Seeing Paris and dying is no longer fashionable. Yes, the French capital is certainly beautiful and elegant, the Eiffel Tower is amazing, and the Champs Elysees are beautiful, but all this has already been advertised a million times and is densely dotted with tourists.
But there are plenty of other beautiful and quieter places to visit in Europe. Having studied the opinions of seasoned travelers from The World Pursuit and Condé Nast Traveller, as well as based on personal impressions, we have compiled a list of the most beautiful cities in Europe. This is not a rating in the traditional sense, since each city is beautiful in its own way, and no photograph can convey all the charm. It must be seen with your own eyes.
Oia, Santorini, Greece
According to Greek mythology, Santorini is a lump of earth that Triton, son of Neptune, gave to the Argonauts. They named the island Kallisti. Nowadays, the pearl of the island is the famous Greek resort town of Oia. It is filled with snow-white buildings topped with bright blue roofs. The peculiarity of the island, which is actually an active sea volcano, has left its mark on the city's architecture. Many houses were dug into the volcanic rock on the edge of a cliff that offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Oia is also famous for its amazing sunsets, which can be seen almost every day, as there are few cloudy days on the island. The city is loved by both Greeks and foreign tourists, so it is better to visit this paradise in early autumn or late spring, when there are fewer people.
Keep in mind that there is almost no nightlife in the city, this place is ideal for a quiet holiday with the whole family.
Budapest, Hungary
Nicknamed the "Paris of the East" due to its beautiful nature and unique architecture, the capital of Hungary is safe, young and unlike any other European city.
The highlight of the local nightlife are the unique ruin pubs. They are located in abandoned buildings from the Second World War, in the Erzsébetváros quarter. These pubs usually have no doors, but they have high tables where guests can have a drink or two and then move on to another establishment. Many ruin pubs are open even during the day, where you can have a coffee and even lunch.
Budapest is also famous for its thermal baths, which you can find all over the city. You can swim there even in winter.
Venice, Italy
Love it or hate it, Venice is popular. It is one of the most beautiful historic cities on the planet, but it is also one of the most tourist-besieged places in the world.
The Sinking City is a network of 118 islands connected by bridges. The buildings are old, and if you manage to get away from the crowds, it feels like you've traveled five centuries back in time. It's quite surreal.
Unfortunately, Venice's canals are notorious for containing a lot of waste, and in the summer the smell can ruin your holiday experience. However, in the cooler months there are fewer tourists, less waste, and the unpleasant smell is not noticeable. So it can be said that Venice is one of the most beautiful European cities, except for the summer months.
Bruges, Belgium
This small, green town in Northern Belgium offers a stark contrast to the bustling city of Brussels. The best way to see all its beauty is to rent a bike and cycle along the charming old houses and canals. If the day is sunny and warm, you can easily take a boat tour along the canals or visit the mills of Koeleweimolen and Sint-Janshuismolen.
Bruges is one of the best places for beer lovers. Take a tour of the Half Moon Brewery and you will be offered an excellent foamy drink.
Edinburgh, Scotland
It is a great alternative for those who want to explore a city that is no less interesting, but less gloomy than London.
Edinburgh's city centre is divided into two parts: the haphazard development of a series of medieval streets in the Old Town and the beautifully constructed buildings of the New Town in the classical style. Many of the buildings in the Old Town are covered in soot, which is a historical landmark in itself. After all, it is a remnant of medieval times, when coal and wood were used for heating.
Edinburgh is in many ways chaotic and full of contrasts, but that's part of its charm. It offers everything from world-class luxury hotels to fine dining, bustling pubs, designer shops and shops selling kilts, whisky and souvenirs.
Helsinki, Finland
It is surprising that such a modern European city is very close to nature. It has a lot of green space and the unique Temppeliaukio Church, located in a natural rock. The unusual architecture allows for an incredible acoustic effect in the church hall.
Not far from the center of Helsinki is the Botanical Garden, which has a whole system of artificial ponds, rose gardens and greenhouses.
Kotor, Montenegro
If you like sea views but don't like noisy crowds, then Kotor is the place to go. First mentioned in 168 BC, the city has seen Romans and Serbs, been ruled by the Venetian Republic, and been the scene of fierce battles between Austria-Hungary and Montenegro. Now it's a quiet, peaceful place with a population of just over 13,000.
It is surrounded by stone walls and a moat, and within the city walls you will find many churches, a labyrinth of neat streets, stone houses and quiet piazzas.
The landscapes around Kotor are very reminiscent of the Norwegian fjords, thanks to the natural beauty of the bay. But if you want truly fantastic views, do not be lazy to go to the tiny town of Perast (12 km from Kotor), where the most beautiful bay in Europe is located. Perast was once a rich port city, and now it is called the city of millionaires, because each building there costs more than a million euros. And according to rumors, many Russian and foreign politicians and celebrities have their estates there.
Vienna, Austria
If you are a lover of culture and art, you simply must make a trip to Vienna. The noble charm of this city is made up of many beautiful components: from the State Opera (the largest opera house in the country) to the majestic Musikverein concert hall, from the magnificent Hofburg palace complex to the neo-Gothic Rathaus (city hall building).
Stroll through the vast parks or admire the works of great masters at the Museum of Fine Arts. Don't forget to take the kids to the Prater, Vienna's version of Disneyland (though without the Disney secret room), and enjoy a schnitzel.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The carefree and fun city of Amsterdam needs no introduction. It is known as the "Venice of the North" because of its hundreds of canals, and boats are everywhere. If you are traveling as a couple, you can go on a romantic boat ride.
There are interesting places for lovers of history, architecture, parties, delicious food, shopping, art and even carnal pleasures. But the beauty of this city lies not only in the entertainment and canals, it is also in the beautiful houses. Many of them are equipped with lifting hooks, with the help of which large loads were lifted up.
If you're looking for traditional attractions, check out the Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum, the Maritime Museum, and the Van Gogh Museum. And in the evening, walk across the Python Bridge, curved like a snake's body, and enjoy the view in the light of the lights.
Florence
The capital of Tuscany and one of the most interesting places in Italy. You should add this city to your Italian itinerary if it is not already there. Florence is famous for its world-class cuisine, museums, art and picturesque surroundings.
Florentine architecture beckons you to get lost in the historic center of the city. And history buffs will probably go crazy with delight, as Florence is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance and is filled with historical treasures. Say hello to one of the symbols of the Florentine Republic, the statue of David by Michelangelo Buonarroti.
As you walk along the narrow cobbled stone streets with marble basilicas, dark chapels, gas lamps and charming frescoes, it seems that little has changed over the centuries. In short, in Florence you really have the opportunity to get lost in time.
All the cities in our top 10 are worth visiting. However, there are no ugly cities in the world. Each of them has its own charm, if only there was a desire to find it.
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