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European Best Destinations is a travel website dedicated to promoting European culture and tourism. Created in 2009, EBD has been the most visited website dedicated to tourism in Europe for ten years. Over half a million travellers from 78 countries voted on destinations that would feature on the list of the continent's best places. Factors considered included the destinations' cultural and touristic offerings, quality of life, sustainable development elements, and growth in social media popularity over the last year.
Alongside the usual suspects, the list includes plenty of lesser-known destinations and considers everything from green spaces and safety levels to a destination's historic attractions. Thanks to the list, you can now discover the top European destinations to visit and find inspiration among European destinations perfect for a city break, a sunny holiday, a romantic getaway, shopping, culture or immersion in nature. There is a theme to suit every traveller.
These are the top 20 in Europe's 2023 EDB list of best destinations. Take your pick.
Warsaw
Perfect for a family break, a cultural holiday, or a romantic vacation, Warsaw, which topped the European Best Destinations 2023, has something to offer everyone. Take a walk in its beautiful parks, relax on its city beaches, take advantage of its excellent gastronomic offer, come anytime, and take advantage of its rich calendar of events.
Athens
The capital of Greece is a must-see destination for many reasons. It is known to be the cradle of democracy and philosophy. Then there is the azure sea, the incredible landscapes, the gastronomic delights, the electrifying nightlife, and a booming art scene. It is an artistic beacon of the ancient world, with spectacular Mediterranean landscapes. Athens is also considered one of the best street art destinations in Europe.
Maribor
The Slovenian city is a charming cultural, culinary, and educational centre with deep cultural and historical roots dating back to the Middle Ages. The old city centre offers a wealth of rich heritage experiences. The locals are proud of their Guinness World Record holder the oldest grapevine in the world. Maribor also hosts numerous international cultural and sporting events throughout the year. Don't miss the lively atmosphere of its summer festivals. You can enjoy an active city break just a hop, skip, and jump away from the city centre on Mt. Pohorje,, where the picturesque natural scenery offers endless hiking, biking, skiing, and adrenaline sports opportunities.
Vienna
What could be more romantic than a horse-drawn carriage ride followed by a visit to Vienna's Royal Palaces In the evening, how about a waltz to Strauss' Blue Danube, which will transport you to the reign of Empress Sissi Vienna is also an excellent choice for a vibrant, one-of-a-kind city tour for groups, families, lovers, and singles. It is an openly gay-friendly city (Conchita Wurst was born there) and one of the safest in Europe. Vienna is well-known for its high level of living and low crime rate. The city's parks are regarded as among the most beautiful in the world.
Cittadella
Cittadella, located in the Veneto Region of Northern Italy, is commonly regarded as Europe's most beautiful walled city. It is 60 km from Venice and Verona (1 hour by car) and only 3 hours from Milan or Florence. With a daily voyage from Cittadella, you can easily reach both the shore of the Venetian Lagoon and the Dolomite mountains. Given its central location, it is undoubtedly a good starting place for exploring the Veneto and the rest of Northern Italy. Cittadella is not just Europe's most beautiful walled city but also Europe's best-preserved city. Cittadella is said to have been founded in 1220. This explains the historical significance of its walls, which marked 800 years since their construction in 2020. Cittadella is Europe's only walled city with an elliptical mediaeval walkway that is entirely walkable. Therefore, the walls are stunning and symbolise all the nearby walled cities.
Essen
Essen is most likely the most fascinating big European city you've ever heard of. Germany's third greenest city, European Green Capital, in 2010, and a thriving metropolis in the Ruhr region. Almost no other German city has such a diverse array of intriguing contrasts. UNESCO World Heritage Zollverein meets the magnificent Villa Hügel, the former family seat of the Krupp family, and a world-first high-tech city tour meets the world's oldest fully sculptural statue of the Virgin Mary - the Golden Madonna in Essen Cathedral.
Veszprém
The European Cultural Capital 2023 is also one of your Best European Destinations 2023 and the Best Hungary Destination 2023. Veszprém, Hungary, is located between the Bakony Hills' wooded slopes and Lake Balaton's northern side. It boasts exceptional natural and environmental benefits and an enticing cityscape. This lovely city has acted as a cultural crossroads for a thousand years. Explore the modern art galleries at your leisure, enjoying the works of a diverse creative community via rotating exhibitions. The city's cultural life is shaped even more by the city's intense music scene and several music festivals.
London
It is time to rediscover London in 2023 beyond Big Ben, the London Eye and Madame Tussauds. Several parks in London are among the most beautiful city parks in Europe. It boasts heritage marketplaces like Portobello and beautiful mansions that have served as the scene for classic films like "Notting Hill." Discover Camden Town's unique and vivid neighbourhood. Stroll from the neat business avenues of Regent Street and Oxford Street to the designer, artistic, and independent shopping areas of Carnaby Street or Covent Garden don't miss the gay and LGBTQ quarter of Soho and marvel at the theatre posters advertising world-class musicals.
Grenoble
Grenoble enjoys a unique geographical location amid iconic mountain ranges such as the Vercors, Chartreuse, and Belledonne. A creative and exciting city that is constantly reinventing itself. You chose Grenoble Alpes as the green destination for this year's competition (given the title of European Green Capital by the EU), and it is now one of your top ten favourite destinations in Europe. It is an ideal destination for an urban and nature-based stay, accessible without a car, offering a subtle balance of culture, living arts, wide open spaces, and outdoor activities in both winter and summer (ski touring at 'Col de Porte,' urban via-ferrata on the foothills of the Bastille, canoeing on the Isère river, paragliding in Saint Hilaire du Touvet, and night skiing with breathtaking views of the Alps).
Mannheim
Mannheim is a vibrant city of experiences in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region in Germany. Something is always going on here. Mannheim, known as the city of squares, impresses with many architectural gems. People from over 170 different countries shape the ambience of this academic city. The city of arts and events draws everyone from theatregoers to technophiles, jazz connoisseurs, and moviegoers. While the Reiss-Engelhorn Museum complex and Kunsthalle art gallery transport tourists to worlds ranging from early human history to contemporary art. The green metropolis on two rivers' banks mixes urbanity with recreational activities in nearly wholly unspoiled natural settings.
The others on the list include Porto-Santo in Madeira Islands, Toledo in Spain, and Faial in the Azores. For the complete list, check here.
