, Instagrammers.

  Nearest airport:   Book your flights to  Madrid (30 mins) and  your transfer .

  Where to stay:     " Eugenia de Montijo ". Offers style and comfort in the heart of Toledo.  

13. Faial, Azores

This year go wild and green and experience eco-responsible adventures in the Azores . Greener than Iceland, less expensive, with a more moderate and milder climate, the Azores are a prime destination for lovers of nature, outdoor sports, hiking, but also gastronomy and even for lovers since they are ranked among the best wedding destinations in Europe .

Considered by the European Commission as a European Destination of Excellence (EDEN), Faial has many sweeping landscapes, unique birds and plants and iconic geological formations, all of them surrounded by a magnificent blue, pure and lively sea. With Sao Jorges and Pico they form a triptych of unique and bewitching islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. A place where sailors crossing the ocean like to stop over for a few days or… a lifetime.

The biodiversity of Faial is very rich: 855 vascular plant species that can be found throughout the island, 57 of which are endemic (that exist only in the Azores). The sea of Faial is an extraordinary mosaic of colours, shadows, smells, sounds, silences and emotions, and is emblematic in the life forms it holds, such as cetaceans, seabirds, sharks and all other inhabitants.

Book your flights to Faial (or a flight to Ponta Delgada – Main Island + a domestic flight to Faial), your accommodation in Faial as well as your activities and tours in the Azores such as a " Azores: Whale Watching Boat Tour ".

  Best for:  Nature Lovers, Outdoor Sport, Whale Watching, Sustainable Tourism, Gastronomy, Hiking.

  Nearest airport:   Book your flights to Faial or  Flight to Ponta Delgada + a domestic flight to Faial.

  Where to stay:   " Quinta das Buganvilias " is surrounded by a large park with lush vegetation. It offers self-catering facilities and free bikes.

14. Rhodes, Greece

The island of Rhodes is a perfect destination for lovers of old stones, heritage, fortresses and castles. You like history? This sublime medieval city is one of the best preserved in Europe, so do not miss a visit to the Palace of the Grand Master. When visiting Rhodes do not miss the Ancient Acropolis of Lindos, the historic Rhodes Old Town or just relax on Agios Pavlos beach.

Rhodes is one of the  most beautiful islands in Greece  and certainly one of the most beautiful islands in Europe. It is a perfect destination for any type of travellers. You like a sunny holiday? Rhodes is sunny from May to end of September. You just like laying in the sun? The beach of Tsambika and its turquoise waters await you.

If you are looking for an original family outing, treat yourself to an  excursion  to "Kallithea", the Butterfly Valley or a trip to Kayak or a trip to Lindos Village & Seven Springs.  Treat yourself to a dream holiday on one of the  most beautiful Greek islands.

Ready for an unforgettable stay in Greece ? Discover the Best Hidden Gems in Greece , Best Experience to Live in Greece , Best Places to Visit in Greece , Most Beautiful Beaches in Greece and Most Amazing Castles in Greece .

Book your flights to Rhodes or Athens (+1h Flight) as well as your accommodation in Rhodes and your tours & activities in Rhodes  such as a " Rhodes: Catamaran Day Cruise with Lunch and Drinks ".

  Best for:  Beach Holidays, History Buffs, Foodies, Families, Lovers.

  Nearest airports:   Book your flights to Rhodes or fly to Athens (+1h Domestic Flight).

  Where to stay:   " Rhodes Bay Hotel & Spa " is a 5-star hotel, just 50 min from the beach.

15. Copenhagen, Denmark

One of the trendiest capitals in Europe awaits you this year. Come and see for yourself: the thrift stores, independent boutiques, the Tivoli Garden ranked among the  best amusement parks in Europe  (book your  admission ticket here ), Copenhagen’s legendary canal with its  romantic cruises  and of course the "Copenhagen Hidden Gems". 

There are a thousand  activities and experiences to enjoy in Copenhagen . Feeling hungry? Treat yourself to a " Copenhagen Culinary Experience Tour " and taste the local specialties and find out why Copenhagen is home to some of the best restaurants in the world. Fancy a nice drink?  Copenhagen is the centre of Craft Beer! Do you have ants in your pants? Book your tours and activities in Copenhagen such as a " From Copenhagen: Lund & Malmö: Guided Tour of 2 Countries in One Day ".

Book your flights  to Copenhagen , your  accommodation in Copenhagen  as well as your  activities and tours  and discover one of the  best City break destinations in Europe . Do not miss a visit to the "little mermaid". 

  Best for:  Foodies, Beer lovers, Nature, Amusement Park, Family City Break, Shopping.

  Nearest airports:   Book your flights   to Copenhagen and  your transfer .

  Where to stay:   " Motel One Copenhagen " is an intimate Danish design hotel inspired by the 50's & 60's fashion.

16. Tossa de Mar, Spain

Blue sky, blue sea and fine sand are awaiting you! Tossa de Mar is enchanting. Its pine forests very near the sea and medieval walls are a magical setting for a perfect holiday in Europe.

Tossa de Mar is one of the best hidden gems of the Costa Brava and one of the most beautiful secret destinations in Spain .

Because you are different, because spending 5 days in Barcelona is ok but …you long to discover new landscapes, new places, we advise you to treat yourself to a short break in Tossa de Mar .

Located just 1h30 from the centre of Barcelona , Tossa de Mar seems unreal: several fine golden sand beaches and a magnificent medieval castle await you. The sweet scent of pine trees is floating in the beautiful fishing village. Tossa de Mar is a destination to put on top of your travel bucket list if you want to discover one of the most beautiful places in Spain  and one of the Best Destinations to visit in Europe . 

Book your flights to Barcelona (1h20 by car), your accommodation at the best price and your tours and activities in Costa Brava such as a " Best of Costa Brava with boat ride and Tossa Visit ".

  Best for:  Beach Holidays, Family Holidays, History Buffs, Foodies, Instagrammers, Sun Seekers.

  Nearest airports:   Book your flights to Barcelona and your transfer .

  Where to stay:   " Gran Hotel Reymar & Spa Superior ", is a beautiful seafront hotel.

17. Ascona-Locarno, Switzerland

This year stay in Ascona-Locarno and discover a little corner of paradise and one of the Best Places to visit in Europe in 2023 . Nature is quiet, beautiful and peaceful. This destination is enriching from a cultural, gastronomic, sporting point of view or even if you are looking for a romantic getaway or a holiday in a city on a human scale with your family.

The Swiss part of Lake Maggiore, surrounded by the towns Locarno, Ascona, Brissago and further small villages, prides itself on its numerous and extraordinary natural beauty spots. Thanks to the enchanting flowers and plants from all 5 continents, the Botanical Garden of the Brissago Island is of major importance. Near the lakeshore and the centre of Locarno lies the Camellia Park with over 900 species, some of which are very rare.

Locarno is recognized worldwide for its International Film Festival, the biggest cultural event in Switzerland and one of the most important ones in Europe. It also has a strong relationship with flowers: lovers of nature are drawn by the spectacular shows of camellias, mimosas and magnolias.

Book your flights to Locarno or Milan (1h20 min) as well as your accommodation in Ascona or Locarno and your activities and tours in Switzerland such as a " Locarno: Full-Day Ticket to the Termali Salini & Spa Locarno ".

  Best for:  Romantic Getaway, Family Holidays, Active Holidays, Film Festival, Nature Lovers. 

  Nearest airports:   Book your flights to Locarno or Milan (1h20).

  Where to stay:   " Hotel Lago Maggiore " is situated on the beautiful lake promenade of Locarno.

18. Milos, Greece

Milos Island is one of the best places for a dream holiday in Greece.  Voted one of the Best Places to visit in Europe in 2023 , you have also classified Milos Island among the Best Natural Pools in Europe , Best Beaches in Europe (Sarakiniko Beach and its famous volcanic rocks which offer sunbathers a lunar scenery). It is also classified among the Best Sculptures in Europe with the Venus of Milo now exhibited in Paris and discovered by a peasant on the island of Milos in Greece by pure chance. Finally Milos is obviously ranked among your Most Beautiful Islands in Greece .

Treat yourself to a relaxing day on the beautiful beach of Sarakiniko or on the most exclusive beach of Firiplaka. For history lovers, do not forget to visit the Ancient Theatre of Milos and the Milos Archaelogical Museum.

Book your flights to Milos - the best way to get to Milos is to fly from Athens (1 hour). You can also take a ferry or a Sea Jet (faster than the Ferry) from the port of Athens -, your accommodation in Milos as well as your tours and activities in Milos such as a " Milos: Full day Milos and Poliegos Catamaran Cruise ".

  Best for:  Nature Lovers, Sun Seekers,  Foodies, Families, Instagrammers, History Buffs.

  Nearest airports:   Book your flights  to Athens + a domestic flight to Milos or your direct flights to Milos.

  Where to stay:  " White Coast Pool Suites ". Set right on the sea.

19. Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is one of your top places to visit in Europe in 2023 ! Do you like discovering cities away from the crowds? Wake up a little earlier than usual, at 5.30 am-6am, and walk around  Prague  before city life starts up again. Discover its markets, cafes, restaurants at dawn, watching the sun rise over the most beautiful monuments of  Prague . This little tip will cost you nothing (other than a few hours of sleep) and will allow you to see Prague from a different perspective.

Need more reasons to visit  Prague  in 2023? You have ranked it among your  Best Christmas Markets in Europe , Best destinations to celebrate  New Year's Eve , Best  honeymoon destinations  in Europe,  Best places to propose  in Europe and  Best Fairy tale destinations in Europe .

Book your flights  to Prague, your  accommodation  and treat yourself to extras from a selection of the  best tours and activities in Prague , such as a " Prague: Sightseeing Dinner Cruise on Open-Top Glass Boat ".

  Best for:   Lovers, Instagrammers, Foodies, Shopping Addicts, City Break, History Buffs, Beer Lovers.

  Nearest airport:   Book your flights to Prague Airport.

  Where to stay:   " Boho Prague " the Old Town Square is 600m away.

20. Sóller, Spain

Want some good reasons to visit Sóller on the island of Mallorca this year? You have ranked Sóller among the best hidden gems in Europe, Best honeymoon destinations in Europe , Best hidden gems in Spain , but also best cycling destinations in Europe and best destinations to visit by train in Europe (the little train that goes up to the top of the mountain is charming and authentic and will appeal to the whole family).

Are you looking for a sunny place for your old age? You also ranked Sóller among your best places to get retired in Europe ! There are only good reasons to visit Söller.

Sóller is the most beautiful village on the island of Mallorca. Surrounded by mountains, it is quiet, relaxing and perfect for a family holiday. Although the location is isolated, Sóller is well connected to Palma de Mallorca , (30 minutes from the airport ) by many lines of trams and buses.

If you like nature, hiking, gastronomy, Sóller is for you.

Book your flights to Mallorca (40 mins by car). Book your accommodation and your tours and activities in Mallorca such as a " Mallorca: Tramuntana Panorama Tour - Sóller - Deia - Valldemossa ".

  Best for:  Nature lovers, Hikers, Foodies, Families, Beach Lovers, Instagrammers, Sun Seekers.

  Nearest airport:   Book your flights   to Mallorca (40 min by car) and your transfer .

  Where to stay:   “ Hotel Can Roses ”. it is a paradise on earth and just 5 minutes walk from the centre.

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35 Best Cities to Visit in Europe (Bucket List for City Lovers!)

A complex, interesting, beautiful city is among the most remarkable kinds of places we can experience in our lifetimes, and there’s no doubt that the best cities to visit in Europe rank among the absolute best in the world.

There’s something magical about cities: the best ones have a life all their own, made up of the millions of moments lived and stories told in (and about) them each and every day.

I truly believe that there’s a city for every personality when traveling, even for those who don’t consider themselves “city people”, so to speak, in their day-to-day lives.

Once upon a time, we didn’t think we loved cities… and then we fell in love with traveling.

We’ve since moved to Europe, and picked a beautiful city (Lisbon) as our home base.

We’ve rounded up the best cities to visit in Europe, from the absolute icons to smaller gems tucked in quiet(er) corners of the continent.

No matter what kind of European city you’re looking for, you’ll find it here.

Table of Contents

Once You Narrow Down Your Dream Cities in Europe…

The most iconic cities to visit in europe, other best cities to visit in europe (that are slightly less iconic), best small cities to visit in europe, more cool cities to add to your europe bucket list.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

If you’re ready to start planning your trip in more detail after reading this guide to the best cities in Europe, consider checking out our guide to planning a trip to Europe next!

We also have a detailed guide to train travel in Europe , a guide to the best European road trips , several packing lists for Europe , and a roundup of the best travel tips for Europe here on Our Escape Clause that might help kickstart your general planning.

In addition, we’ve also written about most of these European cities in more detailed guides!

We’ll link relevant blog posts throughout this list of the best cities to visit in Europe, if you’re curious about our coverage of any particular city, you can use the search bar in the top right corner of the site to see what we’ve written.

These cities almost need no introduction: woven into our collective culture, from books to movies to historical stories, the most iconic cities to visit in Europe are certainly all well worth the trip to reach them. 

As one of the most visited cities on the planet, Paris tops plenty of Europe bucket lists around the world, and even travel bucket lists more generally.

Home to the iconic Eiffel Tower, the world’s largest art museum at the Louvre (not to mention the hundreds of other incredible museums in Paris), legendary cuisine, and plenty of other highlights like Notre Dame, Montmartre , and the beloved banks of the Seine, Paris is absolutely one of the best cities to visit in Europe.

The capital of the United Kingdom and once the seat of the most powerful empire in the world, London is positively packed with an interesting history and iconic sites.

However, London also feels like an extremely modern city, allowing for visitors to put together an excellent London bucket list that includes historical attractions like the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and Trafalgar Square , right alongside the bustling Theatre District (London has one of the best theater scenes in the world).

Plus, for millennials like us, London is home to the Harry Potter Studio Tour and plenty of other related sights–not to mention plenty of Harry Potter-themed gifts and souvenirs to shop for!.

It’s a close race, but on more days than not, we consider Rome to be our absolute favorite city in the world.

Nicknamed the Eternal City, Rome has a captivating quality of impressing upon you its endurance, its consistency, and its strength with every street explored and monument admired.

Home to icons like the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain as well as equally impressive spots that are nearly devoid of tourists, exploring Rome, and peeling back its layers one by one, can easily be a lifelong project.

Gaudi, beaches, and the Gothic Quarter : unique and fascinating Barcelona is an incredibly popular place to kick off European adventures!

With its colorful neighborhoods, coastal location, thriving city center, and utterly unique architecture, it’s not hard to see why.

Of course, the most famous landmark in Barcelona , its basilica La Sagrada Familia, remains incomplete: construction began in 1882 and is currently projected to wrap up in 2026!

With its stunning architecture primarily dating to the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age and its many canals juxtaposed with its modern reputation for partying, visiting Amsterdam can often feel like visiting a city of extremes.

Whichever part of the city appeals to you, Amsterdam is certainly worth visiting .

As one of the most popular cities to visit in Europe and one of the most unique cities in the world, Amsterdam lives up to its reputation as a compelling and incredibly beautiful place to visit.

Want to ditch (some of) the infamous crowds?

Consider bundling up and visiting Amsterdam in winter !

Venice is, without a shadow of doubt, one of the most unique cities in the world–so of course it also ranks among the best cities to visit in Europe!

Venice’s mere existence is improbable.

Made up of 118 islands divided by 150 canals and then knitted together by 400 footbridges, Venice’s topography is like nowhere else.

Once a powerful empire that controlled the seas all the way to Crete and held the title of the wealthiest city in Europe, Venice’s 13th-century peak can still be felt in certain places today, including in its iconic Piazza San Marco , in its ornate palaces, and along its gorgeous bridges.

Before visiting, we were Venice skeptics–but less than a day into our first trip there, we were completely smitten with Venice.

Now, we can’t imagine that we’ll ever stop going back!

Byzantium, Constantinople, New Rome: Istanbul has had many names throughout its more than 2500 years of history, and today it is celebrated as one of the most unique cities in the world.

With one of the longest and most complicated histories of any of these cities in Europe, Istanbul is actually, technically, only half European.

One half of the city lies on the European continent, and the other half, located an easy ferry ride across the Bosphorus Strait, is located in Asia.

In addition to being able to visit two continents in a single day, the top things to do in Istanbul include touring the phenomenal Hagia Sophia, shopping in the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market, admiring the Blue Mosque, and enjoying the views from the top of the Galata Tower.

Emphasis on slightly less iconic: these cities are still easily among the most popular cities to visit in Europe.

Unlike some of the longstanding icons above, though, many of these European cities gained (or regained) popularity on the tourism circuit at some point within the last few decades.

In our slightly biased opinion, as it’s one of our personal favorites, Budapest easily ranks among the top ten best cities to visit in Europe.

Set on the Danube, with its iconic Parliament nestled right up against the river and majestic architecture rising on both sides of the river, Budapest is simultaneously incredibly regal and beautiful, and incredibly laid-back and affordable.

Known for its compelling history, thermal baths that dot the city, stunning architecture, and engaging nightlife, there is an overwhelming number of things to do in Budapest !

And, it packs plenty of variety in, too: in Budapest, you can have breakfast in a luxurious coffee shop in the morning, explore the city’s caves and thermal baths in the afternoon, and then relax at a ruin pub in the evening–and that’s just within the first day!

Known as the City of a Hundred Spires, Prague absolutely looks the part of the quintessential European city, all ornate buildings framed by a winding river and overlooked by the majestic Prague Castle.

Once known as an offbeat European city to visit, the Prague of today is immensely popular (with the crowds to match, especially during the height of summer), but it is still absolutely magical to visit.

Be sure to meander your way across the Charles Bridge, explore the Prague Castle, admire the Old Town Square, and drink plenty of that famous Czech beer while visiting Prague .

And yes, the legend is true: at some restaurants, the beer is indeed cheaper than water!

Less popular with foreign tourists than colorful Barcelona, but no less captivating, Spain’s capital city is simultaneously regal and relaxed.

Home to incredible sights like the Royal Palace, Prado Museum, and gorgeous Plaza Mayor, spending a few days in Madrid means having a chance to experience fantastic food, incredible art, and a hearty dose of Spanish culture.

Madrid’s biggest park, El Retiro, is among our favorite urban parks in all of Europe, and definitely belongs on your list of things to do in Madrid !

As the largest city (and airport hub) on the French Riviera, Nice is both busy and beautiful.

In other words, Nice is exactly what you would hope for from a coastal city that boasts one of the most iconic urban beaches in the world!

A visit to Nice practically requires spending some time on the beach and a taking stroll along the picturesque Promenade des Anglais, of course, but there are plenty of other fun things to do in Nice as well.

While you’re there, be sure to climb Castle Hill, check out the Sun Fountain, and enjoy the colorful architecture of the old town.

Nice is also perfectly placed to use as a base for incredible day trips, including to nearby Monaco, Eze, St. Paul de Vence, and Menton.

To be perfectly frank, Athens doesn’t rank among the most beautiful cities in Europe as far as we’re concerned… but it’s still one of the best cities in Europe to visit.

Greece’s capital is often used as a gateway to its (rightfully) famous islands, but the city itself absolutely deserves to be explored as well.

Athens is home to some of the most famous Greek ruins in the world, including the phenomenal Acropolis (where you’ll find the Parthenon) and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

Ancient Greece is only the beginning of the story, though!

You’ll also find trendy neighborhoods like Plaka and incredible museums like the National Archaeological Museum when exploring Athens.

And, quite honestly, even if there was nothing else to do there, it would be worth visiting Athens just to eat enormous amounts of Greek food .

If there’s one word that comes to mind for describing Vienna, it’s regal.

From the world-famous opera house to the Hofburg Palace to the glitz and glamour of Vienna’s cafe culture, Vienna gives the impression of wealth, strength, and beauty at every turn.

This is hardly an accident: as the seat of the Hapsburgs for around 600 years, Vienna definitely shows signs of being ruled by a fairly modern empire.

For example, while other European city centers frequently maintain a good portion of their small streets and medieval architecture, wide swaths of Vienna’s were cleared away in favor of wide boulevards and sweeping avenues.

If you’re not sure when to visit Vienna, it’s hard to argue that there’s a better time than during the holiday season.

Not only is the cafe culture particularly lovely when it’s cold outside, but Vienna’s Christmas markets are among the best in Europe , and the perfect way to kick off a Christmas trip in Austria !

Canals, cyclists, and hygge: these are just a few of the delightful things you’ll find in Copenhagen.

Denmark’s capital city is known for its many cyclists, its beautiful canals and picturesque harbor (Nyhavn), and recently, its extreme culture of coziness.

Hygge, a word that means something approximating coziness and contentment, is a large feature of Copenhagen.

Since the word has been popularized in popular culture worldwide, even more travelers flock to Copenhagen not just to snap photos at Nyhavn or determine for themselves if the Little Mermaid Statue is, in fact, as underwhelming as they say, but to experience Danish hygge for themselves.

And, while hygge and a northern climate may not be words that bring “beach trip” to mind, Copenhagen’s picturesque location also makes it one of the most beautiful cities in Europe with beaches !

The capital of Bavaria is definitely known best for one thing on the tourism circuit: its incredible Oktoberfest celebration that draws travelers from across the globe.

Even outside of the annual festival, though, Munich remains one of the best cities to visit in Europe.

While there, check out Marienplatz and the gorgeous Munich Residence, as well as the Nymphenburg Palace and (at least) one of the city’s fun beer gardens.

Munich is also within day-tripping distance of the famous Neuschwanstein Castle , so if you have a few days to spend in the area, consider escaping to the Bavarian countryside for a day!

Germany’s capital city may not be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, but it is an incredibly interesting one.

It’s well worth experiencing at least a few days in Berlin to get a feel for this unique European city.

Known today primarily for its intense Cold War history and its quirky, artistic culture, Berlin is packed with interesting sights and things to do.

While in Berlin, be sure to check out the famous Brandenburg Gate, see the Reichstag Building, and, of course, see the remains of the Berlin Wall and accompanying memorials.

For great views of the city, consider heading up the Berlin TV Tower, and to see the city’s best museums, head to Museum Island.

Scotland’s stunning capital city is easily one of the best cities to visit in Europe and one that captures the adoration and imagination of most who visit it.

With hints of fairytale magic in the air (helped along, no doubt, by the city’s ties to Harry Potter lore), Edinburgh is packed with fun things to do.

During your visit, be sure to stroll down Royal Mile, admire the views from Arthur’s Seat and Calton Hill, and enjoy Edinburgh Castle.

Travelers who love the arts may want to plan their visit for August when the Edinburgh Fringe Festival takes over the city.

Fair warning, though: prices in the city absolutely skyrocket during the festival!

If you’re hoping to see a smaller city in Europe, then these cities in Europe might be for you!

In most of these cities, you can enjoy most of the major tourist attractions in only a couple of days or less and/or more or less exclusively tour the city on foot.

As the capital city of Alsace, Strasbourg is a unique delight of a city nestled in northeastern France and is a gateway to the famed Alsace Wine Route, glorious mountains, and the charming, colorful smaller villages of Alsace.

The region of Alsace was once held by Germany, and the result is that in Strasbourg you can find hints of German influences among the French culture, all blended together to create the unique Alsatian culture you will find in the city today.

Croatia’s most famous city has risen to international stardom in recent years, in large part thanks to its role as King’s Landing on Game of Thrones, but this bite-sized coastal city is a magical place to visit even for those who have never seen a single episode of the show.

Dubrovnik’s crown jewel is its intact town walls that still encircle the old town, where you can walk fully around the city, with the terracotta rooftops of Dubrovnik glistening on one side and the shimmering Adriatic Sea on the other.

While visiting Dubrovnik , be sure to also check out the view from Mount Srd, the views from the Lovrijenac Fortress, and, if you’re up for a bit of a physical challenge, a kayaking tour to Lokrum Island!

As the Cradle of the Renaissance and one of the most popular places to visit in Europe, you might expect Florence to be a large city, but no.

Travelers can easily walk the bulk of the historic center, and some of the areas beyond it, in just a couple of days–no other transportation is necessary!

Florence is an endlessly beautiful city, and so packed full of world-class artwork that the city is almost a work of art unto itself.

From the magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore to the incredible masterpiece that is Michelangelo’s David to the Ponte Vecchio to all the treasures of the Uffizi Museum, looking at Florence is like looking at Renaissance-era art, architecture and engineering come to life. 

Nestled in southwestern Germany, the small university city of Heidelberg is far from the most popular city to visit in Germany, but it absolutely deserves to make the list.

Set on the beautiful Neckar River and overlooked by the impressive Heidelberg Palace, Heidelberg looks every bit the part of a fairytale-esque small European city.

And it’s not just modern visitors and the students who flock to study at Heidelberg University who understand the magic of Heidelberg: Mark Twain was inspired by the city and spoke of it very fondly after spending a summer living there.

In fact, according to some accounts, the idea for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was conceived thanks to the Neckar River.

While that’s partially inaccurate, there’s no doubt that Twain was captivated by the beauty of Heidelberg!

When travelers plan a trip to Slovenia, it’s rare that the charming capital of Ljubljana tops the list of what they hope to see.

And that’s understandable: it’s hard to beat the majesty of Lake Bled, the beauty of Triglav National Park, or the adorable seaside beauty of Piran .

That being said, though, Ljubljana itself is also a great place to spend a couple of days in Slovenia.

Not only is it conveniently located within day-tripping distance of ever-popular Bled, it’s a fun city to experience in its own right.

Home to the lovely Ljubljana Castle, the fascinating street-art-covered neighborhood of Metelkova, the quirky Dragon Bridge, and colorful Preseren Square–not to mention plenty of charming cafes and delicious restaurants–Ljubljana is an easy European city to love.

As the hometown of Mozart and as a city surrounded by hills that are alive with The Sound of Music, charming Salzburg, Austria is easily one of the best cities to visit in Europe.

Regardless of whether you choose a sunshine-and-blooming-flower-filled summer trip or a festive Christmas market trip, Salzburg is bound to charm!

Overlooked by the striking Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg is a feast for the eyes.

It’s also home to highlights like the beautiful Mirabell Palace (known, among other things, for its status as a filming location for The Sound of Music), the incredible Salzburg Cathedral, and both Mozart’s Birthplace and later Residence, and is an incredibly fun city to visit.

Located in southern Poland, Krakow is best known on the tourism circuit for its proximity to two things that lay entirely outside the city: Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mine.

While both of those places are worth visiting (and in the case of Auschwitz-Birkenau, arguably very important to experience if you’re in the area and feel up to a very emotional day), the charming city of Krakow itself is also home to interesting sights that make it one of the best city breaks in Europe.

Be sure to explore the impressive Wawel Castle as part of your trip to Krakow, as well as St. Mary’s Basilica, Town Hall Tower, and, of course, a milk bar or two to enjoy classic Polish pierogi.

The prettiest city in Belgium (in our opinion, anyway) is bite-sized and beautiful, easy to cover in just a day or two, and absolutely gorgeous from every angle–though if you ask us, its best angle is from the water during a canal cruise.

While visiting Bruges, consider climbing to the top of the Belfry for incredible views, seeking out the beautiful Bonifacius Bridge, enjoying a canal cruise, checking out the colorful Market Square, stopping by the Basilica of Holy Blood, and relaxing at Minnewater Park.

As a small and incredibly popular European city to visit, Bruges can feel crowded at times–but by planning a winter trip , you can experience (somewhat) reduced crowd levels.

It may be a bit of a stretch to include an entire country of roughly 33,000 people on a list of the best cities to visit in Europe, but San Marino is worth making a slight exception for.

Styled as the oldest republic in Europe (founding date: 301 AD) and simultaneously the least-visited country in Europe, San Marino is an absolutely gorgeous (though yes, quite small) country that is entirely surrounded by Italy.

Featuring castle and countryside views from Mount Titano that are worthy of any fairytale and very interesting history (you can stroll right into Parliament to check it out–no tour necessary), San Marino is definitely well worth a visit! 

While you can take a San Marino day trip from Bologna , it’s a fun place to see at night (once the day-trippers leave) as well.

Nicknamed the Venice of the Alps, the beautiful city of Annecy, France, is located less than an hour south of Geneva and features beautiful views of Lake Annecy (considered the cleanest lake in Europe), delicious Alpine cuisine (including all kinds of amazing cheese), and stunning canals.

The combination of Annecy’s incredible gastronomy, colorful old town surrounded by canals, and crisp Alpine air make it one of the best city breaks in Europe.

While Annecy is a popular day trip from Geneva, this small city is worth enjoying for at least a couple of days if you can spare the time.

If you can, schedule your trip to Annecy to coincide with at least one market day.

Fridays and Sundays are the biggest market days of the week, but there is a smaller market that takes place on Tuesdays as well.

Surrounded by medieval walls dating to the Saxons, and then by the Carpathian mountains beyond that, Brasov is an incredibly beautiful city to visit in the heart of Transylvania, and definitely deserves to feature on any trip to the region!

Must-see sights include the impressive Gothic-style Black Church, both the Black and White Towers, the views from Tampa Mountain, and the charming Council Square.

And, though it’s not within the city itself, we can’t mention Brasov without mentioning Bran Castle.

This infamous castle is located about a 30-minute drive away and is an absolutely incredible sight (though, fair warning: the Dracula connections are nothing by myth).

Set less than an hour away from Florence by train, Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy, and is absolutely beautiful, packing in gorgeous Italian architecture and plenty of museums in its small size.

The biggest reason to visit, though, isn’t its beauty: it’s the food.

Bologna is one of the absolute best cities to visit in Europe for foodies.

As the capital of Emilia-Romagna, you can thank the region surrounding Bologna for mortadella (the original and far superior version of what non-Italians call bologna), parmigiano-reggiano, traditional balsamic vinegar, and tagliatelle al ragu (aka pasta bolognese)… just to name a small sliver of its delicacies.

Even with one day in Bologna , you can eat extremely well, see several of the most popular attractions, and even seek out a few hidden gems like the city’s canals.

Away from bustling capital cities and world-icon status, Europe boasts hundreds of other incredibly cool, lesser-visited cities that are still absolutely worthy of being considered one of the best cities to visit in Europe.

Here are just a few of them–consider mixing a couple of these into your Europe bucket list along with the more iconic options above!

As the capital of Spain’s southern Andalucia region, beautiful Seville is known for its stunning architecture (including its magnificent cathedral), its many orange trees that bloom in the summer, its flamenco culture, its seemingly endless sunshine (and heat), its beautiful Alcazar, and its photo-worthy Plaza de Espana.

It’s also known for acting as a filming location for two of the most famous franchises around!

The Alcazar played the Water Gardens of Dorne in Game of Thrones, and the Plaza de Espana was featured as the city of Theed in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones.

Seville is also an excellent launchpad for a full Andalucia road trip !

The capital of Serbia is definitely one of the least-visited of the European cities rounded up in this travel guide, but it certainly deserves more attention.

Colorful, historic, and incredibly affordable, Belgrade is a fun and invigorating city that is absolutely packed with things to do .

While you’re there, be sure to check out the gorgeous Church of Saint Sava, the Belgrade Fortress, and the Knez Mihailov shopping street.

If you have a few days to spend in Belgrade, consider also adding on a day trip to colorful, nearby Novi Sad!

With its waterfront setting, steep hills, iconic trams, and gigantic red suspension bridge, Lisbon draws a lot of comparisons to San Francisco–but luckily, a trip to Lisbon is far more affordable.

Colorful and laid-back, Lisbon’s architecture is beautiful, its culture warm and inviting, and its attractions beautiful, making it one of the best cities in Europe to visit.

While you’re there, be sure to stroll through the historic neighborhood of Alfama, ride the popular Tram 28 past beautiful views (or at least snap photos of it going by), admire the city from a couple of different miradouros (viewpoints) check out the Time Out Market, and enjoy the sunset along the Tagus River.

Be sure not to leave without eating a dozen or so pasteis de nata, either!

Hilly, crowded, chaotic Naples is certainly a bit controversial among these best cities to visit in Europe–people tend to either love or hate it–but as we adore it, we want to include it here.

Built on the coast of Campania and boasting phenomenal views of Mount Vesuvius from its shores, Naples is an absolutely dynamic city.

Its streets are generally packed, its salesmen a bit more intense than those further north in Italy, and yes, it is a bit dirtier and rougher around the edges than Florence or Venice. 

However, it’s also gorgeous–places like the San Carlo Theater, Piazza del Plebiscito, and Galleria Umberto I are all beautiful–and incredibly interesting.

Features like the Bourbon Tunnel, Naples Underground, Castel Nuovo, and Naples Archaeological Museum are all incredible places to visit, and even if you don’t find Naples’ environment or attractions quite to your taste, there’s always its world-famous pizza to grab (and hold) your attention.

With incredible day trip options like Pompeii  and the legendary Amalfi Coast , you sure can’t beat its location, either!

Estonia’s small-yet-stunning capital city has long been under the radar as far as tourism is concerned, but luckily, that is starting to change.

With a beautiful cityscape right on the water, affordable prices, and plenty of fun things to do (be sure to add checking out the views from Toompea Hill and strolling through the hipster haven of Telliskivi Creative City to your list of things to see), Tallinn is a fantastic city to explore for a few days.

Once you wrap up, you can even travel by boat to easily extend your trip to another country!

Helsinki, Finland is only about 2 hours away from Tallinn by ferry.

Portugal’s “second city” has been gaining in popularity in recent decades, but still remains somewhat under-the-radar when compared to busy Lisbon.

Set on the Duoro River, Porto is known for its gorgeous, colorful architecture, churches covered in gorgeous azulejos (Portuguese hand-painted tiles), its dramatic views, and–most of all–for its port!

Once upon a time, the famous port grown in the nearby Duoro Valley was floated down the river to Porto, and today, you can still tour traditional port houses along the banks of the river (complete with tastings, of course).

Less visited than Florence or Milan , and yet stunningly beautiful, Verona is set in southern Veneto, nestled on the banks of the Adige River.

Home of a remarkably well preserved Roman amphitheater, amazing views, and the legend of Romeo and Juliet, Verona is as captivating as it is beautiful.

Be sure to enjoy the views from the Castel San Pietro and the Torre dei Lamberti as part of your visit.

And, if you’re up for a bit of adventure, consider taking a whitewater rafting trip down the Adige!

As the second-largest city in Norway and nicknamed the Heart of the Fjords, Bergen doesn’t generally top European bucket lists (at least for those of us that hail from outside the continent)–but perhaps it should.

Featuring highlights like the traditional wooden houses of Bryggen, a bustling fish market, and sweeping views from Mount Fløyen, Bergen makes for a fantastic introduction to Norway.

As the gateway to Norway’s incredible fjord beauty and home to what is arguably one of the most picturesque harbors in Europe, stunningly beautiful Bergen definitely ranks among the best cities to visit in Europe!

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

30 thoughts on “35 Best Cities to Visit in Europe (Bucket List for City Lovers!)”

No Plovdiv or Sofia or Veliko Tarnovo. It is not a good enough list. ?

If I ever expand this list to 50, at least Sofia will make the list! Sofia holds a special place in our hearts, we’ve spent months there visiting good friends of ours.

Add all of Ireland to this list ?

Birmingham England

Birmingham is very much a cultural hotspot in the uk. It has lovely Victorian industrial buildings and has more miles of canal than Venice.

Most depressing soulless sprawled out place I’ve ever lived

What about Dublin??? Great atmosphere, great people, great history Cork, Kilkenny and Galway for smaller cities!

Bucharest is also a very beautiful city, once called “little Paris”!

In agreement with all of the listings even living on two of them! I would add Siena to the list of small cities to visit

We love Siena! It’s definitely a fantastic place to visit.

Siena is beautiful but I think Lucca is better!

Lucca is one of my favorites too! Tried to keep the level of Italy in check on this post, LOL, but I could easily do a whole list of only Italian cities, too. 🙂

Worth expanding the list. Need Wales, perhaps Conway, more Spain for example Caceres, Burgos, what of the lovely Island of Crete – Xania? And surely can’t miss Brittany and San Malo. Actually this is impossible….. Expand to 100 and leave out the iconic cos people know them? Be so good to have loads more of less well known.

Also ireland and Northern Ireland as Belfast portstewart portrush and some Irish cities

Surprised none of Switzerland’s cities are in there. I loved Lucerne and Zurich. Magical feeling walking around both cities.

I would also include Stockholm, Helsinki, Dublin, Moscow, and Oslo. Vienna, Amsterdam, Bruges and Lisbon are in my modest opinion quite overrated cities.

I disagree about Vienna and Dublin but agree about Moscow and Lisbon

Budapest and Vienna Salzburg or Brussels with Brugees? This a real question. After 2 years in quarauntine we want to explore Europe. (Budapest first time )

Very hard decision! They’re all wonderful in their own way.

If we had to pick, though, we’d pick Budapest/Vienna/Salzburg. 🙂

Τhank you Ms. Kate, After a lot of videos and Reviews and even though Bruges looks fantastic will be closer to choose Budapest and Salzburg. (even though Vienna is for the Second time after 2017). But still, this about as you wrote is a really hard decision if you think Bruges Ghent and of course Amsterdam that is really close to all of them … But we will be closer to your opinion that why i wrote here to take a feedback. Thank you for this

Budapest all day long

Warsaw is a beautiful city

I totally agree Warsaw is so quick changing city I have seen almost whole Europe and over 100 capitals in the world and I am so happy that I live in Warsaw

If you like Amsterdam, then don’t forget to visit Leiden. It’has the same look and feel as Amsterdam with canals and beautiful museums.

I have traveled many European cities mostly on business and a few with my wife on pleasure. I agree with your selections and comments. Your list is also very informative for me to visit the places we have not been to. Thank you for your postings.

Great Blog! You really made a very good choice of your top 35 cities in Europe (and choosing only 35 is extremely difficult). Keep the good work up and have fun travelling, now that it is possible again.

Saint Petersburg should be included. Beautiful place.

Hi Kate Have loved reading your post. Had been thinking of visiting Milan but see it doesn’t get a mention in this list. What are your thoughts on its merits? Thanks Barbra

We’ve visited Milan several times (were just there again a couple of weeks ago, in fact), but it’s not among our favorite cities in Italy!

That’s very subjective, of course, many people love it. As the business capital of Italy we don’t find it quite as idyllic and picturesque as many Italian cities, but of course its major sites–the Duomo, the Last Supper, etc–are all wonderful and worth visiting. We don’t dislike it, just don’t love it as much as other places.

We do have a guide to spending a day there! Here it is: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/one-day-in-milan-itinerary/

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For the second year in a row, London reigns over all European cities. Despite crippling COVID lockdowns and economic devastation. Despite Brexit. Despite a war in Europe. 

The city is top of mind for students, foreign investors and tourists, all eager to get back out and plug into a place that topped all three of our overall indices: Livability, Lovability and Prosperity—the only city in this year’s ranking to do so—reaching #1 in an astonishing 12 of our 27 subcategories, from Restaurants to Startups.

Not that the city’s visitor economy needed any convincing: London ranked third on the planet (and first in Europe) for cities with the biggest international traveller spend in 2022, worth €14.88 billion. The soft pound certainly made bucket-list trips more affordable, combined with the voracious global appetite to see the world after the pandemic.

Heathrow Airport reported its highest-ever September traffic figures in 2023, welcoming more than seven million customers, compared to 6.8 million in September 2019. Having long anticipated that the inflow of people into the city will only intensify (pandemic be damned), Gatwick Airport just unveiled its £250-million upgrade that includes the creation of a second concourse, a new entrance, eight new escalators, five lifts and wider access platforms. The original concourse also features new and expanded ticket gates and customer assistance infrastructure.

While the tourists are wonderful, the metric that has city leaders excited are the figures indicating that the COVID-era London exodus may finally be over, with the number of Londoners leaving the capital for more space falling to its lowest level in nine years in 2023, according to figures from real estate firm Hamptons and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. In 2023, fewer than 70,000 homes were bought outside the capital by Londoners (the fewest in almost a decade), down from almost 101,000 in 2021 at the height of the pandemic.

Indeed, the city’s infrastructure is awaiting those back in town, operating pretty much at pre-pandemic capacity, if the Tube is any indication. There are even new metro stops as part of the transformational Elizabeth line buildout, with trains now running directly from Reading and Heathrow to Abbey Wood and from Shenfield to Paddington. The brand-new Bond Street station, at the heart of London’s West End, also opened in late 2022. Returning transit aficionados won’t believe the direct journeys now possible across the city. 

Placemaking projects are everywhere, none more anticipated than next year’s opening of the Camden Highline, the 1.5-kilometre-long greenway just north of Central London that will transform an unused train track into an elevated path similar to the famous urban landmark in New York. 

And speaking of gathering people, the hand-wringing about the flight of talent and capital due to the pall of Brexit (and the follow-up spectre of an airborne pandemic), while warranted, now seems excessive. 

London’s foreign direct investment resilience, like its tourism appeal, has been buoyed by a sinking currency that has attracted previously priced out investment. And new residents. New wealthy residents who can now afford to check off a big item on the multimillionaire bucket list: property in the planet’s most coveted city. (London also topped Resonance Consultancy’s World’s Best Cities ranking earlier this year, for the ninth year in a row.)

Forecasters at London Central Portfolio are predicting upwards of 15% price growth in inner London over the coming four years, compared to 11% in Greater London and much less in the wider U.K.

The highest-profile new residents span the globally super-rich, from Middle Eastern buying activity hitting a four-year high in the second half of 2022 to the arrival of tech royalty, although aggressive tech-sector cost-cutting has brought the deep tech investment seen earlier this decade to a halt. 

While the city remains Meta’s largest global engineering base outside of the U.S., its two offices in London’s King’s Cross neighbourhood—opened in early 2022 after a three-year build (and designed by Bennetts Associates with interiors by TP Bennett based on a concept design by Gehry Partners)—are pretty sparse these days. Alphabet is still planning to open its 11-storey, 90,000-square-metre London HQ this year between King’s Cross station and the King’s Boulevard, although the 4,000 anticipated employees won’t be brought on for a while.

The office slowdown across the city has spotlighted the office vacancy crisis at Canary Wharf, London’s 52-hectare banking district, with its stubborn vacancy rate that hovered in the high teens for most of 2023, the highest in the city. As a result, owners Canary Wharf Group are planning to invest their way out by building a “Canary Wharf 3.0” in the area, focused on residences, entertainment and a 70,000-square-metre life-sciences centre, which it says will be the largest commercial lab in Europe.

Despite these recent economic clouds, London is still hot globally. According to fDi Markets, the Financial Times ’ foreign investment tracker, London has lured the most foreign direct investments into tech from international companies since 2018, ahead of New York, Singapore and Dubai.

It’s why by 2030 plans for the city’s financial district buildout are staggering, as the Square Mile is projected to erect 11 new towers, including the tallest structure ever built here. The vision is the Manhattan-isation of the city’s ancient, meandering streetscapes into an orderly grid anchored by the towers, according to the City of London Corporation. The group has already approved and started construction on 500,000 square metres of new office space, with another 500,000 currently being proposed. The approved space equals a jaw-dropping 70 football pitches. And will be double that once pending approvals come through.

No wonder the City of London Corporation just opened offices in New York and Washington, DC, in an effort to help build stronger financial ties to the U.S. (and secure billions of dollars in leases).

Working diligently alongside is London & Partners, the official publicity arm and the economic development organisation supplying financial perks for all that relocation. Recent tax incentives have included the lowest corporate tax rate among G7 countries and a cornucopia of research and development tax credits. 

“London’s exceptional business growth environment continues to produce and attract top companies positioned to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, but also the very best talent and investors to help them get there,” notes Janet Coyle, CBE Managing Director of Grow London at London & Partners.

“The fact that London is now second in the world for climate-tech investment is a testament to the power and resilience of London’s ecosystem and what can be achieved when game-changing ideas are met with the nurture and support they need.”

The global investment in the city is also obvious in the dozens of newly opened and equally daring hotels, none more exciting than the urban reimagining of the Art’otel, with its 164 art-inspired rooms on the top levels of the recently reopened Battersea Power Station, a mid-1900s husk that today is stuffed with shops, restaurants, cinemas and a theatre. Or the OWO Raffles in the Old War Office Building in Whitehall—it’s the first time the neo-Baroque building, used by the Ministry of Defence until the 1960s, has been opened to the public. Joining them are gilded names like Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, Six Senses and perhaps the biggest indicator that London has never been hotter: the PPHE Hotel Group’s plans to develop a “predominantly subterranean” hotel on Vauxhall Bridge Road close to London Victoria station.

And here you thought the iceberg home went away with the last decade.

A lot of city leaders talk about learning from the pandemic, but La Ville Lumière is actually walking the walk, going all-in on those hard lessons and their applications to molecular urban change. And with half a decade and billions in investment to prepare for this summer’s Summer Olympics, Paris has codified pedestrianism, biking and alfresco living like nowhere else on the planet.

While the face of Paris’s pandemic evolution is Mayor Anne Hidalgo and her obsession with the empowerment of self-propelled mobility—from a city-wide motorised vehicle speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour introduced in 2021, to the promise of more than 700 kilometres of bike paths across most arrondissements by 2026—it’s the citizenry’s embrace of this master plan that is changing the city’s fabric for good. 

An incredible 70% of Parisians don’t own cars, and they report better air quality and personal health for the choice not to. The all-in commitment to biking, called Plan Velo, will place the city among the most bike-friendly on the planet, improving on its current #10 spot in our Biking subcategory. Act 2 of the plan will teach children to ride bikes in schools, create bike repair infrastructure in neighbourhoods and promote local cycling tourism to the world.

Late last year, city officials tracking local rush hour traffic on several of the city’s main thoroughfares tabulated more bicycles than cars on the road.

Pedestrians are getting equal love, with local numbers citing that 65% of all journeys are made by foot, which has increased by 12% between 2010 and 2020. Since 2020, city leaders have taken credit for creating an extra 30 hectares of pedestrian areas via widened sidewalks and car-free zones (prioritising school zones in doing so). Measures like bollards, longer crossing lights and traffic police to protect pedestrians will also encourage walking in the city. The plan is for another 100 pedestrianised hectares to be implemented by 2030. 

The biggest investment in the city’s mobility and to get residents out of their cars is the expansion of the Paris Métro, already the envy of the world with its 800-kilometre, 16-line network seamlessly incorporated into a commuter rail system. In its most significant upgrade in decades, the Grand Paris Express will be a new 200-kilometre network boasting four additional lines, extensions to existing lines (11 and 14) and a mind-blowing 68 new metro stations. Started in 2016, it is, according to the French government, Europe’s largest civilian infrastructure project. 

The new lines prioritise access to the city’s suburban towns, which were left out of the Parisian ascent for far too long. While the city was future-proofing itself with visionary sustainability and investment attraction, it has and is battling monumental social and economic challenges, perhaps unlike any other capital city on the continent. Paris has been wracked by unemployment and economic calamity since 2020 and ranks #47 in our Poverty Rate subcategory, which tracks residents living under the national poverty line. The systemic inequality is a powder keg in the pockets where tourists rarely go. In the summer of 2023, the city (and country) exploded after the fatal, point-blank shooting of French teenager Nahel Merzouk by Florian Menesplier, a police officer, in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. Given the 17-year-old’s Algerian and Moroccan descent, racism was alleged in the killing.

After a week of protests across the country, which caused an estimated billion dollars in damage, day-to-day city life has resumed as investigations into systemic racism in the regional police force and the murder trial proceed. 

Even with the unrest, last year’s international tourist spend continued its march to pre-pandemic levels. Of course, being able to enjoy a city ranked best in Europe in our Sights & Landmarks, Shopping and Restaurants subcategories, as well as #2 in Museums (the city has well over 100), has a tendency to distract one from the perils of the modern world. 

Paris was also recently crowned the world’s most powerful urban tourist destination for 2022 by the World Travel & Tourism Council, with the city’s hospitality industry worth €32.9 billion last year. And it’s projected to grow to more than €44 billion by 2032.

More than three years without Paris is certainly driving the voraciousness, but so is the euro being near par with the U.S. dollar of late. The city remains among the most visited on the planet, with 44 million visitors in 2022, yet these numbers are still 13% below 2019 levels. With the Olympics returning this year, as well as the late 2024 unveiling of the Notre Dame renovation, this could be the year that Paris hits pre-pandemic tourism revenues, especially after the world feasts on how the sporting events have been woven into the legendary urban fabric.   

And nowhere will the focus be more intense than the city’s revered Seine River and its benchmark for Paris’s efficacy in achieving a cleaner, healthier home. The plan is still to host swimming events in the river that has banned swimming since 1923 due to pollution and sewage, and organisers are working around the clock to ensure that Mayor Hidalgo can fulfil her promise to go for a swim before the opening ceremonies (which will feature a flotilla of boats on the Seine). Whatever happens, escaping those Paris heatwaves will certainly be easier in the coming years.

Outside the city, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (ranked #2 in Europe in our Airport Connectivity subcategory) used the past three years of lower volume to invest €250 million into a renovation of Terminal 1. Reopened last year, it now has a colossal junction building and a central lobby full of the latest tech to improve the traveller experience.

Rail access and infrastructure are also unprecedented. Direct high-speed TGV routes linking other capitals have launched over the past year, with more ambitious directs like the Venice-to-Paris Midnight Trains coming in 2025.

Too often in the Paris narrative, the city’s economic might gets forgotten. This is the place with the most Global Fortune 500 headquarters on the continent, and the second-most startups. In 2021, President Macron committed €30 billion to the France 2030 plan: an effort to create “high-tech champions of the future” that is expected to yield 100 French tech unicorns by the end of the decade. There are 29 today, and the 20 of these in Paris are quickly establishing the city as a startup hotbed, with the State of European Tech noting that France has seen the strongest growth in tech-focused job searches of any European country. And where do you think most of that arriving talent will pick as their new home base? Especially when the cost of a car isn’t necessary.

Berlin is a city where remnants of a fragile history mingle with a present in which being whatever you want simply comes with residency. These days, 35 years after the fall of its eponymous wall and the Iron Curtain, the city is a haven, welcoming waves of Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion, just like it has been for decades—with mixed success—for those arriving from all over the world in search of a new life. It’s a big reason why the city ranks #13 in Europe in our Foreign-Born Residents subcategory, and Berlin’s #20 ranking for Educational Attainment will only climb with ambitious new arrivals and the ascent of those already here.

The result of Berlin’s relative hospitality: raw, unabashed urbanity and self-expression as diverse and proud as its 12 sprawling kiez (neighbourhoods). That admittedly atrophied under pandemic restrictions, but as public health measures eased a couple of years ago, the entire city returned, especially during its glorious summers, when residents gathered in the parks, in the beer gardens and, increasingly, in the street parties and parades.

And given Berlin’s #4 ranking in our Culture subcategory (which includes festivals and concerts) and its #5 Nightlife ranking, the city was ready to party like few others.

A packed 2023 cultural and events calendar (featuring the full return of the Berlinale and the arrival of the Special Olympics World Games—the world’s largest inclusive sports event) warmed things up for an even bigger 2024. Of course, summer means the annual Christopher Street Day (aka the massive Gay Pride Berlin celebration, famous throughout Europe and the world). Expect hundreds of thousands of revellers, activists and policymakers channelling the spirit of Schöneberg—an area that in the 1920s became the world’s first gay village—city-wide. Welcoming them will be the Pink Pillow Collection, the world’s only initiative of its kind among hotels (57 at last count) that transcend the “gay-friendly” marketese to contribute to social projects, prove well-versed in the LGBTIQ+ scene and ensure a welcome and respected environment for guests and staff.

In June, EURO 2024 comes to Berlin’s Olympiastadion as the city becomes the biggest venue among 10 German cities hosting the country’s first major football tournament since the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

This is the home of Museum Island, too, and the city’s #4 Museums ranking is well earned as Berlin quickly approaches 200, indicative of its obsession with cataloguing its own history and the history it imposed on so many places during its eight centuries as a city. Places like The Topography of Terror, documenting Nazi atrocities, and the Stasi Museum confront and localise global horrors, challenging visitors to never forget. A cascade of new openings and renovations are completed, underway or scheduled to launch in 2024. Two major museums have moved into the new Humboldt Forum in the heart of the city: the Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art. Other openings in recent years feature collections ranging from the world of the samurai to video games. Berlinische Galerie, a new permanent exhibit opened in 2022, explores the daily lives of prisoners under GDR state security oppression, including first-time access into actual working and living spaces. Its title says it all: Forced Cooperation: The Prisoner Work Crews of Hohenschönhausen . More recently, the Charité Museum of Medical History reopened last year after an extensive expansion and modernisation and today houses 10,000 pathological and anatomical specimens that span 300 years of medical history. Berlin is also now home to the fourth global outpost of Fotografiska, a network of photography museums and culture hubs that exhibits creative titans like Leibovitz and Warhol while also making room for emerging local talent. Here, the space is a storied 1908 building heavily damaged during Second World War bombing and used as an artist squat, bar and rave venue over the past 25 years, thereby being spared by the city’s wrecking ball.

The ongoing cultural and creative evolution of Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport is equally fascinating: this is Europe’s largest historic monument, with the curve of the building stretching 1.2 kilometres. The massive, unfinished building is a window into the turbulent history of this enigmatic city, and the new open-air History Gallery and public access to Tempelhofer Tower will provide views over Tempelhofer Feld and the ongoing urban development in this little-known but vital district that dates back to the Knights Templar and the city’s founding. And in 2026, the anticipated Museum of the 20th Century will launch as one of Europe’s finest.

Matching the city’s cultural wattage is its economic might that transcends its global bastions of industry like Deutsche Telekom, Delivery Hero and Deutsche Bahn, and regional HQs for Bombardier Transportation, Pfizer, Sony and Total (all helping the city rank #16 in our Global Fortune 500 subcategory). 

Stealthily, Berlin is Top 3 in Europe in our Startups subcategory, trailing only London and Paris. With its relative affordability, bounteous post-secondary options and resulting highly skilled workforce, venture funding has been pouring in: according to Berlin Startup Map, the city currently boasts approximately 4,400 startups.

The talent is also attracting massive domestic and foreign investment into the city and its suburbs. Last year, Volkswagen AG announced further increases in tech-related investments to keep pace with Tesla’s nearby investment in 2022. U.S.-based semiconductors, software and services company Qualcomm just opened a new office in Berlin to be closer to the European auto market. London-based data centre provider Virtus has announced a €3-billion “mega-campus” just outside of town, and U.K. real-estate developer, investor and asset manager Verdion is exploring a €100-million logistics hub in a brownfield 30 minutes from the city centre.

No wonder Berlin ranks in the Top 5 in our Creative Class subcategory.

Few cities serve up the ability to walk Western history like Roma. Heck, Palatine Hill alone invites you into two millennia’s worth if you’ve got an hour. And that’s just the stuff you can see. In the past year, construction projects have unearthed everything from a rare fourth-century golden glass depiction of Roma—the goddess personifying the city—to a life-sized marble statue of a Roman emperor dressed as Hercules. “The millennial history of our city never ceases to amaze and enchant the world,” posted Roberto Gualtieri, mayor of Rome, after a recent find. The treasure trove is increasingly being shared with locals and visitors, like the Largo di Torre Argentina site of Julius Caesar’s assassination, opened with the contribution of Italian jewellery brand Bulgari last June.

Mix in underrated parks and greenways (Rome ranks #8 in our Outdoors subcategory) and its thousands of portals back in time (Sights & Landmarks rank in the Top 3 in Europe) and it’s easy to see how Rome remains an urban treasure, drawing record post-pandemic tourists despite historic heat waves that exceeded 41 degrees Celsius last summer. Declarations of love for the city have multiplied with social media channels, of course, and Rome trails only London in our global Tripadvisor Reviews subcategory. The city is reopening fast, with new restaurants like Pulejo, Don Pasquale and Romanè, and Seen by Olivier, the spectacular rooftop restaurant at the new Anantara hotel. The property is one of several global hospitality brands that are sprinkled around the city like pecorino on a plate of cacio e pepe. The first Six Senses property to open in Italy (in a UNESCO-listed palazzo minutes from the Trevi and Pantheon) kicked off a busy 2023 for hotel openings, followed by the Bulgari Roma, with Chef Niko Romito—of three-Michelin-starred Reale in the country’s Abruzzo region—running its two rooms in a monastery from the 1500s. This year’s hotel pipeline includes the Thompson Rome, and properties from Four Seasons, Corinthia, Nobu, Rosewood and a few gilded others.

Madrid’s sustainability-driven investment in its bounteous urban and natural assets is a wonder to watch unfold in real time. It starts, not surprisingly, with reuse and the conviction that everything old can be new again. Take the new Santander Park, an instant citizen and visitor destination that used to be a golf course. A 75-kilometre urban forest network with nearly half-a-million new trees will connect the city’s existing forest masses and reuse derelict sites between roads and buildings. Upon completion, this “green wall” is projected to help absorb 175,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually and mitigate the city’s worsening urban heat. This investment in its outdoor realm will improve Madrid’s #14 ranking in our Outdoors subcategory, especially combined with how safe the city has become. Madrid’s electric bus network trails only that of Berlin in Europe and new EV charging stations (ranked #23) and bike lanes are everywhere. 

But the biggest news is the recent full approval of Madrid Nuevo Norte, the largest current urban regeneration project in Europe, in the city’s underused northern rail district: more than 220 hectares dedicated to the Madrid of the future. The city is also going all in on its already formidable Culture-scape (ranked #3 in Europe), from newly opened local indie cinemas like Cines Embajadores to the mind-blowing unveiling of the Royal Collections Gallery, considered the country’s most significant museum in decades. Located next to the Royal Palace of Madrid, the space was dug out from rock under Campo del Moro gardens to Armería square, and will be the centre of all Patrimonio Nacional’s cultural activities and royal collections. It will also help the Spanish head of state restore, conserve and share the country’s historical, cultural and natural heritage.

With all this investment, it’s a good thing the city’s Adolog Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport has earmarked €2.4 billion to become the EU’s largest, although work isn’t scheduled to begin until 2031.

Pandemic lockdowns broke the overtourism wave that was cresting over Prague’s beguiling Gothic streets, allowing the city to implement resident-first policies and maintain a sense of ownership. It’s a massive job in any city, much less one that threads the needle as one of the world’s rare urban centres that ranks in the Top 10 in both our overall Livability (#7) and Lovability (#8) indices. Still, over the past 18 months, city leaders made long-lasting decisions to ensure that Prague’s #3-ranked Museums (ahead of places like Berlin, Rome and Madrid) and Attractions (which trail only London) remain accessible to the citizens who supported local when tourism didn’t. Places like the Čapadlo embankment on the Vltava River have become open-air stages and galleries reminiscent of Paris. Náplavka, with its former ice-storage spaces ensconced in the river’s retaining walls, was reborn as a vibrant urban market and series of pop-up bars. Prague’s compact, fairy-tale walkability enchants in centuries-old cobbled streets and the (publicly accessible) hilltop Prague Castle, which has emerged from lockdown alongside Salm Palace—home to National Gallery exhibition spaces—fully renovated. The Baroque Clam-Gallas Palace in Old Town is also newly reopened and eager to be admired. 

The city is spotlighting its plentiful regional charms this year, too. The new Beer Spa lets visitors dip in a wood hot tub filled with hops, yeast and beer extracts (locals swear it’s great for the skin and restoring energy, especially with the beer taps only an arm’s-length away.) Meanwhile, 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of Franz Kafka’s death and the writer’s hometown is making sure the world remembers, from literary walking tours to exhibits across the city. Given Prague’s literary pedigree, is it any wonder it tops Europe in our Creative Class subcategory? The city’s four universities, relative affordability and #3-ranked nightlife have inspired young talent and billions in foreign investment to pour in—from real estate developers to long-established firms like Microsoft, Cisco and Oracle doubling down on a good thing.

7. Barcelona

As if Barcelona, with its near-perfect year-round weather, striking architecture and kilometres of golden sandy beaches within city limits wasn’t revered enough already, 2024 will make it a must-visit, across Europe and the world. The big news, of course, is that after almost a century and a half, Gaudí’s famous church, the Sagrada Familia, is almost finished. The towers of the evangelists John and Matthew lit up the city last Christmas season, leaving only the sixth and final 173-metre Jesus Christ tower to open in 2026. Despite having the EU’s highest density of cars (6,000 per square kilometre) and replacing a pro-walking and biking mayor Ada Colau (the city’s first woman to hold the role) with the car-championing Jaume Collboni last May, the city continues to unveil ambitious pedestrian projects. Barcelona just opened its €50-million Consell de Cent, 21 pedestrianised blocks that used to be a four-lane cross-town street, part of what is being called a “green axis” urban park in an area popular with both locals and visitors. Dotted with benches and community squares, the pathway gained its inspiration from a local pilot project that, unsurprisingly, improved citizens’ mental health. Given the city’s Top 5 ranking in our Lovability index, the 12 million annual tourists who flocked here pre-pandemic, more than doubling Barcelona’s population, are headed back. The city’s implementation of some of Europe’s strictest vacation rental rules will be tested as it aims to resupply a chronic shortage of resident housing. Barcelona is also no longer content with digital nomads, and is now aggressively securing massive foreign investment, ranging from Lufthansa Group, the largest airline group in Europe (which opened its first southern European digital hub last year) to U.S. real estate developer Panattoni (which will invest $300 million to build the largest data centre in the region). The city’s #7 Startups ranking will only improve as global innovation investment, like Intel’s recent Barcelona Supercomputing Centre initiative as part of a €33-billion EU-wide semiconductor push, comes online.

8. Amsterdam

Mayor Halsema’s administration is showing a practical stewardship of a place (and citizens) once abandoned to the tourist euro by co-authoring a future of accountability among everyone who calls the magnetic Dutch capital home. Take a 2022 approach to a refugee accommodation crisis that led to hundreds of unhoused migrants, many fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, sleeping outside the city’s overflowing resource centres: accommodate more than 1,000 on a moored cruise ship for six months, buying vital time to find other arrangements. 

This care for others and willingness for locals to do the work is represented by the city’s Top 10 ranking in our overall Prosperity index. The infamous nightlife (ranked #9 in Europe) that the city was known and often marketed for—despite the attendant human trafficking—was another opportunity to right long-time local complaints, with civic leaders going so far as to move the red-light district out of the famed De Wallen neighbourhood to a suburban Erotic Centre while banning non-residents from cannabis cafés and ditching tours that glorify the city’s baser side. Things escalated in 2023, when smoking pot in public was banned outright and the city launched a “stay away” campaign targetting party tourism (although the mayor herself admits it hasn’t worked all that well). Restaurants and bars have been asked to close by 2 a.m. on weekends and new visitors are not allowed to enter the old city district after 1 a.m.

Stepping in for vice are tours and programmes focusing on the city’s livability and Dutch history. And on getting tourists (who numbered 22 million in 2019) away from the city centre and out to the #6-ranked shopping and #7-ranked museums that pepper the city. This past summer, city council also banned cruise ships from the city centre as part of its clean-air efforts.

9. Istanbul

The ancient collision between Europe and Asia radiates in Türkiye’s (and Europe’s) largest city. It’s why the city is among the most beguiling for its sense of place, inside and out. Its Top 10 Sights & Landmarks ranking, as well as its impressive #4 spot in our Outdoors subcategory, will improve as a result of the extensive renovations completed for the Turkish Republic’s centennial in October 2023. The devastating February 2023 earthquakes that killed tens of thousands in the country’s southeast and in Syria (and that flooded the capital with survivors) have sounded the alarms about Istanbul’s own preparation for a potential destructive quake. The tragedy has cast a pall around new openings like Galataport, Istanbul’s reinvigorated historic harbour. Extending a mile along the Bosporus Strait near the city’s long-coveted Karaköy district, the $1.7-billion project boasts the world’s first-ever underground cruise terminal. More recently, the luxury Peninsula Istanbul opened last spring, capping a blazing year for hotels that includes the seafront luxury resort JW Marriott Marmara Sea and a dozen others. The city’s #6-ranked museums also get a boost from the Galataport investment, with the Istanbul Modern, the city’s first contemporary art museum (designed by Renzo Piano), returning to its Karaköy roots. Despite the city’s lauded low cost of living (#6 in our Monthly Rent subcategory), the past year saw inflation-driven property costs skyrocket 77.6% in the third quarter compared to the previous year according to property consultant Knight Frank. But perhaps, given Istanbul’s ascendant global importance, the cost of entry finally went up. The transportation infrastructure is certainly sparing no expense, with a web of high-speed rail networks planned out of the city by the end of the decade, and the Istanbul Grand Airport’s plans to be the world’s largest by 2028, its 10th year of operation.

The birthplace of Armani, Versace and dozens of other megawatt icons is no longer content with being Europe’s fashion and design centre. Or even Italy’s financial heart. Milan is driven, as always, by its entrepreneurial hunger and is increasingly fuelled by wealthy newcomers lured to the famed good life by government tax breaks on foreign income earned abroad. The result is an influx of Brexit (and Russian) capital seeking a home, and the flurry of luxury real estate, hotels and social clubs that such capital inspires. The Ferragamo-owned Lungarno Collection unveiled the Portrait Milano in one of Europe’s oldest seminaries, complete with a massive piazza. U.S. networking broker Core Club is opening in a nearby palazzo, its first outside of San Francisco and New York City. And there are two W properties on the scene: the 116-room W Milan that opened last year, housed within a 1950s building on Piazzetta Bossi near La Scala opera house, and this year’s 166-room W Milan Duomo, located in a century-old bank building and designed by local firm Stefano Boeri Architetti and international design house Yabu Pushelberg. This strategic proximity to other European capitals and alpine resorts pulling in the global elite also won the city the 2026 Olympic Winter Games and a rush of development that includes a long-awaited train link between Milan Bergamo Airport and the centro, with a new four-platform airport rail station. Its #6 ranking in our Airport Connectivity subcategory will only improve with terminal expansion. The city is welcoming a torrent of new flights from Asia, and, last June, Milan Bergamo received a record 50,242 passengers in one day. Hopefully Milan’s #4 ranking in our Biking subcategory helps everyone get around.

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Switzerland’s financial centre and largest metropolis is a magnet for foreigners who, along with multilingual Swiss nationals, enjoy one of the world’s highest standards of living. The city ranks in the Top 3 in Europe in our overall Prosperity index, powered by an industrious citizenry that ranks #3 in both our Labour-Force Participation and Global Fortune 500 subcategories, with major European players like Migros and UBS AG based here. The city’s population is also the largest it’s been since the halcyon days of the early 1960s and, in late 2023, a European Commission study named Zürich residents the continent’s happiest, at 97%. Europe’s second-highest disposable household income certainly helps, as does the ability to keep the good times going with a local talent pipeline from Insead Business School and ETH Zürich (aka the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology). All that talent is getting on corporate site selector radars, as evidenced by Microsoft’s opening of a new technology centre at the Zürich Airport to “deliver immersive industry experiences and deep technical engagement focused on business outcomes to customers,” according to the company. The airport, ranked #14, will only catch up with the city it serves after a multistage renovation is completed in 2026.

Vienna has long stepped boldly into the Herculean tasks facing the global cities that are serious about their role as urban beacons. Despite its globally coveted real estate, 60% of the city’s population resides in subsidised apartments and 25% of homes are owned by the city. And it’s boldly tackling the climate emergency, with 2022’s declaration of carbon neutrality by 2040 besting the Paris Agreement by a decade. Already topping Europe in our Biking subcategory, the Austrian capital is adding dozens of bike paths annually to its 1,650-kilometre cycling network, including the unveiling of its “cycle highway” connecting downtown with the expansive green spaces of the 22nd district, home to Aspern Seestadt, one of Europe’s largest urban development projects centred on transit, walking and biking. But the city is also playing as hard as it works, with massive cultural investments opening to eager residents and visitors alike—from the extensively renovated Wien Museum, a love letter to the city if there ever was one, to the brand-new House of Strauss museum, dedicated to “The Blue Danube” composer Johann Strauss. The city’s Top 10 Museums ranking will only improve this decade. And the launch of Vienna’s first food hall, Gleisgarten, and central Europe’s first Rosewood Hotel will only add to the city’s kinetic 2024.

The global Oktoberfest HQ and Germany’s third-largest city works as hard as it plays, becoming one of Europe’s hottest destinations for talent seeking this elusive balance. The pandemic only highlighted the productivity of understated Bavarian innovation, especially in the public realm when the “temporary” initiatives—from outdoor seating to a reimagined concrete factory—became permanent. But this is Germany after all and there’s productivity to think about. Munich boasts a #4 ranking for Global Fortune 500 companies in Europe (made up primarily of automakers, media and manufacturing, but quickly being joined by biotech and IT giants), which drive a Top 5 GDP per Capita ranking. Expect more commerce once the #9-ranked airport unveils its €500-million reno by the time you read this. Not surprisingly, the Technical University of Munich, which brands itself “the Entrepreneurial University,” impressively, supplied much of the local talent pipeline. With all that citizen-focused infrastructure and entrepreneurship, Munich ranks #12 in our overall Prosperity index, including #4 for Global Fortune 500 headquarters. This year, Apple will invest an additional billion dollars as part of its Silicon Design Center expansion in the city. Also just opened is the Rosewood Munich, a must-stay for work or pleasure.

Relatively safe, gregarious and increasingly wealthy, the Celtic Tiger has never been fiercer, topping the continent in our GDP per Capita subcategory and reaching #7 for the Global Fortune 500 firms that call it home. The magnetism is obvious in places like the Docklands area, called Silicon Docks, home to big tech and digital players including Alphabet, Meta, Amazon, Apple and Airbnb. They come for some of the world’s lowest corporate taxes and stay for homegrown economic development initiatives like Ireland’s Local Enterprise Office’s mentoring, training and financial grants. No wonder a dozen or so hotels opened in the past year—from luxury property The Leinster in Merrion Square near the Natural History Museum and National Gallery to international boutique forays like NYX Dublin south of downtown. Several internationally renowned universities (Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin and Dublin City University) help the city attract startups looking for a smaller, relatively affordable capital. It helps that it offers intrepid employees a bounty after work, which Dublin’s beer-forward nightlife (ranked #12) provides, along with a Top 10 Culture ranking. New locally reverent initiatives like the Museum of Literature Ireland maintain the city’s ancient pride of place for both locals and newcomers.

You’re not imagining it: all of your friends are going to Lisbon. Portugal’s capital rode the wave of the country’s record 30 million visitors and €25 billion in revenue in 2023, including nearly 800,000 passing through Lisbon Cruise Port alone. But it’s only partially for the 2,799 annual hours of sunshine—the most of any European capital. There’s also the famed public transit, walkability and the hundreds of kilometres of new bike paths meandering through the city’s Top 5-ranked Outdoors. Newcomers continue to pour in, goaded by various “best lists” for both digital nomads and international retirees that sing Lisbon’s praises. Of course this has sent rents and house prices soaring. The government is tinkering with new remote work visas (the latest requires a monthly salary of $2,750) while ending overly generous foreign residencies. Temporary bans on Airbnb licences are attempting to keep the city accessible for residents whose minimum wage is well under €700 per month. Still, new allures like the city’s most recent Michelin-starred, Japanese-influenced Kabuki and Kanazawa keep global travellers flowing in (the city ranks #9 in Europe for Restaurants), as do exciting new hotels like the Mateus, in collaboration with the famed rosé vintner.

16. Stockholm

No other Scandinavian city serves up a sensory feast like Stockholm. The Swedish capital boasts mind-bending geography (the city centre was built on 14 islands) and salt- and fresh-water outdoor swimming areas amid bounteous public green space (second only to Oxford). Then there’s Stockholm’s history of innovation, from the 1700s architecture and daring modern design of Gamla Stan to the infusion of tradition into its buzzy New Nordic cuisine. Throw in a multicultural population (reflected in its Top 10 ranking in Foreign-Born Residents) and an epic summer season with near-constant daylight and you’ve got a place that is equally welcoming and restlessly ambitious. Stockholm built the world’s largest open-fibre network in the 1990s, followed a decade or so later by the launch of global hits like Skype, Spotify and Minecraft—earning the city the moniker of “The Unicorn Factory.” More billion-dollar startups have launched here than in any place outside of Silicon Valley. A wander through the recently gentrified Södermalm neighbourhood, the birthplace of many tech giants, reveals why the city tops Europe in both our Labor Force Participation and Creative Class subcategories. And why it ranks in the Top 5 in our overall Prosperity ranking.

17. Hamburg

Hamburg is both Europe’s second-largest shipping port and a serious contender for “Venice of the North,” with a stunning lake and a latticework of canals. Emblematic of this is the €638-million Elbphilharmonie, a spectacular concert hall that combines 19th-century marine trade warehouses with the crystalline architecture and acoustics of the future. Hamburg’s commitment to the arts powers it to #13 in Europe in our Culture subcategory. Its nightlife (made famous by the nascent Beatles in the early 1960s) hasn’t lost a beat, ranking #17. Hamburg comes by its opulence and sophistication honestly, with a workforce that ranks #14 for both GDP per Capita and Foreign-Born Residents. And this being Germany, inclusion is the price of doing business, evident in the city’s signature redevelopment project, HafenCity, set to open in 2026. In Europe’s biggest inner-city urban development—which, over more than a decade, is transforming 250 hectares of tumbledown docks along the port area into a buzzing shopping and residential area—a third of housing is subsidised while another third is rental. Ambitious city-building continues in the burbs, too, with an innovative car-free neighbourhood being built a 15-minute train ride from the centre.

18. Brussels

Understated Brussels boasts breathtaking architecture (especially for Art Nouveau aficionados). Consider Grand Place—surely among the most beautiful squares in the world. The city has invested in public spaces, like the Tour & Taxis Food Market under the glass roofs of the former Gare Maritime, and the Grand Hospice, a repurposed neoclassical complex with beautiful colonnades and an interior park. Despite being the EU’s administrative centre, one of the city’s most famous landmarks is Manneken Pis, a statue of a naked boy peeing into a fountain—a symbol of locals’ contempt for authority. The wit emanates from a vibrant, educated, international citizenry (Brussels trails only Luxembourg in our Foreign-Born Residents subcategory). Get local in the Congolese Matonge quarter’s flea markets and street art. Or at the Working From_ co-working space in the Hoxton Hotel. The city is a gathering spot for conferences and summits of all kinds, facilitated by the torrid expansion of global flights that will improve its #7 Airport Connectivity ranking. The Brussels Midi station is also the hub for a country with some of the world’s densest rail networks, and that is quickly expanding inter-city and overnight connections all over the continent.

Warsaw is turning on the afterburners it spent a generation fine-tuning. Trailing only Dublin for GDP per Capita and boasting Europe’s fourth-highest educated citizenry (to say nothing of finally securing a pro-EU national government a few months back) Warsaw is buzzing like few times in its history: from the rebuild of the 17th-century Saski Palace destroyed by the Nazis to a new cultural complex for both the Museum of Modern Art and the TR Warszawa Theatre set to open this year to the christening of a once-derelict 19th-century Haberbusch & Schiele Brewery as a local craft beer temple now known as Browary Warszawskie. Infrastructure buildout is equally kinetic. The new 310-metre Foster + Partners-designed Varso Tower is the EU’s tallest building and is home to global firms hoping to tap into the smart, affordable talent. The same architecture firm is also designing the CPK Airport—a “transport interchange which brings together air, rail and road”—that is set to open in 2028 about 40 kilometres southwest of Warsaw. Plans are for it to link into the massive Rail Baltica high-speed railway connecting Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to Poland and the rest of Europe.

20. Budapest

Budapest is synonymous with digital nomads and bold companies looking for old European vibrancy on a budget (and the first-mover advantage that comes with it). The city, split by the expansive bend of the Danube River, keeps delivering. On the west bank is medieval Buda, hilly and full of history, and on the east is Pest, modern and bohemian, with its recently revamped City Park. Last year marked 150 years of their unification, featuring epic celebrations around the newly renovated iconic Széchenyi Chain Bridge, a symbol of togetherness for a city that ranks #2 for keeping residents out of poverty. The city’s underrated attractions already rank in the Top 5 in Europe and the #11 Museums ranking will only keep ascending with the new opening of the Museum of Ethnography, as will the city’s #12 Culture ranking with the new House of Music Hungary and the Hungarian State Opera. All that buzz is drawing big hotel investment, from the new Matild Palace—the city’s first Luxury Collection hotel—opening inside a UNESCO landmark in 2022, joining newcomers Párisi Udvar Hotel, W Budapest and the Dorothea Hotel (whose rooftop is a sweet dinner spot before hitting Europe’s 11th-best nightlife).

21. Frankfurt

Given its enviable location in the geographic heart of Europe (and its #4-ranked airport, soon to be able to serve 100 million passengers annually) combined with its swift courtship of post-Brexit finance firms looking for stability, is it any wonder Frankfurt is today known as “Mainhatten”? More than 200 banks call the city home, including 160 international firms, the European Central Bank and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Germany’s largest. As a result, the city ranks in the Top 5 in our Global Fortune 500 subcategory and its citizenry’s GDP per Capita ranking is in the Top 10 in Europe. Then there’s the ongoing buildout of the infrastructure required to house all that foreign direct investment, which today means the city boasts 14 of Germany’s 15 tallest buildings. Another eight skyscrapers, some well over 200 metres tall, are currently being built. This year’s focus is on FOUR Frankfurt, a live-work neighbourhood of four towers in the financial district. Besides banking, the startup ecosystem is also ascendant (ranking #44 in our Startups subcategory), with insurance, cybersecurity and fintech inspired by the success of insurance platform unicorn Clark, which hit a valuation of US$1 billion in 2021.

22. Helsinki

The capital of the world’s happiest country for the sixth year in a row (according to the 2023 World Happiness Report) must be doing something right. And no, it’s just not Finland’s new NATO membership. For starters, Helsinki doubled down on emergency outdoor placemaking measures during COVID and has kept the massive, purpose-built outdoor seating areas and other similar communal infrastructure projects largely intact, while city leaders continue to generously fund citizen community improvement projects. It’s the kind of sensible urban cohesion you’d expect from a city that boasts the sixth-lowest poverty rate in Europe, as well as its 11th-highest rate of labour-force participation. The city’s natural bounty continues to expand with new trails, parks and an urban ferry system throughout a grid that ranks #15 in our Green Space subcategory. Curious visitors are filling new hotels in repurposed spaces like GLO Hotel’s restored 1920s bank location near the port and the Best Western Premier Hotel Katajanokka’s converted former prison. The just-opened Hotel Maria (housed in four historic city buildings) aspires to be the city’s “first true five-star destination,” according to founder, developer and former three-time Finnish Olympic gold medallist Samppa Lajunen.

No longer overshadowed by Stockholm and Copenhagen, Oslo is proving itself a worthy destination all its own. Its #30 Museums ranking will improve with the recent opening of Munch, a waterfront museum dedicated to the Expressionist painter of “The Scream”. It, along with new districts like Sørenga, comprise the recently unveiled eastern waterfront that makes the entire harbour walkable via a 10-kilometre trail network. Newer still is the downtown National Museum, which replaced several cultural buildings, including the National Gallery. It houses classical and contemporary art and architecture studies and is today the largest art exhibition space in Scandinavia. Above the city, Rose Castle unveiled a permanent installation of paintings and sculptures that tells the story of Oslo’s resilience during the Second World War. No wonder its citizens rank #15 in our Labour Force Participation subcategory, supported by 50-plus startup hubs helping make Oslo one of Europe’s fastest-growing cities (ranking #11 for Foreign-Born Residents). The dozen floating saunas downtown are equally magnetic. Much-needed housing is aggressively being built in places like Fjord City on industrial port lands. As more talent discovers the drivers of Oslo’s Top 10 overall Prosperity ranking, its pull will only strengthen.

A globally vital city in a snow globe? Geneva comes close. With just 600,000 residents yet home to the European seat of the United Nations, the international headquarters of the Red Cross and more than 200 international organisations, the city does well by doing good, ranking #8 in Europe for GDP per Capita, #3 in our Foreign-Born Residents subcategory and #4 for the disposable income they bring home. The commitment to urban tranquillity was made official in 1949 when the Geneva Conventions, which focus on the welfare and protection of prisoners of war, wounded participants and innocents caught up in conflict, were signed here. The city was settled millennia ago and became a Roman outpost cherished for the sparkling waters of its eponymous lake with the confluence of the mighty river Rhône, along with the thermal pools with views of the soaring Alps and the Jura Mountains. Not the outdoors type? Get into inner space at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), housing the 27-kilometre Large Hadron Collider particle accelerator just outside of town. The newly opened Renzo Piano-designed CERN Science Gateway is a family-friendly introduction to the future of quantum physics.

With a legacy spanning nine centuries as a place of learning, Oxford’s eponymous university—imprinted on the city itself to the point of being indiscernible from it—offers 350 graduate courses, affiliated societies and hundreds of education-focused organisations and businesses. Students of all kinds continue to pour into the compact city (the second smallest in our Top 25 this year, next to Dublin), and first-timers become instantly smitten by the jagged cobblestones, the 500-year-old pubs and the Gothic and neoclassical buildings and spires above, all standing sentry to the enlightenment here. The city’s 40,000 students help Oxford rank #9 for Educational Attainment, and the city’s ancient commitment to accessibility, along with a newer one to equity, ranks it #7 for Poverty Rate. Those residents who stay in town after graduation enjoy the ninth-highest disposable income in Europe. In addition to the usual magnetism of this curated, stewarded urban treasure on the banks of the Thames (called “Isis” locally), new post-pandemic investments are buzzing, from the Randolph Hotel’s reno by new owners Graduate Hotels to East Oxford’s new restaurant wave. Ancient urbanism aside, the city tops our Green Space subcategory, validated further by its centuries of inspiring luminaries the likes of JRR Tolkien, Dorothy Sayers and Philip Pullman.

Even by European second-city status, Naples has been overlooked and underestimated—both by international visitors and by Italy’s power centres. Three millennia of urbanism make it one of Europe’s oldest—with the accompanying layers of beauty, conflict and lore ( grazie , Elena Ferrante). Naples tops Europe in our Parks & Recreation subcategory, buoyed by the city’s historic waterfront, nearby beaches and parks ranging from master-planned parcels to secret public gardens. Napoli also ranks #4 for Sights & Landmarks—its centuries-old Naples Cathedral rivals any other in the sensual feast that is Italy, and new archaeological discoveries near Pompeii will only add to global bucket lists. Like in Rome and Istanbul, strolling here reveals forgotten history on every block. Despite the city’s lawless reputation, tourism has doubled over the past decade, and crime has dropped dramatically (being now more confined to the “victim knew the suspect” variety). New international investments (like the W Naples inside a historic bank building on the kinetic Piazza del Municipio) are finally reaching one of the continent’s most beguiling cities. A new high-speed rail link to Rome’s Fiumicino airport is increasingly delivering curious first-timers to la città that’s now in the Top 10 in our Nightlife, Museums and Restaurants subcategories.

27. Manchester

You’ll be hearing a lot more about Manchester this decade as the historic engine of English industry shifts into cultural and creative output that eclipses anything else going on in the U.K., or even in Europe. The UNESCO City of Literature has never been short on storytelling talent, given that its residents include director Danny Boyle and artists like Oasis, Morrissey and, most recently and notably, Harry Styles, who is an investor and champion of Co-op Live, the U.K.’s largest new music arena, set to open in mid-2024 with 23,500 seats. A series of festivals and conferences this year—from Beyond the Music to the Worldwide Music Expo—keep Manchester’s music investment going all year. Not forgotten are the city’s smaller concert venues that have launched legends in previous decades, renovated and reopening to join the party this year, ensuring that the city’s #24 ranking in our Culture subcategory will ascend quickly. Another recently opened arts behemoth is Factory International, the U.K.’s priciest cultural project since Tate Modern. The city’s #16-ranked airport should be fully renovated next year, with passenger levels last year well above 2019, including dozens of new international connections to places like China and the Middle East.

28. Copenhagen

Copenhagen’s compact, park-filled urban grid, connected by serpentine bike lanes that end at clean, city-sanctioned urban swimming spots (and public hot tubs!), earned the world’s locked-down attention during the pandemic. That same attention returned last year, by way of a UNESCO Capital of Architecture designation. Events are going on until 2026, at formal venues like the Danish Architecture Center, but also at places like the waterfront Opera Park, an urban green space designed for climate resilience. The old Carlsberg brewery, newly reimagined as a community venue, anchors the city’s newest destination district. But nothing compares to the building of Lynetteholm, a 275-hectare artificial island off the city’s coast, housing 35,000 people while hoping to protect the harbour from rising water and storms. Copenhagen’s commitment to sustainability is nothing new: it has long invested in its cycling infrastructure (for which it ranks #34), attempting to make 50% of all work and school commutes on bicycles by next year, as well as helping Denmark reach overall carbon neutrality by 2050. Transit buildout is everywhere, connecting more affordable districts on the city’s outskirts, most notably the much-needed Sydhavn connector opening any month now. An international transit link to Malmö, Sweden, is also planned.

29. Edinburgh

The Scottish capital has long enchanted creative souls with its UNESCO World Heritage-designated Gothic architecture, moody weather and the legacy of the literary masters who’ve flocked here for both. But a growing appreciation of the city’s arts programming (long powered by the storied University of Edinburgh and the second-most educated citizenry in Europe) has inspired hotel investment to accommodate tourists and talent. The renovated Scottish National Gallery project reopened last year to showcase the Scottish collection right in the heart of the city, while the upstart Hidden Doors Festival takes over unused spaces for art shows for a second year. The city’s world-famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe will be bigger than ever in 2024, complete with a cruise-ship-turned-floating-hotel called the FringeShip. On the heels of last year’s opening of the luxury Gleneagles Townhouse on St Andrew Square in the former Bank of Scotland came the announcement of a 2026 Dalata property a few doors away. These days the buzz is all around the massive redevelopment of St James Quarter, anchored by the 244-room W Edinburgh. The city works hard, too, obvious by its #6 ranking for GDP per Capita and locally inspired ventures like the Port of Leith Distillery, the U.K.’s first vertical distiller.

Secluded on the banks of the emerald Aare River, Switzerland’s capital city is too often overlooked (see its #124 ranking in our overall Lovability category—the lowest-ranked capital by far, with some social media and search metrics well out of the Top 100). We’re all sleeping on Bern. This UNESCO World Heritage Old City is peppered with historic architecture, like the Zytglogge medieval clock tower, the Parliament Building and hundreds of magical (and Instagrammable) nooks to grab coffee, raclette or craft beer (Bern boasts the highest density of microbreweries in Switzerland). Tasting and shopping often takes place in 12th-century vaulted cellars built to store grains and wines. If you only have time for one, make it Café Marta, especially at apéro hour for local beverages and baked goods. Here you’ll find locals with the highest disposable income in Europe. Given that residents also rank #12 for Labour Force Participation, their apéro is well earned. The city also ranks in the Top 3 in Europe for Green Space, with verdant tree cover that always reminds visitors and residents alike that the city is Switzerland’s gateway to the natural majesty of the Alps.

31. Lausanne

Nestled between Lake Geneva and vineyards that climb up to snowy Alps, Switzerland’s fourth-largest city on some days looks like a CGI setting in a Lord of the Rings film. The local vibe is distinctly working to live, with efficient commerce carried out in the largely car-free medieval city centre powered by the focused, vital companies that call Lausanne home, as diverse as the International Olympic Committee (since 1914), Logitech and Nespresso. The result is a #3 ranking for both Foreign-Born Residents and Disposable Household Income (with the 11th-highest GDP per Capita ranking). The pipeline of global talent that pours into the city also gives Lausanne a high-end campus feel, courtesy of places like the International Institute for Management Development, a leading business school, as well as the multitude of graduate studies offered by the University of Lausanne. The city’s nascent culture scene is also on the rise with the recent opening of Plateforme 10, an arts district launched in 2020 that’s been buzzing with new galleries like Photo Elysée, shops and museums, including the new home of the city’s international art museum and the recently opened Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts (mudac).

32. Luxembourg

Luxembourg may be tiny in relation to larger neighbours Belgium, France and Germany, yet its capital city over-performs in the talent that calls it home. A city that boasts the highest share of foreign-born residents of any European city maintains its coveted hometown status by paying Europe’s seventh-highest disposable income. More than 170 nationalities live here, making Luxembourg a true economic, social and cultural melting pot—fitting, given the destruction it endured during the Second World War. Where does the city’s wealth originate? The efficient bank sector (finance comprises 25% of local GDP) for one, as well as being the Secretariat of the European Parliament and headquarters of the European Court of Justice. The capital of the only Grand Duchy in the world—you might run into the duke in your wanderings—remains one of the continent’s best-kept secrets (given its #92 Lovability ranking among the Top 100 in Europe) despite being an urban UNESCO World Heritage site that’s rarely overrun by visitors. But the world is noticing and the city has vowed to invest €500 million in affordable rental housing to keep its talent pipeline stocked.

Switzerland’s third-largest city is enchanting long-time citizens, new talent and curious visitors like never before. Its appeal may be due to its relative obscurity, tucked on the banks of the Rhine River in the country’s north (its northern city limits are minutes from the French and German borders). The natural boundary of the Jura Mountains has also left the city to evolve over the centuries with moderate influence from Bern. From the #15-ranked bike infrastructure on the continent to centuries’ worth of daring architecture, few cities with this few people leave you as breathless as Basel. Locals certainly savour their city’s special blend, and, given Basel’s #5 ranking for Disposable Household Income, as well as #8 for Foreign-Born Residents, they’re spreading the word to fellow high-performers. The talent is scooped up not only by the deep culture sector, but also by “Europe’s BioValley,” the tri-nation life sciences cluster stretching from Basel into France and Germany. Even before Moderna chose the city as its coronavirus vaccine HQ during the pandemic’s first year or medicinal psychedelic firm MindMed opened its R&D centre, Basel was home to pharmaceuticals giant Novartis, which recently unveiled a publicly accessible “campus of knowledge and innovation.”

34. Birmingham

Birmingham (or “Brum”), the largest city in the West Midlands and second largest in England, has resumed its skyward trajectory of the Golden Decade before COVID hit. The 2010s saw a massive influx of Global Fortune 500 regional offices chasing one of Europe’s youngest workforces (today, about 40% are under 25) and their coveted skills in finance and professional services, among a multitude of others honed at the city’s eponymous university. Urban investment followed, from the opening of Europe’s largest library to plans (coming to life this decade) for a high-speed rail network called HS2, where a trip to London can be made in 36 minutes. This, of course, makes Birmingham’s airport (ranked #109) a suddenly convenient option to access the country’s capital, and there’s fittingly an ongoing €350-million investment plan to increase the airport’s capacity to 18 million passengers by 2033. The number of jobs being created is staggering, especially in the booming life sciences and green technology clusters as both the government and private local companies like Land Rover and Jaguar rush toward renewables. Given all the big news in town, it’s no wonder that Birmingham will be the new headquarters of national tourism agency VisitBritain/VisitEngland as of April 2024.

35. The Ruhr

Western Germany’s far-flung former coal-mining and industrial western metropolis is, at 53 towns and cities (Dortmund, Essen and Oberhausen being the best known), the country’s largest metro by population. At its industrial peak in the post-war 1960s, the area growled with 150 coal mines extracting the fuel to power blast furnaces and steel mills as the continent rebuilt itself. When the coal industry was mothballed in 2018, the Ruhr was already building its next chapter, namely with a cultural legacy as the 2010 European Capital of Culture (the first industrial zone, as opposed to city, to earn that distinction). The area spent the next decade working with what it had, transforming thousands of factories and industrial buildings into hundreds of museums, theatres, galleries and festival spaces, earning a #10 ranking in our Attractions subcategory. Even more remarkable is how a centuries-old extraction zone today ranks in the Top 5 in Europe for Green Space. The Ruhr is also leveraging its 22 universities and colleges and some of the cheapest real estate in Western Europe to draw parallels to Berlin of the early 2000s. Given the housing crises and war for talent happening around the continent, they may just have hit the motherload.

36. Glasgow

Glasgow powers to its European ranking on the strength of its education, including Europe’s second-best educated citizenry (trailing only London) and its eponymous university founded in 1451, the fourth oldest in the English-speaking world. It counts economist Adam Smith and U.S. founding father James Wilson as alumni. People not already here are certainly noticing. Tech startups hungry for cheap space and talent are drawn to the city’s working-class authenticity over pricier European capitals, driving up a #29 ranking for Global Fortune 500 companies and a #30 spot in our Creative Class subcategory. The city’s airport will improve on its #56 ranking, too, with international flights being added in 2024. Emirates, for example, has seen forward bookings between Dubai and Glasgow up by 51% year-on-year. No wonder new hotels are planned for the rest of the decade, with the new Virgin Hotels Glasgow already welcoming guests. But it’s not like Glasgow has gone corporate. This is the home of Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and the National Theatre of Scotland, and the city is still buzzing from its 2020 designation as the U.K.’s top cultural and creative centre by the European Commission. Its #28 ranking in our Culture subcategory will rise in the coming years.

37. Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a hardworking economic engine that performs across multiple metrics with aplomb. Its residents are as international as they are ambitious, ranking #20 for foreign-born citizenry while cranking out Europe’s 15th-highest GDP per capita. The city’s high score in our overall Prosperity category (#31) is shared among the growing talent base (ranking #14 for Disposable Household Income). The economic rev was sideswiped by the pandemic, when Stuttgart’s optimised meetings and conventions business fell silent. The convention centre has since reopened and doubled down on sustainability, with more than half its area committed to green space and the solar panels on its roof generating surplus electricity for local households. Also buzzing are the streets around the convention centre, as the business travel that fuelled Stuttgart’s party mile for decades—a hub of bars, cafés, clubs and intimate drinking dens—has roared back. Given the pent-up demand, this was one place in Germany where the post-pandemic return to business was swiftest. It’s not surprising: Stuttgart ranks an impressive #11 for Global Fortune 500 companies based here, and is an economic hub boasting the European headquarters of Porsche, Bosch and IBM.

38. Florence

If you’ve never been—or if it’s been a few years since your last visit—it’s time to go, presto . The Renaissance beauty ranks equally well in our Lovability and Livability categories (#17) thanks to #13 Museums and #23 Sights & Landmarks rankings. Housing masterpieces like Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus” and “Allegory of Spring”, Michelangelo’s “David” and Giotto’s “Ognissanti Madonna”, to name just a few, is, admittedly, an unfair advantage. Of course, in the birthplace of global fashion brands like Roberto Cavalli, Salvatore Ferragamo and all the “ccis” (Pucci, Gucci, Capucci and Ricci), Florence ranks #5 for Shopping and is going luxe on hospitality this year with the new Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Collection, housed in 16th-century buildings that served as chapels, theatres and schools. The 35-metre pool is only outdone by the dedicated local wine programme for guests. Speaking of accommodation, Florence’s historic UNESCO World Heritage centro has more beds listed on Airbnb than residents, with all the implications you’d imagine. As such, city leaders have banned new Airbnb listings in the city, a law that will be tested when the Tour de France comes to the city in late June.

39. Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf has the special blend that makes an efficient, prosperous city do right by residents and (business) travellers alike. Global Fortune 500 companies in town (ranking #29 in Europe) have for decades pulled in international talent that helps the city rank #23 in our Foreign-Born Residents subcategory. The understated multiculturalism (including Germany’s largest Japanese community, in the Immermannstrasse area) attracts even more regional offices that provide the North-Rhine Westphalia state capital with Europe’s 27th-highest disposable household income. The small but mighty cultural scene (ranked #61 but poised for big things) supports more than 100 galleries, and Joseph Beuys, the sculptor and performance artist, remains a local icon almost 40 years after his death. The Kunstsammlung North Rhine-Westphalia museum is home to important classical and contemporary European art collections, performances and screenings. The architecture at MedienHafen—a waterfront development juxtaposing old with new—boasts buildings and hotels by Frank Gehry, David Chipperfield, Jo Coenen, Steven Holl and Claude Vasconi alongside restored historic warehouses that maintain the industrial port character of the Rhine. And in 2028, the Japanese starchitect-designed Tadao Ando Campus & Towe in the city’s north will house a hotel, museum, offices, food hall and (this being Germany) a local brewery.

40. Bratislava

Located close to the geographic centre of Europe, the Slovakian capital competes with Vienna, Prague, Kraków and Budapest for both tourism and investment. In fact, no two national capitals are geographically closer than Vienna and Bratislava. An increasing number of foreigners venturing off the beaten path discover a compact, cobblestone-lined Hapsburg heart, crowned by St Martin’s Cathedral and the revitalised but no less historic Kapitulska Street. It’s worth taking in the urban evolution by bike along the city’s bike paths (ranking #7 in Europe), away from the beautiful chaos of fairy-tale spires and Soviet-era monstrosities—like the 95-metre-high UFO Tower, a perch over the Danube River since 1972. (But do grab a drink in its penthouse bar.) Outside Bratislava’s centre, the intrepid can view the future of its skyline: the first towers of the Zaha Hadid Architects–designed Sky Park development that, upon buildout, will feature new residences, an office block and even a heating plant. It’s a welcome addition to an industrious citizenry that ranks #16 in our Labour Force Participation subcategory, in a local economy that ties for the ninth-lowest poverty rate in Europe.

In many ways, France’s fifth-largest city paved the way for the modern European holiday destination. Quite literally: in the 1800s, visionary city leaders convinced vacationing English aristocracy to pay to pave the five kilometres of beachfront, known today as Promenade des Anglais. These days, the stunning urban heart of the Côte d’Azur is as coveted by travellers—who make it the second-most searched city in Europe—as it was by artists like Matisse and Picasso. While it didn’t get the 2028 European Capital of Culture honours it had hoped for (the title went to fellow French metro Bourges), its dozens of museums and galleries—many housed in the city’s bounty of Belle Époque architecture—are buzzing. Hospitality development is also in full swing, led by last year’s opening of the Daniel Libeskind-designed (among others) Gare Thiers-Est, a massive jagged crystal next to the train station, inspired by the mineral forms of azurite found in the region, with high-end shops, a 120-room Hilton hotel, offices and epic public spaces. Old Town gets the luxurious Hotel du Couvent this year, while Anantara Hotels & Resorts opened recently in a 175-year-old icon, joining post-pandemic openings and renos of historic grand dames.

Few cities in Eastern Europe boast more historical significance than Kraków. Largely spared from Second World War bombing, the city features ancient urban gems ranging from the Wawel Royal Castle perched on a hill in all its Gothic-meets-Renaissance glory to the Cloth Hall, that, built in the 1200s, could vie for Europe’s oldest shopping centre. It’s why the city is increasingly a destination for Europeans looking for new urban holidays, with its #13 ranking in Attractions and #20 in Museums, bolstered by this year’s opening of a new home for the Museum of Contemporary Art overlooking the Vistula River. Like in Warsaw, foreign investment is everywhere. Ryanair recently announced a €750-million expansion of its Kraków operations while Google continues to invest. In 2023, Volvo Cars opened an entirely new tech hub to drive electrification, noting the need to beat competitors to Kraków’s untapped talent pool. The investment will create an estimated 500 to 600 local jobs. Office and residential investment is also pouring in, with global real estate developer Panattoni, Finland’s YIT and Hungarian developer Echo Investment all building this decade. A recent local government push to expand bike infrastructure powers Kraków to an impressive #9 in Europe.

43. Cologne

Despite aesthetic riches like the twin-spired Cologne Cathedral that rises above the historic buildings of the city’s Old Town, or the cultural bounty of places like the Museum Ludwig with its 20th-century art, perception of Cologne lags behind its virtues. The city ranks bafflingly low in our Sights & Landmarks (#36), Culture (#34) and Museums (#61) subcategories. That last one hurts, given the range of museums in town, from Middle Ages riches at the Schnütgen, classics at the Wallraf–Richartz and the Picassos and more modern marvels at the Museum Ludwig. The city even has its own beer, Kölsch. Its global ascent is inevitable, especially with both Germans and international visitors rediscovering the city—like the more than 1.2 million who attended the city’s 2023 Pride festivities. Cologne is also a regional business powerhouse and destination, fuelled by its #28-ranked GDP per Capita and subsequent 27th-highest ranking for Disposable Household Income in Europe. Home to Lufthansa, traditionally the second-largest airline in Europe, and the European division of the Ford Motor Company, the city is increasingly investing in its aerospace industry ecosystem and leveraging the German Aerospace Centre and HQ for the European Astronaut Centre that calls the city home.

44. Gothenburg

Sweden’s second city has wrapped up its three-year 400th birthday party and is getting back to work as the country’s research and development engine. Gothenburg residents ranked #19 in our Educational Attainment subcategory, and their skills have long pulled in foreign direct investment to the point where, today, 20% of the workforce is employed by a foreign-owned company. Recently, the investment has come largely from Volvo Cars. While the company has manufactured cars here since 1927, it is today owned by China’s Geely, which is investing billions locally to turn Volvo into a fully electric car company by 2030. Geely is so ubiquitous that it’s driving the city’s high-profile hotel boom, having built the Clarion Hotel the Pier next to their Uni3 innovation centre. Another rising corporate force is pharmaceutical and biotech company AstraZeneca—which opened one of its three global R&D hubs here, further showcasing the local talent that ranks #6 in Europe for Labour Force Participation. Aside from the massive city building that took place for the city’s 400th anniversary celebrations—like the expansion of Jubileumsparken (Centenary Park) and renovated Gothenburg Maritime Museum and Aquarium—the city is anticipating a €100-billion property and infrastructure investment over the next decade.

45. Bristol

Much like Manchester, Bristol is going all in on creative industry and capital over the next few years, nowhere more so than with the planned 2026 opening of YTL Arena at Brabazon Hangars on the city’s former Filton Airfield. The 10.5-hectare facility’s middle hanger is so massive that it could swallow London’s O2 arena. A convention centre is planned for the east hangar, while the west will serve as a food hall, work spaces and leisure facilities. Carbon neutrality, of course, is a given in the U.K.’s first official Cycling City and the 2015 European Green Capital. Bristol’s #36 Culture ranking will also improve as the town that gave the world artists like Massive Attack, Portishead and Banksy reopens the Bristol Beacon music venue, following a five-year, £48-million transformation. The city is also leveraging its residents’ #18-ranked GDP per Capita in Europe to further own nuclear and renewables in the U.K., first with the opening of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station an hour south of the city, then with the country’s largest electric battery production facilities opening soon just outside of town. Bristol’s #40-ranked airport is a hive of activity as it builds to accommodate the inflow.

46. Valencia

All (continental) eyes will be on Spain’s third-largest city this year as it basks in its 2024 European Green Capital limelight. The honour is well-earned, as the city expands its 200 kilometres of bike paths (the city currently ranks #64 for Biking) and almost 500 hectares of carbon-absorbing urban gardens like Jardines del Real/Viveros. Its new Parque Central unveiled 10 hectares of green space and tree canopy on top of a reused rail yard in 2022. Outside of the centro, the city’s 15 kilometres of pristine European Blue Flag-status beaches are lapped by some of the cleanest water in the country. Given all the natural bounty, the city’s #12 ranking in our Outdoors subcategory will surprise no one. Amazingly, the city further proved its sustainability bona fides last year when it became the first in the world to verify its carbon emissions from tourist activity. Look it up—it’s a big deal. Valencia’s already impressive #15-ranked Sights & Landmarks are poised to climb even higher with the city’s new CaixaForum history museum being joined by the just-opened Hortensia Herrero Art Centre in the renovated Valeriola Palace, home of Spanish billionaire Hortensia Herrero’s private art collection with works by Andreas Gursky and Anish Kapoor.

47. Liverpool

Liverpool’s place as an integral urban centre in world history is difficult to comprehend without visiting it yourself. Fortunately, the city documents it all masterfully—and honestly: from its role in Britain’s trans-Atlantic slave trade at the International Slavery Museum to the heroic contribution to both world wars with countless Liverpudlians enlisting (plus its own strategic location) at the Western Approaches Museum, housed in a subterranean bunker. But it was in its post-war decline that Liverpool made history again when four local teenagers jammed together. Today, The Beatles Story is the world’s largest permanent exhibit devoted to the band. Almost as revered is Liverpool FC, the U.K.’s most storied club, and Anfield stadium, their home since 1892. Given these layers of history, the city’s #7 ranking for Sights & Landmarks isn’t surprising. Expect the city’s star to ascend as the new Waterfront Transformation Project reimagines the historic area as part of a 10-year master plan featuring a pyramidal pavilion for contemplation by architect Asif Khan and artist Theaster Gates. The nearby Baltic Triangle neighbourhood is a buzzy culinary destination where two-year-old restaurant Manifest is already Michelin Guide-approved. Hotel openings are also ramping up in 2024.

Leeds spent last year celebrating its Leeds 2023 year of culture with concerts, a literary festival and storytelling. The celebration builds on a legacy of cultural programming (ranked #38 and sure to improve), powered by a storied nightlife (#24) supported by six (six!) local universities and a proud ’90s past of bringing acid house dance music to the world. The ongoing Back to Basics weekly club night, launched in 1991, claims to be Europe’s longest-running, while new spots helping shape the city include the Viaduct Showbar, an LGBTQIA+ hot spot. The city also revels outdoors, and Roundhay Park, with its 285 hectares of lakes, forests, playgrounds and cafés (and the occasional Rolling Stones, Madonna or U2 show) is one of Europe’s largest urban green spaces. Given the reverence Leeds has for its tree cover, it’s no wonder it ranks in the Top 10 in our Green Space subcategory. The city’s skilled workforce and student population were also the catalyst for the region’s designation as England’s third Investment Zone a few months back, aiming to create more than 2,500 new jobs by the end of the decade and potentially unlocking £220 million in investment.

49. Southampton

Less than an hour’s train ride from London, Southampton is leveraging its rich heritage as a maritime gateway to optimise plentiful opportunity. Residents are well versed in the city’s attributes as a hometown that takes care of its own. With more than 50 city parks and urban forests (powering the city’s #8 spot in our Green Space subcategory) and within 30 minutes of the New Forest National Park, the outdoors are never far. And neither are spectacular beaches further afield, with the bucolic Isle of Wight a short ferry ride away. Long called the U.K.’s “gateway to the world,” the city is drawing investment with its port potential, with proposals ranging from the Maritime Gateway (to funnel visitors from Southampton Central Station to the waterfront) to the billions of pounds proposed to better link the island to increase tourism (which already thrives here, given the city’s cruise ship traffic). In light of this ambition, it’s easy to see how Southampton ranks #29 in our overall Prosperity index, including #9 for Disposable Household Income and #7 for Poverty Rate. Its two universities and economic resilience mean Southampton boasts Europe’s ninth-most educated residents.

The ancient capital is busy making up for lost time with ambitious city-building spanning new metro lines connecting soulful destination neighbourhoods like Exarcheia (whose central square is locally considered the heart of this great city) to reopening grand buildings as cultural hubs. Right in the city centre, the ancient Municipal Market of Kypseli today hosts community parties, concerts and workshops, and the old National Opera building is now the Olympia Municipal Musical Theatre Maria Callas. Returning visitors are equally busy catching up, strolling the refreshed Grand Promenade, a four-kilometre tree-lined and car-free walkway at the foot of the Acropolis that connects the city’s major archaeological sites (earning a #20 ranking for Sights & Landmarks). The Athens Olympic Museum in the northern Athenian suburb of Marousi is the nation’s newest, highlighting the history of the Olympic Games. Athens’ #18 ranking for Museums will improve soon enough. Another new (well, technically renovated) cultural destination is the National Gallery, reopened in 2021 after an eight-year reno that doubled its size and let in ample natural light to showcase the European art. Dozens of new hotels include the One&Only Aesthesis on a private oceanfront estate and the sensual feast that is the Brown Acropol.

A Roman city founded more than two millennia ago, Lyon is to be savoured nose to tail, past to future, literally and figuratively. If the city’s middling Attractions (#40) and Museums (#58) rankings rise with the plentiful planned investment, that’s just icing on the gâteau. Locals are buzzing about the new OL Vallée development with its massive gym and pool, five indoor football pitches, a 32-lane bowling alley, escape rooms and the City Surf Park. More new investment is pouring into La Confluence, a 150-hectare urban redevelopment that not only brings together Lyon’s two fabled rivers—the Rhône and the Saône—but also gives new life to a tract of prime but neglected industrial real estate. The jewel in the new development’s crown is the Musée des Confluences, an architectural enigma glittering at the very point where the rivers meet, with an outstretched park disappearing into the flows. You’ll also hear much more about Lyon’s biking infrastructure (which will improve on its #29 ranking). Already boasting 1,200 kilometres of bike lanes (a third of which are protected from cars), the new Lyon Routes will provide 250 kilometres of bike-only roads to connect the city’s suburbs to its heart.

52. Marseille

The designation as Europe’s Capital of Culture a decade ago had Marseille modernise its seedy port city reputation (for the most part). A swath of new waterfront buildings demonstrates the commitment across city leadership in France’s third-largest city. To that end, Marseille just announced its most ambitious investment plan since the 1940s, committing almost €2 billion across reconstruction, acquisition and modernisation of schools, public services and the housing crisis. Until then, don’t miss the fruits of earlier investment in Vieux Port, designed by Norman Foster, who turned a site that’s been here for 26 centuries into a mesmerising pedestrian-only zone with a vibrant sense of place. The showstopper is at Quai des Belges, where a dramatic blade of reflective stainless steel creates a dreamy canopy and shade. Nearby is the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations with its fishnet-inspired design, linked by a pedestrian bridge to the 17th-century Fort Saint-Jean. Another new ode to the old is the just-opened Cosquer Méditerranée, housing a full-scale replica of the nearby Grotte Cosquer cave, decorated with prehistoric artwork before it flooded. The city’s commitment will only grow the #16 ranking for Global Fortune 500 companies in town and the #21-ranked creative class they employ.

Bilbao, in the heart of Basque Country in northern Spain, last year celebrated 25 years since the 1997 opening of the Guggenheim Bilbao, the Frank Gehry-designed, titanium-clad museum that made the city, and its architect, global icons. Proudly one of Europe’s smaller urban centres, Bilbao revels under the cover of its own relative obscurity and isolation, creating its own magnetism. Sure, the Guggenheim’s destination architecture still draws hundreds of thousands annually, but as one of Europe’s most welcoming cities (ranked #13 in our Green Space and #23 in our Monthly Rent subcategories), Bilbao is building an accessible, resilient hometown that’s not afraid to take risks. Consider the daring new waves of architecture, like Santiago Calatrava’s Zubizuri Bridge and Bilbao Airport, and Zaha Hadid’s redevelopment of the old port area. Design-forward Bilbao is also emerging as a stealthy, affordable business headquarters, with the 11th-most Global Fortune 500 companies in town, including multinational utility company Iberdrola and financial giant BBVA. The world is watching this urban dynamo, especially as it hosted the launch of the Tour de France cycling race this past summer in balmy splendour while the rest of Southern Europe sweltered.

54. Tallinn

With its medieval spires and conical, red-tiled roofs sprouting from the city’s verdant tree canopy, Tallinn’s Old Town is enjoying three decades as a UNESCO World Heritage site. An impressive #22 ranking for its diverse museums is earned by Kumu Art Museum, which houses three centuries of Estonian art. It’s a vital look into the region’s geopolitically fraught history, seen in pieces illustrating a pastoral Baltic homeland, Imperial Czarist fleets, Soviet propaganda, protest posters and, finally, independent Estonian voices. The PoCo Art Museum is the city’s newest, packed with contemporary art from Andy Warhol to Banksy. But this town works hard too, so experience the future of this entrepreneurial city by strolling 30 minutes north to the newly redeveloped old shipyard of Port Noblessner to see what the local ministry of entrepreneurship and IT claims is the highest density of startups in the world, even calling it “Europe’s Silicon Valley.” (The city ranks #13 in our Startups subcategory.) The district is also home to Estonia’s first Michelin two-star restaurant, 180° by Matthias Diether. The city is riding its 2023 European Green Capital title, too, with its carbon-neutral public transport and investment in Europe’s #22-ranked bike infrastructure.

55. Dresden

Known as “Florence on the Elbe” (after the river that flows through it) until February 13, 1945, this Baroque masterpiece (and its robust manufacturing infrastructure) was bombed by 800 British planes dropping 2,700 tonnes of explosives over two days, reducing the city to rubble and killing more than 25,000, including refugees and Allied prisoners of war. Today, Dresden is reaping the work of its meticulous rebuild in the decades following the war, with its historic centre finally opening this year after extensive restoration. The inspiring natural beauty of the city (validated by its #17 ranking for Green Space) is also being celebrated with tributes to Romantic painter and renowned Dresden resident Caspar David Friedrich, born 250 years ago, with several of the city’s #50-ranked museums holding exhibitions. That ranking will rise with the upcoming opening of the Archiv der Avantgarden–Egidio Marzona, where more than a million pieces of 20th-century art will be housed. Economic development is also big news in 2024, with the recent announcement that U.S.-based semiconductor contract manufacturer GlobalFoundries plans to invest at least €1 billion in a new production facility in the city.

56. Vilnius

Lithuania’s tiny capital (it has just over 700,000 people) is focusing on its small but mighty attributes. Take its 2022 city branding campaign, titled “Nobody Knows Where Vilnius Is,” It was irreverent, self-effacing and endearingly on-brand for a city still considered a secret European capital, with its UNESCO-protected walkable centre replete with Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance layers that are never too crowded. The city definitely got noticed for its 700th anniversary last year, with an all-year party featuring summer music festivals, citizen-led placemaking projects, an art biennial and more. This year is all about the city’s ninth-highest GDP per Capita and Top 20 Startup rankings: the €100-billion Tech Zity campus will span 55,000 square metres and house 5,000 digital workers, eclipsing Paris’s Station F, today Europe’s largest startup campus. Housed in the New Town district in new and renovated warehouses, the area will feature housing, restaurants, bars and classrooms, further boosting the local tech industry that launched global unicorns like cybersecurity firm Nord and used clothing retailer Vinted. In 2025, the hits will keep coming when Vilnius becomes the European Commission’s European Green Capital. Now, if residents could only stop looking over their shoulder at Russian aggression in the region.

Few cities are as beloved as Venice, reflected in its Top 20 ranking in our overall Lovability index, where it ranks #13 among European cities for Facebook Check-ins and #16 for Tripadvisor Reviews. The city coaxes stories from visitors eager to experience the #14-ranked sights woven into the city’s fabric, along with the global ideas that started here, from banking (by the city’s Jewish merchants at their benches, or banci ) to quarantines (the 40-day isolation required by incoming ships during plagues). But a central city that’s just 7.6 square kilometres hosted almost 13 million tourists in 2019 and is expected to exceed that in coming years. As such, on the heels of banning cruise ships and megaphones wielded by belligerent guides, Venice now requires day-trippers to register before visiting, with those 15 and older paying €5 per day via an online platform on most spring and summer weekends. Those staying in the city are exempt. Investment in La Serenissima continues to pour in, namely with the Nolinski Venezia, Venice’s newest luxury hotel whose common spaces—from its 4,000-book Library Bar to its rooftop jacuzzi—almost rival the beguiling nooks of the city outside its gilded doors.

Bonn may have a relatively small population today, but its importance to Europe and the world can’t be understated (if only because Ludwig van Beethoven was born here in 1770 and his three-storey stucco house draws tens of thousands annually). The capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990, it was among the world’s most important decision centres. It was also the seat of government of the reunited Germany from 1990 to 1999. Two millennia prior, it was deemed a strategic imperial outpost by the expanding Roman army and was constructed as such, in effect becoming one of Germany’s oldest cities. Today, the German federal government maintains a substantial presence here and a third of national ministerial jobs are still located in the city, as well as 20 United Nations institutions, the most in the country. Old capitals don’t relinquish their advantage easily and, besides being a government town, Bonn remains the headquarters for publicly listed Deutsche Telekom and Deutsche Post, giving the city a #11 ranking in our Global Fortune 500 subcategory. The local talent pipeline is served well by the University of Bonn and new arrivals (the city ranks #23 for Foreign-Born Residents).

59. The Hague

The third-largest city in the Netherlands feels a world apart from the country’s capital, considering its global purpose. Home of the Dutch royal family, the Peace Palace and the International Criminal Court, where the UN International Court of Justice rules on international law, The Hague keeps an impeccable order. Its #9 ranking in Labour Force Participation is powered by the fact that 26% of local jobs are provided by the Dutch government or international institutions. It’s also a private-sector dynamo, ranking #16 for Global Fortune 500 companies like Royal Dutch Shell, Aegon, NIBC Bank and regional offices ranging from Saudi Aramco to T-Mobile. It’s packed with 13th-century architecture, like the Binnenhof complex, where you’ll find the Dutch government offices right in the heart of the city. Its large fountain and pond is an urban haven for ducks and swans that add to the overall storybook vibe. The city ranks #42 for its outdoor spaces, with spots like Westduinpark featuring dense forests and high dunes that drop into a stunning sandy beach. Art museums are everywhere, as are attractions for all ages (ranked #53), ranging from the Madurodam Miniature Town to the Children’s Book Museum in The Hague Library and the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre.

60. Hanover

The industrious city on the banks of the Leine River is home to a diverse ecosystem of companies (and given the local business community’s obsession with collaboration and coordination, it feels particularly symbiotic). Companies here range from Sennheiser to Volkswagen (which just started building the hot new ID.Buzz electrified van in town) to financial services provider Swiss Life. The economic firepower has Hanover finishing an impressive #11 in our Global Fortune 500 subcategory and #22 for GDP per Capita. All that business in town is pulling in 500 conferences per year (pandemic aside), with most taking place in the Hannover Messe fairground convention centre. The city’s 50,000 students have plenty of options after graduation and many stay for the #38-ranked disposable household income. But Hanover has also long invested in its livability, claiming that 50% of the city is dedicated to green spaces (for which it ranks #22). Its impressive #27 ranking in our Biking subcategory validates the city’s commitment to living sustainably, along with its recent launch of “no car days” efforts. The arts also matter here, as a recent UNESCO City of Music honour—and seemingly daily theatre, opera and arts programming—would indicate.

Germany’s westernmost city is closer to Brussels and Amsterdam than to Berlin, and it occupies a key role in European history, first as a Roman thermal bath complex, then as the medieval imperial residence of Emperor Charlemagne, long credited as a unifier of Europe. (The city’s International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen is the oldest and best-known prize awarded for work done in the service of European unification, most recently given to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people.) The city also crowned dozens of Holy Roman Emperors as kings of the Germans until the 1500s. The walkable historic centre is a joy to explore (the city ranks #19 in our Biking subcategory), especially its spectacular Aachener Dom, constructed more than 1,200 years ago and one of the first 12 buildings to appear on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites. Today, it’s the site of epic Christmas markets. Schools like the Aachen University of Applied Sciences, the largest and most prestigious technical university in Germany, help the city rank #27 for the disposable income citizens bring home, while the city’s #19 ranking in our Monthly Rent subcategory means they have more of it to spend.

62. Utrecht

Utrecht is a distinct hometown and destination all its own, despite being only a 25-minute train ride from Amsterdam. Home to an astounding 29 universities and colleges attended by 70,000 students from 125 countries—of which the biggest is Utrecht University, founded in 1636 and nurturing Europe’s sixth-most educated citizenry today. Education and research makes up most of the local economy, and with global talent pouring in to study here, Utrecht trails only Stockholm in our Labour Force Participation subcategory. It also ranks #10 for Creative Class. The city’s medieval urban grid bursts with Dutch history that can only be possible in a place that for centuries was the cultural and religious heart of the nation. Given its magnetism—combined with that easy access to coveted Amsterdam—the city’s leaders are in the midst of the largest new development in the Netherlands, with 30,000 houses and office and industrial space being built in nearby Leidsche Rijn. The full buildout, including a new hospital, schools, retail, places of worship and public transit to the city centre, may be ready for 2025 if everything goes right. Sustainability is the directive, and an underground roadway is the engineering point of pride for project builders.

63. Nuremberg

Few cities embody their country like Nuremberg does Germany. The northern Bavarian city is sprinkled with medieval architecture, ancient fortifications and stone towers—most notably in its Altstadt (Old Town). Amid the red-tiled buildings rises Kaiserburg Castle. A short stroll away is Frauenkirche, a Gothic cathedral dating back to the 14th century. More currently, Nuremberg is known for its rich beers, energetic nightlife and enticing gingerbread bakeries. It also gained infamy during the Second World War as the site of the first Nazi rallies and atrocities… and, ultimately, the Nuremberg trials that brought to justice those who set the stage for them. Adding to its complex tapestry is a business climate that ranks among the strongest in Europe. The city and its environs are home to iconic German companies like Adidas, Puma, Diehl, Faber-Castell and Playmobil. The firepower drives the city to a #24 ranking for Labour Force Participation, and a resulting #11 for Disposable Household Income. Given all the enterprise nearby, the fact that Nuremberg sits at #41 in all of Europe in our overall Prosperity Index shouldn’t come as a surprise.

64. Rotterdam

The urban post-war rebuild wasn’t exactly equal in the Netherlands. Take Rotterdam: rebuilt from ruins to provide Europe with its largest port. Today, it still does. Fittingly, the city was also saddled with the continent’s largest red-light district. Today, you can start there, in the once-dingy Katendrecht neighbourhood, to witness Rotterdam’s current ascent. It’s now the city’s culinary heart, with its Deliplein Square, an outdoor dining room ringed by restaurants and a waterfront warehouse packed with stalls, breweries and workshops. Rotterdam is also Europe’s design and architecture lab. Places like nearby Wilhelminakade, the steamship embarkation point for U.S.-bound Dutch émigrés, is today home to towers designed by Álvaro Siza, Norman Foster and local starchitect Rem Koolhaas. There’s even an all-timber floating office building moored nearby, along with Hofbogenpark, Rotterdam’s own High Line. On the other side of town, in the M4H district, a new floating farm blends urban food security with community amenities. What rising sea levels? Sustainable architecture elsewhere includes the air-filtering Smog Free Tower and the Windwheel (you’ll have to see it to believe it, in 2025). With that kind of office space, no wonder the city’s workers rank in the Top 10 for Labour Force Participation.

Portugal’s kinetic second city is first on the minds of voracious global real estate investors and site selectors either priced out of Lisbon or tired of its crowds. That’s not to say that Porto isn’t equally coveted, with its colourful old town hugging the banks of the Douro and crowned by Gustave Eiffel’s wrought-iron bridge just unfinished enough to remind you that this was the industrial heart of the nation for centuries. New direct flights from all over Europe are pouring in and tourists often outnumber locals in central Baixa. Current visitor numbers, like real estate prices, have already pushed past 2019 levels, especially among the U.S. buyers and visitors who have been emboldened by the value of a strong dollar against the euro. They come for the #13-ranked parks in Europe (including beaches reachable by subway), and new ways to experience the city, from the reopened Mercado do Bolhão, Porto’s historic central market, to a new fourth metro line to the massive World of Wine development on the Gaia side of the river, which houses seven museums and 10 restaurants. Economic development office InvestPorto, meanwhile, is accelerating the city’s green transition with expansive investor support and direct connection to the city’s talent pool.

A walkable medieval old town resembling an epic gingerbread village (especially in winter), with a UNESCO World Heritage designation and the largest collection of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe? All the while home to half of its country’s residents? Welcome to Riga, where the centuries of galleries, concert halls and arts venues help the Latvian capital rank in the Top 20 in our Attractions subcategory. That this cultural bounty costs half of what it does in most continental capitals only adds to the allure. Fortunately, the affordability extends to the emergent Baltic cuisine, ranging from Ukrainian comfort food at the newly reopened Āgenskalns market on the Daugava River’s left bank to the €10 Baltic seafood tartare, ceviches and carpaccios at new restaurant Tails. While casual travellers are still sleeping on Riga’s special blend, investors like Abu Dhabi-based Eagle Hills are planning to pour €3 billion into the city’s Andrejsala neighbourhood and its Riga Free Port by 2040. Given the city’s #24 ranking for GDP per Capita, the talent justifies the investment. As do the growing high-speed rail links like the just-opened four-hour daily to Vilnius, and the larger Rail Baltica network by 2030.

67. Freiburg

Freiburg’s proximity to France certainly gives the outdoor gateway its distinct joie de vivre. Or perhaps it’s the region’s 2,000 hours of annual sunshine, making it Germany’s warmest city and the home of some of the country’s best viticulture. Given its youthful exuberance and climate, residents access the storybook urban grid and nearby hiking by Europe’s 18th-best biking infrastructure. Schlossberg serves up city views (and the 116-metre spire of the city’s Gothic cathedral and central square Münsterplatz) for those who hike up the hill. A funicular also accommodates the less intrepid. The University of Freiburg, founded in 1457, is omnipresent in the city’s rich cultural scene, from local talks and conferences to a small but mighty nightlife and music scene. Freiburg works hard, too, ranking #27 for Labour Force Participation with a multicultural population that ranks #20 in our Foreign-Born Residents subcategory and its citizenry enjoying the 14th-highest disposable income on the continent. The city may be small, but its rail connections are growing, most recently with a weekly direct route to fellow wine region Bordeaux to build on the French interest in nearby Europa-Park, the Freiburg region’s ever-expanding theme park that’s now coaxing visitors with a roller-coaster named “Voltron.”

68. Toulouse

The heart of France’s aeronautics and space industry is a rare hometown that’s both a globally recognised innovator and a 2,000-year-old urban treasure trove committed to its citizens—current and future. The Airbus Group, Airbus Defence & Space, Thales Alenia Space and dozens of other aeronautics firms alone employ almost 100,000. The sectors have long attracted complementary investment, and today Toulouse is among the European leaders in intelligent transport, from autonomous vehicles (both driving and flying) to feasible hyperloop implementation. France’s longest cable car just opened here, spanning the tree-lined Garonne River. But the Pink City (named for the distinct rose hue of its many buildings) is also an emerging cultural hotbed, with a torrent of recent and upcoming investments—like its conversion of the Saint-Michel prison into an auditorium for the Orchestre National Capitole in its efforts to become France’s City of Dance. Locals are buzzing about Les Halles de la Cartoucherie, a 13,500-square-metre former munitions factory that opened a few months ago with a food hall, co-working space and sports and cultural centre. With high-speed rail bringing Paris within three hours by 2030, expect a lot more buzz about France’s fourth-largest metro.

69. Leipzig

Calling Leipzig a “secondary” German city is an understatement. There may be fewer than a million people living here, but this industrial centre so heavily damaged by Allied bombing at the end of the Second World War has emerged as an exciting urban renewal story in a country full of them. Yes, there are the typical German economic attributes: an enviable convention centre; booming regional offices for Porsche, BMW, Amazon and others; a cargo airport that’s one of DHL’s global hubs; and impressive resident disposable household income (#38). But there are also growing global bona fides about the city’s arts and culture. The New York Times even called it “Germany’s new cultural hot spot” and “better than the capital” a few years back. A lot of the buzz is around Spinnerei, a 19th-century cotton mill adapted into a community hive, housing 13 galleries and hundreds of artists’ studios. The centre also features indie cinema, a restaurant and a beer garden. The cultural lineage of Leipzig is well earned: Wagner was born here, while Mahler and Bach all lived and worked in the city. Also naturally endowed, Leipzig ranks #18 in Europe for Green Space and #20 in our Biking subcategory.

Most know Malmö by the Øresund Bridge that leads away from it, immortalised in the TV drama “The Bridge”. Ironically, that same link causes Malmö’s relative obscurity—the city is located a 25-minute drive from international darling Copenhagen and usually cedes global attention to Stockholm. (Although the connection has been a boon for accessing the nearby Danish market.) Despite its #110 spot in our overall Lovability index, Malmö is riding the demand for smaller but connected and ambitious hometowns. Especially ones with the historic and plentiful warehouse and industrial real estate boasted by this once-thriving shipping industry hub that crumbled with the oil crisis 50 years ago. That includes places like the Kockums or the Västra Hamnen shipyards, today home to hundreds of companies employing thousands on an industrial waterfront that just oozes authenticity. The 2000 opening of Malmö University in the central business district yields a #18 ranking for Educational Attainment and #17 spot for Labour-Force Participation. Playtime is never far away, courtesy of the dozens of parks cherished by locals—like downtown’s massive King’s Park, and Ribersborg, a coastal stroll with swimmable beaches and even a bathhouse en route. In May, however, most residents will be indoors, watching Malmö host the Eurovision Song Contest.

71. Sheffield

Looking at Sheffield today, it’s difficult to understand why George Orwell called it the “ugliest town in the world.” Mind you, that was in 1936, back when “in whichever direction you look you see the same landscape of monstrous chimneys pouring forth smoke.” More than 80 years later (in 2021), the U.K.’s fifth-largest city was named the greenest in the country by a University of Southampton study. An incredible 61% of the city is designated as green space and more than a third is within the boundary of the Peak District National Park. The city’s #22 ranking in our Green Space subcategory abides. Amidst all those trees (the most per capita in Europe, according to proud local boosters), 80 stands are classed as ancient woodlands. Sheffield’s Top 50 ranking in our Parks & Recreation subcategory will definitely improve as word of its commitment grows. Local government has also been expanding walking and biking routes in an effort to limit car use, an investment in the more than 60,000 students who call the city home (half of whom attend the University of Sheffield—and its #33-ranked Nightlife locales).

72. Nottingham

As recently as 15 years ago, this central England city battled crime, talent flight and typically English savage branding as home to “men in tights and men in fights.” Even its hilltop Nottingham Castle wasted away among parking lots and cut-rate motels. Today, thanks to visionary local leadership, the castle, fresh from a three-year, £30-million renovation (helped by the government’s Culture Recovery Fund) would make Kevin Costner proud. The local grounds now host medieval reenactments, and adventure parks with rope bridges and slides are once again pulling in families from all over the country. The same can be said about the city. It’s home to the Nottingham Conference Centre, one of the busiest in Europe, hosting hundreds of corporate and commercial events annually. The Global Fortune 500 companies and their subsidiaries in town include Boots pharmacy and See Tickets, helping the city rank #29. The 51-kilometre tram line just adds to the rediscovered walkability and newly redesigned public spaces—from the massive, all-season market square to Hockley, a district of reclaimed lace mills and warehouses that today buzzes with restaurants, bars, offices and gallery spaces. Rest assured that some of the city’s wild side still lives on in its #32-ranked nightlife.

73. Antwerp

Antwerp has conducted business on the River Scheldt since the Middle Ages, and has the centuries-old Diamond District (and the title of Europe’s second-largest port) to prove it. No wonder the city today ranks #23 in both our Shopping and Disposable Household Income subcategories. Its cultural wealth is also shared freely, with dozens of museums of all sizes (the MoMu fashion museum is the newest). The big news is the recently renovated Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, with its 11-year, €100-million expansion adding 6,500 square metres. But the city truly shines through its quaint cobblestone townhouse lanes, secret courtyards and alleys that all lead to the soaring Gothic beauty of the Cathedral of Our Lady. The newest placemaking gem opening soon is the seven-hectare Zuidpark and its 30,000 plants. But not all is rosy for this gilded city, currently in the grips of a violent war between drug cartels trying to control its port. In January customs officials said they seized 116 tonnes of cocaine here in 2023, a record for the second year in a row, and three times the amount seized in the entirety of the U.S. during the same year.

74. Bucharest

More than three decades after it left the Iron Curtain, Romania’s capital is finally getting the attention it’s sought since the ’90s. Culturally endowed, historically vital and gastronomically mind-blowing: no wonder the city was just named tops in Europe for digital nomads based on a study by Panache Cruises, driven by its tech infrastructure and affordability. (Apparently, one can live like a count for less than €1,400 per month, all in. Meanwhile, the city ranks #20 in our Monthly Rent subcategory.) The #16 Attractions ranking demonstrates that the Old World beckons here, despite Soviet-backed dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu’s zealous bulldozing of centuries-old architecture. Must-sees include the Arcul de Triumf, and, of course, the ornate beer halls that rival those of Vienna. Foreign investment is picking up, inspired by locally born software and robotics company UiPath, which went public with a $1.3-billion software IPO on the NYSE in 2021, one of the largest in U.S. history. Local culinary talent is also returning, following chefs like Alex Petricean (formerly of Copenhagen’s Noma) and London’s Radu Ionescu. No wonder that work ethic among the citizenry ranks Bucharest at #7 for GDP per Capita and #28 for Startups. A new luxury Mondrian hotel is also coming to town.

Ankara may date back to 5000 BCE, but it only celebrated a century as Türkiye’s capital last year. The Central Anatolia metropolis has more Roman archeology and Ottoman architecture than most European capitals, yet its relative obscurity and the odd travel advisory make parts of the city a time capsule, like the central warren of narrow alleys, fragrant with spices and fresh produce and electrified by commerce and haggling, whether for a traditional rug or wireless headphones. The city has traditionally been affordable as a result (ranking #3 in our Monthly Rent subcategory), but led the planet in the third quarter of 2023 year-over-year price appreciation, according to property consultants Knight Frank. Driven largely by inflation, home prices more than doubled. Local cultural and hospitality buzz matches the ascendant real estate, with new exhibits at Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (claimed by many to be Türkiye’s most important museum in a nation full of them), the spectacular new glass pyramid housing the national orchestra called CSO Main Hall and a dozen new hotels. High-speed rail plans are everywhere, to the coastal metropolis of İzmir by 2027 (when the current 14-hour trip will be cut to 3.5), as well as an Istanbul connection after that.

76. Seville

Spain’s fourth-largest city is as complex and multilayered as the most ornate fan wielded by local flamenco dancers. The Andalusian capital revels in its warm, sunny climate and #26-ranked parks, and is proudly walkable, narrow and winding, perfect for exploring by foot or bike. Moorish and Baroque architecture radiates in panoramas out from its spectacular cathedral and the Giralda bell tower. Not content with masterpieces of the past, city builders are always looking to visually delight locals and visitors, resulting  in a #24 ranking for Sights & Landmarks. Take the 10-year-old Metropol Parasol that rises over the medieval Plaza de la Encarnación. Six massive sculpted sunshades ascend 28 metres up and shade those below from the relentless Andalusian sun. Speaking of heat, the new proMETEO project made Seville the world’s first city to name heatwaves in the same way we do hurricanes in a bid to raise public awareness of their impact on health and to encourage people to protect themselves. The nights are just as hot, evidenced by Seville’s #23 ranking in our Nightlife subcategory and #15 place for Culture. Its Top 20 spot for Google Trends means new hotels are opening fast, including the anticipated Thompson Seville in 2026.

77. Bournemouth

This coastal resort town is a pocket-sized shot of California two hours by train from London. A rare microclimate means more sunshine, warmer weather and (for the surfers and swimmers who play on its eponymous beach, often lauded as one of Europe’s best) warmer seas. The area’s golden beaches, it should be noted, are Blue Flag-certified. With its seafront promenade, Ferris wheel and piers, the city has embraced its unique beach-town vibe for decades, readily drawing families with one-of-a-kind, Instagrammable attractions—like the only pier-to-shore zipline on the planet. Aside from its robust hospitality industry, Bournemouth is also a financial industry hub, recently boosted by newly arrived tech firms and remote workers who prefer a morning surf to a tube commute. The result is a Top 25 finish in our Disposable Household Income subcategory and a #15 ranking for Poverty Rate. Two local universities favoured by international students help the town rank #22 for Educational Attainment. This year brings big changes to the city’s skyline with the 29-storey Oxford Garden rental tower (and its 487 homes) starting construction, along with The Laureate, a three-tower residential landmark block housing 247 apartments, also in the city’s Lansdowne area.

78. Bordeaux

Two hours southwest of Paris by train, Bordeaux was always a tempting weekend escape for Parisians and international tourists pining for fresher air, local cuisine and the largest concentration of wineries in a nation synonymous with viniculture. Wide golden beaches (with surfing!) are an hour’s drive away. But as the pandemic suffocated big-city density, younger urbanites sought out more room and cheaper housing permanently. Many landed at this UNESCO World Heritage city with a tenth of the capital’s population despite many similarities, from the gastronomy (the city ranks #44 in our Restaurants subcategory) to the stunning 18th- and 19th-century architecture, kinetic nightlife and Seine-like promenade. All those new arrivals spent the past few years exploring the historic streets, home to some of Europe’s #47-ranked biking infrastructure, and staking their claims. The result is an economic and cultural renaissance, with hundreds of new businesses and new hotels like the recently opened Hôtel FirstName, a fun conversion of a tired 1970s building, and the luxurious five-room Château Fleur d’Aya in an 18th-century stunner. The city’s impressive #18 ranking for Attractions got another boost two years ago with the opening of the Bassins des Lumières, a colossal digital art space housed in the city’s former submarine base.

79. Wrocław

Founded in the 10th century, Wrocław is the fourth-largest city in Poland and among its most beautiful. A turbulent history has forged a city stacked with diverse, colourful pan-European architecture and an open door to new residents, especially if they want to hang a shingle and get down to business. The city has always been an economic pocket power, boasting one of Europe’s largest market squares and easy access to the Odra River and its tributaries (spanned by 100-plus bridges), earning it the nickname “The Venice of Poland.” It’s also the third-largest academic centre in the country, with more than 130,000 students at 28 institutes, including the University of Wrocław with its medicine, economics, science, tech and music schools. Wrocław’s impressive #9 ranking in our Poverty Rate subcategory prioritises equity, especially as wealth grows from foreign investment, whether from the dozens of multinationals that have set up shop here—from IBM to the Volvo Group—or the digital nomads and solopreneurs who attend innovation events like the city’s Wolves Summit every year. A strategic location also supports a warehouse and logistics boom, led by Panattoni Development’s recent purchase of 35 hectares to build 160,000 square metres of space called the Wrocław Campus.

It’s a tale as old as privileged 21st-century mobility: locals flee the cramped quarters of a historic city for more convenient outskirts only to have the abandoned patina and authenticity gobbled up by global culture vultures able to work from anywhere (if needing to work at all). Palma, capital of the Spanish island of Mallorca (aka Majorca), enchants visitors to its centre with a stunning tangle of sandstone architecture packed right around the colossal Santa María cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece from the 1200s. After two decades of global fascination (and real estate investment) by the cognoscenti, the Balearic capital is no longer associated with cheap all-inclusive beach holidays, and is increasingly lauded as a smaller, mellower Barcelona. No wonder the city ranks in the Top 10 in Europe for Foreign-Born Residents. It also ranks #22 in our Outdoors category and entices international palates with its #32-ranked restaurants. Hotel investment is on a tear since travel resumed post-pandemic, with 30 hotels in the historic centre alone (and more on the way). The city’s seafront promenade is getting upgraded, and the Club de Mar marina is being reimagined as one of the most modern in the Mediterranean, with the largest wharf in Spain.

Poland’s fifth-largest city is a business and scientific hub favoured by the country’s university students and, therefore, long targeted by multinationals like Roche, Amazon and Unilever. The city is also a hub for international events, conferences, fairs and exhibitions, and has invested heavily in its Poznań Congress Center, capable of hosting conferences and events for up to 20,000 people. Given its pursuit of investment, both permanent and temporary, Poznań consistently enjoys some of Europe’s lowest unemployment. A growing global influence, seen in direct flights to Dubai three times a week, will ensure the plentiful local talent remains busy. A few minutes from the high-rises and dealmakers is the city’s historical centre with its quilt of town squares and city parks. Later this year (or maybe early next), the city is aiming to reopen the Old Market Square, first built in 1241. When it does, Poland’s third-largest town square (the Poles love their town squares) will be a more accessible heart, enhanced with the revival of Jana Baptysty Quadro as a cultural passageway with a retractable roof, public spaces and a mobile stage. It’s inevitable that Poznań will be inviting even more people (and direct flights) to town.

Resilience, thy name is Gdańsk. The Baltic history is visible in its architecture, more reminiscent of Amsterdam or Stockholm than Kraków. But it’s also in the DNA of residents, bent but not broken by over a century of seismic change. The earliest shots of the Second World War were fired here by the Nazi battleship Schleswig-Holstein. And, 40 years later, Gdańsk became the birthplace of the Solidarność (Solidarity) movement that expedited the fall of the Iron Curtain after years of subverting the Soviets. Today, the city revels in doing right by those who fought for its freedom by drawing industries like finance, engineering and manufacturing. Gdańsk is also a nascent creative dynamo, with old shipbuilding warehouses reclaimed as music venues, studios and pop-up bars. Outside of town, dozens of huge Communist-era apartment blocks are livened up by 60 murals, including images of Chopin and Solidarity leader Lech Wałęsa. The city’s #23 ranking for Biking will get a boost next year when Gdańsk brings the Velo-city world cycling summit to Poland for the first time. The city is also grateful for its buoyancy, reflected in the EU’s 2023 Quality of Life in European Cities report, where Gdańsk topped many categories.

Europe’s newest golf destination is also its most affordable (ranking #1 in our Monthly Rent subcategory), drawing an increasing number of expats and digital nomads seeking its 300 sunny days on a budget. Murcia boasts sub-€500 studios and, according to property portal Kyero.com, €259,000 properties on average, with almost 30% sold to foreign buyers last year (explaining the region’s #34 ranking in our Foreign-Born Residents subcategory). But this hidden gem, sprawling up from the southeast Mediterranean coast into the warm hills and valleys whose fertile soils have long made it the vegetable garden of Europe, is not some tacky fly-in resort town. Its ancient urban heart is a strollable museum featuring the sensory feast that is the Moorish masterpiece of Real Casino and the massive Santa María Cathedral. New restaurants, obsessed with the locavorism afforded by produce grown a bike ride away, are popping up, showcasing flavours that are complemented by the area’s intense Jumilla reds. The Mar Menor lagoon in the seaside community of the same name was even granted personhood status a couple of years back, codifying its rights to “exist as an ecosystem and to evolve naturally.” A new high-speed train from Madrid makes the trip in 2.5 hours.

84. Belfast

Belfast is making up for lost time, intent on leveraging the architectural bounty sprinkled throughout its Georgian streetscapes to draw investment and new talent searching for an affordable, connected and supportive hometown willing to do the work. And Belfast has always gotten it done, all the way back to when it was the shipbuilding capital of the world, at the turn of the last century, drawing makers and craftspeople who crowned the city “Linenopolis” as it crafted linen for Europe. The Titanic was built here, and today the Titanic Quarter is one of Europe’s largest urban waterfront regeneration projects, with 20,000 people already living, working and visiting daily. Many more are visiting now that the Titanic Belfast museum has expanded. Nowhere else on the planet will sate your obsession (whether historical or Hollywood) like here. Dockside converted warehouses hum with Deloitte and PwC, along with homegrown firms like FinTrU and Options Technology, each eager to tap into Belfast’s extensive 20-something talent in a global skills crisis, while local leaders build affordable housing to keep them here. As does the music and stealth cultural bounty, which will be on full display all year as the city celebrates its Year of Culture in 2024.

It has centuries-old storybook streets and a buzzing student population (mostly from Aarhus University, the largest in Scandinavia), but Aarhus hits different among second cities. Maybe it’s the afterglow of a blistering decade and its 2017 European Capital of Culture honours and commitment to considered urbanism already underway. Or perhaps it goes back further, to 1941, when Aarhus City Hall unveiled its iconic modernist clock tower as a beacon to democracy while under Nazi occupation. The 2004 expansion of the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, today one of the largest in northern Europe, was followed by similarly daring architecture in the city’s underused industrial Isbjerget quarter. A decade after its first residential project—modelled on a cluster of floating icebergs—caught the design world’s attention, it still draws design lovers, indicative of the city’s #25 Instagram Hashtags ranking. This year, you’ll see people posting the newly restored, 112-year-old Ole Rømer Observatory. Aarhus is also a walkable feast (especially in the old city), featuring four Michelin-starred restaurants that also boast the guide’s green stars for sustainability. (Try the local lobster at Substans.) Sated locals rank #29 for Labour Force Participation, and the city’s focus on equity means it ties for fourth in Europe in our Poverty Rate subcategory.

The historic capital of Brittany (France’s sixth-largest city today)—and one of Europe’s leading ports in the 1700s—was an industrial engine until shipbuilding, hit hard by the 1970s oil crisis, ground to a halt. The manufacturing and shipping centre—Île de Nantes in the middle of the Loire River—was left a derelict wasteland in the heart of a proud but wounded city. All that changed in 2007 when centuries of warehouse and factory stock was repurposed as the city’s cultural hub. Spots like Les Machines de l’Île, a collection of interactive art exhibits featuring giant walking machines inspired by local son Jules Verne’s novels and plays, delight new visitors. The city was also designated as a European Green Capital in 2013, further helping habitat rehabilitation, food security and sustainable transportation (Nantes ranks #30 for Biking). Of course a city this historically and nationally vital has cultural bounty to spare, none more impressive than the Musée d’Arts, established by Napoleon in 1801 and fully renovated a few years ago. Its collection of the masters rivals anything in Paris. (Except without the capital’s crowds.) A growing food scene is driving tourism locally, and Ryanair is adding new flights from the U.K. in 2024.

Green, clean and historic, Graz was, given its urban perfection, a fitting recipient of both the European Capital of Culture title for 2003 and the UNESCO City of Design in 2011. Mid-rise, red-roofed white city blocks snake out from the medieval tangle of Baroque and Renaissance buildings rising and falling with the verdant undulations of the topography. Trees and forests share the urban grid, rising up to Graz’s Schlossberg, once the site of a strategic medieval fortress, and sliced by the Mur River below. The walkable city is dissected by Europe’s best biking infrastructure (according to our rankings). The rare blend of aesthetics, relative isolation and warm, sunny microclimate (Graz is one of Austria’s winemaking clusters) has long pulled in mavericks. The city boasts eight universities and much of the population is made up of current and former students who revel in its impressive #14 Livability ranking. Many settle here, launching more than 1,400 companies annually according to local boosters, contributing to the city’s #18 Disposable Household Income ranking. In 2021, the city also elected Elke Kahr of the Communist Party of Austria as mayor, who seems to be a rising tourist attraction all her own if international media is a metric.

Italy’s fourth-largest city and capital of Piedmont is a sensory feast for those who know. Perhaps it’s because Milan, just a 45-minute train ride away, sates most tourist itineraries. Torino couldn’t care less, confident in a homegrown wealth and elegance that serves up a Top 20 ranking for its restaurants, many stocked by Porta Palazzo, Europe’s largest open-air market with its 800 stalls. That the city was the first capital of a unified Italy from 1861 to 1865 further validates its profound importance to the nation. Turin is also a stunner, with Baroque architecture meticulously rebuilt after heavy Allied bombing during the Second World War—the streetscapes are reminiscent of the grandest in Paris, but with the Italian Alps as a backdrop. An incredible 163 piazze make exploring the city by foot a portal into its cultural textures, especially the #26-ranked museums that document the dynamism of a city like in few other places. The Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile honours a reputation as “Italy’s Detroit,” while the National Cinema Museum reminds the world that the first blockbuster was made here, and inspired Hollywood. International eyes will be on the city this summer, when it hosts the third stage of the Tour de France.

89. Portsmouth

Over its 850-year history as one of the oldest ports in Britain, Portsmouth has been everything from the world’s first dry dock in 1496 to the world’s most fortified city in the early 1800s—all the way to the embarcation point for the D-Day landings. There is no better place to celebrate this year’s 80th anniversary of D-Day than at the city’s spectacular D-Day Story Museum, which hosts programming starting in May. Today, Portsmouth’s economy revolves around its operation as a major naval base, employing 10% of local employees. Given that Portsmouth is also the U.K.’s second port after Dover, all that skilled talent in town ranks #9 in Europe in our Educational Attainment subcategory, as well as enjoying the continent’s eighth-best Disposable Household Income. A two-hour train to London is increasingly attracting remote workers and startups, pushing Portsmouth’s Creative Class ranking to #11, fuelled by IBM’s U.K. headquarters and its vendors. Tourism is booming in 2024, too, with the new £11.25-million cruise ship passenger terminal that can handle ships of up to 300 metres in length, provide shore power and accommodate what local estimates say will be 155,000 passengers this year, a new record.

Ghent may be the second-largest city in Belgium today, but in the Middle Ages of northern Europe, it played second fiddle only to Paris. The temples to Ghent’s past prosperity are everywhere in the old city (and are protected as UNESCO sites). The Museum of Fine Arts is Belgium’s oldest museum (and turns 227 this year). Do not miss the newly restored Ghent Altarpiece, aka the Mystic Lamb painting, in St Bavo’s Cathedral. An augmented-reality experience will explain everything. In addition to its priceless history, Ghent is fearlessly living in the moment with citizens from 160 nationalities calling the city home (ranking it #36 for Creative Class), along with approximately 85,000 university students arriving each autumn to study at the city’s two universities and four university colleges, with Ghent University contributing to a #32 ranking in our Educational Attainment subcategory. The local accountability to the future has established programmes like energy-efficient city lighting, canal cleanup tours, low-emission zones, no-meat days and more equitable home-sharing platforms. The city is also building a new village to house Ukrainian refugees comfortably, ensuring its #23-ranked disposable income is put to good use.

91. Zaragoza

After centuries of Roman, Moorish and Catholic rule, this city holds its secrets in the Casco Viejo and its two spectacular cathedrals: Basilica del Pilar and the Catedral del Salvador. The massive plaza that connects them is a pedestrian wonder, drawing 300,000 people every October to mark the appearance of the Virgin Mary in the very spot almost 2,000 years ago. The entrenched reverence for Zaragoza is quickly understood by new talent flocking here (ranking #37 for Foreign-Born Residents) for not only Europe’s fourth-cheapest monthly rent but also for the myriad economic opportunities kicked off by Expo 2008. The city’s maritime port is expanding on the Ebro River that flows through it (Spain’s most voluminous and a vital transport corridor to both Barcelona and Bilbao). Zaragoza is also home to Spain’s air force and space force, their nearby airfields a NASA landing option. And the city is turning heads with its €280-million build of a treatment plant that will make it the first in the world to eliminate 100% of its waste, a key part of the city’s goal to be one of the 100 Climate Neutral Cities by 2030.

92. Strasbourg

Tucked on the French side of the Rhine River, Strasbourg was only “strategically” bombed during the Second World War. As such, its medieval and Renaissance history was mostly spared and its Grande Île historic heart became the first urban centre in France to be recognised in its entirety by UNESCO. The city’s gothic Notre Dame de Strasbourg cathedral was built just 94 years after the Paris icon and is a portal into the history of this underappreciated city, especially in light of the Rhine panorama from its 142-metre spire. Strasbourg has also worked diligently for its “French Cycling Capital” bona fides (ranking #28 in our Biking subcategory), with more than 600 kilometres of bike paths and almost 20% of citizens biking to work across the 21 bridges and footbridges that connect Grande Île to the rest of the city. As the formal seat of the European Parliament, Strasbourg has long put citizens first, indicated by its relative affordability (#36 for Monthly Rent) and its #47 ranking for Poverty Rate, as well as ingenious public services like the new Solidarity Concierge, a one-stop post office, laundry, tool and small household appliance rental, and shoe repair venue.

93. Newcastle

One of England’s fastest-growing tech regions was setting the stage, long before the pandemic, as a destination for nascent companies ranging from data sciences and subsea technology to advanced manufacturing, as well as convincing iconic brands like Siemens, Procter and Gamble, Barclays and dozens of others to base their U.K. operations here. With a location just 2.5 hours from London by train and an airport that connects to 85 destinations, the Newcastle-as-HQ pitch is working, with more than 50,000 registered businesses, according to local numbers, and the city’s buildings either being reused or replaced entirely. The landmark development to watch is the Newcastle Helix, a 10-hectare central city quarter situated where the former Scottish and Newcastle Brewery once stood. Developed in partnership with the University of Newcastle, the site will be a “testbed for innovative technologies and solutions tackling some of the most pressing challenges facing cities around the world.” Appropriately, it will feature plenty of affordable housing to rent or purchase. The city’s special blend of history-meets-youthful-energy is captured by Newcastle’s #31 and #38 rankings for our Sights & Landmarks and Nightlife subcategories, respectively.

94. Leicester

It’s been an eventful decade for Leicester. The archeological discovery of Richard III’s remains in 2012 and his reinterment at Leicester Cathedral in 2015 was a global event, as was the capture of the Premier League title by Leicester City in 2016. Development has returned post-pandemic, with new construction planned to ensure the city, boasting two universities, remains a competitive potential hometown for graduates. Amazingly, all that digging has unearthed even more treasures below the city streets, most recently a Roman place of worship that will join the city’s popular King Richard III Visitor Centre as a future museum. Leicester is often cited as the most excavated city in Britain, with 15% of the historic city centre dug up to expose its medieval, Anglo-Saxon and now even Roman history. Above ground, the buzz is back at Leicester’s Cultural Quarter, home to theatres, galleries and studios for more than 30 years since the conversion of the city’s textile and shoe manufacturing district. Business is booming at the city’s two-year-old Space Park, developed by the University of Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership as a cluster for innovative research, enterprise and education in space and Earth observation.

Often overlooked and infrequently lauded, Bulgaria’s capital is ready for takeoff as an affordable, talent-rich metropolis hungry for a seat at the European table with the confidence that comes from being a crossroads of commerce for millennia. A hometown for the Ottomans, Romans and (least inspiring, architecturally) the communists over its incredible 7,000-year history, Sofia today is (along with Istanbul) the most affordable European capital in our ranking (#10 for Monthly Rent). Her attractions (ranking an impressive #21) span the epochs, from Roman baths to Orthodox churches to quirky communist time capsules like the Red Flat, an interactive apartment that never fails to depress. The city’s treasures are increasingly walkable, and residents now report travelling by foot 30% more than in 2019, according to the new European Commission’s Quality of Life in European Cities survey. Impressively, Sofia ranks #11 for its biking infrastructure. Beyond the grid, the city ranks #28 in our Parks & Recreation subcategory and Europe’s cheapest skiing at Vitosha Mountain is 30 minutes away. New pro-EU mayor and tech millionaire Vassil Terziev sees the city’s talent superpower (#23 in our GDP per Capita subcategory) and has personally invested in more than 100 startups in the country.

96. Montpellier

The French call it la surdouée (the gifted one). The term of endearment has had particular resonance over the past 20 years, as Montpellier became the country’s fastest-growing city by population, with almost half of residents today aged 34 or younger. Most come for the University of Montpellier, founded in the 1100s, which makes it not only one of the oldest in the world, but also the planet’s oldest medical school still in operation. Several other universities and dozens of other schools mean that 70,000 students call the city home and provide ample talent for a rising economy. Montpellier’s impressive #17 ranking in our Creative Class subcategory backs this up. The U of M’s centuries of medical expertise have nurtured a growing life sciences ecosystem, joining existing tech and IT regional operations for IBM, Ubisoft and Dell, with dozens more firms arriving every year. The magnetism is obvious: a great climate, sun, affordability (ranking #31 in our Monthly Rent subcategory) and Mediterranean beaches a 20-minute bus ride away. The medieval walkable grid is enhanced with 150 kilometres of bike paths throughout the city, and even more leading to the sea—all contributing to a #57 ranking in our Biking subcategory.

Málaga is the urban gateway to the sun-drenched Costa del Sol in Spain’s southwest, within close proximity to 16 spectacular beaches that help the city rank #30 in our Outdoors subcategory. But while the busy port city buzzes with hedonistic vacationers who pour into the oceanfront high-rise hotels, this is also one of Spain’s most culturally significant cities—and not only because the modern skyline is dwarfed by two massive hilltop citadels (the Alcazaba and the ruins of the Moorish Gibralfaro) or because of the soaring Renaissance cathedral. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the death of native son Pablo Picasso, and the city is reclaiming the famous artist and sharing his local inspiration with the world throughout this year. Dozens of tours (from the church where he was baptised to the ring where he watched the bullfights), exhibits and workshops are still running, none more comprehensive than by the Picasso Museum Málaga (itself celebrating its 20th last year). The anniversary is a good reminder of the city’s 40 museums (ranked #49), including the cube-shaped waterfront Centre Pompidou Málaga, opened in 2015, and the Contemporary Art Centre of Málaga in the city’s kinetic Soho district.

Germany’s 11th-largest city is Europe’s fourth-largest port (at least when combined with Bremerhaven on the North Sea, 40 kilometres away) and ranks in our Top 100 for the first time. A massive investment planned for 2026, when the container port will be expanded and upgraded to handle increasingly larger container ships right on the North Sea, will ensure Bremen’s ranking will only improve. Especially when it starts taking market share from Hamburg. Even before hundreds of millions of euros are spent locally, Bremen’s trade and shipping commerce already provides the city with enviable economic prosperity, like the #23-ranked Poverty Rate and #38-ranked Disposable Household Income. The city has always been a gilded urban gem, founded 1,300 years ago, with the UNESCO World Heritage listing that comes with such history. In fact, this year is the 20th anniversary of the Town Hall and the Roland building receiving their designation. Both place the city’s Market Square among the most spectacular in Europe, if only because it also boasts multiple odes to the Brothers Grimm “Town Musicians of Bremen” classic. Once you feast your senses in Bremen’s heart, explore further afield on one of the ever-expanding bike paths in a city that ranks #36 for Biking.

99. Bologna

Timeless Bologna, home of the oldest continuously operating university in the world, is a well-balanced meal of a city, founded more than 2,000 years ago (with its streets today comprising a massive, textured open-air urban museum), yet kinetic, happy and optimistic, powered by thousands of international students. It also serves up some of the best actual meals in Europe as the nationally recognised culinary capital of this culinary country. Bolognese kitchens of centuries past invented parmesan, mortadella, parma ham, ragù, lasagne and balsamic vinegar. No wonder Italians love referring to it as La Grassa (the fat one). More visitors and residents are casting their eye on the city, especially after it topped the national Il Sole 24 Ore newspaper’s 2023 annual quality of life survey. Bologna is also a cultural feast, with an epic 2024 lineup that includes hosting the second stage of the Tour de France, the Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna and the opening of the inaugural Italian Basketball Museum at the 5,000-seat PalaDozza (sure to improve the #35 Museums ranking). The city is also celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Guglielmo Marconi, the father of wireless and one of Bologna’s most illustrious citizens.

100. Toulon

You may have not heard much about the smallest French city to make it into our Top 100 this year, but in-the-know French residents (and investors) sure have. Toulon, after all, is only France’s 13th-largest city, but it is the sunniest, tucked between Marseille and St. Tropez and recognised as an idyllic hometown millennia ago, first by the Greeks, then by Roman sailors who built the old town (and its iconic 50 freshwater fountains), much of which still remains, at least after it was reconstructed following the Second World War. Serving for centuries as a strategic French naval port, today it’s the country’s largest, endowing the place with a working-class humility despite all the natural attributes of the French Riviera. Consider how this historic seafront gem boasts the 13th-lowest rents in Europe, or how it ranks #21 in our Creative Class subcategory for its ability to mix idyllic urban living with the option to either work remotely or at one of the growing startups, largely clustered in the Chalucet district that features a multimedia library in a stunning former chapel; art, design and business schools (with their own startup incubator); and residential buildings to keep all that talent close.

• City breaks in Europe Destinations

The best cities to visit in Europe in 2023

I don’t know about you, but somehow last year I had a hard time getting back into traveling. I have to admit I got pretty rusty during the pandemic! Anyway, that’s supposed to change in 2023: I want to travel more again, get to know new places and rediscover old ones. Is that what you also set out to do? Then my list of ideas for a few great city trips in Europe is definitely something for you! Just save this post somewhere and you can always get ideas for the next spontaneous city trip throughout the year!

Pro Tip: ➜ Book early to secure the cheapest tickets: Book cheap flights for your city breaks here! * ➜ Explore the cities of Europe by train: Buy a ticket at a special price with Super Sparpreis from Deutsche Bahn * ➜ Best to book overnight stays directly via booking.com * With just a few bookings, you’ll slide into a higher Genius level and get lower prices!

#11 Palma de Mallorca

#12 hamburg, #14 dresden, #15 timisoara, #18 manchester, city breaks in 2023: my outlook, welcome to my travel blog.

Hey, I’m Tatiana, a German-Brazilian living in Berlin & the author behind The Happy Jetlagger. I’ve been writing about my travels since 2014. In addition to my job as a flight attendant, this blog is my passion project!

What can I say? Before I tell you about the little insider tips in Rome , you should also have seen the classics in Rome . This city is just so bombastic and interesting, you’re busy enough just seeing the usual sights like the Colosseum , Trevi Fountain or St. Peter’s Basilica .

Spaniards in general are already very open, but Andalusians really pull out all the stops. “Hola reina”, “como estás reina”, “aqui tiene reina” – I really like this Andalusian habit of always being addressed very affectionately as “reina”, meaning “queen”. If you are looking for joie de vivre and positive energy , then Seville is the place for you!

Tip : Watch the flamenco dancers at the Plaza de España and let yourself be carried away by the intriguing atmosphere in a city that is bursting with passion.

If you are looking for a place to stay in Seville , I recommend the Boutique Hotel La Parada de Marques *! Brand new, really great design, nice people – you’ll love it!

Oh Paris! This city is just such a classic ! Even though it’s super expensive and most people rant about the rude and overbearing French. Which I don’t understand at all, because I don’t perceive Parisians rarely as rude (well, living in grumpy Berlin, I might have different standards) and if I were French – hey, I would also be pretty proud of this awesome city!

Tip : Going up the Eiffel Tower by day ( buy tickets in advance here to avoid lines *) and admire the glittering landmark of Paris from below in the evening!

More tips for your perfect day in Paris

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In Zagreb , I probably experienced the most memorable museum visit of my life: the Museum of Broken Relationships features artifacts from broken relationships. Sounds crazy, and a bit like those tourist museums that are supposed to seem fun, but in the end you’re just annoyed about the money you’ve spent. But it is quite different there, and not only once did the exhibition pieces bring tears to my eyes, whether from joy or sad emotion. Definitely worth a recommendation. And Zagreb as a city is also a good destination for a city break!

Okay, Austrians will roll their eyes now, but to me, Graz is one of Vienna’s little sisters, along with Salzburg . Less crowded, less overwhelming, but still a mix of tradition, culture and pretty good food. And with its picturesque location on the Mur River and plenty of greenery around it, Graz is perfect for a relaxing city break! By the way: The trip gets really perfect with a stay at the Grand Hôtel Wiesler* , which is located in the city directly on the Mur and is just terribly pretty!

Tip : Visit the current exhibition at the Kunsthaus Graz (admire the impressive futuristic building on the side!) and then enjoy the panorama with a glass of wine on the Schlossberg .

Vilnius was my last stop, so to speak, in 2022 ( read my article about Vilnius here ). By the time I got to Vilnius, winter was already upon us and that was quite a challenge for me as I’m more a summer person. Nevertheless, the mix of history, culture and a young and open atmosphere was very exciting. And at Hotel Pacai *, I had one of the nicest hotel stays in a long time. It was relatively quiet in winter, but from previous visits (admittedly half a lifetime ago) I can still remember how lively it gets here in the summer . And especially in 2023: Vilnius will be celebrating its founding 700 years ago!

Tip : Vilnius is the only city in Europe where you can float over the city center in a hot air balloon.

Venice is always a good idea, and even if Venice is hijacked by tourists in summer – it is still an incredibly fascinating city. The location in the lagoon , the old palazzi , so much art : I’ve actually been to Venice only once, but this was certainly not the last time!

My advice : Go up to the terrace of the Fondaco dei Tedeschi for sunset & browse the shelves at the Libreria Acqua Alta .

Last year I unexpectedly ended up in Prague again and was just super happy about the day I got to spend there. Prague is just one of those cities full of history and old glamour and has a very special vibe.

Tip : Walk across Charles Bridge and take a boat trip across the Vltava River *.

I don’t know if it’s the upcoming coronation of King Charles III or the hype around Harry and Meghan at all, but London has been dominating my Instagram feed lately as far as major cities in Europe go! Well, London is always pretty anyway – so why not consider it for 2023?

Tip : Pick up the London Harry Potter vibe at platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross station & then sip champagne at the bar right next door at St.Pancras station.

I’ve been to Gdansk again a few times in 2022, and I rediscovered some great locations there! For example, I went to the site of the old Gdansk shipyard for the first time – and it was so exciting, I hope to go again in the spring or summer. Then the huge crane is also open, from which you have a really good view over the city.

More tips & sights in my Gdansk Guide

Actually, my second home Palma already gets enough visitors in summer. However, I heard that this year the number of cruise ships docking and thus the crowds that flood the streets of the old town during the day will be limited. Anyway, the cruise tourists usually flock in the same direction and I still have so many tips for great locations in Palma (like my favorite neighborhood, Molinar ) that the mainstream doesn’t know about. So get ready for more insider tips for Palma here on the blog!

Here you will find all tips for Mallorca

I haven’t been to Hamburg for ages and I don’t know why! Hamburg is only an ICE ride away from Berlin. I like to travel by train anyway, and I don’t let constant delays or a non-existent service culture like from our German train service stop me! (By the way, with the Flixtrain there is still a good alternative to the Deutsche Bahn in Berlin; also not always perfect, but sometimes a refreshing alternative).

My plan for Hamburg: Rediscover the city & explore areas I’ve never been to before, e.g. the Reeperbahn and St.Pauli (I’ve never seen those areas in what feels like fifty visits to Hamburg, can you imagine?).

I’ve never been a big fan of Madrid. But after my blogger bestie Sandra raved about so many tips in Madrid last year, I should give the city a chance again and go looking for the best tortillas in Madrid myself.

According to Lonely Planet , Dresden is one of the top travel destinations for 2023 . But actually, Dresden has always been a great destination. Besides the usual sights like the Zwinger , the Semper Opera and the Frauenkirche , I recommend a trip to the Neustadt where Dresden gets a bit wilder and alternative.

My insider tip for Dresden: The organic café in the Japanese Palace , with its own small garden in the courtyard!

Admittedly, Timisoara and I took off on bad terms. I’ve probably been there too many times, and at a time when Timisoara and, for that matter, the rest of Romania were anything but hip and trendy. Or maybe it was due to the rather revealing nightclub advertisement in the elevator of our crew hotel, which was meant to attract guests to the hotel bar in the basement. And I bet many (mostly male) guests on a business trip were very happy about the hint. Already a very unusual flair for one of the better hotels in town.

Be that as it may, Timisoara has been properly spruced up in recent years, and perhaps the last windy fortune seekers will soon disappear. In 2023, Timisoara is one of the Capitals of Culture in Europe and I am curious to see how the city has changed.

I realized with horror how long it has been since I’ve been to Lisbon . Yet the Portuguese capital is my absolute place of strength; especially in winter, when it’s gray and dreary in Germany, a sunny day in Lisbon is worth its weight in gold I don’t know what it is, but the light, the water around it, the wind of the Atlantic make it one of my favorite cities in Europe . And of course the Portuguese, the delicious food, the great old town and much more.

More about Lisbon

After my Algarve trip the year before last, I almost got stuck in Faro! I just didn’t want to go back to Berlin. What it is, I don’t know, but Faro is possibly just the perfect mix of Portuguese lifestyle, laid-back cafes and stunning beaches just outside the city.

Learn more about Faro in my article on Travellers Insight

My personal UK expert Sandra from A decent cup of tea always says Maaaaahn-schesta with a long “a”- but I always think of Manchester and English as the hot potato that every Mancunian has to have in the mouth when speaking. The broad accent is just one of a kind! And in general, I feel a bit at home in Manchester, probably also because there are quite a few parallels between Manchester as an old industrial city and my original home region, the Ruhr area, the first industrial area in Germany.

Sandra’s tip for Manchester : Tib Street in the hip Northern Quarter with street art, specialty coffee cafes and craft beer pubs till you drop.

Okay, Basel is in Switzerland , so that makes it extra expensive, and anyway, in Swiss cities you always have to ask yourself if it’s worth having half a heart attack every time you run up a bill at the café. But Basel in summer is just cool because of its Rhine swimming : Put your clothes in the so-called “Wickelfisch” (a waterproof plastic bag), swimwear on, jump into the Rhine and let yourself drift on the Wickelfisch with the quite swift current. Always an amazing experience!

Actually, I’ve had quite an overdose of stays in Poland in the last few years, because I’m there all the time for work reasons. But that also means that a considerable number of tips have piled up that I still absolutely have to share with you here on the blog – from the best St. Martin’s croissants to a real jungle , I still have quite a few in store for Poznan. And if you’re looking for a nice and easily accessible destination for a short trip that won’t blow a huge hole in your travel budget, Poznan is just perfect!

Omg, I just miss overnights in northern Italy ! In the meantime, I have given up hope of ever returning to Milan , Bologna or even Torino on duty. Whether for a casual cappuccino or tango dancing under arcades, I’ll definitely have to return!

You can find more travel tips for Bella Italia here

Reus was one of my new discoveries in Spain last year, along with Tarragona ! Only a hundred kilometers from Barcelona , it is perfectly accessible by train for a day trip from there! Find out what you can experience there in my travel guide for Reus !

Tip: In general, a trip to Catalonia is worthwhile. Here you can find my Catalonia insider tips !

Opinions differ about my current hometown , which I constantly quarrel with, but which is also simply unique in many ways. Berlin is loud, chaotic and dirty – but you shouldn’t let such trivialities stop you!

Besides, there’s so much to see in Berlin, there’s a pretty good chance there’s still plenty to discover. When I talk to people who didn’t like the city so much, I often realize that they were just exploring the wrong corners. To make sure that doesn’t happen to you, I’ve resolved to share more tips for Berlin here on the blog this year!

For example, like this one: Breakfast at the Reichstag

➜ Book your table on the roof terrace of the Reichstag here *

I’m excited to see what city breaks the new year brings me. As always, I am very spontaneous in planning, but anyway I am often on the road professionally as a flight attendant in Europe. Anyway, I hope I was able to give you some travel inspiration. And if you want to know where I’m off to right now, just follow me on Instagram !

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New Study Says These Are the 10 Best Cities in Europe in 2024

Istanbul cracks the top 10, berlin is on the rise, and this city remains no. 1 in resonance’s annual best-in-europe rankings..

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Easy to identify, easy to love: London sits atop the Resonance rankings of Europe’s best cities.

Photo by RAW-films/Shutterstock

In these days of digital nomadism and working remotely, a list of Europe’s best cities has even greater value—and this annual ranking by Resonance , a consultancy group in real estate, tourism, and economic development that AFAR has partnered with for several years, has the most thorough, holistic approach around.

“It’s not just best city to live, it’s not just best city to work, or best city to visit,” said Chris Fair, president and CEO of Resonance Consultancy. “It’s taking a cross section of all those factors.” In 2024, Resonance updated its metrics to focus on three key areas—livability, lovability, and prosperity—that cover everything from GDP to housing affordability, green spaces to nightlife, and even a city’s social media presence, all in a painstaking effort to paint a more comprehensive picture of Europe’s best urban centers.

This year’s list of Europe’s 100 best cities (we’ll excerpt the top 10 below) considered 180 metropolitan centers with a population of 500,000 or more. Looking for some “spin the globe” inspiration for where to go next? You’ll find it here, from Aachen to Bratislava to Zurich.

How the best city rankings work

Livability: This category measures the quality of a place’s environment, both natural and built. Subcategories include walkability (the city’s walkability score on Walk Score), airport connectivity (the number of direct destinations served by the city’s airports), and higher education (the QS Rankings score of the top local university).

Lovability: The lovability pillar considers the vibrancy and quality of a city, as well as how much it inspires residents, businesses, and visitors to promote it. This includes culture (number of quality performing arts and cultural experiences recommended by locals and visitors according to Tripadvisor.com ), shopping (number of quality shopping experiences recommended by locals and visitors according to Tripadvisor.com ), and number of Instagram hashtags.

Prosperity: The prosperity pillar measures the strength of a city’s human capital. Subcategories include educational attainment (percentage of the population with a bachelor’s degree or higher), Fortune Global 500 companies (number of Fortune Global 500 corporate headquarters), convention center size (size of the largest convention center in a city), and poverty rate (percentage of the population living below the national poverty line).

Despite the continental pandemic recovery, urban populations across Europe are dealing with fresh crises: economic, environmental, and humanitarian. ”Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has scarred our rankings for the second year in a row,” says Fair. ”In our view, no city can be a ‘Best City’ if it is part of a country that is taking unprovoked action against another, and we have, once again, disqualified Moscow, St. Petersburg, and all other Russian cities from this year’s report.”

Here’s how Europe’s best cities ranked in the 2024 report, released March 5, 2024:

London ranked No. 1 in culture and educational attainment.

Photo by S. Borisov/Shuterstock

1. London, England

Rankings: No. 1 in Culture and Educational Attainment *also World’s Best City of 2024

“London is rarely quiet these days,” says Resonance. Most of the Tube’s lines now run at its pre-pandemic cadence, with added metro stops like Bond Street’s Elizabeth station, opened in October 2022. Thanks to policies that give the United Kingdom the lowest corporate tax rate among G7 countries, London’s resilience has been “buoyed by a sinking currency that has attracted investment and, of course, previously priced-out tourists. And new residents . . . who can now afford to check off a big item on the multi-millionaire bucket list: property in the planet’s most coveted city,” Resonance says.

Why we love it: London’s main sights might date back millennia, but the capital’s shops, bars, hotels, and restaurants continue to evolve on an almost weekly basis. Whether you’re outdoorsy, hungry, or bringing a family in tow, there’s a distinct London neighborhood to investigate —and it will likely look different from your last visit. For new hotel options , there’s everything from the much-anticipated Raffles London at the OWO to the sustainability-meets-luxury–inspired 1 Hotel Mayfair .

Plan your next trip with AFAR’s Guide to London.

Paris ranked No. 1 in sights/landmarks and global Fortune 500 companies.

Photo by Shutterstock

2. Paris, France

Rankings: No. 1 in Sights/Landmarks and Global Fortune 500 companies *Holding at no. 2

“The city remains the most visited on the planet, with 44 million visitors last year,” Resonance says. “Good thing Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport used the past three years of lower volume to invest €250 million into a renovation of Terminal 1. Reopened this year, it now has a colossal junction building and a central lobby full of the latest tech to improve the traveler experience. Rail access and infrastructure are also unprecedented. A seven-hour direct Berlin-to-Paris TGV line launches next year, with more ambitious directs like the Venice-to-Paris Midnight Trains coming in 2025. No matter how they arrive, what Paris visitors new and returning will find is a city that has codified pedestrianism and alfresco living.”

Why we love it: As Paris gears up for the 2024 Olympics, it’s only improving. Better infrastructure, a commitment to pedestrians, and luxurious hotels add to a city we love for its world-class art, shopping, and global cuisine.

Plan your next trip with AFAR’s Guide to Paris.

Berlin climbed from No. 7 last year to No. 3 in 2024.

3. Berlin, Germany

Rankings: Startups (3), Culture (4), Nightlife (5) *Up from No. 7

No surprise here: Berlin ranked in the top five for Culture, Museums, and Nightlife, attracting visitors and residents alike with its “raw, unabashed urbanity and self-expression,” says Resonance. It has been a haven for Ukraine refugees as well as entrepreneurs looking to set up shop: According to Berlin Startup Map, the city currently has about 4,400 startups. “The talent is also attracting massive domestic and foreign investment into the city and its suburbs.”

Why we love it: Two major museums have moved into the new Humboldt Forum in the heart of the city: the Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art. A dozen other museums are set to open or have opened, with collections ranging from the world of the samurai to video games. Bonus: The European Sleeper night train (with lie-flat beds in cabins) now connects Berlin and Brussels via Amsterdam . It gets you from Berlin to Brussels in less than 12 hours.

Plan your next trip with AFAR’s Guide to Berlin.

Visit Rome for the restaurants and a walk through history.

Photo by Chris Czermak on Unsplash

4. Rome, Italy

Rankings: Restaurants (1 - tie), TripAdvisor reviews (2) *Up from No. 8

“Few cities serve up the ability to walk Western history like Roma,” says Resonance, and “declarations of love for the city have multiplied with social media channels, of course, and Rome trails only London and Paris in our important Promotion category, including No. 2 for TripAdvisor Reviews. Mix in underrated parks and greenways (Rome ranks no. 8 in our Outdoors subcategory) and its thousands of portals back in time (Sights and Landmarks rank in the Top 3 in Europe) and it’s easy to see how Rome remains an urban treasure.”

Why we love it: Rome landed on AFAR’s “ Where to Go in 2024 ” list thanks to an influx of top-tier hotels, amenities, and restaurants. As Laura Itzkowitz reported , “Anantara is one of several hotel brands imbuing the city with a more international flair. Just in 2023, InterContinental , Bulgari , Edition , and Six Senses each debuted new properties in Rome. In the pipeline: hotels by Four Seasons , Rosewood , Nobu , and more. “Rome is coming out of a crazy year full of visitors and openings,” says Elisa Valeria Bove, CEO of the private tour company Roma Experience . “Before, people stayed in Rome for two or three days. Now people stay five, six days, or even a week.”

Plan your next trip with AFAR’s Guide to Rome.

Madrid is bouncing back from the pandemic in a conscientious way.

Photo by Alex Vasey on Unsplash

5. Madrid, Spain

Rankings: Restaurants (1 - tie), Culture (3) *Up from No. 6

“Madrid, sometimes overlooked for Barcelona’s beaches and parties, is confidently telling its story these days,” says Resonance. “Perhaps the biggest news is Madrid’s beautiful measures to combat climate change and pollution, by way of a 76-kilometre urban forest network with nearly half a million new trees. . . . This ‘green wall’ is projected to help absorb 175,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. The new Santander Park is an instant citizen and visitor destination (that used to be a golf course).”

Why we love it: On both our radar and Resonance’s are more than 20 new hotels and nearly 100 restaurants that have opened, or will open, in an already culture-rich city bouncing back from the pandemic in a big way—and in a conscientious way, reports Resonance: “Many of the high-end hotels are committed to reuse—from the Madrid Edition by Marriott International, housed in the old Monte de Piedad de Madrid building, to the stunning Metrópolis building’s new life as a boutique hotel, spa, private club and home of multiple restaurants.”

Plan your next trip with AFAR’s Guide to Madrid .

Prague ranks in the top 10 of lovability and livability.

Photo by William Zhang on Unsplash

6. Prague, Czechia

Rankings: Poverty Rate (1), Attractions (2) *New to the top 10

“Pandemic lockdowns broke the overtourism wave that was cresting over Prague’s beguiling Gothic streets, allowing the city to implement resident-first policies and maintain a sense of ownership. It’s a massive job in any city, much less one that threads the needle as one of the world’s rare urban centres that ranks in the Top 10 in both our overall Livability (#7) and Lovability (#8) indices. Still, over the past 18 months, city leaders made long-lasting decisions to ensure that Prague’s #3-ranked Museums (ahead of places like Berlin, Rome, and Madrid) and Attractions (which trail only London) remain accessible to the citizens who supported local when tourism didn’t.” Thanks to Prague’s youthfulness (university students from around the world descend here annually), much of the fun is affordable—and poverty rates are the lowest on the list.

Why we love it: Prague is complex and unfiltered in the best possible way. Step back in time to the city’s Bohemian past—the Old Town Square, St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague Castle, the romantic Charles Bridge—before visiting the somber memorial to its Communist rule. Prague seems to bask in modern optimism, as evidenced by such landmarks as Frank Gehry’s Dancing House Hotel and DOX Centre for Contemporary Art.

Plan your next trip with AFAR’s Guide to Prague.

Park Güell in Barcelona is a Gaudi highlight.

Photo by Luis Pina/Shutterstock

7. Barcelona, Spain

Rankings: Restaurants (1 - tied), Nightlife (2) *Down from No. 4

Barcelona is an almost ideal European city, with great weather year-round and “era-spanning neighborhoods that are destinations at all hours,” says Resonance. The big news this year is that Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia is nearly finished (!), and the city “just opened its €50-million Consell de Cent, 21 pedestrianised blocks that used to be a four-lane cross-town street, part of what is being called a ‘green axis’ urban park in an area popular with both locals and visitors.”

Why we love it: This Spanish city is home to miles and miles of beaches , iconic parks, and Gaudí’s iconic architectural landmarks . But we could just as easily get lost in El Born and the Gothic Quarters’ labyrinths, looking for dumplings or the best Catalan restaurant.

Plan your next trip with AFAR’s Guide to Barcelona.

Amsterdam is at the forefront of sustainable tourism.

Photo by Ériver Hijano

8. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Rankings: Labor Force Participation (3), Startups (5) *Down from No. 3

Amsterdam continues to be a city to keep an eye on, with its evolution “led by visionary mayor Femke Halsema (literally: she’s also a filmmaker), the first non-interim female mayor in the city’s history,” says Resonance. “Her administration’s practical stewardship of a place (and citizens) often abandoned to the tourist euro is co-authoring a future of accountability by everyone who calls the magnetic Dutch capital home.”

Why we love it : With nonstop flights from most U.S. cities, Amsterdam’s easy accessibility—and beautiful canals and world-class museums—make it a popular stop for any Euro trip. In addition to its top-notch cultural offerings, Amsterdam is on the forefront of sustainable tourism. In 2018, one hospitality company started to repurpose Amsterdam’s out-of-use bridge houses into charming stand-alone hotel rooms , and by 2030 all gas and diesel cars will be banned from the city.

Plan your next trip with AFAR’s Guide to Amsterdam.

The Peninsula hotel’s central location is ideal for first-time visitors who want to focus on historic attractions.

Courtesy of The Peninsula Istanbul

9. Istanbul, Türkiye

Rankings: Restaurants (1 - tie), Airport Connectivity (3) *New to the top 10

“The ancient collision between Europe and Asia radiates in Türkiye’s (and Europe’s) largest city. It’s why the city is among the most beguiling for its sense of place, inside and out. Its Top 10 Sights and Landmarks ranking, as well as its impressive No. 4 spot in our Outdoors subcategory, will improve due to the extensive renovations completed for the Turkish Republic’s centennial in October 2023.”

Why we love it: Know someone who mentioned visiting Istanbul in 2023? We’re not surprised. Following a devastating earthquake in southeastern Türkiye in February 2023, the nation (and an active tourism arm) has rallied to make the country—and, by extension, its global hub, Istanbul—the most visited destination of 2023 . It helps that Istanbul has one of the best new airports in the world (IST). A recently reborn Galataport waterfront district—running a mile along the sparkling Bosporus Strait—now has an underground cruise terminal and high-end restaurants and hotels, including the much-celebrated Peninsula Istanbul.

Plan your next trip with AFAR’s Guide to Istanbul.

Ouael Ben Salah/Unsplash

10. Milan, Italy

Rankings: Biking (4), EV Charging Stations (5) *New to the top 10

“The birthplace of Armani, Versace and dozens of other megawatt icons is no longer content with being Europe’s fashion and design center. Or even Italy’s financial heart. Milan is driven, as always, by its entrepreneurial hunger and is increasingly fueled by wealthy newcomers. This strategic proximity to other European capitals and alpine resorts pulling in the global elite also won the city the 2026 Olympic Winter Games and a rush of development that includes a long-awaited train link between Milan Bergamo Airport and the centro.”

Why we love it: Milan is incandescent—an extension of the creative spirit imbued here for centuries. It’s a city fully immersed in culture. Whether the art of the aperitivo , the spectacular art scene, or an amazing panorama of architecture that spans styles and millennia, Milan is an oasis of style, art, and architecture.

Plan your next trip with AFAR’s Guide to Milan .

To see the full list of Europe’s 100 best cities, visit worldsbestcities.com. Read on for the best cities in the U.S.

Atlas & Boots

The UK's most popular outdoor travel blog

Ranked: 100 best cities to visit in Europe 2024

From the “capital of capitals” to the “Venice of the North”, these are the 100 best cities to visit in Europe in 2024

In 2015, a study from the European Commission found that 72% of the EU’s population lived in cities with the majority of Europeans concentrated in cities with populations between 250,000 and 5 million.

In 2018, another study suggested that by the time this century is complete, the world’s population will be 80% urbanised with Europe at the forefront of this change with around 90% of its population urbanised. Belgium already has an urbanised population of 98% with Malta (95%) and the Netherlands (93%) not far behind.

Wherever the world’s expats , digital nomads and remote workers choose to relocate, chances are it will be in a city. With this in mind, Canadian consultancy film Resonance , which has offices in Vancouver, Montreal, Singapore and New York, has published a new report ranking the 100 best cities in Europe with populations of more than 500,000.

How does the ranking work?

How to stay connected in europe’s cities.

• What is Europe’s best city?

Other winning cities

100 best cities to visit in europe – complete ranking.

Contrary to similar ‘best-of’ lists, the index assesses a city’s culture, diversity, prosperity, infrastructure and employment opportunities.

They use 25 factors grouped into six categories covering a range of criteria including climate, access to outdoor space, education and work prospects, population diversity, leisure options and even social media popularity.

The six categories and 25 factors are:

• Place: weather, safety, sights & landmarks, outdoors
• Product: airport connectivity, attractions, museums, university ranking, convention centre
• People: labour force participation, educational attainment
• Prosperity: global 500 number, GDP per capita, income equality, employment rate
• Programming: culture, nightlife, dining, shopping
• Promotion: Facebook check-ins, Google search, TripAdvisor reviews, Instagram hashtags, Google Trends

Roaming charges can be high in Europe so the best way to stay connected when travelling is to use an eSIM : a virtual SIM card. It is much cheaper than using the data roaming options provided by the major networks, pay-as-you-go physical SIM cards or wifi hotspot devices. An eSIM is also far more convenient.

An eSIM works remotely, meaning you don’t have to remove your current SIM card so there’s no risk of misplacing or damaging it or losing your number. eSIMs are pre-installed on the majority of devices now and can be activated just by installing an ‘eSIM profile’ of a new provider.

The best eSIM for travel in Europe is Holafly . We’ve used several providers over the years as well as pay-as-you-go SIM cards and wifi hotspots. Having used Holafly eSIMs in Europe as well as further afield in Mexico and Panama , we have now settled on them as our eSIM partner. They also come highly rated on Trustpilot .

Holafly covers 170 destinations worldwide (with unlimited data available in 122 countries) and offers several eSIM  data packages for Europe  covering over 30 countries including popular destinations such as France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey across a range of networks including 3G, 4G and 5G.

We can offer our readers 5% off on Holafly purchases with this coupon: ATLASANDBOOTS

All packages come with unlimited data in Europe plus 60 minutes for making and receiving calls.

• Unlimited data, 5 days: €19
• Unlimited data, 7 days: €27
• Unlimited data, 10 days: €34
• Unlimited data, 15 days: €47
• Unlimited data, 20 days: €57
• Unlimited data, 30 days: €69
• Unlimited data, 60 days: €87
• Unlimited data, 90 days: €99

What is the best city to visit in Europe?

The study named London the best city in Europe. The ‘capital of capitals’ has taken the top spot despite concerns surrounding the city’s post-Brexit future . However, the report’s authors believe the city continues to draw talent and visitors en masse and will eventually weather the storm and even emerge stronger.

The UK capital scored highly in the programming , promotion , product and prosperity categories but was some way behind in the place category. Transport links remain excellent, especially with the opening of the new Elizabeth Line connecting London’s main airport, Heathrow, to the suburbs on the other side of the metropolis.

“As the ‘capital of capitals’ (both in Europe and globally) deftly negotiates the uncharted, perilous terrain of a post-Brexit and pandemic world, London reigns as Europe’s best city.” – World’s Best Cities, Resonance

Tourists continue to visit London in their masses with the city ranked third in the world and first in Europe in terms of cities with the biggest international traveller spend. In 2022, $16.07 billion was spent by travellers in London, only slightly less than second-placed Doha ($16.79 billion) while Dubai was the runaway winner with $29.42 billion.

Despite a looming recession and falling house prices across the rest of the country, London’s luxury homes are defying the country’s economic slowdown and wider slump in house prices.

Finally, pedestrians are excited by the 2025 opening of the Camden Highline , a 1.2km greenway just north of Central London. Described as a ‘Manhattan makeover for London,’ it is hoped that the transformation of a disused train track will revitalise the UK capital like it did in New York.

The usual suspects of Paris, Berlin, Rome and Madrid closely follow London. Paris remains a strong contender thanks to its ambitious sustainability policies which have included expanding cycle routes, reducing city speed limits and tree planting as it aims to become Europe’s greenest city by 2030 .

“Cities are the engines of the global economy and the badges of human ingenuity. Yes, they’ve been hobbled over the past 18 months, exposing the long-ignored foundational and institutional problems that manifested on their streets and in their hospitals and seniors homes. But they’re also leading — like they always have — the recovery and future-defining next stage of human innovation.” – World’s Best Cities, Resonance

Berlin has moved into third place in the ranking and won heavy praise for “welcoming waves of Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion” as well as its cultural assets which include vibrant nightlife, cutting-edge architecture and fascinating museums. In 2024, the city will host several matches of the Euro 24 football tournament including the final at the Olympiastadion.

Rome is one of the world’s most romantic cities brimming with millennia of history but it was also commended for its underrated parks and greenways and its hospitality sector.

Madrid moved above its archrival Barcelona for the first time thanks to its sustainability-driven investment while Prague in sixth, won praise for unrolling a series of resident-first policies in an attempt to battle the overtourism the city has seen of late.

Barcelona, the capital of Spain’s autonomous community of Catalonia , is Europe’s seventh-best city. The city performed well in the nightlife category but also won praise for its commitment to traffic calming and creating community space. Ada Colau, the mayor of Barcelona, has introduced several schemes as part of her superblock initiative as well as added over 100 miles of bike lanes.

In eighth place is Amsterdam, a European stalwart regularly rated among the world’s greenest cities . The city is often referred to as the “Venice of the North” due to its large number of UNESCO-listed canals . Amsterdam has won praise for its commitment to reforming the red-light district. Green mayor Femke Halsema plans to overhaul the area which can often find itself at the centre of out-of-control nightlife. Plans include increasing the size of the district to deal with overcrowding and outlawing cannabis smoking on the street.

It will be a tricky manoeuvre as the city remains popular among tourists – fifth in the world and second in Europe in terms of cities with the biggest international traveller spend – and they don’t all come for the museums and shopping.

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Lead image: S.Borisov/SHUTTERSTOCK

Travel Europe on a Budget

The Savvy Backpacker

City Guides .\33 a132798-3f3b-4585-954d-7e70cf863447{fill:#231f20}

The most visited cities in europe | a guide to the most popular european cities.

A list of the European cities that attract the greatest number of international visitors each year.

Trip Planning

Europe receives around 746 million international arrivals every year but what are the most visited cities in Europe? In this guide, I thought it would be helpful to outline the most popular cities in Europe because this serves as a great starting point for trip planning—especially if you want to do a multi-city trip.

The Most Visited Cities in Europe

Quick Note: This list of the most visited cities in Europe comes from a 2019 study done by Euromonitor International , another Top 100 Cities in The World study , and each city’s local tourism office. These numbers are both pre-pandemic and post-pandemic so we’re seeing numbers starting to reflect the travel boom. I’ve also written a guide on the best party cities in Europe if you’re looking for the top nightlife destinations.

1. London, United Kingdom — 19.6 Million Annual Visitors

London has been the most visited city in Europe for multiple years — in fact, London is one of the most visited cities in the world.

London is one of my favorite cities and it makes an excellent first stop for many travelers for multiple reasons.

First, London has multiple major airports so flights to/from London are plentiful and they tend to have the lowest ticket prices. Second, London is great for first-time travelers because there is no language barrier so it’s a nice way to ease into visiting a foreign country. Third, London is simply a fantastic world-class city with so much to do, see, and eat. You can easily spend a week or more here and never run out of things to experience.

LONDON TRAVEL TIPS: London Travel Guide , London Travel Prices , London on a Budget , London Pass Review

Source: https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/number-international-visitors-london

2. Paris, France – 19.1 Million Annual Visitors

Paris has always been a major tourist destination — and rightfully so. In fact, Paris has been nipping at London’s heels for multiple years and many experts expect Paris to be the most visited European city within a few years. Furthermore, France is the most visited country in Europe.

Personally, Paris is my favorite city (I lived there for a few years so I might be biased) because it is absolutely jam-packed with famous sights, museums, nightlife, and culture. Paris also has an excellent Metro system so getting around is quick and easy.

Additionally, Paris also boasts the highest number of vacation rental apartments along with a robust hotel and hostel inventory.

PARIS TRAVEL TIPS: Paris Travel Guide , Best Things To Do In Paris , Paris Travel Prices , Best Budget Restaurants in Paris , Paris Pass Review , Where To Stay in Paris , Best Food Markets in Paris

Source: https://press.parisinfo.com/key-figures

3. Istanbul, Turkey – 14.7 Million Annual Visitors

Istanbul has suffered from political instability and security concerns for quite a while but things have calmed down considerably over the past few years. This has made tourism in Instabul skyrocket and now the city is one of the most visited cities in the world—especially for Europeans wanting to experience Istanbul’s “East meets West” vibe.

Source: https://www.ktb.gov.tr/EN-249283/tourism-statistics.html

4. Rome, Italy – 10.3 Million Annual Visitors

It’s no surprise that Rome is one of the most visited cities in Europe as it’s widely considered the “world’s second most historically, educationally and culturally interesting and beautiful city”. Rome is another heavy-hitting tourism destination that can easily fill a week (or longer) visit.

Rome is also well connected to Italy’s great cities and regions — making it an excellent first stop before exploring the rest of this amazing country.

ROME TRAVEL TIPS: Rome Travel Guide , Things To Do in Rome , Rome Travel Prices , Best Hostels in Rome , Rome Pass Review

Source: https://www.esteri.it/en/

5. Amsterdam, Netherlands — 8.8 Million Annual Visitors

Despite its relatively small size, Amsterdam is still a major European tourism destination thanks to its beautiful architecture, lovely canals, and liberal social policies. It’s also consistently ranked one of the best places to live in Europe.

Amsterdam is certainly one of the most expensive cities in Europe — especially when it comes to accommodation (which tends to happen when small cities receive millions of visitors). Over-tourism is a problem in Amsterdam so I recommend visiting during the off-season if you want to avoid some of the crowds.

AMSTERDAM TRAVEL TIPS: Amsterdam Travel Guide , Amsterdam Travel Prices , Amsterdam Pass Review , Best Hostels in Amsterdam

Source: https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/search-results/tagrepository/amstatisticsresearch?

6. Barcelona, Spain — 7 Million Annual Visitors

Barcelona finds its way onto most travel itineraries… and for good reason. This Spanish has a vibrant food scene, a plethora of unique historic architecture, great Mediterranean weather, beautiful beaches, and some of the best nightlife in Europe (many consider it the top nightlife destination in the world).

BARCELONA TRAVEL TIPS: Barcelona Travel Guide , Barcelona Travel Prices , Barcelona Pass Review , Best Hostels in Barcelona

Source: https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/turisme/en/estadistiques_enquestes

7. Prague, Czech Republic — 6.8 Million Annual Visitors

It’s cliche to say but Prague truly feels like a “fairy tale” city — if you remove most of the tourists, that is. And while Prague isn’t as cheap as it once was, you can still save quite a bit compared to other cities on this list (especially on food and alcohol). Summers do get quite busy so visit during the other times of the year if you want to escape the crowds.

PRAGUE TRAVEL TIPS: Prague Travel Guide , Prague Travel Prices , Best Hostels in Prague

Source: https://www.praguecitytourism.cz/en/our-services/statistics

8. Vienna, Austria — 6.6 Million Annual Visitors

Vienna is constantly a top contender for the most livable city in Europe so it’s no surprise it’s a major tourist destination. Vienna’s mix of Art Nouveau, Gothic, and Baroque architecture makes it one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

And you can’t visit without spending a few hours enjoying a coffee and traditional desserts at the many traditional Viennese coffee houses.

VIENNA TRAVEL TIPS: Vienna Travel Prices , Best Hostels in Vienna , Vienna Pass Review

Source: https://www.wien.gv.at/english/administration/statistics/tourism.html

9. Milan, Italy — 6.5 Million Annual Visitors

Milan is the fashion capital of Europe and the business/finance capital of Italy. It undoubtedly has a more buttoned-up vibe than the rest of Italy, and it wouldn’t be my top Italian destination, but it’s still a great city if you’ve already explored Italy’s other highlights.

MILAN TRAVEL TIPS: Milan Travel Guide , Milan Travel Prices , Best Things to Do in Milan , Best Hostels in Milan

Source: https://www.milan.eu/tourist-information/facts-figures/

10. Athens, Greece — 6.3 Million Annual Visitors

Athens is often the jumping-off point to explore the famous Greek Islands but it’s also the historical capital of Europe — as well as the birthplace of democracy, arts, science, and philosophy of Western civilization. And, of course, Athens is home to the Acropolis and Parthenon.

While the city is safe, Athens as a whole is kind of drab and gritty so it’s not your typical “beautiful European city” that many people imagine it would be.

ATHENS TRAVEL TIPS: Athens Travel Prices , Best Hostels in Athens

Source: https://www.statistics.gr/en/statistics/-/publication/STO12/2019

11. Berlin, Germany — 6.3 Million Annual Visitors

It was once famously said that “Berlin is poor but sexy.” And while Berlin isn’t as cheap as it once was, it’s still one of the cheapest major European cities. Berlin continues to be one of the hottest nightlife/clubbing destinations in the world but you’ll find that the city offers a ton of other cultural activities as well — including many excellent museums.

BERLIN TRAVEL TIPS: Berlin Travel Guide , Berlin Travel Prices , Berlin Pass Review , Best Hostels in Berlin

Source: https://about.visitberlin.de/en/current-figures

12. Moscow, Russia — 6 Million Annual Visitors

Moscow still remains a bit of a mystery to many Western visitors — especially since getting an entry visa is a bit of a bureaucratic hurdle and the long flight adds to the difficulty. But this massive city offers a lot to people looking to get off the beaten tourism path.

Source: https://www.mos.ru/en/news/item/45937073/

13. Venice, Italy — 5.6 Million Annual Visitors

The amazingly beautiful city of Venice is sinking so visit before it’s too late. Venice is another one of the small cities that suffer from over-tourism — especially since it’s a popular port for giant cruise ships. However, Venice empties out at night so if you stay in the city overnight you’ll be rewarded with a completely different experience.

VENICE TRAVEL TIPS: Venice Travel Guide , Venice Travel Prices , Best Hostels in Venice

Source: https://www.comune.venezia.it/en/content/tourist-report-daily-estimate-visitors-venice

14. Madrid, Spain — 5.6 Million Annual Visitors

Spain’s capital and largest city, Madrid is a top destination for good reason — it’s a lively city that’s both affordable by Western European standards and boasts outstanding culture, architecture, art, and excellent nightlife. But it’s also a fairly modern city so you’ll discover that much of the architecture is from the 20th century — which can sometimes be a surprise to many visitors looking for “old” Europe. That said, it is a city overflowing with energy and old-world charm that’s worth checking out.

MADRID TRAVEL TIPS: Madrid Travel Guide , Madrid Travel Prices , Best Hostels in Madrid , Best Things To Do in Madrid

Source: https://www.madrid-destino.com/en/madrid-in-numbers

15. Dublin, Ireland — 5.5 Million Annual Visitors

Dublin is a small yet vibrant city that has a way of charming its visitors — thanks to its friendly locals. Dublin also has a large student population and an excellent pub culture so the nightlife offers something for everyone. The city is fairly small so it’s a very manageable city to explore on foot. However, Dublin is fairly expensive (especially food and alcohol).

DUBLIN TRAVEL TIPS: Dublin Travel Guide , Dublin Travel Prices , Best Hostels in Dublin , Dublin Pass Review

Source: https://www.visitdublin.com/

16. Florence, Italy — 5.1 Million Annual Visitors

Along with Rome, Florence is a must-see Italian destination and it’s only a 1.5 highspeed train ride away from Rome. And while Florence is a popular day-trip destination, it’s best experienced for a few days — plus the crowds thin out at night. And you’ll need a few days to take in all the city’s beauty and its delicious food.

FLORENCE TRAVEL TIPS: Florence Travel Guide , Florence Travel Prices , Best Hostels in Florence

Source: https://www.visitflorence.com/tourist-info/

17. St Petersburg, Russia — 4.5 Million Annual Visitors

Saint Petersburg is known as the “Cultural Capital of Russia” and it’s full of grandiose 18th and 19th-century architecture. The city is also home to 221 museums including the world-famous Hermitage Museum and the Russian Museum.  Saint Petersburg feels much more European than Russian (visit Moscow if you want to full “Russian” experience).

Source: https://studyinrussia.ru/en/life-in-russia/discover-russia/towns/saint-petersburg/

18. Brussels, Belgium — 4.3 Million Annual Visitors

Home of the European Union, Brussels is one of those cities that everyone has heard about but it doesn’t have many must-see sights. Brussels has a reputation for being somewhat boring and expensive (thanks to all the government leaders) but the city is starting to attract more of a creative class so it’s slowly shaking off its stodgy image.

If nothing else, you’ll have a steady supply of amazing beer. And chocolate. And fries. And waffles. And beer. And chocolate. And beer.

BRUSSELS TRAVEL TIPS: Brussels Travel Guide , Brussels Travel Prices , Best Hostels in Brussels

Source: https://visit.brussels/site/en/article/tourism-observatory-annual-report

19. Munich, Germany — 4.2 Million Annual Visitors

Munich, the capital of Bavaria, is home to centuries-old classically German buildings and multiple museums. Munich is also known for its annual raucous Oktoberfest. Speaking of Oktoberfest, Munich is also a beer drinker’s paradise so don’t forget to spend some time in one of the city’s many beer gardens.

MUNICH TRAVEL TIPS: Munich Travel Guide , Munich Travel Prices , Best Hostels in Munich

Source: https://www.munich.travel/en/topics/about-us/data-facts-and-market-research

20. Hamburg, Germany — 4 Million Annual Visitors

Hamburg is Germany’s second-largest city. Hamburg has long been one of Europe’s largest ports, and like most port cities, Hamburg is a little rough around the edges. But Hamburg has undergone a major transformation over the past few years and it’s now often considered Germany’s hippest city. Now you’ll find plenty of new restaurants, bars, and clubs.

HAMBURG TRAVEL TIPS: Hamburg Travel Guide , Hamburg Travel Prices , Best Hostels in Hamburg

Source: https://marketing.hamburg.de/facts-figures-tourism-in-hamburg.html

21. Budapest, Hungary — 4 Million Annual Visitors

Often called the “Paris of the East,” Budapest is another one of Eastern Europe’s great destinations that is increasingly becoming one of Europe’s most visited cities. It has elegant boulevards. It has beautiful architecture. But it has much more grit and edge thanks to its years under communist rule. It’s also affordable and one of Europe’s best nightlife destinations.

BUDAPEST TRAVEL TIPS: Budapest Travel Guide , Budapest Travel Prices , Best Hostels in Budapest

Source: https://www.budapestinfo.hu/statistics-and-analyses

22. Tallinn, Estonia — 4 Million Annual Visitors

Located between Stockholm and St. Petersburg, Tallinn offers an alluring mix of Nordic and Russian cultures. Tallinn still has multiple medieval buildings (with a mix of Soviet-era buildings) and it’s one of Europe’s most complete walled cities. Tallinn is one of the most popular day trips from Helsinki and thanks to a recently built cruise ship docks, Tallinn does get overrun with tourists — so staying overnight helps give you a better experience.

Source: https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/professional/statistics-surveys/reports/tourism-reports

23. Lisbon, Portugal — 3.6 Million Annual Visitors

Lisbon is a hot destination and I suspect it will be quickly moving up in the ranks of Europe’s most visited cities. Lisbon is a laid-back city with coastal vibes that’s famous for its pastel buildings, café culture, and charmingly gritty vibe. It’s also very friendly on the wallet when compared to other Western European cities — food and lodging are both priced reasonably and attractions are about average.

LISBON TRAVEL TIPS: Lisbon Travel Guide , Lisbon Travel Prices , Best Hostels in Lisbon

Source: https://www.visitlisboa.com/en

24. Copenhagen, Denmark — 3.2 Million Annual Visitors

You don’t need to visit Copenhagen for more than a few hours to realize why the Danes are some of the happiest people in the world and why Copenhagen is one of Europe’s “must-visit” destinations. The city has so many things going for it — a mix of beautiful old and state-of-the-art architecture, a great food scene, plenty of sights and museums, tons of coffee shops, a lively craft beer scene, plenty of culture, lots of shopping, an excellent biking culture, and friendly locals.

COPENHAGEN TRAVEL TIPS: Copenhagen Travel Guide , Copenhagen Travel Prices , Best Hostels in Copenhagen

Source: https://www.wonderfulcopenhagen.com/wonderful-copenhagen/analyses-insights/reports-and-insights

25. Edinburgh, Scotland — 3.1 Million Annual Visitors

Edinburgh is a beautiful, youthful city in Scotland that has a magical medieval Old Town, an elegant Georgian New Town, and the impressive Edinburgh Castle. It also attracts thousands of visitors during its E dinburgh Festival each August. It’s also a very welcoming city with friendly locals and excellent Scottish pubs and bars.

EDINBURGH TRAVEL TIPS: Edinburgh Travel Prices , Best Hostels in Edinburgh

Source: https://www.etag.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/facts-and-figures-2012.pdf

26. Heraklion, Greece — 3 Million Annual Visitors

Heraklion is a port city and the capital of the Greek island of Crete. And despite its relatively high visitor numbers, most people spend little time in Heraklion because they use the city as a first stop for exploring the rest of the region.

Source: https://www.heraklion.gr/en/visitor

27. Kraków, Poland — 2.9 Million Annual Visitors

Krakow is a beautiful, old-school little city in Poland that also has a reputation for being a party town thanks to its cheap prices and large university student population. And while Warsaw is the official capital of Poland, Krakow is the country’s cultural and intellectual capital.

KRAKOW TRAVEL TIPS: Krakow Travel Prices , Best Hostels in Krakow

Source: https://convention.krakow.pl/english/ccb_en/….tourists_have_visited_krakow.html

28. Warsaw, Poland — 2.8 Million Annual Visitors

Largely destroyed during WWII, Warsaw is the sprawling and rebuilt capital of Poland that is just starting to be discovered by visitors. Warsaw doesn’t have a large tourism infrastructure so it takes a little more effort and planning to get the most out of your visit.

Source: https://warsawtour.pl/en/contact-us/

29. Frankfurt, Germany — 2.7 Million Annual Visitors

Frankfurt is a largely modern city that’s more of a business-centric city than a touristic destination. And while there are some nice museums and sights, Frankfurt wouldn’t be one of my top German destinations.

Source: https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Press/Publications/Statistics

30. Stockholm, Sweden — 2.7 Million Annual Visitors

The beautiful city of Stockholm is easy on the eyes and rough on the wallet. Stockholm is actually a city spread over 14 islands and over those islands, you’ll find plenty to do. The only thing that keeps Stockholm from being a more popular city is its relatively remote location.

STOCKHOLM TRAVEL TIPS: Stockholm Travel Prices , Stockholm Pass Review

Source: https://www.stockholmbusinessregion.com/globalassets/about-us/facts-and-figures/…..pdf

31. Nice, France — 2.6 Million Annual Visitors

Nice is a beautiful city in the South of France that’s been a favorite summer vacation destination for Europeans for hundreds of years. And while Southern France has a well-earned reputation for being expensive, Nice has plenty of budget-friendly options — including multiple excellent museums and easy train access to multiple seaside towns.

NICE TRAVEL TIPS: Nice Travel Guide , Nice Travel Prices , Best Hostels in Nice

Source: https://en.meet-in-nice.com/key-figures

32. Porto, Portugal — 2.5 Million Annual Visitors

While Lisbon gets the greatest number of tourists in Portugal, the slightly shabby yet beautiful city of Porto still offers plenty to its visitors — especially when it comes to beautiful weather. Porto is also a very affordable city so it’s attracting many young chefs and people looking for great travel deals.

Source: https://www.investporto.pt/en/sectors/tourism/#:~:text=The%20Greater%20Porto%20Area%20represents,over%2Dnight%20stays%20since%202014

33. Bruges, Belgium — 2.5 Million Annual Visitors

Despite its small size, the medieval fairytale town Bruges is one of the most popular destinations in Europe — in fact, it probably gets more visitors than this list makes it seem since many people visit as a day trip. You can easily see the city in a day but visiting overnight gives you a better (and less touristy) view of the city.

BRUGES TRAVEL TIPS: Bruges Travel Prices

Source: https://www.visitbruges.be/en

34. Reykjavik, Iceland — 2 Million Annual Visitors

Tourism to Reykjavik has exploded over the past few years and now they’re getting over two million visitors each year — which is a lot for a city with a population of just over 100,000. Reykjavik is a city surrounded by incredible nature but it’s also a city full of life. It’s also a city that’s super expensive so it will put a hurting on your wallet.

REYKJAVIK TRAVEL TIPS: Reykjavik Travel Prices , Best Hostels in Reykjavik

Source: https://www.ferdamalastofa.is/en/recearch-and-statistics/numbers-of-foreign-visitors

35. Seville, Spain — 2 Million Annual Visitors

Seville is Spain’s fourth-largest city and it’s one of the most-loved destinations in Southern Europe. There is plenty to see and eat in this laid-back city so it’s worth spending a few days exploring — but be warned at Seville is one of Europe’s hottest cities in the summer so you may want to visit in the spring or fall to escape the heat.

SEVILLE TRAVEL TIPS: Seville Travel Guide , Seville Travel Prices , Best Hostels in Seville

Source: https://www.visitasevilla.es/en/professionals/research-statistics

36. Lyon, France — 1.6 Million Annual Visitors

Lyon is the food capital of France — which is saying a lot for a country famous for its food. Lyon is also a hub for art, culture, winemaking, and commerce. Lyon has many museums as well as a youthful vibe thanks to its large university population. Many visitors also feel like Lyon is more friendly and welcoming than Paris.

Source: https://presse.lyon-france.com/en/tool-box/key-figures

37. Dubrovnik, Croatia — 1.5 Million Annual Visitors

Dubrovnik (and the rest of Croatia) hasn’t traditionally been a wildly popular tourist destination but in recent years it has exploded in popularity — along with higher prices. Now the “pearl of the Adriatic” sees millions of visitors wanting to explore the walled Old Town of this beautiful city so visit in the off-season if you want to avoid the crowds.

DUBROVNIK TRAVEL TIPS: Dubrovnik Travel Prices

Learn More About Europe’s Most Popular Cities

The Savvy Backpacker is full of helpful advice about visiting the most popular and best cities in Europe. Below are some of my best travel articles:

• Europe City Guides
• European City Price Guides  
• Initial Trip Planning
• Budgeting and Money
• Packing Lists and Advice
• Accommodation in Europe
• Transportation in Europe
• Travel Gear Reviews
• Best Of Europe Mega Trip Itinerary (Travel Time: 8-10+ weeks)
• Eastern Europe MegaTrip Itinerary (Travel Time: 6-10 Weeks)
• Gateway to Eastern Europe Travel Itinerary (Travel Time: 2-4 Weeks)
• How Much It Costs To Backpack Europe

Stay Connected With Cheap Mobile Data in Europe

You no longer need to spend a fortune on mobile data while traveling around Europe thanks to the recent growth of affordable prepaid SIM and eSIM data plans. Check out my guides below to see how you can get high-speed data for around $2-$4/day:

• Guide to Using Data Plans and Smartphone Phones in Europe
• How To Buy A SIM Card and Mobile Data Plans in Europe
• Guide To The Best eSIM Data Plans in Europe
• Recent Posts

• Best eSIM For Europe Travel | Everything You Need To Know About European Prepaid eSIM Data Plans - March 24, 2024
• Holafly eSIM Review | Testing The New eSIM Data Plan from Holafly - March 3, 2024
• Fashion Advice: How to Avoid Looking Like An American Tourist In Europe - February 20, 2024

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Europe’s Best Places to Visit in 2024

Whether you’re dreaming to embark on the ultimate arctic adventure, discover old and new capitals of culture, or just break away from the usual hotspots, you’ll find what you’re looking for in our list of the best places to visit in Europe in 2024.

Matera, Italy

The peculiar architecture, with pale stone walls and ancient cave dwellings ( sassi ) carved into the hills, should be reason enough to visit Matera, a unique prehistoric-looking city in the deep south of Italy.

But in 2019, the jewel of Basilicata finally got its moment in the spotlight as a European Capital of Culture, alongside Plovdiv in Bulgaria. That alone translated into an endless roll of events and festivities taking over la Città Sotterranea , as well as lots of derelict limestone grottoes turned into galleries, restaurants, and smart-design hotels with romantic vaulted rooms.

Nevertheless, it’s worth taking the time to soak up the town’s unspoiled charm. Spend an afternoon getting lost in the maze of narrow labyrinthine alleyways, meandering staircases, and pretty little courtyards that is Sassi di Matera (the UNESCO-protected old part of the city). Then, visit a couple of the numerous Rupestrian churches – hewn into the rock and decorated with centuries-old frescoes – that dot the area, and crown it all with a frothy cappuccino and a lip-smacking sfogliatella at a local bakery.

Outer Hebrides, Scotland

If you’re looking for rugged natural beauty and authentic local experiences, this group of islands off the west coast of Scotland is the one to watch this year.

Also known as the Western Isles, the Outer Hebrides offer an unexpected mix of pristine Caribbean-looking beaches, Northern Lights, and thoughtfully preserved Gaelic culture.

You can spend hours here walking through the open countryside amid swathes of moorland thick with wildflowers and along epic coastal paths towering above wild, whirling seas. The air is fresh, the views endless, and the stillness of nature is balm to the soul.

In a place like this, hurrying makes no sense, nor does technology. Instead, embrace the leisurely pace of life, have a drink at a quirky local pub, and indulge in some of the best seafood and farm-to-table cuisine in Britain.

Meanwhile, the islands are particularly famous for their rich birdlife and enigmatic archaeological sites. Lewis is home to the famous Hebridean Celtic Festival and the Callanish Stones, which are older than Stonehenge and just as intriguing; North Uist abounds in wildlife; the airport on the Isle of Barra is the only one in the world using a beach as a runaway; and Harris prides itself with some of UK’s best beaches – think iridescent teal seas and miles of pure sugar-white sand.

Azores, Portugal

There are countless reasons to visit Portugal, but if your 2024 travel agenda includes soaking in bubbling geothermal hot springs, exploring lost-in-time fishing villages, and embarking on fresh off-the-beaten-path adventures, look no further than the Azores.

With luxuriant Lord of the Rings scenery, black volcanic beaches, and lakes of all shades of blue, this far-flung archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic is like nowhere else on the continent. Dubbed the “Hawaii of Europe”, it is a place riddled with breathtaking natural wonders and distinct culture, where adventure reigns supreme.

Its 9 volcanic islands, each with its own character and geography, offer everything from beautiful Portuguese colonial architecture to world-class surfing to unrivaled whale watching. São Miguel, the largest and most diverse of them, is a paradise for hikers and marine enthusiasts, while Pico, which comes next, is home to stunning volcanic caves, rocky vineyards, and the highest mountain in Portugal. Terceira is best known for its vibrant festivals and UNESCO-listed capital Angra do Heroísmo, and Faial has some of the archipelago’s best beaches.

Everywhere you go, you’ll find brilliant hiking and walking opportunities, along with a relaxed atmosphere, delicious food, and oodles of quaint Iberian charm. Snorkeling is excellent too, thanks to the island’s rich underwater flora & fauna and the numerous undersea caves. You can even walk inside a volcano or visit the only tea plantation in Europe.

While constantly named among the world’s top destinations for sustainable tourism, the Azores are still a relatively hidden gem, affordable and largely undiscovered. And the best part, these fascinatingly remote Portuguese islands are as easy to reach from Europe as they are from the US, thanks to convenient direct flights from Boston, Oakland, and more recently, New York.

Transylvania, Romania

Best known as the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the ruthless Romanian prince who inspired Bram Stoker’s vampire novel, Dracula , Transylvania is a land of untainted natural beauty , medieval Saxon villages lost in time, and castles that whisper secrets of days gone by.

Contrary to their expectations, visitors will find the citadels of Transylvania more charming than creepy, and its fortress towns colorful and alive, rather than dark and gloomy. An air of mystery still pervades the place, but it is the valuable mix of authenticity, traditions, and an unspoilt cultural landscape that makes it so unique and intriguing.

In addition to its cultural and historical treasures, Transylvania is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a variety of national parks with excellent hiking and skiing opportunities. Its vibrant, cosmopolitan cities (Sibiu, Brasov, Cluj) are brimming with classy restaurants, hip shopping boutiques, and chic cafés; its churches and museums shelter notable works of art; its awe-inspiring architecture displays layers of history, and its villages seem straight out from fairytales.

Berlin, Germany

There has never been a better time to visit Berlin. Germany’s cool, liberal capital welcomes visitors with vibrant art, glorious nightlife, and a brilliant food scene.

Last years have witnessed the opening of Humboldt Forum, a new large-scale museum housed in the rebuilt Berlin Palace, which now incorporates two institutions – the Ethnological Museum of Berlin and the Museum of Asian Art.

Besides, eccentric Berlin is a hotbed for creatives, with lots of quirky galleries, artisanal cafés, and hip workspaces infusing life in the city’s many derelict buildings. The streets are a canvas for graffiti artists, parks and green spaces stretch as far as the eye can see, and former warehouses have been transformed into clubbing temples. History is tangible here, but so is the explosive artistic energy that this big, multicultural metropolis exudes.

Top 10 Most Beautiful Countries in Europe

Tbilisi, georgia.

With a charming cobblestoned old town, delicious cuisine, and stylish hotels popping up like mushrooms, it’s no surprise Tbilisi often makes the lists of 2024’s top travel destinations.

Nestled in the valley of the Mtkvari River against a picturesque mountainous backdrop, the Georgian capital is weird, wonderful, and absolutely unique – an exceptional mélange of styles and eras, with Persian-style bathhouses standing next to ornate Armenian churches and crumbling Soviet factories turned into hipster hangouts; a legendary 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition; and an ancient fortress looming above.

Its medieval Old Town is a tangle of narrow cobblestone alleyways, mysterious vine-draped courtyards, and pastel-colored houses with intricately carved wooden balconies begging to be explored. There are vintage shops, old churches, and funky ventures all around; the coffee culture is booming; the culinary landscape is in the middle of a renaissance; and the nightlife scene is vibrant, varied, and tolerant – fueled by pumping electronic music, superb wines, and fiery chacha (local brandy).

The East-meets-West capital of Georgia is having a moment, and there’s no better time to visit than now, before tourists start flocking here.

Zadar, Croatia

While most visitors to Croatia focus on postcard-perfect Dubrovnik or fashionable islands like Hvar and Korčula, Zadar is making its mark with striking public art installations, an exceptional cultural heritage, and magical sunsets.

This cosmopolitan city along the northern Dalmatian Coast boasts gleaming Venetian marble streets, top-notch seafood restaurants, and a vibrant coffee scene. Jutting into the sparkling blue waters of the Adriatic, its walled UNESCO-protected Old Town is a treasure trove of Roman remains, fascinating medieval churches, and narrow, atmospheric lanes buzzing with energy.

These days, however, Zadar’s main draw is its beautiful waterfront promenade, where an award-winning art installation called the Sea Organ uses the ocean waves to create soothing, hypnotic sounds. Nearby, Greeting to the Sun – its sunlight-powered companion piece designed by Nikola Bašić – puts on a fantastic light show as the night falls.

Couple these with Zadar’s bustling nightlife, laid-back pace of life, and youthful zeal, as well as easy day trips to sleepy islands and fairytale-like National Parks (Krka and Plitvice Lakes), and you have the kind of place European travel dreams are made of.

Copenhagen, Denmark

In the last few years, Copenhagen has rarely been out of the spotlight. And, considering that it’s constantly named one of Europe’s most livable, bike-friendly, and design-forward cities, that’s hardly a surprise.

Inspiring dining places, chic new hotels, and an excellent taste in design have transformed Copenhagen into Europe’s capital of cool. The city is jam-packed with culture, history, Michelin stars, and effortlessly stylish locals, and each of its eclectic neighborhoods has a charm of its own.

Nowadays, the trendiest of them is Vesterbro – a hipster district outside the city center, filled with quirky vintage shops, organic eateries, and wonderful street art. Even so, most visitors flock to Indre By, the touristy but no less charming Old Town – home to picturesque cobbled streets, fantastic museums, and the colorful Nyhavn area along the waterfront. Then there’s bohemian Christianshavn, multicultural Norrebro, and posh Frederiksberg – known for its elegant Neoclassical houses, glitzy fashion boutiques, and upmarket restaurants.

Visiting Copenhagen in December is like walking in a winter wonderland. Stunning architecture and a wealth of cultural treasures lend the Danish capital a storybook charm, but it’s the city’s creative vibes, clean Scandinavian design, and ambitious green agenda that really make it one of the best European cities to visit.

Copenhagen is aiming to become carbon neutral by 2025, and its state-of-the-art green power plant already hosts one of the longest artificial ski slopes in the world up on its roof. Need we say more?

Ljubljana, Slovenia

If you’ve already experienced the many delights of Croatia or the gloriously unspoiled coast of Montenegro, head to Ljubljana for an idyllic mix of cobbled streets, leafy parks, and cool riverside cafés, which is enough to make it one of our favorite places to visit in Europe in June .

Slovenia’s young and vibrant capital is stepping into the limelight with hot new hotels, forward-thinking restaurants, and a burgeoning cultural life. The architecture throughout the city celebrates both its rich past as well as its bright future, with everything from graceful Baroque and Viennese Secessionist buildings to Jože Plečnik’s modernist marvels to clever sustainable projects.

Ljubljana was named the Green Capital of Europe in 2016, so expect to find a city in perfect harmony with the surrounding nature, with excellent cycling infrastructure, outdoor activities galore, and a blissfully car-free historic center just waiting to be explored.

The turquoise Llubljanica River winds its way through the Old Town, an atmospheric enclave of elegant open squares, picturesque ornate bridges, and cobblestone alleys nestling in the shadow of Ljubljana Castle.

Add excellent museums, independent fashion boutiques, and a roster of summer festivals, plus a less-than-an-hour’s drive to magical Lake Bled, and there’s no doubting why Ljubljana is one of the best places to visit in Europe right now.

Almeria Province, Spain

Of all of Spain’s Andalusian provinces, Almeria is probably the most diverse, unique, and strikingly beautiful. It is a strange place where heavenly beaches coexist with barren lunar landscapes alongside Europe’s most fertile agricultural areas.

The spectacular rocky coastline of Cabo de Gata natural park is home to long, pristine sandy beaches, flamingo-studded salt flats, and secret coves lapped by the clearest Mediterranean seas, but head inland, and you’ll discover the only real desert in this part of the world. Desierto de Tabernas is a geological marvel scattered with otherworldy ochre-colored formations, dry riverbeds, and Wild West theme parks once used as filming locations for Sergio Leone’s famous spaghetti westerns.

Often overlooked by travelers to the South of Spain, the province’s capital city, also called Almeria, has one of the best tapas scenes in the country, plus tranquil palm-fringed squares, splendid churches, and a spectacular 10th-century Moorish fortress (Alcazaba).

Less than 100 km east lies the impossibly pretty hilltop town of Mojácar, with its whitewashed labyrinth-like pueblo and gorgeous Blue Flag beaches.

Breathtaking rocky fjords, majestic glaciers, and quiet, colorful towns make Greenland one of the best places to visit in 2024 – at least for lovers of the Arctic Circle and once-in-a-lifetime adventures.

A massive icy island between Iceland and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Greenland is as enthralling as it is remote. Though geographically part of North America, it is actually an autonomous constituent country of the Kingdom of Denmark, with a unique and fascinating Inuit culture all of its own.

There are no roads between towns, which means getting around is neither easy nor cheap. However, with a bit of planning or the help of a local travel agency, your trip to the world’s largest non-continental island will be memorable for all the right reasons.

Depending on the season, visitors can cruise among icebergs under the midnight sun, kayak through icefields, explore the barren Greenland Ice Sheet (which covers 80% of its surface) on a dog sled, and spot incredible wildlife – from arctic foxes and wolves to whales and polar bears – in the planet’s largest national park (Northeast Greenland National Park). Greenland also boasts fantastic opportunities for hiking, heli-skiing, whale-watching, and Aurora Borealis viewing.

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This surprising city has been voted Europe’s best destination for 2023

Over half a million travellers voted on their favourite European destinations for a new list of places to visit this year

When trying to decide where to travel in 2023 , we wouldn’t blame you for being a bit more adventurous than you have been before. After all, why bother going to the same places everyone else does? New year, new city, we say. 

So forget your Barcelonas and your Berlins. If you’re on the hunt for a less conventional Europe trip in 2023, travel website European Best Destinations has a few suggestions. Over half a million travellers voted on destinations for its list of the continent’s best places to visit this year. And out of a whopping 400 destinations, the 20 most-voted spots made the final round-up.

Alongside the usual suspects, the list includes plenty of lesser-known destinations and takes into account everything from green spaces and safety levels to a destination's historic attractions. 

Top of the pile was... Warsaw ! The Polish capital was singled out for a whole bunch of reasons, from its parks to its historic wonders and overall safety. And, from the spectacular spire of the Palace of Culture and Science to the characterful Old Town Market Square, it’s not hard to see why the city was held in such high regard.

Warsaw was followed by Athens , thanks to its food, art and culture, and Maribor in Slovenia, which got a nod for its natural scenery and summer festivals.

Here are the top ten places to visit this year, according to European Best Destinations.

• Warsaw , Poland
• Athens , Greece
• Maribor , Slovenia
• Vienna , Austria
• Cittadella , Italy
• Essen , Germany
• Veszprém , Hungary
• London , UK
• Grenoble Alpes , France
• Mannheim , Germany

Certainly a bit more interesting than most European 2023 travel lists, right? You can find out more on the European Best Destinations website here . Then read our own list of the 18 best city breaks in Europe for 2023 .

Did you see that these cities are Europe’s new cultural capitals ?

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• Ed Cunningham News Editor, Time Out UK and Time Out London

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• Joanne Herd
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Ready to explore Europe? Here are 5 destinations you can't miss in 2023

After nearly 3 years of interrupted and difficult travel, most of Europe has dropped all pandemic restrictions and is open for business. Not only is it open, it’s looking like 2023 will be a record year for many locations.

So if you’re ready for your next (or first) trip to the continent, here are 5 destinations you should consider.

1) London, England

Home to luxury hotels, charming pubs, world-class (and often free) museums, and centuries of history, London has something for everyone.

2023 will also be a historic year, with the coronation of King Charles III taking place on May 6.

Known for its luxury hotels, the London scene is set for a shakeup in 2023 with multiple highly anticipated openings including The Peninsula London in Belgravia, the Mandarin Oriental in Mayfair, and the Raffles London at the Old War Office.

For the best weather with fewer crowds, consider traveling in April/May or September/October.

Read more: 10 things you (probably) don’t know about London

2) Sicily, Italy

Fans of White Lotus who want to experience the real-life luxury that inspired the second season of the hit show will want to take a trip to the island of Sicily. From the capital city of Palermo to the luxury hotels of Taormina (where the show was set), there’s no shortage of things to see and do.

In addition to the luxury hotel scene, take the time to visit Sicily’s multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites, remote mountain communities, and charming seaside villages.

Sicily has its own unique style of Italian cuisine. Seafood is plentiful thanks to the island’s 600 miles of coastline, and arancini (fried rice balls) are one of the most popular snacks. Pasta alla norma, with tomato, eggplant and salted ricotta cheese, and pasta con le sarde, with sardines, fennel, pine nuts and raisins are also popular.

3) Transylvania, Romania

To experience Europe’s last true wilderness, head north of Romania’s capital of Bucharest to Transylvania. There you’ll find alpine meadows, ragged limestone ridges, and old-growth forests.

Transylvania’s mountains are still home to Europe’s largest carnivores, including brown bears, wolves and lynx. A reserve is currently being created to protect this vast wilderness, a “European Yellowstone” that will stretch across 618,000 untamed acres in Romania’s Southern Carpathian Mountains.

While most people know of Transylvania thanks to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, it’s also a famous wine region best known for its whites. The region has been producing wine for approximately 6,000 years, making it one of the oldest producers of wine in the world.

4) Vienna, Austria

2023 marks the 150th anniversary of Vienna’s 1873 World’s Fair, and the city is planning celebrations all year long to mark the event. It’s also the 300th anniversary of the city’s palatial Belvedere museum.

Vienna is also famous for its coffee house culture, and Café Landtmann, one of Vienna's best-known coffee houses, will also celebrate its 150th anniversary this year.

Nonstop flights from multiple US cities make Vienna an easy city to visit, but it can also now be paired easily with a trip to Paris thanks to the NightJet train service that will run three times per week. Guests can enjoy a private compartment, departing Paris around dinner time and arriving in Vienna around 10am.

5) Hvar, Croatia

If you’re looking for sun, look no further than Hvar, Croatia. The Dalmatian island bills itself as the sunniest in Croatia.

Thanks to Croatia’s acceptance into the Schengen travel zone, passport checks entering and exiting Croatia from mainland Europe will no longer be necessary and the Euro will become the official currency in 2023. That makes it even easier to add Croatia to a European trip this year.

The island also has some of the best stargazing in southern Europe, with Jesla, on the island’s north shore, being named southern Europe’s first International Dark Sky Community.

Lavender lovers will want to visit in July, when the town of Velo Grablje celebrates its lavender festival. Food, drink, and family-friendly activities of all kinds are centered around the beautiful, fragrant Mediterranean plant.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re looking for big city adventures, wine tasting or time spent in nature, Europe has something to offer in 2023.

If you're ready to start planning your next vacation you'll want our free download, "5 Tips for Planning Your Dream Trip."

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30 Under-The-Radar European Cities You Simply Have To Visit

Posted: October 27, 2023 | Last updated: October 27, 2023

Best European cities to visit

Bratislava, Slovakia

Bucharest, Romania

Bustling beer halls, hip coffee shops, peaceful parks, graceful Art Nouveau villas, old orthodox churches and mammoth communist-era structures, there's a lot to see in this Eastern European city. Highlights in Bucharest include visiting the colossal Palace of Parliament (constructed by former dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu), watching a performance in the gorgeous Romanian Athenaeum and relaxing in the pretty Cişmigiu Gardens. 

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

The capital of a little nation often overlooked by travelers, Luxembourg City has a fairy-tale feel about it with a grand palace overlooking quaint, cobbled streets. Surrounded by forest-clad valleys and vineyards, it's an ideal destination for gourmands – there's an impressive number of restaurants featured in the Michelin Guide, eight of which have received at least one star.

Read more about Luxembourg here

Riga, Latvia

With an UNESCO-listed medieval old town, regenerated riverside and a restaurant scene offering everything from modern new Nordic to traditional cookery, there's a lot to love about the Latvian capital. It's best to get a sense of its complex history through the eclectic mix of medieval, Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings in the handsome city centre, then head up to the spire of St Peter's Church to take in the maze of terracotta roofs from above.

Read our full guide to Riga here

Belgrade, Serbia

One of Europe's most energetic capitals, Belgrade has plenty of buzz about it. With cool clubs (its summer barge parties along the Danube and Sava rivers are legendary), eclectic music scene, creative community and clutch of designer hotels, Belgrade is becoming quite the hip destination. Add to that the city's handsome old town, ancient citadel and regenerated riverside districts, it's a wonder this Danube River city isn't on more travelers' must-visit list.

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Vienna, Austria

It's renowned for art and culture but Vienna is all too often edged out by schmaltzy Salzburg. Those that bypass Vienna do so mistakenly. The riches of the Kunsthistorisches Museum with its Rembrandts, Vermeers and Rubens are worth planning a visit around alone. Then there's the prestigious Vienna State Opera , magnificent St Stephen's Cathedral , splendid Baroque palaces and the array of beautiful Art Nouveau coffee houses. In winter its pretty squares are usually flooded with festive markets.

Vilnius, Lithuania

Vilnius might be small but when it comes to attractions, this former European Capital of Culture is a big hitter. It boasts the largest medieval old town in central and eastern Europe with ample parks, squares, historic churches, bars, cafés and restaurants to amuse you. Walking up Castle Hill to Gediminas' Tower , the city's best-known landmark, then meandering through the winding lanes below and watching the city go by in the bustling Cathedral Square is one of the best ways to spend a perfect day in the Lithuanian capital.

Discover more about Vilnius with our guide

Sofia, Bulgaria

With plenty of museums, galleries and a lively nightlife, it's surprising that Sofia isn't on more city break hot lists. Dominated by the vast, domed St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral , Bulgaria's capital is stunning and best explored on foot to take in the magnificent buildings, from the National Theatre to former mineral baths. There are plenty of green spaces to wander around as well, like Borisova Gradina , the city's oldest park.

Take a look at the world's most beautiful cathedrals

Podgorica, Montenegro

Podgorica is another diminutive city that's unlikely to bowl you over with its beauty, but the Adriatic nation's capital is worthy of a stop en route to blissful beaches, wineries and mountains. Built around the confluence of the Ribnica and Morača rivers, Podgorica has striking bridges, pretty parks and some remainders of its Ottoman-era old town, such as the 17th-century Clock Tower. Petrović Castle, set within a lovely park in the charming Kruševac area, houses the city’s Centre for Modern Arts.

Valletta, Malta

The sun-drenched Mediterranean archipelago might be best known for its beaches, but the ancient capital is equally alluring and perfectly proportioned for a weekend break. There are lavish palazzos and centuries-old churches, such as the awe-inspiring St John's Co-Cathedral (which contains original paintings by Caravaggio). The formidable Grand Harbour is a highlight – the Upper Barrakka Gardens are great for panoramic views over this former European Capital of Culture.

Read our guide to Valletta here

Vaduz, Liechtenstein

Straight out of the pages of a fairy-tale book, little Liechtenstein is one of Europe's least-visited countries. The German speaking principality sits between Switzerland and Austria, and its capital Vaduz is surrounded by some seriously majestic alpine scenery. Views aside, its best-known landmark is the 12th-century Vaduz Castle, the official residence of the Prince of Lichtenstein.

Take a look at stunning images of Europe's most adorable small towns

Ankara, Turkey

Declared the Turkish capital after the fall of the Ottoman Empire in 1923, cosmopolitan Ankara typically loses out to package holiday destinations or alluring Istanbul. But the city has a fascinating history beyond its status as the capital and its mix of modern and historical architecture is very telling of its past. Ankara Castle, Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and Anıtkabir – the mausoleum of the first president of the Turkish Republic, Ataturk – are among the best historic attractions, while the sprawling Gençlik Park has an amusement park, two miniature trains and over 40 kiosks selling all manner of wares.

Bern, Switzerland

With its well-preserved medieval old town, snow-covered Alpine backdrop and the pretty River Aare, Bern is a lovely city. The laid-back vibe means it doesn't feel like a bustling capital – and all the better for it. The arcaded streets of its UNESCO-listed historic area are perfect for pottering, with plenty of small shops and cafés. Top attractions include the Zytglogge (clocktower), Gothic Bern Minster , Museum of Fine Arts , Einstein House and the Einstein Museum .

City of San Marino, San Marino

The capital city of Europe's least-visited country (and third-smallest state) sits perched on the slopes of Mount Titano and commands amazing views of the Appenines. The car-free medieval center of Città, as it's commonly known, has ancient arches, ramparts and palazzi to explore. It might be small but, as one of the world's oldest republics, it's steeped in character and history.

These are the world's most beautiful medieval cities

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Most visitors arriving in Ljubljana pass through quickly en route to Lake Bled and the Julian Alps. Big mistake – the city has one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in Europe, a vibrant festival scene, cutting-edge art galleries and sophisticated restaurants. The traffic-free historic center is a delight to explore with its mix of Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture. The hilltop castle offers excellent views while the National Museum of Slovenia houses some of the country's most prized and ancient treasures.

Oslo, Norway

Often shunned in favor of Arctic cruises and quaint Bergen further up the coast, Oslo has slowly been raising its profile. With a compact and walkable historic center, leafy green spaces and cutting-edge modern architecture, there's lots to love about this Nordic capital. Some of the top things to do here include walking up the roof of the ultra-modern Oslo Opera House and checking out the nearby Deichman Library , plus kayaking down the Oslofjord or exploring the islands and enjoying the city's bar scene.

Read more about Oslo in our guide

Brussels, Belgium

The political center of Europe, there's much more to Brussels than just the seat of the European Parliament and home to many other EU institutions. It's packed with museums and some of Europe's best architecture. The imposing Grand Place is a good way to start exploring the city and its quaint charm. The Musée Fin-de-Siècle is great for art lovers, while the Belgian Chocolate Village , an enormous space dedicated entirely to chocolate, is a must for those with a sweet tooth.

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Founded by the Ottomans in the 15th century, Bosnia and Herzegovina's beautiful capital retains a lot of its Turkish heritage, especially in its atmospheric old bazaar and historic center Baščaršija. Known as the Jerusalem of Europe because of its religious diversity, with a Catholic church, synagogue and mosque sitting side by side, this is a place to saunter from cafés to its souk-like stalls. The Tunnel of Hope museum just outside the city center is an excellent place to learn what life was like during the 1992-96 siege, following the declaration of independence from Yugoslavia.

Check out our guide to Sarajevo

Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

There's a great energy about this proud city in Northern Ireland that is all too often overlooked. However, Belfast has its fair share of friendly pubs, traditional live music venues and world-class attractions, such as the Titanic Belfast , Ulster Museum and The MAC culture center . St George's Market is a must-visit for sampling Northern Irish produce. Time to spare? The magnificent Mountains of Mourne and the Giant’s Causeway are a short drive away.

Discover the UK's most stunning natural wonders

Warsaw, Poland

Quaint Kraków might steal the limelight, but those in the know go to Poland's capital Warsaw. Heavily bombed during the Second World War, the painstakingly rebuilt medieval old town (now an UNESCO World Heritage site) is a remarkable feat and a wonderful place to explore. Another noteworthy landmark is the striking Monument to the Warsaw Uprising – the painful history behind it is well-documented at the excellent Warsaw Rising Museum . It also has elegant parks, most notably the Royal Łazienki Park with its Neoclassical palace.

Yerevan, Armenia

The capital of Armenia is one of Europe's least-known cities and all the more intriguing for it. Its skyline is dominated by Mount Ararat, the symbol of Armenia. Visitors can climb to the top of The Cascade stairway for spectacular city and mountain views or meander through the narrow lanes of the old quarter before seeking out somewhere to try khoravats (traditional barbecued meat). A harrowing but important visit is The Armenian Genocide Museum and its moving memorial.

Tbilisi, Georgia

It might not have entirely escaped the eye of tourists but it's fair to say the capital of this small Caucasus nation isn't one of Europe's big hitters. Those who do visit congregate in the delightful old quarter where most of Tbilisi's historical sights (including Narikala Fortress ), cafés, bars, museums and charming streets are to be found. Incredible food and wines are another huge reason to seek out this city. Those looking to relax should check out the city's traditional hot sulfur bathhouses.

Zagreb, Croatia

There's no doubt Dubrovnik overshadows the rest of the country so those seeking a quieter escape should look towards Croatia's inland capital. Located along the Sava River and framed by Mount Medvednica, Zagreb might not have beaches, but it does have all the pillars of a great city break: a charming cobbled old town, wonderful food and a fantastic art scene. Once its most famous sights – namely the twin-spired Zagreb Cathedral and colorful St Mark's Church – are ticked off the list, there's a maze of cute backstreets to explore.

Andorra la Vella, Andorra

Sitting at 3,356 feet (1,023m) above sea level, this is the highest capital city in Europe – and one of the smallest. Wedged between France and Spain, mountainous Andorra is mostly known for its ski resorts, but Andorra la Vella is worth a visit for different reasons. There are some great boutiques, reputable restaurants and well-preserved Romanesque architecture. One of the city's most significant buildings is 16th-century Casa de la Vall , which was the seat of the Parliament of Andorra from 1702 to 2011.

Skopje, North Macedonia

The cafés, mosques and stall-lined, winding streets of Stara Čaršija (Skopje's old hillside bazaar) are the best place to soak in the North Macedonian capital's history and culture. Most of the city's Ottoman- and Byzantine-era sights sit across the 15th-century Kameni Most bridge, including traditional bathhouses and Fortress Kale . From its ramparts, a stunning view opens up over the old town and across the Vardar river to the city’s modern buildings.

Take a look at Europe's most beautiful castles

Nicosia, Cyprus

Cyprus is known more for beach holidays than sophisticated city breaks but exploring its split capital (the only divided capital in the world) is a real insight into ancient and modern Cypriot culture. The southern half of the city (known as south Nicosia among locals, Nicosia in English and Lefkosia in Greek), is the capital of the republic while the northern half, known as Lefkoşa, is Turkish-occupied. Top spots include the old quarter of Laiki Geitonia, the Cyprus Museum with its archaeological treasures and charming cafés serving traditional pastries.

Chişinău, Moldova

A blend of brutalist Soviet buildings and modern high-rises, Chişinău might lack the architectural riches of some European capitals but it has charms of its own. The city is surprisingly leafy with lovely parks and a clutch of interesting museums. Some pre-Second World War buildings remain, including a 19th-century orthodox cathedral with beautiful frescoes. The cathedral square is a lovely place to wander around the open-air flower market, bars and restaurants, and sample some of the famed Moldovan wine.

Tirana, Albania

One of the last European countries to shake off communism, Albania's capital has a certain charm with wide avenues and brightly colored buildings. The Albanian National Museum and the National Gallery of Arts are both well worth a visit, as is the Et'hem Bey Mosque, one of Tirana's last remaining examples of Ottoman architecture.

Helsinki, Finland

Stockholm and Copenhagen tend to overshadow Helsinki when it comes to Nordic city breaks, but this cool capital has plenty to offer. Great museums, striking buildings (like Finlandia Hall overlooking Töölönlahti Bay and Sibelius Monument), cool boutiques and hip designer hotels make Finland's capital a more-than-worthy contender. There's a pretty harborside area, the UNESCO-listed island fortress of Suomenlinna , a fantastic food scene and a plethora of saunas too.

Tallinn, Estonia

With its 13th-century walled old town – all cobblestone streets, quaint courtyards, medieval spires and pastel merchants' houses – and pretty position on the Baltic Sea, Tallinn is a serious looker. It's garnered a reputation as a place for cheap beer and late-night bars but there's far more to it. The hip Kalamaja district is excellent for restaurants, cool shops and the brilliant maritime museum Seaplane Harbour .

Now check out these amazing photos of Europe viewed from above

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The 10 Best Cities in Europe to Visit During Easter 2024

The significance of easter and why it "moves".

Ever wondered why Easter is not celebrated on the same day every year? And why are there two different dates for Easter around the world? Or are you planning your next European getaway? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you’ve already traveled to the perfect spot!

This year, Easter, the “moveable” Christian Holiday which commemorates Jesus’ resurrection, will be observed by denominations of Western Christianity on March 31. Eastern Orthodox Churches, they will hold their Easter celebration, or their “Pascha,” on May 5, 2024.

While both branches of Christianity celebrate Easter on the first Sunday after the “Paschal” full moon, the exact date Easter Sunday falls on depends on which solar calendar is used. The Eastern Orthodox Church uses the Julian Calendar, while Western Christian Churches use the Gregorian Calendar.

The entire 50-Day Easter period is also referred to as “Eastertide” or “Paschaltide.” 40 days before Easter, Christians begin Lent, a period of reflection and preparation leading up to Easter. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Holy Saturday. The final seven sacred days of Lent are also known as “Holy Week” – which is now fully upon us.

Now that you’re caught up with this year’s Easter timeline and its religious significance, let’s dive into the excitement that goes beyond denominations.

Yes, Easter is a Christian holiday, but it is not only for Christians and Roman Catholics. Add Easter to the springtime, and Europe itself springs further into life – for both locals and travelers. Churches across many European cities, and cities around the world, hold special services, processions, and rituals to honor and celebrate Easter. Famous streets then become filled with ornate floats, traditional music, exuberant dancers, and so many other fun activities.

Easter transcends religious boundaries, infusing European cities with bubbling energy and an air of celebration.

In the spirit of Easter, our team has ranked 10 of the best cities in Europe to visit this special time of year. One of our many ways of celebrating Easter travel with you. And to keep our procession objective, we’ve made sure to include some of our experts’ favorite cities that lie outside of our tour catalogue. But you will be the true judge of our list!

Our European travel experts utilized the following criteria when curating 10 of Europe’s top destinations this time of year:

10 - Prague, Czech Republic

Prague, with its blend of fairytale charm and rich history, provides a picturesque backdrop for Easter celebrations, and comes in at number 10 on our list. Here, you can enjoy the stunning architecture of sites like the Prague Castle, and we highly recommend taking a stroll across the iconic Charles Bridge.

Popular and traditional Czech food during Easter includes delicacies like Mazanec “Easter Bread” and Škubánky (a sweet and fried, potato-based pastry somewhat like the Italian zeppole). If you’ve never tried either a zeppole or Škubánky, might as well book your tickets to the Czech Republic, or Italy, right away – you’re missing out.

Easter decoration on the old town square, Prague, Czech Republic

9 - Amsterdam, Netherlands

Being in Amsterdam during Easter promises a delightful blend of tradition and modernity, making it a stellar choice and earning it the 9th spot on our list. As spring blooms across the city, Amsterdam’s iconic canals adorned with colorful tulips in full bloom. You will also get much more sunlight and warmer weather in the Netherlands this time of year.

Easter in Amsterdam offers a plethora of activities, from exploring world-class museums like the Van Gogh Museum to joining in the vibrant festivities at the Easter markets in Dam Square. For sun-seekers, the best time to soak up some rays would be around late April when the weather starts to warm up. And as for the notorious red-light district, well, perhaps it's the one place where you can hunt for eggs of a different kind – just be sure to keep an eye out for any "special offers" from the local bunnies! Amsterdam truly offers a unique Easter experience.

Spring sunrise in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, overlooking one of its famous canals

8 - Milan, Italy

Milan, holding the esteemed 8th position on our list of top European cities for Easter exploration, offers a fusion of timeless elegance and contemporary flair. As the city emerges from the winter chill, Milan blooms with vitality, presenting an array of activities to enchant visitors during this festive season.

For those seeking outdoor adventures, the beginning of spring offers ideal weather for exploring Milan's lush parks and gardens, such as Parco Sempione or Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli. And while Milan may not boast a red-light district, its vibrant nightlife scene ensures there's no shortage of excitement after the sun sets.

Then there’s the secrets of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, the Last Supper , resonating with the spirit of Easter. This iconic painting is a must-see when in Milan, and for an even deeper experience, consider joining our guided tour to delve into its historical context and artistic significance. Milan beckons travelers to celebrate Easter in style, promising an unforgettable time in the heart of Italy's fashion capital.

Bird's-Eye View of the Cathedral Duomo di Milano

7 - Vienna, Austria

Number 7 brings us to Vienna, Austria, where classical elegance meets Easter extravagance in a harmonious blend of tradition and opulence. The city comes alive with a symphony of Easter festivities during this time of year, offering a perfect blend of cultural richness and celebratory spirit. Two of the city’s top venues are the Schönbrunn Palace and the historic Hofburg Palace. They will both leave you utterly speechless.

And of course, no visit to Vienna would be complete without savoring a cup of Wiener Melange at one of its elegant coffeehouses, where you can bask in the timeless charm of Viennese café culture. Vienna's Easter charm is sure to sweep you off your feet.

View of Vienna, Austria from Saint Stephane's Cathedral

6 - London, United Kingdom

Number 6 on our list takes us to London, where tradition, religion, and modernity, converge in a vibrant Easter celebration. London offers travelers and locals one of the most diverse settings in the world for Easter festivities, courtesy of its perfect blend of old-world charm and contemporary flair.

Among the must-visit attractions is the iconic Westminster Abbey , where a series of solemn and beautiful ceremonies are held throughout Holy Week. On Palm Sunday, the Abbey hosts a Sung Eucharist with the Blessing of Palms, featuring enchanting choral performances. Throughout the week, visitors can also attend Morning and Evening Prayer services, immersing themselves in the spiritual ambiance of this historic site.

And lastly, few places can offer family-friendly fun during Easter like the English Capital does. London’s bustling streets become adorned with colorful Easter decorations where you can enjoy a host of family-friendly activities, from delightful Easter egg hunts in picturesque parks to awe-inspiring performances at renowned theaters. London's Easter allure promises an unforgettable journey through history, culture, and magical delights for the whole family to enjoy.

The Greater London Area in spring

5 - Lisbon, Portugal

Entering the top 5 on our list – Lisbon! Nestled along the scenic shores of the Tagus River, Lisbon offers a delightful blend of historical charm and vibrant culture, making it a delightful destination for Easter festivities. In this coastal beauty, Easter is celebrated with fervor and joy, reflecting Portugal's rich religious heritage and lively traditions.

If you’re traveling to Lisbon during Easter, don't miss the Festa da Páscoa (Easter Festival), where you can witness traditional religious processions, savor authentic Portuguese cuisine, and enjoy lively music and dance performances. Throughout the week, Lisbon's churches come alive with some of the most colorful and energetic Easter services and ceremonies you’ll ever see.

In addition to religious observances, Lisbon also boasts a vibrant atmosphere with Easter markets and cultural activities. Visitors can explore markets held in iconic squares like Praça do Comércio and Praça da Figueira, where they can shop for traditional handicrafts.

Aerial view of the Tower of Belem at sunset, Lisbon, Portugal on the Tagus River

4 - Paris, France

Known as the "City of Light," and the “City of Love,” Paris offers a magical and intimate settings for Easter celebrations. With blooming cherry blossoms appearing all over Paris, Easter truly feels like a time of renewal and new life in the French capital.

Throughout Holy Week, Paris holds a number of Easter ceremonies at its most renowned venues like the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Centuries-old traditions come to life in a solemn and majestic ceremony at Notre-Dame for the grandeur of Easter Mass.

Easter in Paris quite literally looks like a time of renewal, with blooming cherry blossoms adorning the city's parks and gardens. Families can delight in Easter egg hunts along the Seine River and near the Eiffel Tower, adding an element of fun for children amidst the cultural experience. Afterward, adults can indulge in our champagne cruise on the Seine , savoring exquisite views of Paris's landmarks while toasting to the beauty of the city and the joy of the Easter season. With its timeless elegance and enchanting ambiance, Paris promises an Easter getaway perfect for every family member.

The Eiffel Tower in Paris on a sunny spring day behind cherry blossoms

3 - Barcelona, Spain

In the heart of Catalonia, Barcelona emerges as our number 3 pick among the top 10 cities to experience Easter in Europe during 2024. Steeped in a unique blend of Catalan culture and modernist architecture, Barcelona beckons with genuine excitement this time of year.

During Holy Week, Barcelona's historic districts come alive with processions, music, and traditional dances. Visitors can witness the iconic "La Sardana" folk dance performed in squares and parks, symbolizing unity and community spirit. One of the most anticipated events is the "Processó del Sant Enterrament," a solemn procession on Good Friday depicting the burial of Christ, complete with elaborate floats and religious imagery.

No visit to Barcelona during Easter would be complete without exploring the architectural wonders of Antoni Gaudí. The breathtaking Sagrada Família stands as a testament to Gaudí's genius and remains one of the city's most iconic landmarks. Visitors can attend special Easter services at this awe-inspiring basilica, immersing themselves in its intricate facades and soaring spires.

As evening falls, Barcelona's culinary scene beckons with tantalizing flavors and vibrant ambiance. Indulge in traditional Catalan dishes at local taverns and tapas bars, savoring the rich flavors of "bacallà" (salt cod) and "crema catalana" (Catalan custard). End the evening with a leisurely stroll along the bustling streets of La Rambla, where street performers entertain crowds with their mesmerizing talents.

Park Güell, one of Antoni Gaudí's many precious gifts to Barcelona

2 - Sevilla, Spain

Surpassing Barcelona at number 2 on our list is a city not too far away – Sevilla. While it may come as a surprise to some, Sevilla steals the spotlight as the ultimate destination for Easter celebrations in Spain. Renowned for its extravagant “Semana Santa” processions, Sevilla immerses visitors in a spectacle of religious fervor, cultural heritage, and vibrant traditions.

During Holy Week, Sevilla's streets transform into a captivating stage for the city's iconic processions, featuring elaborate floats adorned with religious icons and accompanied by solemn marches and haunting music. One of the most anticipated events is the "Madrugá," an early morning procession on Good Friday that draws thousands of spectators to witness the awe-inspiring display of devotion and pageantry.

You can attend traditional flamenco performances, where the passionate rhythms and emotive dances evoke the spirit of Andalusia. Art aficionados can explore the city's museums and galleries, showcasing centuries of Spanish art and culture. Sevilla's Easter allure extends beyond its cultural and culinary offerings to encompass the warm hospitality and infectious energy of its people. From the grand processions to the intimate moments of reflection, Sevilla offers an Easter experience that is both unforgettable and deeply meaningful.

Sevilla, Spain holds the number two spot on our list for its unmatched Holy Week fervor.

1 - Rome, Italy & Vatican City

Surprised by our winner? Probably not. Claiming the top spot on our list of the top 10 cities to experience Easter in Europe during 2024 is Rome/Vatican City. As Easter masses are already underway, the special power and significance of the Vatican are palpable, particularly during this sacred time of year. Adding to the significance, Easter 2024 also marks the 11th anniversary of Pope Francis' election, further enhancing the spiritual atmosphere of the city.

But Rome offers much more than just religious observances. It's a city where history, culture, and culinary delights converge to create an unforgettable experience.

It's worth noting that crowds can pick up in Rome during Easter, but fear not! If you travel with us, our Skip-the-Line experiences and curated itineraries ensure a seamless and enjoyable visit, allowing you to make the most of your time in this magnificent city.

As for specific events taking place during Easter 2024, Rome offers an array of experiences to suit every taste. From the solemnity of Easter Mass at St. Peter's Basilica to the joyous celebrations in the city's historic squares, there's something for everyone. Don't miss the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession at the Colosseum, where the ancient amphitheater provides a dramatic backdrop for this centuries-old tradition. Additionally, explore the Vatican Museums and marvel at the Sistine Chapel, or take a leisurely stroll through the charming streets of Trastevere, where Easter festivities spill out into the cobblestone alleys.

In Rome, Easter is not just a holiday – it's a celebration that resonates with the echoes of history, the flavors of tradition, and the warmth of community.

The Eternal City Stands Alone as the Top City in Europe to Visit During Easter According to our Experts

Final Thoughts from City Wonders

Enjoyed our list? Can't believe our rankings? Let us know on social media! And for those already traveling, we're eager to hear about your Easter adventures.

We hope you found our list of the best cities in Europe to visit during Easter 2024 insightful and inspiring! Whether you're fascinated by the cultural and religious significance of Easter, intrigued by the diverse experiences it brings, or simply love the springtime vibes, there's something for everyone to discover and enjoy.

From all of us at City Wonders, we extend our warmest wishes for a joyous and happy Easter celebration, wherever you may be in the world.

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The EU in 2023: Succeeding amidst challenging times

At a time of increased geopolitical tensions, the EU has continued to successfully tackle the issues that concern Europeans most in 2023 , whilst remaining on track to deliver on the political priorities. That is according to the new edition of the EU General Report, which was published today.

The report looks at how we have responded to emerging and existing global challenges, with our ongoing, steadfast support for Ukraine being the highlight. We have provided over €88 billion in financial, humanitarian and military assistance, offered protection to over 4 million people fleeing from Ukraine to the EU and are ready to open accession negotiations.

It also looks to the Middle East and how we have responded to the drastic deterioration in the humanitarian situation of Palestinians, quadrupling humanitarian aid to over €100 million in the last year.

At home, the report emphasises the work done in staying the course on key EU priorities

• continuing our economic recovery from the pandemic
• boosting competitiveness and manufacturing capacity for the technologies and products required to meet our ambitious climate targets
• putting in place the legal framework to cut emissions by 55 % by 2030 (a key milestone on the path to climate neutrality)
• making progress in ending the EU’s reliance on Russian fossil fuels, thanks to the REPowerEU Plan, and in reforming the design of the EU’s electricity market, to protect consumers against price shocks
• working on a first comprehensive law on Artificial Intelligence as part of Europe’s digital transition
• strengthening social dialogue and progressing on new rules to improve working conditions of people working through digital market platforms
• reaching an important milestone in overhauling our migration system.

The report is available in all official languages of the EU as a fully illustrated book and an online version which is available below.

Find more information

The EU in 2023: General Report on the Activities of the European Union

The story of the von der Leyen Commission

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Hamas Took Her, and Still Has Her Husband

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Yocheved Lifshitz was beaten and held in tunnels built by Hamas for 17 days.

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