Europe is where history mingles with modern flair and it’s also a place where you’ll see some of the most beautiful cities in the world.ย I personally think one of the best ways is to explore Europe is by rail (ideally before youโre 26 if you can so you can get the best deals).ย Whilst driving can be fun, train will take you wherever you want without the worry about whether you can work the SatNav… oh and the views are pretty special too. Having grown up in the UK my first major travelling trip took me to Asia and Africa and my second was a little more closer to home. From my own Euro rail adventures, here’s the cities I think you should definitely include on your itinerary…
Amsterdam
First up is Amsterdam and not just because it starts with an A! Amsterdam is a great starting place on your Eurorail or Eurostar trip. Having not been there before I didnโt know what to expect – of course Iโd heard the stories of the โspecialโ cafes and the Red Light District but the capital does have a lot more to offer.ย Explore the canals, the attractive Jordaan district and embrace Amsterdam’s new era ofย hip hangouts and sophisticated joints. Want to keep it more like a local? Hang out at one of the city’s famous nicotine stained ‘Brown cafes’ instead.
My Amsterdam tip โ It’s easy to overspend in Amsterdam as you’ll be having so much fun, it’s probably a better idea to have a budget in mind and then double it.ย
Prague
Next up on my list is Prague – a truly beautiful city that has a lot to offer. Yes it has become very touristy but it’s still hasn’t lost any of its charm. Some of the most impressive places of interest include the Old Town (Stare Mesto), Prague Castle and the very attractive Old Town Square (Starmestske namesti).ย If youโre with a group of friends and want to try something a little different then visit the MindMaze, a live interactive adventure game where you are in a room and have an hour to work out how to get out!
My Prague tip โ Stay a little outside the city to get the best prices – here you can have a good night out for less than ยฃ20.
Budapest
If you enjoy Prague then youโll love Budapest – itโs sometimes known as Paris of the East and if you visit Andrรกssy Avenue youโll see why. Take a cruise down the Danube and enjoy the beautiful sites of Buda and Pest and include a visit the Central Market Hall where you can sample some food and drink specialities with the locals.ย No trip to Budapest is complete without a trip to one of the cityโs baths – the Gellรฉrt Baths and Rudas Bath are two of the most famous and both worth visiting. There is also the fascinating Kirรกly Baths, which is a smaller bath which was built in the second half of the 16th century.
My Budapest tip โ If you visit the baths be prepared to only be given a small cloth to cover your modesty! The rare few (all of whom are tourists) who do wear shorts will be stared at!ย
Vienna
My next choice is Vienna for both its culture and its beauty. I would suggest spending a couple of days here to really make most of the city’s beautiful historic centre filled with Baroque castles,ย traditional wine taverns, elegant gardens andย contemporary architecture mixed with art deco masterpieces.ย The Kunsthistorisches Museum is very impressive and boasts a wonderful Egyptian collection as well as a picture gallery that includes work by Caravaggio, van Dyck, Titian and lots of other masters.
My Vienna tip โ If you can, experience a live classical music concert in the city, after all this is where Mozart found his fame!
Geneva
This is a famously beautiful city in Switzerland should definitely be included on your Europe by train trip. Include a visit to the fairytale-esqueย Chรขteau de Chillon (pictured above) and theย Place Bourg du Four, a historic town square in old Geneva surrounded by exquisite architecture. Here you can enjoy a beer or coffee and watch the world go by.ย The Swiss are known for their watch making skills so also include a visit to the Patek Philippe Museum, where you’ll find a vast and intriguing collection of watches and clocks.
My Geneva tip โ Budget properly for this stop, this is not a cheap place!
Bruges
Probably Belgiumโs most famous city is Bruges and like Venice and Amsterdam, Bruges is a canal-based city. Here romance fills the air and the historic centre is so beautiful and historically important it’s been listed as an UNESCO World Site (since 2000). Kick back and enjoy a beer and mayo frites at an al fresco cafe or join a popular canal boat tour as a way to explore the city views in comfort.
My Bruges tip โ Watch the film ‘In Bruges’ before you go!ย
Lisbon
Lisbon is another beautiful city and well worth a stop on your Euro trip. It was once often overlooked as a travel destination but that’s changing rapidly and has become a lot more popular in recent years. Apart from taking a sunny stroll and enjoying the gorgeousย baroque architecture, make sure you include a visit to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte for the incredible views of the city (especially at sunset).
My Lisbon tip โ Lisbon is also great for shopping so take plenty of cash and include a visit to the sprawling modernย Amoreiras Shopping Centre.
Barcelona
I also recommend the fun, progressive city of Barcelona – home of Gaudi, one of Europeโs best football teams and the hosts of the 1992 Olympic Games.ย Spainโs coolest city has lots of intriguing artwork and sculptures as well as a lively beach front. The Picasso Museum is definitely worth a visit but nothing beats wondering around Park Guell enjoying the surreally beautiful architecture on a sunny day.
My Barcelona tip โ Go on a tourist bus on your first day, I wouldnโt usually recommend them but in this city it’s a good way to get your bearings and get discount vouchers for the top sites at the same time.ย
Paris
You can’t miss out Paris on your trip, especially if you haven’t visited Europe before. It maybe the city of love but it’s also a great place to visit with just friends. Of course you should visit all the big hitters like the Eiffel Tower, Musee du Louvre and Notre Dame Cathedral but also squeeze in a few lesser known spots such as the Luxemburg Gardens, Musee dโOrsay and Parisโ Mosque. Next take the TGV (France’s answer to the Eurostar) to Italy with Rail Europe for example.
My Paris tip โ Head to Rue Mouffetard for wide choice of restaurants, my personal favourite is Restaurant Le Jardin DโIvy.
Rome
Last but definitely not least is Rome, my favourite city in Europe. Like Paris there are many classic sites you’ll want to tick off – the Colosseum, St Peters, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. Whilst I would recommend seeing these sites also make sure you go for a walk from Piazza della Repubblica to Barberini and to the top of the Spanish Steps and enjoy the views across the city.
My Rome tip -โ To get your authentic Roman experience I would recommend staying, eating and drinking in Trastevere.
I hope you enjoy your Eurorail trip, being Europe there was definitely a lot of competition. Do you agree with my selection?ย
25 Comments
Erkan Kilim
21 April, 2014 at 3:36 pmGreat want to visit all, I been so many countries, great however North Cyprus is another not discovered place, I suggest to check,
Jo (The Blond)
14 March, 2014 at 12:38 amAwesome photos!
I think Cracow would be a good addition.
Scott Balaam
19 March, 2014 at 8:53 pmA good shout – I haven’t been there yet but I’ve heard some great things about it.
Matthew Fine
10 March, 2014 at 11:04 pmGreat List! A couple of my favorite places on here, and some that I hope that I get to live in one day
Scott Balaam
19 March, 2014 at 8:53 pmWhere would you like to live?
I still dream of returning to Rome – whilst I only lived there for two years and Latina one it still feels like my spiritual home.
Tina
6 March, 2014 at 6:04 amThat was awesome.. great pictures.. It makes me wanna visit all of them.. ๐
Scott Balaam
19 March, 2014 at 8:52 pmDo it …
Sadly it’s not that easy!
Follow your dreams and choose the one you want to go to first and then take it from there.
PurpleTravelKate
5 March, 2014 at 9:52 amThis takes me back. I went interrailing a few years ago and it was one of the best experiences of my life. My favourite was Vienna by far, it was just gorgeous!
Scott Balaam
19 March, 2014 at 8:51 pmA beautiful place – very relaxing. I was lucky enough to enjoy a free concert in the main square – I was also amazed how friendly and helpful everybody was.
Gokhan
4 March, 2014 at 10:04 amalmost been all of them and all were real pleasures and want to do it again with Interrail ๐ which makes it even more enjoyable!
Scott Balaam
19 March, 2014 at 8:50 pmInterrail is brilliant – such a good way to travel. It allows you to go wherever you like without having pressure of driving and it’s much more fun than being stuck on a bus.
Sand In My Suitcase
4 March, 2014 at 4:46 amGreat list! Bruges is on our list :-). Would love to visit for its chocolate, beer and bike riding!
Scott Balaam
19 March, 2014 at 8:47 pmGlad you agreed – I think it surprised most people.
Timothy Chow
3 March, 2014 at 7:42 pmI’ve only been to Rome and Barcelona on this list so I can only vouch for the two. Great list – hoping to tick more of them off my bucket list soon!
Scott Balaam
3 March, 2014 at 9:48 pmI would highly recommend it – there’s so much to see but luckily it doesn’t take too long to travel around.
Research is key – pick the main places that you want to go and see and the experiences that you want to have.
Good luck.
Emma
3 March, 2014 at 5:01 pmGreat choices, I think mine would be the same as well and they’re all pretty different from each other which makes a great trip!
Scott Balaam
3 March, 2014 at 9:46 pmThanks – I tried to compile a nice balanced list with something for everyone.
Agness
3 March, 2014 at 2:08 amPrague is the place!
Scott Balaam
3 March, 2014 at 9:44 pmLots of fun – such a pretty city.
I did enjoy my time outside the main city – it helped on the budget enjoying those cheap pints!
Mike
1 March, 2014 at 6:32 pmThis is awesome, Scott! They were all awesome and I’m choosing one to comment on because it really stuck a chord. Geneva and the Chรขteau de Chillon. It’s still a ways out…but my first European trip will focus on the Alpine countries so this one is right up my alley! Thank you for the smile ๐
Scott Balaam
3 March, 2014 at 9:43 pmGlad you liked it – I must admit I would love to look at at top ten ski/snowboarding spots around Europe.
Iain
1 March, 2014 at 10:22 amI was slightly disappointed by Lisbon (maybe it was the rain?).
A MUCH better city to visit is Porto. Especially a rail-trip up the Douro valley to Pocinho.
Scott Balaam
3 March, 2014 at 9:41 pmIt’s a tricky one – I was swayed by football and the aquarium but it was also a lovely sunny few days which helped!
Marysia @ My Travel Affairs
28 February, 2014 at 9:59 pmWow, great list! Almost all my favourites cities ๐
Scott Balaam
3 March, 2014 at 9:40 pmGlad you liked it – where else would you have added? I almost included Berlin but it just missed out sadly.