10. Madrid
It is always being said that an art lover should never miss Madrid. The outstanding collection of the Prado, which is mostly filled with Goyas and Velazquez. Actually there are more masters from the Spanish Golden Age and beyond. Some of the other world class museums include the Reina Sofia and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. And if you are looking for the masterpieces, I think you should start with Salvador Dali, Picasso and Miró.
This 10th of the best places to visit in Europe also covers all the major periods of European art. Names like Rubens, Monet and Dürer are seriously available here. But Madrid is mostly about life, lived on the streets of Chueca and the monumental Gran Via. Stop at a tapas restaurant, lounge at an outdoor café on a plaza and get blessed to enjoy the best nightlife in Europe. As the locals say – the joyful Madrid “movida.”
09. Lisbon
This probably the best of the mostly-sunny Atlantic capital, which can make you feel like you’re on the edge of the continent. May be this is one big issue to keep this city at number nine in our list of top ten best places to visit in Europe. The European golden age of maritime exploration spearheaded by Prince Henry (the Navigator) led to globalization, where Lisbon became the first global capital. In other words, it was the gateway to Europe from the East. The land also had seen other notable figures like – Vasco da Gama.
The history of Lisbon is probably told now a days by its collections of the Ancient Art, Orient, and Maritime museums, which is also reflected on sculpted Age of Discovery marvels like the Tower of Belem and Jeronimos Monastery. The city is genuinely the top place to visit in Europe to admire the art of tile painting. But above all, the biggest attraction of all are the inspiring views of what is Europe’s most scenic capital. Contemporary attractions include the world-class Berardo and Design and Fashion museums. The oddly empty Portugal Pavilion by Siza Vieira should also not to be missed by the travelers in Lisbon.
08. Barcelona
Barcelona is such a place that values the past but embraces the future with vigor. This is quite an innovative land and embodies contemporary Europe. It came up with some of the most original architecture of the 20th century. Remarkably the Sagrada Familia is going to be a timeless monument in the making. Barcelona is actually a city with an independent spirit, which probably confined to its own rule and more than any monument or museum, visitors will definitely find the main attraction is the city itself. So, Barcelona is a proud member in this list of top ten best places to visit in Europe.
After the Sagrada Familia, second entrance to Parc Güell is like entering a fantasy land. If you walk down Passeig de Gracia, you can find out some of the most unique architecture in the world of all time. This creative city is most famous for Gaudi, which was also home to Picasso. There is a famous museum dedicated to his early works. And other outstanding collections include those of the Miró Foundation. Medieval art in the Palau Nacional can also be found here. Contemporary landmarks include the Agbar Tower and Frank Gehry’s fish sculpture.
07. Athens
Travellers and tourists are often found disappointed with Athens. May be they were expecting an entirely ancient city. But the truth is that you will mostly find here unremarkable 20th century metropolis. Anyway there is still hope. Near the ancient Plaka neighborhood and the Acropolis you’re taken back to the birthplace of democracy. Certainly you will discover that you are very close to some of the most marvelous ancient wonders.
The Parthenon and the treasures found around it inside the Acropolis Museum. Acropolis is a beautiful contemporary home for a stunning ancient collections. The National Archaeological Museum also houses the most important artifacts from ancient Greece. Try to remember that the mythical Greek capital should be on anyone’s choice of best places to visit in Europe.
06. Amsterdam
Here comes the history of The Dutch. The world historians are used to say that the Dutch Golden Age was also a European golden age. Present time’s art in Amsterdam’s museums can make you remember that. The Rijksmuseum has masterpieces by Rembrandt. And across the street there’s an entire museum dedicated to Van Gogh. I think I don’t need to clarify his identity to most of you.
The Anne Frank House then reminds you of the darkest period in human history. Most definitely it’s the most emotive memorial of all of the Holocaust memorials around the world. There are the canals lined by beautifully-maintained buildings, which makes the Dutch capital one of the most beautiful and best places to visit in Europe. The city is ever welcoming for its travelers.
05. Florence
Are you curious about the Renaissance? Then nowhere else can you best experience one of the greatest periods of Europe than in Florence. This is a terrific artistic city. Its open-air museum will get you on a history lesson even if you don’t step inside any of its several pieces. But no one should leave without entering the Uffizi. As it holds some of the greatest masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and all the other great names in the history of art.
We are keeping Florence at number five in this list of top places to visit in Europe. This is a romantic city of beautiful piazzas showcasing magnificent architecture and sculpture. You can also admire all of that remarkable heritage from the top of the extraordinary Duomo here.
04. Venice
Standing in St. Mark’s Square you’ll you will certainly feel the center of what was once the world’s richest city and capital of trade. Yes of course, Venice can make you fall in love at first sight. This city is an undoubted selection for the best places to visit in Europe. This is also home to the grandest private residences ever built. There are magnificent palazzos admired on a gondola trip down a romantic series of canals. Some truly believe this as the most beautiful cities in the world.
Great wealth was also able to pay for great art. That means you can see a lot of it here, but the biggest work of art turns out to be Venice itself, the one city in the world that can truly be described as unique, exuding a fairytale atmosphere. You can take your time blending for contemporary creativity inside the Peggy Guggenheim Museum alongside the magical mixture of Renaissance, Gothic, Byzantine and Baroque.
03. London
In this list of top 10 best places to visit in Europe, if we are talking about European cities and places, then here comes the capital of that concept. London is the continent’s largest and richest city. This is probably one place that any Europe traveler shouldn’t miss anyway. The city’s diversity and cultural influence, the fact that there is always something new to see and experience every bit of it is historical. Oh no, I think the term should be royal. There is always Big Ben and other landmarks like the Tower of London and also the living history in Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.
The major year-round exhibitions in Tate Modern, British Museum, and National Gallery can make you extend your trip to Europe. There are also new icons like the Gherkin skyscraper and the tallest building in the continent, The Shard. Again, people often call this city as the best shopping place in the world. Either way the city will always surprise you with thriving vive and a world leader in art and creativity.
02. Rome
There is a common saying about Rome – “A city so great, a country fits inside it”. Travelling to Rome is also travelling the Vatican with its extraordinary works of art. Rome is something to mesmerize mostly as the capital of an ancient empire. They ruled Europe and beyond. Some of the icons like the Colosseum and the Pantheon still stand as testaments to centuries of splendor.
The artistic marvels at the Borghese Gallery or the Capitoline Museums all itself can define hoe Rome becomes second in the list of top 10 best places to visit in Europe. Rome is also about living “la dolce vita” down cobbled alleyways and squares. And the photogenic Italian capital is not all about the past and crumbling antiquity. It also occupies some major contemporary attraction. You can note down MAXXI Museum designed by Zaha Hadid as for reference.
01. Paris
Now we are getting closer to figure out the best of the top places to visit in Europe. Paris is quintessential Europe, an opulent city often imitated around the continent and the world. One thing alongside. It is truly impossible to replicate the city. It captures the imagination for having mastered the art of sophisticated living. But never disappoints.
There’s the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées, the Notre Dame and the biggest concentration of the world’s greatest art at the Louvre, Pompidou, Orsay and dozens of other museums. But surely the Parisian experience is still sitting at a café or bistro and shopping down grand boulevards and squares or may be strolling along the Seine. I think it’s not difficult to see why this is the most inspiring of all cities and probably you will get the feeling too if you really are planning for visit to this great amazing city of Europe.
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