best european places to visit

With a site like this it was inevitable I'd end up writing a piece on the best European places to visit and here it is. I've visited dozens, if not hundreds of cities over the years and trying to pick my favourites was always going to be a big ask, but here they are the Drink in the Sights Guide to the best locations in Europe. Usually I try to go to a city once do everything and move on but I've gone against that rule a few times now and the top three on this list are all examples of places I just couldn't resist returning to. I should just quickly add that I have created a separate guide to the top attractions in Europe.

Florence

As a history graduate I love Florence as while Athens may be the birth place of Western Civilisation, Florence is most certainly where it was reborn. This amazing city was financed by the tremendous wealth of bankers, most notably the Medici family, but it was built by sculptors, artists, poets and scholars. Florence was the light that led Europe out of the dark ages, through the Renaissance, and into the age of enlightenment.

Just listing the names of the great Florentine's will give you an idea of how important this city is. Leonardo Da Vinci, Galileo Galilie, Michelangelo, Dante, Nicola Machiavelli, and Florence Nightingale, to name just a few. This is a city that has shaped the world, moving culture and knowledge forward, at a rate unheard of since the great Greek philosophers and scientists of ancient history. It just goes to show sometimes bankers investments do pay off. 

With three cathedrals, dozens of exquisite churches, the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, huge palaces, two of the most famous art galleries in the world, probably the most famous statue in the world, and the magnificent Tuscan landscape surrounding the city, you simply won't find a more picture perfect place to visit on the planet than Florence. I've been to Florence more than any other city in Europe and every time I go back I just discover more and more wonders. As soon as I decided to make this list of the top European places to visit I knew that Florence would be number one. I've also written a guide to the top Florence attractions.

Budapest

Budapest has already won my award for the best European cities to party due to its perfect mix of low prices and gorgeously unique bars, but it also comes number two in my list of the best European destinations overall. It's a beautiful city, with fairytale like castles, wonderful architecture, museums, galleries, and the best looking parliament building on the planet. The Fisherman's Bastion looks like a castle that's been pulled straight out of a Disney movie, and is the ideal place to just sit and drink in the sights. Everything about the area is just stunning, including the view from Chain Bridge as you walk across the Danube.

I think it's fair to say the parliament building is the best looking in Europe, and as the second biggest it's beauty is matched by its size. There's a story that Queen singer Freddie Mercury once tried to buy the building in the hope of making it his new home. Budapest also boasts a hugely impressive castle, art galleries, museums, a gorgeous cathedral featuring a severed hand, and one of the most impressive cemeteries I've ever seen. On top of all this Budapest is the thermal baths capital of Europe and they are spectacular. Budapest really is one of the top European destinations. I've also written a guide to the top Budapest attractions.

Barcelona

The Catalan capital Barcelona is the ideal city break. It really does have everything, sun, beaches, history, architecture, football, castles, parks, cathedrals, art, great food, and great bars. Barcelona is a travellers paradise with loads to see and do, and genuinely something for everyone. It's a city for art lovers and romantics, for sunbathers and football enthusiasts, for stag do's and shoppers. It doesn't matter if you're coming to see the works of Gaudi or the skills of Messi this is the city for you. And it wont leave you disappointed.

I just love Park Guell. I could have stayed there all day, it's like a scene from another planet in a sci-fi movie. But instead of aliens with antennas jumping out at you it's other humans with selfie-sticks. Everything about this strange land is unmistakably Gaudi, the colours, the symmetry with nature, the lack of straight lines and it is stunning. Then there's Sagrada Familia which from a distance looks a little like someone has built a pretty impressive church and then poured candle wax all over it just to see how it'd set. Close up you realise it's far more intricate than that. The facades and sculptures are individual works of genius the like of which only Gaudi could even imagine, let alone design. No matter how far you travel you'll never see another church like this.   

On the subject of places of worship Camp Nou is one of the most recognisable stadiums in Europe, while Montjuic Castle gives glorious views over the city. Everywhere you look in Barcelona there's sights to see and stuff to do, and that's what makes it one of the best European places to visit. Plus you get to walk Las Ramblas, but not with real intent, as the Manic Street Preachers would say. I've also written a guide to the top Barcelona attractions.

Vienna

Every monument, every palace, every state building, every Vienna attraction, every stein of beer just feels bigger. The strange thing is though they aren't. They are just better positioned. Most European cities are crowded to the point that no matter how big the monument or palace is you don't really get a good view of them until you're virtually stood outside. It feels different in Vienna, it feels more organised, it feels planned, it feels imperial and imperious. ​

Vienna is probably most famous for its musical heritage with the likes of Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Strauss and Brahms all hailing from this magnificent city. The Vienna State Opera House is renowned for its beauty and acoustics, which bring in crowds from around the globe. The city centre of Vienna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as any city centre this good should be. It's a city built for emperors and princes, which while having Roman roots really became a powerhouse  in the 15th century under Habsburg rule.

Among the Vienna highlights you'll find Schonbrunn Palace, it's an absolute monster of a building on the outskirts of Vienna. There's a zoo, a maze, water features, and statues galore, and that's just on the outside. The palace has nearly 1500 rooms so you don't get to see them all, but you get the main ones, and they are full of all the opulence and luxury you'd expect from a Habsburg palace. There's also a truly unique cathedral, art galleries, museums, and great architecture galore and in my opinion the bar with the best view anywhere on the planet.  I've also written a guide to the top Vienna attractions

Copenhagen

Denmark is currently ranked as the second happiest country in the world, and after visiting the capital it's easy to see why. There's so many great Copenhagen attractions. They have the best looking theme park in the world, beautiful castles pretty much everywhere, clean well policed streets, coupled with low levels of inequality, crime, homelessness and drug abuse. On top of all this healthcare and childcare are both state funded, so people can avoid spending time with their kids. The capital also has a beach which is always a nice touch and from there you can look out over Oresund bridge.

They have probably the best beer in the world (although it certainly isn't) and if you don't like any of this you can go live in Christiania, the free town on the edge of Copenhagen. This is a truly picturesque city that ticks pretty much every box a traveller could want to to tick. Everything just seems so smooth and efficient, yet relaxed and fun at the same time. Some of the museums are truly exceptional and there's an underground art exhibition in The Cisterns which has a flame thrower, and I personally think there's not enough flame throwers in art these days. I've also written a guide to the top Copenhagen attractions.

Berlin

In 1963 John F Kennedy famously declared Ich bin ein Berliner, and after visiting this amazing city you may feel the same way. Berlin is Germany's capital and largest city. It's also been the capital of Margraviate of Brandenburg, The Kingdom of Prussia, The German Empire, and the Third Reich over its 600 year history. Following Brexit Berlin has also replaced London as the largest city in the EU. Not surprisingly in a city this big, and this important there's loads to do.

For a start there's the worlds biggest beer hall, and the steins are pretty huge too. There's also the Pergamon Museum which contains two wonders of the ancient world, the imposing Reichstag, Check point Charlie, an amazing cathedral, The Berlin Wall, The Olympic Stadium, and art galleries and memorials aplenty. A little like Vienna Berlin is one of those cities that's organised, imperious, but also a lot of fun to visit. I've also written a guide to the top Berlin attractions.

Capri

Really the main Capri attraction is Capri itself. Everything here appears perfect, and designed to please the senses. Even the benches in Capri are beautiful. I can honestly say that this island is the closest I've been to heaven and the closest I'm ever likely to get, it's just absolutely stunning. While plenty of people go to Capri to shop, swim, and sunbath there's loads more to the island than that.

For a start there's Museo Diefenbach which contains some glorious pieces, there's also the single best church floor I've ever seen in Chiesa San Michele and on top of Monte Solaro you will get some of the most stunning views you'll ever see. I'm not really an island/beach lover, but even I've fallen in love with Capri, it's just breathtaking. I've also written a guide to the top Capri attractions. Capri really is one of the top European destinations.

Malaga

Malaga is just the ideal coastal city. Beautiful buildings, exceptional views, and plenty to do, without the crowds that gather in places like Barcelona. It's a place to relax, to enjoy, and to experience. When it comes to getting winter sun in Europe there's no where better than Costa Del Sol, and Malaga is the ideal location. It's the perfect mix of city life, with excellent bars, shops and attractions, coupled with a gorgeous beach you can relax on for hours after seeing all the top Malaga attractions.

Like most of Andalusia there's a strong Moorish influence in the architecture, and a feeling that this is a city built to cope with heat. I came here expecting just another typical Spanish coastal resort, and found a city I could fall in love with. There's just enough to do to keep you happy, and fill your days, but not so much you feel overwhelmed and rushed. The Alcazar is stunning, there's a huge cathedral, a Roman Theatre, a modern art gallery, and a castle with some of the best views you'll ever see. Malaga really is one of the best European places to visit. 

Pompeii

Do you like history? Then you'll love Pompeii, this quite simply is the ultimate historic field trip. In 79 AD Mount Vesuvius erupted, and when a volcano that size erupts it really does some damage. We know at least 1500 people died in Herculaneum and Pompeii, but the number was probably much higher. For almost 1700 years Pompeii remained covered under seven meters of ash preserving the city incredibly well, and now you get to walk around the ancient Roman streets.

It's hard to imagine that anyone in the Western world wont have heard of Pompeii, and its fame doesn't diminish its majesty. The ancient city has inspired some terrible films, including one starring Kit Harrington of Game of Thrones fame, which is truly dire. It's also featured in the 'Carry On' series, and in Dr Who. So Pompeii not only finds itself unable to escape the lava of Vesuvius, but also unable to escape any television genre. I've written a guide to the top attractions in Pompeii but for anyone with a love of history this has to be one of the top European destinations.

Lincoln

Some may think Lincoln is an odd addition to a list of the best European places to visit but this is the home of the legendary Dambusters, the birth place of the tank, and for 238 years home of the tallest building in the world. It's a city littered with Roman ruins and quaint little shops, yet no-one knows where it is. The answer should be straightforward, it's in Lincolnshire which is the birthplace of of Sir Isaac Newton and Margaret Thatcher among others.

Lincoln is dominated by the incredible Gothic cathedral which is one of the best on the planet, but there's also a wonderful castle which holds one of only four surviving copies of the Magna Carta, which is arguably the most important document in the UK, and this is on show near the prison. It's just the perfect English city with more than enough about it to warrant a place among the best destinations in Europe.

I hope you enjoyed my guide to the best destinations in Europe and you get to visit them all soon.