UPDATE: Europe’s most beautiful cities were honored with an invaluable and possibly futile award. Joining London on a shortlist is the famous medieval seaport of Varna, Bulgaria, which, at 128 meters, is among the highest — and most identifiable — dive-style cruises in the world. Alas, it didn’t quite stand a chance against the capital of the country, Sofia.
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If you’ve been through Europe, you’ve probably stared with envy at its most beautiful places, from the some of the grandest ports and bell towers to the stark rock formations and walls in Slovenia or the towering houses in parts of Italy. Europe has everything, from opulent palaces to natural archaeological wonders and larger than life castles on no man’s land.
We all know the old cliche, the “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” but we feel like this guide doesn’t have to be confined to traveling solo. For each of the 15 towns and cities profiled, we’ve been checked out by trusted travel writers and photographers from around the world who have been around long enough to have had the opportunity to see some of the landmarks in detail.
Below, find out more about these places as well as details of their value and popularity as tourist destinations around the world.