The most beautiful cities in Europe – 15 tips for your next city trip
City breaks are a wonderful alternative to the usual beach vacation or active vacation in the mountains. They are a cultural highlight, because in addition to the most beautiful sights, you can often visit local events and thus get an accurate insight into the culture. But if you plan a city trip then most often the names of European capitals such as London, Paris, Berlin, Rome or Madrid come up.
Of course, in Europe and Germany there are many beautiful cities that are ideal for a city trip. A break from everyday life is definitely a visit to the most beautiful cities in Europe. If you are ever in the region, these cities are not to be missed.
1 Bilbao, Spain
In northern Spain – in the Basque Country – lies the city of Bilbao, also called the City of the Guggenheim. In 1997, the Guggenheim Museum was built, and in a particularly unusual architectural style. This building is not only interesting inside with its exhibitions, but also from its appearance. The Bilbao Art Museum is also a must for interested city travelers.
In the city of Bilbao, the Begona Basilica and the Cathedral of Santiago are also waiting to be visited. Both church buildings stand on the foundations of old churches, each of which has its own history. The Ribera market is particularly lively, with daily offers and haggling. The Plaza Nueva is just right to rest in one of the street cafes and enjoy an espresso.
2 St. Petersburg, Russia
A trip to the Russian port city is like a fairy tale, especially in the wintertime. Numerous magnificent palaces remain from its time as a tsarist city, which have now taken on a different function. The Hermitage, for example, is a building that always attracts many visitors. St. Petersburg is also called the city of the White Nights or the Venice of the North.
To this day, it is not only an economic center, but also a cultural center and home to architects, artists, dancers, literary figures and musicians who travel here from all over the world. Just to see the metro station Avtovo is impressive. The Hermitage Museum, Peterhof Palace, the Cathedral of the Resurrection and many other buildings are as well.
3 Tallinn, Estonia
The capital of Estonia has developed into a cultural center of the country. Its location on the Baltic Sea makes it a popular destination not only for its inhabitants. Especially the old town, which is completely surrounded by a city wall, is an attraction. When you visit it, you feel as if you have been transported back in time. The cobblestone streets and the buildings still seem to be from the past.
The from the 13. The town hall square, which dates back to the 19th century, the town hall and the 64 meter high tower are a special attraction. This is also true for the Nikolai church from the 13th century. Century. The former cannon tower "Kiek in de Kok" can also be visited like the other towers of the city wall.
4 Krakow, Poland
The Polish city of Krakow is often referred to as the Paris on the Vistula, which may be due to its historic buildings. But also the modern life, which was built into the historical flair in Krakow, plays a role here. Sights include the Market Square, which is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe. Around it are impressively beautiful palaces and churches.
The Old Town of Krakow is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Buildings from different eras come together here, the cloth halls, fortified towers along the Royal Way and the city wall are part of the ensemble. Restaurants and cafes, stores and events provide the modern side of Krakow, which is not only popular with visitors.
5 Reykjavik, Iceland
On the coast of Iceland lies ReykjavIk, capital and also the largest city in the country. At the same time, and this is its peculiarity, it is also the northernmost city in the world. Those who take a city trip to Reykjavik can experience a variety of sights and also a wide range of activities.
The swimming pools are a must for the Icelanders, the hot springs provide a constant supply of perfect bathing water. Above the center of the town stands the Hallgrimskirkja church with its 74.5 meter high tower with viewing platform. The center of Reykjavik invites mainly for shopping, manufacturers of outdoor clothing have their headquarters here. Austurvollur square is also worth seeing, especially in the summer everyone meets here and there are a variety of cafes and stores.
6 Stockholm, Sweden
Sweden's capital is not only the right address for a city trip to Stockholm in summer, even in winter there are exciting things to experience here. The special thing about it is that you are not only traveling to a big city, but at the same time to a whole plethora of islands right on your doorstep.
In Stockholm, there is a great variety of culture and sights of a historical nature. Especially the old town Gamla Stan, which was the heart of Stockholm in the Middle Ages, offers streets and squares with beautiful houses, nice stores and restaurants. The colorful facades of the houses are a popular subject for photographing. The Vasa Museum, the Skansen open-air museum, the Royal Palace, Stadshuset City Hall or the Abba Museum attract visitors. Those who want peace and quiet can relax on a trip to the archipelago or take a tour of the city by boat.
7 Utrecht, Netherlands
The municipality of Utrecht is located in the geographical center of the Netherlands, and those who wish to visit it will find there a beautiful medieval old town with various attractions. The canals that flow through the city remind a little of Amsterdam. The city center is traffic-calmed and thus offers itself for a comfortable stroll.
Since the cathedral is right in the middle, you can practically use it as a landmark when exploring. The canals offer to discover the city of Utrecht by boat. Apart from the cathedral, there are a number of museums, including the Kids Museum with the Utrecht Railway Museum. Under the cathedral are ancient excavations that lead through the 2000-year history of Utrecht.
8 Edinburgh, Scotland
If you travel to the Scottish capital Edinburgh, you are actually taking a trip back in time. The city built on a hill with the castle looks a bit defiant and dark. The medieval old town has not only streets with cobblestones, but also a lot of small alleys and hidden passages.
The modern counterpart, the Georgian New Town, impresses with its squares and modern streets. Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Arthur's Seat or the National Museum of Scotland are among the special attractions. If you travel to Edinburgh for several days, you can visit the zoo, go to one of the markets and don't miss the whisky distilleries.
More articles on the topic:
9 Dubrovnik, Croatia
For many decades the city of Dubrovnik on the Adriatic Sea has been a popular vacation destination. If you are on vacation in the region, you should definitely pay a visit to the city. Dubrovnik is best known for its old town, which is surrounded by a city wall that dates back to the 16th century. Century originates. In the old town you can find buildings like the church in baroque style, the Sponza palace in renaissance style or the rector's palace in gothic style.
The beautiful pedestrian zone is paved with limestones and there are stores and restaurants, cafes and other localities lined up. All in all, Dubrovnik is the cultural center of Croatia, because events and tourist attractions round off the offer.
10 Riga, Latvia
Somewhat less frequented by tourists is the Latvian capital Riga, which lies at the mouth of the Duna into the Baltic Sea. In Latvia it is considered a cultural center, because many museums and concert halls enrich the city. With its medieval old town Riga also attracts international tourists. The buildings built in beautiful architecture are for example the Latvian National Opera and Ballet, the Freedom Monument or the Petri Church.
A variety of beautiful houses with Art Nouveau facades can be found in Riga, but also houses in a wooden architecture typical of the region. The old town is home to many architectural monuments, and a stroll through the alleys and streets is particularly worthwhile here. On the banks of the Daugava River is the Central Market, which is definitely worth a visit for its culinary variety.
11 Geneva, Switzerland
A city trip to Geneva is especially suitable if you spend your vacation nearby in the Alps or in the Jura mountains. The city of Geneva – capital of the canton of the same name – is not only a diplomatic or banking center. Its location on the shores of Lake Geneva makes it a popular destination for excursions, where beautiful sights can be discovered.
The water fountain in Lake Geneva is considered the city's landmark. The old town of Geneva invites you to stroll through the shopping and business district. In the middle of it stands the cathedral St. Pierre and the square Place du Bourg-de-Four is the oldest square in the city. In addition to old town alleys or green areas, the lake promenade is a popular meeting place, especially in the summer and on summer evenings. A water cab can be used to reach other places on the shore of the lake.
12 Strasbourg, France
In Strasbourg, German and French characteristics are very close together, because Strasbourg is located on the border with Germany in the region Alsace-Champagne-Lorraine. Strasbourg is a popular destination for tourists not because of the seat of the European Parliament, but because of many beautiful attractions. Among the sights in Strasbourg is definitely the Strasbourg Cathedral, the city's landmark.
The Munsterplatz in front of it is also worth seeing, especially because of the half-timbered houses standing there, such as the Kammerzellhaus. The entire city center is part of the UNESCO. Regional and seasonal events round out a city break in Strasbourg, and there are plenty of beautiful places and countryside to explore in the region as well.
13 Antwerp, Belgium
The city of Antwerp in Belgium generally has the reputation of not having the most beautiful cityscape. But it is a city full of history and special features. Already in the Middle Ages Antwerp was a place for diamond trade. Thousands of diamond dealers and other trades dealing with the precious stones are located in Antwerp. Due to its location on the Scheldt, it has a harbor.
Among the sights is the Grote Markt, the triangular square in the center. It is located not far from the port. On the Grote Platz are old guild and guild houses from the 16th century. And 17. Century. Cafes, restaurants and small stores enrich the offer. The City Hall, the Brabo Fountain, the Cathedral of Our Lady or the Rubens House are other suggestions for sightseeing when the city trip goes to Antwerp.
14 Linz, Austria
The Austrian city of Linz is located between Vienna and Salzburg and offers a number of beautiful attractions. These include, for example, the Mariendom (New Cathedral), the Castle and the Old Town, the Upper Austrian Cultural Quarter, the Postlingberg World of Experience, the Music Theater, Mural Harbor and many more.
The cityscape of Linz is equally inviting. The main square in the middle of the city is lined with baroque buildings. The Old Town Hall and the Old Cathedral are among them. On the banks of the Danube stands the Lentos Art Museum Linz with its extensive art collection.
15 Coimbra, Portugal
Those vacationing in Portugal should visit the city of Coimbra, which has a well-preserved medieval old town. The University of Coimbra is also worth seeing, as it was built on the site of a former palace. The baroque library and the bell tower from the 18th century. Century are worth seeing.
Other places of interest are the Capela de Sao Miguel or the monastery Mosteiro de Santa Cruz. You can relax in one of the many gardens like the Choupal or the Portugal dos Pequenitos, which is especially interesting for children. A boat ride on the Mondego is especially nice.