Planning A City Break? Eternally-Popular European Destinations To Consider
Any traveller will know that there is always something to be said for stepping off the beaten path and exploring an area that is relatively unknown. However, sometimes, you just want to go somewhere that is very much on the beaten path – a place where millions of tourists have visited before, and somewhere that has refined its offering to tourists to perfection. There’s a reassurance in visiting a popular city or area; you know that your needs will be met, that there will be plenty of information available, and that you will be guaranteed of a good time.
If you are currently contemplating booking a European city break, choosing a more familiar, popular city could well be the right choice. Many European cities thrive on their tourism industry and have sought to do all they can to ensure that visitors are well provided for. Here are six all-time favourites to consider, as well as a few ideas on how you can put your time in the city to your best possible use…
1) Rome, Italy
According to the old saying, all roads lead to Rome – and if you’re a keen traveller, there is definitely a touch of truth to this. Rome is the kind of city that anyone who wants to explore the world will want to see; there’s so much to see and do, and such a fantastic ambience, that any time spent in the Eternal City is sure to be rewarding.
In terms of things to see and do, the most popular attractions will be familiar to most visitors – but that doesn’t make seeing them in person any less impressive. You can visit the famous Trevi fountain, the Spanish Steps, and immerse yourself in Rome’s long history with visits to the Pantheon and the Colosseum. For an evening’s entertainment, you can head to the Teatro dell’Opera, or explore one of the many famous restaurants the city can provide.
Staying in Rome also offers the opportunity to explore further afield, with the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum perhaps the best-known options for those travelling from Rome. As detailed on bbc.co.uk, both cities were devastated in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, and visiting the well-preserved ruins while the volcano looms in the background makes for a fascinating day out.
2) London, United Kingdom
Somewhat surprisingly, London can actually lay claim to the title of the most visited city in Europe, so if you’re looking for a city break closer to home then look no further than England’s own capital. While London may seem rather pedestrian to any Brit – as accustomed as we are to hearing about the city – with a traveller’s eye view, the city has so much to offer.
One of the major advantages of London – and one that perhaps helps to explain its popularity with tourists – is that it genuinely can offer something to everyone. If you’re a fan of theatre productions, then the West End is world-renowned for its incredible performances and beautiful buildings. If history is more your thing, then the Tower of London – with its ravens, stunning architecture, and iconic “Beefeaters” – will never disappoint. Or if you’re simply hoping for a chance to shop up a storm and enjoy a night out on the town, London can provide in spades; according to visitlondon.com, there are 69 Michelin-starred restaurants in the city to choose from.
Using London as a base to venture further afield can also be rewarding, though it’s advisable to stick to public transport rather than hire a car and risk a journey on the infamous M25. Perhaps the best choice is to spend a day by the sea, with Southend, Whistable, and Deal all within relatively easy reach.
3) Prague, Czech Republic
It’s fair to say that Prague’s place in the list of unmissable European cities is relatively new, with the boom of frequent flights and convenient airport transfers with the likes of tatransfers.com helping to bolster its popularity as a destination. Prague has risen to stand alongside the bigger, better-known capitals as the perfect place to spend a weekend away, and now ranks as one of the ten most visited cities on the continent.
There’s plenty to experience in Prague; the city is home to some of the most stunning architecture in Europe, and there’s a rich history just waiting to be discovered. Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the 600-year old astronomical clock all deliver on their promise, and are all great places to visit when spending time in the city – with the latter being particularly impressive if you time your visit to coincide with the clock striking the hour.
The City of a Hundred Spires is also a dream destination if you’re a fan of simply setting out on foot and seeing what you might be able to find. The city is gloriously picturesque, and there’s plenty of quaint eateries to indulge in and buildings to admire as you go. If you do want to venture outside the city, then Kutna Hora – home to the famous Chapel of Bones – just over an hour away, is a particular highlight.
4) Barcelona, Spain
Choosing a famous Spanish city to feature here essentially came down to a decision between two of the most famous cities not just in Spain, but the entire world: Madrid and Barcelona. We have chosen to focus on Barcelona, as the city sees more international tourists per year than its neighbour to the west.
Barcelona offers many of the usual fare one would expect from a major European city; there’s incredible restaurants, a vibrant nightlife, plenty of entertainment, and a generally-pleasant atmosphere that invites wandering through the streets. However, what makes Barcelona really stand out is its architecture and, particularly, the most famous works of Antoni Gaudí. La Sagrada Familia is the most recognisable example, though visiting Park Güell is also strongly recommended by Gaudí aficionados.
If you’d like to add a day trip into your plans, Girona is a very tempting option; the picturesque city, and all of its architectural wonders, are less than an hour and a half away from Barcelona itself.
5) Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul may be something of a surprise inclusion on this list due to a quirk of geography; we have focused on European cities, but only half of Istanbul is actually in Europe – the rest is in Asia. However, Istanbul can provide such an incredible experience to travellers that it more than justifies its inclusion despite only being 50% qualified to be considered.
Of those featured on this list, travelling to Istanbul takes by far the longest – around four hours from London airports – so you might want to plan a longer-than-usual “city break” to make sure you have the chance to see as much of the city and its famous sites as possible. Speaking of famous sites, perhaps the most recognisable is The Blue Mosque; a building with such a rich and significant history that you’ll want to dedicate hours to soaking it in. Other popular sites include the Hagia Sophia museum and the Basilica Cistern, which is far more spectacular and interesting than one might ever expect ancient restored waterworks to be.
Anyone visiting Istanbul also benefits from the option to visit Troy, which was made famous by Homer’s Iliad. The trip is a long one – a flight to Çanakkale and then a bus to Troy itself are usually recommended to try and keep the journey time reasonable – but is a must for anyone with an interest in ancient history.
6) Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Even if you have never been, a photograph of Amsterdam tends to immediately feel familiar – the canal system, the narrow streets, and closely-built houses give the city a very distinct identity that is just asking to be explored by an eager tourist.
Amsterdam is often described as “eclectic”, and when you look through all the potential things you can do while visiting the city, it’s easy to see why this reputation has established itself. You can visit museums such as Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum, tour the gorgeous greenery of Vondelpark, or even go for tea in what is claimed to be the smallest house in the city; the sheer variety is breathtaking in its scope. There are also a few novelties to enjoy, with the Bloemenmarkt – a former floating flower market – a particular favourite; although many of the flower sellers have been replaced by purveyors of souvenirs and gifts, it’s still worth making time to visit during your stay.
Venturing outside of the city is also highly rewarding, with a few options available both near and far. One option is to take a boat to Vuurtoreneiland, a small island in the IJmeer (bordering lake) that offers a unique dining experience, which you can read more about on spottedbylocals.com . Alternatively, you could look to travel a little further to the stunning Keukenhof Flower Gardens in Lisse; the journey should take less than an hour.
In conclusion
Visiting unusual or often-overlooked cities can be fantastic but, sometimes, it can be preferable to choose a city with a long-standing reputation as one of the best for tourism in Europe – and the cities above are particularly capable of delivering an outstanding experience to any visitor.
*This is a collaborative post*
