Europe is one of the most beautiful continents on earth. Owing to its amazing topography, it is home to some of the most captivating natural attractions found in different countries spread across the continent. A large number of tourists visit different places around Europe to have a memorable travel experience.
If you are also planning to go on a vacation anytime soon, then you have landed on the right article. Here we are going to list down and discuss the 20 best European countries worth visiting while discussing the most popular city in each of them.
Italy
Rome
The iconic city of Rome is the capital of Italy. It is the third most populous metropolitan area in the entire European Union. Rome has a very rich history, dating back 28 centuries. The name of the city is believed to be inspired by a person named Romulus, who was the very first king and founder of Rome. Due to the city’s intriguing history and its remnants, around nine million international tourists visit Italy’s capital each year. Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Vatican Museums among others. There are many other fascinating places that you can explore on your trip to Italy.
Greece
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece. The city also served as the most central administrative district of ancient Greece. It is one of the biggest reasons why the city has been dotted with some of the world’s oldest and most prominent historical landmarks. Athens is still overlooked by some of the most captivating structures that date back to the 5th century BC. These landmarks include a citadel based on many different types of ancient landmarks and the Acropolis. Places like the Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum have many different types of historical objects and relics on display. The city is visited by over 6 million international travelers each year.
France
Paris
Home to the very famous Eiffel Tower, Paris is the capital city of France, a country best known for its fashion and retail industry. It is one of the most expensive cities to live in. Paris is also one of the oldest cities in Europe, having its roots dating back to the 1st century BC. Eiffel Tower was completed in the 19th century. Ever since its inception, this wrought-iron lattice tower has become a symbol of the city. Considered one of the best holiday destinations in the world, the capital city of France receives as many as 20-30 million tourists each year. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, and Musée d’Orsay are some other popular tourist attractions in the city. The old tunnel system underneath Paris is home to catacombs, which is one of the weirdest places to visit in the world.
Netherlands
Amsterdam
The capital city of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is one of the cleanest and greenest cities on earth. People living in the metropolitan area are habitual of commuting to work and vice versa on bicycles. The city is famous around the world for its picturesque ancient metropolitan settings based on a rich heritage, narrow streets with houses having gabled exteriors—all remnants of the 17th century Golden Age of Amsterdam. It is also home to some of the world’s famous museums including the Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum. Located in North-West Europe, the city welcomes around 19 to 20 million tourists each year.
Spain
Barcelona
A lot of people visit Barcelona — the capital city of Catalonia region in Spain — because of its internationally acclaimed art and architecture. It is the country’s second-largest city. Barcelona is located in the northwestern coastal region of Spain. Owing to its unique location, it lets you enjoy the captivating views of the Mediterranean Sea and its coastal strip is located on the convergence of Llobregat and Besòs rivers. This greatly adds to the diversity of marine life found in the region. Barcelona was also once under the rule of the Roman Empire, which is why it enjoys an intriguing history. La Sagrada Familia, Arc de Triomf, Park Guell, Barrio Gotico, Las Ramblas are a few of the many famous historical attractions found in the city.
England
London
With a history dating back to the era of the Romans, the capital city of England, London, is among the oldest developed metropolitan areas in Europe. As a part of one of the best European countries worth visiting, London witnesses around 21 million visitors each year. The modern, as well as classic infrastructure of the city, has a lot to offer to visitors. You’ll be amazed by the majestic and iconic structures found in London like the Big Ben clock tower and Westminster Abbey. To spend a refreshing evening, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can head over to Hyde Park. Also, upon your trip to England’s capital, don’t forget to take a ride on the gigantic wheel of the London Eye to enjoy panoramic views of the city.
Iceland
Reykjavik
Located on the coastal belt, Reykjavik is the capital and largest city of Iceland. The country’s highly intriguing and fascinating history is well exhibited by some of the most famous museums in the city. Visit the National and Saga museums and many other historical galleries to take an up-close look at the region’s history, which tells you tales from the era of Vikings. Well, that’s not all. If you want to make the most of the volcanic activity of the region, head over to the Blue Lagoon Spa, where water is heated naturally with the help of geothermal heat. There are plenty of reasons that make Iceland one of the best European countries worth visiting, which receives millions of tourists each year.
Turkey
Istanbul
One of the most fascinating things about Istanbul is that it is partially located in Asia and partially in Europe. This is why people often recognize it as a “city where two continents meet”. As one of the most important cities of Turkey, Istanbul enjoys an extremely rich heritage. The city’s history dates back thousands of years. It remained a stronghold of the Ottoman Empire for centuries, the remnants of which are still found all around the city. Istanbul is also famous for the presence of the Bosphorus River, which runs through the middle of the city. Some of the biggest attractions of Istanbul include historical mosques like Hagia Sophia and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (also called the Blue Mosque) as well as palaces and citadels like Topkapi Palace and Dolmabahce Palace among many other intriguing places. The city gets around 2.7 million visitors every year.
Scotland
Edinburgh
With a compact, hilly landscape, Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland. The metropolis is very famous for its historical attractions and natural beauty. The neoclassic architecture of the city is its true charm. Edinburgh Castle is one of the most prominent sites in the entire country. The place is home to many ancient royal accessories like the Honors of Scotland, commonly known as Scottish Crown Jewels, and Stone of Destiny. Holyrood Park is one of the most popular urban open spaces in the city, which hosts Arthur’s Seat. It is an ancient volcano, which is also among Scotland’s most famous natural attractions. Home to a lot of fascinating tourist spots, Edinburgh in Scotland receives around 2 million visitors every year.
Austria
Vienna
A city of imperial palaces including the Habsburgs’ summer residence and Schönbrunn, Vienna is the capital of Austria. The city enjoys an amazing location in the east of the country—offering breathtaking views of the Danube River. Vienna is a rapidly growing city with tons of tourist attractions. In addition to the aforementioned palaces and royal residences, some of the most famous attractions in the city include St. Stephen’s Cathedral, The Hofburg (a palace complex and museum), Vienna State Opera, and Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien among other noteworthy places. The city is also famous for the Viennese Giant Ferris Wheel, a recreational attraction that was rebuilt and opened in 1945. Austria’s capital is also quite popular among tourists as it welcomes around 5 to 6 million travelers annually.
Croatia
Dubrovnik
Recognized for its distinctive ancient architecture, Dubrovnik is one of the most popular cities in Croatia. The city is located in the coastal region located by the Adriatic Sea. Surrounded by medieval walls, the Old Town is a very popular historic neighborhood in Dubrovnik. It is home to one of Croatia’s biggest cultural history museums, which is located in the Rector’s Palace that boasts captivating Gothic-style architecture. Other popular tourist attractions in the city include Stradun, Dubrovnik Cable Car, and Tvrđava Minčeta among other natural spots based on islands and beaches. As a part of one of the best worth visiting European countries, the city witnesses 1 million tourists each year.
Sweden
Stockholms
With well-preserved remnants of the 13th century, Stockholms is one of the most intriguing cities in Europe. The administrative capital of Sweden is based on 14 islands and the land connection between different parts of the city is maintained by 50 bridges. There are many fascinating places to explore around the city, such as Kungliga Slottet Royal Palace, the Nobel Museum, ochre-colored buildings on the compact island of Gamla Stan and cobblestone streets. Along with ferries shuttling passengers, there are also boats available in the city for sightseeing tours. Stockholms is a perfect place to explore and get familiar with Sweden’s culture and culinary traditions. Each year millions of tourists visit the country.
Belgium
Brussels
Holding immense importance in the region, Brussels is the most prominent municipality and historical center in the region. It is not only the capital of Belgium but also the administrative center of the European Union. In all aspects, Brussels is a tourist haven. Its urban landscape is dotted with many hotels and places suitable for short stays. It is mainly because the city attracts around 3 to 4 million tourists each year. Some of the best tourist spots in the city include Grand Place (Grote Markt), Saint Michel Cathedral, Belgian Comic Strip Center, and Place Royale (Koningsplein) among other popular attractions.
Portugal
Lisbon
Probably one of the most beautiful hilly cities in Europe, Lisbon is the capital of Portugal. Owing to its awe-inspiring natural and man-made beauty, Lisbon is famous among tourists from all around the world. To cater to a large influx of tourists each year, Lisbon is home to many well-known hotels and other types of places to stay. Some of the best tourist attractions in the city are Oceanário de Lisboa, Alfama, Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, and Calouste Gulbenkian Museum among other worth exploring spots. Reflecting the true Portuguese traditions, hospitality, and culture, Lisbon is a wonderful city to visit. Portugal is undoubtedly one of the best European countries worth visiting, which receives millions of tourists every year.
Denmark
Copenhagen
The name of Copenhagen has been inspired by the city’s origin as one of the main harbors in the region. This Danish city is ideally located on the two prominent coastal islands called Amager and Zealand. The people of the city are very hospitable and welcoming, which is one of the biggest reasons behind its lively culture. In fact, Copenhagen has recently been recognized as one of the world’s happiest cities. It is also best known for its unique urban arrangements based on different types of waterways, mostly canals, and bridges. Like other cities in the region, it is one of the greenest cities in the world where many locals prefer walking or riding a bike to work or school instead of depending on cars.
Germany
Berlin
Berlin is the administrative capital of Germany. With a metropolitan history dating back to the 13th century, it is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Berlin’s chaotic history of warfare during the twentieth century is well reflected by some of the most fascinating historical remnants found in different parts of the city. The Berlin Wall and Holocaust museum are some of the most noteworthy places to mention in this regard. Along with enjoying an interesting history, the city is also very famous for its fashion and art scene among international travelers. With a massive number of tourists visiting Berlin in Germany each year, it is one of the most visited European cities.
Hungary
Budapest
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. The Danube River runs right through the middle of the city, which greatly adds to its natural beauty. According to history, there were two towns named Buda and Pest on both sides of the Danube River, which were officially unified to form the Budapest city. These two parts of the city are now connected with the Chain Bridge, which was built in the 19th century and is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Hungary. The Fisherman’s Bastion, which is recognized around the world for its turrets and spires is another very famous tourist attraction in Budapest. The history of the city dates back to the Roman era, the remnants of which are exhibited in the Budapest history museum. This European city is also visited by around 30 million tourists each year.
Switzerland
Montreux
With breathtaking natural views of some of the most gorgeous mountain ranges on earth, Switzerland is among the best European countries worth visiting. If you want to take an up-close look at the country’s natural beauty, you should head over to Montreux. It is a small resort town located northeast of Lake Geneva. It has the most captivating promenade in the entire country with a backdrop of picturesque lake views. There are many different attractions you’ll find along the course of the promenade. There are various man-made sculptures, flowering plants, regional trees, and many ancient buildings from the time of French and European history, which is more commonly known as La Belle Époque (the Belle Epoque). When you’re visiting the town of Montreux in Switzerland, you can enjoy exploring the Chillon Castle or a scenic rail journey of the countryside by taking a train ride of the Green Pass Railways.
Cyprus
Nicosia
The capital city of Cyprus, Nicosia, is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Europe. It is home to the very famous Cyprus Museum where archeological remnants from the ancient history of the region have been exhibited. It could be a very interesting place for historians to explore. History is everywhere in the city of Nicosia, which is why it is famous among tourists around the world. There are these 16th-century Venetian walls in the old city, which have these three large entrances known as the Kyrenia, Famagusta, and Paphos gates. The entire urban landscape of Nicosia is located along the riverbanks of the Pedieos River, which significantly enhances the charm of the city’s natural beauty. Home to some of the oldest tourist attractions in Europe, Cyprus is visited by around 4 million tourists annually.
Poland
Poznan
Located along River Warta, one of the most prominent rivers in the region, Poznan is the capital city of Poland. The educational institutions found in the administrative capital are famous all over the world. Tourists also love visiting Poznan for its intriguing history. Upon your trip to Poznan don’t forget to take a tour of its ancient landmarks in the Old Market Square and Poznan Town Hall. These places are extremely popular for their renaissance-style architecture and design. To take a closer look at the history of the region, tourists can visit and check out the exhibits at the History Museum of Poznan. Some other sightseeing attractions in and around the city include Lake Malta, Citadel Park, Poznan Cathedral, and the Imperial Castle. Home to many world-famous tourist destinations, Poland welcomes millions of tourists every year.
Whether you are an adventure seeker or a nature lover, by visiting any of the aforementioned best European countries worth visiting, you are surely going to make the most of your trip. For more informative travel guides, don’t forget to subscribe to our email newsletter.
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