18 Most Romantic Cities in Europe

Most romantic cities in Europe - travel blog review

Whilst I’m not really one to fawn over grand romantic gestures, I have taken up the challenge to get into a romantic mindset for the purpose of this blog post. By putting myself in the shoes of a hopeless romantic, I have highlighted a selection of places to visit in Europe for that lovin’ feelin’!

Despite my lack of romantic tendencies, I can definitely get caught up in the romance of exploring new cities and the possibilities of the unknown. I often find myself in some of these unfamiliar places thinking, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to share this moment with somebody?’. For me, and for others, romance lies heavily in discovering new things and forging memories together.

Whatever you’re into; Gothic architecture, classic literature, sumptuous cuisine, art galleries, grand palaces or tiny little pubs, there’s so much romanticism to found in Europe.

List of the most romantic cities in Europe

1. Edinburgh

Visit Edinburgh, one of the most romantic cities in Europe

Scotland’s capital city is the very picture of romance with its castles, fine-dining, elegant architecture and Arthur’s Seat, described by Robert Louis Stevenson as ‘a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design’. In other areas of the city, you’ll find a myriad of cobbled streets lined with pretty stone buildings, medieval tenements and cosy-looking bars. If that were not enough, the Scottish accent will surely make you swoon for more.

Read More: 10 Fabulous Things to do in Edinburgh

2. Venice

Venice - one of Europe's most romantic cities

Few places can compare to Venice, a city surrounded by water and submerged in so much beauty it could make an old dog weep. Make waves on a gondola ride through the canals, walk hand in hand down one of the many hidden-away bridges, enjoy a stroll down the piazzas and St Mark’s Square, or experience world-famous art at the Peggy Guggenheim museum. Basically, anywhere in Venice is perfect for romance!

Read More: A Romantic Getaway in Venice 

3. Valencia

Valencia - one of Europe's most romantic cities

Not the most obvious choice when we have Barcelona, but there’s something incredibly charming about Spain’s 3rd largest city, Valencia. A place where historical buildings merge beautifully with modern architecture, and where the heart of this city truly lies in its appetite for good food. In a city that’s considerably overlooked, it’s easy to feel like you’ve stumbled across something that has just been created for the two of you. Make sure you try out a cosy taberna for dinner.

Read More: Food, Glorious Food! A Gastronomic Tour of Valencia 

4. Krakow

Krakow - one of Europe's most romantic cities

I remember sitting in Krakow’s main square, surrounded by a feast of elaborate architecture once intended for the aristocracy. Horse drawn carriages trotted past, lovers entwined passed me by, young girls climbed on the monument of Adam Mickiewicz – Poland’s greatest Romantic Poet – and took photographs whilst a man playing his guitar could be faintly heard. The simple pleasure of sitting and watching the world pass by filled me with so much satisfaction I didn’t want to move. If you come here on a romantic getaway, you’ll end up enchanted with Krakow even if you’re not enchanted by each other!

Read More: A Weekend in Krakow

5. Paris

Paris - one of Europe's most romantic cities

A list of Europe’s most romantic cities without Paris wouldn’t be a list worth reading, right? A city where so many poets and artists have been inspired and called their home. Where you can kiss the grave of Oscar Wilde and give Victor Noir a rub or two with your hand, cruise along the river Seine, dance under the Eiffel Tower, stride hand in hand down the Champs-Élysées, admire Rodin’s sculptures and shed a tear for Camille Claudel. But perhaps the best thing to do in Paris is just relax and watch the world go by over a glass of red wine.

Read more: Discover the Literary Locations of Paris

6. Prague

Prague - the most romantic city in Europe

Castles, cathedrals, cobbled streets and colourful houses make Prague one of the prettiest cities in the world. But whilst it’s pretty, it’s also dark and Gothic – where pretty pastel houses sit side by side with decorative gargoyles – creating an interesting schism between the beautiful and the monstrous. Speaking of monstrous, Hitler was said to have loved Prague so much that it was spared destruction and instead its preservation was ordered. Surely that nugget of information describes the power of Prague’s emotive beauty, eh?

7. Stockholm

Stockholm - one of Europe's most romantic cities

Stockholm’s old town, Gamla Stan is a picturesque neighbourhood, perfect just to wander around whilst imagining the likes of Greta Garbo pottering around from a bygone era. Don’t miss the chance of getting a panoramic view of the city from one of its vantage points. You could climb up the spiral staircase of the bell tower by the City Hall to see Stockholm in her entirety, brimming with bridges, water and bold Baltic architecture.

8. London

London - one of the most romantic cities in Europe

London’s romance lies in its bursting sense of life. No two days are the same, there’s always something to see and do, which gives rise to doing things on a whim – the romantic movement of impulse. If that’s not enough, head to Hampstead Heath and imagine John Keats writing one of his lyrical masterpieces, potter through the winding alleyways of Soho which was William Blake’s old haunt, or the French House where Dylan Thomas and Francis Bacon used to head for a drink. If your night isn’t over, venture to South Bank and walk along the Thames and see the sky filled with city lights.

9. Vienna

Vienna - one of Europe's most romantic cities.

Located in the heart of Europe is the imperial city of Vienna. It is famous worldwide as one of the most romantic cities in Europe because of its trotting white horses, imperial palaces, lush gardens, chandelier-lit coffeehouses, and fine wines. A city where Gustave Klimt and Egon Schiele hang from the walls, showcasing human emotion in its rawest sense, often naked and exposed for the audience to see.

10. Budapest

Budapest - one of the most romantic cities in Europe

Budapest is often mentioned as the Paris of the East, but it holds its own among Europe’s most well-loved cities. Indeed, the 19th century elegant architecture, the bustling city life, dimly-lit restaurants, streets lined with cafes, the house of Parliament in all its Gothic glory, and last but not least, the sights of couples holding hands along the River Danube ensure you’ll get swept up in the romance of Budapest.

11. Lisbon

Lisbon - one of Europe's most Romantic cities

Stunning views, quaint promenades, charming architecture and crumbling tiled facades will take you back in time when visiting Lisbon. Its combination of beautiful architecture and little cafes and cosy restaurants  really make Lisbon stand out as a city filled with romance. If time permits, catch the 45-minute train journey to Sintra where you’ll find several palaces in various architectural styles, and which Lord Byron lamented “palaces and gardens rising in the midst of rocks, cataracts and precipices; convents on stupendous heights . . .”

12. Amsterdam

Amsterdam - most romantic city in Europe

While you might associate it with a rather spicier type of “amour”, Amsterdam certainly has a softer side that can be found as you explore the city on foot or bicycle (what’s more romantic than journeying through a new city by bike?). With its boutique hotels, romantic restaurants, canal-side strolls, heaps of cheese and wine, as well as its cheeky side, Amsterdam is the city to go to for unlimited amounts of fun together.

13. York

York - One of the most romantic cities in Europe

Growing up in Yorkshire, this city has had a reputation for being romantic for as long as I can remember. It’s a place you go when you’re dating or want to treat your partner to a special day out. Few cities in the world can rival York for history and charm, with a picturesque river, huge cathedral and medieval city centre encircled by a stretch of ancient walls. Don’t miss The Shambles (pictured) known for its timber-framed buildings dating back from the 14th century.

14. Rome

Rome - Blog of the most romantic cities in Europe

Rome overwhelms from the moment you step foot in the city. Some of the world’s oldest and most dramatic sights are part of the city’s fabric – the Pantheon, the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain. Lest not forgetting Vatican City with its Sistine Chapel and that famous spiral staircase…

15. Riga

Riga - one of the most romantic cities in Europe

My first impressions of Riga, Latvia’s capital city, were certainly good. Beautiful, walkable, affordable, cultural, historical – what’s not to love? You simply need to look up and you’re spoilt with an eclectic mix of styles, from fanciful motifs found in art nouveau style to ascetic wooden architecture found in surprising abundance, plus there’s the medieval appearance of the Old Town with its spires, gables and the colourful buildings of the ‘Three Brothers’ (picture above).

16. Kyiv

Kiev - one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in Europe

Filled with huge churches and commonly referred to as the ‘City of Domes’. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Kyiv featured in any list of Europe’s most romantic cities, but I was so blown away by its beauty my only wish was that I could have shared it someone – but alas  I was travelling alone!

17. St Petersburg

St Petersburg - Europe's most romantic city

St Petersburg, a city so beautiful it’ll make you weep. At one point in my life, I may have given the title of Europe’s most beautiful city to Venice or Paris, but I couldn’t possibly say that now I’ve been to St Petersburg. Elegant yet statuesque, if St Petersburg were a woman she’d bring even Casanova down onto his knees. Steeped in mysticism, the city transports you to another world belonging to some of the most dramatic periods in European history. The sense of grandeur left behind from the Tsar Empire is omnipresent, for Catherine the Great was a woman of high extravagance. She made it one of her life’s missions to project St Petersburg as a sight of intense beauty, and it’s safe to say she succeeded alright.

18. Ghent

With its castle, canals, gothic cathedral and cobbled streets, I found Ghent to be incredibly romantic. I was debated whether to put Bruges in the list, but Ghent is less touristy so it get my vote. Its well-preserved medieval castle with its towers and moat adds a touch of drama to the cityscape. It’s a great spot for a romantic walk and offers fantastic views of the city from its ramparts.

Whether you’re taking a boat ride along the canals, savoring Belgian chocolates, or exploring historic sites hand in hand, Ghent provides an enchanting backdrop for a romantic escape. 

What do you think are the most romantic cities in Europe?

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Hi, I'm Shing

Welcome to The Culture Map, a place where I share my travel guides, adventurous tales, and capture the inspiring diversity of our world.

10 Responses

  1. I’m currently planning a trip through the U.K. I can’t believe I almost left York out of my plans! After reading your list I did a bit of research and have now added York as a “must see!” Thanks for sharing these wonderful places! 🙂

    1. That’s wonderful to hear Benji! Happy I was able to expand your list! I’ll try and write up a piece about York over the next few weeks – though it depends if I can find my photos! 🙂 If time permits, other places in Yorkshire that are definitely worth visiting are Fountain’s Abbey (UNESCO world heritage site) and Bolton Abbey or you could also catch the train to Haworth which was home to the Bronte sisters! If you want to hit a bigger city then head to Leeds (though it’s not as cultural as York but still plenty to see and do especially if you enjoy eating out! It’s about a 45 m train journey from York and worth a day trip) http://www.theculturemap.com/things-to-see-do-and-eat-in-leeds/) If you have any questions, just give me a shout!

  2. Hi Shing,

    This is an amazing list of destinations. Prague was surely in the list. However, after reading your article, Krakow also seems to be a must visit.

    Thank you for sharing about all of them here. Take care and have a great day, everyday 🙂

    1. Hi Deepa, glad you approve of my choices! With its medieval buildings and cobbled streets, Krakow oozes romanticism. And you’re right, Prague never fails to be on these type of lists!

    1. Hi Nigel and Jane! I’ve been to Verona and you’re right, it is a great city and the homage to Romeo and Juliet does lend itself to romanticism! Hmmm you may just have inspired me to add it to this list 😉 Glad you enjoyed your time there too.

  3. Great list!
    We are going to Prague tomorrow and I am really excited for the third time – I really love it there!) , and I also visited Budapest, Vienna, Krakow, Riga 🙂 I would add Brugge to this list, I discovered the city last year and it has some charm.

  4. Hey Shing,

    Thanks for sharing that list.

    I intend to visit Spain to visit the sets where the scenes of the Game of Thrones were shot. I can enjoy and meet Valencia with my wife, I’m sure she’ll be delighted.

    I’ll find out more about the city. Thank you so much for sharing this content with us.

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