Europe might be small in size, but it packs a serious punch when it comes to travel. Where else can you hop between dozens of distinct cultures, languages, and cuisines in just a few hours?

Whether it’s wandering through centuries-old cities, riding scenic trains through the Alps, or drinking world-renowned wines in the scenic countryside, Europe offers an unmatched mix of history, beauty, and culture.

This list is for the curious traveller - the one who loves exploring both iconic landmarks and lesser-known local gems.

After years of exploring the continent, we’ve put together a list unforgettable countries to travel to in Europe, including our top experiences in each.

Each country links to our in-depth travel guides, to help you plan your dream trip.

Overview: Unforgettable Countries to Travel to in Europe

Must-Visit Travel Destinations in Europe

1. Denmark

Best for innovative cuisine / cool local hangouts / shopping / picturesque neighbourhoods

Colourful buildings along the Nyhavn canal in Copenhagen with boats docked in front.
Locals sunbathing and hanging out by the canal at La Banchina, a favourite summer hangout in Copenhagen.
Copenhagen

Denmark is effortlessly cool. Locals embrace slow living - biking through the city, swimming in the canals, and gathering at wine bars - while the country’s clean design and innovative plant-based food scene add to its modern charm.

What makes Denmark unique is how livable it feels: stylish yet relaxed, modern yet unpretentious. It's ideal for travellers who love great design, thoughtful dining, and discovering local hangouts that feel more like best-kept secrets than tourist attractions.

Our 3 Top Travel Experiences in Denmark:

👙 Biking through Copenhagen’s hip Refshaleøen neighbourhood to La Banchina, a local hot spot on the canal for summer swims and sunset drinks.

🥕 Discovering Denmark’s plant-based food scene, from quirky eateries to Michelin-starred restaurants redefining veggie-forward dining.

🎠 Soaking in the vintage charm of Tivoli Gardens, the world’s second-oldest amusement park.

Check out our Denmark travel guides.

2. England

Best for history & tradition / pub culture / countryside retreats / art & music

A London pub garden on a sunny day with people seated under a clear canopy, reflecting classic English pub culture.
Back view of a Cec's sister walking a narrow trail through green fields toward a distant castle, capturing the charm of the English countryside.
From English Pubs to countryside walks

England is a dream for history lovers and culture seekers. Where else can you explore castles by day and catch a musical or cutting-edge gallery opening by night?

In London, you can sip afternoon tea in a grand hotel or stroll through centuries-old parks, while creative neighbourhoods buzz with indie cafes, markets, and street art.

Outside of the big cities, you’ll find charming villages, dramatic coastlines, and rolling countryside with traditional pubs around every corner.

England’s magic lies in its mix of old and new - perfect for travellers who love iconic sights but want to dig into what’s current too.

Our 3 Top Travel Experiences in England

✨ Dressing up for afternoon tea at The Ritz, an iconic London experience complete with live piano in a grand setting.

🎨 Walking along Regent’s Canal in East London and soaking in the creative energy of the neighbourhood at Towpath Cafe for lunch.

🐑 Wandering through the idyllic Cotswold countryside and unwinding at a spa hotel surrounded by rolling hills and honey-stone villages.

Explore our England travel guides.

3. Finland

Best for sauna culture / architecture / design / shopping

A red sauna hut with a painted peacock mural near the water at Sompasauna in Helsinki.
Cec wrapped in a towel sitting by a lake after sauna, surrounded by birch trees, embodying Finland’s deep-rooted sauna culture.
Finland's sauna culture

Finland is for travellers who crave something off-the-beaten path and deeply connected to nature.

Whether it’s plunging into an icy lake after a wood-fired sauna, spotting the Northern Lights in Lapland, or wandering through Helsinki’s sleek design districts, Finland has a quiet magic all its own.

It offers solitude and simplicity that feels luxurious. As the design capital of the world, it also surprises with visual beauty at every turn.

Our 3 Top Travel Experiences in Finland

🛍️ Shopping boutiques for vintage glassware and chic objects for the home.

🧖‍♀️ Discovering Finland’s sauna culture and cooling off with lake dips between steams, just like the locals do.

☕ Trying traditional Finnish delicacies like rye pastries and pulla (cardamom bread) at cozy cafes tucked into Helsinki’s design-forward neighbourhoods.

Read our Finland travel guides.

4. France

Best for food & wine / architecture / art & culture / fashion & lifestyle

Fine dining at a rooftop restaurant in Paris with a glowing Eiffel Tower view.
Sunlit alley opening to a café terrace in Provence with people dining beneath umbrellas, evoking classic French café culture.
France has an exceptional culinary scene

France is pure sensory indulgence. One moment you’re sipping Pinot Noir in a quiet Burgundy village, the next you’re having a picnic beside the Eiffel Tower or wandering through lavender fields in Provence.

From the glamour of the Côte d’Azur to the charm of Parisian cafes and the scent of fresh pastries drifting from a corner boulangerie, every part of France feels cinematic.

With each region offering its own flavours, traditions and style, it’s a country that makes you want to slow down, explore deeply, and experience it all.

Our 3 Top Travel Experiences in France

🚗 Cruising through the Luberon Valley in Provence, sipping rosé in hilltop villages, shopping local markets and finding scenic places to enjoy a leisurely picnic.

✨ Dressing up for a romantic dinner with a sparkling view of the Eiffel Tower.

🥐 People-watching at outdoor cafes with a fresh croissant and coffee.

See our France travel guides.

5. Georgia

Best for rich culture / food & wine / art & music scene / architecture

The lively Fabrika courtyard in Tbilisi filled with locals enjoying drinks, am Andy Warhol-inspired Campbell's tomato soup can table and a large disco ball capturing the city’s creative, social spirit.
Hand holding a glass of Georgian wine with sweeping views of the Kakheti countryside, a region famed for 8,000 years of winemaking.
From buzzing Tbilisi to the quiet Kakheti wine region

Tucked between Europe and Asia, Georgia feels like one of the continent’s best-kept secrets. Whenever people ask us what our favourite country we’ve travelled to is, Georgia always stands out as one of the top.

It’s a place where meals are built for sharing and stretch late into the night, wine flows freely (they’ve been making it for 8,000 years), and everywhere you go, there’s a strong sense of pride in Georgian language and traditions.

In Tbilisi, a young creative scene is reshaping the city through electronic music, art collectives, and independent design studios - breathing new energy into its historic streets.

Whether you're sipping Kisi wine in the Kakheti wine region or dancing till sunrise in a former factory, Georgia offers a raw, soulful travel experience that feels both old and completely new.

Our 3 Top Travel Experiences in Georgia

🎶 Dancing to techno in unique venues - from beneath a sports stadium to a former thermal power station - a night out in Tbilisi feels like a nod to Berlin’s 1990s rave scene, full of energy, change, and freedom of expression.

🍷 Drinking wine in the beautiful Kakheti region and learning about Georgia's 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition, where grapes are still fermented in earthenware vessels called qvevri.

🥟 Eating savoury and satisfying Georgian dishes - from cheesy khachapuri to juicy dumplings called khinkali.

Explore our Georgia travel guides.

6. Germany

Best for culture & traditions / cuisine / art & music / road trips

Charming houseboats and waterside cafés line a calm canal surrounded by trees in Berlin.
Graffiti-covered wall in Berlin.
Berlin

Germany offers so much more than bratwurst and beer halls (though those are worth trying, too). From Berlin’s edgy art and music scene to the fairytale villages of Bavaria, it’s a place where history, creativity and tradition all thrive side by side.

Add in forest hikes, magnificent castles and Christmas markets that feel straight out of a snow globe, and you’ve got something for every kind of traveller.

Our 3 Top Travel Experiences in Germany

🎶 Experiencing Berlin’s legendary nightlife, where world-renowned techno clubs pulse with the energy of artistic rebellion and cultural transformation since the fall of the Wall.

🚗 Driving and hiking through the dramatic mountain landscapes of the Zugspitze region in Bavaria - home to Germany’s highest peak.

🍺 Wandering traditional markets, eating schnitzel and bratwurst, drinking wheat beer, and picking up festive hand-carved ornaments.

Check out our Germany travel guides.

7. Greece

Best for history / island hopping / dreamy beach days / cuisine

The illuminated Acropolis rises above the lively Plaka district at night in Athens with bustling streets below.
Beach-goers sunbathing and swimming along rocky steps by the turquoise sea in Hydra Island.
Jump from ancient ruins to dreamy remote beaches in a matter of hours

Greece is pure Mediterranean joy - sun-soaked islands, whitewashed villages, and sparkling turquoise waters that feel straight out of a postcard.

But there’s more to it than the views. Ancient ruins, warm hospitality, and long, lazy meals of grilled seafood, tzatziki and local wine make the experience feel rich and grounded.

Whether you’re exploring ancient temples in Athens, island hopping or boating to a secret beach, Greece is perfect for travellers who want history, fresh cuisine, idyllic beaches and warm Mediterranean breezes in equal measure.

Our 3 Top Travel Experiences in Greece

🏛️ Watching the Acropolis light up at night from buzzing rooftop bars in Athens.

🏖️ Spending a leisurely beach day on Hydra, a low-key island loved by locals and artists, with no cars, just donkeys and sea views.

🌅 Watching the sunset over the caldera during a romantic dinner in Santorini.

Read our Greece travel guides.

8. Hungary

Best for old-world charm / thermal baths / architecture / nightlife

Front view of the grand Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest, showcasing its gothic spires and central dome.
People relaxing in the warm blue waters of the Széchenyi Thermal Bath with yellow neo-baroque buildings in the background.
Budapest

Hungary strikes a beautiful balance between grand and edgy. In Budapest, opulent bathhouses sit beside ruin bars built in crumbling courtyards, and the city buzzes with art, music, and old-world charm.

Outside the capital, you’ll find peaceful countryside, wine regions, and lakeside retreats. It’s a great pick for travellers who love moody architecture, thermal baths, hearty food and cities with a strong sense of identity.

Our 3 Top Travel Experiences in Hungary

🧖‍♀️ Soaking in Budapest’s iconic thermal baths.

🏰 Taking in the panoramic view from Buda Hill, with the grand Parliament building glowing across the Danube, and warming up with hot apple cider from a nearby market.

🍹 Ruin bar hopping through Budapest’s Jewish Quarter, where crumbling courtyards have been transformed into some of the city’s most creative nightlife spots.

See our Hungary travel guides.

9. Italy

Best for food & wine / art & architecture / postcard-perfect villages / history

Assorted Italian cheeses and meats laid out picnic-style with Florence’s Duomo and city skyline glowing at sunset.
Colourful villas perched on rocky cliffs above turquoise waters in Portofino, Italy, surrounded by lush green hills.
From Italy's romantic cities to its colourful coastal villages

Italy is endlessly captivating, with each region offering its own slice of culture, history and character.

One day you might be driving through the Tuscan hills, stopping at hilltop villages and wineries, and another, seeing Renaissance masterpieces in Florence or exploring the winding canals of Venice.

In Naples, it’s all about wood-fired pizza, while islands like Capri bring a dose of Mediterranean glamour.

Italy is perfect for travellers who want to soak up history, taste incredible food & wine, and experience beauty in every form - from the art to the architecture to the landscape.

Our 3 Top Travel Experiences in Italy

🚗 Driving through the scenic countryside of Italy’s wine regions, like Tuscany and Piedmont, tasting world-renowned wines like Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico, Barolo, and Barbaresco.

⛱️ Lounging on idyllic beaches and dining at colourful seaside restaurants along the Italian Riviera.

🧺 Enjoying a sunset picnic with panoramic views of the Duomo and terracotta rooftops in Florence, one of Europe's most romantic cities.

Explore our Italy travel guides.

10. Monaco

Best for luxury / opulent architecture / dressing up / people-watching

The ornate white façade of Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo with luxury cars parked at the entrance during golden hour.
Cec in a stylish black suit walking through a tiled courtyard lined with palm trees and terracotta pots in Monte Carlo.
Monte-Carlo

Monaco is Europe’s most opulent microstate - a glittering mix of super yachts, grand casinos and Mediterranean views.

From the iconic Casino de Monte-Carlo, famously featured in James Bond films, to lavish Belle Époque hotels, the setting is as refined as the lifestyle.

Whether you're watching the Grand Prix or enjoying an aperitif by the port during golden hour, Monaco is perfect for travellers drawn to luxury, the high life, and a Riviera spectacle in a compact setting.

Our 3 Top Travel Experiences in Monaco

♠️ Dressing up, sipping champagne and people-watching at the glamorous Casino de Monte-Carlo.

🛥️ Strolling through Casino Square and along Port Hercules at golden hour, taking in the glowing opulent buildings and mega yachts.

🛎️ Splurging on a stay at a grand Belle Époque hotel and enjoying poolside service in true Riviera style.

Check out our Monaco travel guides.

11. Netherlands

Best for canal-side charm / architecture & design / creative scene /nightlife

A bicycle leans against a bridge railing lined with fuchsia flowers overlooking a calm canal in Amsterdam on a sunny day.
A disco ball reflects green and yellow laser lights in a dark nightclub setting at Awakenings Festival in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam

The Netherlands feels both laidback and forward-thinking. Amsterdam’s canals, historic homes, and buzzing bike culture are just the beginning.

Beyond the capital, you’ll find colourful tulip fields, modern art museums, and charming small cities that feel lived-in and local.

Whether you’re riding through the countryside or cafe-hopping in a city square, the Netherlands is made for travellers who enjoy thoughtful design and cultural depth.

Our 3 Top travel experiences in the Netherlands

🚲 Biking along pretty canals, past historic townhouses and leafy streetscapes.

☕ Hanging out at cafes and people-watching in hip local neighbourhoods like Oud-West and Jordaan.

🪩 Experiencing Amsterdam’s electronic music scene at alternative, creative parties tucked away in unexpected locations.

Read our Netherlands travel guides.

12. Portugal

Best for history / food & wine / shopping / sandy beaches

People relax under a shaded terrace on a rooftop cafe with views of Alfama rooftops and the Tagus River in Lisbon.
Narrow cobbled alleyway in Alfama, Lisbon, with pastel walls, wrought iron lamps, and warm light streaming in.
Lisbon

As a seafaring nation that once shaped global trade routes, Portugal’s history runs deep. Lisbon - one of Europe’s oldest capitals - predates Rome and still hums with life, from its rattling vintage trams to its mosaic-tiled facades.

Porto seduces with steep cobbled lanes and riverside wine cellars pouring world-famous port.

The beaches, especially in the Algarve, are some of the most beautiful in Europe, framed by golden cliffs and turquoise waters.

Our Top 3 Travel Experiences in Portugal

🛍️ Exploring Lisbon’s narrow cobblestone streets and browsing boutiques and markets for handmade ceramics and artisan treasures.

🍷 Tasting a vintage Port from the year we were born.

🏖️ Swimming at Algarve’s golden-sand beaches, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and turquoise Atlantic waters.

See our Portugal travel guides.

13. Scotland

Best for cultural depth / road trips / castles & folklore / hiking

Cec floating in a crystal-clear rock pool surrounded by rugged mountains and moody skies at the Isle of Skye's Fairy Pools.
Dimly lit whisky bar with red velvet chairs, dark wood shelves, and hundreds of whisky bottles lining the back wall at The Fife Arms in the Scottish Highlands.
The Scottish Highlands

Scotland is wild, moody and full of story. One day you’re hiking through the misty Highlands to waterfalls, and the next, you’re sipping whisky by a fireplace in a cozy pub.

Its quiet landscapes are perfect for a road trip, and the cities have their own charm - layered with Medieval and Gothic architecture, local design, and a growing creative scene.

Whether you're drawn to dramatic coastlines or centuries-old traditions, Scotland is made for travellers who crave atmosphere, history, and a touch of magic.

Our Top 3 Travel Experiences in Scotland

🚗 Road tripping through the Scottish Highlands to see the dramatic landscapes featured in films like The Wicker Man, Prometheus, and Harry Potter.

🧚 Hiking in the Isle of Skye and swimming in the magical Fairy Pools.

🎨 Staying at The Fife Arms, a wildly eclectic art hotel in a remote village with over 16,000 works - playing Scrabble beneath a real Picasso and sipping whisky in the velvet-draped bar.

Explore our Scotland travel guides.

14. Spain

Best for culture & nightlife / food & wine / architecture / golden beaches

Cec seated at a bistro table under a cream-coloured awning at a restaurant in the Old Town of San Sebastián, Spain.
People sunbathing and swimming at a sandy beach in San Sebastian, Spain, with colourful umbrellas and rocky sea break in the distance.
San Sebastian

Spain has a bold spirit and rhythm all its own. From the flamenco pulse of Seville to pintxos bars in San Sebastian and beachside lounging in Mallorca, every region brings its own personality.

Architecture ranges from Moorish palaces to Gaudí’s creations in Barcelona, while food is at the heart of daily life - think jamón ibérico, market-fresh seafood, and regional wines that pair perfectly with the local dishes.

Our Top 3 Travel Experiences in Spain

🍢 Pintxo bar hopping in San Sebastián, sampling small bites and local wine in the city’s lively old town.

👜 Shopping for chic Spanish essentials - like woven beach hats from Casa Ponsol and handmade sandals from Alpargatas Toni Pons.

🏖️ Relaxing on scenic beaches with a glass of sangria along Mallorca’s quieter northwest coast.

Read our Spain travel guides.

15. Switzerland

Best for nature / road trips / outdoor activities / cheese lovers

Cheese fondue lunch with white wine on a wooden deck overlooking the snow-covered Matterhorn at Chez Vrony in Zermatt.
Charming wooden chalets dot a snowy hillside in Zermatt, Switzerland, with the rocky Alps rising behind.
Zermatt

Switzerland feels perfectly composed, with alpine villages, shimmering lakes, snowy mountains and wildflower meadows.

In winter, you can ski some of Europe’s longest runs, ride the highest gondola in Europe, and stay in cozy chalets tucked away in the Alps.

In summer, road trips through the mountains reveal jaw-dropping scenery at every turn, with well-maintained roads and plenty of scenic stops.

The food is deeply regional - fondue, raclette, and hearty alpine fare - paired with Swiss wines that rarely make it beyond the border.

It’s a dream destination for travellers who love nature, mountain culture and quiet luxury.

Our Top 3 Travel Experiences in Switzerland

⛷️ Skiing in Zermatt and stopping at coy mountainside restaurants with spectacular Matterhorn views.

🚠 Taking in panoramic views of the Alps, whether by helicopter or riding one of Europe’s highest gondolas.

🧀 Eating Swiss cheese specialties like fondue and raclette in a traditional wooden chalet.

Check out our Switzerland travel guides.

We hope you enjoyed these memorable travel destinations in Europe!

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