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12 essential cities to see and visit in Europe

Colosseum in Rome in Italy
Colosseum in Rome in Italy
We discover the 12 most beautiful large cities that you can see and visit on a trip through Europe, from Madrid and Barcelona, ​​through Rome, Paris and London

If you are one of our readers who live in the American continent and are going to travel in Europe, It is important organize the trip well because there are many outstanding places and you already know that you will not have time to see everything.

So at the beginning you have to be clear what cities are you going to visit Well, you're going to have to choose.

With this guide we aim to help you organize your own trip through Europe suggesting the most beautiful cities what can you include in your tourism trip, selected among the large European cities for their population.

You can adapt this indicative route depending on the days you have for your holidays in europe.

We also provide you with the information you need to know to visit each of the recommended cities, as well as the excursions What you can do in each city and where to sign up guided tours with guide in Spanish.

There are tours that include several cities that can make it easier for you to organize your trip.

As an example you have the 5-day tour of the best of Italy, the visit of 4 days to Andalusia and Toledo from Madrid, or visits to Cities near Paris such as Normandy, Mt Sant Michel or the castles of the Loire Valley

These excursions include accommodation, transportation, guide in Spanish, entrance fees to monuments and meals.

Gaudí's Casa Batlló in Barcelona
Gaudí's Casa Batlló in Barcelona

They are perfect for those of you who travel in a group, or even for those couples who like to meet people on trips.

Here you have the information about Tours and excursions around Europe in Spanish

How to take a trip through the most beautiful cities in Europe

To do one route through the most prominent European cities, you should know that you are going to have to take several plane flights to save time, but the good thing is that flights around Europe have a very short duration.

This route that we propose has a duration of about 25-30 days, and is designed so that you can visit as many important cities in Europe as possible.

Tower Bridge in London
Tower Bridge in London

At the same time, you have the possibility of making the modifications that you think are most convenient to adapt it to your tastes and preferences, taking excursions from some of the cities, for which we suggest the most recommended ones.

For the route we have considered 12 big cities, going 2-3 days in each city.

If you do not have so many days, you can “skip” a city and connect to the next stage, or split the route into two trips, especially taking into account that you have to consider the time you need to travel between city and city.

From this information you can now design your own tailor-made trip through Europe.

Puerta del Sol in Madrid
Puerta del Sol in Madrid

Most beautiful large cities to visit in Europe

Of course, you must keep in mind that when booking flights, it is essential that you start the trip in one city and end in a different one.

1. Madrid Spain)

We suggest you start this European tour from the capital of Spain.

It is a city that in recent years has been experiencing a great tourist boom, and the best we can say is that those who visit it fall in love with it for its great and welcoming atmosphere.

Despite its large dimensions, Madrid It is a very comfortable city to visit since most of its heritage and places of interest are found in its historic center.

El Escorial Monastery near Madrid
El Escorial Monastery near Madrid

To highlight its very important museums, highlighting the Prado Museum, and corners like the Sun Gate, Plaza Mayor or Retirement park.

EXCURSIONS from MADRID

There are several declared places Heritage across surroundings of Madrid that can be visited in one day.
The most outstanding corner that we consider a mandatory visit that you should include in your European tour dedicating a day to it is the medieval city of Toledo Known as “the city of 3 cultures”, a place where Muslims, Jews and Christians coexisted.
But there are two other day excursions that also stand out, such as the majestic El Escorial Monastery and the historic cities of medieval origin of Ávilawith its wall, or Segovia, with its enormous Roman aqueduct and Alcazar.
It is very worth it. If you have time, include some of the beautiful Andalusian cities of Arab influence Grenada y Cordova, but to visit them you need to spend the night and return to Madrid.
Here you have information about tours and excursions from Madrid.

You will need a minimum of two days to visit Madrid, and if you have time, reserve an additional day or two to visit its surroundings.

Here we leave you all the information you need to know about what to see in Madrid

2. Barcelona (Spain)

La modernist city of Barcelona It is one of the most fashionable in the world, and with good reason.

Sagrada Familia in Barcelona in Spain
Sagrada Familia in Barcelona in Spain

It is located 600 km from Madrid, but less than an hour by plane with flights almost every hour, although you can also go on the fast train (AVE) which arrives in three hours.

Compare the prices of the two options, because depending on the date one or the other may be cheaper.

It is the land where Gaudí created some of his masterpieces that attract millions of visitors and that make up the unique urban planning of the city of Barcelona, ​​where the impressive Sagrada Familia.

But there are also many other notable corners such as the Gothic Quarter and Gothic cathedral Hello Gorgeous Cathedral of the Sea.

EXCURSIONS from BARCELONA

There are two cities in Catalonia that are very interesting and you have them very close to Barcelona.
On one hand, Tarragona with its historic center with vestiges of ancient roman tarraco, which is declared Heritage, and Girona, with a charming medieval old town.
Another good option if you have time to visit the surroundings of Barcelona is monserrat monastery, one of the most visited places in Catalonia.

Furthermore, it is located in a spectacular location such as the coast of Mediterranean coast, which provides a spectacular climate throughout the year.

3. Rome (Italy)

Navona square in Rome in Italy
Navona square in Rome in Italy

 

From Barcelona there are frequent flights to Roma so in less than 2 hours You plant yourself in the historic Roman city.

Capital of one of the most important empires in the history of the HumanityRome preserves an impressive heritage.

It seems a miracle that after more than 2000 years colossal buildings like the Colosseum Novel or Pantheon of Agrippa.

Rome is huge and you need a minimum of 2 days since you also have to include the Vatican visit.

Roman forum in Rome
Roman forum in Rome

If you want to have time to see everything, the ideal is that you sign up for one excursion or guided tour, because the city is so big and has so many corners to see, that in two days you will barely have time and that visit will take you directly to the most outstanding places.

EXCURSIONS from ROME

From Rome you have the possibility of going to a city that would also be included in the routes through southern Europe, such as Nápoles or and above all you have the opportunity to visit the remains of Pompeii in one day.

Here we leave you all the information you need to know what to see in Rome.

4. Florence (Italy)

Florence It is another of those cities in Italy that undoubtedly cannot be missing in a trip to Europe.

It is the cradle of Renacimiento and one of those cities that gives you more than you expected and to which you would return without hesitation.

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From Rome The best thing is to go by train, whose ticket costs you about 30 euros, and in just over an hour you are in the center of Florence.

Palazzo Vecchio in Florence
Palazzo Vecchio in Florence

For visit Florence In depth you need two days, and just like in Rome, it is advisable to start your visit by signing up for a tour with guide in Spanish that puts you in context of what you are seeing so you can make good use of your time.

EXCURSIONS from FLORENCE

There is a visit that you have to do yes or yes from Florence, and this is to get closer to Pisa to climb to the top of its leaning tower.
Other highly recommended excursions are the beautiful town of San Gimignano , beautiful town with medieval towers, and Siena with his famous Field Square.
If you're short on time, you can still see Florence in one day and do this excursion in another to see some of these corners of the beautiful region of the Toscana.
Here you have information about Tuscany tours from Florence.

Here we leave you all the information you need to know what to see in Florence.

5 Venice (Italy)

Grand Canal of Venice in Italy
Grand Canal of Venice in Italy

Venice is the city of channels, where there are no cars but boats, and which you find just over 500 kilometers from Rome.

For travel to Venice from Florence There are several options, since you can go by car, train or plane, but if you are short on time, the last two options are ideal.

Always full of tourists, this is understandable because Venice is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world.

La St. Mark's Square, with its beautiful Byzantine style basilica, as well as the Great channel will be the two main axes of your visit, which you can round off with a gondola ride through its canals.

EXCURSIONS from VENICE

Venice can be visit in two days, and if you have an extra day, it's worth doing the vaporetto excursion awarded by the Venetian Lagoon for visit the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.

Here we leave you all the information you need to know what to see in Venice.

6. Berlin (Germany)

To follow the proposed route, you must do it by plane, since it is the fastest way to reach the center of Europe.

In just over an hour and a half you would arrive at Berlin, and in two hours Amsterdam.

Visit the capital of Germany It would require you to dedicate at least two days, so it is an option to consider only in the case of a long-term trip.

Here you have the Top places to see in Berlin, in addition to information about tours and excursions What you can do in the German capital.

If you have the possibility on the days of your trip, you have the option of traveling to other prominent Central European cities, such as Prague, Budapest o Vienna, But also warsaw, Krakow o Munich,

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7. Prague (Czech Republic)

Old Town Square in Prague in Czech Republic
Old Town Square in Prague in Czech Republic

In fact, all these cities justify making a route through the center of Europe on another trip across the continent.

And specifically we want to highlight you Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, a true fairy tale city, where you will see its best corners in the old town square, Bridge of Carlos and the enclosure of Prague Castle, where is the cathedral.

Also from Prague you can take excursions as beautiful as Carlsbad y Cesky Krumlov.

Specifically, here are some tips for visiting Prague, In the Czech Republic.

8. Amsterdam (Netherlands)

After having visited Venice, you will see that Amsterdam It is a city that also stands out for its canals, but with a very different style from the Italian city, and in an area of ​​Europe where it is very difficult to see a hill.

Amsterdam It is one of the cities in the world with the least restrictive laws in aspects that in other countries are condemned with the death penalty.

But there is more to this factor that is so linked to its image, Amsterdam It is an incredible city full of flowers and mills between canals, and where among other attractions you have the van goth museum, an essential visit if you like the work of this artist.

It is also one of the cities in the world where the world's environment is most cared for, in which bicycles and boats are the kings of the streets and canals.

Another advantage is that you are in one of the regions of Europe best served by train, which allows you to reach other Dutch cities quickly and comfortably, such as Hague, in even the very close Belgium.

It is also worth spending a day visiting other places near the capital where you can see rural Holland, such as Volendam, Zaanse Schans or Giethoor.

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9-10. Bruges and Ghent (Belgium)

Bruges Canals in Belgium
Bruges Canals in Belgium

Witches y Ghent They are two cities of fairy tale, with monuments and corners with great charm.

These are relatively small cities where canals and bicycles also play a major role.

You can visit each of them in one day, although in Belgium there are other cities that are also worth visiting, such as Antwerp, the university Leuven and, of course, the Grand Place of Brussels.

Here we leave you all the information you need to know what to see in Belgium.

11. Paris (France)

Seine River Cruise in Paris
Seine River Cruise in Paris

What are we going to tell you about Paris, city ​​of love, Torre Eiffel, Louvre Museum and a thousand other charming corners that make it one of the most visited cities by travelers year after year.

Of course, in Paris you should not miss making a Seine river cruise.

If you come from the region of Flanders, the best way to get to Paris is by train, since in a short time you will find yourself in the center of the French capital where the gastronomy also occupies a prominent place.

12. London (England)

And as the end of the route, we recommend that you finish the trip in London, what is perhaps the most cosmopolitan city in Europe.

Cross from the continent to Britain It means taking you to another vision of Europe, where driving on the left will catch your attention.

Views of London from the dome of St Paul's Cathedral
Views of London from the dome of St Paul's Cathedral

Those red double-decker buses, the classic telephone booths of the same color, and its iconic monuments make London a special city.

EXCURSIONS from LONDON

Another good alternative when in London are the excursions that you can do in one day, as there are many beautiful cities and places in its surroundings.
To highlight the cities with a university tradition such as Oxford: Cambridge, or medieval towns like Canterbury, or you can also sign up for an excursion to see one of the most mystical places such as Stonehenge.
If you have more time to round off your trip to Europe, it is worth flying to Edinburgh, the Scottish capital.

There are many small details of everyday life that will catch your attention, as well as emblematic corners among which the Tower of London, the near Tower BridgeBig Ben, Buckingham Palace or institutions like the British museum.

Here we leave you all the information you need to know what to see in london

We hope that this route that we propose will be useful for you to plan your own trip in the order proposed or the other way around, skipping cities or spending time on excursions.

Have a good trip.

About the Author

Carlos Sarralde

A great traveler from a very young age, Carlos is one of the founders of Guías Viajer, where he tells us about his experiences in the most varied countries in the world, from the United States and Sri Lanka, to Greenland and French Polynesia.

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  • For me it is undoubtedly Amsterdam, I have visited other cities, but I always return to Amsterdam. Good article, thank you very much. All the best.

  • What a cool guide! I still have some cities to visit, so I'm keeping it to myself!!! What I will do is repeat the experience of using the camever.es disposable cameras, it gives a different touch to the memory you keep from each trip! Looking forward to more!!

  • Sometimes we like smaller cities than the ones everyone visits, especially when everything is so touristy, the most paradigmatic example is Venice.
    Thanks for all the information, your blog is wonderful.
    Greetings bloggers
    Wolf BoBo

  • I love it!! The only one I don't know if I would add to the list is Prague. It is true that it is a very beautiful city and it is always on the most typical routes through Europe, but when I went a few years ago in the summer, it seemed too crowded. I suppose it is a smaller city and we all concentrate on the same points, but there were corners where the sheer number of tourists there seemed exaggerated. And that made it lose a bit of charm in my opinion. I'll have to come back out of season to give it a second chance!

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