Top European Cities to Visit in 2018
2018 promises to be an exciting year to visit Europe! Here are our top picks of lesser-known European cities that are gems in their own right. Have fun exploring!
Bucharest: Elegance Layered with History
Bucharest
Cismigiu Park, Bucharest
Bucharest, the capital of Romania, is also known as the little Paris of the East. This is a city of contrasts where historic buildings share space with towering, modern skyscrapers. The historic quarter is one of the area’s most popular leisure districts; numerous parks and lakes add to the city’s charm. The Cismigiu Gardens in the center of the city is lovely park built around a romantic lake. Broad avenues like Şoseaua Kiseleff glide past ancient villas and endless greenery to a striking replica of the Arc de Triomphe. Romania is deeply Eastern Orthodox, but the real beauty of Bucharest’s ecclesiastical architecture is not found in big cathedrals. Rather, it’s the small churches and chapels that truly stand out.
Seville: A Cultural Jewel
Seville, Plaza de Espana
Triana, Seville
Lonely Planet’s #1 City in the World to Visit in 2018, Seville boasts a rich Moorish heritage. Its streets and squares in the historic quarter are bustling and lively, dotted with World Heritage-designated buildings that are picture-worthy. Districts such as La Macarena and Triana are replete with museums, art centers, cinemas and theaters, and of course, numerous bars and terraces where you can practice the art of going out for tapas. Seville celebrates the anniversary of legendry painter Murillo this year with several exhibitions and special events; it also hosts the esteemed European Film Awards in December.
Krakow: A Feast for the Senses
Krakow
Distinct cuisine, breathtaking scenery, and untouched nature—those are just some of the delights worth experiencing in Poland. Krakow, a Trip Advisor’s Traveler’s Choice award winner, is one of the most culturally and politically significant cities in Poland. The central site of the Nazi General Government during WWII, one can visit the Plaszow Concentration Camp and the Oskar Schindler Factory. Many travelers to Krakow take an excursion, either privately or with a group, to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the former Nazi concentration and extermination camp and memorial. The Historic City Centre and the Jewish District are brimming with cafés, shops, and pubs, and the 10-acre Main Market Square is a medieval feast for the senses.
Dubrovnik: Unique and Spellbinding
Dubrovnik
A country of dramatic mountainous landscapes and dreamy deep-blue seascapes, Croatia is now easier to visit than ever before. Nestled between the Adriatic and the Dinaric Alps, Dubrovnik is an accessible and affordable city break for many European travelers. The pedestrian-only Old Town is especially charming. The medieval walls afford ever-changing views out to sea and over the ancient town, and hark back to the 13th century. The Rector’s Palace should not be missed, a sumptuous confection of Renaissance and Baroque styles. The palace now hosts the Cultural History Museum, filled with period furniture and costumes, as well as paintings of Ragusan aristocrats. During the Dubrovnik Summer Festival (July and August), head to the courtyard for classical music recitals.
Lyon: Riverside Sophistication
Lyon
Paris may be the epitome of all things French, but overlooked Lyon, France’s “second city,” outshines the capital in a few key areas. The impressive cultural heritage of Lyon is evidenced in this Musée des Beaux-Arts, considered the next-best fine arts museum in France after the Louvre. Lyon’s Notre Dame – the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere—sits prettily atop the city’s main hill, offering views down to the riverside streets below, and, on clear days, across to the snowcaps of the Alps. Founded as Lugdunum in 43 B.C., Lyon’s Roman structures are still impressive today–particularly the remnants of its public baths and the giant amphitheater on Fourviere hill at the Gallo-Roman Museum.
Berlin: A Dynamic Mix of Old and New
Berlin
Berlin, the capital of Germany and the country’s largest city. Despite the devastation of WWII followed by decades of decay to the east of the infamous Berlin Wall, the rebuilt city today stands as a testament to the country’s economic and cultural importance. Berlin offers an eclectic mix of new and classic architecture, dynamic entertainment, shopping, and a wide variety of sports and cultural institutions. Noted for its cultural flair, it is home to the Berlin Opera and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, while its diverse art scene encompasses hundreds of galleries and museums, including those centered around Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Berlin’s oldest and largest Prussian estate, the late 17th-century Charlottenburg Palace was for decades the most important place of residence for German royalty. Beautifully restored, this enormous palace boasts many important features, from its massive 50-meter-high central dome to the exquisite Orangery added in 1712.
Budapest: Splendor on the Danube
Castle Hill, Budapest
The appeal of Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is multi-faceted: visitors from all over the world go to experience the city’s rich history, natural sites, and unique cuisine. Split by the Danube River and composed of three main regions (Pest, Buda and Óbuda), Budapest seamlessly blends modern attractions with ancient architecture and tops it off with plenty of bathhouses, the city’s famous hallmark. History aficionados can take their pick between Roman, neo-Gothic, Renaissance and Ottoman architecture at sites like Castle Hill and Fisherman’s Bastion. The best time to visit Budapest is between April and September, when temperatures are warm. Music lovers may be interested in the Sziget Festival, one of the largest music festivals in Europe, held every August. Whether you’re searching for cuisine, shopping, music or museums, you can indulge in them all–prices are fair enough that you won’t have to choose.
