The Most Beautiful Cities in Europe (You’ve Got to Visit in 2024)

Traveling to Europe is a dream for many. It's here, where unique cultures sit side-by-side and you only need to travel for a few hours to find yourself somewhere that feels distinctively different.

There are sundrenched beach cities along the Mediterranean and cozy cities in the north, like Sweden and Iceland, that are atmospheric in the winter snow and where the sun doesn't set in the summer.

But with so many beautiful and interesting cities in Europe, it is hard to know where to start! With that in mind, read on for a list of the most beautiful cities in Europe, which mix stunning architecture with natural beauty.

There are ancient walled city forts, medieval fairytale castles, sleek modern designs, and surprise underrated cities to discover.

The 18 Most Beautiful Cities in Europe

1. Rome, Italy: Center of the Mediterranean World

• Why you should visit? Historic monuments and who can't say no to Italian food

• What's the best season to visit? Spring

Rome is both the first and the largest city on this list because it was once the center of the known world. During the height of its power, it was true that all roads led to Rome. This long history and Mediterranean location make Rome one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

The city is sprinkled with stunning ancient monuments built for Roman emperors and classical gods. It also has elaborate churches and museums fitting for the seat of the Holy Roman Empire. While Vatican City is technically an independent country, the 49 hectares surrounding St Peter's Basilica are an essential part of Rome that you absolutely need to visit if traveling to the Italian capital!

Ancient spires dominate the skyline, and you can find historic treasures wherever you are in the city. Some of the most beautiful monuments include the Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Castel Sant-Angelo. Between them, you will find colorful buildings, delicious restaurants, and stunning parks like the Villa Borghese.

If you're looking to book a place in Rome, read also my full neighborhood guide with hotel picks.

2. Dubrovnik, Croatia: UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Why you should visit? A medieval citadel on the sea (and, of course, Game of Thrones)

• What's the best season to visit? Spring, summer, and autumn

The coastal city of Dubrovnik has earned international recognition for being the setting for King's Landing in Game of Thrones. The city does in reality also look like it belongs in a world of knights and dragons.

A fortified citadel overlooking the sea, the city is a warren of limestone streets with a mix of medieval, renaissance, and baroque architecture that has earned it the status of a UNESCO World Heritage City.

There are a few pebble beaches around Dubrovnik, but a better choice is to hop around the Elafiti Islands just off the coast and enjoy the green interiors and blue waters.

3. Athens, Greece: Ancient Mediterranean Capital City

• Why you should visit? Ancient ruins and idyllic islands

• What's the best season to visit? Spring and autumn

Athens has been a major tourist destination for millennia and is still one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in Europe. The old city is a mix of crumbling ruins and modern delights set against a picturesque Mediterranean backdrop.

The ancient Acropolis looks out over the sprawling city below, where alleyways lead to unexpected shops, restaurants, and bars. Pictures at the Pantheon, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Roman Agora are all obligatory.

The stretch of coast that surrounds Athens is sometimes called the Athens Riviera, and nearby Lake Vouliagmeni sits on a natural thermal spring.

Athens is one of Greece's major ports, and it will take you less than an hour to get from the center of Athens to some of the nearby islands. The Anafiotika neighborhood features Greece's classic whitewashed buildings.

4. Barcelona, Spain: Beachside Art

• Why you should visit? Artistic architecture on a bright blue beach

• What's the best season to visit? Spring, summer, and autumn

Barcelona has long been one of the world's (and my personal) favorite European cities as it mixes sandy beaches, waterfront restaurants, and architectural wonders such as Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia and Casa Batllo, and many other buildings, such as the Sant Pau Recinto Modernista, and the Moorish CaixaForum Barcelona.

Walking the streets of the Spanish city feels somewhat nostalgic, with broad pedestrian thoroughfares like the rather touristy La Rambla, and winding alleyways hiding old-fashioned bars and restaurants, plus some pretty impressive super clubs.

I personally love experiencing cities through the lens of locals and venturing beyond the usual tourist routes. I find walking tours are the best as they are often guided by individuals who were born and raised in the city, offering an authentic perspective shaped by a lifetime of experiences. If you’re someone who prefers exploring at their own pace, audio tours led by local experts could be your new thing. They provide the perfect blend of information and personal stories, allowing you to absorb your surroundings freely.

Barcelona is one of my favorite city destinations in Europe that can easily be combined with a beach holiday in one. Catch some rays in the morning, explore world-renowned museums in the afternoon, and dance until the early hours. Plus, you can take some exceptional day trips from Barcelona.

5. Lisbon, Portugal: Vibrant Cobblestone Streets

• Why you should visit? Colorful Portuguese charm and blue skies

• What's the best season to visit? Year-round

The colorful Portuguese capital bursts with historic charm on every warm ochre cobbled street, populated by grand building facades, glossy azulejos and elegant rococo tiling, and waterfalls of bougainvillea.

Take the city in quickly by catching the canary yellow tram through the historic bairros of gothic and baroque buildings, and then look out over the terracotta rooves at the sea.

Lisbon is a tantalizing mix of old and new and sits under clear blue skies most of the year. In the warmer months, make the most of the nearby Iberian-Atlantic beaches. Warm up in winter with a glass of port. And don't forget to eat your own weight in delicious pastel de nata at the famous bakery Pastéis de Belém.

6. Edinburgh, Scotland: Green Medieval Old Town

• Why you should visit? A magical and green historic city

• What's the best season to visit? Late spring to early autumn, but avoid August (due to the huge influx of people for the Fringe Festival)

While Edinburgh is one of the more northerly cities on this list, the surrounding landscape of sheer cliffs covered in unbelievably green trees is hard to resist. The peak of Arthur's Seat is 250 meters high in the center of the city of offers unbelievable views.

Half of the city center, Old Town around the Royal Mile area, feels like an ancient medieval town of cobbled streets and monumental architecture. You can see historic churches, gothic libraries, and generations-old pubs. The other half, New Town, is characterized by perfectly aligned Georgian buildings. J.K. Rowling found much of the inspiration for her Harry Potter universe walking the streets of Edinburgh.

The Scottish capital is also a gateway to the Scottish Highlands, known for its rugged and untamed beauty, ideal for hiking and walking. Plus, you will come across more than one famous whiskey distillery hidden away.

7. Granada, Spain: Moorish Foothills Town

• Why you should visit? Grand Islamic architecture in the countryside

• What's the best season to visit? Year-round (including winter for skiing)

Granada is set in the dramatic foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in southern Spain and oozes Andalucian charm. The small but sprawling city spreads out beneath the famous Alhambra Palace. It is a beautiful city in a stunning countryside of rolling hills.

The main city is a sea of whitewashed buildings looking over rolling hills. There are churches, galleried cloisters, and ancient Arab bathhouses tucked away for you to discover.

Some of the more surprising things you may find include daring street art, colorful flamenco dancers, and incredible skiing in the winter. Granada is certainly a place worth staying in!

8. Tallinn, Estonia: Baltic Fairyland

• Why you should visit? Fairytale-worthy old town

• What's the best season to visit? Summer or winter for the snow

As you fly over the Baltic Sea and into Tallinn, it is hard to imagine what lies behind the grey high-rise buildings. But at the center of Tallinn is an unbelievably beautiful Old Town set around a main town square. The surrounding streets reveal grand Gothic spires and alleyways that open onto medieval courtyards.

On Tompea Hill, there is a Disney-esque castle, which sits in contrast to the austere domes of a Russian-Orthodox cathedral. But while this makes the city feel historic, Estonia is a fast-growing tech-savvy country supporting daring entrepreneurs and the breweries, coffee houses, and restaurants that they enjoy.

The crisp northern capital is gorgeous in the summer but is arguably more beautiful in the winter if you can handle the temperatures. A thin layer of crunchy snow covers everything and the city comes alive with Christmas markets and skating. It is probably one of the most underrated cities on this list.

9. Valletta, Malta: Island Bastion

• Why you should visit? Island haven and cultural capital

• What's the best season to visit? Summer

If you sail into Valletta, the capital of Malta, you will be greeted by 16th-century Bastion city walls enclosing a tiny city of ornate butterscotch building facades and tiny twisting streets.

The island city was named the European Capital of Culture in 2018, which saw restaurants and boutique hotels take up residence inside the handsome medieval buildings.

Valletta is surrounded by some incredible natural wonders, including golden sunny beaches and dramatic blue lagoons.

10. Paris, France: Romantic City Streets

• Why you should visit? Europe's classic city of romance

• What's the best season to visit? Summer and Spring

It would be criminal to leave Paris off a list of the most beautiful European cities, even though the French capital needs no one to recommend it. It is the second most visited city in Europe, behind London.

It is called the city of love because of its romantic backdrop of grand boulevards and cobbled streets that wind between classic architecture, old and new. The city of Paris is home to many of Europe's most iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, and Notre Dame.

Every corner reveals new delights as builders and residents take the beauty and reputation of their city seriously. A trip to the nearby decadent Palace of Versailles is also a must.

11. Venice, Italy: City of Grand Canals

• Why you should visit? Unique canal-lined streets

• What's the best season to visit? Spring and autumn (it can smell pretty bad in the summer)

Venice has always been a uniquely beautiful city set on 188 islands connected by bridges. Rather than walk the streets, the best way to get around is to float the canals on a gondola past iconic buildings such as St Mark's Basilica and the Doge Palace.

On foot, you can wander between piazzas, cross tiny bridges, and enjoy a glass of wine and cicchetti, ideal for people-watching.

Venice dates back to the 5th century, when it was a refugee area, and grew to great influence between the 10th and 12th centuries. This long and interesting history is evident wherever you look.

12. Vienna, Austria: Music and Monarchs

• Why you should visit? A city that inspired monarchs and musicians

• What's the best season to visit? Year-round

Vienna is one of the most beautiful cities in central Europe, and it has played an important role in the history of the region. This lovely city is often associated with cultural intellect and was home to the likes of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Sigmund Freud.

Vienna has grand expressions of culture and class, such as the baroque Schönbrunn Palace, gothic St Stephen's Cathedral, and art nouveau buildings such as the Gallery Belvedere and St Francis of Assisi Church. It also has narrow streets with atmospheric antiquated buildings, such as colorful Hundertwasserhaus apartment blocks.

Vienna is beautiful and green in the summer but also a stunning winter destination with Christmas markets and chilly charm. It is a classically beautiful European city and one of the best cities to visit in Europe year-round.

The inner city centre/Innere Stadt is best when looking for a place to stay in Vienna.

13. Budapest, Hungary: Eastern European Charm

• Why you should visit? Romantic backdrop in Eastern Europe

• What's the best season to visit? Spring, summer, and autumn

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is actually one of the largest cities in the European Union and one of the most beautiful cities in Eastern Europe. It is often referred to as the Paris of the East for an air of romance that few cities can match.

The scene for the city is set by the Hungarian Parliament Building on the River Danube and Gellert Hill, offering stunning panoramic views over the whole city and region.

Much of Budapest was destroyed during World War II, but even the ruins are picturesque and are now home to effortlessly hip bars and restaurants.

Additionally, Budapest is renowned for its abundant natural thermal baths scattered throughout the city. Széchenyi Thermal Bath is definitely the most popular tourist attraction and will keep you busy for hours due to its size and amount of baths you can hop between.

14. Stockholm, Sweden: Modern Viking Fjords

• Why you should visit? Vikings and Nordic Noir

• What's the best season to visit? Between May and October

Stockholm was founded at the end of the Viking age by Birger Jarl, and its swashbuckling history is evident as you walk the streets and is celebrated in the city's many fine museums. It is a modern city with clean Nordic lines but an evident rich history.

Stockholm is much greener than many people imagine because the main city is actually made up of fourteen islands, so there is water and stunning bridges everywhere. The main city is also surrounded by the Stockholm archipelago, a group of 30,000 tiny islands if you want to explore beyond this picturesque city.

Stockholm is coldly atmospheric in the winter when the sun rarely rises but comes alive in the summer when the sun rarely sets. There are few things more beautiful than watching the summer sun hit Stockholm's colorful buildings.

15. Prague, Czech Republic: Bohemian Beauty

• Why you should visit? Fairytale Bohemian charm

• What's the best season to visit? Year-round

In beautiful Prague, you will encounter a fairytale land of storied churches, narrow streets, statue-lined bridges, and hilltop castles that bear witness to more than a millennium of invasions, revolts, fires, and floods.

Wander the streets to see the gothic Powder Tower, the baroque architecture of St Nicolas Church, and the rosy Kinksy Palace. Discover the greenery of Letna Park and explore the ode to the magic that is the 16th-century Speculum Alchemiae.

Located in old Bohemia, the city also oozes hipster charm with jazz clubs, cocktail bars, and independent art galleries tucked away in every corner.

16. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Bridges, Boats, and Bikes

• Why you should visit? Laid-back European charm

• What's the best season to visit? Spring, summer, and autumn

While most people think of the Red Light District and special coffee shops when they think of Amsterdam, this does not do the charming city justice! Amsterdam, like Venice, is set on several canals and you can easily explore the city by boat. The other preferred form of transport is a bicycle and you will see them parked everywhere.

As you explore the narrow streets with neat architecture, you will encounter cozy cafes, chic bars, tiny boutique shops, and even the occasional field of tulips. There are windmills, thatched rooves, and houses covered in ivy.

Amsterdam is a mix of world-class museums and cultural attractions, but also unconventional restaurants and shops. There are always new surprises and delights to discover, which is why it is one of the most visited cities in Europe.

17. Copenhagen, Denmark: Scenic, historic, vibrant

• Why you should visit? A blend of rich history, innovative design, and picturesque landscapes

• What's the best season to visit? Summer, with its mild temperatures and long daylight hours

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is a city that effortlessly weaves together its rich history, breathtaking scenic beauty, and vibrant modern culture.

As you stroll along the picturesque waterfront, you will discover that the cityscape is full of historic architecture, from the iconic Nyhavn Harbor's colorful buildings to the medieval charm of Rosenborg Castle.

Copenhagen is a hub of creativity and sustainability, evident in its world-renowned culinary scene and bike-friendly urban planning. The Tivoli Gardens, one of the world's oldest amusement parks, adds a touch of quirkiness to the city, while the Little Mermaid statue stands as a symbol of Hans Christian Andersen's timeless fairy tales.

18. Bergen, Norway: Nordic, maritime tranquility

• Why you should visit? Stunning fjord landscapes, rich maritime history, and charming UNESCO-listed Bryggen Wharf

• What's the best season to visit? Summer, June to August, when you can enjoy milder temperatures and longer daylight hours

Situated on the western coast of Norway, Bergen is an exceptional city destination by itself, as well as an essential stop on any road trip through the country.

The city blends historic charm and vibrant cultural scenes, framed by breathtaking fjord landscapes ensuring an unforgettable experience for everyone who decides to visit.

As you explore the cobblestone streets and colorful, iconic wooden buildings of the UNESCO-listed Bryggen Wharf, vibrant markets, and cultural institutions, you'll discover a city that exudes Nordic tranquility and progress, combined with the warmth of its welcoming locals.

The Most Beautiful Cities in Europe – Frequently Asked Questions

🏙️ Which country in Europe has the most beautiful cities?

There are so many beautiful cities across the continent that it is impossible to choose just one country that has the most beautiful cities in Europe. That said, it is hard to find an Italian city that isn't stunning, and French architects are known for their commitment to beauty.

😃 What is the happiest city in Europe?

According to Club Med's 2022 listings, the happiest cities in Europe are Barcelona in Spain, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and Budapest in Hungary.

❓ Which European cities have the best quality of life?

According to two global surveys by Mercer and The Economist, the most livable cities in Europe include Vienna in Austria, Copenhagen in Denmark, and Zurich in Switzerland.

The Most Beautiful Cities in Europe – Final Words

Wherever you go in Europe, you will find some of the world's prettiest cities characterized by stunning historic buildings set in surprisingly rich natural beauty and vibrant cultures that invite visitors to explore. Choose your next destination from this list of the 18 most beautiful cities in Europe.