15 BEST TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN EUROPE
Porto, Portugal
Travelers have never been more unanimous in their choice. History, architecture, culture, gastronomy, concerts and festivals - it is for the combination of all this that Porto is so loved by tourists from all over the world. Porto is the former capital of Portugal and one of the oldest cities in Europe, the historical part of which is very much like an ethnographic museum, although it is a residential part. Here historical architecture is organically combined with modern buildings, beautiful bridges blend into stunning landscapes. Here you can feel the real flavor of Portugal, taste the best port wine of this country, admire the wonderful views from the terraces of historical buildings, and then take an old streetcar, preserved since 1930, and it will take you directly to the ocean.
Milan, Italy
Honorable second place goes to Milan, which has been considered an interesting and colorful city since it became the capital of the western part of the Roman Empire. The majestic marble Milan Cathedral, many churches, palaces and museums are neighbors of modern art. Let the experience of ancient architecture mingle with the atmosphere of one of Italy's most modern and advanced cities. You will be mesmerized by Milan's elegance, style, energy and international flair. In the city that has been called "the home of design and the fashion industry," unrivaled shopping for all tastes and budgets awaits you.
Gdansk, Poland
A unique location and more than a thousand years of history have shaped the distinct and unique character of Gdansk. It may look like some European cities, but the spirit of freedom that is expressed in everything here gives it a unique appearance. Modern Gdansk is the capital of business and cultural life in Poland, the center of science and sports and the very place where various international events are constantly held. Nowadays, the image of Gdansk combines old architecture and shipbuilding cranes, sandy beaches on the Baltic Sea coast and industrial facilities, beautiful parks and modern galleries. This city is definitely interesting in a cultural sense, moreover, travelers from all over the world note it as a very tourist-friendly place.
Athens, Greece
The iconic Acropolis towering over the city, charming art quarters and contemporary art galleries, the city of the Classic Marathon and the Olympic Games - here a rich past collides with an equally interesting present. Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world with a record history of more than 3,500 years and is constantly undergoing renovations to keep up with the times.
San Sebastian, Spain
An integral cultural identity, breathtaking scenery, world-famous Michelin restaurants and an important modern business center - each of these aspects reveals San Sebastian in a new way and makes it one of Europe's trendiest tourist destinations. Any reason to visit San Sebastian is a good one! The beauty of the famous shell-shaped bay in the Gulf of La Concha, which the Spanish royal family fell in love with in the mid-19th century, charms travelers; San Sebastian's innovative cuisine has made it famous throughout the world; the wide range of cultural events that take place here has made the city a true cultural phenomenon; and the active and healthy lifestyle that is so popular here is very much in tune with the local natural conditions.
Sozopol, Bulgaria
Bulgaria is becoming increasingly popular among travelers from all over the world. Cities and nature, tradition and modernity, mountains and sea - it offers a huge number of landscapes and, consequently, tourist opportunities. Sozopol has gathered a huge number of positive reviews from foreign tourists amazed by the beauty of this seaside resort. Sozopol is also the oldest town in Bulgaria. It was founded in 610 BC as a Hellenic colony of the Miletian Greeks. The city has been shaped over the centuries and its architecture reveals the stages of development of human civilization, preserving traces of different cultural layers and turning Sozopol into a real museum city.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna is one of the favorite destinations of European travelers, ranking second in popularity for Germans and third for tourists from the United States and distant Japan. Vienna's Ringstrasse is the most beautiful boulevard in the world. Nowhere else will you find such a concentration of beautiful architecture, palaces, parks, museums and galleries. Vienna was founded in the Roman era, and here you can fully enjoy the majestic spirit of the capital of the great empire.
Hvar Island, Croatia
The small and surprisingly beautiful towns of Hvar Island seduce more and more travelers every year. Hvar is the longest and sunniest island in the Adriatic, with 2718 hours of sunshine a year! Small medieval towns, numerous cozy bays, lush vegetation, mild climate and the smell of lavender everywhere - these places are considered the most beautiful in Croatia. This year Hvar is celebrating an anniversary - 2400 years since the first inhabitants appeared and founded a settlement on the sunny island. The ancient ruins preserved here have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Basel, Switzerland
In the heart of Europe, on the border with Germany and France, lies the city of Basel - cosmopolitan, cosmopolitan and yet authentically Swiss. With 40 museums in a relatively small area, Basel is the cultural capital of Switzerland. From history and art to anatomy and innovation museums, Basel has something for everyone in addition to a great vacation. It is also home to Art Basel, one of the most prestigious and important international exhibitions of contemporary art.
Madrid, Spain
One of the most lively, interesting and vibrant cities in the world - and the closer you get to nightfall, the more these qualities become apparent! Madrid is an open city where culture and entertainment are at the center of life. The Spanish capital makes everyone feel at home, while giving access to all its treasures. The Royal Palace, the Prado Museum, the Buen Retiro Park, the Cibeles Palace, the Cathedral of St. Francis the Great are just a small part of all the sights to see in Madrid. Madrid offers art, shopping, nightlife, excellent gastronomy and great vacation opportunities.
Rotterdam, Netherlands
A young, dynamic city that is growing so fast that every year something new is added to its image. Sparkling skyscrapers, an impressive port, stylish restaurants, colorful food markets, famous museums and great festivals are a direct result of the mentality of Rotterdamers who boldly put their ideas into practice. Full of energy and innovation, Rotterdam reinvented itself after the bombings of World War II - it broke with the past and opted for modernity, whose motto "Light, Air and Space" was something supernatural for the time.
Rome, Italy
It is hard to imagine the TOP of the best European travel destinations without Rome. To explain how it got only on the 12th position, it can be explained by the fact that most tourists have already had time to visit it before and are now in search of more secluded places and rare tourist routes. The Roman province is a worthy frame for the countless treasures of the Italian capital, because the entire surrounding area has been influenced in one way or another by the history of the Eternal City. Sea, lakes, hills, vineyards, cozy little villages and delicious local cuisine, picturesque nature and rich history - the surroundings of Rome offer a kaleidoscope of opportunities for a wonderful vacation.
Paris, France
Paris is one of the few capitals in the world that can truly be called legendary. Most travelers, if they have not yet been here, they probably dream of visiting. But the French capital has decided not to rest on its laurels and has taken a proactive approach to increasing its attractiveness to tourists by adopting a strategy of sustainable innovative development. This great city is a mixture of the past and the future. On the background of the historical building of the XIX century, a new image of Paris of the XXI century - the laboratory of the future - appears. The world treasures of the Louvre and the mysterious twilight of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris, street fashion and the rapid rhythm of city life, French wine in exquisite restaurants and the boutiques of the Champs Elysees, or maybe the evening lights of the Eiffel Tower and leisurely strolls through the Parisian streets - everyone finds something different in this beautiful and multifaceted city.
Bonifacio, France
Bonifacio is a small town on the island of Corsica, famous for its unique cliff houses surrounded by picturesque nature. Gastronomy of the highest level, a lot of cozy bars and cafes, parties for every taste, the promenade, which is illuminated by thousands of lights - for the nightlife Bonifacio is loved by young people. Narrow cozy streets, carved stone houses, the city citadel and the Aragonese stairs descending from it to the sea, ancient cathedrals and churches - for history lovers this city with a rich past opens up completely different facets. Nature lovers will also find something of interest here: in the pristine beauty of Bonifacio's surroundings you can find flora and fauna that live nowhere else in France. There are even organized special walks to study the local flora, as well as special areas for bird and animal observation.
Wild taiga, Finland
For the first time in the history of this rating, along with the main European capitals, eco-tourism destinations made it into the TOP. These places are extremely popular among Asian travelers and came out on top with tourists from China. The wild taiga on Finland's eastern border is a perfect example of a culture that is strong and rich in its traditions. Evergreen forests, bogs, clear water and rich nature occupy a substantial part of the Finnish territory. On guided tours you can learn more about the area and see wildlife, even large animals such as bears, wolves and wolverines. This is an ideal place for those who want to feel at one with nature and get a completely new experience of vacation in conditions that are far from what we are used to.
