First-Time Europe Trips Go Wrong Without This List

Last September, I stood in a tiny square in Granada, watching the sun set behind the Sierra Nevada mountains while eating tapas that cost me exactly nothing with my beer.

That’s when it hit me.

I’d been chasing the “big” European cities for years, ticking boxes like some kind of travel robot.

But the places that actually stuck with me?

The ones that made me want to cancel my flight home and figure out how to stay forever?

Those were the spots I stumbled into by accident, the ones I almost skipped, the ones my buddies told me were “worth a day trip at most.”

So this isn’t another generic list of European hotspots.

These are my places—the ones I’d tell you about over a beer, the ones I actually dream about going back to.

---

Rome: Where Every Street Corner Feels Like a Movie Set

I’m just gonna say it.

Rome is probably my favorite city on the planet.

Yeah, it’s crowded.

Yeah, it’s touristy.

But man, when you’re standing in front of the Colosseum at sunset, or wandering through Trastevere with a cone of pistachio gelato, none of that matters.

Rome is charming to a degree that other places can only dream of, and I mean that.

Every single time I visit, I find a new tiny piazza or a family-run trattoria that serves pasta so good it makes me question every food decision I’ve ever made.

Here’s my hack: skip the touristy restaurants near the major sites.

Walk fifteen minutes in any direction and you’ll find where the locals actually eat.

Trust me on this.

The Pantheon is cool and all, but the real magic happens when you let yourself get lost in the side streets.

That’s where Rome lives.

---

Barcelona: Color, Chaos, and Gaudí Everywhere

Barcelona’s diverse architecture sets the city apart from other European destinations, and that’s not just travel-writer talk.

The first time I saw Park Güell, I literally stood there with my mouth open like an idiot.

How did one guy design all this?

The city has this energy that’s hard to explain.

It’s artsy but also beachy, historic but modern, sophisticated but also knows how to party until 6 AM.

I spent a whole afternoon just wandering through the Gothic Quarter, popping into random shops and cafes.

Then I grabbed tapas at Boqueria Market and ate probably way too many jamón sandwiches.

No regrets.

Barceloneta beach is perfect when you tire of taking in the city’s stunning structures—I’ve spent entire mornings there just watching the Mediterranean and pretending I live there.

Pro tip: Visit in the winter to explore popular sites without the overwhelming summer tourist volume.

Seriously, summer Barcelona is intense.

---

Lisbon: The Laid-Back Capital That Stole My Heart

Lisbon welcomes travelers with its medieval castles, beautiful overlooks (called miradouros) and flavorful seafood.

This city just gets it.

It doesn’t try too hard, you know?

I remember riding those little yellow trams up the hills, watching locals go about their day, and thinking “yeah, I could live here.”

The vibe is so chill compared to other European capitals.

People actually smile at you.

The food is incredible and won’t destroy your budget.

And those viewpoints scattered across the seven hills?

Absolutely unreal, especially at sunset.

Make sure to stop by the famous Pastéis de Belém for a traditional pastel de nata—I ate like six in one sitting and I’m not ashamed.

The custard tarts are legitimately life-changing.

Walk through the Alfama district, get lost in the narrow streets, listen to some live fado music in a tiny restaurant.

That’s the Lisbon experience right there.

---

Amsterdam: Way More Than the Stereotype

Look, there’s more to Amsterdam than its notorious “coffeeshops” and Red Light District.

Like, so much more.

This Netherlands locale is so bike-friendly, it has more bikes than it does residents, which is both charming and slightly terrifying when you’re trying to cross the street.

I spent three days biking around the canals, visiting incredible museums (the Van Gogh Museum blew my mind), and eating stroopwafels at every opportunity.

The Anne Frank House was heavy but important—book your tickets way in advance.

The canal houses are gorgeous, especially in the Jordaan neighborhood where things feel a bit quieter and more local.

My favorite Amsterdam moment?

Sitting by a canal at dusk with a beer, watching the boats go by, no agenda whatsoever.

That’s when the city really shows you what it’s got.

---

Greek Islands: Because Sometimes Paradise Is Real

I’ve island-hopped through Greece twice now, and I still can’t pick a favorite.

Greece has got that unbeatable Mediterranean mix of ancient history, a tip-top climate, and food so good that you’ll never look at a supermarket olive the same way again.

Santorini is stunning but crazy expensive and packed with influencers fighting for the same sunset shot.

Go anyway, it’s worth it.

But also check out places like Paros or Naxos—still becoming more popular but still some of the favorite Greek islands for people in the know.

The beaches are insane.

The seafood is fresh and cheap.

The locals are genuinely warm and will feed you until you can’t move.

I spent a week bouncing between islands, swimming in water so blue it looked fake, and eating Greek salad for basically every meal.

If you know where to go, this country is still one of the most rewarding destinations in Europe.

---

Porto: Portugal’s Cooler, Less-Touristy Sister City

Porto is a seaside city north of Lisbon, the second biggest in Portugal, and has been recognized as “The Best European Destination” multiple times.

And honestly?

I get it.

With a lively and bustling town center, grand churches, orange-stained rooftops, port wine tastings, and riverside restaurants, Porto has it all.

The Douro River is gorgeous, especially at sunset when the whole city lights up.

I did a port wine tour in Vila Nova de Gaia and learned way too much about fortified wine while getting progressively more tipsy.

Best afternoon ever.

The food scene is incredible—francesinha is this insane sandwich covered in melted cheese and sauce that’ll fuel you for a week.

Walk across the Dom Luís I Bridge for killer views of the city.

Porto just feels authentic in a way that some European cities have lost.

---

Dubrovnik: The Croatian Stunner Everyone’s Talking About

Okay, so Dubrovnik isn’t exactly a secret anymore.

Game of Thrones put it on the map, and now it’s packed.

But here’s the thing—it ended up being one of my favorite cities of all time, so beautiful it’s actually emotional, with incredible drinks, a bar literally in a cave, stunning swimming spots, and some of the most incredible architecture you’ll ever see.

Walk the old city walls early in the morning before the cruise ships arrive.

The views over the terracotta roofs and the Adriatic are absolutely bonkers.

I found this little beach spot just outside the walls where locals swim—way better than the crowded tourist beaches.

The old town is magical, especially at night when it’s lit up and slightly less chaotic.

Yes, it’s expensive now.

Yes, it’s crowded.

But I still think it’s worth every penny.

---

Granada: Spain’s Hidden Gem in the South

While most people come to Granada to visit the Alhambra, Granada is an incredibly lively and thriving destination with or without its main tourist attraction.

The Alhambra is obviously spectacular—book tickets weeks in advance because they sell out.

But the real Granada magic happens in the tapas bars.

Experience Spanish culture by experiencing a true tapas experience when you order a drink and a plate of food comes with your drink.

Free food with your beer?

Yeah, I’m in.

I spent an entire evening bar-hopping through the Realejo neighborhood, getting a free tapa with each drink, and it cost me maybe fifteen euros total.

The Albaicín neighborhood is gorgeous for sunset views over the Alhambra.

Granada just has this vibe—part North African, part Spanish, completely its own thing.

---

The Norwegian Fjords: Nature at Its Most Epic

Southern Norway is laced with fjords, waterfalls, mountains and some of the most thrilling hiking trails in Europe, making it one of Europe’s best road trip destinations.

This isn’t your typical European city break.

This is raw, dramatic, “holy crap is this real life” kind of nature.

I did the Norway in a Nutshell tour and it completely lived up to the hype.

The train ride alone is worth the trip—you’re winding through mountains and past waterfalls that look like CGI.

Hike to Pulpit Rock, Kjeragbolten, and Trolltunga if you’re into that—I did Pulpit Rock and my legs hurt for three days but the views were absolutely worth it.

Bergen is a cute city to base yourself in, with colorful wooden houses and great seafood.

The fjords are expensive, I’m not gonna lie.

But it’s one of those places you’ll remember forever.

---

Venice: Touristy? Yes. Still Magical? Also Yes.

Venice is a city like no other, where asphalt streets are taken out and water canals replace them, and instead of cars, we drive boats.

It’s crowded.

It’s expensive.

It smells weird in the summer.

But it’s also completely unique and kind of unbelievable.

I got up super early one morning and walked around when the city was empty—just me, the canals, and some confused pigeons.

That’s when Venice shows you its real face.

Skip the gondola rides near St.

Mark’s Square (total tourist trap) and wander into the quieter neighborhoods like Cannaregio or Dorsoduro.

Eat cicchetti (Venetian tapas) at a bacaro and drink Aperol Spritzes by the Grand Canal.

Venice is one of those places where you just have to accept it for what it is—over-the-top, touristy, but also kind of magical if you let it be.

---