If there’s anything that needs to be on a traveller’s bucket list, it’s the vast and varied cities of Europe. With its rich history, varied culture and gorgeous landscapes, there’s a never-ending list of places to visit on the continent. This can be a good and a bad thing. While there are plenty of places to choose from when travelling in Europe, it can be a tough decision indeed. So here are our eight must-see cities to help get you started.
1. Athens, Greece: Ancient worlds beckon
Once the centre of a great ancient civilization, the Greek capital city is littered with reminders of the illustrious past. Check out Parthenon’s columns or the Panathenaic Stadium, which also saw the first modern Olympics back in the late 19th century.
And then of course, there’s the Acropolis, which sits on a hilltop overlooking the city. But Athens is much more than just history. It’s also a buzzing city with clubs, boutiques, galleries and hotels for travellers to enjoy.
2. Budapest, Hungary: Different sides
Split into two sides, Buda and Pest, by the river Danube, the city is known for its glorious architecture. From art nouveau to baroque styles, there’s much to admire in this attractive city.
Pest is the action-oriented part of the city with eateries and big stores. The hilly Buda on the other hand has a history of thermal baths. Originally used by the Romans, the baths of today are popular with tourists from around the world.
3. Rotterdam, Netherlands: Unique architecture
The second biggest city in the Netherlands after Amsterdam, Rotterdam has much to delight a traveller’s heart. It was once an industrial port, so the architecture of this town is well worth seeing.
Rotterdam has imaginative buildings, including a horseshoe-shaped one, which adds a fascinating feature to the city. The art here is also something to note. You’ll find historical masterpieces in the museums, with plenty of new museums opening each year as well. FENIX is one of the latest ones, which highlights the impact of migration via art.
4. London, UK: A melting pot
A trip to Europe can’t be complete without a visit to iconic London. From views of Big Ben to the Houses of Parliament, this is a city of wonders. London’s range of museums, a trip to the Tower of London, and a walk along the river Thames are among its other delights.
For a fun evening out, head to London’s thriving casinos, or for a night in, choose to visit one of the many online casinos where you might even get a casino bonus to get started. If you prefer something a bit different, you can dress up and take in a performance at one of the many West End theatres or even hit the night clubs of Soho.
5. Helsinki, Finland: Culture and nature
Ranked as one of the most sustainable cities in the world, Finland’s capital city is a great mix of both culture and nature. The design district boasts a host of galleries and cafes to relax and enjoy in. Head to art museums to marvel at both historical and modern masterpieces. The city of canals also has a central park with a massive forest, and to get back to nature, you can also explore the Helsinki Archipelago.
6. Toulouse, France: A unique look
A beautiful southern city in France, Toulouse is well known for its distinct peachish-pink buildings. Good food, great ambience and lovely crowds show it off further. From opera performances to riverside walks, the attractions in Toulouse provide the perfect entertainment for a relaxed break.
Architecture here is stunning, with the beautiful Basilique Saint-Sernin church being a particular highlight. Those with more modern tastes will be interested to hear that Toulouse is the space capital of Europe, and enthusiasts can learn about moon landings at the Cité de l’espace.
7. Istanbul, Turkey: Cultural fusion
Known both for its colour and culture, Istanbul is an incredible destination that’s often on the wish list of the travel lover. It has a historic culture, as seen in mosques and palaces that reflect the splendour of a bygone era.
The city has a unique insight into parts of European history. Turkish food is well-loved around the world, but it’s quite another experience to get a taste of it in all its authenticity in its home country. A blend of the old and the new, a trip to the city also highlights Istanbul’s growing modernity.
8. Milan, Italy: History and relaxation
The fashion capital of Italy needs no introduction. But a trip to Milan offers the choice of just relaxing and unwinding in a historic setting as well as having a memorable cultural trip.
The Navigli canals are an ideal spot to sit back and enjoy tasty local Italian food and cosmopolitan drinks across a range of buzzing spots. For history lovers, there’s the gothic architecture to marvel at and the Sforza Castle, which now houses museums.
It’s time to head to Europe
With so many European cities to visit, the choice might be hard, but they are all great to travel to. Whether it’s the history of Athens and Milan or the thriving culture of Rotterdam and Istanbul, there’s always something for everyone to choose from in Europe. Unique settings like Budapest or sustainable Helsinki can refresh the souls of even the most jaded traveller.
