The best cities in Europe: 2022 Readers' Choice Awards
The survey for the 2023 Readers' Choice Awards is open, vote now for your favourite places, hotels, airports, cruise ships, travel fixers and more.
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 Italy and Spain ranked highly – but you also voted for cities in Germany, Turkey, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. In fact, cities across Scandinavia are well-loved by Condé Nast Traveller readers, with three 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 2022 Readers' Choice Awards. The scores below are percentages representing overall average levels of satisfaction.
The best cities in Europe
Getty Images10. Rome, Italy
Italy's capital city, Rome is unarguably best known for its magnificent Colosseum, a sprawling Roman forum that showcases the best of the region's Classical architecture. And the historical landmarks come thick and fast here, from the famed Spanish steps, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, a former Roman temple.
Sustainability tip: ArcheoRunning organises running tours of the Via Appia escorted by an archaeologist, so you combine exercise and sightseeing with a deep dive into age-old cultural explorations.
Where to stay: One of our favourite addresses in town is Hotel Vilòn, a vibrant 18-room boutique hotel with a fabulous cocktail bar. For an Airbnb stay, this penthouse has a romantic terrace overlooking the Spanish Steps. See our guide to the best hotels in Rome for more inspiration.
Getty Images9. Palma, Spain
Backed by forest-clad mountains, Palma, in the western Mediterranean, is known for its sun-soaked beaches, meandering back alleys and the Gothic landmark of Santa Maria Cathedral. History buffs revel in the myriad fortresses here, from the Almudaina in the centre to Bellver Castle, its unique circular expanse perched on a hilltop to the west of the city.
Sustainability tip: Biodynamic wines beg to be tasted at Mesquida Mora’s little winery in the Mallorcan countryside just outside of Palma. A regenerative agriculture pioneer, Bàrbara produces a select few tipples from her generations-run 20 hectares of vineyards, all certified by the Balearic Ecological Agriculture Council and Demeter for organic and biodynamic viticulture. Look out for their indigenous red, white and rose varieties on winelists in Palma’s restaurants.
Where to stay: Sant Francesc Hotel Singular is one of our favourite hotels in Mallorca, with a fantastic location in the heart of the historic quarter of Palma's old town. If you're travelling in a group, see our pick of the best villas in Mallorca.
Getty Images8. Munich, Germany
Bavaria's capital of Munich is perhaps best-known for its Oktoberfest celebration, which takes place each year, where the city's streets and parks become a momentary home to beer halls and thousands of revellers enjoying the celebratory atmosphere that engulfs the Neo-Gothic architecture and parks.
Sustainability tip: One of the greenest ways to tour any city is by bicycle, and this destination was made for meandering on two wheels. Rent a bike from Mikes Bikes at the main Hauptbahnhof and then hit the dedicated trails.
Where to stay: Louis Hotel is a serene design hotel with a fantastic rooftop terrace overlooking the historic Viktualienmarkt.
Getty Images7. Florence, Italy
Well-known for its rich culture, architectural marvels and Renaissance art, the city of Florence is peppered with galleries and museums, and at its centre, Duomo, the terracotta-tiled cathedral built by Brunelleschi with its famed bell tower the work of Giotto. Sleep over at one of the best hotels in Florence; start your day marvelling over works at the famous Uffizi Gallery and end it with a sundown aperitivo at one of the city's myriad rooftop bars. Bellissimo!
Sustainability tip: Heading to any destination off-season, and eating like a local from an intimate vegan-friendly restaurant that uses simple seasonal ingredients will always give you a greener taste of a place. Carduccio, next to Piazza Santo Spirito and Piazza Pitti, is an organic eatery that prides itself on its sustainable supply chain and refined yet rustic farm-to-table fare.
Where to stay: You'll find one of the best views of Florence from the hillside Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel. For something more low-key and affordable, rent one of the seven rooms at Ottantotto, a boutique bolthole within walking distance of Palazzo Pitti.
Getty Images6. Istanbul, Turkey
Taking the top spot as Europe's best city in the 2021 Readers' Choice Awards, Istanbul has managed to hang onto a place in the top 10, and for good reason. Dubbed one of the most beautiful places in Turkey, visitors rave about the golden hour, where the sun illuminates the city's magnificent Blue Mosque.
Sustainability tip: Eat at Hayata Sarıl Lokantası, meaning “embrace life”, is a restaurant in the Beyoğlu district, and you’ll be supporting those experiencing homelessness. They train those who have been living on the streets and give them prospects in hospitality and working in a professional kitchen, and provide meals for people who are homeless.
Where to stay: The hotels in Istanbul range from Ottoman palaces to sleek contemporary addresses. One of the most impressive is the Six Senses Kocatas Mansions, which comprises of two refurbished Ottoman mansions sitting beside the Bosphorus.
Getty Images5. Barcelona, Spain
Sandwiched between the sea and the mountains, Barcelona fans out from the central shopping of Las Ramblas – which runs down to the beach – and its varied landscape ranges from undulating parklands, like Park Güell, bespeckled with artwork, to boulevards where delis and cafés spill out onto cobbled pavements. The famed architecture here can be seen around every turn, from the fantastical Sagrada Família church to modernist sites designed by Gaudi.
Sustainability tip: Mas Salagros EcoResort is under an hour north of the city. They pride themselves on an organic approach to all they do, with green roofs that model sustainable building. This is slow living, from the soothing chemical-free interiors to the eco-friendly Catalan cuisine.
Where to stay: The best hotels in Barcelona include London transplant The Hoxton in the trendy Poblenou neighbourhood, and a slick Nobu Hotel, beloved for its 23rd floor restaurant.
Getty Images4. Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm, the capital of Sweden – and its largest city – is made up of 14 islands, connected by 50 bridges, each with its own character and unique history. The old town, made up of cobblestone streets and amber-hued buildings, is home to the 13th-century Storkyrkan Cathedral, the Kungliga Slottet Royal Palace and the Nobel Museum, while around it, a meticulous ferry system transports visitors across the waters between each island.
Sustainability tip: Stockholm Adventures invite us on four-hour wilderness safaris from this city that has always been sustainability-minded. Venture into the forests and explore flora and fauna such as elks, moose, wild boar and birds galore. Or they can take you kayaking around the city’s archipelago.
Where to stay: At Ett Hem, a stylish townhouse hotel that aims to be a home away from home – you can stroll through the kitchen whenever you want and the chef will whip you up some supper from scratch.
Getty Images3. Copenhagen, Denmark
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.
Sustainability tip: CopenHill has won architectural awards for alchemising Amager Bakke, a waste-to-energy plant, into a leisure spot in the city’s heart, providing an artificial ski slope, hiking area and the world’s highest artificial climbing wall on the rooftop.
Where to stay: Villa Copenhagen has a great location right next to Tivoli Gardens and a buzzy atmosphere at its all-day brasserie and in-house bakery, headed up by former Noma chef Gonzalo Guarda.
Getty Images2. Oslo, Norway
The citizens of Oslo are a population notably keen to showcase the best of their city to visitors, from the Oslo Cathedral – still used by the Norwegian Royal Family and the Norwegian Government for key events throughout the year – to Akershus Castle. Baroque architecture dots the city and in and amongst it, no less than 30 museums showcasing the city's history, art and political history, as well as myriad hiking trails around the rivers and gardens that wind their way around the outskirts.
Sustainability tip: Book a half-day guided design-focussed city tour with Up Norway and get a lesson on modern city development. This walking tour provides insight into sustainable architecture in action, and let’s you check out this sustainable luxury travel agent’s own home in co-working hub Spaces Tullinløkka in an ambitious circular building made from more than 80 per cent upcycled materials.
Where to stay: Glamorous newcomer Sommerro has the city's first year-round rooftop pool and sauna, plus seven restaurants and bars.
Getty Images1. San Sebastían, Spain
Spilling up and around the coastline of the Bay of Biscay, the resort town of San Sebastián in Spain’s mountainous Basque Country bags the top spot as Europe's best city to visit. It's an area known for its relaxed atmosphere, long stretches of honey-hued beaches and various foodie outposts with world-famous chefs at their helm.
Sustainability tip: This destination is especially appealing for eco adventurers since you can get here from the UK over land and water. The masters of helping you plan a flight-free itinerary are B Corp-certified travel slow-travel experts Byway. These planning pros entice us to take a two-night-long ferry from Portsmouth to Santander to explore Spain’s northernmost coastline without contrails or contemplating any airport fuss.
Where to stay: For a central stay, Arbaso is the city's coolest urban hotel. Elsewhere, in the Parte Vieja's vast universe of pincho bars, Lasala Plaza is home to a rare rooftop ‘solarium.’ See our guide to the best San Sebastían hotels for more.