Europe is an incredibly diverse place, hosting dozens of completely different cultures and countries on a single continent. All of the countries found on the European continent have plenty to offer in terms of historical architecture, a busy nightlife, amazing food and restaurants, and atmospheric museums. It’s no big surprise that most world tourists from around the globe flock to Europe for their holidays. 

And that’s precisely why we’ve decided to give you a round-up of the most often visited and most interesting European cities. After all, choosing where to go with so many options wouldn’t be so easy otherwise. If you’re about to plan your next European trip, take a look below!

Rome

Many of the cities on this list once ruled impressive empires, but perhaps none reached the mythical splendor of Rome. To this day, this is one of the most renowned cities in the entire world, and it’s a definite not-to-be-missed point on your pan-European trip.

Get ready to inhale some of that gorgeous smell of Italian cuisine that permeates historical sites and Roman alleyways. Speaking of historical sites, there are a couple of spots you simply can’t miss while you are in the capital of Italy. 

Of course, we’re talking about the wish-granting Trevi Fountain, the Basilica of St. Peter, and the Colosseum. These are only some of the most famous ones — in reality, every street corner in Rome has its story and something to experience. They also love selling interesting trinkets to tourists, and that’s something that’s true all across Europe. Soon enough, you’ll have enough stuff to think about if you need something shipped during your long trip straight home instead of lugging everything with you. 

London

Speaking of cities that once ruled the world, there’s no way to leave London off that list. Once the proud ruling city of the Empire on which the sun never sets, London is still an important city in today’s global society as well. Today, it represents one of the biggest financial hubs on the planet.

But that’s likely not something you’ll be interested in when you’re in one of the most lively cities in Europe. Don’t worry, as London doesn’t disappoint in that regard either. Visiting London without going to the British Museum would be a sin, for example. Though, we do have to warn you about the city’s steep tourism prices — staying in hotels might be too pricey for most, to the delight of Airbnb hosts. 

Florence

There’s no list of the most interesting cities in Europe without one of the shiniest jewels of the Renaissance — beautiful Florence! Going to Firenze is an experience that’s guaranteed to bring you the closest thing to an authentic Italian lifestyle. Plus, the city is known for its well-stocked museums, exquisite restaurants, peaceful hotels, and simply gorgeous architecture. 

The Galleria dell’Accademia hosts the world-famous David by Michelangelo, though that’s far from the only mesmerizing piece of art you’ll be able to see in Florence, or Italy in general, for that matter. You should also take the time to see the city from the river, and make your way to the highest point of the most renowned tourist attraction in Florence — the Duomo. 

Once you start feeling hungry, there’s nothing like a good old slice of pizza, or perhaps an assortment of cheeses and meats. 

Amsterdam

Northern Europe isn’t without interesting things to offer either, and Amsterdam is chief among them. Since marijuana was legalized in most of the continental United States, the city’s coffee shops are not nearly as big of a deal as they once were. Still, the Red Light District and the stylish alleyways of this city are reason enough to visit the Netherlands. Art fans will be delighted by the Van Gogh Museum, and people interested in history won’t want to miss the Anne Frank House. 

There’s always a neat little mom and pop restaurant to discover once you decide to have some lunch, and there are boat rides across the city’s canal network when you just want to rest. The hotels are affordable and the locals are quite welcoming. 

Santorini

If you’ve ever thought about having a vacation somewhere in the Mediterranean, you’ve likely used Google in search of the most beautiful places. In that case, you’re bound to have come across Santorini. Its visual presence is an unmistakable combination of chalk-white buildings and the deep blue sea. The island is filled with all kinds of diverse beaches, and it’s definitely the most gorgeous slice of Greece you can visit.

There are beaches with black and red sands that go as far as the eye can see and intersect starkly with the sea, and there is also the option of visiting many historical ruins and ancient settlements. The latter date back all the way to the second millennium BC! 

Venice

Our next pick is a city practically everyone in the world has heard of — the jewel of Italy, the former owner of a trade Empire: Venice. Today, the first image that springs to mind when people say the name is a romantic ride in a black gondola across its many canals. You shouldn’t have the impression that only lovebirds have something to see here. 

Venice is definitely a cultural hub in the region, and on the European continent as well. It has an abundance of historical sites, beautiful churches, and many interesting theaters that are still in operation today. The Italian northern coast is nearby, allowing you to travel to a number of other interesting locations as well. 

Prague

So far, we haven’t given enough room to Central Europe — but all of that changes with Prague! This picturesque city has plenty of the Gothic European spirit we all love to see in architecture — plus, it’s quite affordable compared to our other destinations. 

Dublin 

Dublin is the quintessential Irish city, and beer drinkers all around the world have long favored it as a vacation spot, as have avid history buffs. There’s nothing like visiting the original Jameson distillery and the world headquarters of Guinness, along with an assortment of pubs. 

Athens

Speaking of history buffs, you won’t find a better place to experience the awe-inspiring spirit of Ancient Greece than Athens. This may be something of a cliche for European travelers, but the Greek capital is popular for a reason. Not only does it have hundreds of ancient ruins you can explore at your leisure, but it’s also foodie haven!

Vienna 

Vienna is the stuff of legends, regardless of which historical period you take into the equation. In medieval and colonial times, it was the center of the grandiose Austrian Empire. Later, it became a center of European culture, evidenced by its locales like the Modern Art Museum. Of course, it also has a rich Cold War history, being the city of espionage.