9 European Cities We Think You Should Visit and Why

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Traveling Canucks
Posted in: Belgium, Bulgaria, City Spotlight, Croatia, Europe, Featured, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Scotland, Top Lists, Travel Stories

Prague, Czech Republic

9 Cities You Should Visit on Your Next Trip to Europe

 

Okay, so a list of “best cities to visit in Europe” is not the most original topic for a blog post, but Europe is a big continent with hundreds of amazing cities worthy of recognition. So, with excitement building for our upcoming trip to Europe, we thought it would be fun to highlight a few cities that we love and think you should consider visiting on your next trip to Europe.

We’ll spare you the usual suspects and assume that you’re already aware that London, Paris, Rome, Prague, Amsterdam, Venice and Berlin are great European cities worth visiting (for the record, they are all fantastic and we recommend you visit each of them at least once in your lifetime!).

Below are 9 European Cities we think you should visit and why

1. Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

 

We loved the historical “City of the Tsars” and we think you will too! The lovable Eastern European city hangs over the steep banks of the Yantra river, surrounded by forests and foothills (great for hiking and biking).

Veliko Tarnovo’s star attraction is Tsarevets Fortress, a stone medieval castle that served as the Second Bulgarian Empire’s primary fortress and stronghold. The cobblestone streets in the Old Town, pictured above, are full of interesting architecture and serene views of the calm river below.

2. Split, Croatia

 

Often overshadowed by Drubovnik, Split is a beautiful harbour city on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. While strolling along the seaside promenade of Old Town Split, we quickly understood why Split is considered to be one of the finest Mediterranean cities in Europe.

Split is the second most populated city in Croatia next to Zagreb, the Croatian capital, and it’s the main city in Dalmatia. Many of Split’s historical and cultural monuments are located within the walls of the Roman emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a 1,700 year old landmark that’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Do yourself a favour while in Split – rent a vehicle and drive up and down the Croatian coast, visiting small coastal towns and villages (like Makarska and Omis).

3. Traben-Trarbach, Germany

 

One of our favourite parts of Europe is the Mosel River Valley in western Germany (located near the borders of Luxembourg and France). We love it so much that we are visiting again this summer. We have family that lives in a town named Reil, located about 15 minutes from the larger town of Traben-Trarbach (pictured above).

The Mosel River Valley is dotted with sleepy villages, endless vineyards and storybook castles. It really doesn’t matter what town you visit in this scenic region, just try to visit at least one or two. Cochem and Bernkastel-Kues are quite popular, but Traben-Trarbach is central and comparatively less touristy. The best time to visit the region is late summer, when the villages host wine festivals that serve locally crafted wines and homemade German cuisine.

In our opinion, it’s the best of the European countryside!

4. Oia in Santorini, Greece

 

Few cities in Europe can compete with the WOW factor that Santorini greets its guests with. The town of Oia literally rests on top of volcanic cliffs, overlooking the sparkling Aegean Sea. Because the cliff side of Oia faces west, it serves up arguably THE best sunsets on the planet (in our opinion).

And if the white stoned buildings, blue domed churches and stunning panoramic views aren’t enough to wet your appetite, add an infinity pool and outstanding Greek cuisine and you’ll never want to leave this romantic Greek island.

Just imagine yourself sitting here!

Budapest Hungary Miniature

5. Budapest, Hungary

 

“The Pearl of the Danube” is central Europe’s finest city, boasting an extensive list of World Heritage Sites that include the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, Heroes’ Square and the Millennium Underground Railway (the 2nd oldest in the world).

Budapest’s most iconic landmark is the Hungarian Parliament Building (pictured here), one of Europe’s oldest legislative buildings and the largest building in Hungary.

Bring good shoes because Budapest’s old world charm, marvelous architecture and interesting history will keep you busy throughout the day, while its progressive nightlife will keep you moving well into the early hours of the morning. You’ve been warned!

6. Antwerp, Belgium

 

Though our time was limited in Antwerp and we visited on a rainy weekend in November, we instantly connected with Belgium’s “other city”. Most visitors traveling by train between Amsterdam and Brussels will pass through Antwerp, making it a convenient stopover city.

Without a plan, we popped into the tourism office at the central train station, grabbed a map and started walking. It’s a very walkable city, with pedestrianized shopping districts and a market square that’s dominated by the towering Cathedral of Our Lady.

We were pleasantly surprised to find Steen Castle (pictured above) along the river. It looks like something straight out of a Disney cartoon – we half expected Cinderella or Snow White to greet us at the entrance.

Read more: Photo Essay – Discover Antwerp, Belgium’s Other City

View of Brasov from mountain tram

7. Brasov, Romania

 

This fabled red-roofed city is located in the Southern Carpathians of Transylvania, the second highest group of mountains in the Carpathian Mountain range, making it an ideal place for outdoor enthusiasts that enjoy hiking, biking and skiing.

But the main draw to this Romanian city is its close proximity to the town of Bran. More importantly, home to Bran Castle, proclaimed to once be the home of the world’s most famous vampire – Dracula.

Let’s be clear, the legend of Dracula is totally over-hyped and fabricated for the almighty tourist dollar, but it’s still worth a day trip to explore the hilltop castle and its tight, windy stairwells (it has a spooky vibe, so let your imagination run wild!).

Read more: City Spotlight on Brasov, Romania

8. Edinburgh, Scotland

 

Edinburgh surprised us – in a good way. The purpose of our trip was to partake in Hogmanay, the world’s largest New Year’s Eve street party. Because of this, we visited during the peak of winter. Now, if you’ve ever been to Scotland during winter, you’ll know that it gets freeeeezing cold. So, we limited our expectations – which ended up being a very good thing.

The medieval city is unlike any other city we have visited. It’s easy to feel Scotland’s dark history as you wander down the Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s Old Town. Did you know that there is an ancient city that was quarantined and buried under today’s modern city? We didn’t! Take a ghost tour and see for yourself – there’s plenty of acting but its good fun and it’s very interesting.

Read more: Looking for the world’s biggest New Year’s Eve party? Head to Scotland!

Manarola, Cinque Terre

9. Cinque Terre, Italy

 

Okay, so we’re actually cheating with this one because we haven’t visited the Italian Riviera – yet.

Cinque Terre National Park and its five coastal villages is very high on our travel wish list, with Manarola and Riomaggiore leading the charge. We’ve seen countless photos and read many stories about the coastal region and can’t wait to experience it firsthand.

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Have you visited any of these European cities? What cities would you add to this list?
Share your favourites in the comments section below, we’re always looking for travel inspiration!

 

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About the Author

Cameron and Nicole Wears are a Canadian couple and newbie parents living in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. A passion for travel and outdoor adventure has taken them to over 65 countries & territories on 6 continents in the past 7 years. Consider following us via RSS Feed, Twitter, Facebook, Google + Profile and subscribe to our Newsletter. Read our website disclaimer