Top 10 most beautiful countries in EuropeAustria. Austria, the land of Mozart and the waltz, is a mix of sparkling alpine lakes, majestic mountains and elegant cities, with a rich cultural heritage and one of the highest standards of living in the world. Active travelers love Europe's wide attractions. You can ski in the French Alps, kayak in Croatia's Adriatic Sea, walk around Grindelwald in Switzerland, and cycle through the Netherlands, just to name a few popular outdoor activities.
It's hard to imagine Italy without salivating because of the idea of its food. This boot-shaped country features tomatoes so sweet they taste like sweets, pizzas cooked to perfection and gelato that literally melts in your mouth. Italy is a utopia for the gonomes. Even brighter than their food are the impeccable architectural and cultural masterpieces found in the ancient buildings, squares and museums dotted by Italy's bustling cities and small picturesque villages.
Valencia will calm your soul with healing sea views, while the Costa Brava offers some of the most stunning beaches in Spain. The village of Hallstatt in the Austrian Alps, Austria is one of those countries that can really take your breath away. Surrounded by the magnificent Australian Alps and dotted with sparkling lakes, this wonderland is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. Austria is also one of the most musical.
It is almost impossible to stroll through the country's many city streets without listening to a song fragment, especially one composed by the famous Austrian Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Born in Salzburg, the influence of the former baroque composer can be felt everywhere (his image is even found in chocolate wraps). Make your way through narrow, winding alleys in the old town, Altstadt Salzburg (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), enjoy lunch in a courtyard or visit a museum or St. Peter's Abbey while you're in town.
A masterpiece of the Mediterranean, Croatia offers landscapes to calm the soul and fresh food to treat the palate. With friendly locals, castles on the hills, preserved Roman ruins and a sea the color of sapphires, it's impossible to feel stressed in this charming archipelago. Split is one of the most vibrant cities in Croatia and the second largest after Zagreb. Both are more than worthy of a visit.
The island of Hvar will help you get your beach; it is considered the sunniest place in Europe. Croatia's supreme glory is its perfect position on the Adriatic Sea. Be sure to board a boat at some point to explore the archipelago, especially the charming Elaphite Islands, which are located northwest of Dubrovnik. Do you feel adventurous? Kayaking and rafting are popular in Croatia, and you'll find plenty of rocky limestone cliffs to jump on.
Lavender field in front of Simiane la Rotonde, Provence, France Less formally known as Holland, the Netherlands offers visitors a relaxing holiday full of art, beauty and plenty of cycling. Amsterdam is one of the best cities to visit in the Netherlands. Despite its somewhat sordid reputation, this place full of canals is beautiful and full of impressive museums (40, to be exact). Don't miss the city's top attractions, the Rijksmuseum, the Ann Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum.
Big cities aren't your only option in the Netherlands. The lovely fishing villages located along Lake Ijsselmeer are worth a stop, especially Marken, Volendam and Enkhuizen. Located in northern Europe, between Norway and Finland, Sweden is the place to visit if you are looking for an incredible view of the northern lights. Here, you can stroll through dense forests, go canoeing through crystal clear waters, and set up a tent in an open field.
Those who appreciate avant-garde architecture will be rewarded with some of the world's most fascinating designs in Sweden. The country's most vibrant city is Stockholm, where you'll find the popular Vasa Museum, as well as stylish shops and restaurants. Don't miss a trip to Skansen, a large open-air museum that represents life in the 1720s to 1960s. Gothenburg, Sweden's second city, is another must-see for foodies (they have fantastic restaurants) and beach lovers alike.
The medieval city of Bruges in Belgium Among its 450-island archipelago, you'll find villages dotted with wooden houses, well-kept gardens, as well as cities with palaces, museums and amusement parks (such as Copenhagen, with Christiansborg Palace and Tivoli Gardens). Now, what makes the continent of Europe so special is that we have around 50 countries, each with its own distinct character, charm and culture, which is incredible to visit. In the highest corner of Europe, Iceland is about a 2.5 hour flight from London and about 5 hours from New York. This makes it a very easy country to visit if you jump from the other side of the pond.
Transportation in Iceland can now be expensive, with distances between many geological sites exceeding 100 km (62 miles or so) at a time. For us, the easiest way to get around Iceland is by car or coach with prior reservation. However, the latter tends to be more expensive. And, for some of Norway's best hikes, head to Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) in Forsand, Ryfylke.
Pack your hiking boots and walk to the steep cliff that rises 604 meters (1982 feet). The view is breathtaking, just be prepared for a little vertigo, the edge of the cliff goes straight to the bottom. With a charming and relaxed atmosphere in its cities and towns, the Netherlands is a wonderful place to visit, very tolerant and progressive. Traveling is also very easy and convenient, as it is one of the most densely populated countries in the world.
Famous for its clogs, canals and windmills, the Netherlands is also home to a host of picturesque farmland and tulips. Since much of its land has been reclaimed from the North Sea by an impressive series of dams and dams, its iconic low-lying landscapes are not to be missed. In recent years, Poland has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, as visitors flock to Gdansk, Krakow and Warsaw. Bordered to the north by the Baltic Sea, with many mountains, forests and lakes also on offer, Poland is a very beautiful, pleasant and picturesque place to visit.
Embracing the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal is blessed with a long, picturesque coastline dotted with beautiful beaches and sleepy fishing villages. Add in its warm and cozy climate, and it's no wonder it's a very popular holiday destination. While many people stay in the coastal region, it is also worth exploring its mountainous interior because of its beautiful landscapes and cities in the hills. On top of all this, the wild and wonderful Portuguese archipelagos of the Atlantic Ocean of Madeira and the Azores are ideal for exotic and exciting escapes.
Located in southeastern Europe, Romania is, in many ways, dominated and defined by the Carpathian Mountains and the Danube River that run through it. As much of it consists of untouched, untouched forests and rolling hills, the country is truly a nature lover's dream. With a beautiful Black Sea coastline, as well as one of the most spectacular routes in Europe in the form of the Transfagarasan highway, Romania is a great tourist destination. In recent years, Croatia has experienced a tourist boom, as visitors from all over the world flock to its shores, and it's very easy to see why.
Germany, home to fairy-tale castles, ancient medieval cities and many romantic landscapes, is an absolutely magical place to visit. The largest and most populous nation in Central Europe, it has a surprising number of different sides. With a wide range of historical sights and cultural sights on display, as well as a host of delicious cuisines to sample, Germany has something for everyone to enjoy. The largest country in the world, Russia and its many riches, could take a lifetime to explore.
It stretches from the Baltic Sea in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east, everything is epic in size and scale. While its dazzling treasures are fascinating, venturing further to Lake Baikal, the Caucasus and Kamchatka is equally rewarding. With fantastic cities such as Yekaterinburg and Irkutsk that lie along the Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia's vast and varied landscapes invite you to. Although famous for its magical mountains, including the imposing 4,478-metre-high Matterhorn, landlocked Switzerland has much more to offer.
Although Greece boasts more than 13,500 kilometres of idyllic coastline, this ancient land is much more than a beach holiday destination. Did you know that 7 out of 10 of the most visited countries in the world are European nations? With more than 324 million international visitors last year, Europe covers more than half of the global travel market. France is the most visited country in Europe, attracting an impressive 81,411,000 foreign tourists every year, more than any other country in the world. In Paris, the capital, you will find iconic structures such as the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.
However, France is much more than Paris; it is also worth visiting the Avignon Festival, the Loire Valley Castle and Les Machines de l'île in Nantes. There is a reason to visit the country at any time of year, whether it's skiing in the Alps or enjoying the sun on the French Riviera. Completing the top five places is Germany, with 28,374,000 foreign visitors a year. Classical music fans will enjoy the country's various music festivals, while art enthusiasts will also be spoilt for choice with a visit to Berlin.
Germany is also famous for its Christmas markets. Make the most of Germany that borders several other countries by visiting several European destinations during your trip. This European city-state is small to the point of absurdity with 499 acres, it is about the size of New York City's Central Park. The European continent has more than 50 countries and it is not always easy to choose when planning a trip to visit Europe.
While Germany may not be the most romantic European holiday destination, its spectacular landscapes (we are talking about beaches lined with sand dunes, thick forests and rugged mountains) make it a worthy destination for every type of traveller. Visit these cheap places in Europe (we're talking about amazing places like Prague and Valencia) or head to these beautiful but affordable European countries (hello, Bulgaria and Romania). These are the 11 most ignored European countries that don't visit enough people and that you should plan your next trip as soon as possible. Belgium, the smallest European country on this list, makes up for its tiny size with plenty of charm, not to mention picturesque medieval towns, UNESCO World Heritage sites and chocolate that will make your taste buds scream with joy.
Discover this small European nation, which offers everything from fun nightlife and incredible art to beautiful nature and breathtaking castles. Not only that, but Europe is also fully accessible once you arrive, with relatively cheap flight options and a European-wide train structure, too. There is nothing wrong with it, not in the least, but the food and night scenes are not particularly exciting, especially compared to other European countries. Do like any backpacker in your twenties and head to Prague, then relax and have a pint along with that sample of 15-link sausages in this completely satisfying European nation.
Stereotyped to death, it still manages to evoke the charm and mystique that few European nations can expect. . .
