Europe continues to remain one of the top tourist destinations in the world and being the area is covered with a wealth of history, culture, nightlife, tasty European dishes and charming people. If not just the historic and cultural aspects then thanks to centuries of history, popular movies and legendary literature, the allure of Europe’s landscapes and cultures has been romanticized for ages. So today, we bring you some of the top European destinations to visit this year.
Not list of the top European destinations is complete without including a visit to the city called by many as the City of Lights, City of Love and Capital of Fashion.
Home of the Louvre, towering Montmartre, the Latin Quarter where Hemingway rubbed shoulders with Ginsberg, the winding Seine, Notre Dame and the iconic silhouette of the Eiffel Tower, Paris is a city that surely needs no introduction. For any travellers who are wondering where to head to in Europe a visit to Paris in France is always on the cards because there is so much to explore and enjoy in this sprawling and mythic city that one visit is never enough. With numerous wine bars, the elegance of Versailles to explore, the prestigious Arc de Triomphe to visit, the uber-luxurious Champs-Elysees, the haunting sepulchers of Pere Lachaise, the historic buildings on the island of Ile de la Cite, the al fresco coffee shops all along St-Martin. The list of places to visit and experience to have in Paris goes on and on…
Need we provide more reasons to visit this top destination in Europe?
Rome is a destination packed with over 3,000 years of history in the form of ruins, art and architecture. Oft called The Eternal City, Rome is the epicentre of perhaps the mightiest European empire ever, the stomping ground of the Vatican, and home to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the regal Platine Hill, the winding Tiber River, the elegant gardens of the Villa Borghese. There is so much to enjoy in Rome that we could go on and on. The Italian capital draws everyone from history buffs to honeymooners. Whether you hit the streets of the Centro Storico and the bustling al fresco pizzerias of Piazza Navona, the romantic alleys of Trastevere or the even the two-millennium old stones of the Via Appia Antica. A sprawling romantic city, Rome will teach you the pleasures of dining out like the locals, will bring you back in time to the Roman Empire, show you some of the finest artistic creations in the world including the works of Caravaggio, Michelangelo, Rafael and Bernini.
Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain, visit the ruins of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, gawk at the Pantheon, visit Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel and indulge in delicious gelato. You can also easily plan day trips to Milan, Florence, and Naples with flights taking less than two hours.
The capital city of Hungry, Budapest is known for its scenic location on the banks of the Danube, its beautiful and varied architecture, and its relaxing natural thermal baths ranging from those dating back to the Turkish era to modern era public bathhouses.
It is said that Budapest reflects the entire history of the country which can be seen in the city’s historic buildings and the development that surrounds them. Ancient buildings stand regally alongside the modern architectural wonders. Castle Hill is where many of the city's treasures are located, including the Royal Palace, the National Gallery, and the Historical Museum. Plenty of beautiful sights can be found along the river as well, including a number of iconic bridges. The architectural marvels of Hungary make it no wonder, that the length of Banks of the Danube River, Royal Castle Quarter and Andrassy Avenue has been deemed UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The unique hotels here with their extravagant art nouveau design or amazing view to the Danube river make for a memorable stay.
The city is also an excellent destination for music lovers; it boasts a world-class classical music scene as well as a vibrant nightlife that attracts young people from all over Europe.
Budapest is also well known as the best place to sample some of the most delicious food in Hungary, as it offers a variety of local and international dishes including goulash, a type of vegetable and meat soup.
To sum up, Budapest is a stunningly wholesome destination making it no wonder that it makes it to our list of top places to visit in Europe.
Located on the Firth of Forth, Edinburgh has serves as the capital of Scotland and the seat of Parliament since the 15th century, making it no wonder that Edinburgh has no shortage of things for visitors to see and do. Perched on top of a series of extinct volcanoes overlooking the sea, the beautiful city allows visitors to feel like they have truly stepped back in time to visit Old Scotland. Charming cobblestone streets wind their way through the medieval Old Town, while the 18th-century New Town boasts beautiful Georgian architecture and an excellent collection of shops. The city is also very well connected to the rest of the country, making it the perfect place to begin your Scottish adventure. You have to see its famous castle and Royal Mile, the main route through Old Town. The town is also famous for its many festivals, including the Fringe, the world’s largest international arts festival, and the Military Tattoo among others. You may recognize the city as the setting for several movies, including The Da Vinci Code.
The city also makes for an ideal base for visiting its surroundings with a plethora of day trips that will take you to visit the beauty of Scotland including gazing impossibly serene glassy waters of Glencoe, exploring the Loch Ness, wandering through the Highlands, visiting the majestic castles at Urquhart and Stirling, and the rolling Lammermuir Hills.
The Greece Islands make it to top of the list of most popular Mediterranean destinations with their world-class beaches, wines, and people. The warm weather and exquisite green waters of the many Greek islands are a perfect setting for a relaxing vacation or a romantic getaway. These are full of pearly beaches and are flowing with music and wine and the distinctive culture that has made Greece a tourist hotspot.
Enjoy a romantic sunset in Santorini as the horizon turns a hundred different shades of pink; take in the dawn on Mykonos, in Little Venice, as the sun comes up; bask in the epitome of luxury with a view of the sea from your opulent suite on Crete; take a step back in time, as you walk through Rhodes’ Old Town and aristocratic Corfu; visit the smaller islands close to Athens in the Argosaronic Gulf like Hydra, Spetses, Aegina, Poros; or plan an expedition off the beaten track to islands like Anafi, Kimolos and Kastelorizo, Symi, Alonissos, Samothrace and Paxi; Discover all the glories of the Aegean Greek islands like the famous Cyclades with their whitewashed towns, the Lesser Cyclades and the Dodecanese that are blanketed in green, or the luxury destinations of Patmos, and Symi; Afterwards head to Kalymnos, Karpathos, or Astypalaia to discover the thriving tradition there.
Add to the mix, friendly locals, the hospitality and the culinary delights of the Mediterranean diet, spiced up with adventures in nature, in the deep, on the waves and on the mountains and you’ll find that discovering that a holiday at the Greek islands will make it to the top of your Europe holiday plans.
There are thousands of islands to explore on the Greek shoreline. Choose a mix of destinations to suit your desires and tastes.
Amsterdam is not just the cultural heart of the Netherlands but also one of the most interesting destinations to visit in the Netherlands if not all of Europe. Vibrant, cosmopolitan, and steeped in culture, the city offers visitors fabulous museums, exciting nightlife, and a decidedly unique café scene to explore.
Art enthusiasts can lose themselves for days in a large variety of museums, including the Rembrandt House Museum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Hermitage Museum, and the modern art Stedelijk Museum, while children and science enthusiasts will love the Nemo Science Museum. Step into the controversial Red Light District, which was once famous for cannabis coffee shops and neon-lit brothel windows, and now brims chock full of art studios and cool hipster hangouts. Don’t miss out on visiting the illustrious Anne Frank House, or the areas around Grachtengordel, where the city’s main canals, bridges, and the quaint 17th-century canal houses reside. Take a boat tour of the famous Amsterdam canals to see the city's famous narrow houses from a different perspective.
Amsterdam is also ideally situated to visit the Windmills of Kinderdijk, and the Tulip Fields of Lisse- the two icons that are inexorably linked to the Netherlands. With 19 windmills remaining from around 1740, Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the iconic locations for Dutch windmill photography. The Tulip Fields of Lisse is a must visit if you are passing through between mid-March to the beginning of May.
In our opinion, Switzerland may just be the most beautiful country in Europe, especially in summer. With snowy mountains that glisten under the sun, clear and sparkling turquoise coloured lakes and vast swathes of green fields blooming with alpine flowers in season. The best place to take in the beauty of Switzerland may be Interlaken. Situated between the two lakes of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, Interlaken is commonly known as the adventure sports capital of Switzerland. However, it is the perfect base to explore the multifaceted beauty of Switzerland. Here, you’ll find activities such as paragliding and skydiving offered everywhere with a view of the beautiful lakes.
You can also head to Jungfraujoch to enjoy the most popular day trip from Interlaken. Visit the highest train station in all of Europe which has also been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The destinations often referred to as ‘The Top of Europe,’ offers some amazing viewing areas, apart from the spectacular year-round ice palace to explore. You will find some truly stunning views of the Jungfrau region and its famous mountains here. You can also some of the several beautiful castles near Interlaken like the Thun Castle, or the Oberhofen Castle. The Schynige Platte is another great day trip from Interlaken.