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Centuries-old villages, dramatic mountain ranges, world-class architecture, and beaches famous for their white sand and turquoise waters span Europe—from the northernmost end of Scotland down to the Mediterranean.
The competition is tough, so to determine 20 of the most beautiful places in Europe, I spoke with two travel experts: Jim Strong, a member of Travel + Leisure‘s Travel Advisory Board and president of Strong Travel Services, and Emma Major Schroeder, owner and luxury travel advisor at Major Traveler. Read on to see their picks, as well as a handful of my own.
Lake Como, Italy
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Lake Como’s beauty is far from a secret, and it’s popular for a reason. “I always tell clients that this is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The stillness of the lake with the backdrop of the dramatic mountains creates a stunning setting,” says Schroeder. “As you cruise through the lake on a private boat, it’s hard not to soak in the scenery and beauty.”
Corfu, Greece
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The second you arrive on Corfu, there’s a high chance the word “paradise” comes to mind. This is a place where you can immerse yourself in natural beauty—from the turquoise waters to the rugged mountains, all of which can be experienced while hiking the Corfu Trail. You won’t want to skip the Old Town of Corfu, either. The UNESCO World Heritage Site features fortresses, palaces, and narrow cobblestone streets and alleys known as kantounia.
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, England
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“Kent is known as the ‘Garden of England,’ and Sissinghurst Castle does not disappoint,” says Strong. “The lawns and terraced colors of wildflowers of the area are a treat to the soul. A stroll around the grounds is tranquil in any weather, but spring and summer are the highlights.” Created in the 1930s by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, the English garden has a series of “rooms,” all featuring different designs and planting strategies. Depending on when you visit, you may get to see daffodils, peonies, magnolia blossoms, or blooming fruit trees.
Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland
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You’ll need to travel to the Bern region of Switzerland to find the Lauterbrunnen Valley—which Strong recommends for its “stunning” views of mountains and waterfalls—and its collection of quaint villages: Wengen, Gimmelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Isenfluh, Mürren, and Stechelberg. “You can enjoy a cable car ride or an old-world-style train ride to enhance the views,” he adds, referencing the Schilthornbahn, which brings travelers up to Mürren, and the Jungfrau Railway, a historic railway that reaches Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe.
Pienza, Italy
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“Located in Tuscany, and home of Pecorino di Pienza cheese, Pienza is a tiny hilltop town with views of rolling Tuscan hills at every street turn,” says Schroeder. “As you walk through the town, you can smell the Pecorino cheese and even stop for a bit to taste. There are quaint bars and restaurants lining the outer edges of the town, which provide the perfect opportunity for an aperitivo overlooking the beautiful Tuscan landscape.” The historic center of Pienza is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dinant, Belgium
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You’ll need to head to the Walloon region of Belgium to experience the allure of Dinant, a city that sits on the edge of the River Meuse, right where the waterway cuts through the Condroz plateau. Dinant is the perfect combination of natural and man-made beauty. On one end, you have impressive architecture, like the 13th-century Gothic Collegiate Church of Our Lady of Dinant; on the other, you have the Bayard Rock, an imposing rock formation that once served as natural protection against enemies of the city.
Bacharach, Germany
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“Set on the Rhine with centuries of history, this village ticks all the boxes of a European dream,” says Strong, noting the medieval architecture and fairy-tale half-timbered buildings. Nestled in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and historic transport route, Bacharach also boasts gorgeous views of the Rhine River; the vineyards just outside the village, Strong says, are an “added plus.”
Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia and Albania
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Lake Ohrid may fall under the radar for most travelers, but once you get a glimpse of its shimmering waters on a sunny day or learn about its history—the lake is nearly two million years old—you’ll likely want to plan a trip ASAP. The body of water straddles the border between Albania and North Macedonia, and it’s surrounded by ancient villages, rolling hills, and beaches. In the past couple of years, archaeologists have also been working to uncover an 8,000-year-old stilt village, said to be the oldest of its kind in Europe, submerged in the lake.
“Wee Mad Road,” Scotland
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A Scottish road trip will grant you gorgeous views no matter where you go, but Strong recommends heading up north and driving what is often called the “Wee Mad Road.” Part of the North Coast 500, this stretch along the coast in the northwestern part of the country, he says, is “not for the faint of heart, but for those who enjoy the great open scenery and scope of the Scottish Highlands.” “The western side of Scotland offers some of the most dramatic and strange sights while driving on small, one-lane roads,” he adds.
Spiaggia dei Conigli, Italy
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Not only is Spiaggia dei Conigli (Rabbit Beach) one of the most beautiful places in Italy—as well as one of the country’s best beaches—it’s also one of the most stunning destinations in all of Europe. The beach forms an arc, and the bright blue waters are calm and shallow, making this the perfect spot to lounge, swim, or snorkel during a summer day.
Annecy, France
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Europe has no shortage of pristine lakes; you’ll find them across Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and beyond, but one of the most beautiful is France’s Lake Annecy. Fed by mountain streams, the lake is clean and clear, and it’s a popular swimming spot with sandy beaches. The Old Town of Annecy, known as the “Venice of France,” is equally charming; you’ll want to spend at least a few days exploring its canals, bridges, and other landmarks.
Naoussa, Greece
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While Oia, the highly photographed town on the northwestern end of Santorini, may flood your Instagram feed in the summer, there’s another Greek village that’s just as lovely on Paros. “What makes Naoussa one of the most beautiful places in Europe is the contrast of old and new. You have elements of the old fishing harbor and a traditional Greek village paired with trendy restaurants and high-end boutiques,” explains Schroeder. “In my opinion, the beauty of Paros is captured in the village architecture—the large cobblestone streets, the whitewashed buildings with blue shutters, and the pops of pink bougainvillea reflecting on the calm ocean waters.”
Salzburg, Austria
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The beauty of Salzburg is multi-fold. Of course, there are the features and sites most travelers know from “The Sound of Music”: Schloss Leopoldskron, Mirabell Gardens and Pegasus Fountain, and the famous gazebo. But there are also the breathtaking views you can get if you venture to higher elevations. Walk along Mönchsberg or Kapuzinerberg, or take the funicular up to Hohensalzburg Fortress. In the winter, the Christmas markets are pretty magical, too.
Ronda, Spain
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“Ronda is a small town in the southern Spain region of Andalusia. It is most known for the massive bridge that connects the New Town and the Old Town,” says Schroeder. “It sits atop a mountain plateau, which gives dramatic cliffside views at every turn. In spring and summer months, the whitewashed buildings are blooming with bright pink bougainvillea to add pops of color throughout the town.” Ronda is also one of the oldest towns in Spain; there’s evidence it dates all the way back to the Neolithic period.
Värmland, Sweden
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As the lake district of Sweden, Värmland features over 10,000 lakes and the country’s longest river, the Klarälven. Unsurprisingly, it’s ideal for anyone interested in spending days on the water—fishing, rafting, swimming, or kayaking. There are also hiking and biking trails across the region if you’d rather explore on land. While the beauty is apparent all year round, the colder months are exceptionally beautiful in the hilly regions of Värmland, as snow turns the area into a winter wonderland.
Lofoten Islands, Norway
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According to Schroeder, the most beautiful places in Europe are sometimes the toughest to get to. Case in point: the Lofoten Islands, located above the Arctic Circle in Norway. Depending on which island you’re trying to reach, you may need to travel by boat or even helicopter. “I personally love the views of the picturesque fishing villages that sit right on the calm ocean waters. In the winter months, there is no better backdrop for viewing the Northern Lights,” she says.
South Tyrol, Italy
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Italy may have gorgeous lakes, beaches, and islands, but its mountains are just as awe-inspiring. The Italian Dolomites are made up of 18 peaks that rise more than 10,000 feet—creating endless opportunities to hike and ski. Part of the range, including the impressive Three Peaks of Lavaredo, can be found in the South Tyrol province in northeastern Italy. Here, the mountains tower above picturesque villages, vineyards, and valleys; for some of the best views of the craggy summits, book a suite at Forestis—a spa resort tucked away in the mountains above the town of Brixen.
The Azores, Portugal
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It’s difficult, maybe even impossible, to pick the most beautiful island in the Azores—so we’ll go with the entire archipelago. Known as the “Hawaii of Europe,” the Azores has deep crater lakes, hot springs, lush forests, and generally dramatic landscapes. If you can’t choose which island to visit first, start with São Miguel, nicknamed the “Green Island.” Here, you’ll find the twin lakes of Sete Cidades. The volcanic lakes, Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde, are actually connected, but their colors differ drastically, creating a unique sight to behold.
Barcelona, Spain
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Nearly all of Europe’s most-visited cities have some element of beauty to them, but Barcelona is unrivaled in terms of its combination of art and architecture. The Spanish city is famous for its Gothic structures and Gaudí’s modernist creations—his works include Park Güell, the Sagrada Familia, and Casa Batlló. There’s also a heavy touch of natural beauty, which you’ll discover at Barceloneta Beach, Creueta del Coll Park, and Tibidabo, the highest point in the city.
Keukenhof, Netherlands
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Billed as “the most beautiful spring garden in the world,” Keukenhof is one of the best places to glimpse the colorful tulips commonly associated with the Netherlands. The window to see them is relatively short, though, so you’ll need to plan your visit between mid-April to mid-May to experience the peak blooming period. Covering 79 acres, the garden also features roses, hyacinths, daffodils, orchids, lilies, carnations, and irises.
