I've visited over 50 European cities. Here are the 5 I can't wait to return to.
Dasha Kofman
- After visiting over 50 European cities, I'm often asked which places have been my favorites.
- However, I've found that each city I've been to has offered something different.
It's looking like 2024 is a good time to travel to Europe, especially if you want to avoid extra paperwork and fees.
European Union (EU) authorities have been working on a system that makes it mandatory for many travelers, including Americans, to obtain a visa-like document in order to visit most countries in the EU.
Although the requirement was meant to be put in place this year, it's since been delayed to 2025 — so you may want to book that European trip sooner rather than later.
As someone who's visited over 50 European cities, I can help you narrow down your options. Here are the five cities in Europe I absolutely loved and can't wait to return to.
Barcelona is my favorite city in the world.
Barcelona is, dare I say, my favorite city in the world. Its unique architecture is reason enough to visit, but Spain also offers some of the best cuisine around.
Barcelona truly offers something for everyone, from parks and beaches to nightclubs and cafés.
When I visited Bunkers del Carmel, a popular lookout spot that provides stunning views of Barcelona, I felt a true sense of community. Here, I found people simply drinking wine and enjoying the views together.
Porto, Portugal, is the perfect place to watch the sunset.
I've found that Porto is often overlooked for Portugal's more popular city, Lisbon. When I visited Porto, however, I spent my days sitting by the waterfront, drinking port wine, and eating amazing Portuguese food.
Seeing the sunset here is a right of passage — I recommend catching one at Jardim do Morro, a garden overlooking the city.
Edinburgh, Scotland, is easy to explore on foot.
When I visited Edinburgh, I felt like I was on the set of a Harry Potter film. The medieval architecture is unlike anything I've seen before, and it's easy to explore the city on foot.
The food scene did not disappoint, and I learned that Scottish cuisine is much more than just haggis. I recommend checking out restaurants like Oink and The Bon Vivant.
Ljubljana, Slovenia, is full of natural beauty.
Ljubljana, Slovenia, is one of the most aesthetically-pleasing cities I've visited. Its natural beauty is unmatched, and it's very easy to get around from the city center.
In my opinion, a trip to Ljubljana isn't complete without a visit to Lake Bled, where travelers can enjoy turquoise waters and gorgeous mountains.
The city also has an award-winning food scene, with multiple Michelin stars to show for it.
Visiting Colmar, France, makes me feel like I'm in a Disney movie.
Colmar, located in the Alsace region of France, feels like a Disney movie come to life. I've visited the famous Christmas markets in the region, but the area has so much to offer.
Aside from Christmas festivities, Alsace is also known for its wine. In my opinion, the Alsace wine route is an underrated travel destination, as it's often outshined by more popular areas like Paris and the South of France.
Whether it's your first or fifth time in France, I recommend adding Colmar to your list of cities to visit.
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