Europe is pretty cool, right? We’re celebrating the launch of KAYAK’s Love Letters. This nifty new campaign is to highlight why Europeans love European travel so much!
You can upload your very own love letter to a European country that has touched you right here. But we thought in celebration of Love Letters, it would be a good time to highlight the Top 10 European Cities that you must visit, the best food, culture and fun for anyone and everyone.
Alternatively, if you want to get it out of the way in one trip then check out how you can travel around all of Europe for crazy cheap. So is your favourite city on the list? Let’s do some exploring!
Berlin – the city where clubs never sleep
There are almost too many things going on in Berlin. From world-renowned clubs to an eclectic underground goth scene, to genre-defying art coupled with a foodie smorgasbord – and we haven’t even mentioned the abundance of cheap beer yet. If you haven’t been yet then you are truly missing out on visiting one of the most relaxed and welcoming cities in the world. A must-see is obviously the Brandenburg Gate, so take a selfie and then have a wander around as Berlin’s tourist points of interest are pretty close to each other in the centre.
KAYAK Tip: Live a day like a true local, visit a Mauerpark on a Sunday for a bit of shopping, have filling brunch at nearby Nalu Diner and finish it off with a beer outside one of the local Späti’s (newsagents) and watch the world go by.
A city to fall in love with, Paris
Permanently embedded in the world’s consciousness as the most romantic city in the world. Sometimes visitors to Paris can get a shock when they find out it’s not exactly like the movies and Paris can get pretty hectic with tourists. But there’s a reason Paris has been preserved as the place to visit to have a life-changing experience. Take the Basilica of St. Denis in Northern Paris, not only an architectural wonder but also the resting place of Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI. Unless you go in the off-season, the Louvre and Eiffel Tower is best enjoyed late at night when it’s a tad quieter, perhaps with a glass of wine from a nearby cafe.
KAYAK Tip: Have a wander around the Catacombs, the underground tunnels lined with the skulls and bones of exhumed cemeteries. Not something every tourist does and a great anecdote for later e.g. ‘Did I tell you about the time I wandered around Les Catacombes in Paris?’ said Dave as the room applauded.
Walk on water in Amsterdam
You have no excuse not to have visited Amsterdam yet. This floating city is only 1-1 1/2 hours away from most places in the UK, your commute to and from work stuck in traffic probably takes more time than that. Amsterdam is one of those destinations that has something for everyone. If you’re a cultural connoisseur than the Stedelijk Museum is a contemporary art heaven. If you’re a history buff than the Ann Frank Huis is a powerful experience that you cannot miss. Foodie lovers will need to get down to Albert Cuyp on De Pijp for one of their famous markets filled with Dutch delicacies. And well, some people might just want to get wasted and giggle in the red light district, which is a valid holiday pastime in Amsterdam – they don’t judge.
KAYAK Tip: Grab a free Ferry to Noord NDSM from behind Amsterdam Central station to experience a unique part of Amsterdam, we recommend a drink at Noorderlicht – a cafe and bar in a greenhouse.
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Don’t discount Bucharest as your new favourite capital
Despite Bucharest being the capital of Romania, it’s still considered a hidden gem for travellers. The architecture that surrounds the city is simply breathtaking, the city centre is a mishmash of medieval, neoclassical, and art nouveau buildings. This is, of course, is totally normal for the average citizen of Bucharest but most tourists will be walking the streets goggling upwards at the buildings on display. The Romanian Athenaeum is a must-see, erected in 1865 although it’s a mainly a concert hall for classical style music, it’s also been the site of many important Romanian events. After a day of cultural sightseeing retire to Club Control just north of the city centre, hosting a bit more variety than the typical clubs in Bucharest it’s the perfect place to dance until the wee hours
KAYAK Tip: Check out Cărturești Carusel in Lipscani, a gorgeous bookstore that will keep you accompanied for hours.
Practice your panache in Prague
With it’s excellent and varied beer, Michelin star restaurants and huge nightlife scene, it’s obvious why Prague has been consistently voted one of the best tourist designations over the past few years. However, it’s the relaxed culture and people that will have you coming back to Prague again and again. Which is great, as there’s also way too much to do in one weekend trip. In the city centre, you have the largest ancient castle in the world, Prague Castle dominating the cities skyline. Also located in the centre is the Prague astronomical clock, the oldest medieval clock that’s still operating, a true sight to behold even if medieval clocks isn’t your jam.
KAYAK Tip: After the veritable feast of cultural delights then it’s time to gorge yourself on some good beer and some food. Pick up some crafty treats from Beer Geek Bottle Shop before heading to Ristorante Pagana for some delicious Italian fare.
Copenhagen is your new favourite place
Copenhagen is Denmark’s crown jewel, if you’ve never thought about it as a destination then you need to re-think ASAP. Take a walk around Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world for a day-out, you won’t find over commercialised rides here, just vintage kitsch chic style in typically Copenhagen fashion – it even inspired Walt Disney to open Disneyland. Want to do something more authentic? Visit Freetown Christiana, an autonomous neighbour within the city of Copenhagen where there’s no cars and the vibe is very ‘chilled’ to say the least, expect vegan food and lots of music wherever you go.
KAYAK Tip: If you plan on travelling around and going to a lot of museums then get a Copenhagen Card, it gives you free transport for the entire city and gets you into over 79 attractions.
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The star of Italy, introducing Rome
In the 1950’s and 60’s Rome was at the centre of the romantic Hollywood film industry. The Oscar-winning Roman Holiday starred Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck falling in love in the backdrop of the Italian capital. Nearly 70 years after Rome is still the holiday destination of choice for many people for it’s romantic and relaxed atmosphere. Neoclassic buildings dot the crowded streets, housing some of the most beautiful works of art anywhere in the western world. Rome can get crowded in the busy season so head to the Villa Borghese gardens for a bit of peace and quiet, a sensational green space it also contains a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
KAYAK Tip: Food in the centre of Rome can be expensive and aimed at tourists. Head to Pasta Chef – Street Food, a delightful little place serving authentic and cheap pasta in the heart of Rome, a local favourite.
Discover a new you in Dublin
Visiting Ireland has never been easier and Dublin has emerged as a booming cultural centre for all of Europe, so why not take advantage of the fact you live next door? Kick off the day in stereotypical fashion and wander around Grafton Street to watch some of the buskers play modern or traditional Irish music. It must be around lunchtime now, right? Time to visit a pub surely? The Brazen Head is the oldest pub in Ireland, built in 1198 it’s a traditional pub through and through, down to the historic pictures on the walls to the patterned carpet. Now you’ve quenched your thirst time to do something cultural, at least to show you didn’t spend your time in pubs all the time. Trinity College is a must-see, especially the famed ‘Long Room’ in the main library, the biggest library in Ireland, it’s a stunning sight.
KAYAK Tip: Dublin is foodie heaven, if you want traditional Beef and ale pies you’ve got that in spades but delve a bit deeper to find the best Indian, Chinese and French restaurants aplenty. We recommend The Little Kitchen for some contemporary European dishes.
Barcelona is a paradise
If you asked a cross-section of 10 people who had visited Barcelona “what did you like about the city?” The chances are you’d get 10 different answers because Barcelona is one of those rare capital cities that lives up to the hype of its praise. The iconic La Sagrada Família is a true bucket list visit for some, even if you find architecture incredibly boring there is nothing that will prepare you for the overwhelming vision of this Gothic masterpiece. Experience the colourful hustle and bustle of Spanish life with a walk down La Rambla, a mishmash of theatres, bars, shops and ever-present buskers looking for a little spending money. If you need some peace and quiet afterwards then head to Parc del Laberint d’Horta (Labyrinth Gardens), named after the large maze within it. A great place to get lost for an afternoon.
KAYAK Tip: Barcelona is obviously a great place to eat but an influx of tourists means some places can get very busy or can be a tad overpriced. When it comes to affordable seafood the people of Barcelona has spoken, La Paradeta is a chain that has a few locations that serves the freshest and best seafood around.
Warsaw, your Polish getaway awaits
Warsaw’s varied and tumultuous history has made it into one of the most architecturally diverse, historically rich and fascinatingly interesting modern European cities – oh, and of course, it has excellent moderately priced beer. Start at the Warsaw Rising Museum, an excellent exhibition into the tragic uprising against Germany in 1944 and a peak into the landscape of Warsaw today. To see the massive polarisation of historical buildings, pop to the Warsaw Barbican between Old and New Town, one of the last remaining relics of the fortification of the city. After that, visit the Palace of Culture and Science, a divisive building that has Soviet and American art-deco style – whether you like or not, ride the elevator to the top to get a spectacular view.
KAYAK Tip: Treat yourself to a beer or 91 after a long day of doing cultural things. Okay, don’t drink 91 beers but it’s possible at PiwPaw, a heaven for craft beer enthusiasts who want a wide, wide selection of tipples.
Note: These rates are based on search queries made on KAYAK.co.uk on June 6th, 2017. The prices are quoted in GBP. Flight prices are based on results for a return economy flight search. Hotel prices are for double occupancy and include taxes and fees. Prices are subject to change, may vary, or no longer be available.
