European cities maintain their positions in the top spots of the International Tourism Rankings, with over 600 million people travelling to Europe annually on average in recent years. Not been to this stunning, inspiring, and exciting continent yet? What are you waiting for?
Let us give you our list of the best cities for the first time traveller to visit. Read on for tips for the first time visitor to Europe: where to go on your first visit, which cities to visit first, what to eat, and which attractions to head for!
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Top European City Destinations to Visit (First Timers)
Florence Italy
The Elegant Beauty of Florence Italy
When you first arrive in Florence, you are instantly struck
by the sophisticated glamour of its architecture. Not to mention the delicious cuisine: traditional dishes include ‘pane sciocco’ (or ‘bland bread’) which is an unsalted bread that is delectable in salads with fresh tomatoes, courgettes and olive oil. It is also recommended that you try the light yet hearty local soup known as panzanella and some sweet almond biscuits (cantucci) dipped in vinsanto for afters. Florence is also home to some of the best galleries and cultural attractions that you will see in your life time: start at the Uffizi (where you can see priceless works by world famous names like Michelangelo) and work from there.
Prague Czech Republic
The Poetry of Prague Czech Republic
Prague is sometimes known as a city of stories, and its beautiful Castle, fairytale Town Square, and unique Charles Bridge are just a few of the exciting attractions in this wonderful part of Europe.
Barcelona Spain
The Beaches of Barcelona Spain
Once you have finished gazing in awe at the amazing Sagrado Corazon cathedral (where many tourists make a bee line as the first thing that they do on a first visit), you can simply head straight for the beach where you can surf, swim, lounge, snorkel and sail to your heart’s content. Barcelona has some of the best beaches in Europe! Brush up on your Catalan and head for the local bars in the evening – in Barcelona, the night life never stops.
Bruges Belgium
The Historic Atmosphere of Bruges Belgium
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bruge is set within a network of tranquil canals. Here, whilst sipping delectable Belgian beers, you can plan your visit through beautiful art galleries, medieval market squares, and much more. Bruges is often dubbed ‘The Venice of the North’ because of its unique waterside location: the sight of the ancient buildings reflected in the water on a clear evening is a glorious thing to behold. One of the best ways to see Bruges is from the water – you can take a canal boat through the city and if you bring a picnic it can be one of the best and most memorable aspects of your visit to Europe.Where to Stay in Bruges?
Budapest Hungary
The Beauty of Budapest Hungary
Originally two cities, Hungary’s capital is set on the gorgeous Danube river. It is a great first stopping point for a visit to central Europe. Budapest is famous for being filled with great galleries and museums – and the Hungarian National Gallery is perhaps the best place to visit if you are pressed for time on a first visit to this part of Europe. Other galleries pop up in unlikely spots, though – such as temporary outdoor exhibitions in one of the many blooming parks.Where to Stay in Budapest?
Krakow Poland
Plunge back in time in Krakow Poland
Krakow is home to an ancient castle which is said to house a dragon. Out of all of the Polish cities, Krakow is the one which has the best preserved medieval architecture. The beautiful Vistula river flows through Krakow, and here you can relax in one of the wonderful restaurants and sample traditional Polish delicacies such as pierogi dumplings. The legendary salt mines close to Krakow are also well worth a visit – and from Krakow you can also visit other great Polish cities such as Warsaw.
Rome Italy
Rome Italy: Filled with Ancient Sights
Marvel at the Coliseum, see the ancient Roman Forum, and be inspired by the well preserved ruins of the Pantheon. A photo in front of the iconic Trevi Fountain is almost obligatory, and a day trip to the Vatican and the opulent Vatican Museum is also a great way to spend one of your days in sunny Rome. This is one of those cities where your first time will most probably not be your last time to visit.
London UK
The History of London UK
From Tower Bridge to Buckingham Palace, there is so much for any first time visitor to Europe to get their teeth into in London. One of the best ways to see the city is from the London Eye – or you can ascend The Shard and look down over this most beautiful of cities as the sun sets or the morning mist sweeps away to reveal a world of excitement at your feet. A first time visitor to London has so many exciting attractions to visit. Will you head first to the Olympic Park, for instance, or will you catch a play at Shakespeare’s Globe on Bankside?
Amsterdam The Netherlands
Spend a Cultured Time in Amsterdam The Netherlands
Renowned for its canals, Amsterdam is one of the first places that many visitors to Western Europe like to stop off. The Rijksmuseum is definitely one of the best museums in the world, and here you can go back in time to see works by Old Dutch Masters. The Van Gogh House and the Anne Frank House are also highly recommended sites to visit.
Venice Italy
Ride a Gondola in Venice Italy
If this is your first visit to Europe, then what more iconic way to spend your time than by sailing through the watery ‘streets’ of Venice in a gondola? This is one of Europe’s most instantly recognisable cities, and there are also some of Europe’s best sights close by. Head to nearby Verona to see Juliet’s Balcony, for example (of Romeo and Juliet fame).
Lisbon Portugal
Paying a visit to gorgeous Lisbon Portugal
Just a stroll around Lisbon will fill you with delight: the streets are literally paved with beautifully glazed tiles. In this part of Europe, you can enjoy beautiful weather through most of the year – and it is one of those cities where each neighbourhood has something different to offer. Bairro Alto is one of the best places to go in the night time, for instance, whilst the Parque das Nações is home to the World Exhibition Centre and has events going on all the time.
Stockholm Sweden
The Fourteen Islands of Stockholm Sweden
Stockholm is one of the most buzzing and populated cities in the Nordic regions. Laid out across fourteen separate islands it has plenty of cultural attractions to fill your first time visit to Europe with interesting anecdotes. The Vasa Museum, for example, which is devoted to maritime exhibits, is one of Scandinavia’s most visited non art based museums. Stockholm is one of the best cities to visit if you want to get a taste of Scandinavia, and it is very well connected so it will be easy for you to reach other cities in the Nordic regions from here as well.
Paris France
The Romance of Paris France
In the popular imagination, the city of Paris is synonymous with romance – and there is a very good reason for that. Wander through the Louvre museum, where you can see amazing works such as the Mona Lisa, then head through to the beautiful Tuilleries gardens before perhaps taking a stroll beside the Seine. Paris’s restaurants are incredible, and the view from the hill of Montmartre (where the Sacre Coeur cathedral is to be found) is absolutely breathtaking. There are also regular bus trips to the resplendent palace of Versailles, and this is one of the best day trips you can do from Paris.
Vienna Austria
Simply the Best for Fun: Vienna Austria
Some of the best cakes and delicacies in the world
are available in Vienna, including the world famous Sacher Tort. In this, one of the most elegant cities in Europe, you can have a wonderful time in the Museum Quarter (the Art Museum has some original Bruegel works, for example whilst the Natural History Museum is great for a family friendly visit). Make sure to visit Freud’s house and Mozart’s House too!
Berlin Germany
The Cool Atmosphere of Berlin Germany
Berlin is one of those cities that will always be on the map. Visit the Brandenburg Gate and see the site of the Berlin Wall. It is definitely one of the coolest cities in Europe – if not the world – and the first (and, many will swear, the best) place for lovers of innovative film, art and theatre to visit when they want to be inspired.
