In this piece, we will take a look at the 40 best places to visit in Europe before you die. If interested, you can also read our recent piece on the 40 Best Places to Visit in India Before You Die.
International tourism, severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, continued its recovery in 2023. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)’s first World Tourism Barometer of 2024, international tourism concluded 2023 at 88% of pre-pandemic levels, with around 1.3 billion arrivals. At the same time, international tourism receipts hit $1.4 trillion last year, representing nearly 93% of the $1.5 trillion earned in 2019. The latest data by UNWTO also indicates that tourism in the world’s most visited region, Europe, reached 94% of pre-pandemic levels, largely due to intra-regional demand and travel from the US. (For additional information regarding the recovery of the global tourism sector, check out our coverage of the 41 countries with the most beautiful nature in the world)
Adding to this, 2023 was a record year for the EU accommodation sector. The estimated number of nights spent at tourist accommodation establishments in the EU, like hotels, holiday homes and campsites, reached 2.92 billion last year. This number also exceeded the pre-pandemic level for 2019 by 1.6 %, when 2.87 billion tourist overnight stays were counted.
2023 marked an increase compared to the previous year as well, with 171 million more nights spent at tourist accommodation establishments in the EU. The primary cause of this was an increase in foreign visitors. Nearly all EU Member States recorded an increase in nights spent compared to 2022, with the exception of Luxembourg.
That being stated, today we have compiled a list of the best places to visit in Europe before you die. Before we get to our list, let’s have a look at some of the prominent players providing lodging services to travelers in Europe such as Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) and Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT).
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR), founded in 1927, operates, franchises, and licenses lodging brands that include hotel, residential and timeshare properties. On May 10, the company declared a 21.2% hike in its quarterly dividend to $0.63 per share. It is to be paid on June 28 to shareholders on record as of May 24.
As of the close of Q1 2024, 58 hedge funds in Insider Monkey’s database held stakes in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR), up from 52 in the previous quarter. The consolidated value of these stakes is nearly $2.3 billion.
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT), based in McLean, Virginia, is among the 16 most valuable hotel companies in the world. On April 24, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) posted earnings for the first quarter of 2024, reporting a Non-GAAP EPS of $1.53, beating market estimates by $0.11. The revenue over the period was $2.57 billion, up 12.2% compared to the revenue over the same period last year.
Meanwhile, here are some comments from Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT)’s Q1 2024 Earnings Call:
“For full year 2024, we expect RevPAR growth of 2% to 4%. We forecast adjusted EBITDA of between $3.375 billion and $3.425 billion. We forecast diluted EPS adjusted for special items of between $6.89 and $7.03. Please note that our guidance ranges do not incorporate future share repurchases or any contribution from Graduate Hotels, which we expect to close in the second quarter. Moving on to capital return. We paid a cash dividend of $0.15 per share during the first quarter for a total of $39 million. Our Board also authorized a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share in the second quarter. Year-to-date, we have returned more than $900 million to shareholders in the form of buybacks and dividends. And for the full year, we expect to return approximately $3 billion.”
Our Methodology
We used a consensus opinion-based rankings approach for this article. Information was collected from relevant Reddit threads, like r/AskReddit, r/travel, and r/AskEurope, where users discuss and inquire about popular European travel destinations. We used search terms such as “top places to visit in Europe before you die”, “bucket list things to do in Europe”, and “unique places to visit in Europe” to find relevant threads.
We went on to assign a score to each place. This means that each time it was recommended in a thread, it received a score of 1. Finally, we sorted the places by their scores and identified the 40 best places to visit in Europe before you die. The places have been ranked in ascending order based on their overall scores.
It’s important to remember that lists such as this one are subjective and fail to include places that ought to be at or near the top of the list. Please note that we regarded Turkey as a European country for the purpose of this article.
At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here).
Best Places to Visit in Europe Before You Die
40. Utrecht, Netherlands
We start our list of the best places to visit in Europe before you die with Utrecht. This city, located in the heart of the Netherlands, is renowned for its rich history and cultural heritage. It features iconic landmarks like the magnificent Dom Tower, lovely canals that flow through its charming streets, vibrant eateries and cafes, and fascinating museums.
39. Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
Veliko Tarnovo, with its formidable Tsarevets Fortress, is a city in north central Bulgaria. It is often referred to as the “City of the Tsars”.
38. Bruges, Belgium
Bruges, the capital of West Flanders in northwest Belgium, is famous for its charming canals, well-preserved medieval architecture, vibrant art and culture scene, and exquisite cuisine.
37. Bornholm, Denmark
Bornholm, a Danish island in the Baltic Sea off the south coast of Sweden, is a paradise for lovers of active recreation with 235 km of cycling routes, hiking paths, and opportunities for climbing or kayaking.
36. Belgrade, Serbia
Next up on our list of the top European destinations to see before you die is Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, it is home to popular attractions like the Belgrade Fortress, Knez Mihailova, and Saint Sava Temple, that captivate the heart of visitors with their uniqueness and charm. Moreover, with plenty of bars and clubs, the city is famous for its exciting nightlife.
35. The Acropolis, Athens, Greece
This is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city of Athens. It is home to several ancient Greek architectural masterpieces, including the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion.
34. The Colosseum, Rome, Italy
This elliptical amphitheater in the center of the city of Rome reminds of the ancient gladiator battles. It is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering and has a seating capacity of over 50,000 people.
33. Ljubljana, Slovenia
The enchanting capital of Slovenia offers a fascinating blend of historical heritage and vibrant modernity. It has numerous popular attractions like Preseren Square, the Triple Bridge, Ljubljana Castle, and the Dragon Bridge, perfect for a trip.
Our methodology suggests that one of the European places you must see before you die is Ljubljana.
32. Edinburgh Castle, United Kingdom
This mighty castle dominates the skyline of Edinburgh from its seat upon Castle Rock. It is among the most iconic tourist attractions in Europe. The oldest part of the castle, St. Margaret’s Chapel, was built in the 12th century.
31. Preikestolen, Norway
Preikestolen (the Pulpit Rock), one of Norway’s most photographed landmarks, is a steep cliff which rises 604 meters above Lysefjorden.
30. Zermatt, Switzerland
The Swiss town of Zermatt, which lies at the foot of the iconic, pyramid-shaped Matterhorn peak, offers a variety of activities such as skiing, hiking, and mountain biking.
29. Bratislava, Slovakia
The charming and historical capital city of Slovakia is set along the Danube River by the border with Austria and Hungary. It boasts several well-known sights worth visiting, including Bratislava Castle, Old Town Hall, and the Primate’s Palace.
28. Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Located in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mostar is a charming city with a rich history and captivating culture. The most famous sight in the city is Stari Most, a rebuilt 16th-century Ottoman bridge that crosses the Neretva River.
Based on our methodology, Mostar is among the best places to visit in Europe before you die.
27. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Netherlands’ capital, known for its beautiful canals, incredible architecture, and lively nightlife, welcomes around 20 million visitors per year. The city is home to well-known attractions such as the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House.
26. Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
This picturesque village in Switzerland is surrounded by rocky cliffs and beautiful waterfalls, including the famous Staubbach Falls.
25. The Faroe Islands, Denmark
The Faroe Islands, a self-governing nation under the external sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark, are an archipelago of 18 individual islands. With dramatic cliffs, deep fjords, lush valleys, and grass-roofed houses, the islands are a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
24. Lake Bled, Slovenia
Situated only 45 minutes away from the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, this lake is recognized for its fairytale-like ambience with crystal blue water and a picturesque little island with a church.
23. The Azores, Portugal
The Azores, an autonomous Portuguese archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, is known for its spectacular volcanic landscapes, bubbling thermal waters, geysers of rising steam, turquoise-toned lagoons, and bottle-green lakes.
Additionally, with activities like scuba diving, whale watching, and kayaking, a visit to the Azores can be fun.
22. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
This fairytale castle, a popular sight in Germany, attracts 1.4 million visitors every year. It was built on a cliff and boasts unimpeded views of the surrounding valleys and the Bavarian Alps.
Our research revealed that Neuschwanstein Castle is a bucket-list destination in Europe for several Reddit users.
21. Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia, one of the most magical places in the world, is famous for its distinctive rock formation, fascinating ancient history and culture, and scenic hot air balloon trips. The region welcomed nearly 5 million visitors last year.
20. Hallstatt, Austria
This lakeside village is located in the Salzkammergut region of Austria. It is famous for its pretty old houses, a historic market square, and a 7,000-year-old salt mine.
19. Vilnius, Lithuania
In 2023, around 1.2 million tourists visited Lithuania’s capital, which boasts a rich history, stunning architecture and vibrant culture. St. Anne’s Church, Vilnius University, Gediminas Tower, Vilnius Cathedral, and the Gate of Dawn are among the most popular places in the city.
18. Sintra, Portugal
This charming Portuguese town is one of the top tourist destinations in Europe. Located about 25 kilometers from Lisbon, it is famous for its natural beauty, fairy tale palaces and brightly colored buildings. The Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira are among Sintra’s top attractions.
17. Krakow, Poland
Steeped in history, Krakow is both charming and fascinating. Some of the top tourist attractions in this southern Poland city include the Main Market Square, the Wawel Royal Castle, and the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
16. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik, a city in southern Croatia fronting the Adriatic Sea, is recognized for its rich history and culture, stunning architecture, and picturesque landscapes. The city’s Old Town features several historical landmarks like the Sponza Palace, the Rector’s Palace, and the Church of St. Blaise.
15. Vienna, Austria
The capital of Austria is a vibrant city with a rich history. It is well-known for its music, culinary delights, and architecture. Some of the top tourist attractions in the city include Schönbrunn Palace, the Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the Vienna State Opera House among others.
14. Blue Lagoon, Iceland
This geothermal spa, located in a lava field near Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland, is a spectacular sight to behold and a wonderful place to relax. Its milky-blue waters are rich in minerals and reputed to have healing properties.
The Blue Lagoon is among the best places to visit in Europe before you die.
13. Prague, Czech Republic
The capital of the Czech Republic is renowned for its stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant cultural scene. Charles Bridge and Prague Castle are a few of its most popular tourist destinations.
12. Budapest, Hungary
Hungary’s capital, bisected by the majestic Danube River, is among the safest cities in Europe to visit in 2024. It is known for its astounding architecture, romantic aura, vibrant nightlife, and relaxing thermal baths.
11. Seville, Spain
Seville, located in southern Spain, is the capital of the region of Andalusia. It welcomes about 3 million tourists annually. The city’s majesty and historical significance are exemplified by its stunning landmarks, such as the Seville Cathedral and the Royal Alcázar of Seville.
