Many visitors ask which are the the must see cities in Europe. That’s a hard question to answer. It depends on your personal preferences, budget and how much time you have. Here is the Europe a la Carte pick of the best cities to visit in Europe, in random order.
Update 16 June 2011: 10 (more) of the Best European Cities to Visit is now published on Europe a la Carte.
Berlin
Although Berlin is not a personal favourite of mine, most people I’ve spoken to have really enjoyed the city. It’s got a great music and arts scene. Amanda has collated the Europe a la Carte posts about the city in the “Best of Berlin Travel Tips“.
Street Art in Berlin
Paris
Paris is one of my favourite European cities. In fact despite all the hype, Paris exceeded my expectations. It was the destination for my easyJet 15 Hour Blogger Challenge in November 2010 and I was quite flummoxed by trying to decide what to do during such a brief visit. You can get ideas on what to do in the city in our “Best of Paris Travel Tips“.
Me outside the Louvre Pyramid in Paris
Vienna
Vienna conjures up images of classical music, palaces, glossy Lippzaner horses and coffee culture. You can read our “Best of Vienna Travel Tips“, recommendations for “The Best Places to Stay in Vienna” and my “Vienna Walking Tour”.
St Stephen’s Cathedral spire in Vienna
London
There’s no doubt that London is an amazing city. I visited many times and feel that I’ve only scratched the surface. I reckon that you can visit London all year round as there are plenty of things to do indoors even if the weather’s not great. Get some ideas on what to in the UK capital on our “Best of London Travel Tips“.
The London Eye at night
Prague
The capital of the Czech republic is high on my would love to visit list. The Europe a la Carte blogging team have plenty of tips of “What to Do & Where to Stay in Prague“, that I hope I’ll be following soon.
Prague by fklv
Edinburgh
Now I have to come clean here and state that I’m Scottish, so I’m bound to be biased. However the Scottish capital is hard to beat (well apart from weather wise). It’s located on the Forth Estuary so is a coastal city with a beach and lovely views down to the sea. It’s compact enough to walk around. I’d recommend a visit in April to June or September to October, as it gets very busy and expensive during the summer Edinburgh Festival. You can read my article “Edinburgh Off the Beaten Track” for some ideas on free things to do in the city. We’ve many more tips on what to in Edinburgh including hotel and restaurant reviews and top attractions.
View from Nelson’s Monument Edinburgh
Lisbon
Lisbon is also on my must visit list, inspired by the Europe a la Carte “Best of Lisbon Travel Tips“. It’s the cheapest capital city in the Eurozone, always appealing to a Scot.
Lisbon Cathedral by pedrosimoes7
Barcelona
Barcelona has a winning combination of a hip city with a sunny beach. I enjoyed exploring the sea front and Gothic Quarter on a Segway Tour. If you can get to Barcelona during one of the many fiestas the atmosphere will be even more electric. Amanda has written “10 Things to Do in Barcelona”.
Barcelona marina
Athens
Athens is the cradle of civilisation and the new Acropolis Museum looks fantastic, it’s one of Amanda’s “Seven Things to Do in Athens“. I’d avoid the Greek capital in the Summer, as it’s just too hot (that’s when you should be on one of the islands).
Acropolis Museum by dullhunk
Venice
Yes, I know that Venice is a real tourist trap. It was pretty busy with tourists even on a dull, cold Tuesday in February when we visited. Nevertheless the city still has a magical feel making it a must visit European city. Get some tips for your visit in Amanda’s “Ten Things to Do in Venice“.
Venice by JoeDuck
Ten of the Best Cities to Visit in Europe Podcast
Subscribe to the Europe a la Carte Podcast in itunes or audioboo
Our Dream European Travel Itinerary
You can also get some ideas for planning your trip to Europe in our Dream European Travel Itinerary, compiled from readers’ tips as part of the Blog’s 4th birthday celebrations.
If people tell me they can only visit one city in Europe, I tell them to go to Rome.
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CN – Yes Rome is a wonderful city. The 10 cities I mentioned I mentioned are really just a starting point, maybe another Europe a la Carte post in the future “10 More Must See European Cities”?
These cities look great! I’m planning on moving to Scotland in September, and do a small Eurotrip as well…glad all the cities I plan on going to made the list! :)
Nice summary of 10 great European cities. I have been to 6 and hope to visit 2 more in 2011.
Very hard to choose just one but Barcelona gets my vote for its amazing Gaudi achitecture. The Sagrada Familia as a unique monument is hard to beat and really is quite something to see!
I love Europe. I agree with this post, but i think one of the best to visit is Prague.