Top 10 Cities to Visit in Europe

Rome, Italy

Ah, Roma! If you are a history nut and love the sunshine, this is the place to go! The Romans had a huge influence on modern civilization, with an empire that once extended over most of Europe.

Popular Attractions: Vatican City and the Colosseum
Under the Radar: The food—try everything!
Tips: Gelato!

Paris, France

Through movies and pop culture, Paris has turned into a fairytale destination for many: It's the city of love. Between the history, fashion week, and the food, there is something for everyone.

Popular Attractions: The Louvre (free for students on Fridays after 4:30 p.m.), Versailles, and the Eiffel Tower
Under the Radar: With Pari Roller, roller skate around the city for 3 hours every Friday night!
Tips: Keep a map of the Metro on you at all times.

Barcelona, Spain

Beautiful, sun-drenched Spain offers scenery, architecture, beaches, and a great nightlife.

Popular Attractions: The beach
Under the Radar: Open-air markets are a must-see.
Tips: Make sure to really do your research about hostels.

London, England

Nothing can really be compared to London. It is a business and culture hub and one that is filled with history. But London is not one of those cities you can see in a weekend. You need at least a week to even just scratch London's surface. Retrace history here, but don't forget the great nightlife.

Popular Attractions: The London Eye, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, and Platform 9¾
Under the Radar: Check out the open-air street market under the London Eye.
Tips: The Underground and the Tube are confusing, so carry a map, but don't be afraid to get lost.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Though Amsterdam is commonly known for its Red Light District and other … activities, it's a gorgeous city with lots of history and scenery. Immerse yourself in the culture here, but use your common sense!

Popular Attractions: Red Light District, Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House
Under the Radar: Order from the special cafe menus.
Tips: No cameras are allowed in the Red Light District.

Dublin, Ireland

Ireland isn't directly connected to mainland Europe, so things are just a little bit different here … just enough for you to notice something is different. The people are friendly and it's a gorgeous country. Dublin offers great walking tours and lots and lots of bars, and it's a business-communications hub.

Popular Attractions: The Guinness Factory and Storehouse, Trinity College, and Temple Bar
Under the Radar: Ditch the touristy bars and hit a hole-in-the-wall grungy bar (preferably with old men singing in the corner).
Tips: Keep an eye on the exchange rate.

Athens, Greece

Home of the gods! Welcome to the home of Hercules and Zeus. Not to mention that this is where the Olympics began and where the summer Olympics took place in 2004. In Greece, relax on a beach, basking in Apollo's glow and listening to the music of the seas.

Popular Attractions: Athena's Temple, the Acropolis, Cape of Sounion, and the Temple of Poseidon
Under the Radar: Take a free bike tour and go to Syntagma Square.
Tips: Try walking around at night, as many cities reveal a different personality when the sun goes down.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh is like London, just on a smaller scale. It can be seen in a weekend, and thus isn't as overwhelming as London. Make sure to take a tour of the Scottish Highlands while there, as the views are breathtaking, and go monster hunting for Nessie. Here's a tip: Make sure you book a tour that uses a small bus—not a huge 50-person one. Smaller buses offer more personalized tours, and they make it harder to get motion sickness on the windy roads. Plus, Edinburgh is the inspiration for J.K. Rowling's famous Harry Potter series.

Popular Attractions: The Elephant House, the Edinburgh Castle, and the Royal Mile
Under the Radar: Take a free walking tour of the city (check with you hostel) and experience Hogwarts … for real.
Tips: Go to the Elephant House at a non-peak time, since it is popular with tourists and locals alike.

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is said to be one of the most energetic and hip cities in Europe. It has an abundance of bars, galleries, clubs, and Ottoman mosques. It is also a huge fashion hub. It's hot, both literally and figuratively, and you can relax while being surrounded by nonstop energy.

Popular Attractions: Daily walking tours
Under the Radar: Go to the local bars.
Tips: Bring sunscreen.

Milan, Italy

While Rome is the Old, Milan represents the New Italy. It is a hub for fashion, cars, and movies. Take a break from the overwhelming European history and relax on the beach, or window shop through one of the most expensive shopping areas in Europe.

Popular Attractions: Quadrilatero d'Oro (the Golden Quad)
Under the Radar: Visit the funky design district of Isola.
Tips: Make sure to catch some calcio (soccer).

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