It all started with a song I heard from a little house while taking a walk. This song, sung by a foreign singer, gave birth to the desire to see the 10 best European cities.
I haven’t even packed my bags yet, but my heart is already halfway across Europe. I’ve spent hours reading travel blogs, scrolling through photos, and watching videos of people wandering cobblestone streets, gazing up at ancient cathedrals, and sipping coffee in charming sidewalk cafés. Every time I read about someone’s adventure in Paris or their magical stroll through Prague, I imagine myself there; camera in hand, eyes lit with wonder.
These ten cities I’m about to visit have come up again and again in every “must-see” travel list. People say Paris feels like a living poem, Rome like a time machine. Budapest is described as a jewel split by a river, and Florence as an open-air museum. The more I read, the more I realize how different, and equally fascinating, each of these places is. From the buzzing energy of Barcelona to the quiet elegance of Vienna, every city seems to hold something unforgettable.
I haven’t boarded the plane yet, but my excitement feels like I’ve already arrived. So here’s my list; the ten European cities I can’t wait to explore. If you’ve been curious about where to go, maybe this list will inspire your next big adventure too.
10 European Cities I Can’t Wait to Explore
1. Paris, France — The City I’ve Dreamed About
They say Paris isn’t just a destination — it’s a feeling. And I get that now, even before I go. Just imagining myself walking down the Champs-Élysées, with the scent of fresh croissants in the air and the Eiffel Tower peeking through tree-lined boulevards, gives me goosebumps. Every blog I’ve read, every traveler I’ve spoken to, talks about how the city wraps around your senses like a warm scarf in the fall.
The art! The Louvre alone has people raving. One woman said she cried the first time she saw the Mona Lisa — not because of the painting itself, but because it hit her that she was standing in a place where centuries of history lived. Then there’s the Musée d’Orsay, housed in a former train station, filled with Impressionist treasures that apparently take your breath away.
And the food — oh, the food. I can’t wait to sit in a tiny bistro with chipped tabletops and friendly locals, trying escargot for the first time or digging into buttery quiche Lorraine. One traveler wrote that the hot chocolate at Angelina’s was “like drinking velvet,” and I’ve added that to my Paris list right next to crepes by the Seine and cheese tastings in Montmartre.
What I also love is how every corner of Paris tells a story. The literary cafes of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, once home to writers like Hemingway and Sartre. The love notes locked to the Pont des Arts. The old baker who still makes baguettes the way his grandfather did. Paris is the kind of place that doesn’t just show you beauty — it lets you live inside it.
I know people joke about the French being a bit reserved, but travelers say that when you make even the slightest effort to speak the language or appreciate their culture, the locals open up like a well-written novel. That’s the magic of Paris — it may be familiar through books and movies, but once you’re there, it becomes yours in a way you never expect.
And so, with a growing bucket list and a heart full of hope, I’m counting down the days until I finally get to walk those streets, eat that food, breathe that air. Paris, I’m coming for you. And if you’re reading this and haven’t put this city on your list — trust me, it’s not just hype. It’s a whole new way of falling in love with the world.
2. Rome, Italy — Where Every Step Whispers History
If Paris is a poem, then Rome is a living epic. I can barely contain my excitement when I think about stepping into a place that’s been called The Eternal City -where ancient ruins and buzzing piazzas exist side by side like pages from two different centuries, sewn into one unforgettable book.
There’s something magnetic about Rome. It’s not just about seeing the Colosseum, though that alone is enough to make your jaw drop. I’ve read countless travel stories where people say they turned a corner and found themselves suddenly staring at the Pantheon — and had to sit down just to take it in. Imagine that! A temple built over 2,000 years ago, still standing proud, with that iconic oculus letting in a shaft of Roman sunlight. I don’t want to just visit it — I want to feel it.
I can already picture myself tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain (because yes, I’m coming back), and watching the golden glow of the sun sink behind the domes and spires. And let’s not even get started on the Vatican. Even people who aren’t religious say standing inside St. Peter’s Basilica, or under Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling, leaves you speechless. One traveler described it as “feeling small in the most beautiful way.” That stayed with me.
And then — the food. My goodness. Rome isn’t a place where you rush through meals. It’s where you linger over every bite like it’s art. I can’t wait to sit on a cobbled side street with a plate of cacio e pepe, watching locals zip by on Vespas. I’ve read about the little gelato shop near Piazza Navona where the owner insists you taste before you choose, and now I’m obsessed with finding it. People say Roman pizza is different — thinner, crispier, yet somehow still rich with flavor. I’m coming with stretchy pants and zero regrets.
What excites me most is that Rome isn’t just about sights and tastes — it’s about feeling time move differently. One blogger said, “Rome doesn’t rush you. It teaches you to slow down, to listen, and to look up.” That’s exactly the kind of energy I need.
So yes, I’m counting the days. Because Rome isn’t just a stop on a map — it’s a deep, endless well of wonder. And I’m ready to dive in.
3. Barcelona, Spain — Where Art Dances in the Streets
Barcelona has lived in my imagination for years — a city bursting with color, rhythm, and passion. Every article I’ve read about it pulses with energy. They say it’s one of the few places in the world where the architecture makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a dream. And that dream? Painted by none other than Antoni Gaudí.
I’ve spent hours watching videos of people walking through Park Güell, mouths open, eyes wide. One traveler wrote that Gaudí didn’t just build — he played, and the city is his playground. From the curving benches to the dragon mosaic fountain, every detail feels alive. And then there’s La Sagrada Família — a basilica unlike anything else on Earth. Still under construction after more than a century, and yet already more breathtaking than most finished masterpieces. Someone once said, “It’s like standing inside a forest built by angels.” I believe them.
But Barcelona isn’t just about buildings — it’s about vibe. The streets of the Gothic Quarter are narrow and mysterious, lined with tapas bars and shops tucked into stone walls that whisper history. I want to get lost there — to wander without a map, letting the city pull me in every direction.
The food, too, is an experience. I’m ready for patatas bravas, fresh seafood paella, and sweet churros dipped in hot chocolate that travelers say tastes like liquid joy. And the Mercado de La Boqueria? I’ve read it’s a sensory overload in the best way — with stalls of fresh fruit, Iberian ham, cheeses, and juices so vibrant they look like artwork.
Evenings in Barcelona are what dreams are made of. People dine late, laugh loudly, and gather around music and flamenco. There’s something so open-hearted and alive about it. One blogger wrote, “Barcelona reminded me how to live — unhurried, curious, and full of color.” That line lit something in me.
What thrills me most is the balance — the way this city celebrates the past without letting go of the present. You can spend the morning at a centuries-old cathedral and the evening on the beach, with music in the background and your toes in the Mediterranean.
Barcelona is not a place you simply visit. It’s a city you feel deep in your bones. And I’m more than ready to feel every beat of it.
4. Prague, Czech Republic — A Fairytale I’ve Been Waiting to Walk Through
From the moment I saw a photo of Prague’s red rooftops and gothic spires stretching into a lavender sky, I knew I had to go. They call it “The City of a Hundred Spires,” but to me, it looks like something straight out of a storybook — the kind you read as a child and secretly hope is real.
Everything about Prague feels magical. The stories I’ve read speak of misty mornings where the Charles Bridge appears like a dream, lined with statues and lanterns, the Vltava River flowing calmly below. Travelers say if you cross it just after sunrise, when the tourists are still sleeping and the street musicians are warming up, you can almost hear the whispers of history.
Then there’s Prague Castle, a sprawling complex that seems to rise out of the city itself, full of secret gardens, towering cathedrals, and ancient halls. I’ve read about the changing of the guard, the gothic architecture, and the quiet moments when you can stand on a balcony and see the whole city spread out like a painting.
And the old town square! I can picture it now — with its famous astronomical clock that puts on a mechanical show every hour, medieval houses painted in pastels, and cobblestone streets where horse-drawn carriages clip-clop by. One writer said the city feels “frozen in time, but never still.” That phrase captured the feeling perfectly.
Prague also has a surprising youthful energy — there’s a vibrant art scene, quirky cafes, and a nightlife full of jazz bars and clubs. It’s like a fairytale with a modern heartbeat.
And the food? Comforting and hearty. I’m looking forward to trying goulash served with dumplings, trdelník (a sweet pastry rolled in cinnamon sugar), and Czech beer, which people say is some of the best in the world.
Prague feels like the perfect balance — a city where history and magic weave through every street, waiting for me to explore and get lost in its charm.
5. Florence, Italy — The Renaissance Cradle
If Rome is an epic, Florence is a masterpiece — a city where art and history live in every stone, where walking its streets is like stepping into the birthplace of the Renaissance.
I’m drawn to Florence because it’s quieter than Rome but just as rich. The Uffizi Gallery is supposed to be a treasure trove of paintings by Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. One art lover described wandering through its halls as “a conversation with genius.” That’s exactly what I want.
The Duomo, with its famous dome designed by Brunelleschi, looks like it was lifted from a fairy tale. Climbing to the top promises panoramic views that I imagine will take my breath away.
And then there’s the Ponte Vecchio, a medieval bridge lined with jewelers’ shops. I’ve read it’s especially magical at sunset when the light turns everything golden and the river reflects the sky.
Florence’s streets are dotted with artisan shops, quaint cafes, and trattorias serving ribollita (a hearty Tuscan soup) and bistecca alla Fiorentina (a massive, juicy steak). It’s a city made for slow meals and even slower strolls.
Reading about Florence makes me feel like I’m standing on the shoulders of giants — surrounded by creativity, beauty, and the pulse of history. It’s a city I want to soak in deeply, to taste, touch, and live for a little while.
6. Amsterdam, Netherlands — Canals and Culture
Amsterdam has always fascinated me. It’s a city that’s equal parts laid-back and lively, where the water shapes the rhythm of life.
Travelers say the best way to explore is by bike or boat, weaving through the narrow canals lined with narrow houses that lean just a bit, each with its own story. I’ve watched videos of people cycling past tulip fields and bustling markets, and it looks like pure joy.
The museums are world-class. The Van Gogh Museum promises a deep dive into the life and work of a troubled genius, while the Anne Frank House offers a sobering but powerful history lesson. I want to visit both — one to feel inspired, the other to reflect.
The cafés and street markets sound inviting, with fresh stroopwafels and strong Dutch coffee. I want to spend lazy afternoons people-watching, reading, or just floating along a canal.
Amsterdam feels like a city that embraces freedom and creativity — a place where you can be yourself and discover new sides of life.
7. Vienna, Austria — Elegance and Music
Vienna feels like a city from a classical painting — full of elegant palaces, grand concert halls, and rich history.
I’m drawn to its musical heritage. Walking through the streets where Mozart and Beethoven once composed makes me feel connected to something timeless. I want to attend a concert at the Vienna State Opera and hear the music fill the air like it once did centuries ago.
The coffeehouse culture is legendary — ornate cafes where poets, artists, and thinkers gathered. I imagine sitting in one, sipping a rich melange and watching the world pass by.
Vienna’s architecture, from the Schönbrunn Palace to the baroque churches, looks breathtaking. It’s a city that seems to invite quiet reflection and grand celebrations at once.
8. Budapest, Hungary — A City of Thermal Baths and History
Budapest is the kind of city that sneaks up on you. Divided by the Danube, with Buda’s hills on one side and Pest’s bustling streets on the other, it’s a city of contrasts.
The stories I’ve read describe evenings soaking in thermal baths, surrounded by centuries-old architecture and twinkling lights. The Parliament Building along the river is supposed to be spectacular at night, its golden lights reflecting in the water.
I want to stroll through the historic Castle District, explore ruin bars filled with quirky art, and try hearty Hungarian dishes like goulash and chimney cake.
Budapest feels like a hidden gem — a city with layers of history, culture, and warmth that I can’t wait to uncover.
9. Edinburgh, Scotland — Castles and Legends
Edinburgh’s name conjures images of fog-shrouded castles, narrow winding streets, and stories that stretch back centuries.
I’m drawn to its mix of old and new. The Edinburgh Castle sits proudly atop a volcanic hill, watching over a city full of literary history. Walking the Royal Mile promises encounters with cozy pubs, ancient stone buildings, and the scent of peat smoke.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is famous worldwide, and I’d love to visit during that burst of creativity and performance.
Scottish food and whisky tasting are high on my list, too — I want to taste local flavors that tell the story of the land.
10. Lisbon, Portugal — Sun, Sea, and Stories
Lisbon has been climbing my list ever since I saw photos of its colorful tiled buildings tumbling down hillsides towards the Atlantic.
It’s a city of light and warmth, with fado music drifting through narrow alleys and markets brimming with fresh seafood.
I want to explore the historic Belém Tower, ride the iconic tram 28 through the city’s hills, and stand at Miradouro de Santa Catarina watching the sunset over the Tagus River.
Lisbon seems like a city that invites curiosity — a place to lose yourself in stories, music, and the endless blue sea.
Final Thoughts: The Journey Before the Journey
I haven’t even bought my plane ticket yet, but I carry these cities with me like treasures. Each one is a story waiting to unfold, a poem waiting to be lived.
Travel isn’t just about seeing places. It’s about stepping outside the known and letting your heart wander. These cities — with their beauty, history, food, and people — call to me because they promise something deeper than sightseeing. They promise discovery.
So as I dream and plan, I’m already on my way. My heart is halfway there, ready to explore the streets I’ve only ever imagined. And soon, I’ll be walking through them for real.
If you feel that wanderlust, too, maybe it’s time to start planning your European adventure. The world is waiting. But if you feel you need to master your finances, this article will help you check it out! 10 Personal finance lessons that changed a YouTuber’s life.