img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}Disney-like castles perched atop photogenic hilltops, cobbled alleys that wind and twist and turn, leading either to hidden piazzas or secret gardens, and all the ornate facades and intricately-carved architectural details you can lay your eyes on:
Europe is the go-to destination for experiencing all that Old World charm, and let’s not beat around the bush here, it’s where people go to marvel at objective beauty, without the usual clusters of uninspiring skyscrapers and the usual urban pollution you see on a daily basis.
Europe is a reasonably big continent, however, and packed with postcard cities as it may be, it can be hard to narrow it down to the 5 most stunning. Luckily for us, Travel + Leisure seems to have the answer:
Rome, Italy
Based on votes cast from nearly 180,000 readers of the popular travel and lifestyle magazine, Rome is the fifth più bella città in the Old Continent, with a score of 88.91.
A literal open-air museum packed full of Ancient Wonders, you’d reach old age yourself sooner than you could see and savor all that Rome has to offer. If we’re talking searing beauty, however, the city’s vast collection of opulent churches is a good-enough starting point.
The crown jewel of Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica, is undoubtedly the most visually-striking, with its Michelangelo-designed dome and gold decorations; Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, on the other hand, features 5th-century mosaics and a gilded ceiling, and let’s not forget the Pantheon:
Originally a Roman temple, now a Catholic church, it is a marvel of ancient engineering that feels nothing short of ethereal, particularly when the streaks of sun beam through the oculus at the center of its dome—a symbolic link between the Earth and the Heavens.
Then of course, there’s all of Rome’s narrow cobble-paved alleys, ornate fountains (anyone ever heard of Fontana di Trevi?), and a magnificent Colosseum standing tall and proud for the best part of two millennia.
On second thought, are T+L’s readers sure Rome is only fifth on this ranking?
Istanbul, Turkey
With a score of 89.47, Istanbul, the fourth most beautiful city in Europe, is the cultural capital—though not the actual capital—of Turkey.
A sprawling metropolis spanning two continents, with its northern half firmly planted in Southeastern Europe, and the southern part branching out into Asia, Istanbul is where both West and Orient meet, and it’s got the architectural richness to back it up.
From the monumental Byzantine basilicas-turned-mosques (most famously Hagia Sophia) to the breathtaking Ottoman landmarks (like the Blue Mosque), and every café-lined, stone-paved district in between, it’s a city where centuries of history and modern life blend seamlessly.
When in Istanbul, make sure you don’t miss the Dolmabahçe Palace, oftentimes dubbed the ‘Turkish Versailles’, Galata Tower, a medieval stronghold built by Genoese settlers in the Middle Ages, and the vibrant twin neighborhoods of Balat & Fener, with their colorful façades and antique shops.
Granada
A small city in the South of Spain, Granada is Europe’s third best offer, with a reader score of 89.48.
Nestled in the hills of sun-drenched Andalusia, it used to be the last Muslim stronghold in the Iberian Peninsula before the Spaniards took over, and it still largely resembles a North African town.
You didn’t read that wrong. Southern Spain was under Islamic control throughout much of the Middle Ages, and Granada was the last ‘caliphate’ to be reconquered by the Christians. By the time it fell back in Spanish hands, however, the marks of its Moorish past had become indelible.
It is dominated by the Alhambra, the largest Arab-built fortress ever, and a complex of lush gardens and heavily fortified palaces protected by impenetrable outer walls.
At its foot lies the Albaicín, the Muslim Quarter, with its winding footpaths, whitewashed houses, and preserved Moorish homes and baths.
Granada’s architectural grandeur might have been largely a contribution of North African rulers, but the post-Christian era brought its own gemstones, from the Basílica de San Juan de Dios (gold interiors and frescoes), to the Granada Cathedral (best-known for its Renaissance-era facade).
Seville
The capital of Andalusia, Seville is officially the second top-rated city in Europe by T+L readers as far as charm and vivacity go, rated 89.49.
While we could definitely see Rome move up a few spots, we can agree on Seville’s placement.
It is one of Spain’s main cultural capitals, and a melting pot of civilizations stretching as far back as the Ancient Romans, passing by the Moors (the same guys that took over Granada), and then finally, the Spanish Empire.
Santa Cruz is the historic heart of Seville, with narrow streets, colorful front porches, and two medieval centerpieces to top it all: Seville Cathedral, originally built as a Moorish mosque, and the Alcázar, yet another Islamic-era royal palace.
Over in Triana, across the scenic Guadalquivir River, you’ll find flamenco dancers, ceramics shops, and a plethora of centuries-old tapas bars serving Seville’s world-famous patatas bravas and salmorejo soup.
Oh, don’t worry, we got there in the end: where beauty is concerned, Seville’s magnum opus is, without question, the half-moon-shaped, canal-ringed Plaza de España. It’s widely accepted as the most beautiful public square in the country, and a must-see for visitors to the Andalusian metropolis.
Florence
Recently crowned Italy’s top destination by travelers themselves, ahead of Rome, Venice, and Milan, Florence is officially Europe’s masterpiece of a city, with a reader score of 90.08—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
We mean, they should just add Florence as a direct synonym of ‘gorgeous’ to the Oxford Dictionary already:
The birthplace of the Renaissance, and a place that spawned geniuses like Leonardo da Vinci, Machiavelli, Brunelleschi (who, by the way, designed the city’s unmissable red dome), and Galileo Galilei, Florence is the textbook definition of a European powerhouse.
Take a walk around the timeless Old Town, with its ocher-colored buildings and soaring Duomo, with the signature white-green-pink marble facade, cross Ponte Vecchio, with covered merchant shops dating back to the Middle Ages, or watch the sun set over Florence’s belfries up Piazzale Michelangelo:
You’ll end up falling helplessly in love quicker than you can say buchette del vino.
Vinicius CostaVini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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