If you guessed Europe, right on! In total, there are more than 700 million tourists who travel to Europe every year, making it a top destination and one of the most popular continents. To be honest, I am not surprised by this statistic at all. Although it may be expensive for some people to visit Europe for an extended period of time, its beauty and uniqueness make up for it tenfold.
Everyone has a different reason for visiting a certain place, but here are some of the most popular reasons why tourists travel to Europe and choose it as their top destination for discovering:
Historical Places: The history of Europe is nearly as long as that of its culture. From the castles in England to the Roman ruins in Spain, there are plenty of historical places that will appeal to history buffs all over the world. In fact, some countries like Germany and France have government operated tours that visit all their historical sites and give you a glimpse into what it was like back then.
Natural Beauty: Europe is a continent filled with natural beauty. Visitors come from every country in the world to marvel at the exceptional landscape of Italy, Greece, Spain, Switzerland, and so much more. From the mountains of Switzerland and Pyrenees to the mountains of Wales and Alps, all of Europe is stunningly beautiful.
Food: Europeans are renowned for their culinary artistry. There is no shortage of amazing foods in Europe that will make you want to return home with several bags full of souvenirs to remember all the wonderful meals you had on your trip.
Events: Whether you visit at a particular time of the year or whether you want to participate in an event, so many different events are hosted all throughout Europe. From the Oktoberfest in Munich to Carnaval in Venice, there are numerous events that will make your trip an unforgettable one.
Art: The art of Europe has been a major influence on the world for centuries. From the masterpieces of Monet or Van Gogh, to the intricate works of Murillo and Van Dyck, there is no shortage of beauty to admire in Europe.
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London Paris Florence Sicily Crete Southern Spain | London Paris Florence Sicily Crete Southern Spain | Florence Santorini Paris London Barcelona | Florence Rome Santorini Paris London Barcelona Lisbon Porto | Greece Florence Rome Paris London Barcelona Lisbon Porto | Greece Paris London Barcelona Lisbon Porto South France Reykjavik | Greece Ibiza Menorca Mallorca Reykjavik | Greece Ibiza Menorca Mallorca Reykjavik | Santorini Mykonos Barcelona Lisbon Porto South France London | Santorini Crete Florence Barcelona Sicily Lisbon Porto | Santorini Crete Florence Barcelona Sicily Lisbon Porto Paris | Barcelona Rome Paris |
Located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, The Azores are a cluster of volcanic islands that make up part of Portugal. When it comes to natural beauty, nowhere else on Earth compares to the Azores. The islands are perfect for all types of travelers, from those who want to explore untouched wilderness to those who want to see all the most famous sites in Portugal
Read MoreIf you are a fan of the great city of Paris, you better get yourself to this part of France as soon as possible. From the Eiffel Tower to The Louvre, Paris is filled with countless historical sites that will leave your jaw dropping.
Read MoreBarcelona is one of the most popular Spanish cities in Europe and it has everything that anyone could want to make their trip memorable. From awesome food and fun events to gorgeous beaches and beautiful mountains, Barcelona is an unforgettable place to visit.
Read MoreAlongside Dublin in Ireland, Lisbon makes up for another great European destination worth visiting for anyone who loves history or architecture. The architecture of the city is a major draw as is the Lisbon Cathedral, which has been beautifully restored and turned into a museum.
Read MoreAmsterdam is one of the most popular destinations in Europe for a reason that is quite obvious. The city is filled with gorgeous canals and gorgeous architecture, making it a beautiful place to visit. However, Amsterdam also boasts some great events including the annual Amsterdam Bop.
Read MorePrague is a popular city for tourists for many reasons and one of them is that it has plenty to do during rainy days as well as sunny ones. The city has an awesome nightlife scene along with some major historical sites such as Karlova Street or Astronomical Clock
Read MoreVienna has lots of amazing cultural attractions and one of the most impressive ones is The Vienna State Opera with its beautiful architecture. There is no shortage of things to do in Vienna from classical music to shopping, there is something for everyone.
Read MoreA popular city among both visitors and locals alike, Berlin is a beautiful hub for art and history with plenty to see for history buffs. One of the most famous sites in the entire city is The Berlin Wall Museum where you can learn more about this fascinating time in history.
There are so many great sites and events that take place in Rome; it is hard to decide what you will do on your visit. Although many people come here for the history, Rome is also a very modern city with plenty of things to do.
Budapest has become a hip destination in Europe as more and more people continue to discover its beauty. The gorgeous buildings are the most famous attraction as well as the major festivals that are hosted throughout the entire year such as Sziget Festival.
Istanbul may not be a very popular destination for tourists just yet but it should be listed somewhere on your must-visit list of Europe. The most popular site of Istanbul is the Hagia Sophia, which is a museum today and has been around since the Byzantine Empire.
Edinburgh is one of those cities that does not look like what you expected it to be. It has several historical sites including the famous Edinburgh Castle but it also has plenty of trendy shops and restaurants in addition to all kinds of fun events that take place throughout the year such as The Fringe Festival.
Naples is a very popular destination in Italy for tourists and it has everything anyone could possibly want to see. From the Castel Nuovo to the Cathedral of Naples, there are several historical sites that will leave you speechless.
One of the most beautiful cities in Spain, Madrid is not only a hub for architecture but it also boasts a great food scene that is jam packed with authentic Spanish cuisine. The city is also home to some of the best sites in Spain including The Royal Palace and The Prado Museum.
Galway is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and it is a great destination for several reasons. Although it has less tourism than Dublin, the city is home to some beautiful sites as well as some impressive events such as the Galway Races.
If you are looking for a beautiful city in France, Nice is a great place to go. From the beautiful Seaside as well as fabulous museums and art galleries to the Marigny Street, there are loads of things to do in Nice.
London may not be the most famous city in Europe but it is definitely one of the most popular ones. From the historical sites to some of the best food places available, there is no shortage of things to do and see in London.
Reykjavik is not only a beautiful city but it has plenty of amazing destinations for tourists. From the Landmannalauki to the National Museum, there are plenty of things to do in Reykjavik that cannot be missed.
Italy is home to some of the most beautiful cities in the entire world and Florence is a perfect example of that. The city is home to plenty of historical sites as well as some amazing food restaurants.
Munich has been referred to as the city with two hearts, one being the old town with beautiful architecture and one being the modern part of town with skyscrapers and shopping centers. There are several great German cultural destinations in Munich including The Hofbrauhaus.
An island located in the Aegean Sea, Santorini is one of the most popular places to visit in Greece. The European-style resorts and gorgeous beaches are only some of the things that make this a beautiful location for a vacation.
Located in the Aegean Sea, Naxos is a gem of a destination with gorgeous beaches and several famous ancient sites. Alongside this, you will also find plenty of amazing food and wine.
Although Switzerland is best known for its cheese, the country has some of the most beautiful mountains in Europe. The Swiss Alps are perfect to enjoy skiing as well as plenty of other outdoor activities.
Although the Amalfi Coast is not a city, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The gorgeous coastline has been home to royalty as well as vacationers for centuries.
Venice is an unforgettable destination as it is a city that has been completely reconstructed on many occasions because of the water. From the Grand Canal to the beautiful Rialto Bridge, there are many things to do in Venice.
Though you may not hear too much about Cyprus, it is a great destination for travelers as it has some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Europe. Alongside this, you will also find plenty of historical sites like the Paphos Acropolis and Tombs.
Dublin is a must-visit destination if you are in Ireland as it has some of the most amazing historical sites as well as plenty of pubs to enjoy a beer at. Of course, there are also plenty of museums and theaters for everyone.
Stockholm is a romantic city with some of the most beautiful architecture in Europe. From The Stockholm City Hall to the Royal Palace, there are plenty of sights to see in Stockholm.
Denmark may not be a popular destination for tourists but it is definitely one that should be on everyone’s list of places to go. From the fascinating history to tons of art museums and amazing nightlife, this is one city that has it all.