Europe is the travel destination for everyone in the world, including Europeans. The continent with the richest and most vivid history of humanity, where all the significant developments of humanity have taken place along with the biggest catastrophes. Every country, state, district, and town in Europe is filled with incredible stories of history and tourist destinations that will leave you in awe.
It is incredible that an entire continent features some of the best humanity has to offer in terms of natural landscapes, modern architecture, and historical attractions. Due to the vast size of the continent, you need a proper guide/tour plan to make the most out of your trip. And to help you embark on an incredible journey through Europe, here is the ultimate guide to Europe places you will ever need.
How to reach Europe?
By air: There are numerous connecting flights that are typically more affordable than other places, such as Sweden and Denmark. Remember to factor in the summer peak season, which can significantly increase the cost of your trip to Europe because both flights and accommodations are more expensive during this period. There are numerous international airports, including those in Zurich, London Heathrow, and Munich.
By road: If you have the means to drive across many nations, travelling throughout Europe by road might be a practical alternative because of the continent’s large road network. It is impossible to go by car to Europe.
By rail: The greatest way to travel through Europe is by train, and there are several international train services that may take you from one country to another. Although there are many connections between trains, flying there first is the best way to tour the continent.
Top 10 Europe places you just have to visit
Europe is going to be one of the most exciting trips of your lifetime. The sheer amount of grandeur and history of Europe is sure to overwhelm you at some point or the other. However, an open mind, a clear plan, and a keen sense of observation and patience will ensure that your trip is the best it can be.
This guide will help you navigate through to the best of the best that Europe has to offer. However, even if you cannot cover all the destinations mentioned in this list, you should go back for them. Every one of the destinations on this list is worth your time, and the experience you will garner from visiting these destinations is life-changing.
01. Amsterdam
Source: Pinterest
Amsterdam is one of the most chilled-out places in Europe (not literally). Amsterdam, which is the capital of the Netherlands, is an incredibly progressive and scenic city where you can party your heart out no holds barred. It is the party capital of Europe with people flying into the city from every country in the world to have a great time.
The wild side of Amsterdam is one that often gets highlighted, but this city has an incredibly soft side as well. Filled with parks, magnificent architecture, and leisurely tourist locations, you can spend your days relaxing in Amsterdam even when you are not partying. So, no matter if you are a quiet person that loves taking time for yourself or a party animal, Amsterdam has something for everyone.
How to reach:
It is advised that you go to Amsterdam on the Eurostar from London (changing in Brussels), which can be done in less than seven hours. You can take a direct train from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Amsterdam Central Station to get to the city if you arrive by flight at Schiphol.
02. Barcelona
Source: Pinterest
For certain parts of the world, Barcelona might be more popular as a football club than a city. Located in Spain, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, Barcelona is like the crown jewel of Spain. Even though Madrid is the capital of Spain, Barcelona holds a special place in the heart of its visitors, much like the football team.
As a city that was designed with incredible planning, everything you can think of that a European city should have, Barcelona has it. From ancient museums, churches, and markets, there is no lack of activities on your trip to Barcelona. Plus, Barcelona happens to be a gateway to most of the popular tourist destinations in Spain, so your trip to Barcelona would not require you to get off your route.
How to reach:
Major airlines fly from Barcelona’s El Prat Airport, which is located around 17 kilometres from the city centre, to the majority of European destinations. The Sabadell Airport and the Reus Airport are two smaller airports close to Barcelona.
03. Budapest
Source: Pinterest
Budapest is a legendary location for some of the best musical concerts in the history of live music. Budapest, which is the capital of Hungary, is an incredible city filled to the brim with rich history and stories that you can learn about, from the museums to the local streets.
You can also visit the various ancient tourist attractions in the city quite easily on foot through walking tours. The location and cost of living/travel in Budapest are much less compared to other cities in Europe, which makes it very popular among tourists and younger people. Overall, Budapest is also a great party destination in Europe, best for people on a budget.
How to reach:
Budapest is conveniently located in Central Europe and is not too difficult to get to. The most frequent means of transportation between Vienna and Bratislava to Budapest are via high-speed ferry, coach, train, or aeroplane.
04. Athens
Source: Pinterest
The city of Athens in Greece is home to one of the oldest and most illustrious ancient human civilisations. The Greek civilisation is considered one of the most influential civilisations in the advancement of human history today. With artefacts, locations, and history ranging back thousands of years, the entire city is a museum, with the Acropolis being the most important city tourist destination in the city.
Walking down the streets that have existed for thousands of years and ones that were once the centre of all major civilisations in the world it is an experience like no other. Even if you are not a history buff, visiting cities like Athens is sure to turn you into one.
How to reach:
The major airport in Greece is Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH). It offers connectivity to the Greek Islands as well as quick access to old Athens landmarks, including the Acropolis.
05. Rome
Source: Pinterest
If you are not sure what to do in Rome, you should just do what the Romans do! However, it is pretty impossible for you to run out of things to do in Rome because it is practically the cultural capital of Europe. Rome, the capital of the Roman empire, is one of, if not the most important city in Europe. Rome, the capital of Italy, is home to an entire country inside its borders.
Vatican City, an autonomous and the world’s smallest country, is located entirely inside the borders of Rome. Overall, Rome is a metropolis like no other; everywhere you look, you will find places of incredible history and fascinating stories that will impress you to no end. If you love history and basking in the old-world charm of Europe, Rome is the best city to visit.
How to reach:
Rome’s own Leonardo da Vinci airport in Fiumicino has excellent local and international flight connections. Another airport that sees a lot of domestic fly-in traffic is Ciampino.
06. Venice
Source: Pinterest
Venice, otherwise known as the city of love, is a unique city unlike others in Italy. Venice, as you have seen in movies and pop culture, features canals in the city and the famous gondola rides. Going through Venice by exploring the alleyways and streets is the best way to explore the city. It should be noted that Venice is perhaps one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
The experience of visiting Venice is always much better than the expectations that you might have set up after watching the city being featured in pop culture and movies. Venice is like a dream, but the best part is that you never have to wake up from that dream. If you are a romantic person, it should be on your bucket list to visit Venice with your partner and celebrate your love in the world’s love capital.
How to reach:
The only and closest airport in Venice is Marco Polo Airport. The majority of flights that land at this airport are from other European cities, and it is located 12 kilometres from the city. There are excellent road and canal connections between the airport and the major town.
07. Santorini
Source: Pinterest
Can a place be dangerous, beautiful, and surreal simultaneously? Santorini says yes! Popularly known and widely considered to be the best island in the world, Santorini is one of the premier tourist destinations in Europe and the whole world. To give you an idea, this island has the most beautiful beaches and landscapes you will find in all of Europe.
You will also find stunning white and blue architecture, and lastly, an active volcano on the island. Today, Santorini is widely featured in pop culture and has become a top-rated tourist destination in Europe. Located in Greece, watching the sunset from these islands should be one of the goals of your life if you are an avid traveller.
How to reach:
You have two transportation options: a ferryboat or an aeroplane (Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport in Athens) (Piraeus Port). Santorini and other Greek islands are connected as well. The flight, which takes around 40 minutes and allows you to purchase tickets in advance, is the shortest, easiest, and most direct option.
08. Moscow
Source: Pinterest
Moscow is the cultural and cosmopolitan centre of Russia, the largest country in the world. At its core, Moscow is home to various historical tourist destinations that hold the history of the country in them. Moscow is also the city where the Russian president resides.
One of the most famous tourist destinations in Moscow is St Basil’s Cathedral, which is known for its lively colours and unique design. The city of Moscow also houses the state museum of Russia, which has an extensive and comprehensive display of human and Russian history. The cost of living/travel in Russia is meagre compared to other major European cities. These factors make Moscow one of the prime tourist destinations in Europe.
How to reach:
Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Sheremetyevo are the three international airports that connect Moscow. You can use an aero express train or a taxi to get to Moscow after landing at any of the international airports serving the city. Inland travellers have two options for getting to Moscow: Russian Railway or domestic airlines.
09. Paris
Source: Pinterest
Whether you are spending your “Midnight in Paris” or you are visiting the city just “Before Sunset”, one thing is for sure, you will never want to leave this city. Paris is the ultimate tourist destination in Europe as it is the cornerstone for fashion, food, and architecture in the world. In short, Paris is synonymous with today’s modern culture.
If you are an avid traveller, Paris must be at the top of your travel list. There is no end to surprises in Paris and also no end to places you can visit in this city. Of course, the magnificent Eiffel Tower tops as perhaps one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Still, there are many other equally popular and incredible tourist locations in Paris, so make sure you check them out.
How to reach:
Paris sees a lot of visitor activity because it is the capital of the most visited nation in the world. Aéroport de Beauvais Tillé, Charles de Gaulle International Airport (Roissy), and Orly International Airport are the three international airports in Paris. All other regions of France and the rest of Europe can be reached by rail from Paris. There isn’t a single junction for all trains, but there are six different stations that aren’t connected to one another yet have trains going to and from different European cities.
10. London
Source: Pinterest
London is the heart of the British empire. It has acted as the centre for some of the most critical events in human history over the last thousand years. London is an incredibly balanced city with a perfect combination of old and new existing together, just like the city itself. Tourist places like Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London are some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Located on the banks of the River Thames, London is one of the most famous European cities and also one of the most expensive cities to live in the world. If you are visiting Europe, your trip must end or start in London because it encapsulates Europe as a whole in just a single city.
How to reach:
The three most significant airports serving London are Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted. London Heathrow Airport is served by about 100 foreign airlines. Air India, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Jet Airways are the airlines that offer direct flights from India to London. London is frequently served by trains from other cities across the nation because it is the centre of the British Rail Network. Additionally, London has good rail connections to major European cities like Paris, Brussels, Berlin, and Amsterdam, among others. The St. Pancras International Station serves as the departure point for the high-speed Eurostar train that connects London with Paris and Brussels.
FAQs
What are the things that I should be careful of while in Europe?
Some of the things that you should take care of while in Europe is never to call a waiter at a restaurant by waving at them or doing a hand gesture and to avoid jaywalking on the streets
What is the best time to visit any place in Europe?
The best time to visit Europe is during summer, from June till September, for the pleasant weather during this time.
Which city is the most popular or has been most frequently visited in Europe?
London, United Kingdom, has been most frequently visited by international visitors in Europe.
