Europe’s cities have a lot to answer for; from the birth of political democracy in Athens and the advent of Renaissance art in Florence, to the emergence of the Enlightenment in Paris and the tea-loving culture of London, the continent’s history is both rich and extensive. Even taking into account the beguiling beauty of these urban areas, with over 800 European cities to choose from, deciding which wins the prize for prettiest is a long debated subject. Search the phrase ‘most beautiful cities in Europe’ and you’ll be welcomed into a wealth of articles, each singing the praises of a variety of different collections of cityscapes. To add to this ever-growing assortment, we’ve taken on the challenge of compiling our own inventory. Some of these iconic cities will come as no surprise, but we’ve also included a few under-the-radar (but equally camera-friendly) destinations to add to your bucket-list.
Florence, Italy
Italy boasts an abundance of beautiful cities, however Florence in particular is an obvious addition to our list of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Resplendent with Renaissance art, the Italian beauty is bound to mesmerise with its charming cobble-stoned streets and intricate architecture, while equal amounts of splendour are to be found inside its many art galleries and frescoed chapels.
Discover the best destinations in the country with our article : the most beautiful cities in Italy.
Porto, Portugal
As Portugal’s second-largest city, Porto has all of the Iberian Peninsula’s personality, without the added pressure of being its capital. The city’s archaic medieval walls are adorned with street art in the form of azulejos (hand-painted tiles) and the enchanting historic centre lends itself to being explored on foot.
Paris, France
Paris tops many lists of the most beautiful cities in Europe and for very good reason; the iconic French capital is aptly nicknamed the ‘City of Love’ and sometimes the ‘City of Light’, thanks to its romantic tree-lined boulevards and luminescent landmarks. It’s safe to say that Paris boasts a certain je ne sais quoi which has long seduced travellers.
Discover our list of the most beautiful cities in France.
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul’s beauty extends beyond the impressive exteriors of its landmarks to the equally mesmerising mosaiced interiors, each steeped in intriguing history. The most iconic is undoubtedly the Byzantine Hagia Sophia (now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site), which features a magnificent dome, adorned with breath-taking mosaics, dating back to the sixth century.
Seville, Spain
Seville seduces with its heady mix of Mudéjar architecture, Gothic cathedrals and flamboyant flamenco clubs. The charismatic capital of Andalucía is an excellent introduction to this well-loved Spanish region. Master the art of flamenco at an intimate bar or indulge in authentic sangria and tapas in a picturesque plaza, surrounded by the buzz of city life.
Discover our article : the best cities in Spain.
Stockholm, Sweden
Known by locals as the ‘beauty on the water’, Stockholm spans a series of 14 islands connected by a network of over 50 bridges. The Scandinavian nations are renowned for their impeccable sense of style and the Swedish capital is no exception; Stockholm’s historic centre of Gamla Stan resembles something out of a storybook, while contemporary touches infuse the city with a dynamic and modern feel.
Discover the top-rated destinations in the country with our article : the best cities in Sweden.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Encased by a ribbon of historic city walls, originally built in the ninth century, this limestone citadel on the Adriatic is a maze of ancient brick buildings with ochre-hued rooftops. Equally enchanting is the nearby forested island of Lokrum (a ten minute ferry ride from the city), filled with olive and pine trees and famed for being a prominent backdrop in Game of Thrones.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Cradled between long-standing favourites Croatia and Italy, Slovenia is often overlooked as a holiday destination, but it’s about time it had its moment in the sunshine. Ljubljana, the country’s capital, is a delightful patchwork of hilltop castles, baroque architecture and cobbled town squares, often likened to a pocket-sized Prague.
Ålesund, Norway
Rounding off our list of the most beautiful cities in Europe is the peaceful coastal city of Ålesund. Less well-known than some of Norway’s other urban areas, this verdant archipelago lined with vibrant buildings emerges out of the Atlantic like fairy-tale cottages from the pages of a pop-up book.
Written by Luisa Watts
