I've travelled to over 26 countries and have been lucky enough to have the chance to live both the UK and mainland Europe (Netherlands and France), while also travelling extensively across it and I truly believe it offers some of the best holiday destinations to be had. Destinations that I just keep going back to, whether it's because of the food, culture, history or the locals, here are 6 places I never hesitate to recommend.
1. Salzburg, Austria
If you ask my youngest where his favourite places in Europe is he will tell you Salzburg and it's easy to see why with its UNESCO-listed baroque old town, stunning alpine scenery and the impressive cliffside Fortress Hohensalzburg (which is a must-visit for the views alone). Known as the setting for The Sound of Music, it also happens to be the birthplace of Mozart. This Austrian city is packed with music, history and culture and plenty of family-friendly museums to visit. On top of that, we found it very clean and accessible with reliable and affordable transport. On our recent visit we stayed at the budget-friendly A&O Hostel, which offers private family rooms and is only a short walking distance from the main train station.
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| Soaking in Salzburg |
2. Antibes, France
Firstly, the French Riviera is stunning, and while most people flock to Nice and for good reason, I prefer the quieter but well-connected Antibes. Antibes has a stunning old town to explore, as well as beaches that are perfect for swimming during the warmer months. It's also packed with history, with a variety of museums and Fort and Cathedral to explore. I think many people worry that the South of France is expensive, and while it's definitely attracts high rollers, which is apparent from the luxury yachts at Port Vauban, there is both food and accommodation to suit all budgets. When I first visited Antibes, I was a young backpacker and then again with my young family, we enjoyed the street food and stalls at the local markets and there is a variety of hotels & self-catering options.
3. Amsterdam, Netherlands
One of my favourite cities, and yes I probably am a little biased, having lived in Amsterdam before having kids but saying that, even before I lived there, I had visited it multiple times and continue to go back whenever I have the chance. Yes, it's busy and there are tourist areas I would naturally avoid but the people, cafe culture, history, canals, trams, parks, bikes and creative atmosphere brings me back time and time again and despite what you may think, it's also an increidbly family friendly city and I've brought my kids on more than one occasion. I do always recommend booking your accommodation well in advance as city centre locations book up fast and its one of those cities that is best enjoyed out of peak season.
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| The beautiful canals in Amsterdam |
4. Bratislava, Slovakia
Everyone should visit the capital of Slovakia at least once, and I definitely recommend going by train from Vienna, which is actually less than an hour away. Located on the impressive Danube River, Bratislava has a charming pedestrian-only old town dotted with unique statues and a hilltop castle, with stunning views which will make you fall in love with this place. I spent around a fortnight exploring Bratislava and I am hoping to revisit this year as its a welcoming, unique and culturally rich destination that is also budget-friendly with many low-cost dining options and affordable accommodation to suit everyone's budget.
5. Levanto, Italy
If you are looking to explore the Cinque Terre but want a base that is in easy reach but a lot more laid back, then this is the place. The Cinque Terre villages are less than 10 mins away by train, so it's the perfect location with far fewer crowds, lower prices and a more local feel plus a stunning coastline and beach you can swim in, plus traffic-free cycle paths taking you to Bonassola via old railway tunnels (which I highly recommend). As a family, Levanto is one of our favourite places in Europe and a great place to slow down and enjoy the best of what the Liguria region has to offer.
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| Exploring Levanto |
5. Zagreb, Croatia
Do not miss one of the most underrated capital cities in Europe, which is often overlooked for the popular Croatian coastal destinations such as Dubrovnik, but Zagreb really does have so much to offer with its cobblestone upper town, cool cafe culture, interesting museums and authentic markets. Its unique blend of Austro-Hungarian architecture mixed alongside it's post-socialist landscape makes this city truly unique. It's also a city that is easy to navigate with far fewer crowds than the coast, and once again, it's also an it's affordable and budget-friendly destination.
6. Edinburgh
I will always have a soft spot for Edinburgh, having lived there for over a year and really got to know the city and it's a place I keep going back to whenever the chance arises. It has to be one of the most romantic and visually beautiful cities not only in the UK but in Europe with its iconic cliffside Castle, historic Royal Mile and cobbled old town, filled with a rich history, museums, gothic architecture and charming pubs. It's also a city that has so much to offer, you could easily spend a week here and still not have scratched the surface. As with any city, there is a variety of choices when it comes to accommodation. Last time I visited was with my kids and we stayed at a newly opened Premier Inn only 3 minutes' walk from Edinburgh Waverley train station, which was perfect for us.
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| Bagpipes on The Royal Mile in Edinburgh |
I could list many more places, but these are the ones that have never disappointed me and they all offer something for all budgets, ages and travel groups, from solo travellers to families. I would love to hear what your favourite European destinations are and the ones you keep going back to.
