The 15 European Cities to Visit in 2021

 

Enough with the usual romantic Paris, royal London, or cold imperial Moscow… There are many beautiful locations in the old continent and only a few of them are capitals. In fact, the lesser-known cities take over the glory, especially those located further north.

We’ve compiled a list of the 15 European cities to visit in 2021, including the most beautiful cities from the continent. The ranking is based on a survey that included over 15,000 travelers. Here’s what they said!

Capital	State	When to visit
Sarajevo	Bosnia Herzegovina	Winter
Český Krumlov	Czech Republic	Summer
Bled	Slovenia	Summer
Berlin	Germany	Autumn
Stockholm	Sweden	Summer
Bruges	Belgium	Spring
Venice	Italy	Spring
Santorini	Greece	Summer
Budapest	Hungary	Winter
Prague	Czech Republic	Winter
Chester	UK	Summer
Dubrovnik	Croatia	Summer
Innsbruck	Austria	Winter
Bergen	Norway	Spring
Riga	Latvia	Summer

15. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Its historical importance, especially related to the events of the First World War, is perhaps the main reason to visit Sarajevo. However, the Bosnian city is a beautiful and varied place that can strike different types of tourists thanks to its cobblestone streets, quaint cafes, and traditional cuisine to discover.

We recommend a tour of the war tunnels, where you will see the “Tunnel of Hope”: a suggestive underground tunnel used for travel during the war. You will discover the history and places of the siege of Sarajevo from 1992 to 1995, the longest siege of modern warfare.

Plan Your Trip to Sarajevo: Costs and Useful Information

Best time: from February to March
Low-cost flights: starting from €64.46
Accommodation: hotels and b&b from €44 per night
Must-visit events: the “International Sarajevo Winter Festival” runs from February to March and offers a program of events, music, dance, theater, art, and literature.

14. Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

Most young travelers love Prague. And, we can’t blame them because Prague is gorgeous. But Český Krumlov is an equally wonderful place, probably the most beautiful of those you have never heard of. This magnificent city is located in the Bohemian region of the Czech Republic (about two hours from Prague) and boasts an incredible historic center awarded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Vltava River runs through Český Krumlov and there are plenty of cute cafes on the city banks.

In this delightful town, you can wander through the narrow streets of the old town, enjoy a delicious beer on one of the terraces of the pubs in the center overlooking the Vltava river, visit the castle, the Eggenberg brewery, the Museum Egon Schiele Art Centrum, and the Torture Museum.

Plan Your Trip to Český Krumlov: Costs and Useful Information

Best period: summer months, especially July and August
Low-cost flights: flights to Prague (178 km from Český Krumlov) from €30.58
Accommodation: hotels and b&b from €37 per night
Must-visit events: International Music Festival – it takes place in the summer and is the longest and most important musical event in the Czech Republic.

13. Bled, Slovenia

Sheltered by magnificent mountains, Bled was founded in 1004 and has been considered one of the most fascinating cities of the Holy Roman Empire for centuries. The Castle in Lake Bled is the symbol of the city. It is located in the center of the picturesque lake, which surrounds a small island with its glacial blue waters. The excursion to the medieval castle offers breathtaking views.

Other wonders to see in Bled and its surroundings are the Vintgar Gorge, the Cave under the Babji Zob, and the Pod Iglico waterfall. Among the many activities, we suggest you try the canyoning tour between Lake Bled and the Bohinj valley: an adrenaline-filled experience of descending the rocks, jumping between waterfalls, and much more, to reconnect with nature and admire the breathtaking wonders of Slovenia.

Plan Your Trip to Bled: Costs and Useful Information

Best time to visit: summer months, especially July and August
Low-cost flights: flights to Ljubljana (53 km from Bled) from €91.16
Accommodation: hotels and b&b from €35 per night
Must-visit events: Okarina Music Festival – an ethnic music festival that takes place in the summer months.

12. Berlin, Germany

In summer, the inhabitants of the German capital make most of their free time to admire the streets, rivers, and lakes and participate in countless events throughout the city. Since the fall of the Wall, Berlin has become one of the most inspiring creative and cultural centers in Europe.

Today, it’s a city of a thousand faces, known as an important hedonistic center, a magnet for history buffs, and, increasingly, a destination for families due to the wealth of green spaces such as thr Tiergarten and Friedrichshain Volkspark.

Furthermore, Berlin is the queen of the night and electronic music, so it’s no wonder that it’s considered one of the best destinations for nightlife by young people from all over Europe.

Some of the activities you can’t miss are an exciting and intense walking tour on the Cold War and the Third Reich: you will visit the remains of the Berlin Wall in the East Side Gallery, Checkpoint Charlie, the German Parliament, and the memorials, listening to the stories about the contemporary history of the city with an expert guide.

Plan Your Trip to Berlin: Costs and Useful Information

Best time to visit: Spring, October
Low-cost flights: starting from €30.58
Accommodation: hotels and b&b from €57 per night
Must-visit events: Festival of Lights, in October – an event when fantastic lights are projected on the main monuments of the city. On this occasion, tours and artistic-musical performances are organized.

11. Stockholm, Sweden

Exciting and undeniably beautiful, Stockholm should be at the top of your bucket list of destinations to visit. Summer is the perfect time to see this wonderful capital when the sky is bluer and you can spend the day wandering the cobblestone streets of Gamla Stan. Lovers of exploration can also enjoy an excursion to the more than 30,000 islands that make up the Skärgård archipelago.

In addition to Gamla Stan, you can’t miss appreciating beauties such as the Vasa Museum, the Moderna Museet, the Drottningholm Castle, the Municipal Library, and the Museum of Photography.

Plan Your Trip to Stockholm: Costs and Useful Information

Best time to visit: June
Low-cost flights: starting from €60.31
Accommodation: hotels and b&b from €63 per night
Must-visit events: the traditional Stockholm Early Music Festival, which takes place during the first days of June. The concert program of this festival includes the best Scandinavian and international musicians.

10. Bruges, Belgium

Among the European cities to visit we also find Bruges, the most visited city in Belgium and among the 10 most romantic in Europe. Thanks to its medieval buildings, which seem to have frozen the city 500 years ago, and the art collections, which are among the most enchanting in the country, this city has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 and European Capital of Culture in 2002

Among the interesting attractions of the city and its surroundings, we point out the Minnewater Lake, the Market Square, the medieval civic tower known as the Belfry of Bruges, the Friet Museum (Museum of French Fries), as well as the religious places of worship such as the Basilica del Santo Sangue, the Cathedral of San Salvatore, and the Church of Our Lady.

Plan Your Trip to Bruges: Costs and Useful Information

Best time to visit: spring
Low-cost flights: flights to Brussels (103 km from Bruges) from €32.62
Accommodation: hotels and b&b from €55 per night
Must-visit events: after the Easter holiday, on the occasion of the Ascension of Jesus, the Procession of the Holy Blood takes place; it is a colorful religious event established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in which over 100 thousand faithful participate.

9. Venice, Italy

Venice, a marvel of architecture, art, and engineering, with canals and marble churches built on foundations stubbornly stolen from the lagoon water. La Serenissima deserves a place in this ranking thanks to the romantic and dreamy aura that characterizes it.

It is a city loved all over the world, an all-Italian pearl known and universally appreciated thanks to spectacular beauties such as St. Mark’s Square and the homonymous Basilica, Palazzo Ducale, La Fenice Theater, Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge, the islets of the lagoon, and others. Of course, you shouldn’t miss the chance for a ride on the Grand Canal in a traditional gondola!

Plan Your Trip to Venice: Costs and Useful Information

Best time to visit: February/March, on the occasion of the Carnival, and in spring
Low-cost flights: starting from €79.62
Accommodation: hotels and b&b from €60 per night
Must-visit events: the celebrations of the famous Venetian Carnival

8. Santorini, Greece

Santorini is appreciated for its “postcard” landscapes. With its cobalt blue skies, wonderful beaches, and breathtaking sunsets with the sun turning the white houses red, this island has taken the credit for being among the top!

Some of the most beautiful things to see in Santorini are the villages of Oia, Thira, and Imerovigli, the splendid beaches of Red Beach and Kamari Beach, and, of course, a cruise in the scenic caldera.

Plan Your Trip to Santorini: Costs and Useful Information

Best time to visit: summer
Low-cost flights: flights to Thira from €79.98
Accommodation: hotels and b&b from €62 per night
Must-visit events: the main cultural event is the Megaron Gyzi Festiva,l which takes place the first 3 weeks of August and offers readings, theatrical, and musical performances

7. Budapest, Hungary

UNESCO has given the title of “World Heritage Site” to the most beautiful city on the Danube for the Castle District and the Andràssy Avenue.

The combination of cultural and architectural heritage and the most modern innovations is elegant and almost spontaneous, and perhaps this is what impresses visitors most. Of course, there is also the oldest metro on the continent dating back 130 years ago and the majestic palaces, Baroque monuments, and Gothic cathedrals.

Some of the attractions you can’t miss are the Széchenyi Baths (1-day priority pass is highly recommended to avoid endless queues), the Buda Quarter, the FIshermen’s Bastion and Buda Castle, the Pest Quarter, and the Museum of Fine Arts. Among thr activities, don’t miss the chance for a romantic cruise on the Danube.

Plan Your Trip to Budapest: Costs and Useful Information

Best time to visit: summer, winter for Christmas
Low-cost flights: starting from €19.97
Accommodation: hotels and b&b from €45 per night
Must-visit events: the Budapest Summer Festival – offers open-air theater, music, and dance performances in July and August

6. Prague, Czech Republic

Called “the stone dream”, Prague is a “magical, cursed city” (as Franz Kafka defined it), a world-famous cultural and tourist center, guardian of fine architecture, countless romantic squares, and picturesque streets that give it a unique and particular image (so much so that it surpasses Paris).

In 1992, it entered the UNESCO World Heritage List. We are not surprised that it’s one of the most visited places in Europe.

One of the must-live experiences is the ghost and legends tour of Prague, which shows the must-haves of the city by telling anecdotes on the border between history and legend. Among the most beautiful attractions are Prague Castle, Malá Strana, St. Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge, the Jewish Quarter, and the Dancing House.

Plan Your Trip to Prague: Costs and Useful Information

Best time to visit: spring, winter for Christmas
Low-cost flights: starting from €30.58
Accommodation: hotel and b&b from €39 per night
Must-visit events: the Prague Autumn International Music Festival – an annual event held in September during which some of the world’s most acclaimed symphony orchestras perform.

5. Chester, England

Roll your eyes, rub them, pinch yourself, do what you want but believe us … this special ranking of the most beautiful European cities reserves a place for the semi-unknown Chester, the county town of Cheshire. City founded by the Romans, it is the only medieval structure in England with an intact wall that runs for 3 km. Strolling through the historic center, you can admire the buildings with classic half-timbered Tudor style. Don’t think that you will find modern buildings! The city, aged gracefully, is today a pleasant and fascinating place, much more intimate than the more famous Liverpool and Manchester.

A day in Chester will allow you to appreciate the beautiful Cathedral (climbing to the top of the towers and admiring the view is a fantastic experience), walk the ancient walls, sail on the River Dee, and visit the Roman amphitheater as well as other places of importance as natural as Grosvenor Park, Chester Zoo, or the Blue Planet Aquarium.

Plan Your Trip to Chester: Costs and Useful Information

Best time to visit: summer
Low-cost flights: flights to Liverpool (31 km from Chester) from €39.98
Accommodation: hotels and b&b from €50 per night
Must-visit events: the County Balloon Festival – hot air balloon festival, one of the most anticipated events. It takes place every year at the end of June.

4. Dubrovnik, Croatia

In Italian Ragusa of Dalmatia, this city of rare beauty boasts numerous architectural and artistic treasures, as well as magnificent places that, rising from the steep rocks, overlook the Mediterranean. Known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, the marvelous medieval city of Croatia boasts a historic center of particular beauty and, obviously, it’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you decide to go to Dubrovnik, be sure to visit the Ancient Walls, the Old Town, Mount Sergio, and the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin. If you are there during the summer, we recommend a guided kayak tour around the walls, even reaching Lokrum Island and the fascinating hidden caves!

Plan Your Trip to Dubrovnik: Costs and Useful Information

Best time to visit: summer
Low-cost flights: starting from €64.98
Accommodation: hotels and b&b from €39 per night
Must-visit events: the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, between July and August, offers many performances of opera, dance, and an open-air theater.

3. Innsbruck, Austria

It is the capital of the Alps and a favorite destination for winter sports lovers. Innsbruck has twice hosted the Winter Olympics and is now one of the most renowned Alpine resorts. But the historic capital of Tyrol doesn’t give its best only in winter. With its elegant 16th-century palaces, Gothic and Baroque churches, and the stories of the great sovereigns and characters such as Mozart and Princess Sissi that echo at every corner, it is a wonderful place to visit all year round.

Some of the most iconic attractions in the city are the Golden Roof, the Column of Sant’Anna, the Tyrolean Regional Museum Ferdinandeum, the Museum of the History of Art Ambras Castle, Casa Helbling, and the Arc de Triomphe.

But Innsbruck is also the city of Swarovski crystals, so you can’t miss taking a tour of the Swarovski Crystal Worlds in nearby Wattens. Visit the largest Swarovski store in the world, stroll through the Giant’s gardens, and discover the magic of crystal in all its facets. A preview? The installation known as the “Crystal Cloud” was built with around 800,000 hand-assembled crystals!

Plan Your Trip to Innsbruck: Costs and Useful Information

Best time to visit: December, on the occasion of Christmas
Low-cost flights: starting from €108.10
Accommodation: hotels and b&b from €59 per night
Must-visit events: on the occasion of Christmas, the traditional markets, with their wonderful colorful stalls, are all to be discovered.

2. Bergen, Norway

Let’s go to the land of the Vikings to discover the beautiful Bergen, a city that rises in the middle of the fjords. Delightful with its typical colored houses overlooking the historic center facing the sea towards its ancient port, it is a city to visit on foot to fully enjoy all its wonders. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is also famous for the fish market, almost as old as the city.

The Bryggen harbor, Bergenhus Fortress, Mount Fløyen, KODE Art Museums, Edvard Grieg’s House, Marken Quarter, Aquarium, and Cathedral are worth a visit.

Plan Your Trip to Bergen: Costs and Useful Information

Best time to visit: spring: May and June
Low-cost flights: starting from €69.13
Accommodation: hotels and b&b from €57 per night
Must-visit events: the Bergen International Festival, one of the most popular events, a cultural and musical festival with international guests that takes place between May and June.

1. Riga, Latvia

The winner of this ranking is a city that belongs to the “Great North”: Riga! The “gem of the Baltic”, the capital of Latvia, has been proclaimed the Capital of Culture. It is an ideal city to visit for those who love the Art Nouveau style, as the international capital of the genre is easily accessible on foot and it seems to take you back in time.

But the “fresh” destination (never exceeds 20°C) also offers entertainment such as festivals and dancing nights and will amaze you with its mix of old styles and new lifestyles.

Among the beauties that have earned it the primacy of the most beautiful city in Europe, we point out the Cathedral, the House of the Heads, the Statue of Rolando, the Church of St. Peter, and the Riga Castle.

Plan Your Trip to Riga: Costs and Useful Information

Best time to visit: summer
Low-cost flights: starting from €177.29
Accommodation: hotel and b&b from €39 per night
Must-visit events: the Latvian Song and Dance Festival – Latvian’s premier cultural event and one of the most important choral musical events in the world. On the occasion of this event, polyphonic choirs from all over the globe perform. It is held every five years in the summer.