Best destinations for first-time travelers in Europe

Europe is often the easiest continent to start with, thanks to short distances between countries and infrastructure built for travelers of every experience level.

Trains connect most major cities directly, removing much of the guesswork that comes with navigating an unfamiliar transport system. English is widely understood in most tourist areas, even in countries where it is not the primary language. Guided walking tours are available almost everywhere too, offering an easy way to get oriented in a new city within the first day or two. The variety on offer also means a first trip can include a bit of everything, from major cities to smaller towns, without much added complexity. Short flights between countries also make it easy to adjust the plan partway through the trip.

The destinations on our list for Europe reflect that same ease, with plenty of support available for travelers still finding their footing.

Lists by region

Worldwide (33) Africa (9) Asia (9) Europe (23) North America (21) Oceania (15) South America (9)

City in Austria

A Symphony of Culture and Elegance

Coffeehouses in Vienna are on UNESCO's list of living traditions. Trams circle the Ringstrasse and pass the opera, parliament and palaces. The city is safe, tidy and easy to read. Tour Schönbrunn Palace in the morning. Then order sachertorte and a melange, the local milky coffee.

City in Ireland

Where History, Pubs and Culture Collide

Trinity College holds the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript from around 800 AD. Dublin is small enough to walk. Locals chat easily with strangers in pubs. Tour the Guinness Storehouse for a pint with city views. Ride a short train to Howth for cliff walks.

City in Portugal

Sun-soaked streets and rich history

Yellow Tram 28 rattles through hilly Alfama and past the cathedral. Lisbon is safe, affordable and full of friendly English speakers. Warm pastéis de nata come fresh from the oven at Belém. Take a short train to Cascais for a beach afternoon. Fado music drifts from small bars at night.

City in Croatia

Roman Ruins, Adriatic Vibes, Beaches

Roman emperor Diocletian built a retirement palace here around 300 AD. Locals still live and eat inside its walls. The Riva promenade is flat and lined with cafes. Ferries run to Hvar and Brač islands. Croatia uses the euro. English is widely spoken in shops and cafes.

City in Germany

Bavarian capital of beer gardens and museums

The Glockenspiel at Marienplatz chimes and dances twice a day, which makes a good place to begin. Munich is clean and safe, with a clear metro. Order a pretzel and beer in a historic hall. Mountains and lakes are a short train ride away from the centre.

City in Portugal

Wine, Coast and Old-World Charm

Port wine cellars wait across the Dom Luís I bridge in Vila Nova de Gaia. Porto's hilly old town is compact and easy to walk. Tiled churches and riverside cafes are close together. A metro line runs from the airport. Ride the cheap tram along the Douro river.

Where coastal charm meets cool culture

The smell of fresh fish fills Feskekôrka, a market in a building shaped like a church. Haga is a district of old wooden houses and giant cinnamon buns. A tram to Saltholmen connects to ferries for the car free southern islands. This city is compact enough to explore on foot.

Explore Gothenburg

Vibrant City of Art and Beaches

Gaudí's Sagrada Família has been under construction since 1882 and still draws gasps. The city has a clear metro, a long city beach and plenty of English speakers. Walk the Gothic Quarter by day. Then settle into a tapas bar at 9 pm like locals do.

Explore Barcelona

Region in United Kingdom

Mystic Highlands and Historic Castles

A rail line links Edinburgh and Glasgow in about an hour. Scotland is simple to visit without a car. English is spoken everywhere. Castles stand in nearly every town. Tour a whisky distillery near Edinburgh. Join a day trip to Loch Ness or the Highlands.

Explore Scotland

City in Belgium

Medieval Charm and Chocolate Bliss

The whole medieval centre is a UNESCO site that fits inside a loop of canals. Cars are few. Signs point to every landmark. Climb the 366 steps of the Belfry for rooftop views. Chocolate shops and waffle stands make a sweet end to the afternoon.

City in Netherlands

Medieval Canals, Modern Dutch Cool

The Dom Tower rises 112 metres over canals that have sunken wharf cellars, now full of cafes. Trains link Utrecht to Amsterdam in about 30 minutes. Bikes outnumber cars. The old centre is small. Students keep the squares lively. English is widely spoken, so ordering is simple.

Explore Utrecht

Where islands, history and modernity meet

Stockholm spreads over 14 islands, linked by bridges, ferries and a metro with art in its stations. English is widely spoken. Wander cobbled Gamla Stan, the old town. See the Vasa Museum, which holds a nearly intact warship from 1628. The city is clean, safe and easy.

Explore Stockholm

City in Germany

Port city with warehouses and the Elbphilharmonie

Brick warehouses of the Speicherstadt, a UNESCO site, stand over narrow canals in the old harbour. Hamburg has clear public transport and fish sandwiches sold at the docks. Visit Miniatur Wunderland, the world's largest model railway. The Elbphilharmonie has a free public plaza with harbour views.

Explore Hamburg

City in Denmark

Scandi-cool vibes and world-class food

Tivoli Gardens opened in 1843 and still lights up the middle of town each evening. Copenhagen is safe, small and flat, with bike lanes on almost every street. A metro runs from the airport to the centre in 15 minutes. Eat a pastry beside the colourful Nyhavn canal.

Explore Copenhagen

City in Czech Republic

A fairy-tale city with rich history

The astronomical clock in Old Town Square has chimed since 1410. Prague kept its centre intact through the 20th century. Everything fits in a short walk. Food and beer cost little. Cross Charles Bridge early, before the crowds. Then climb to Prague Castle for a wide view.

City in United Kingdom

A Tapestry of History and Modernity

Visitors tap a bank card on buses and the Tube, so there is no ticket stress. English is spoken everywhere. Many top museums are free. See the Tower of London, which is nearly 1,000 years old. Then stroll the Thames to Big Ben and the London Eye.

City in Germany

Wall history, Museum Island and all-night clubs

The East Side Gallery is a 1.3 kilometre stretch of the Berlin Wall covered in murals. The Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag and Museum Island are in the centre of the city. Trains, trams and buses link most sights and make this city easy to explore. The Reichstag dome has free entry with a booking.

Mediterranean gem with diverse climates

In Greek myth, Aphrodite was born from sea foam near Petra tou Romiou, a rock on the coast. Paphos has Roman mosaics more than 1,500 years old. Churches in the Troodos Mountains have painted walls listed by UNESCO. Britain ruled the island until 1960, so English is widely spoken.

Andalusia's Heartbeat of History

The Real Alcázar still serves as a royal palace, with Moorish tiled courtyards and gardens. The city centre is flat and walkable. Orange trees line many streets. Tapas bars give you small plates and a taste of local life. Visit in spring when the air smells of blossom.

Explore Seville

History, beaches and Mediterranean charm

English is an official language here. The island is small enough to cross in an hour. Valletta's honey coloured streets are a UNESCO site. Buses link most towns cheaply. Boats leave for Comino and the Blue Lagoon. Ferries to Gozo run all day, so island hopping is simple.

City in Netherlands

Royal Palaces, Art and North Sea

The Mauritshuis holds Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring in a small, calm museum. Trams link the centre with Scheveningen beach in about 25 minutes. The city is quieter than Amsterdam. English is spoken everywhere. It is a gentle place to start a first trip.

Explore The Hague

City in Netherlands

Canals, culture and a vibrant spirit

Canals dug in the 1600s ring the old centre, so most sights are a short walk or tram ride apart. Trains from Schiphol Airport reach Centraal Station in 20 minutes. Nearly everyone speaks English. Book the Anne Frank House early. Then hire a bike to cross the bridges.

Explore Amsterdam

The Eternal City of history and charm

Ancient Rome fits on a short walk, from the Colosseum to the Forum to the Pantheon. Many first timers toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain. Book Vatican and Colosseum tickets ahead. Pasta, gelato and espresso are cheap on side streets away from the big sights.

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