Stunning European Cities You Have To Visit This Summer
5/28/2016
Summer break is almost here and I bet that all of you are planning where to head for a new adventure. Maybe you already have your stay booked somewhere, but if you still wonder where you should go, here are some tips for your next destination. I bet you already think about Paris, London or Rome. Yes, they are beautiful and stunning too, but so crowded during summer break. This is why I decided to put this list together to show you some other European cities which definitely deserves your visit. You might find there well known cities, but even some of them are least known ones, so they might be good option if you want to avoid bumping into tourists everywhere you go. You can choose one, or choose all, whatever you want, just keep exploring and enjoying your trip.
Regensburg, Germany
Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne or Nuremberg are pretty sure the most popular cities in Germany. No wonder, there is so much to see and so much to do, so why not to go there. But I think that Regensburg also deserves to be appreciated by tourists from all around the world. It might not be big as the cities named above, but it offers many great sights such as Cathedral of St. Peter´s or Old Stone Bridge. And did you know that Regensburg has 1500 listed buildings and 984 of them make up the UNESCO World Heritage? That is another good reason why to give this German city a try.
Lisbon, Portugal
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| Source: Flickr |
Lisbon is often described as very vibrant and colourful city. If you really want to see the best of it, then don´t forget to visit Belém Tower or Jeronimos Monastery. Wonder around the city quarter called Alfama where you can catch a glimpse of a traditional life in Lisbon or experience Portuguese night life in Bairro Alto. And if it is still not enough for you, then there are plenty of stunning churches, little streets or parks to discover. Additionally, it is considered as a cheap European destination, so don´t worry to splurge a bit when you are there.
Riga, Latvia
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| Source: Flickr (Bernt Rostad) |
Latvia is celebrating this year (2016) its 25th year of independence, so there are many things happening now and according to Lonely Planet, we can expect only the best from this country. That is why you should definitely consider going there at least for a few days. And what is better than start in Riga, the capital city which was named a European Capital of Culture 2014? Explore the beautiful historic center or visit one of the museums, there are many great choices to choose from, for example Latvian Ethnographic Open Museum, Latvian War Museum or Latvia Holocaust Museum to find a bit about the history of this country.
Prague, Czech Republic
How could I forget to mention Prague, my sweet home? Prague, or called Praha in Czech language, has became one of the most popular European destinations in last few years and honestly, I´m not surprised. The beautiful scenery's, lovely architecture, kind locals, good food and drinks are just a few reasons why you should definitely put this city on your summer bucket list. It is very easy to move around the city by using public transport and it is quite cheap destination as well, so don´t wait any longer and book your next flight to Prague. The main attractions include the famous landmarks like Old Town Square, Charles Bridge or Prague Castle.
Split, Croatia
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| Source: Wikimedia Commons |
I could say that Split has basically best of both worlds. Sea, historic city centre, restaurants, shops, pubs and beautiful surroundings. Even though I barely remember visiting it, because it´s already been a few years since I was running around the city streets, the fresh sea air, lovely architecture and friendly locals simply come up to my mind every time I think about my stay there. By the way - if you are music lover, then definitely don´t miss one of the biggest music festival in Europe - Ultra Europe, which will be held in Split in July.
Siena, Italy
Forget Florence or Pisa, Siena is actually considered to be one of the most beautiful and richest cities in Tuscany region when it comes to architecture, art and history. One day is simply not enough to discover the beauty of this city, so you better plan to spend there at least a weekend. I was in Siena in August, so I had a chance to see famous Il Palio, which is horse race. It holds place on 2nd July and 16th August every year, so I think it would be great to be there to see it for yourself. Only expect more crowded streets and main attractions. The best known places worth to visit are definitely Piazza Del Campo, the Torre Del Mangia, the Duomo and the Crypt.
Wroclaw, Poland
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| Source: Wikimedia Commons |
Granada, Spain
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Bratislava, Slovakia
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| Source: Wiki |
I have to admit that I honestly don´t understand why Bratislava is so overlooked. It is beautiful, colourful and vibrant city in the Central Europe. It is true that in comparison with Prague, Budapest or Vienna, it might seem less attractive, but all I can say is that is is just different. Despite the fact it is over shaded by these three cities, Bratislava has all what you need for perfect vacation - beautiful historical center, cozy cafes, castle, parks, chill out places and tasty cuisine. It is pretty near to Budapest, Prague or Vienna, so if you are located in one of these cities, consider visiting Bratislava as well.
Basel, Switzerland
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| Source: Flickr/Wikimedia |
Basel has unique multi-cultural feeling and flair. It is located in Switzerland, but near the borders with Germany and France, so you can always make day trips to different countries. The city is perfect for all culture lovers, especially those ones who can´t get enough of museums. Basel has the largest concentration of museums in whole Europe. After sightseeing in Old Town, you can choose from many types of museums, such as history museums, science museums or special museums which are focused on various subjects and collections. The most favourite ones are probably Basel Paper Mill Museum, Fine Arts Museum or Museum of History.
Oslo, Norway
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| Source: Flickr/George Rex |
Lyon, France
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| Source: Wikimedia |
Lyon definitely gives Paris a run for its money with rich cultural life, vibrant nightlife, shopping possibilities and interesting museums. You can wonder around and admire a beautiful architecture in Old Town, relax and have picnic in Parc de la Tete d´Or (the largest park in France) or learn something new in one of the museums, for example admire arts at Musée des Beaux Arts and in case you are history lover, then Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine might be great way how to spend your leisure time in the city. When you are done with sightseeing, make sure you try local cuisine as well. There are many cafes and restaurants, the most famous might be Le Grand Café or Paul Bocuse Restaurant (considered to be the best restaurant in France.)
Innsbruck, Austria
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| Source: Flickr/A. Rane |
Innsbruck is the capital of the Tyrol region, which is located in the western part of Austria. The city is surrounded by wonderful nature, with the Alps towering above it. You shouldn´t miss a chance to explore old town, where you can find many interesting corners, places and streets. If you look for a great view, then you can get it at the City Tower. Another must see attractions include Imperial Palace or Court Church of Innsbruck. The pubs can serve as great place to interact with locals and experience a bit of local lifestyle, so if you want to make some friends, this is your chance.
What about you and your summer plans? Which cities in Europe you want to visit?
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