Europe Capital Cities to Visit + Places to Skip, From Frequent Traveler

The Romanian capital is beautiful and full of contrasts. Stark, blocky communist-era buildings are interspersed with elegant, Art Nouveau architecture that once gave Bucharest the nickname Paris of the East.

From touring the colossal Palace of Parliament to café-hopping through the Old Town, I loved exploring the quirky and cool city.

With picturesque hilly streets and stunning seaside views, Lisbon has, in my opinion, all the makings of the perfect city.

I love experiencing the buzzing nighttime energy and snacking on delicious foods such as sweet, flaky pastel de nata pastries.

Compared with the other Western European capital cities I’ve been to, I’ve found Lisbon typically has more affordable prices for things such as hotels, food, and transportation. For example, once I left the typical tourist areas, I enjoyed lots of great meals for under 10 euros.

Though it can be loud and hectic in places, Athens also has plenty of hidden charm if you’re willing to look for it. I’ve now visited this city three times and always find something new to love about it.

I love exploring the ancient ruins and discovering unique neighborhoods such as Anafiotika, which looks like a village in the Cycladic Islands right amid the city.

I’ve noticed that Lithuania’s capital city, Vilnius, doesn’t always make it onto European travel itineraries. But in my opinion, it should.

This under-the-radar Baltic city feels incredibly livable, with a sprawling Old Town and plenty of parks and green spaces.

I loved visiting the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania to learn about the country’s history, climbing up to Gediminas Castle Tower for a great view of the city, and relaxing with a book in the picture-perfect Bernardine Garden.

Since living in Paris during college, I’ve returned to the city as often as I can. No matter how many times I go back, though, I still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface.

You could spend a lifetime getting to know each one of the 20 arrondissements, or districts, of Paris — it’s a city with endless layers. In my opinion, there’s no place in the world like it for food, art, history, or culture.

I especially enjoy sampling pastries from Pierre Hermé, admiring French Impressionist masterpieces at the Musée d’Orsay, or strolling along the Seine River at sunset.

Despite visiting London many times, I’ve just never really clicked with the city.

Though it’s undeniably iconic and has a lot going for it — such as incredible free museums and a diverse food scene — London feels overhyped and expensive to me, especially when there are so many other worthwhile destinations in the UK.

Personally, I’d much rather spend time in the UK’s picturesque countryside, in places such as the Cotswolds or the Lake District. Or, I’d head north to Scotland to visit the gorgeous Gothic city of Edinburgh or the rugged Scottish Highlands.

The Dutch capital is as picturesque as it looks in postcards, filled with flowers and canal-lined streets.

Unfortunately, though, I thought the center of Amsterdam felt like an overpriced theme park full of souvenir shops and crowds.

I did enjoy exploring the quieter streets outside the central part of the city, but ultimately, this city isn’t one I’m rushing to return to.

There’s no denying Helsinki is a clean city. But in my opinion, it feels a little too sterile, lacking in liveliness and exciting things to do.

For example, after experiencing the most popular tourist attractions in a single day, I struggled to fill my time in the capital of Finland.

When it comes to the Nordic capitals, I preferred places such as Copenhagen or Stockholm, which I thought offered more to do.