25 breathtaking places to visit in Europe in 2025
Seeking Europe’s prettiest spots? Discover 25 breathtaking places to visit in 2025, including hidden valleys, colourful villages, and dramatic coastlines. Find quick planning tips and start mapping your own scenic adventure.
Europe might look small on a globe, yet it packs an incredible variety of landscapes, cities, and coastlines into that compact space. Picking only a handful of beautiful places in Europe is tough, so this list tries to balance famous icons with lesser‑known gems. Whether you’re chasing medieval towers, emerald valleys, or tiny villages clinging to cliff edges, these spots prove why many travellers call this continent the most beautiful place in the world.
1. Hallstatt, Austria
A postcard alpine village mirrored in a dark lake. Early morning fills the air with church bells and the smell of fresh bread. Visit in late spring when flowers spill from wooden balconies.
Amanda
2. Faroe Islands, Denmark
Grass‑roofed cottages overlook dramatic sea stacks and puffin‑packed cliffs. Best nature in Europe? Many hikers think so. Weather flips fast, pack layers.
3. Santorini, Greece
White houses tumble down volcanic rock toward turquoise water. The blue domes of Oía still earn endless camera clicks, yet sunrise in Pyrgos feels quieter and just as scenic.
4. Picos de Europa, Spain
Sweeping limestone peaks slice through northern Spain. Drive the Ruta del Cares then feast on smoky Cabrales cheese in a stone hamlet.
5. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Sixteen terraced lakes linked by wooden footbridges. Water tumbles over mossy ledges in shades of teal, jade, and pale milk‑blue.
6. Cinque Terre, Italy
Five pastel villages balanced between vineyards and the Ligurian Sea. Skip mid‑day crowds by taking the coastal trail at dawn.
7. Isle of Skye, Scotland
The Old Man of Storr spire touches cloud most mornings. Mist clears to reveal lochs, hairy Highland cows, and empty single‑track roads.
8. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Medieval walls wrap a jumble of orange rooftops where the Adriatic sparkles below. Wander the ramparts at sunset for one of the most scenic sights in Europe.
9. Amalfi Coast, Italy
Towns like Positano tumble steeply to lemon‑scented coves. Grab a bus seat on the right‑hand side for gasp‑worthy bends.
10. Lake Bled, Slovenia
A tiny island church sits at the centre of a glacial lake ringed by forested hills. Row out in a wooden pletna boat and ring the bell for luck.
11. Lofoten Islands, Norway
Arctic beaches meet jagged peaks and red rorbuer cabins. In summer the midnight sun glows behind fishing nets; in winter green aurora curtains dance overhead.
12. Paris, France
Yes, the Eiffel Tower is busy, but a twilight stroll along the Seine still makes Paris the prettiest city in Europe to many hearts. Duck into a riverside bookstall for a vintage postcard and keep walking until Notre‑Dame’s lights appear.
13. Meteora, Greece
Monasteries perch on sandstone pillars like bird nests. A haze of incense drifts through ancient chapels while climbers scale the rock faces below.
14. Lake District, England
Rolling fells, mirror‑still waters, and stone cottages. Poet William Wordsworth found endless inspiration here and so do sunset photographers.
15. Tallinn Old Town, Estonia
Spiky towers, cobblestones, and gingerbread‑style houses make Tallinn look straight from a fairy tale. Visit in December for snow‑dusted roofs and a cosy Christmas market.
16. Swiss Bernese Oberland, Switzerland
Train windows frame waterfalls, glaciers, and the mighty Eiger. Hike from Mürren to Lauterbrunnen for alpine meadows humming with cowbells.
17. Sintra, Portugal
Palaces painted lemon, rose, and sapphire peek from lush forested hills. The bright stripes of Pena Palace feel almost unreal on a foggy morning.
Amanda
18. Cappadocia, Turkey
Soft tuff rock eroded into chimneys and valleys. Sunrise hot‑air balloons drift over villages carved into stone.
19. Prague, Czech Republic
Gothic bridges, baroque domes, and a castle that watches the river. Climb Petřín Hill for the most picturesque view across red rooftops.
20. Lake Como, Italy
Alpine peaks plunge into deep water lined by elegant villas and sleepy fishing towns. Hire a ferry day‑pass and hop between bell towers and gelato stops.
21. Madeira, Portugal
Terraced cliffs wrapped in banana palms, wild levada trails, and natural lava pools at Porto Moniz. Spring brings purple jacaranda blossoms to Funchal streets.
22. Budapest, Hungary
Thermal baths steam beneath art‑nouveau colonnades. Cross Chain Bridge at night to watch Parliament reflect gold across the Danube.
23. Saxon Switzerland National Park, Germany
Elbe sandstone towers rise above pine forest. The Bastei Bridge offers a dramatic panorama — arrive before 8 am for silence.
24. Kotor Bay, Montenegro
A fjord‑like bay guarded by mountains and medieval walls. Climb the fortress steps for sweeping curves of silver water.
25. Azores, Portugal
Nine volcanic islands where crater lakes glow emerald and cobalt under shifting Atlantic skies. Swim with wild dolphins or hike to steaming fumaroles, beauty feels endless here.
Quick tips for planning
- Aim for shoulder seasons (May–June, September–October) when crowds thin and prices drop.
- Mix capital cities with rural parks for balanced Europe scenery.
- Rail passes save money if you string three or more countries in one journey.
Why numbers matter
A numbered list helps travellers choose fast. Maybe you crave the most beautiful place in Europe for clear water, or you want the prettiest countries in Europe for medieval towns plus rugged coastlines. Let the numbers point you, then follow your curiosity beyond them.
Choosing just one prettiest place in Europe is impossible, but any entry here can start an unforgettable route. Pack curiosity, keep an eye on off‑peak flights, and chase the Europe scenery that calls your name. Soon you’ll agree this continent holds some of the most spectacular places on the planet; it might even be the most beautiful — who knows?
