Most Stunning Locations in Europe

Final Up to date on June 27, 2022 by Nellie Huang

From the Ionian Sea to the Alps, listed below are a number of the most stunning locations in Europe, that can you’ll want to add a contact of magic to your journey.

Europe might have massive cities like London, Paris and Berlin; but it surely’s the charming hamlets that really give a way of what the continent is about. Historical historical past, excellent structure, and old-world character.

Having lived in Europe for greater than 10 years now, I’ve traveled extensively across the area and have seen a fair proportion of the continent. That will help you plan your personal journey right here, I’ve compiled a listing of probably the most stunning locations in Europe. Take pleasure in!

The Most Stunning Locations in Europe

1. Positano, Italy

On our first journey to Italy, we made it a degree to go to Positano after watching the film, Underneath the Tuscan Solar (one of many finest journey films of all time for my part). We needed to drive alongside the plunging cliff-edge roads of the Italian Amalfi Coast to get there, but it surely was properly value it. Carved proper into the craggy shoreline, your entire city is made up of slender alleyways that snake up steep slopes and age-old brick homes, with mosaic-tiled domes poking into the skies.

Most individuals who go to listed below are well-heeled Italian and worldwide vacationers on the lookout for a touch of romance. Positano can get fairly crowded in summer time and costs are often jacked up, however go to within the shoulder season and also you’ll see why we named Positano one of many stunning cities in Europe.

How you can Get there: The closest airport to Positano is the Naples Capodichino Airport. A return flight from main cities in Europe to Naples is often lower than 100 euros. Seek for flights right here. From there, you possibly can lease a automotive (only a 1.5hour drive), catch a shuttle bus or ferry choices. 

The place to Keep: Le Sirenuse is the landmark lodge of Positano and has been featured in lots of movies and magazines. The luxurious lodge is a vacation spot by itself, dwelling to the very best restaurant on the town and it’s additionally one of many few locations in Positano to have a pool. Verify the newest costs right here.

2. Perast, Montenegro

Perast is a tiny charming village situated within the Bay of Kotor only a few miles from the busy vacationer city of Kotor, but it’s far sufficient to be comparatively quiet and time-warped. Topped with a church and plenty of terracotta-roofed stone-walled homes, the quaint village has an idyllic location proper on the water.

We spent our days right here kayaking in Bay of Kotor, swimming within the sea (simply steps from our entrance door), going for lengthy walks alongside the coast, feasting on contemporary seafood in charming little taverns, and exploring the attractive fortified city and surrounding villages. Montenegro was undoubtedly our favourite a part of your entire Balkan journey.

How you can Get there: The closest airport to Perast is Tivat Airport, simply 19.7km away. The drive is barely 20 minutes, so you possibly can simply catch a taxi from the airport. Seek for flights to Tivat right here.

The place to Keep: Monte Bay Retreat is claimed to be the very best place to remain on the town, with a tasteful design and excellent location overlooking the city and bay. Housed in a historic stone-walled constructing, the lodge is country-style meets modernism each without delay. Verify for the very best costs.

3. Oia on Santorini, Greece

A private favourite, Oia village on Santorini oozes romantic vibes and postcard-perfect landscapes. A volcanic island perched above black fertile soils, Santorini boasts of attractive stark white-and-blue structure, with monastery domes juxtaposed towards all-white homes, stoned alleys and the darkish blue Ionian Sea within the background.

Oia is the prettiest city on the island, with slender roads working alongside out of doors cafes and artwork galleries. This was additionally the place Alberto and I spent one among our first Valentines’ collectively. I not too long ago returned with my 4-year-old daughter and it turned out to be a superb place for households. Learn my article on touring Santorini with youngsters and the finest issues to do in Santorini.

How you can Get there: Flights to Santorini Airport from most elements of Europe are actually reasonably priced today. You possibly can simply catch a public bus from the airport to Fira after which change a bus to Oia.  Seek for flights to Santorini right here.

The place to Keep: Mystique is your best option if you happen to’re celebrating a special day or don’t thoughts splurging. Perched on Oia’s most well-known cliffs, Mystique options an infinity pool with a deck, and a bar with breathtaking views of the Volcano and the Caldera. Verify for the very best costs.

4. Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The small city of Mostar in Bosnia has bought to be one of the vital underrated locations in Europe. Regardless that Mostar was closely bombed in the course of the Bosnian Battle within the early Nineteen Nineties, most elements of the Outdated City have been fully restored and cleaned up.

At present, rebuilt mosques stand alongside church buildings and synagogues and charming cafes line the cobblestoned alleys. Stari Most or the Outdated Bridge, continues to be the star of the present, perched excessive and mighty over the inexperienced waters of the raging Neretva River. Even the age-old bridge-diving custom could be seen as native divers accumulate cash from vacationers earlier than plunging 21m into the icy water.

How you can Get there: You possibly can fly straight to Mostar Airport, however flights to Mostar aren’t low-cost. The second closest airport is in Dubrovnik, which is less expensive to fly to. There are a number of day by day buses that go from Dubrovnik to Mostar, taking 3-4 hours every manner.  Seek for flights to Dubrovnik.

The place to Keep:  Boutique Resort Outdated City has the very best opinions in Mostar and I undoubtedly agree with the others who’ve stayed there. It has an outstanding location within the outdated city and subsequent to the Outdated Bridge, in addition to snug and old-world furnishing. Verify for the very best costs.

5. Ohrid, Macedonia

Of all of the sights I’ve seen within the Balkans, I discovered Lake Ohrid to be probably the most stunning pure attraction within the area. The cobble stoned stairways and historic Orthodox church buildings of the coastal city of Ohrid are artfully assembled towards a backdrop of calm and peaceable Lake Ohrid.

On a transparent day, you possibly can even see a hallucinogenic reflection of the encompassing snow peaks on the glassy water floor. This Macedonian metropolis is one among solely round 28 websites around the globe that qualify for Unesco’s lists of each cultural and pure websites.

How you can Get there:  The closest airport is in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. Flights to Skopje are low-cost, lower than 100euros return. There are a lot of buses that go from Skopje to Ohrid every day, taking 3.30 hours every manner.  Seek for flights to Skopje.

The place to Keep: I stayed at Villa & Vineyard Mal Sveti Kliment, and extremely suggest it for these on the lookout for consolation and reasonably priced costs. It has an ideal location on the town, and good customary of service and luxury.  Verify for the very best costs.

6. Krujë, Albania

Krujë got here as a shock for me throughout my Balkan journey in 2008. I used to be feeling down from having misplaced my pockets and being caught with a perverted Couchsurfing host, however I got here throughout this charming village and it turned the journey round. Tirana could also be a busy mess, however Krujë – albeit situated simply 20km away – is a charismatic Ottoman metropolis that felt like an East-meets-West enclave.

As one of the vital stunning cities in Europe, Kruje was as soon as the capital of the Kingdom of Albania, however the Ottomans took management of the city in 1478, and integrated it of their territories. Albania tourism continues to be in its infancy however the nation has a number of surprises in stall for adventurous vacationers.

How you can Get there:  It’s straightforward to seek out low-cost flights to Tirana from most of Europe. Native buses depart each quarter-hour from the market behind the prepare station. The journey lasts about one hour.  Seek for flights to Tirana.

The place to Keep: Tright here aren’t many selections in Krujë, and the best choice is Resort Panorama. It provides the very best views on the town, and exquisite and fashionable furnishing. Verify for the very best costs.

7. Goreme, Turkey

Whimsical fairy chimneys, cave church buildings and weird rock formations dominate the landscapes of Cappadocia. It’s the form of place you’d think about elves and fairies dwelling in. Whereas Turkey is without doubt one of the most visited nations on the planet – receiving hundreds of thousands of vacationers every year – this a part of Turkey nonetheless feels comparatively quiet and completely beautiful.

The perfect city to remain at is Goreme, a village that’s properly outfitted with stunning cave accommodations and eating places. Goreme is unquestionably my favourite merchandise on this record of probably the most stunning locations in Europe.

How you can Get there: Kayseri Airport is 70km from Goreme and the drive takes about 1 hour. The Nevsehir Airport is situated 40km from Goreme and the drive is about 40 minutes. Airport transfers value round US$30-40 every manner.  Seek for flights to Kayseri.

The place to Keep: Yunak Everi is well one of many coolest accommodations I’ve stayed at. Staying in a cave lodge is superb, and Yunak Evleri makes it all of the extra particular with actually private service and high-end furnishing. I might return and keep right here in a heartbeat. Verify for the very best costs.

8. Triesenberg, Liechtenstein

Most individuals have by no means heard of Liechtenstein, not to mention Triesenberg! Liechtenstein is a tiny nation sandwiched between Austria and Switzerland. Most individuals who go to Liechtenstein solely spend time within the capital, however if you happen to do get an opportunity to discover its countryside, you’ll see the way it’s one of the vital stunning locations in Europe.

Set within the Rhine valley, the landlocked alpine nation is especially mountainous, making it a winter sport vacation spot. Perched on the mountains surrounding the capital is Triesenberg, an alpine city surrounded by pine forests, medieval church buildings, conventional homes and ranches. In all places you go in Triesenberg, you’ll see views of the Rhine River beneath your ft and the Swiss Alps looming within the distance. 

How you can Get there:  There isn’t any airport in Liechtenstein, so getting in is barely attainable by highway or prepare. The closest main airport is in Zurich (1-hour drive) adopted by Munich (2.5-hour drive). Buses from Bruchs (Switzerland) and Feldkirch (Austria) are the simplest solution to get to Liechtenstein. 

The place to Keep: Resort Restaurant Kulm is the very best on the town: centrally situated and filled with old-world appeal with out compromising on fashionable consolation. Spectacular views!  Verify for the very best costs.

9. Kufstein, Austria

Cows roam freely on the rolling inexperienced hills, the sounds of their bells ringing within the distance; ladies wearing completely fitted dirndls smile and wave, whereas males of their lederhosen belt out tunes with their accordion in hand. Framed by a fort and towering mountains, Kufstein is the Austria of many individuals’s desires.

It’s as alpine as Europe will get, with mountains that make you wish to yodel out loud and patchwork pastures chiming with cowbells. People music echo by way of the valleys  and steins (big jugs) of beer are served in centuries-old wood A-roofed mountain huts. Learn extra about touring Kufsteinerland with youngsters.

How you can Get there:  The closest airport is in Vienna, 67km away, adopted by Innsbruck, at 71km away. Flights to Vienna are lower than 70 euros return from most of Europe. The Austrian railway community is superb and extremely environment friendly, with many day by day trains to Kufstein from Vienna and different elements of the nation.

The place to Keep: Arte Resort Kufstein is a brand new lodge situated proper within the coronary heart of town, subsequent to eating places, bars and all of the points of interest. It’s excellent for these on the lookout for fashionable, edgy lodging.  Verify for the very best costs.

10. Trondheim, Norway

Of all of the locations we visited on our journey by way of Norway, Trondheim actually left a deep impression on me. Surrounded by fjords,  town is an enthralling Nordic enclave wealthy in historical past and conventional aptitude. The city itself is studded with slender cobble stoned alleys, traditional Norwegian homes and walled fortresses.

Throughout our quick keep, we wandered by way of the outdated docks, visited the magnificent Nidaros Cathedral, sampled the very best seafood soup on the town, and had a comfortable Christmas meal, Norwegian model.

How you can Get there:  You possibly can fly direct to Trondheim from London and different elements of Europe for below 100euros return. Seek for low-cost flights to Trondheim right here. 

The place to Keep: Thon Resort Trondheim is a good choice for households who want area. The chain could be very standard in Norway and provides good worth for cash. We stayed at a number of Thon Resort branches when in Norway and extremely suggest them.  Verify for the very best costs.

 11. Rovaniemi, Finland

Welcome to the world of Narnia! Situated within the northern edges of Scandinavia, Lapland is a magical a part of the world that it’s important to see for your self to imagine. Streets listed below are blanketed in glowing snow, pine tree forests sprawl throughout the area, and cosy wood cabins dot the pristine panorama.

Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, is a great spot to expertise Lapland at its finest: you possibly can go canine sledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, reindeer herding or keep in a snow lodge. Better of all, Rovaniemi is understood to be the official hometown of Santa Claus. Amidst the glittering snow and colourful Northern Lights, it’s straightforward to see why Rovaniemi is without doubt one of the most stunning locations in Europe.

How you can Get there:  You’ll must transit in Helsinki when flying to Rovaniemi however flights are lower than 100 euros return. Seek for flights to Rovaniemi. 

The place to Keep: I stayed at Scandic Rovaniemi, one of the vital standard upscale accommodations on the town. It’s steps from eating places and retailers, and undoubtedly an ideal base for these trying to discover in consolation. Verify for the very best costs.

12. Sighisoara, Romania

On my journey to Transylvania with Lonely Planet, I traveled to a few extraordinarily charming villages and Sighisoara was my favourite. Designated as a World Heritage Web site by UNESCO, this completely intact sixteenth century gem with 9 towers, cobbled streets, burgher homes and ornate church buildings rivals the historic streets of Outdated Prague or Vienna.

It is usually the birthplace of Vlad Dracula, also called Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler), who impressed Bram Stoker’s fictional creation, Rely Dracula.

How you can Get there: The closest airports are situated in Targu Mures (60km away), Sibiu (100 km away), and Cluj Napoca (150 km away). The most affordable place to fly to is Sibiu. Seek for flights to Sibiu. 

The place to Keep: Fronius Boutique Residence stunned me with extraordinarily spacious rooms and topnotch meals. It’s additionally simply steps from Dracula’s delivery dwelling and the city heart. I actually preferred the standard Transylvanian really feel. Verify for the very best costs.

13. Ronda, Spain

Whereas dwelling in Spain (for over seven years), we visited numerous villages and small cities within the nation. Of all of them, Ronda undoubtedly stands out as one of many prettiest cities in Europe. It’s set in a deep gorge spanned by a powerful bridge, and linked with romantic winding streets and white-washed homes.

It is usually a great base to discover the encompassing space, the place one can find stunning mountains and lots of the iconic pueblos blancos (white villages) of Andalusia. As one among Spain’s oldest cities, the historic quarter is a crucial cultural centre full of mosques and palaces.

How you can Get there: It’s only a 1.5-hour drive from Malaga Airport, which is extraordinarily low-cost and straightforward to fly to from most elements of Europe. There’s one direct prepare from Malaga to Ronda every day, and several other bus departures per day.  Seek for flights to Malaga. 

The place to Keep: Parador de Ronda is one other landmark lodge that’s a vacation spot by itself. Perched on the highest of the cliffs proper subsequent to the long-lasting bridge, this heritage lodge is transformed from a historic constructing and is now the very best lodge on the town. Verify for the very best costs.

14. Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

This charming city situated in Bohemia’s deep south is without doubt one of the most stunning locations in Europe for good purpose. It’s a bit like Prague in miniature – an outdated city sq., Renaissance and baroque structure, and a magical fort – however all on a smaller scale.

You possibly can stroll from one aspect of city to the opposite in 20 minutes. There are many vigorous bars and riverside picnic spots. It may be significantly atmospheric in winter, when the crowds are gone and the fort is blanketed in snow. Its historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Web site since 1992. Český Krumlov was the spotlight of our 1-week Czech Republic itinerary.

How you can Get there: The closest airport is in Prague. Trains hyperlink Prague with Český Krumlov each 2 hours by way of the day taking 3h30.  Seek for flights to Prague. 

The place to Keep: Garni Resort Fort Bridge is without doubt one of the best-reviewed accommodations on the town. With a superb location, the trendy lodge is surprisingly reasonably priced. Verify for the very best costs.

15. Riquewihr, France

Formally one of the vital stunning locations in Europe and but largely unknown to worldwide vacationers, Riquewihr is discovered within the coronary heart of the Alsace wine-growing area. This village actually has every part that you just look forward to finding in a fairy-tale village: fortified partitions, stone entrance gates, cobbled streets lined with brightly painted half-timber homes, carved wood beams and stone doorways, wrought iron indicators for the retailers, and plenty of flowers. It’s undoubtedly the right setting for a Disney film.

How you can Get there: The closest airport is in Strasbourg (50km away). You possibly can simply lease a automotive or take a prepare to Riquewihr from there.  Seek for flights to Strasbourg. 

The place to Keep: Remparts de Riquewihr Residences provides tastefully designed lodging within the rustic fairy-tale homes of the outdated city. It’s ridiculously cute and properly value splurging on. Verify for the very best costs.

What do you suppose are probably the most stunning locations in Europe? Did we miss out something from this record? Share with us within the feedback discipline under!