Europe, the charming subcontinent, became our travel destination a couple of months ago. My husband, kids, and I went there in the summer months. It is where we explored fascinating history, stunning landscapes, unique tourist attractions, the best of vintage markets, delicious cuisines, and lots more – it was one of our worth memorable trips.
Europe is home to remarkable tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome, the Acropolis of Athens, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Grand Canal of Venice, etc. Its popularity can be attributed to its industrial diversity – making it the world’s center of trade. It also holds the St. Peter’s Basilica – world’s largest church, and the Vatican City – world’s smallest country.
In this article, I have focused on 8 of the most beautiful cities in Europe we visited during our Europe tour. Moreover, I have also described ways to enjoy Europe tour and the best time to go there. Let’s dive in!
How to Get There?
When it comes to visiting the big cities in Europe, there are a number of different travel options to choose from.
For example, many people opt to take the train, as it is an efficient and relatively affordable way to see multiple cities in a short period of time. Others prefer to fly, as it can be the quickest way to get from one destination to another, and most large European cities have their own airport nearby.
However, for those who want to really soak up the culture and history of Europe, taking a road trip is often the best option. This allows travellers to take their time exploring each city, and also gives them the opportunity to see some smaller towns and villages that are located in between the major metropolitan areas.
No matter what mode of transportation you choose, travelling to the big cities in Europe is an experience that you will never forget.
What’s the Best Time to Go on Europe Tour?
Though Europe is such a travel destination that you can go there year-round, the summer season is considered the best time to travel to Europe, i.e., from June to September. It is when you can fully enjoy beach visits, hiking, road trips, and other adventurous activities. However, the fall and winter seasons are the cheapest time to visit this beautiful continent, from late October to late March.
My family and I visited Europe at the end of July when the sun’s rays were all set to bless us with nice tans. Our two-month tour to explore Europe was a memorable part of our lives.
8 Most Beautiful Cities in Europe
Here are the eight most beautiful cities in Europe that my family and I found worth visiting. If you plan to go for a Europe tour, these eight cities must be on top of your travel destinations list. Let’s explore more about them!
London, England
London, the capital of the U.K, is well known for its remarkable history, world-class museums, red phone booths, double-decker buses, and worldly famous tourist attractions. As we had a direct flight to London, this alluring city was our very first stop!
What else could we have visited first instead of the stunning Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament? Officially known as Elizabeth Tower, Big Ben, is an iconic clock tower, and the Houses of Parliament was built as a palace and later given to the parliament. What we enjoyed the most was exploring the Houses of Parliament, its splendid architecture, and plaques memorializing the trials of renowned personalities. The view of both iconic landmarks from across the Thames left us mesmerized.
How could we have missed viewing this beautiful city from the London Eye? We pre-booked online for one of the 32 high-tech glass pods that let us witness 360-degree views over London. Those 30-minutes were worth enjoying. Other tourist attractions we visited in London include The Tower of London, British Museum, National Gallery, Hallowed Halls of Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square, etc.
Paris, France
The capital of France, Paris, is another most beautiful city in Europe. The Striking tourist attractions we visited in this global center of art, culture, and fashion were Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Palais Garnier, Luxembourg Gardens, etc.
Our first stop in Paris was the globally famous Eiffel Tower! We booked a guided tour, as my daughter loves Eiffel Tower and wanted to know about its history. The construction of this beautiful tower continued from 1887 to 1889. When climbing the floors of the tower, we went through the entire history of it. On reaching the top floor, we enjoyed an amazing dining experience at Restaurant 58. We preferred to visit in the evening when the tower was sparkling with yellow hues.
Our next destination was Paris’ historic landmark and the world’s most visited museum; The Louvre Museum! This prism-shaped museum is well known for featuring exquisite artworks, including the utterly famous Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Getting lost in the museum’s world of art and going through the remarkable artworks, paintings, sculptures, and galleries, was something we enjoyed the most. My kids enjoyed the Nintendo Game Program.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is undoubtedly, the most beautiful city in Spain, featuring popular tourist attractions; Sagrada Familia, Gothic Quarter, Park Guell, Casa Battlo, etc. A total of eight films (including Biutiful, All About My Mother, Under Construction, etc.) made me fall in love with Barcelona, which was why I was most excited to visit this elegant city of Spain.
The first tourist attraction we visited in Barcelona was La Sagrada Familia. It is actually UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest unfinished Roman Catholic Church. It is symbolic of the lifetime of Christ. Besides going through the drawings and pictures this museum holds, its architectural approach is something one can’t stop admiring. The gorgeous facades, the basilica’s massive columns, and the wonderful panoramic views of Barcelona city from the top were worth pleasing.
The other site we visited was the Park Guell. This privatized park system is located on Carmel Hill; it holds beautiful gardens and architectural elements. The monumental zone of this park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. This area attracts most of the tourists, and it is where we had lots of fun. The Greek Theater of Nature Square, The Austria Gardens, The Dragon Stairway, The Laundry Room Portico, etc.; this park has got lots of worth-seeing areas.
Florence, Italy
The next city on my list of the most beautiful cities in Europe is Florence – the capital of Italy. Its alluring landscapes and historical monuments make it worth visiting. Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Uffizi Gallery, Battistero di San Giovanni, Ponte Vecchio, etc., are some of the top attractions we went to.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, also named Florence Cathedral, is one of Italy’s most beautiful historical monuments. There is no entrance ticket for this cathedral; however, we had to buy tickets to visit the cathedral’s museum. It holds the world’s largest brick dome and embodies architectural and artistic wonders. After exploring the cathedral and its museum, we went to Konnubio to enjoy a fantastic dining experience in the heart of Florence.
The next worth listing place we visited was undoubtedly the Uffizi Gallery. If I say this prominent art museum is the charm of the Tuscany region, it won’t be wrong. What we enjoyed the most was going through the portraits and paintings Of Madonna Del Cardellino, Annunciation, Doni Tondo, The Duke And Duchess Of Urbino, etc.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is well known for its legacies of the 17th-century golden age, narrow houses with gabled facades, and artistic heritage. Van Rijks Museum, Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, Vondelpark, Moco Museum, Albert Cuyp Market, etc., are some of the famous places we visited in this city.
Van Rijks Museum is Netherlands’ National Museum and is mainly dedicated to Dutch history and art. We got a lot to explore here; from The Great Hall, Still Lifes, Vermeer’s paintings, Jan Steen’s paintings, and The Threatened Swan to Rembrandt’s paintings, The Night Watch, The Dolls’ Houses, and Rijksmuseum Library.
What my kids enjoyed visiting the most was the Vondelpark. Covering an area of 120 acres, this public urban park is the best place to visit. Going to EYE Vondelpark, Vondeltuin, etc., are some of the top things to do there. Besides these, this park holds a handful of cafes and terraces. After enjoying our visit to this park, all hungry, we went to Blauwe Theehuis and had our meals.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is the most populated city and the capital of Denmark. This city of fairyland is one of my dream destinations. Considered the happiest city in the world, Copenhagen boasts multiple striking tourist attractions, including the Tivoli Gardens, Christiansborg Palace, National Museum of Denmark, The National Gallery of Denmark, etc.
One of my kids’ favorite places in Copenhagen was the Tivoli Gardens. This amusement park is the second oldest park in the world. With the Copenhagen card we bought, the entry fee for the park was free. On entering the garden, we were welcomed by a charming forest of decorative lamps and neon lights. We witnessed the laser light show and then went for rides – they were of each kind, the classic ones, and the terrifying modern ones.
Christiansborg Palace was our next destination. It was once the royal family’s residence and the Royal gatherings like gala dinners, parties, etc., used to be held there. Royal jewels displayed there, reception rooms, Royal throne rooms, etc., were worth going through.
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, the city of Seven Hills, is Turkey’s central city. It is where the two continents, Europe and Asia, meet. Our favorite tourist attractions in Istanbul, Turkey, are the Hagia Sophia Mosque, Topkapı Palace, Blue Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque, etc. Moreover, shopping in the Grand Bazar was the best experience ever.
Hagia Sophia Mosque is a major historical and cultural site in Turkey. It was primarily built as a church and was later converted into a mosque. Its splendid architecture, mosaic ornaments, Emperor’s gate, Devil’s Prison, and the Sacred Relics of Hz. Jezus were fascinating things indeed. What my kids enjoyed the most was making wishes at the Wish Column.
Topkapi Palace was our next stop. This historical monument is the treasure of Turkish civilization. The things we found worth exploring were the Topkapi Palace Museum, Harem, and the Sacred Relics.
Zurich, Switzerland
Switzerland’s financial capital, Zurich, is a global center for finance and banking and is also home to stunning tourist attractions. Some places we found worth visiting were Kunsthaus Zurich, the Swiss National Museum, Fraumünster, Uetliberg, Niederdorf, and the Old Town.
Visiting Switzerland and missing out on visiting Kunsthaus Zurich? There can be no bigger regret than this. It is the biggest art museum in Switzerland that houses the most important art collection. We booked a guided tour to get to know most about the history of this historical beauty and the collection it features.
Fraumünster is a renowned church in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The sight of three aisles, a Romanesque Choir, and a Gothic nave was mesmerizing. The 18-meter-long choir, different color-themed windows, and the modern series of frescoes add to the charm of this church. After exploring this church, we went to the Grottino 77. Their Italian menu featuring the yummiest ever Italian dishes was worth drooling over.
Conclusion
Located in the center of two “Old World” continents, Africa and Asia, Europe is undoubtedly the dream destination of most travelers. Exploring most of this continent within a shorter time span seems impossible; however, you must plan your Europe tour to be at least four weeks long. We stayed there for about two months, so we had lots of time exploring different countries and cities.
In this article, I have shortlisted the eight most beautiful cities in Europe that are worth visiting tourist attractions featuring splendid architectural and historical monuments and landmarks.
