No more of the usual romantic Paris, regal London or cold imperial Moscow... Among the most beautiful locations on the old continent, there are very few famous European capitals this year. Rather, it is time to make room for lesser-known and... geographically much further north. Or at least that is what our community has decided.
We launched a survey involving more than 15,000 users to determine the most beautiful city in Europe, and the result was absolutely astonishing! Let's discover together the 15 European cities you absolutely must visit!
15 - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Its historical importance related mainly to the events of the First World War is perhaps the main reason to visit Sarajevo. However, the Bosnian city is a beautiful and diverse place, capable of impressing different types of tourists with its cobblestone streets to explore, characteristic cafés, and traditional cuisine to discover.
We recommend a tour of the war tunnels, where you will see the'Tunnel of Hope', an impressive 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 in modern warfare.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Sarajevo
Plan your trip to Sarajevo: costs and useful info
Best time: February to March
Cheap flights: from €64.46
Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €44.00 per night
Events not to be missed: The"Sarajevo International Winter Festival" takes place from February to March, and offers a programme of events, music, dance, theatre, art and literature.
14 - Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
Most young travellers love Prague. And we can't blame them, Prague really is beautiful. But Český Krumlov is an equally wonderful place, probably the most beautiful you've 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 UNESCO World Heritage-listed historical centre. The Vltava River flows through Český Krumlov, and there are plenty of lovely cafés on the city's banks.
You can wander the narrow streets of the old town, enjoy a delicious beer on one of the city centre pub terraces overlooking the Vltava River, visit the castle, the Eggenberg Brewery, the Egon Schiele Art Centrum and the Torture Museum.
Plan your trip to Český Krumlov: costs and info
Best time: Summer months, especially July and August
Cheap flights: Flights to Prague (178 km from Český Krumlov) from €30.58
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €37.00 per night
Events not to be missed: International Music Festival, held in summer, is the longest-running and most important music event in the Czech Republic.
13 - Bled, Slovenia
Sheltered by magnificent mountains, Bled was founded in 1004 and for centuries was considered one of the most fascinating cities of the Holy Roman Empire. The Castle in Lake Bled is the town's landmark. It is located in the centre of the picturesque lake, with its glacial blue waters surrounding a small island. The excursion to the medieval castle offers breathtaking views.
Other sights in and around Bled include the Vintgar Gorge, the Cave under 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-fuelled experience of rappelling down rocks, jumping over waterfalls and more, to reconnect with nature and admire the breathtaking wonders of Slovenia.
Plan your trip to Bled: costs and useful info
Best time to visit: Summer months, especially July and August
Cheap flights: Flights to Ljubljana (53 km from Bled) from €91.16
Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €35.00 per night
Events not to be missed: Okarina Music Festival, an ethnic music festival held in the summer months.
12 - Berlin, Germany
In summer, the inhabitants of the German capital make the most of their time to enjoy the streets, rivers and lakes and attend countless events throughout the city. Since the fall of the Wall, Berlin has become one of Europe's most exciting creative and cultural centres.
Today it is a city of many faces, known as an important hedonistic centre, a magnet for history buffs and, increasingly, a destination for families, thanks to the wealth of green spaces that include the Tiergarten and the Friedrichshain Volkspark.
But that's not all, Berlin is also the queen of nightlife and electronic music, not surprisingly considered one of the best nightlife destinations by young people all over Europe.
Among the experiences not to be missed, we recommend an exciting and intense Cold War and Third Reich walking tour: you'll visit the remains of the Berlin Wall in the East Side Gallery, Checkpoint Charlie, the German Parliament and the memorials, listening to stories about the city's contemporary history with an expert guide.
Plan your trip to Berlin: costs and useful info
Best time to visit: Spring, October
Cheap flights: from €30.58
Where to stay: hotels and B&Bs from €57.00 per night
Events not to be missed: Festival of Lights, in October, an event during which fantastic lights are projected onto the city's main monuments. Tours and art-music performances are organised on this occasion.
11 - Stockholm, Sweden
Exciting and undeniably beautiful, Stockholm should be high on your bucket list of destinations to visit. Summer is the ideal time to see this wonderful capital, when the sky is bluest and you can spend the day wandering the cobblestone streets of Gamla Stan. Explorers can also indulge in an excursion to the more than 30,000 islands that make up theSkärgård archipelago.
Besides Gamla Stan, Stockholm is also home to attractions such as the Vasa Museum, the Moderna Museet, Drottningholm Castle, the City Library and the Museum of Photography.
Plan your trip to Stockholm: costs and useful info
Best time to visit: June
Cheap flights: from €60.31
Where to stay: hotels and B&Bs from €63.00 per night
Events not to miss: During the first days of June the traditional Stockholm Early Music Festival takes place, a programme of concerts by top Scandinavian and international musicians.
10 - Bruges, Belgium
Photo by Josep Renalias. Among the European cities to visit is 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 at 500 years ago, and some of the most enchanting art collections in the country, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 and European Capital of Culture in 2002.
Special attractions of the city and its surroundings include the Minnewater Lake, the Market Square, the medieval civic tower known as the Beffroi of Bruges and the Friet Museum (Museum of French Fries), as well as religious sites such as the Basilica of the Holy Blood, the Cathedral of St. Saviour and the Church of Our Lady.
SEE ALSO: What to see and do in Bruges
Plan your trip to Bruges: costs and useful info
Best time to visit: Spring
Cheap flights: Flights to Brussels (103 km from Bruges) from €32.62
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €55.00 per night
Events not to be missed: After Easter, on the occasion of the Ascension of Jesus, the Procession of the Sacred Blood takes place, a colourful religious event established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in which more than 100,000 worshippers participate
9 - Venice, Italy
Venice, a marvel of architecture, art and engineering, with its canals and marble churches built on foundations stubbornly taken from the water of the lagoon. La Serenissima manages to deserve a place in this ranking, thanks to the romantic and dreamy aura that characterises it.
It is a world-loved city, an Italian pearl universally known and appreciated thanks to spectacular sights such as St Mark's Square and the Basilica of the same name, the Doge's Palace, La Fenice Theatre, the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge, the islets of the lagoon and more.
Of course, don't miss the opportunity for a ride on the Grand Canal in a traditional gondola!
Plan your trip to Venice: costs and useful info
Best time to visit: February/March, during Carnival, and in Spring
Low cost flights: from €79.62
Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €60.00 per night
Events not to miss: The celebrations of the famous Venetian Carnival
8 - Santorini, Greece
Yes, the only island in the top ten, Santorini is prized for its picture-postcard landscapes. With its cobalt-blue skies, beautiful beaches and breathtaking sunsets with the sun colouring the white houses red, this island has taken the credit for making the top!
Among the most beautiful things to see in Santorini mark the villages of Oia, Thira and Imerovigli, the beautiful Red Beach and Kamari Beach, and of course, take a cruise in the scenic caldera.
Plan your trip to Santorini: costs and useful info
Best time to visit: Summer
Cheap flights: Flights to Thira from €79.98
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €62.00 per night
Events not to miss: The main cultural event is the Megaron Gyzi Festival which takes place the first 3 weeks of August and offers readings, theatre and music performances
7 - Budapest, Hungary
The most beautiful city on the Danube has been awarded UNESCOWorld Heritage status for its Castle District and Andràssy Avenue.
The combination of cultural and architectural heritage and modern innovations is elegant and almost spontaneous, and perhaps this is what most impresses visitors, along with the continent's oldest metro system, dating back 130 years, and of course the majestic palaces, Baroque monuments and Gothic cathedrals.
Some of the sights not to be missed are the Széchenyi Baths (a 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 the activities, don't miss the opportunity for a romantic cruise on the Danube.
Plan your trip to Budapest: costs and useful info
Best time to visit: Summer, Winter for Christmas
Cheap flights: from €19.97
Where to stay: hotels and B&Bs from €45.00 per night
Events not to be missed: The Budapest Summer Festival offers open-air theatre, 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 called it), a world-famous cultural and tourist centre, guardian of fine architecture, countless romantic squares and picturesque narrow streets that give it a unique and special image (so much so that it surpasses Paris).
In 1992, it entered the UNESCO World Heritage list. No wonder it is one of the most visited places on our continent!
Very nice and interesting is the Prague Ghosts and Legends Tour, which shows the city's must-sees by telling anecdotes on the borderline between history and legend. Highlights include Prague Castle, Malá Strana, 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 info
Best time to visit: Spring, Winter for Christmas
Cheap flights: from €30.58
Where to stay: hotels and B&Bs from €39.00 per night
Events not to be missed: 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
5 - Chester, England
Squint, rub your eyes, pinch yourself, do whatever you want, but believe us... this special ranking of Europe's most beautiful cities reserves a place for the semi-unknown Chester, capital of the county of Cheshire. A city founded by the Romans, it is the only medieval structure in England with an intact city wall that runs for a good 3 km. As you stroll through the historic centre, you can admire the classic Tudor-style half-timbered buildings, and don't be fooled into thinking you can find modern buildings! The city has aged gracefully and is now a pleasant and charming place, much more intimate than the better known Liverpool and Manchester.
A day out 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 city walls, sail on the River Dee and visit the Roman amphitheatre but also other places of natural importance such as Grosvenor Park, Chester Zoo or the Blue Planet Aquarium.
Plan your trip to Chester: costs and info
Best time to visit: Summer
Cheap flights: Flights to Liverpool (31 km from Chester) from €39.98
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €50.00 per night
Events not to be missed: The County Balloon Festival is one of the most anticipated events. It takes place annually at the end of June
4 - Dubrovnik, Croatia
In Italian, Dubrovnik in Dalmatia is a city of rare beauty with its many architectural and artistic treasures, but also with its magnificent sites rising from the rugged rocks overlooking the Mediterranean. Dubbed the'Pearl of the Adriatic', Croatia's marvellous medieval city boasts a historic centre of particular beauty and is, of course, also on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
If you decide to travel to Dubrovnik, be sure to visit the Old Walls, the Old Town, Mount Sergius and the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin. If you are here during the warm season, we recommend a guided kayak tour around the walls, also reaching Lokrum Island and the fascinating hidden caves!
Plan your trip to Dubrovnik: costs and useful info
Best time to visit: Summer
Cheap flights: from €64.98
Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €39.00 per night
Events not to be missed: The Dubrovnik Summer Festival offers plenty of opera, dance and open-air theatre performances between July and August
3 - Innsbruck, Austria
This is the capital of the Alps and a favourite 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 historical capital of the Tyrol is at its best: with its elegant 16th century palaces, Gothic and Baroque churches and the stories of great rulers and personalities such as Mozart or Princess Sissi echoing around every corner, it is a wonderful place to visit all year round.
Some of the city's most iconic sights include the Golden Roof, St Anne's Column, the Tyrolean Ferdinandeum Regional Museum, the Ambras Castle Art History Museum, Helbling House and the Triumphal Arch.
But Innsbruck is also the city of Swarovski crystals: treat yourself to a tour of Swarovski Crystal Worlds in nearby Wattens. Visit the world's largest Swarovski shop, stroll through the Giant's gardens and discover the magic of crystal in all its facets(admission ticket available online). A preview? The installation known as the'Crystal Cloud' was created with some 800,000 hand-mounted crystals!
Plan your trip to Innsbruck: costs and useful info
Best time to visit: December, at Christmas time
Cheap flights: from €108.10
Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €59.00 per night
Events not to be missed: At Christmas, the traditional Christmas markets, with their wonderful colourful stalls, are waiting to be discovered!
2 - Bergen, Norway
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 colourful little houses in the historic centre facing the sea towards its ancient harbour, it is a city to visit on foot to fully enjoy all its wonders. Also a Unesco World Heritage Site, it is also famous for its fish market, almost as old as the city itself.
The Bryggen harbour, the Bergenhus Fortress, Mount Fløyen, KODE Art Museums, Edvard Grieg's House, the Marken Quarter, the Aquarium and the Cathedral are all worth a visit.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Bergen
Plan your trip to Bergen: costs and info
Best time to visit: Spring, May and June
Cheap flights: from €69.13
Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €57.00 per night
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
1 - Riga, Latvia
And finally, we rise to the top to declare the winner of the'Great North', Riga! The'Baltic gem', capital of Latvia, has been proclaimed the Capital of Culture. An ideal city to visit for lovers of the Art Nouveau style, as an international capital of the genre, it is easy to walk around and feels like walking back in time.
But the'cool' destination (it never gets above 20°) also offers interesting entertainment such as festivals and dance nights and will amaze you with its mix of old styles and new lifestyle.
Among the sights that have earned it the title of Europe's Most Beautiful City are the Cathedral, the House of Heads, the Roland Statue, St Peter's Church and Riga Castle.
Here are some timelapse images of Riga's wonders.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Riga
Plan your trip to Riga: costs and useful info
Best time to visit: Summer
Cheap flights: from €177.29
Where to stay: hotels and b&b's from €39.00 per night
Events not to be missed: The Latvian Song and Dance Festival is Latvia's main cultural event and one of the most important choral music events in the world. Polyphonic choirs from all over the globe perform at this event. It is held in the summer every five years
More tips for a European getaway
European cities to visit as a couple: love getaways are always among the most popular and popular 'travel themes', so here are the most romantic destinations in the old continent
European cities to visit in winter: those dressed in white have more charm than a snow queen, here's where to go in winter in Europe
Cities tovisit at Christmas: for those who can't wait to stroll through the markets sipping mulled wine. From the inevitable Vienna and Budapest to romantic Bruges and Salzburg... discover them all here!
Cities to visit in spring: if you prefer the smell of freshly bloomed spring flowers to winter temperatures, then here's where to go in spring in Europe
Cities to visit at theweekend: some cities more than others lend themselves to a weekend visit, gems like Vilnius and Segovia or up-and-coming destinations like Belgrade in Serbia and Ghent in Belgium. Curious? Here are the destinations to visit in three days
Cheap European cities: the desire to travel grows in inverse proportion to your wallet, but we don't care... our passion subverts even mathematical rules. Here are the best cheap European cities to visit!
European cities with the best nightlife: if you're not really the type for romantic river cruises or museums and cultural weekends, or simply what you're looking for is the ultimate in fun, here are the 20 Best European Cities for Nightlife! Those that wake up at night and go to sleep during the day