Europe has a long history of boasting some of the most beautiful cities in the entire world. Each era brought new developments and new buildings which are now preserved and admired by thousand of tourists each year.

It is absolutely impossible to cover all the beautiful cities on the continent as each country has at least one to be proud of. So, we have selected some of the most beautiful cities in Europe to talk about.

13. Sighisoara, Romania

This tiny Romanian town is located in Transylvania and has a long history. The city center is actually a Medieval Citadel, perched on the top of a hill overlooking the surrounding new city. The citadel has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and each year is home to the Medieval Festival, featuring theatre, concerts, painting and sculpture exhibits.

Inside Sighisoara Citadel you can admire the Clock Tower, standing at 60 m high and offering an incredible view from the balcony; the Monastery Church, a Lutheran church built in Gothic style and dating from 1291; the Vlad Dracul House, the place where Vlad Tepes (yes, Dracula) was born; the Covered Staircase, an old staircase with a wooden roof, leading up to the Church on the Hill, as well as many towers belonging to the different craftsman.

A fairytale view of the citadel is definitely during the winter, when snow sets on its tiny cobblestone streets and there aren’t that many tourists to bump into. During the festival, however, the citadel is packed with tourists (the town doubles its population for three days!) and it can take hours to go from one place to another.

12. Bruges, Belgium

“Venice of the North”, Bruges is one of the best preserved pre-motorized cities in Europe, still preserving that romantic charm hard to find elsewhere on the continent.

Lately, the city has turned so much towards tourism that it might feel like everything is cleaned and polished for the tourists only. While this can take some of the old charm, Bruges still boasts lovely scenery created by the canals and the historical buildings along them. It’s a matter of trying to escape the crowds and venture away from the shiny chocolate shops, in order to capture the real beauty of this picture perfect town. For some excellent views of the city go to the Grote Markt and climb the 83-metre high tower. Cliché or not, tour boats offer some of the loveliest views of the city as you are crossing the canals.

11. Tallinn, Estonia

Estonia’s capital is home to one of the most well preserved medieval cities in Europe. The heart of the old city is on the hill of Toompea, covered with old medieval houses and narrow cobbled alleys, while the lower city is still protected by what is left of the city walls. The old town is protected by UNESCO and boasts lovely shopping streets, in direct contrast to the new town, which is typically Soviet.

The old city was build between the 15th and 17th century and comprises Viru Gate, which is the entrance to the city from the street with the same name (now a trendy shopping street in Tallinn), Raekoja plats, the central square, flanked by restaurants and shops, the gate tower, the castle and he Lutheran Toomkirik, the oldest church in Tallinn.

10. Barcelona, Spain

Spain’s second largest city is known for having some of the most wonderful architecture in the entire world. Probably the most picturesque area is Ciutat Vella, the old town and the city center. It is divided into four quarters, each having it own charm.

Barceloneta was built after King Felipe V ordered the construction of a new fortress (currently a park) to punish the city’s residents. The area has always a fishermen’s district, with small and dark alleys.

Casc Antic comprises several old buildings and the Parc de la Ciutadella (lake, several museums and a zoo). The church of Santa Maria del Mar is a great example of Catalan Gothic architecture. Beautiful but somber, it dates from the 1300s. Passeig del Born is an avenue which during the Medieval times housed the jousting matches, as well as numerous fairs.

Barri Gòtic is the most popular quarter in this area, home to incredible Gothic architecture and plenty of squares. The Plaça Sant Jaume is flanked by the Palace of the Generalitat and the City Hall, both beautiful Gothic buildings. The Cathedral is the main Gothic church in Barcelona.

Raval quarter is home to La Rambla, the most popular boulevard in Barcelona, which cuts through the center of the city.

La Sagrada Familia, although doesn’t even blend in with its surroundings, is one of the most famous and most beautiful landmarks in the city (not to mention, the most recognized as well). A magnificent work of Barcelona’s famous architect, Antoni Gaudi, the cathedral is still unfinished. There are 12 towers dedicated to the Apostles and the central tower, the highest, is dedicated to Jesus Christ.

9. Trogir, Croatia

This beautiful Croatian city is one of the best preserved medieval towns in the entire Europe. The old town – which occupies an entire island – has been designated as UNESCO World Heritage site.

Kamerlengo Fortress is located right on the waterfront. For some spectacular views (as far as 15 km range) go to the top of the big tower. The small old town feels like it has been trapped in the 15th century, with small cobblestone streets and charming restaurants. The promenade goes by the water front and encircles the island. Within the medieval town you can admire the Venetian Cathedral of St. Lovro, Venetian Cathedral of St. Lovro and the Town Hall.

8. San Gimignano, Italy

Tuscany’s Manhattan – thanks to the numerous beautiful tall towers – is the quintessential hilltop town in Tuscany. San Gimignano is a beautiful small medieval town, with narrow cobblestone streets and pretty piazzas.

As all Italian jewels, this town is also overrun with tourists during the day, but the night brings out a quiet and romantic small town, where you can stroll for hours without getting bored. Climb the city walls or one of the 14 towers left, for the best views of the Tuscany Hills. Another good place to admire the hilly Tuscany is from the top of the Rocca, in the southwestern part of the city.

7. Prague, Czech Republic

The Eastern European capitals have a really charming aura which attracts tourists like a magnet. While many still expect traces of the Soviet regimen, Prague has a surprise in store for them. Czech Republic’s capital is not only home to one of the loveliest Christmas markets in Europe, but it’s also famous for the Old Town, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in order to preserve the beautiful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings.

Prague’s Old Town is the oldest part of the city and comprises beautiful buildings such as the Old Town Hall with its Astronomical Clock, the Municipal Hall and several museums.

Another picturesque area is Castle district, dominated by Prague Castle itself. With the castle there are numerous beautiful buildings to see.

The number of tourists flocking to Prague increases every year. Expect huge crowds during the high season (summer and around Christmas).

6. Colmar, France

For the first time visitor, Colmar has the charm of a fairytale land, with a pedestrian area right in the middle of the historical part of the city.

Although the old town is not as tiny as you might expect, it can be easily negotiated on foot. Several churches, a museum and the beautiful Renaissance building Maison des Tetes are the highlights. Little Venice, a small part of the old town, reminds of Italy and Venice’s charm.

The streets are dotted with shops and restaurants, where you can stop and relax, enjoying the well known Alsace pastries.

5. Vienna, Austria

Austria’s Capital was once the home of the Hapsburg court and still retains that magic charm. Its center is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and resembles an open-air museum. The city center (also known as “Old Town”) is Vienna’s first district, with Stephansdom and Stephansplatz right in the middle. Ringstraße (Ring Road), a huge boulevard, built along the old city walls (which were demolished), encircles the cathedral and the square. A walk (or tram ride) on the Ring brings the visitor face to face with beautiful buildings: Rathaus (City Hall), the Parliament, the Hofburg Palace, the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Art History and the State Opera House. The city during the day is totally different than during the night, especially Stephansdom, which has a rather spooky feel to it in the dim light (exit the U-bhan station right in front of the cathedral for a special feeling).

Another picturesque area starts right from the middle of the Museum Quartier and goes up on Mariahilfer Straße, the most important shopping street in Vienna. Here it’s all about the stores and coffee shops. And for a complete feel of the Hapsburg area, make sure to visit Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens and then climb up to the Gloriette for magnificent views of the city.

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Dutch capital gets a lot of attention for its liberal approach to drugs and prostitution, which helps obscure the fact that the city boasts stunning architecture that is still mostly in tact from the 17th Century Golden Age, when this was the richest city on the planet.

You can’t go more than a block or two in the city center without coming across a gorgeous canal with historic gabled houses looking over it. Amsterdam also has more than its fair share of lovely churches and palaces, as well as the almost-twin structures of the Rijksmuseum and Centraal Station, to help bookend the city center that is dominated by bicycles and trams instead of cars.

3. Budapest, Hungary

Hungary’s capital literally speaks the tale of two cities: Buda (Danube’s west bank) and Pest (Danube’s east bank). Since Budapest and Vienna have a common history (Hapsburg Empire), many have said that Budapest is Vienna’s little sister, offering Vienna’s charm at affordable prices. But Budapest is much more than just that. The Danube, which separates the city into two major areas, offers an incredible setting and lovely romantic feeling.

Castle Hill (District I in Buda) is the oldest part of the city and stands atop of a hill overlooking the river and its seven bridges. Out of those, the Chain Bridge (Széchenyi lánchíd) is the oldest (1849) and by far the most beautiful (and the most photographed).

There are two superb lookout points. One is on the terrace located within the Fisherman’s Bastion (on Castle Hill) and offers incredible views of the Pest across Danube. The second one is the Citadella, atop Gellert Hill. You can view both sides of the town and the Danube flowing between them. At night, the views are spectacular.

2. Paris, France

The City of Lights is a huge city, dotted with beautiful landmarks which create a fairy tale atmosphere along its spacious boulevards. A walk on Champs Elysees, especially around Christmas time, brings out Paris’s most beautiful assets. The iconic Tour Eiffel provides both spectacular views of the city and a superb background for any photo.

Notre Dame de Paris, located on the tiny island formed by Seine, is a marvelous work of Gothic architecture, while Basilique du Sacré-Cœur is perched on top of Montmartre butte, the highest point in Paris, offering great views of the city. Just as beautiful is the city seen from any of the cafes which dot the streets.

1. Venice, Italy

Venice is undoubtedly the most beautiful city built by man and we should not be surprised that over the year tourists and artists alike fell in love with its beauty. The city has been a major tourist destination for hundreds of year and still manages to keep some of its best secrets hidden from the eyes of the visitors. The true beauty of Venice is not in squares and landmarks flooded with tourists.

Take advantage of the possibility to walk everywhere – after all, Venice is the world’s only pedestrian city – and stray from the beaten path to discover the real charm and beauty of the city; that charm belonging only to a very old lady who is still keeping her style. Admire the landmarks from a distance and plan to “get lost” in the maze of narrow streets.

Photo credits: Axel-D on Flickr; cfwee on Flickr; richirik on Flickr

Author: Cristina Puscas