The best cities in Europe: 2024 Readers' Choice Awards
In order to make the cut for our list of the best cities in Europe, certain criteria must be met. A European city should have a world-class food scene, plenty of smart hotels, friendly locals and intriguing history. In this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards survey, multiple cities in Spain ranked highly – but you also voted for cities in Denmark, Switzerland, Portugal, Iceland, Croatia and Norway. In fact, cities across Scandinavia are well-loved by Condé Nast Traveller readers, with two cities from the region making the top five – pipped only to the post for the top spot by a diminutive Spanish city set right on the sea.
These are the best cities in Europe, according to the 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards. The scores below are percentages representing overall average levels of satisfaction.
The best cities in Europe
20. Amsterdam, Netherlands. Score 85.58
The capital of the Netherlands teems with character and life; all those higgeldy-piggeldy townhouses stitched together along the canals that might be home to some of Amsterdam's uber-smart hotels, the tastiest restaurants in Amsterdam or the chicest bars in Amsterdam. The city's diminutive size makes it perfect for a weekend getaway and mean that the coolest neighbourhoods, such as Jordaan, are at your fingertips wherever you decide to bed down.
19. Florence, Italy. Score 85.62
The birthplace of the Renaissance movement – where beautiful architecture, world-class galleries and incredible restaurants jut up against each other to form one of your favourite cities in the world. So, where to start? Book a room at one of Florence's best hotels, or take over an Airbnb in Florence for bags of space to yourself, and start working through our edit of the best things to do in Florence. And don't forget: Florence comes alive in autumn, so consider an off-season visit.
18. Lisbon, Portugal. Score 86.34
Lisbon ranks highly among our readers thanks to its scenery, food, and hotels. The best restaurants in Lisbon are some of the most talked-about in Europe, while the shopping in Lisbon rivals that in the better-known retail capitals. Plus, the top hotels in Lisbon are not just among the smartest in Portugal – they're also some of the loveliest in Europe.
17. Venice, Italy. Score 86.58
La Serenissima gets a bad name, sometimes – so many tourists putting pressure on its fragile eco-system, expensive hotels, and an often misunderstood food scene. But those who know the floating city see the beauty in Venice's cute bars; know where to find the best restaurants in Venice; and are willing to splash out on the top hotels in Venice to experience one of Italy's prettiest cities for themselves.
16. Prague, Czechia. Score 86.98
Prague is one of those cities which offers adventures worth seeking out whatever time of year you travel. Spring and autumn bring with them changing flora and fauna; the summer's temperate climate makes for ideal exploring weather; and in winter, Prague is taken over by glistening Christmas markets. Whenever you choose to visit, one of the best hotels in Prague will be waiting for you.
15. Athens, Greece. Score 87.47
Athens might just be one of the hottest city breaks for 2024. Sure, there's all the history you stumble on as you roam the streets (the views of the Acropolis never get old), but there's now also a thriving bar and restaurant scene – and some exemplary hotels in Athens to check into, too.
14. Copenhagen, Denmark. Score 87.47
Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, has long upheld its accolade of the happiest city in the world, known for its hardy community spirit, exciting foodie scene and myriad canals that link the city’s various districts. From the 18th-century Rococo district – built during the reign of Frederick V and the site of the Amalienborg Palace – to Østerbro, perched on the outskirts of the city, built around Copenhagen’s medieval fortification.
13. Barcelona, Spain. Score 87.48
Astonishing museums, buzzing nightlife, Gaudí gems – Barcelona's best things to do can't be ticked off in one visit, so best to keep going back. Once you've ticked off the obvious landmarks, follow local Nuria Val's guide to Barcelona for the inside track on this dazzling Spanish city.
12. Naples, Italy. Score 87.60
Gritty, frenetic, vivacious – Naples is far from Italy's prettiest city, in the classic sense, or even its most tourist-friendly. But it ranks highly among our readers for its insatiable atmosphere and incredible restaurants. See our edit of the best hotels in Naples, as well as what to do in Naples, for the inside track.
11. Rome, Italy. Score 87.74
Yet another Italian entry on the 2024 list (although, perhaps surprisingly, not the highest-scoring Italian city here), Rome has something to offer every type of traveller. The best things to do in Rome include visiting ancient landmarks, visiting vast museums and galleries, and exploring cute neighbourhoods. Rome's restaurant scene is varied (and delicious), while the best bars in Rome might just surprise you. And, of course, Rome's top hotels include some of our favourites anywhere in Europe.
10. Seville, Spain. Score 88.76
Steamy, snoozy Seville rounds out the top 10 in this year's survey. That might be because of its year-round warm temperatures (consider visiting in spring or autumn, or risk falling victim to the city's infamous oppressive heat), the lively food scene in Seville, or the long list of charming Seville hotels to try.
9. Palma, Spain. Score 89.21
The only island-city on this list, Palma – Mallorca's biggest city – is a firm favourite for its impeccable restaurants and sweet hotels like Can Ferrereta. It's also a fabulous jumping-off point for exploring Mallorca, the old-fashioned Balearic Island.
8. Paris, France. Score 89.38
Host of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, all the chaos in Paris this year didn't put you off ranking it highly. Now the games are out of the way, it's a perfect time to re-visit: check out our edit of the cheapest, nicest hotels in Paris to plan a budget-friendly getaway; and make sure to brush up on the unwritten rules to know before you visit Paris, too.
7. Madrid, Spain. Score 89.61
Spain's capital is one of your favourite city breaks in Europe. And no wonder – Madrid's best hotels include historic palaces and art-gallery-meets-hotel hybrids, while the best restaurants in the Spanish capital attract serious foodies.
6. Budapest, Hungary. Score 89.86
The City of Spas, Budapest is perhaps best-known for wellness – where calming vibes are as abundant as rambunctious bars. The best things to do in Budapest include more than just wallowing in its thermal baths, though – you can also explore castles, museum hop, and lose an evening at any number of ruin bars.
5. Milan, Italy. Score 90.13
The highest-ranking Italian city on this year's list – Milan, fashion capital of the world, remains one of the chicest cities in Europe according to you. Book into one of the best hotels in Milan and spend your days flitting between seeking out the best shopping in Milan and recuperating in the city's best cafés.
4. Berlin, Germany. Score 90.29
There are a lot of reasons to love Berlin – but its thrumming nightlife has to be up there. Berlin's best bars range from historic biergartens to Weimar-era speakeasies, while the best restaurants in Berlin include posh pizzerias and innovative contemporary favourites.
3. Vienna, Austria. Score 90.93
Ranking in third place in the Readers' Choice Awards 2024, this once shy and retiring Austrian city has got its attitude back. Soak up art and culture in some of the best museums or enjoy the city's famous music scene – all among the (seemingly endless) best things to do in Vienna.
2. Stockholm, Sweden. Score 91.11
Missing out on the top spot this year, Stockholm is our (very worthy) runner-up. Finally emerging from Scandi sister Copenhagen's shadow, Stockholm ranked highly among readers – check into one of the city's coolest hotels, like Ett Hem, and discover it for yourself.
1. Valencia, Spain. Score 92.78
A new winner for 2024 – Valencia is having a moment. Spain's third-largest city has regenerated a former riverbed into a delightfully bucolic urban park and opened sleek rooftop bars, innovating and refreshing until it became – according to our readers – the best city break in Europe this year. From Art Deco grandeur to beachside resorts, here are eight of the city's loveliest addresses to know.