Top 15 European Cities to Visit in a Day

Visitors to Europe are often attracted by the big capitals, cities like Rome, Paris or London, which take several days to visit properly. However, there are smaller, 'hidden' European cities that hold equally interesting tourist attractions.
These cities are very suitable for those who are perhaps planning a weekend trip, as they can be visited in just one day.

Usually, although they are not large cities, they have an international airport or are perfectly connected to larger and more important metropolitan areas.
If you fancy a short break to get away from the daily routine, why not take a day trip to one of these fascinating European cities?

1 - Nice, France

Getting to Nice is easy, either by plane or train, thanks to the high-speed train service.
You can choose to visit the city on your own or through guided tours, but in any case we recommend purchasing a Hop-on Hop-off bus day ticket, which allows you to move easily between the main attractions.

The first stop on your visit could be the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicolas, a beautiful early 10th-century cathedral inspired by Saint Basil's Church in Moscow's Red Square. Avenue Jean Médecin, on the other hand, is a mecca for shopping enthusiasts. At the end of this street is the city's most important square, Place Massena, with characteristic 19th-century buildings, beautiful arcades and a well-kept garden dating back to the 1800s. The visit continues with the old town, which you will find to the left of the square.

A convenient lift takes you to the top of the castle hills, from where you can admire a breathtaking view of the Bay of Nice. You cannot miss a walk on the beautiful Promenade des Anglais, recently infamous but never lacking in charm.

• Cheap flights: From Rome from €63.75

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €57.00 per room

2 - Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana is like a little Prague, offering the typical charm of central European cities and a medieval core dotted with several attractive bridges and labyrinthine streets full of Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings. The city boasts some quality museums and galleries, but the real highlight are its outdoor attractions: the narrow streets, squares, bridges and lively cafés. A day in Ljubljana gives you plenty of time to see the city's best attractions. What's more, the city is only a little over an hour's drive from Trieste, making it one of the best destinations for a 24-hour city break.

You can start your tour from Prešernov Square, admire the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin, cross the Triple Bridge and go shopping at the famous Central Market, then take the funicular up to the Castle, one of the symbols of the city, then visit St Nicholas Cathedral and admire the city from the Dragon Bridge. Finally, end the day on the riverfront, enjoying an aperitif or dinner in one of the many venues available.

• Cheap flights: from €89.00

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €49.00 per room

3 - Ghent, Belgium

In addition to Brussels and Bruges, Belgium has another pleasant surprise in store for tourists. We are talking about Ghent, the town that is home to many characteristic palaces built in the Flemish architectural style. One example is the Cathedral of St. Bavon of Ghent, which is a must-see. The city is also home to many trendy places, including the famous Cycle Café Bidon, typical restaurants, pubs and various clubs.

If you are in the city for a day, the activity not to be missed under any circumstances is undoubtedly the boat tour of the city centre, during which you can admire the beautiful buildings of Ghent, such as the Castle of the Counts of Flanders.

• Cheap flights: Flights to Brussels (68 km from Ghent) from €41.98

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €52.00 per room

4 - Rotterdam, Netherlands

If you've already visited Amsterdam and enjoyed it, you can't miss Rotterdam. The city displays typical Flemish design and is a true paradise for those who love architecture, especially the most characteristic ones. In this case, a visit to the Het Nieuwe Architecture Institute, the Tent and the Mama Showroom is a must.

During your day tour, you should definitely treat yourself to some unforgettable activities, such as a river cruise. To make sure you don't miss any of the key attractions, we suggest a fun guided bike tour.

Here, too, you can enjoy a lively nightlife and attend concerts and live music performances at the many clubs in the centre, such as the Bird and the Perron. If you visit the city in July, you cannot miss the North Sea Jazz Festival.

• Cheap flights: From Rome from €72.00

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €75.00 per room

5 - Gothenburg, Sweden

Northern European cities are cold and devoid of any tourist attractions? Nothing could be more wrong! Gothenburg is a perfect alternative destination: the Roda Sten, a former boiler factory, has now been transformed into a cultural, arts and leisure centre and is a must-see. The oldest part of the city welcomes you with its narrow streets where you will find quaint cafés, shops and restaurants, as well as venues such as the historic Ölhallen Brewery and Bar Kino. In summer, the city comes alive with music festivals, usually hosting internationally renowned artists: during the summer months, the sun doesn't go down until 10 o'clock at night! The annual culture festival lasts six days and takes place in the city's suburbs, offering comedy and film shows.
SEE ALSO: What you must see in Gothenburg

• Cheap flights: From Rome from €57.91

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €48.00 per room

6 - Belgrade, Serbia

It is said that Belgrade has been destroyed 44 times in history, but almost never completely. Because of all the reconstructions, today it looks like a mix of magnificent and depressing buildings, a contrast between glitz and decadence, resurgence and ruins. To admire the city's must-sees, the most comfortable and recommended option is the panoramic minibus tour.

If, on the other hand, you prefer a do-it-yourself tour, start your visit at Kalemegdan, a huge park that will also allow you to appreciate the walls of the medieval citadel, as well as the magnificent views of the Old Town and rivers. The Old Town is home to the Cathedral of St Michael the Archangel, with its tall bell tower. The alleyways of the oldest part of the city are home to neo-Renaissance palaces as well as traditional taverns and Knez Mihailova Street, the pedestrian shopping street where you can also admire various street performers and musicians. The city's main square is Trg Republike, with its large equestrian monument dedicated to Prince Mihailo Obrenović. Belgrade is at its best when the sun goes down: the scene is lively, thanks to the many bars, restaurants and nightclubs.

• Cheap flights: From Rome from €98.00

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €38.00 per room

7 - Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and is crossed by the River Limmat. Thanks to its customs station, it played quite an important role in Roman times and, even today, its railway station hosts considerable national and European traffic every day. In the city, you can admire the Grossmunster Cathedral, dating back to the 9th century and later extended from the 12th to the 15th century. Originally a place of Catholic worship, today it is the seat of the Protestant religion.

The cathedral is also home to stained glass windows by Sigmar Polke and Augusto Giacometti, which are extraordinarily beautiful, as well as bronze doors by Otto Münch and a Romanesque-style crypt. Zürich is an elegant and refined city, such an atmosphere can be felt when strolling along Bahnhofstrasse, the city's shopping street where you can admire the shop windows of the exclusive clubs and shops.
To make sure you visit all the must-see sights of the city while optimising your time, we suggest you book an excellent comprehensive tour, including a ferry excursion, cable car hop-on hop-off and panoramic bus tour.

• Cheap flights: From Rome from €74.98

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €49.00 per room

8 - Riga, Latvia

The historic centre of the so-called'Paris of the Baltic' has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's very small, so you can get around very well on foot.

Be sure to book a private tour with a local guide in advance so that you can optimise your time and visit all the special attractions while discovering the most fascinating secrets and curiosities. The first stops on the tour are the Cathedral and the statue dedicated to the Bremen Town Musicians. Then on to the House of the Black Heads, a building dating back to medieval times, which was destroyed by bombing and rebuilt a few years ago. In the same square you will also find the Occupation Museum, which can be visited free of charge! Among other attractions, we cannot fail to mention Riga Cathedral, the largest church in Latvia, and above all Riga Castle dating back to 1300, built by the religious order of the Livonians. The palace houses the residence of the President of the Latvian Republic and an important museum of national art and history.

• Cheap flights: From Rome from €109.00

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €42.00 per room

9 - Copenhagen, Denmark

The Statue of the Little Mermaid is, without doubt, the city's most famous attraction and therefore an unmissable destination for any visit to Copenhagen. Equally well known is the ancient harbour of Nyhavn. It is a large canal on the banks of which you can find shops and colourful houses dating back to the 17th century. Here you can take advantage of the characteristic boats and enjoy a wonderful guided cruise that will allow you to admire Copenhagen's main attractions.

The Tivoli Gardens are another famous site and one of the oldest amusement parks in the world. Opened in 1843, it still houses some of the buildings constructed in the mid-19th century. The next stop is the Amalienborg Palace, the winter residence of the royal family, consisting of four rococo buildings arranged around an octagonal square. A statue of King Frederick V dominates the square. If the royal family is present at the palace, a changing of the guard ceremony takes place every day at 12 noon. Finish your visit with the Round Tower: if you manage to climb the 209-metre ramp to the top, you can enjoy the beautiful view.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Copenhagen

• Cheap flights: From Rome from €43.96

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €57.00 per room

10 - Bruges, Belgium

Bruges (Brugge in Dutch) is one of the most picturesque cities in Europe. It's the perfect medieval fairytale destination for a weekend getaway, but it's often visited in less time as it's well connected to other major Belgian cities, such as Brussels. Charming squares with horse-drawn carriages, picturesque canals lined with Gothic houses and much more, Bruges has a timeless charm, which we recommend you appreciate on a fantastic free guided tour.

The perfect day tour starts at the Rozenhoedkaai, where you can admire one of the city's most famous views. Immediately afterwards, you can treat yourself to a canal boat tour. After the tour, visit the Church of Our Lady and then relax at the Begijnhof and the Minnewater. After lunch in one of Bruges' well-known breweries, finish your meal with a dessert, tasting some Belgian chocolate.
In the afternoon, allow yourself to be enchanted by the beauty of the Grote Markt, the market square, visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood and conclude with a stroll along the Gronerei.

• Cheap flights: Flights to Brussels (95 km from Bruges) from €39.00

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €50.00 per room

11 - Innsbruck, Austria

The historic centre of Tyrol's capital city is medieval in origin and still bears evidence of this. Over 800 years of history are monuments and buildings that tell the city's eventful history, which you can discover on a fascinating classic sightseeing tour.

The most famous is the Golden Roof, the symbol of the city: it is a loggia whose roof is covered with 2,657 golden copper shingles, all still original. The loggia was added around 150 to the'Neuhof' building at the behest of Emperor Maximilian I. In the same square you will also find the 51-metre high City Tower, as well as many bars and restaurants where you can taste typical specialities without forgetting the delicious and mouth-watering Austrian cakes including the famous Sacher Torte! The Hofburg imperial palace is another stop, along with its beautiful garden.

• Cheap flights: From Rome from €107.70

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €51.00 per room

12 - Dubrovnik, Croatia

The old town centre of this city is very reminiscent of Venice, with its monuments and quaint little cafés and bars where you can relax. The best way to enjoy the city is a guided walking tour, which allows you to discover all the most iconic sights.

Start your visit at the Pile Gate, the ancient main entrance leading to Stari Grad, the old town. You will experience the thrill of crossing a real drawbridge that will take you not only into the heart of the city, but will catapult you back in time: outside into the Renaissance, and inside into the Gothic era. Following the Wall you can take a highly recommended walk, which will give you a magnificent view of the city and the surrounding sea. You will arrive at the Old Port where the Maritime Museum is also located. Luza Square is the heart of social life, here you will find the Sponza Palace, the Clock Tower and Roland's Column. The Church of San Blas is a cathedral that also houses a statue dedicated to the city's patron saint. Not far away is the Renaissance-style Rectors' Palace, the former seat of government.

• Cheap flights: from €74.95

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €64.00 per room

13 - Segovia, Spain

Away from the big metropolitan centres of Spain, it's only a 30-minute train ride from Madrid to this truly charming Spanish town. It will captivate you with its churches but, above all, with the slow and relaxed pace of life of its citizens.

It is a great destination for a day trip! You will be bewitched by its huge cathedral and fairy-tale castle, which are great places to cool off during your visit. In summer, the temperature may be quite hot, so we recommend a trip in spring or autumn.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Segovia

• Cheap flights: Flights to Madrid (116 km from Segovia) from €43.64

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €54.00 per room

14 - Oslo, Norway

Oslo is a quiet city but also a lively one with plenty of things to do and must-see tourist attractions. The offer includes both natural and cultural resources, but also plenty of entertainment possibilities. In one day you can easily visit the centre, the outer suburbs and the Bygdoy peninsula.

In the old town you can find fashionable shops and most of the nightclubs, several important museums including the National Gallery and the curious Ski Museum, as well as the famous Munch Museum with its most famous work, The Scream. The Akershus fortress dates back to the Middle Ages and it is possible to visit the reception hall, the hall, the chapel where the crypts in which Olav V and King Hakon VII lie, as well as the underground dungeons. The Bygdoy Peninsula, or Bygdo, is the area of Oslo where culture and nature come together to perfection. It is a strip of land on which the western part of the city stretches and where you can visit the Norsk Folkemuseum, which contains evidence of Norwegian culture and the Viking Ship Museum.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Oslo

• Cheap flights: From Rome from €87.00

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €72.00 per room

15 - Vilnius, Lithuania

Vilnius has medieval origins and, after years of occupation, now presents itself as a modern European city. Its historical centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The city is chosen as a destination every year by numerous visitors, who are gradually discovering the beauty of a country off the main tourist routes. The city has an international airport and can be visited in one day, perhaps starting in the historic centre, where proud Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance buildings create a unique effect. The city's Cathedral, dedicated to St. Stanislav and St. Vladislav, is worth a visit. Inside is the oldest wall fresco in the country, dating back to the late 14th century: 'The Crucifixion'. An excellent alternative to immerse yourself in the beauty of the city and to move between places of interest is Hop-on Hop-off buses.

• Cheap flights: From Rome from €63.22

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €45.00 per room