Jun 26, 2024 • 7 min read
12.06.2024 - 20:17 / lonelyplanet.com / River Thames
Jun 12, 2024 • 12 min read
There is simply no way to tour Europe and not be awestruck by its natural beauty, fascinating history and dazzling artistic and culinary diversity.
Europe’s wealth of attractions is its biggest single draw: Florence’s Renaissance art, Venice’s graceful canals, Paris’ Napoleonic splendor, and the multilayered historical and cultural canvas of London. There’s also a huge diversity of natural scenery: rugged Scottish Highlands with glens and lochs, the flower fields and hilltop villages of Provence, and the Adriatic coastline speckled with thousands of islands. And those are just the highlights.
Some of Europe's most popular spots have also felt the effects of overtourism in recent years, as increasing visitor numbers leave an impact on local populations, services and historic sites. Traveling off-season, supporting local businesses and researching the particulars of the issue in your chosen destination can help offset some of the problems.
But with a little planning and care, you’re in for the journey of a lifetime. Here are 27 of the best places to visit in Europe.
Truly one of the world’s greatest cities
London is mercurial and endlessly fascinating; you could spend a lifetime getting to know it, then realize it’s gone and changed again. Stretching back from the mighty River Thames, its lush parks and historic districts are crammed with extraordinary sights: royal palaces, towering cathedrals and remarkable museums and galleries. Add the pick of the world’s theaters, restaurants, sports venues and shops, and you’ll be very reluctant to leave.
Planning a visit to London? Time it right with our seasonal guide
Magical city seemingly floating on water
A sunny winter’s day, with far fewer tourists around, is the perfect time to lap up Venice's unique and magical atmosphere. Ditch your map and wander the shadowy back lanes of Dorsoduro while imagining secret assignations and whispered conspiracies at every turn. Then visit two of Venice’s top galleries, the Gallerie dell’Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, which house works by many of the giants of 20th-century art.
Visiting Venice requires a delicate balance. Here are 25 things you need to know before you go
Get up close with an architectural icon
Designed as a temporary exhibit for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World Fair), Paris’ elegant art nouveau Eiffel Tower has become the defining fixture of the skyline.The first floor is home to glitzy glass pavilions housing interactive exhibits; outside, peer down through the glass floor to the ground below. Visit at dusk for the best day and night views of the City of Light and make a toast at the sparkling champagne bar.
Classical ruins mixed with contemporary
Jun 26, 2024 • 7 min read
While I am, admittedly, biased as a lover of the city, the best time to visit Lisbon is really any time. The Portuguese capital is a hybrid of activity at all times, with warm temperatures outside even in the winter months, and a seemingly endless list of great hotels and restaurants to visit no matter what month you arrive. Plus, Portuguese warmth and hospitality is a year-round thing, so you can expect a sunny welcome whether it’s July or January.
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Jun 12, 2024 • 7 min read
While growing up in Dubai in the early 1990s, our family's culinary adventures were mostly limited to shawarma and falafel takeaways, dining at Indian and Pakistani restaurants, or American fast-food chains.