A European destination vacation is popular with all travelers. Whether you’re on a budget, seeking adventure, taking a social trip or wanting to explore nature more, Europe has got you covered.
But with so many places to choose from, it can be hard to work out exactly which European destination to visit, right?!
Fortunately, we’ve got you covered. Below is a round-up of the top 11 European destinations and why you need to visit them.
Keep reading to find out more, and get ready to explore some amazing European destinations.
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European Destination 1: Croatia
If you love great weather, stunning beaches, beautiful architecture and fresh seafood then Croatia is the European destination you!
In addition to its beautiful beach scenery, Croatia is also home to some incredible waterfalls.
If you’re keen to head to Croatia, why not make it a road trip? The perfect 12-day Croatia road trip itinerary awaits you here. And, if you’re on a budget, Split in Croatia is one of the best summer destinations for backpackers.
European Destination 2: France
Bonjour! France is known for its exquisite food, art, architecture and fashion, so there’s nothing more to say here … Just kidding!
Be prepared to eat and drink your weight in delicious French pastries, cheese and wine (amongst all the other delicious delicacies). Basically, kicking European destination goals.
Of course, you’ll work off some of the food you eat as you explore the incredible sights of Paris like the Louvre, the Arc De Triomphe and the Eifel Tower! Alternatively, you could explore these sights via Paris’ millennials-only river cruise!
Want to explore more than just Paris? Well of course you do! Why not take a Siene River Cruise? It will take you down from the historically relevant Normandy Beach through to Paris.
European Destination 3: Greece
Did someone say Santorini?! Greece really lends itself to making your Instagram feed look amazing with its epic scenery. It’s also full of great food, friendly locals and a ton of history (just swing by the Acropolis and prepare to be amazed).
Plus, hopping around the Greek islands guarantees you’ll be having the time of your life. Pro tip: if you’re in college and looking for some adventure, Corfu in Greece is a great destination for backpackers.
Be sure to also check out this post about the time Alyssa went on a booze cruise in Corfu before you book your tickets to this epic European destination!
European Destination 4: Iceland
Iceland is full of so many amazing natural sights, it’s hard to know where to begin with this European destination!
There’s the amazing blue lagoon, aka, the iconic milky blue geothermal pool that is not only the most popular tourist attraction in Iceland, but also one of the 25 Wonders of the World.
Then there’s all the waterfalls to chase, plus glaciers, lagoons, canyons, beaches and hot springs to explore.
Best of all, you can snorkel between two continents while in Iceland. That’s right, you can snorkel between the America and Eurasia continental plates in the Silfra fissure in Thingvellir National Park.
You probably don’t need any more convincing, but just in case, lots of famous movies have been filmed in Iceland. It’s also a top destination for solo travel, ticking off all the travel goals basically.
European Destination 5: Italy
Like France, Italy is known for its exquisite food, art, architecture and fashion so you’ve got all the reasons to visit! But, let’s break down some of the reasons why you need to visit this European destination anyway.
First up, food! Italy is renowned for its love of and commitment to beautifully made pasta, pizza and gelato (because there is always room for dessert, right?!).
Let’s not forget the amazing Italian wine either. Fun fact: did you know that Italy is the world’s largest producer of wine and is home to some of the oldest wine-producing regions?
Then there’s all the amazing historical architectural and artistic delights to see. You know, like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum, and the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. As if that wasn’t enough, Italy is also home to the very picturesque five lands, aka Cinque Terre.
Finally, Italy is one of the top 5 attractive countries in the world (we’re not just talking about the beautiful the sights and scenery here!), and has really great people, culture and language in general. What more could you want?!
European Destination 6: Malta
An island located in the centre of the Mediterranean, Malta is home to some of the brightest blue water around.
Of course, being an island, Malta is full of opportunities to explore the ocean whether it’s via boat, or with a bit of snorkelling and scuba diving action.
But Malta is also so much more than beautiful water and water-related activities.
This island is jam-packed full of history, with its central Mediterranean location having made Malta an alluring prize for many military and economic powers in the past.
For the film and television fanatics, you can stop by the set of the old Popeye movie and visit Mdina (which is known for its appearance in Game of Thrones).
Want to know more about all the exciting things you can do in this top European destination? Check out this ultimate Malta travel guide.
European Destination 7: Norway
Obviously, you want to go to Norway to see the amazing Northern Lights, right?! Indeed, chasing the Northern lights is one of the biggest draw cards of this European destination.
Beyond this amazing natural sight, Norway is also home to some incredible mountains, glaciers and deep coastal fjords.
If you’re really keen to explore Norway, why not take the train from Oslo to Bergen. Or, you could venture out to Svalbard, an Arctic archipelago in between Norway and the North Pole that happens to be a top adventure destination.
Just be sure to follow these tips on packing for the cold weather before you board your flight!
European Destination 8: Romania
That’s right, the land of Transylvania and home to Dracula’s castle! Romania is full of jaw-dropping castles, with mountainous scenery to match!
For the adventure seekers out there, the rocky peaks of this European destination lend themselves to some serious rock climbing, as well as skiing and snowboarding during the winter (obvs).
More of a social traveler? Romania has got you covered!
Bucharest, Romania’s beautiful capital city, is one of the best social travel destinations to visit. Full of stunning rooftop bars, secret garden bars and street dance parties, Bucharest will have you living your best social butterfly life!
Don’t forget to stop by the cute Instagram Umbrella Street (as officially named by Alyssa!) to snap a pic or five.
European Destination 9: Spain
Welcome to the good life! Spain is home to some incredible architectural sights, amazing beaches and loads of delicious paella (yum!).
Starting off with the famous La Sagrada Familia – one of the most fascinating basilicas you’ll ever see! And who knows, maybe when you visit it’ll no longer be under construction … after about 135 years!
If you’re a fountain aficionado, be sure to check out The Magic Fountain in Barcelona. You will be mesmerised by a stunning spectacle of lights, music and fountains!
There’s also no beating the beautiful Spanish beaches. Places like Mallorca and the famous Spanish Island of Ibiza are not to be missed (your Instagram will thank you for this!)
Not to mention, Spain is another one of the top 5 attractive countries in the world (yes, we’re talking about the people) so that’s always a bonus.
European Destination 10: The Alps
Because every traveler wants to experience at least a portion of this breathtaking mountain range!
The Alps are the highest and most extensive mountain range system in Europe, stretching approximately 750 miles across eight Alpine countries. This includes France, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia.
As you travel through the Alps, you’ll see the stunning mountains (obvs), beautiful lakes, gorges and dams and lush forests.
The best way to explore the Alps is through this epic Absolutely Alps Roadtrip. So go on, get out there and start exploring this amazing European destination.
European Destination 11: Turkey
While Turkey is mainly located in Asia, a portion of it is also a part of South Eastern Europe so it’s still a top European destination too!
Here you will get to feast your eyes on some amazing mosques, underground cities and world heritage sites that will make you feel like you’re in Athens or Rome.
Turkey is also home to fancy travertine infinity pools and the famous (‘gram-worthy) hot air balloons at Cappadocia.
Need more inspo to go to this European destination? You can read about all the things you’ll miss out on if you don’t go to Turkey here.
How many of these European destinations will you be visiting? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to play a little flight roulette to get the best flight price.
Finally, if you’re looking for an extra tip before you start planning your Europe trip check out this post on 20 unique places in Europe. You’ll be able to tick these unique places off as you visit the destinations in this article!
Great list! I’ve been to most of these, but I really hope to see Norway and some of the others as well soon.
Norway is amazing! Especially if you can see the Northern Lights!
And the Czech Republic…! 😀 No, seriously… these are amazing destinations. I’ve been to all except Norway and Malta, but still haven’t seen enough of each and every. Europe is awesome!
I’m so jealous, I’ve only been lucky enough to visit Turkey out of your suggestions, if you ever go back, paragliding over the Blue Lagoon at Olu Deniz is a must!