My Top Ten Favorite Cities of Europe

I should be doing something more productive at the moment, but I need a break from all of our moving chaos. Le sigh.

 I knew that eventually I'd want to reflect on my favorite cities of Europe in a post, and because our travels have slowed doooowwwwn at the moment with an impending move in the works, why not reflect now?

Okay, everyone. While living abroad for 2 years and 11 months, we've officially visited ten countries in Europe (while two of which are more like cities than countries).

Germany

France

Czech Republic

Austria

England

Italy

Vatican (State/City)

Spain

Scotland

Monaco

Disclaimer: Sure, I know a lot of folks who have visited way more countries than myself, but instead of trying to compete with a country count (most people around this place only visit a city for a day just to say they've been to a particular country), we've actually returned to a lot of places when time permitted (Italy & Austria twice, France SIX times, and we've been just about everywhere in Germany). I'm still the only person I know who has visited Versailles more than once...because maybe I'm a weirdo? I like to get to know places I'm in. I don't like visiting a place for a day just to say I've "been". But to each their own!

In fairness to the cities below, we have visited over 75 cities in Europe. These happen to be my top ten, though I know they aren't everyone's favorites, if at all.

Contenders worth honorable mention that *almost* made my list, in no particular order: Salzburg, Austria; Fontainebleau, France; Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

My Top Ten Favorite Cities in Europe:

Number Ten:

London, England

"London calling and I don't want to shout..."

London was definitely calling for us in 2015. I was so worried about weather, wondering if I'd be dressed right, wondering if we'd get lost riding the tube, or fall into the infamous "gap". We made it back unscathed, adding London to a list of places we must revisit some day in the future.

London was my absolute, must see #1 city on my long list of places I wanted to visit while living in Europe. And I am glad I did. But I was certain it'd be my favorite.

It isn't.

Not to say it wasn't enjoyable. I really liked London!

My daughter is obsessed with Paddington Bear, so if you asked her what she enjoyed the most about London, that'd be the answer!

I loved the fact that everyone spoke English (can't lie) after having lived in Germany for 10 months at the time, but I really loved the atmosphere of the city. It, in a strange way, reminded me of an American big city capital; busy, lots to see and do, cool buildings to stare at. Fun for families, couples, friends. It's a place that has something for everyone.

We got super lucky with weather. Sunshine during our entire stay!

I think we buzzed just about everywhere in the city, only missing a few sites that normal folks don't care about (Highgate Cemetery, anyone?). We also spent half a day visiting Hampton Court Palace just outside of the city, which was a dream for me. I have an unhealthy obsession with Anne Boleyn's history...

I honestly think we would've enjoyed this city a bit more if it catered to visitors like many of the other cities in Europe, not to say it isn't welcoming of visitors. It is. I was happy to visit the British Museum for freeeeee, but disappointed that the cool churches in this city charge outrageous admissions. Hello, Notre Dame in Paris is free (where kings and queens married back in ye ol' days, too). Oh, and St. Peter's in Vatican City is free. I dunno. Charging to see the inside of a church is kind of odd to me. I doubt Jesus would approve. 

Number Nine:

Nice, France

Nice is nice, no doubt about it.  We happened to visit only a day and a half after the horrific events of Bastille Day unfolded in 2016; leaving 86 people to lose their lives along the Promenade.

We were in Rome, getting ready to fly out to Nice when the tragic events occurred. It was an unnerving feeling to arrive so soon after it all happened, but I truly believe it added to the welcome feeling of our being there. Everyone in the city was shaken. Tourism the following week sank. We were missing about half of our flight, wondering if we should've detoured. But in the end, it was all 100% worth it.

Nice is a chill kind of town. A place where you wander just because. Sure, I had a small list of things I wanted to see in the area (Monaco, an island, touristy sites), but we mainly enjoyed our time in the water. I do think our stay wouldn't have been complete if we didn't book a hotel right on the Promenade. Sunrises from our balcony were crazy amazing. Watching the moon sit above the water at night was spectacular. And having an easy access to the beach was the best part! We spent four days in Nice, and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of each day.

Number Eight:

Tossa De Mar, Spain

We wanted a neato beach getaway for summer of 2015, and we definitely got it in Tossa!

This tiny beach blip on the map of Costa Brava left us with a strange feeling of familiarity. It kind of felt like a Southern California 'Seal Beach' vibe; not a large tourist flocking, not a dead zone, either.

With cute shops, breathtaking cliff views and a castle right on the water's edge, we didn't find one thing to hate about Tossa de Mar. I also enjoyed hiking the back trail after swimming for a few hours. It was a nice way to dry off in such a beautiful landscape.

Number Seven:

Venice, Italy

This was the city that made me feel most guilty when it came to selfies. Every twist and turn was selfie inspiring. Every nook and crannie was perfectly old world. Venice really took me back to a time I didn't exist in.

While it is a small city on the water, it was full of tourists in early July of 2015. I knew that tourism in Venice spikes in the summer just like everywhere else in Europe, but it was pretty darn easy to wander away from crowds and find a slice of quiet elsewhere. The one negative this city gets: Pushy peddlers. I mean, street vendors are in EVERY city where tourists can be found in Europe, but Venice takes the cake of the pushy variety. In Paris, they're everywhere, too, but in Paris you say a firm "no" and they leave you be. In Venice, most wouldn't take any kind of "no" for an answer until my husband told one where to shove his bouquet of long stem roses...

We highly enjoyed our time in Venice. It was our first experience with gelato while in Italy and we ate a lot of it.  

Number Six:

Nuremberg, Germany

Nuremberg was the first large European city we visited only days after moving to Germany. It's about a 50 minute train ride from where I live, and it remains the most frequented city we've been to in Germany, and for good reason.

Nuremberg has everything. Historical sites, a castle, good eats, amazing shopping, gardens, views, neato fountains and postcard worthy streets. I've been to Nuremberg over a dozen times and it never gets old. I can always find something new in this German city. 

Though it isn't as big as it's Bavarian counterpart (Munich; the capital of Bavaria), we love it more than Munich. Nuremberg gets all six of our votes!

**Bonus Points for the epic Nuremberg Christmas market(s)!

Number Five:

Courseulles-sur-Mer, Normandy, France

In honesty, this is commune rather than a 'city' (like what we Americans call a township), but it served as our home base for spring break week in 2016 while WWII site seeing in the overall area. While there's not much to this small harbor town, goodness, it was adorable, quiet, safe, clean, and I absolutely felt at peace there.

Bonus points for some of the most gorgeous sunsets I have ever witnessed in my life. Oh, and extra points for having some of the largest seashells we've ever seen on a beach. A few free souvenirs!

Number Four:

Île Sainte-Marguerite, Cannes, France

This island was heaven on earth. It's technically a part of the city of Cannes (a 15 minute boat ride from the shore). It's a protected island without hotels or hoards of tourists, with water in shades of blue that we didn't know existed! It was insanely beautiful.

Though we only spent one full day on the island (sun up to sun down), it left a mark on each of us. My kids still bring up this island adventure at least once a week. Not even exaggerating.

 Bonus Points: This island is said to be where 'The Man in the Iron Mask' was imprisoned. Though we didn't tour the rudimentary prison, we did visit the cemetery where he is buried!

Number Three:

Rome, Italy

Roma, oh Roma. I didn't think I'd like Rome, like at all. Especially not after visiting Venice first. Something about Rome put me off before I had even stepped foot in it. But...I knew I would have to visit Rome if I wanted to see my favorite artist's *arguably* most famous sculpture. His name is Bernini, but I digress.

I booked a week long trip to Rome. I figured if I were going to give it the benefit of the doubt, we would need more than a day or two in one of Europe's largest cities. I am so glad it was an extended trip. To be honest, we could've stayed longer!

Rome has so much going on. It is busy, busy: Day and night. Every corner wows with a picturesque old world facade. Every attraction is swoon worthy. At times it felt as if we were walking through a movie set. And gelato, anyone? Amazeballs.

We hoofed most of the city. Worth the swollen feet in the dead of summer. But boy oh boy, we saw just about everything we could possibly fit into our time there. Rome is the ONLY city I've ever bought a touristy shirt in, and yes, I wear it on occasion. Haha.

Number Two:

Edinburgh, Scotland

I was more excited to be in Scotland than a normal person should be. We visited Edinburgh during winter break of 2015, and strange enough, it wasn't freezing balls! I do think that added to our experience: That the city was dealing with higher than normal temperatures. Highs in the mid 50s to low 60s; lows in the low 50s. 

I remember getting off the plane feeling like I was sweating buckets in my parka. It was freezing when we departed Germany that day.

Edinburgh is just oh-so lovely. We spent five days in Scotland (tacking on a day trip to Stirling and Linlithgow). The entire adventure was nothing short of glorious. The atmosphere, the weather, the people. We did not have a single negative to bring back about Edinburgh. It's one of the few places I can say as much about! 

Edinburgh is also one of the few cities that is EXACTLY what you expect after seeing it in movies and in photos. Everywhere you look, it's old, charming, and utterly beautiful. Just typing about it is giving me withdrawals. I honestly don't remember seeing loads of trash along the streets, or beggars. It was one of the cleanest big citites I've ever been in. I give it #2 on cleanest places of Europe we've ever visited.

One of the best parts about our visit? My husband discovered he can do a Scottish accent really well. Actually too well. 

And finally...my favorite city of them all...

Number One:

Paris, France

I know somewhere out there is hardcore rolling their eyes after reading the word "Paris". But y'all, I don't know what it is about it, I am in LOVE with Paris. Every time we visit, I feel like I belong there. I don't feel like a visiting tourist. It may help that French is my second language, though I am not 100% fluent. Maybe?

Anyway, it is the city with the most-est, in my humble opinion. It has so so sooo much to offer for everyone and anyone, if one utilizes enough time while visiting. 

I have spent more time in Paris than any other city in Europe, aside from the city I live near in Germany.

Our first trip was a full week in winter of 2014. We went over Christmas break (we even went to Disney Paris on Christmas day), and the entire trip was 100% worth it.

I loved it so much that I knew we needed to return. And we have, twice!

Paris in the spring and again in the fall. Please don't ask what my favorite season in Paris is, because I LOVE them all!

Yessss, I'm a poet.

You name it, we've done it in Paris. All major museums, parks, sites, even taking a few day trips to Versailles, Giverny, and Fontainebleau. My Tripadvisor account lists more sites/restaurants in the city of Paris than what we've visited in my entire home state back in the U.S. Crazy, but true!

I know a lot of folks complain about how dirty it is, how beggars are everywhere in the metro, how finding a WC is a pain in the ass. But after my second day in the City of Lights, I learned to look beyond that all; to look at Paris without judging her before our trip was done. And after that sixth night in Paris the first time, I knew I was in love. 

If I could be there right now, I would be. But this house isn't going to get itself ready for an overseas move...

Paris is one of the few places I definitely plan to return to Europe to see again.

And I've officially rounded out my top ten list of favorite European cities! 

Whew! That was actually much much harder than it seems. But it is an honest list. While working on this post, my husband came home from work and asked what I was working on, so I told him. He was able to guess my top three in order without me ever revealing what they are. That either means he knows me well, OR that means he enjoyed my top three just as much as I did?

Next Travel Post:

Favorite European castles. I think that list will be harder to make than this one...maybe?