Top 10 Destinations in Europe
- May 19, 2023
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Seung
Ari and I have been traveling Europe for around the past two years, visiting 20 countries and over 70 cities since we’ve been here. We always get asked where the best places we’ve been to are so here we are! This list is compiled of only places we have been to so we’re sorry if your favorite place didn’t make the list (I know, at least one Greek Island would’ve made the top 10 but we’re going this summer). Let us know in the comments if you’ve been to these places and what your favorite places in Europe have been.
10 – Paris, France
Paris seems to be a city among travelers where they either love it or hate it, but we personally really enjoyed this city. Yes, it can be crowded and expensive, but keep in mind, it’s the capital city with over 2 million people. But there’s no denying the architectural brilliance and beauty of the city along with its extensive history. The Louvre, Musee D’Orsay, Sacré Cœur and the pastries help you understand why people romanticize this city. There are so many amazing restaurants and beautiful spots that make you feel like you’re on a movie set (e.g., Luxembourg gardens). Make sure not to miss Rue du General Camou for the best view of the Eiffel Tower.
9 – Lucerne, Switzerland
Located about an hour south of Zürich, Lucerne is a fairytale-like place. This beautiful Swiss City dates back to the 8th century and became an important trading hub throughout the years. Sitting on a stunning Alpine Lake, Lucerne is one of the most picturesque cities we’ve ever been to. It is easy to explore in a day or two and there’s so many amazing spots to see. You can’t miss the Musegg Wall and its nine towers that overlook the city and make sure to take a day trip to Mt. Pilatus. Chapel Bridge is also an iconic place to see here. Lucerne truly offers visitors a remarkable experience in Switzerland and we would 100% return in the future.
8 – Florence, Italy
The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is a city oozing in art, culture, and history. It’s a much smaller city compared to most major European cities and is easily walkable within its old town. You can also take the public transport (bus) like we did, as it was fairly reliable. To truly experience Florence, we recommend 3 days. Some must-visit attractions are the Accademia Gallery, Uffizi Gallery, and Piazza del Duomo (including Brunelleschi’s dome). There are many restaurants offering an incredible culinary experience with its renowned Tuscan cuisine, characterized by dishes such as Florentine steak and ribollita, showcasing the region’s emphasis on high-quality fresh ingredients.
7 – Madrid, Spain
We may be a bit biased because we lived in Madrid for a year, but the capital of Spain is such a lively destination. While it is a big city, Madrid is a very manageable place to get around. The Madrid Metro System is one of Europe’s best public transportation systems and we loved using it. There’s amazing museums, distinct trendy neighborhoods, and some gorgeous architecture. You can’t miss the Royal Palace of Madrid and especially Retiro Park. One of our favorite places here is the Palacio de Cibeles. After walking around, you cool down by having some beer or tinto de verano with some tapas. Spain is a culinary paradise, where you can indulge in some delicious food, reflecting the city’s vibrant gastronomic culture.
6 – Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh feels like you just stepped into the world of Harry Potter. No, but literally J.K Rowling gained inspiration for Diagon Alley from Victoria Street in this city. Edinburgh is full of beautiful architecture, secret alleyways, and castles around every corner. We also found it to be much cheaper compared to London. The city is easily walkable and the main points of interest are all near one another. You can’t miss sunset at Calton Hill and the Princes Street Gardens. Make sure to also take the 15 minute walk over to Dean Village to see one of the most impressive places we’ve seen in all of Europe.
5 – Èze, France
We had never heard of Èze until we visited Nice. While there we found out about the 20 minute bus to this mountain top village high up in the French Riviera that only costs 1.50. This place completely blew us away and while it is small, the view from the top of the Jardin Exotique is something we’ll never forget. A good itinerary we suggest is starting in Nice, taking the bus to Èze, and then you can hike down Nietzche’s path (Friedrich Nietzsche, the famous philosopher, used to hike up and down this path) to the main part of Èze and take a 20 minute train to Monte Carlo, Monaco. Ultimately, the French Riviera is an amazing place to explore, but in particular we absolutely loved Èze.
4 – Budapest, Hungary
The capital of Hungary is a show stopper. It’s honestly my favorite city in terms of architecture. There’s so many beautiful places to see and the landscape of the city is just spectacular. Budapest is also very affordable compared to other major European capitals and there’s so much to do whatever your interests are. Budapest has the history, the parties, and the architecture. You can’t miss a night cruise on the Danube River to see the Hungarian Parliament light up at night. Fisherman’s Bastion is another amazing spot to get an aerial view over the city but also offers some incredible architecture. We loved this city so much we’re actually basing ourselves for 3 months out of here this summer!
3 – Lake Como, Italy
We stayed in a small town called Abbadia Laria located in the province of Lecco. Through the app Trenord, we used the train to get around the area as Lake Como has an amazing train system to get to villages around the whole lake. We visited Lecco, Mandello del Lario, and Varenna. From Varenna, you can take a ferry to Bellagio. When you walk through these cities/towns, it feels unreal with the lake and mountains in the background. The colorful beautiful buildings surrounded by some of Italy’s most beautiful nature, you can admire the scenery before choosing a delicious restaurant for dinner.
2 – Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
If you’ve ever seen Lord of the Rings, the city of Rivendell was inspired by this Swiss valley. Located only 20 minutes from Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen is exactly your imagination of a village in the alps. There’s honestly very good infrastructure there with roads, hotels, a grocery store, and even a train station that connects from Interlaken. You can’t miss Staubbach Falls and you can even hike behind it. There’s tons of opportunities for day trips here as well to some incredible places. You have to visit Wengen and Mannlichen, which are villages on top of the mountains so you look down into the valley.
1 – Seville, Spain
Picking number 1 was incredibly difficult. There’s so many beautiful places we’ve been to, but in the end we gave it to Seville, Spain. The city is INSANELY beautiful. The architecture is out of this world combining a series of Renaissance, Gothic, and Mudejar styles to create some of the most intricate structures we’ve seen. Plaza de España is the most beautiful public square in all of Europe. Seville is very affordable compared to most of western Europe and there’s so many international food options while also delivering on amazing Spanish cuisine. It’s just such a unique city that in one corner you have the largest wooden structure in the world (a giant mushroom) and on another you have a Royal Alcázar that dates back to the 11th century. It’s easily walkable and the people are so friendly. The only negative aspect of Seville is the brutal summers where temperatures can go up to 40+ degrees celsius. Ultimately, we found Seville to offer everything we like in a place and it is our favorite destination in Europe. It’s also well connected to the rest of Southern Spain and when we stayed here for a month we were able to go see Córdoba, Malaga, Cádiz, and Granada as well!
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