Lady’s 21 Incredible Places to Visit in Europe

One of the things I love about living in London is how close it is to continental Europe. When I first moved to the UK, I spent almost every weekend in a different European destination. Even after more than a decade here, the novelty of so many incredible places being so close hasn’t worn off. If you love traveling there as much as I do, today I want to share my top picks for places to visit in Europe with you.

Places to Visit in Europe

Choosing what to include on this list is no easy task. Since I write so much about the UK, I’ll stick with the rest of Europe for this post. But even then there are so many world-class cities, beautiful coastlines, mountain ranges, and villages that it’s hard to narrow it down.

In spite of that, it’s been fun to think back on all the amazing spots I’ve traveled to over the years and choose some favorites. I hope you like the list of places to visit in Europe I’ve come up with in the process.

1. Paris

Paris is my favorite European city, so I’ll start with it. The French capital is not only beautiful architecturally, but also has some of the best cultural sites and most delicious food of any city I’ve been to.

Paris is the whole package for me, and no trip to Europe would be complete without a visit. From the Eiffel Tower to the Sacre Coeur, there’s a lot to love about it.

2. Prague

I studied abroad in Prague during my university years, and the city will always hold a special place in my heart. The Czech capital has some of the most well-preserved medieval architecture in Europe, and the Old Town is rich with history.

Add to that a picture-pretty hilltop castle, an enchanting bridge, and some of the best beer in the world, and it’s hard to beat. This is definitely one of the best places to visit in Europe.

3. Lisbon

Lisbon was one of the first places I visited when I moved to London, and I liked it so much I’ve traveled back again since.

The Portuguese capital is full of dramatic hills, ceramic tiles, yellow trams, and custard tarts. Given it’s more affordable than most European capitals, it’s a great place to spend an extra few days.

4. Iceland

Iceland is enchanting. I’ve been twice, and on each visit I’ve felt like I’ve traveled to the moon. The landscape is prehistoric, the geysers and waterfalls otherwordly, and the myths and legends dramatic.

I loved seeing where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, bathing in steaming lagoons, and eating all the good seafood.

5. Dubrovnik

Speaking of good seafood, Dubrovnik has a lot of it. This city on Croatia’s coast is one of the most scenic on the continent.

Dubrovnik is one of the best places to visit in Europe for its marble streets, fortified city walls, beautiful coastline, and delicious food and wine.

6. Rome

Ah, Rome. It’s hard to know where to begin with the Eternal City, but Rome is one of my favorite places to go in Europe for its ancient ruins, world-class art, and great food.

I could spend weeks exploring the Colosseum and Roman Forum, browsing the Galleria Borghese and Vatican Museums, and eating all the Italian food.

7. Copenhagen

Copenhagen is another European city known for its food. But while the Danish capital’s culinary scene is hot, its other charms are equally appealing.

From the markets to the waterfront, the architecture to the design, this cool city is hard to beat. Parks like Superkilen are one of a kind, and alternative Christiania is unique. This is definitely one of the top places to visit in Europe.

8. The Romantic Road

Germany’s Romantic Road is one of the best places to visit in Europe for storybook villages and fairy-tale castles. Driving from town to town is a great way to see the surrounding countryside, and stopping in the villages is like stepping into Hansel and Gretel’s world (sans witch, of course).

And that’s to say nothing of Neuschwanstein, which might be Europe’s most beautiful castle. It’s a great place to end a trip to the Romantic Road.

Not only is this part of Germany one of my top picks for where to visit in Europe, it’s also one of my favorite spots for romantic weekend getaways in Europe.

9. Seville

Down in Spain, Seville is one of the prettiest cities in Europe. Its stunning cathedral, historic palace, and tiny tapas bars combine to make Seville appealing to both the eyes and the stomach.

I love how the orange blossoms fill the city with a sweet smell in spring, and how the annual festivals and events bring it alive with color and sound. It’s one of the top places to visit in Europe for culture.

10. Provence

Back in France, Provence is full of beautiful beaches and studded with some of the prettiest villages in the country.

From the shores of Antibes to the narrow streets of Saint Paul de Vence, this part of southern France has something appealing everywhere I look.

I studied in Nice and loved the city, but have since enjoyed visits to everywhere from Aix-en-Provence to Tourrettes-sur-Loup and Eze.

11. Salzburg

Over in Austria, Salzburg has always had my heart. This is one of my favorite places to visit in Europe for its hilltop castle, manicured gardens, pretty historic center, and Mozart connections.

I’ve spent summer days in the parks and winter nights at the Christmas markets, and on every visit the city charms me more. The filming locations for The Sound of Music are fun to visit, too.

12. Budapest

Budapest was one of the first European cities I visited. It won me over with its dramatic bridges, historic spas, and stunning architecture.

I’ve been back a number of times, and I never get tired of seeing the Neo-Gothic parliament building, walking along the Danube, or tasting all the good Hungarian wine. It’s truly one of the best places to visit in Europe.

13. Tallinn

If Europe has a cutest city center, it would be Tallinn‘s. This Baltic capital is everything I love about tile rooftops and colorful facades, and I love how walkable it is.

Tallinn also has great nightlife, contemporary art museums, botanical gardens, and towers with views.

14. Santorini

There’s something about the best Greek islands, and if I had to choose a favorite it would be Santorini.

The dramatic caldera rising from the sea, the whitewashed houses cascading down the hillsides, and the spectacular sunsets all make for one of the most beautiful islands in Europe.

15. Lake Ohrid

North Macedonia doesn’t often feature on lists of the best places to visit in Europe, but Lake Ohrid is one of the most beautiful destinations I’ve been to on the continent.

The orange tile roofs, beautiful city of Ohrid, and historic churches make this one of the most picturesque places in the Balkans. Add to that good food and great views, and it has everything I love in one place. Just don’t tell anyone.

16. St Petersburg

I studied a lot of Russian history in college and St Petersburg was the first place I traveled in Europe after I moved to London.

This Russian city is full of onion domes, world-class art, and imperial history. I adored the Hermitage and could have spent all day exploring its vast art collection. It’s one of the most inspiring places to visit in Europe.

17. The Carpathian Mountains

I spent time working at summer camps in Romania when I was in high school, and the Carpathian Mountains are still some of my favorite places in Europe for natural scenery. The wildflowers alone make them worth a visit, but the lakes and views are also big draws.

18. Amsterdam

It’s hard not to love Amsterdam. From the skinny houses to the curving canals, the Rembrandts to the van Goghs, this city is the whole package.

Wandering through the markets is a treat, and the Vondelpark is a dream in the summer. Add to that the museums and food scene, and this Dutch city is a winner.

19. Gothenburg

Up in Sweden, Gothenburg won me over with its laid-back vibe, pretty parks, and good seafood.

I spent a few days soaking up the markets, shops, and surrounding countryside a few years ago and came away with a newfound love of Sweden. It’s one of the most underrated places to visit in Europe.

20. Mdina

Down in Malta, the hilltop city of Mdina won me over as soon as I arrived.

The historic streets and squares, cafes with views, and architectural details were everything I wanted in a European travel destination. And that’s to say nothing of the food, which I loved.

21. The Swiss Alps

Back out of the cities, the Swiss Alps are hard to top when it comes to dramatic landscapes. I’ve been hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter, and I would have a hard time deciding which I preferred.

The Alpine scenery offers spectacular views, and the mountain comfort food is some of the best in Europe.

Best Places to Visit in Europe

I hope this blog post has whet your appetite for traveling on the continent. There are so many amazing places to visit in Europe that I’m sure you’ll discover more as soon as you’ve ticked all these off your bucket list.

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