Planning for a backpacking trip to Europe can be challenging, especially when deciding the places to visit. Europe has so many awe-inspiring and enthralling places that one may start scratching their head when choosing the best place.
Here are some of the most amazing cities in Europe, full of riveting architecture, picturesque landscapes, serene beaches, delectable cuisine, and lots of exploration. So, get your suitcases out of your closet and start packing all the outfits, skincare, and other essentials for a fun and exciting trip to 10 of the most mesmerizing places in Europe.
1. Rome, Italy
Located on the central western side of the Italian peninsula, Rome is the most mesmerizing capital of Italy. It is one of the most iconic destinations that reveals its history and creative imagination through its architecture.
The beauty of Rome is embedded in its enchanting architecture, exquisite fountains, spectacular museums, and more than 900 majestic churches that leave you amazed and enthralled, whether it is the mystical church of St. Peter’s Basilica, the mindblowing history behind the Colosseum, the iconic Pantheon, the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, or the exceptional Vatican Museums.
There is something magical about Rome that heightens the senses of every person who visits here. You become aware of your surroundings, and there is no street or corner that you wouldn’t want to miss to explore because everything is creative and artistic here.
Up next is the food. Whether you have a plate of authentic pasta alla carbonara, the typical Italian breakfast of Maritozzi, bruschetta, pizza, or Baccalà, you will not be disappointed by the bold and rich Italian flavours. And lastly, don’t forget to get some of the most mouth-watering Gelato.
2. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is mostly referred to as the “Venice of the North” with its riveting historic landmarks, art, architecture, and magnificent sights. It is also the capital of the Netherlands. You will be amazed by the majestic beauty of Amsterdam, which is full of several cultures, food, and marvellous infrastructure.
The cobbled streets with hidden gems and the colourful infrastructure are other aspects that make you comfortable and give you a feeling of homeliness. The most gorgeous museums consisting of astonishing art and history, like the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk, and Rembrandt House Museum, will give you an insight into the true beauty captured inside these museums of Amsterdam.
Canals are yet another reason that adds up to the alluring beauty of Amsterdam. Around 165 canals are stretching up to more than 60 miles. The canal ring here was listed under UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
Moving on, the other attractions that allure visitors and leave them mesmerized are the cafes that are more like pubs rather than coffee places, the exquisite parks, bike rides to explore the hidden parts, and historic cultural sites like the Anne Frank House, Dam Square, Westerkerk, and the iconic Red Light District.
The food here is a bonus that will make your trip worth it. Whether you’re looking for bitterballen, pannenkoeken, stroopwafels, or stamppot, there is a diverse range of exquisite flavours to try and get addicted to.
3. Edinburgh, Scotland
The exquisite beauty of Edinburgh is captured in breathtaking architecture of stunning castles, cobbled streets, and splendid cathedrals. There are so many places you can explore here, including the iconic Edinburgh Castle, the oldest neighbourhood of Edinburgh Old Town, Royal Mile, the residence of Holyroodhouse, and many other iconic tourist attractions.
Apart from these staggering sites, you can also explore the New Town, where you can see some of the most charming shops, restaurants, cafes, and museums like the National Museum of Scotland, the Museum of Edinburgh, and the National War Museum. Furthermore, you can even walk up to Arthur’s Seat, one of the four hills, and enjoy the serene wildlife and calm aura there away from the hustling of the city.
Edinburgh’s atmosphere is filled with the excitement of festivals, from the Jazz and Blues Festival in July to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August. There is nothing that will leave you amazed and entertained.
4. Croatia
Croatia is a perfect destination to enjoy with your friends or partner if you want to go somewhere with a pleasant atmosphere, top-notch beaches, enthralling festivals, and lots of wine. Visiting Croatia during its off-peak season, between July and August, will be the ideal choice you will ever make.
Due to the smaller crowds, you can take advantage of many things, including an isolated beach, to relax, sunbathe, or swim in the ocean. Dubovica Beach, Stara Baska, Puntana Rata Beach, and Beach Kupari are some of the most picturesque beaches.
Moving on, you can indulge in exploring the Walls of Dubrovnik, visit the oldest and the largest national park called Plitvice Lakes National Park, visit the Old Town, and even explore the historical sites, like Diocletian’s Palace, Pula Arena, and Palazzo di Diocleziano.
But this is not the only best part of experiencing Croatia. The food is another aspect that will blow your mind, like their special kulnen, Salma, and black risotto.
5. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague has an alluring beauty that captivates the heart and soul of every visitor. It is also called the “City of Hundred Spires” due to its mystical cathedrals and sharp, pointed spires. You will be stunned to find elegant architecture here, from Gothic cathedrals and Romanesque chapels to Cubist architecture.
Apart from that, Prague has an awe-inspiring history that can be explored through the iconic historical sites here, like the Old Town Square, The Astronomical Clock, Charle’s Bridge, Vitus Cathedral, and the Lennon Wall. It is moving on to its mouth-watering cuisine. Prague has a variety of traditional dishes that will satisfy you but want more at the same time.
Some of its delectable items on the menu that you must try are goulash, pork knuckle, potato soup served on bread, beef in cream cheese, and pork schnitzel. And, if you find yourself here in the Autumn season, then you may have the advantage of a smaller crowd that will make your trip even more eventful with some enthralling recreational activities like taking a cruise on the Vltava River, visiting farmer’s market, and having less crowd in some iconic tourist attractions as well
6. Berlin, Germany
Berlin, the capital of Germany, has quite a lot to offer. First and foremost, it is yet another affordable city in Europe that is vibrant, enchanting, and phenomenal. The capital city has been united, sharing the essence of unique culture and architecture since 1989, when it witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall, which was built in 1961.
Berlin is a beautiful city that bewitched visitors with its top-notch street art, spectacular museums, historical monuments, delectable cuisine, amusing history, lots of nature, alluring art, and culture. There is much to explore and experience here, such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Memorial of the Berlin Wall, Museum Island, Berliner Dom, and the marvellous East Side Gallery.
Aside from these historical monuments and museums, you will also be mesmerized by nature in the numerous parks on the outskirts of the city. Exploring Berlin is a beautiful experience of its own. It is a magnificent city offering a piece of everything and astonished visitors.
7. Dublin, Ireland
Dublin‘s rich history goes back to the Viking era. There is so much to explore and learn about Dublin, and you can do that by visiting the many bewildering museums like EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum, the National Museum of Ireland Archaeology, and the Museum of Literature Ireland.
Besides that, several other places, from Dublin Castle and Christchurch Cathedral to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Abbey Theatre, and many more splendid places, have become top tourist attractions. Dublin is also known for its exciting nightlife, which offers some of the most delicious foods and drinks, apart from its lively music.
You can head over to Temple Bar to experience the typical nightlife of a person in Dublin. Temple Bar is another famous pub that tourists never miss out on. Dublin has much to offer you, from its intriguing architecture to its cuisine, art, and culture.
8. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is known for its jaw-dropping buildings, awe-inspiring art, and lovely culture. Because of its relaxed pace of life, Denmark is rated as one of the happiest countries in the world. The most fantastic aspect of coming to Copenhagen is that you can walk to several destinations for exploration, or the public transport is always there to help you reach them on time.
Some famous and beloved tourist places you can add to your list are the Rosenborg Castle, The National Museum of Denmark, the Botanical Garden, and the Copenhagen Opera House. If you love to bike ride to several places to experience a whole lot of different areas, grab yourself a bike and take it on a ride to the Cophenhagen’s new Bridges or visit some of the unique and cosy cafes there and have a fun experience.
There is also the world’s first-ever theme park, Bakken, which was established here.
From Danish cuisine to art and culture, Copenhagen is an ideal place to visit and experience them all calmly and relaxed without getting hectic.
9. Naples, Italy
Naples is an exquisitely beautiful city in Italy that will take your breath away. Rome may be the heart of Italy, but Naples is its soul. Its phenomenal neo-politan baroque and Rococo architecture will leave you wide-eyed. With its splendid street art, the most delectable cuisine, mystical churches, intriguing historical sites, jaw-dropping art, and coffee, it will impact you and make it harder for you to leave the city.
There is much to explore here, starting with visiting the exquisite church of Chiesa del Gesu Nuovo, moving on to the Naples National Archaeological Museum, exploring the Museo Cappella Sansevero, or checking out the Underground Naples.
The options are endless here, from witnessing art in the museums to going on a shopping spree in the lovely streets of Naples. And not to forget getting a taste of the most mouth-watering cuisine, like their authentic Neapolitan pizza, pastiera, Neapolitan ragù, spaghetti alla puttanesca, and so many more mind-blowing items on the menu.
10. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is jam-packed with picturesque landscapes, mindblowing architecture, serene beaches, delicious cuisine, gothic glory, and awe-inspiring art and culture.
There isn’t a thing that will not make you in love with this stunning city.
For football lovers, even if you may not get tickets to football matches, you will surely get access to Spotify Camp Nou, where you can tour the changing rooms and the stadium where your favourite players score and win.
Apart from that, there are some very riveting places that you may not want to miss, like the Basílica de la Sagrada Familia, the modernist style of Casa Batlló, and the Barcelona Cathedral. Barcelona is known for its top-notch nightlife at famous Tapas Bars, gorgeous beaches, and charming parks.
You will miss out if you come to Barcelona and don’t try its authentic dishes. While you’re here, some must-try dishes are fideua, tortilla de patatas, crema catalana, and bombs.
Final Words
Whatever place you choose to visit, one thing is guaranteed: Europe has so much to offer, including its culture, cuisine, art, history, literature, music, and architecture.
You will never get bored because there is always something more to explore. From the exceptional canals of Amsterdam and the cobblestone streets of Edinburgh to the magnificent street art of Berlin and the calm and collective life of Copenhagen, there is a lot in store for you once you start exploring.
Last Updated on May 1, 2024 by Khushahal Malakar
