European Cities

In times when travelling is impossible, it's nice to reminisce about past trips and plan future ones. City trips are always great escapes, so here are 10 of my favourite ones in Europe for some inspiration.

Note: I decided not to take all the tourism hotspots like Amsterdam, Venice and Paris, as these are well-known anyway. Maybe in this list there is a place you haven't been to yet, or want to revisit. All photos taken by me - quality differing a bit depending on how old they are.

One of my favourite cities in France for many reasons: beautiful old town and harbour, vibrant night life, alternative neighbourhoods with street art, beautiful beaches, warm climate, and vicinity to beautiful nature, especially the small coves hidden in the cliffs. 

The only real city in Iceland, it still feels like a small town. It's full of charming cafés and bars, and has an unusually high number of bookshops because Icelandic people love to read. The colourful architecture is typically Icelandic, but there are also a few modern buildings which are stunning.  

There are many charming cities in Spain with very different vibes. Sevilla to me is one of the prettiest, not only because of the beautiful architecture but especially the parks. Locations of several famous film productions (you might recognise some on the first two pictures), this city has a large amount of magical spots to relax. 

Gdansk is on of several Polish cities with a beautiful old town still largely intact (or partly rebuilt). A former Hanseatic city like for example also Hamburg in Germany, its former wealth is visible in its architecture. Beside the beautiful town center with many small amber shops, there any beautiful beaches nearby and some historical places of importance.

A very pretty city with lovely old town streets and countless nice cafés and restaurants. Life happens especially along the water, where there are also some more modern parts with interesting architecture. The alternative part, Christiania, is home to plenty of street art and free spirits, which is an interesting contrast. 

Set in Northern Italy surrounded by beautiful landscapes, this little city is a gem. The pace is slow, and the people are charming. The beautiful streets invite visitors to some window shopping and sitting in the numerous cafés. Many historical buildings enrich the view, and a walk in the area brings many beautiful viewpoints. (Ideally, take a few weeks off and hike around the Dolomites from here.)

I might be a bit biased, but I think Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in the world - granted, it's not always sunny. But the charming old town full of historical places and stunning architecture is also lovely on a grey foggy day.  The pubs are cosy, and the city is full of great bookshops and literary museums. 

Often in the shadow of Lisbon, Porto has many attractions as well. If you love azulejos (the traditional blue & white Portuguese tiles), then you're in the right place - there's an abundance of beauty. Besides that, there is a lovely architecture, laid-back atmosphere and plenty of nice hidden corners with small bars, where the Port wine is of course the best thing to drink.

While it's not always as cold as it might look on my pictures (taken in winter), it's definitely quite far up north. It's a great city full of culture and interesting modern architecture, especially the opera, which is beautiful outside and inside (last picture). The more traditional part, such as the royal castle and the beautiful park around it, are also worth visiting. 

A small but charming city with lovely traditional architecture. There are plenty of creative and alternative places to go out, and the city is vibrant with numerous students. There are plenty of cosy parks, and the castle on a hill is worth climbing up to for the nice view. 

Honorable mentions: Ajaccio, Corsica; Split, Croatia; Innsbruck, Austria; Lübeck, Germany; Malmø, Sweden; Galway, Ireland.