There are a lot of cool cities in Europe, but it's easy to get stuck choosing the same destinations as everyone else: London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Prague, Budapest... These metropolises are great, but do you want to see something new? Today we present 10 cool cities in Europe where you may (?) not have been, in no particular order. What are your favourite cities in Europe?
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1. Seville, Spain
Seville is a beautiful city with many impressive buildings, such as the Cathedral and the Royal Palace Alcazar. Don't miss the fascinating Maria Luisa Park with its Plaza de Espana. Read more about Maria Luisa Park.
2. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon must be one of Europe's most charming capitals, with cobbled streets, steep hills and tiny trams. Admire the views or enjoy the crowds on an outdoor terrace. Read more about Lisbon.
3. Gdansk, Poland
In Gdansk you will find beautiful architecture and cosy outdoor cafes. You can visit the huge St Mary's Church and in summer you can visit Stogi beach and the big market (August). Read more about Gdansk and if Stogi campsite.
4th Split, Croatia
Split is a pleasant city with an old town centre and a palm-fringed waterfront promenade. Here you can visit historic palaces, go shopping or visit the crazy frog museum. Read more about 15 things to do in Split.
5. Valencia, Spain
Valencia is a beautiful and charming city, with both historic buildings and interesting modern architecture. Every March it celebrates wildly with huge statues, parades, light shows and fireworks. Read more about Las Fallas Festival.
6. Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik offers great shopping, fun nightlife and modern, high-quality fish restaurants. The Blue Lagoon is not far away if you want to swim. Read more about 14 things to see and do in Reykjavik.
7th Syracuse, Sicily
In the historically interesting city of Syracuse, there are remains from both the ancient Greeks and the Roman era. You will also find charming alleys and impressive buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries. Read more about Syracuse.
8th Riga, Latvia
In beautiful Riga you can visit the huge food market, treat yourself to a visit to the SPA or dine in one of the many fantastic restaurants serving modern Latvian cuisine. Read more about Sights of Riga - 9 things to do in Riga.
9. Tarragona, Spain
In Tarragona, you'll find a 20th century amphitheatre, lots of historic buildings from Roman times, many nice restaurants and a beach in the middle of the city. Read more about Tarragona.
10. Nuremberg, Germany
Nuremberg is a historic city with a medieval feel. Here you can stroll through cosy neighbourhoods and look at mighty churches and the large castle. In December each year there is a large Christmas market. Read more about Nuremberg.
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Ninni, Henrik and the Knasen motorhome says:
Yes, there are many beautiful places that you don't think about.
Too bad money doesn't grow on trees so you could just travel around 🙂 enjoy the winter weather.
12 January 2016 - 19:39
Ditte says:
Tough choice! But in no particular order, these three: Stockholm, Paris and Prague.
There are others that I really like...
12 January 2016 - 20:07
nils-åke hansson says:
I've been to many of these cities but haven't looked around properly.
12 January 2016 - 20:17
Åsa says:
How angry I would have been if Lisbon had not been included! 😉 I might add that the beach is never far away in Lisbon!
12 January 2016 - 20:32
Mr Steve says:
What a fantastic travel encyclopedia your blog has become.
Lisbon and Riga are the only ones I have visited of the 10 listed.
Barcelona and Copenhagen are my other favourites.
12 January 2016 - 19:48
Ninny says:
My favourite (so far) is Lisbon, which is on the list. I have been there twice, once in autumn and once in summer. Have also visited another city on the list, Tarragona, which I became very fond of. Cosy and nice city! We had thoughts of going to Syracuse when we were in Sicily a few years ago, but did not have time for it. Understand that we missed something...(So I think we will definitely go to this Italian island again!).
Thanks for many tips, hope to get the chance to visit some of them!!!
That's right, at the end of February we're going to Milan, it's a city I've never visited so it's going to be exciting! We also hope to see Bergamo, which is close by. Have you been to any of these cities, any tips?
12 January 2016 - 21:06
Rantamor on the retina says:
I must admit that we have not visited any of the places you write about but it was fun to read about them.
I have a daughter who has settled in Barcelona, so you never know what will happen.
Tjingelingen from Rantamor.
12 January 2016 - 21:19
admin says:
Ninni, Henrik and Knasen, yes it's a shame haha, take care!
Steve, agree, both Barcelona and Copenhagen are nice cities!
Ditte, Stockholm is a great city! 🙂 I have not been to Paris since I was 14...;)
Nils-Åke, there is always a lot to see in every city...!
Åsa, haha, how lucky that we brought Lisbon then! 😉
Ninnie, it's great that you, like us, fell in love with Tarragona! Both Tarragona and Syracuse are perhaps on the verge of being called "big cities", but we liked them so they were included! 😉 Glad you are going to Italy! We were not very fond of Milan, but of course there are things to see and experience there too! We liked Bergamo! You can find our tips here: http://www.freedomtravel.se/restips/Italien/
Rantamor, oh it would be perfect with a visit to Barcelona then? Local guide and all 🙂
BP, yes there are more big cities than capitals, although Tarragona and Syracuse may be on the border (not very big). Haha, what fun with a warning post, have to think about it... 😉.
12 January 2016 - 21:22
Marianne - Glimpses of the world says:
I have been to Lisbon, Reykjavik, Riga and Nuremberg. Among these, Reykjavik is my favourite. Istanbul is a much bigger but very nice city, and of the smaller cities I've visited, I really liked Bruges, Lucerne and Zurich. It's actually quite exciting to explore lesser-known cities. Some of them you might not have heard much about, but then they turn out to be little gems.
12 January 2016 - 21:48
BP says:
Totally agree with Steve! So much fun, informative and interesting! Oh why do you automatically think of capital cities when you read big cities.
Of the cities you have listed, I have not been to Tarragona, Syracuse, Reykjavik and Lisbon.
Among my favourites is actually Rome (even though it is a capital city). Marseille is another favourite, as are Istanbul and Munich.
PS. I wonder if you also post a list of cities that you warn about;-) I mean - why not really... DS.
12 January 2016 - 21:19
4000mil.se says:
God how exciting with a list where I tick 0! Otherwise, you usually always have visited some places on these lists...?
But both Split and Reykjavik are booked for the summer.
12 January 2016 - 22:55
admin says:
Marianne, we love Reykjavik too! Istanbul sounds exciting, we have not been there but I would love to travel there! The other cities you write about I have not been to either, but on the other hand in Ghent which is probably not so far from Bruges I think, and it was a nice city! Agree that there are many cities to experience, you certainly do not have to travel only to the most famous ones.
4000 mil.se, wow it was incredible that we managed to make such a list! 😉 Split and Reykjavik this summer - then you have something to look forward to!
12 January 2016 - 23:31
Only British /Charlotta says:
I didn't like Gdansk at all but I love Siracusa and you already know that I think Nuremberg is cruelly underrated.
I add Ljubljana, Verona, Bristol, lovely Edinburgh and Ghent to the list.
13 January 2016 - 0:20
Renate's travels says:
What a great list! Have hardly been to any of the cities myself. Would like to see more of Spain and Italy actually. 🙂 Otherwise, I would like to also suggest Ljubljana on the list! Belgrade too.
13 January 2016 - 1:11
Veiken says:
Thanks for the tips. I got some new cities that I became curious about. Let's see if we can squeeze one in this spring or autumn. At least Dublin gets a visit from us this year! 🙂
13 January 2016 - 3:40
Casa Annika says:
I don't really like big cities, but Seville is still my favourite city! Undoubtedly the best I know!
13 January 2016 - 5:01
admin says:
Just British/Charlotta, interesting that you didn't like Gdansk, but it's natural to have different opinions sometimes 😉 Agree that Ghent and Verona are super cosy cities! Ljubljana we have only seen too quickly. The others you mention we haven't been to. Thanks for the tips!
Renates Reiser, Ljubljana we would love to see more of! Have only been on a short trip once...
Veiken, Dublin sounds interesting! We have not been there, but would love to go there! 🙂
Casa Annika, we also liked Seville, as you can see 😉.
13 January 2016 - 7:25
Lennart says:
Agreed!
We have visited eight of them.
13 January 2016 - 10:29
Ama de casa says:
Gdansk and Split I have left there on your list 🙂 .
My favourites in Europe? Ooohhh so difficult! Can't make that decision now...
I like the idea of "Worst places" 🙂 But it can be a bit unfair, because there are many circumstances that make you "take offence" to a place. It can be an unfair accusation 🙂 For example, I think Elba is perceived as a super nice island by most people. But we had a big storm so the tent almost blew away and we just perceived it as expensive and miserable and we just wanted to leave... Under other circumstances, our opinion would probably have been different too 🙂
13 January 2016 - 11:07
Ama de casa says:
en: Getting that sponge or lampshade hairstyle is not difficult at all. Lots of perming fluid, small coils and then don't comb.
Good luck with the hairdressing! 😀
13 January 2016 - 12:34
Lena in Wales says:
I have visited most of them. Each one has its charm. However, I think Seville with Plaza de Espana, shown in the picture, is my absolute favourite.
13 January 2016 - 13:18
admin says:
Lennart, that wasn't bad! 😉 Glad you also liked them!
Ama de casa, I think you are absolutely right! Our bad experiences are also often linked to bad weather, individual unpleasant people, etc. I think a worst list is a fun idea, but maybe not of cities... I don't really know how, but I'll think about it 😉 And as for the hairstyle, I can blame it on having too short hair to try 😉.
Lena in Wales, Seville is a very nice city!
13 January 2016 - 14:41
Helena says:
My city favourites are London (although I'm a bit bored at the moment) and Prague. Have not visited so many big cities in Europe actually and look forward to doing it eventually! 🙂
13 January 2016 - 22:28
admin says:
Helena, I have actually not been to London since I was 14 and when we were in Prague we had two restless teenagers with us 😉 Liked the cities, but feel that I have more to see! And you also have many nice cities to look forward to! 🙂
14 January 2016 - 1:05
Marina says:
And I think I've seen a lot but oh how much there is left! Have not been to any of your listed cities, but of those it is Reykavik that is high on the list. But I realise that I will not have time to work when we move home, I have far too much left to discover 😉.
14 January 2016 - 8:46
admin says:
Marina, haha that's how I usually feel too! There is so much to see 😉
14 January 2016 - 11:24
Maria says:
Many good tips! I have been dreaming of Seville for a while, such a BEAUTIFUL city 🙂 .
14 January 2016 - 19:48
admin says:
Maria, can agree that beautiful is a word that fits the city of Seville!
15 January 2016 - 11:04
Linda says:
Sounds like I need to go to Seville, buildings and parks are my favourite things to check out in cities! Hope to get trips to Lisbon and Riga this year, then I will read your posts about it!
24 March 2016 - 0:36