Friday, January 17, 2025

15 European cities to visit absolutely in 2022

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Enough with the usual romantic Paris, royal London or cold imperial Moscow … Among the most beautiful locations of the old continent, this year there are very few famous European capitals . Rather, it is time to give space to lesser known cities and … geographically much further north. Or at least that’s what our community decided.

We launched a survey that involved over 15,000 users to decree the most beautiful city in Europe, and the result was absolutely amazing! Let’s discover together the 15 European cities to visit absolutely !

Capital State When to visit Sarajevo Bosnia and 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

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo

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 , capable of striking different types of tourists, thanks to its cobblestone streets to explore, quaint cafes, and traditional cuisine to discover.

We recommend a tour of the war tunnels, where you will see the ” Tunnel of Hope “: it is 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. SEE ALSO : What to see in Sarajevo

Plan your trip to Sarajevo: costs and useful information

  • Best period : from February to March
  • Low cost flights: from € 64.46 – check the offers
  • Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 44.00 per night – see the offers
  • Events not to be missed : The ” Sarajevo Winter International Festival ” runs from February to March, and offers a program of events, music, dance, theater, art and literature.

Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

Czech Krumlov

Most young travelers love Prague. And we can’t blame them, Prague is truly gorgeous. But ÄŒeský 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 ÄŒeský 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 pub terraces in the center overlooking the Vltava river, visit the castle, the Eggenberg brewery, the Egon Schiele Art Centrum Museum 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 ÄŒeský Krumlov) from € 30.58 – check the offers
  • Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 37.00 per night – see the offers
  • Events not to be missed : International Music Festival , takes place in the summer and is the longest and most important musical event in the Czech Republic.

Bled, Slovenia

Bled

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, with its glacial blue waters surrounding a small island. The excursion to the medieval castle offers breathtaking views.

Other wonders to see in and around Bled 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 wonder of the Slovenia. SEE ALSO : What to see in Bled

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 – check the offers
  • Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 35.00 per night – see the offers
  • Events not to be missed : Okarina Music Festival , an ethnic music festival that takes place in the summer months.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin

In summer, the inhabitants of the German capital make full use of the time available 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 is a city of a thousand faces, known as an important hedonistic center, a magnet for history buffs and, increasingly, a destination for families, thanks to the wealth of green spaces that include the Tiergarten and Friedrichshain Volkspark .

But that’s not all, Berlin is also the queen of the night and electronic music, not surprisingly considered one of the best nightlife destinations by young people from all over Europe.

Among the experiences not to be missed we recommend 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. SEE ALSO : What to see in Berlin

Plan your trip to Berlin: costs and useful information

  • Best time to visit : Spring, October
  • Low cost flights: from € 30.58 – check the offers
  • Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 57.00 per night – see the offers
  • Events not to be missed : Festival of Lights , in October, an event in which fantastic lights are projected on the main monuments of the city. On this occasion, tours and artistic-musical performances are organized.

Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm

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, in Stockholm one cannot fail to appreciate beauties such as the Vasa Museum, the Moderna Museet, the Drottningholm Castle, the Civic Library and the Museum of Photography. SEE ALSO : What to see in Stockholm

Plan your trip to Stockholm: costs and useful information

  • Best time to visit : June
  • Low cost flights: starting from € 60.31 – check the offers
  • Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 63.00 per night – see the offers
  • Events not to be missed : During the first days of June the traditional Stockholm Early Music Festival takes place , a concert program of the best Scandinavian and international musicians.

Bruges, Belgium

is used

Photo by Josep Renalias. 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 freeze the city 500 years ago, and to the art collections among the most enchanting in the country, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 and in 2002 European Capital of Culture .

Among the peculiar 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 and the Friet Museum (Museum of French Fries), but also religious places of worship such as the Basilica del Santo Sangue, the Cathedral of San Salvatore and the Church of Our Lady. SEE ALSO : What to see and what to do in Bruges

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 – check the offers
  • Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 55.00 per night – see the offers
  • Events not to be missed : After the Easter holiday, on the occasion of the Ascension of Jesus, the Procession of the Holy Blood takes place , a colorful religious event established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in which over 100 thousand faithful participate

Venice, Italy

Venice

Venice, a marvel of architecture, art and engineering, with its canals and marble churches built on foundations stubbornly removed from the lagoon water. La Serenissima manages to deserve 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 Piazza San Marco and the homonymous Basilica, Palazzo Ducale, La Fenice Theater, Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge, the islets of the lagoon and others. Of course, don’t miss the opportunity for a ride on the Grand Canal in a traditional gondola! SEE ALSO : What to see and what to do in Venice

Plan your trip to Venice: costs and useful information

  • Best time to visit : February / March, on the occasion of Carnival, and in Spring
  • Low cost flights: starting from € 79.62 – check the offers
  • Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 60.00 per night – see the offers
  • Events not to be missed : The celebrations of the famous Venetian Carnival

Santorini, Greece

santorini

Oh yes, the only island in the top ten , 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!

Among the most beautiful things to see in Santorini, note the villages of Oia, Thira and Imerovigli, the splendid beaches of Red Beach and Kamari Beach, and of course, take a cruise in the scenic caldera. SEE ALSO : What to see in Santorini

Plan your trip to Santorini: costs and useful information

  • Best time to visit : Summer
  • Low cost flights: Flights to Thira from € 79.98 – check the offers
  • Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 62.00 per night – see the offers
  • Events not to be missed : The main cultural event is the Megaron Gyzi Festival which takes place the first 3 weeks of August and offers readings, theatrical and musical performances

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest

UNESCO has awarded 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, together with the oldest metro on the continent , dating back 130 years and obviously the majestic palaces, Baroque monuments and Gothic cathedrals.

Some of the attractions not to be missed are the Széchenyi Baths (the 1-day priority pass is highly recommended to avoid endless queues), the Buda District, the Fishermen’s Bastion and Buda Castle, the Pest District and the Museum of Fine Arts. Among the activities, don’t miss the opportunity for a romantic cruise on the Danube. SEE ALSO : What to see in Budapest

Plan your trip to Budapest: costs and useful information

  • Best time to visit : Summer, Winter for Christmas
  • Low cost flights: starting from € 19.97 – look at the offers
  • Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 45.00 per night – see the offers
  • Must-see events : The Budapest Summer Festival offers open-air theater, music and dance performances in July and August

Prague, Czech Republic

prague

Called ” the stone dream “, Prague is a ” magical, cursed city ” (as Franz Kafka called 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 is one of the most visited places on our continent !

Very nice and interesting is the tour of ghosts and legends 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, Lesser Town, St. Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge, the Jewish Ghetto and the Dancing House. SEE ALSO : What to see in Prague

Plan your trip to Prague: costs and useful information

  • Best time to visit : Spring, Winter for Christmas
  • Low cost flights: from € 30.58 – check the offers
  • Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 39.00 per night – see the offers
  • Must-See Events : The Prague Autumn International Music Festival is an annual event held in September during which some of the world’s most acclaimed symphony orchestras perform

Chester, England

chester england

Roll your eyes, rub them, pinch yourself, do what you want but believe it … 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 and do not be under the illusion of being able to 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 but also 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 – check the offers
  • Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 50.00 per night – see the offers
  • Events not to be missed : The County Balloon Festival , the hot air balloon festival, is one of the most anticipated events. It takes place annually at the end of June

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik

In Italian Ragusa di Dalmazia , a city of rare beauty with its numerous architectural and artistic treasures, but also with its 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 is also 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 here during the summer, we recommend a guided kayak tour around the walls, also reaching the island of Lokrum and the fascinating hidden caves! SEE ALSO : What to see in Dubrovnik

Plan your trip to Dubrovnik: costs and useful information

  • Best time to visit : Summer
  • Low cost flights: from € 64.98 – check the offers
  • Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 39.00 per night – see the offers
  • Events not to be missed : The Dubrovnik Summer Festival offers between July and August many performances of opera, dance and open-air theater

Innsbruck, Austria

innsbruck

It is the capital of the Alps , 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 it is not only in winter that the historic capital of Tyrol gives its best: with its elegant sixteenth-century palaces, Gothic and Baroque churches and the stories of the great sovereigns and characters such as Mozart or Princess Sissi that echo at every corner, it is a wonderful place to visit all year round.

Among the most iconic attractions of 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: take 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 (admission ticket can be purchased online). A preview? The installation known as the ” Crystal Cloud ” was made with about 800,000 hand-assembled crystals! SEE ALSO : What to see in Innsbruck

Plan your trip to Innsbruck: costs and useful information

  • Best time to visit : December, on the occasion of Christmas
  • Low cost flights: from € 108.10 – check the offers
  • Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 59.00 per night – see the offers
  • Events not to be missed : On the occasion of Christmas, the traditional markets, with their wonderful colorful stalls, are all to be discovered!

Bergen, Norway

the mountains

Photo by Pssmidi. 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. Also indicated by UNESCO as a 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, the Aquarium and the Cathedral are worth a visit. SEE ALSO : What to see in Bergen

Plan your trip to Bergen: costs and useful information

  • Best time to visit : Spring, May and June
  • Low cost flights: starting from € 69.13 – look at the offers
  • Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 57.00 per night – see the offers
  • Events not to be missed : One of the most popular events is the Bergen International Festival , a cultural and musical festival with international guests that takes place between May and June

Riga, Latvia

Riga, Latvia

And finally we climb to the top of the rankings to decree the winner of the ” Great North “, Riga! The ” gem of the Baltic “, the capital of Latvia , has been proclaimed the Capital of Culture . An ideal city to visit for those who love the Art Nouveau style , as the international capital of the genre, it is easily explored on foot and it seems to walk back in time. But the ” fresh ” destination (never exceeds 20 °) also offers interesting entertainment such as festivals and dancing nights and will amaze you with its mix of old styles and new lifestyle.

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 San Pietro and the Castle of Riga.

Plan your trip to Riga: costs and useful information

  • Best time to visit : Summer
  • Low cost flights: starting from € 177.29 – check the offers
  • Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 39.00 per night – see the offers
  • Must-See Events : The Latvian Song and Dance Festival is Latvian’s premier cultural event, as well as 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

Other tips for an escape to Europe

  • European cities to visit as a couple : love escapes are always among the most requested and most appreciated “travel themes”, here are the most romantic destinations in the old continent
  • European cities to visit in winter : those that, dressed in white, acquire more charm than a snow queen, here’s where to go in winter in Europe
  • Cities to visit at Christmas : for those who can’t wait to stroll through the markets sipping mulled wine. From the inevitable Vienna and Budapest to the romantic Bruges and Salzburg … discover them all here!
  • Cities to visit in spring : if you prefer the scent of freshly blossomed spring flowers to winter temperatures, then here’s where to go in Spring in Europe
  • Cities to visit on weekends : some cities more than others lend themselves to being visited in a weekend, pearls like Vilnius and Segovia or rising destinations like Belgrade in Serbia and Ghent in Belgium. Are you curious? Here are the destinations to visit in 3 days
  • Economic European cities : the desire to travel grows inversely proportional to the wallet, but it doesn’t matter to us … our passion subverts even the mathematical rules. Here are the best cheap European cities to visit!
  • European Cities with Best Nightlife : If you’re not quite the romantic river cruise or museum and cultural weekend type type, or just what you are looking for is the ultimate in entertainment, here are the 20 Best European Cities for Nightlife! Those who wake up at night and go to sleep during the day
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