We’re not the ones saying it, it’s the Best in Europe poll by European Best Destinations, which selects the Best Place in Europe to visit to this year. Marbella comes in first place, followed by Monaco and Malta.
Every year, the European Best Destinations portal organizes the Best Place in Europe to visit poll to find the best destinations in Europe and in this thirteenth edition, 1,096,938 votes have been received from 172 different countries! (686,244 votes were cast in 2023).
At the top of the ranking is Marbella, the Best Place in Europe to visit for 2024, which already occupied second place in the 2022 ranking.
Shall we go on a trip to the Best Place in Europe to visit? Here is the complete list!
Best Place in Europe to Visit :
10. REYKJAVIK (ICELAND)
In tenth place is Reykjavik, with a total of 38,916 votes. The capital of Iceland, land of ice and fire, is surrounded by a breathtaking landscape dotted with volcanoes, hills, lagoons and waterfalls.
Unique, authentic and cosmopolitan, the city offers a varied cultural, culinary, leisure and nightlife offering. A city of contrasts, Reykjavik surprises with its modern architecture, which alternates with historic buildings and culminates in the incredible Hallgrímskirkja church. It also has numerous art galleries, design studios and spaces dedicated to local creatives.
Hot springs and spas are an integral part of daily life, with the Blue Lagoon being the most popular of these places. For those who want to delve into Viking history, the National Museum of Iceland and the National Museum of Natural History provide a deep insight into the country’s history.
Extend your stay and explore the Golden Circle (comprising Þingvellir Park, Gullfoss waterfall and Haukadalur valley), Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Mýrdalsjökull Glacier and the village of Vik.
9. LONDON (UNITED KINGDOM)
London calling… The British capital is in ninth place with 42,022 votes. Because Brexit aside… it’s time to rediscover London!
No matter how many times we go, we’ll never tire of visiting its classics: Big Ben, the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Hyde Park, Covent Garden, Camden Town… There’s so much to do in London!
Not forgetting the popular neighbourhoods of Notting Hill, Shoreditch, South Bank and Kensington. London here we go!
8. FLORENCE (ITALY)
The Stendhal syndrome that this open-air museum provokes, combined with its cuisine and hospitality, places it in eighth place, with 42,029 votes.
Florence is home to great masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s David, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, Titian’s Venus of Urbino… to which we must add the fascinating architecture, where jewels such as Santa Maria dei Fiore, the Basilica of Santa Croce, the Ponte Vecchio and the Palazzo Vecchio stand out.
When it comes to eating, the decision is complicated but delicious: pappardelle, polpettone alla fiorentina, bistecca, ravioli di cinghiale… Buon appetito!
7. MADEIRA (PORTUGAL)
A summer – or spring, autumn or even winter – that lasts forever in Madeira: that is our dream and that of the travellers who have given 63,258 votes to this idyllic archipelago in the Atlantic that reaches the number 7 spot.
Its mild climate throughout the year, its lush landscapes and its slow pace make Madeira the perfect destination to enjoy nature: laurel forest, levadas (water pipes), beaches, trails…
It is made up of two inhabited islands (Madeira and Porto Santo) and three smaller uninhabited islands, the Desert Islands.
Some of the most popular times to visit Madeira are Carnival (February), the Flower Festival (May), the Atlantic Festival (May and June), Christmas and New Year.
6. RIGA (LATVIA)
The city of Riga, in Latvia, is well-deservedly ranked sixth thanks to its 94,882 votes.
The European capital of Art Nouveau, cosmopolitan on the outside but with a historic heart inside (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO) offers a journey through time through Romanticism, Gothic and Baroque, as well as a splendorous canvas of Art Nouveau buildings, the luxurious Opera House, the House of the Blackheads or the Lutheran Church of St. Peter.
Its gastronomy deserves special mention, represented by restaurants with local and international cuisine, cozy cafes (Riga is home to the best coffee roasters in the Baltic) and breweries.
5. BATUMI (GEORGIA)
After being crowned the best secret destination in Europe in 2022, Batumi (101,589 votes) now enters the list of the best destinations in Europe in 2024 thanks to its exciting, affordable and exotic charm.
Any time of year is a good time to visit Batumi, capital of the Adjara region (Georgia). From the streets of the historic centre to its incredible mountains, botanical gardens, beaches and museums: this is a small, great unknown with a lot to offer.
The most adventurous will enjoy hiking, cycling or canoeing down the river. Those who always look for the cultural component on their trips will find a little piece of history in every corner of the city, as well as in the museums and peculiar architecture.
In the months of May and June, the cherry trees bloom, displaying all their charm; in summer, you can combine discovering the city with a dip in its beaches; In autumn, the surrounding parks and natural spaces explode in thousands of ochre, reddish and orange tones; and in winter, it becomes the ideal getaway for ski and Christmas lovers.
Batumi is an open secret, and although mass tourism is far from arriving, the truth is that new hotels, restaurants with local and international cuisine, rooftops where you can toast at sunset, independent brand stores are opening every day… Hurry up and head to Batumi before anyone else!
4. GENEVA (SWITZERLAND)
104,796 votes place Geneva in fourth place. And we are not surprised, since the city is located in a unique setting, next to the largest alpine lake in Western Europe and the Alps and Jura mountains as a backdrop.
The second largest city in Switzerland has a captivating historical charm and a vibrant cultural scene. Les Nations is proud to host the European headquarters of the United Nations, while Les Eaux-Vives invites visitors to witness the iconic Jet d’eau and enjoy a lively beach atmosphere.
Beyond its diplomatic importance, Geneva also stands out for its watchmaking tradition – and its chocolate!
3. MALTA
Malta received 131,049 votes, placing it third on the podium of European Best Destinations 2024.
Wherever you go in Malta, the landscape and architecture create a colourful and spectacular setting, full of picturesque villages (like Popeye’s!), grottos, beaches, archaeological remains and waters ideal for diving.
Discover Valletta, its capital (full of churches, movie-like forts, ports and old mansions); Mosta and its Rotunda church, the ruins of the Azure Window and the natural pools (on the island of Gozo), the megalithic temples of Hagar Qim Mnajdra and Tarxien, the natural pool of St. Peters and many more surprises!
2. MONACO
With 133,885 votes, Monaco has been crowned the second best destination in Europe in 2024. Glamour, culture, relaxation, hedonism, gastronomic delights, cultural and sporting events, nightlife… There’s a Monaco for every traveller!
Its two square kilometres are enough to accommodate everything from the most exclusive hotels to the most beautiful gardens. Huge yachts and tiny fishing boats bob around Port Hercule, the heart of the Principality, and the Place d’Armes is the best place to try Riviera specialities such as barbagiuàn, socca or pissaladière.
1. MARBELLA (SPAIN)
Marbella takes first place with 149,192 votes and proudly wears the title of “Best Destination in Europe 2024”.
Oh, the south… Oh, Andalusia… Oh, Malaga… You are our weakness! Marbella is the preferred destination for travellers looking for relaxation, incredible hotels and restaurants, craft shops, local and top-quality products, outdoor activities… It has it all!
Marbella not only attracts travellers in love with the sun and its beaches, but also digital nomads, athletes, foodies as well as companies and investors.
