I Have Visited Over 100 European Cities: These Are The 5 Most Beautiful Ones

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You most likely know at this level I’m Travel Off Path’s Euro correspondent.

Having traveled to each single European nation on the map—and being based mostly in Paris myself, objectively one of the vital lovely cities on the earth, whether or not you’re a fan or not—I’ve seen my justifiable share of Old World wonders in my time.

From the sun-drenched streets of Lisbon, to Paris’ personal elegant Haussmann boulevards, all the way down to Rome’s open-air museum of a Historic Center… 100+ European cities in, there’s one thing I’ve realized on these Euro adventures that kinda caught with me:

Sometimes, probably the most shocking and downright beautiful locations are those that don’t usually characteristic in your common journey listing, or they won’t even pull in tens of millions and tens of millions of vacationers. They’re quieter, somewhat under-the-radar, and charming all the identical in that low-key, no-big-deal sort of manner.

Dare I say, they could even outshine these tried-and-true tourism heavyweights within the seems to be division.

Here are 5 of probably the most lovely European cities I’ve visited, and yeah… they’ve fully rewired my mind somewhat:

Gdańsk, Poland

Let’s begin off with a banger. Straddling the Motława River, and proper on the doorstep of the Baltic Sea, Gdańsk is maybe Poland’s most historically-relevant port, and arguably its most lovely metropolis.

The Old Town is that medieval fever dream you may have a tough time convicing your self it isn’t AI, from the pedestrianized cobbled streets lined with beautiful façades, coming in each possible hue of pastel, and splattered with floral German motifs, to the hovering St. Mary’s Church.

Built totally from crimson brick within the Middle Ages, could I add.

The finest solution to expertise Gdańsk is really getting misplaced in its maze-like historic middle, however for those who’re on the lookout for the foremost landmarks, you may’t miss Długa Street, the place probably the most lovely buildings are.

The riverside promenade is simply as photogenic, with its waterfront terraces, mixture of centuries-old, stepped-roof townhouses and trendy flats, and a solitary medieval crane, and for those who’re a History lover? Oh, you are in for a deal with right here.

Fahrenheit, as in, the Fahrenheit, inventor of the dimensions, hails from this city, and that is additionally the place World War II formally began. Pretty streets apart, you may really go to the peninsula the Germans invaded, setting the battle’s wheels in movement, at Westerplatte.

Before flying overseas this summer season, notably Europe, be sure you confirm the journey guidelines in place for U.S. passport holders. Use the Entry Requirement Checker right here.

Tallinn, Estonia

Some 3 nations northeast of Gdańsk, Tallinn is one more Baltic gem vacationers are nonetheless sleeping on, one way or the other, a lot to my dismay, as it’s really one among Europe’s most attractive architectural ensembles.

The capital of Estonia feels actually extra like a small storybook city, with its fully-encircled medieval middle, fortified by sturdy partitions and princess towers, conical roof and all, cobblestone lanes that result in wishing wells and hidden courtyards, and church spires nearly in every single place you look.

I child you not, the entire thing is insanely whimsical, and it seems to be much more surreal in wintertime, when the gabled roofs are blanketed in white powder, and people lamp-lit backalleys and their secretive underground pubs look cozier than ordinary.

If you are coming for the total medieval fanfare, although, you may probably wish to ebook out July 10–12.

That’s the following date Tallinn’s Medieval Feast will happen, with an enormous market set on the Old Town Square, proper by the Old Town Hall. Think meals stalls serving roasted meats, knights simply casually strolling round, and costumed performers enjoying people music.

It really would not get extra immersive than this.

Did I point out Tallinn shouldn’t be solely probably the most gorgina girlie, but additionally one of many most secure capital cities within the Old Continent? It’s all the time a great transfer to double-check the security laws in place on the Travel Advisory Checker, although in Estonia’s case, crime ranges are as little as they are often, with vacationers utilizing our Safety Index giving it a present rating of 85/100:

Würzburg, Germany

Now, if I’m being fairly trustworthy, I really toyed with the concept of including Prague, the objectively-majestic capital of the Czech Republic, to this listing. Until the reminiscences got here flooding again of shoulder-to-shoulder crowds crossing Charles Bridge, and that entire Disney-fied ambiance that simply would not do it for me.

Würzburg, a lesser-known metropolis in Northern Bavaria, is the following neatest thing. In truth, I’d even go so far as saying it’s successfully a ‘Mini Prague’… minus the selfie-stick Chinese mobs.

It has the outdated stone bridge spanning a scenic Main River, the spire-dotted skyline that very a lot resembles a Walt Disney sketch, and even the hilltop fortress. Not as grand as Prague’s, granted, however charming in its personal quiet manner.

Down by the timeless middle, simply the sheer quantity of Baroque monuments, church buildings, and ornate buildings throughout is astounding. Walking across the metropolis is an attraction in its personal proper, truthfully. It’s like stepping again in time.

Looking for that wow issue?

The absolute should-see on the town is Würzburg Residence, the UNESCO World Heritage Site within the scene, and one of the vital necessary palace buildings in Europe. Home to the biggest ceiling fresco on the earth, monumental staircases, and Versailles-like gardens.

A Coruña, Spain

I can all however roll my eyes at wonderstruck vacationers coming back from Spain, contemporary off of Barcelona or Madrid as a result of they simply don’t know any higher.

Sorry for the snarky perspective, however I can’t assist however really feel these journeys are somewhat overrated when there’s a a lot cooler, arguably prettier, A Coruña within the combine.

Tucked away on the stormy shores of Spain’s northwestern coast, it’s a vibrant port metropolis characterised by its distinctive glassed-in, wall-to-wall buildings which have earned it its nickname La Ciudad de Cristal, conventional tapas bars dispensing olive oil and paprika-heavy octopus and ice-cold beer, and heaps of old-world attraction.

A stroll round downtown A Coruña is like stepping again in time by way of some invisible portal, with main factors of curiosity like Plaza de María Pita Square, named after a Joan of Arc–like native heroine who stood as much as an English armada, the unassuming-on-the-outside but lavish-once-you-step-in Church of Santiago, and naturally, the true showstopper:

The Tower of Hercules.

The last-preserved Ancient Roman lighthouse, this sturdy magnificence has been perched atop a rugged coastal cliff overlooking the agitated North Atlantic for two,000 years, and you’ll nonetheless climb it for a sweeping panorama of the peninsula town sits on, and the huge open sea that’s mainly its coronary heart and soul.

A Coruña is a kind of locations that’ll take you thru the widely-documented Three Stages of journey grief:

1. ‘Wow, that is lovely’
2. ‘Why do not we construct stuff like this anymore?’
3. ‘Do I actually have to depart?’

Edinburgh, Scotland

The very first thing that involves thoughts once I consider Edinburgh is Gothic fever dream.

Listen, there’s a motive why J. Okay. Rowling pulled a lot inspo for Harry Potter’s magical, eerie-all-the-same backdrops from her younger grownup years hustling as a single mother within the Scottish capital—and Potterhead or not, pulling as much as Waverley Station feels such as you’re paragliding straight into the wildest chapter of your favourite fantasy ebook.

No brakes.

The metropolis’s cut up between a Georgian and Victorian-coded New Town—which, let’s be actual, continues to be historical by American requirements—and a medieval, dark-stone-built Old Town, largely centered across the cobblestone-paved Royal Mile and its centuries-old inns.

At the very best level of the Old Town, perched on a dormant volcano, Edinburgh Castle is a commanding stronghold standing watch over the ocean of chimneys beneath, and it’s simply one of the vital jaw-dropping fortresses you could possibly go to in Britain.

Seriously, its interconnected courtyards, royal chambers, and sweeping battlements are straight-up storybook materials.

Down in Dean Village, a brief scenic stroll from Princes Street, there’s this romantic riverside stroll passing honey-colored homes and outdated stone bridges, and in case you didn’t know, Portobello is Edi’s laid-back seaside, with Portobello Beach serving up a breezy promenade alongside the sandy shoreline, plus loads of ice cream parlors and correct pubs lining the way in which.

I’ve grow to be kinda numb to Europe’s infinite attraction and Old World attract, nevertheless it’s locations like Edinburgh that snap me proper out of it and remind me simply how unreal life can really feel once you’re seeing it by way of the lens of a wide-eyed dreamer.

Now take this quiz to search out your excellent European match!