10 Reasons You Have To Visit Europe Now
Europe is always cited as a potential travel destination, but with the rising popularity of places like Japan, Mexico, and Africa, it’s easy to overlook this continent in favor of most exotic locales.
For me, Europe has always loomed large in the imagination, a place that my Slovak grandparents reverently referred to as the “Old Country.”
I MOVED TO GERMANY IN 2019 AND HAVE LIVED HERE EVER SINCE, AND MY ADMIRATION FOR EUROPE HAS ONLY GROWN.
Europe has so much to offer travelers, and below, I’ve collected the top ten reasons to add it to your travel bucket list.
10 Reasons You Have To Visit Europe Now
It’s Easy to Travel Through Europe
The top reason to visit Europe, especially for first-time travelers or solo travelers, is how easy it is to travel through Europe.
From the ease of entry to reliable rail and road infrastructure, Europe is easy to navigate, even if it’s your first time away from home!
Visa-Free Travel
The European Union’s Schengen Area allows visa-free travel for a large number of international travelers.
Visitors from the United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore, the UAE, and many, many more are able to easily travel to Europe with only their passport.
THIS MAKES IT EASIER FOR PRE-DEPARTURE PLANNING, AS THERE’S NO NEED TO GO THROUGH A LENGTHY VISA PROCESS TO PLAN A TRIP TO EUROPE.
Robust Travel Infrastructure
ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT EUROPE IS ITS WELL-CONNECTED TRAIN NETWORK, WHICH TOGETHER WITH ITS HIGHWAYS AND AIRLINE ROUTES MAKES GETTING AROUND EUROPE A BREEZE.
Italy is one of several European countries that is well-connected with trains.
There are plenty of hotels and holiday accommodations throughout the continent, too.
Mobile cellular networks and wifi (or “wee-fee,” as most Europeans call it) are also plentiful and reliable throughout most of Europe.
Widespread Understanding of English
One thing that makes Europe great for beginner travelers or solo travelers is the widespread understanding of English.
Alternate signage in English makes it easy to navigate transportation hubs, attractions, and cities.
FINDING AN ENGLISH TOUR IS EASY IN MOST DESTINATIONS, AND IF YOU GET LOST, MOST LOCALS HAVE AT LEAST A PASSABLE ABILITY TO SPEAK IT.
Visit Multiple Countries in Europe
Even though Europe is the second smallest continent in the world, it is one of the most culturally diverse and dense, with more than 40 countries and over 150 languages and dialects spoken.
A day that begins in Paris can easily end in Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, or Spain, which all border France.
Train routes make it easy to cross international borders between countries, and flights within Europe are rarely longer than a couple hours.
TRAVELERS WHO ENJOY COUNTING THE NUMBER OF COUNTRIES THEY’VE VISITED WILL APPRECIATE THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF COUNTRIES IN EUROPE.
(You could even make a point of visiting Europe’s microstates, like Monaco, Andorra, and Vatican City, to increase your own “country count.” 😉)
Europe’s different regions have distinct climates, landscapes, and cultures, and traveling from one, like the Nordics or the Baltics, to a completely different region, like the Iberian Peninsula, can make your trip feel even more exciting.
Europe is a Culinary Wonderland
Whether you dream of indulging in Belgian waffles in Ghent or enjoying beer and bratwurst at Oktoberfest in Munich, Europe has so many culinary treats to choose from!
The gelato in Bologna is worth a trip to Italy all on its own.
I LOVE EATING SCHNITZEL IN VIENNA AND TRYING TAPAS IN MADRID, OR WALKING THROUGH THE STREETS OF BOLOGNA WITH A GELATO IN HAND.
This year, I’m hoping to feast on souvlaki in Athens and sip port wine in Porto 😋.
The beverages aren’t to be missed either.
Beer culture is legendary in places like the Czech Republic, Belgium, and Germany, and oenophiles will be delighted with visits to wine regions like Tuscany in central Italy, Bordeaux, in southwest France, and La Rioja, in northern Spain.
Not imbibing? Then the coffee culture of Italy and Austria might be more your speed.
But Europe offers more than just the chance to eat and drink your way through - but it’s totally fine if that’s your plan!
FOR ME, TAKING A COOKING CLASS OR CULINARY WORKSHOP IS A FANTASTIC WAY TO REALLY EXPERIENCE THE GASTRONOMIC CULTURE OF A PLACE.
And in certain destinations, group wine dinners are a great way to meet other travelers while sampling a wide variety of dishes and wines.
🍷🧀 Visiting Europe for its unmatched culinary, wine and spirits? Read about my picks for Europe’s best food & wine destinations. 🍷🧀
Europe’s Time Zones are a (Mostly) Painless Adjustment
While jet lag is never fun, the variety you’ll suffer from a trip to Europe pales in comparison to the adjustments required of flying to Asia or Australia.
This is because Europe’s time zones are a convenient distance from places like the United States and Canada.
FOR TRAVELERS COMING FROM THE EAST COAST, THE TIME DIFFERENCE IS ONLY SIX HOURS, AND FOR THOSE FROM THE WEST COAST, IT’S A NINE HOUR DIFFERENCE.
This makes Europe an easier trip on the body, and allows travelers to more easily adjust to the new time zone and enjoy their destination.
History Comes Alive in Europe
So much history is on display throughout Europe that it’s a must-visit destination for history buffs.
Another reason that makes Europe such a fantastic place to visit is the living history that exists in so many parts of the continent.
IMAGINE TOURING THE ACROPOLIS IN ATHENS, BUILT DURING THE 5TH CENTURY B.C., OR VISITING THE TOWER OF LONDON, BUILT IN 1055.
Taking a stroll along the East Side Gallery in Berlin is a powerful reminder that the past isn’t really even past — the Berlin Wall only fell in 1989.
From medieval castles in Scotland to Renaissance palazzos in Florence, history surrounds visitors to Europe, and makes for fascinating travels of discovery.
Europe is Beautiful
EUROPE IS FULL OF SO MUCH BEAUTY, BOTH NATURAL AND MAN-MADE, THAT AT TIMES IT CAN BE OVERWHELMING.
Unrivaled Art Museums
The beauty of Europe is on full display at its art museums.
Europe is home to a dizzying array of world-class art museums, like the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
NO MATTER WHERE YOUR INTERESTS IN ART LEAD YOU, EUROPE HAS SOMETHING FOR YOUR TASTES.
Interested in discovering Renaissance wonders at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, or hunting for Velázqueze masterpieces at the Prado in Madrid?
Perusing the Dutch masters at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is a popular pastime for art lovers, as is touring the Impressionist collection at Musée d'Orsay in Paris.
If modern art is more up your alley, then put the Tate Modern in London at the top of your list.
🎨 Visiting Europe for the best art museums, galleries, and shows? Read about my recommendations for Europe’s best cities for art & history. 🎨
Well-Preserved Architecture
But Europe’s beauty isn’t confined to the walls of museums alone.
ITS WELL-PRESERVED ARCHITECTURE AND BOLD CONTEMPORARY CONSTRUCTIONS MAKE EUROPE A PLAYGROUND FOR ARCHITECTURE ENTHUSIASTS.
The Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, sometimes called the Square Colosseum, is a building in the EUR district in Rome.
Visit the art nouveau masterpieces of Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona, including his unfinished Sagrada Familia, or admire the Gothic splendor of the recently repaired Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
While I love discovering the medieval architecture of cities like Ghent, Belgium, I also enjoy learning about more recent architectural movements, like the Fascist architecture of Mussolini's regime in Rome, or the Brutalist style of the Barbican Centre in London.
🏰 Visiting Europe for the best architecture and design? Read about my picks for Europe’s best cities for architecture & design. 🏰
Gorgeous Vistas and Landscapes
Beauty extends to the outdoors, beyond the worlds of stone and concrete, in gorgeous vistas and stunning landscapes.
NO MATTER THE TIME OF YEAR, EUROPE’S GREAT OUTDOORS IS ALWAYS PUTTING ON A SHOW.
From late-summer hiking through the stunning peaks of the Dolomites in Italy, to boating on the crystal blue waters at Taormina in Sicily, summer is when so many parts of Europe shine.
Europe’s breathtaking landscapes include beaches like Taormina, in Sicily.
Winter is a revelation, too, from the snow capped Alps in France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, to the Northern Lights in the Lapland of Finland.
Yet another reason that Europe is a fantastic choice for outdoor and adventure experience.
🏖️ Visiting Europe to enjoy its coastline and beaches? Read about my picks for Europe’s best beach destinations. 🏖️
⛰️ Maybe hiking Europe’s peaks is more your style? Read about my picks for Europe’s best hiking destinations. ⛰️
Europe is Home to Amazing Cultural Festivals
I truly believe that Europe is always a good idea, but visiting during cultural festivals amplifies the wonder and amazement of any visit.
SOME OF MY FAVORITE MEMORIES ARE CELEBRATING OKTOBERFEST IN MUNICH AND VISITING THE CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN PRAGUE.
My bucket list is full of cultural festivals like watching the running of the bulls at the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona, Spain, or attending the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland.
Europe is Safe and Welcoming
THE RELATIVE SAFETY OF EUROPE IS ANOTHER REASON THAT IT’S SUCH A GOOD CHOICE, ESPECIALLY FOR SOLO TRAVELERS OR THOSE WITHOUT A LOT OF TRAVEL EXPERIENCE.
Public areas like parks and city squares are usually clean and well-maintained.
Even though European cities have low crime rates, areas with popular tourist attractions, like the Trevi Fountain in Rome, are often patrolled by extra police for added security.
Many cities in Europe have reliable and secure public transportation.
In case of emergencies, most destinations have excellent emergency response services, and Europe has a robust network of consulates and embassies for assistance.
Europe Fits All Budgets
Some travelers avoid Europe out of a fear that it’s too expensive of a destination.
BUT ONE OF THE BEST REASONS TO VISIT EUROPE IS ITS ABILITY TO FIT ALL BUDGETS.
On the economical end of the spectrum, Europe is a great choice for the likes of student backpackers, who can stay at hostels, indulge in street food, and enjoy free admission to many state-run museums.
For cost-conscious travelers willing to spend a little more, Europe’s collection of three to four star hotels, affordable public transportation, and reasonable tour costs will be a great fit.
And if you’re fortunate enough that cost is no object, then the grandeur of European luxury travel has plenty to offer — from hotels with Eiffel Tower views in Paris to private guided museum tours.
ONCE YOU DEFINE YOUR TRAVEL BUDGET, IT’S EASY TO FIND HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, AND EXPERIENCES THAT FIT THE BILL.
Its Capital Cities Offer Unbeatable Shopping
If you appreciate a good souvenir as a memento of your travels, then Europe’s capital cities have unbeatable shopping to offer.
Europe’s major capitals are amazing for all kinds of shopping, from designer fashion shopping in Paris, vintage clothes shopping, and home and textile shopping.
Whether you’re hoping to do some luxury designer shopping in Paris, or prefer searching for vintage treasures in London’s Brick Lane, the shopping in Europe is amazing.
DURING MY FIRST VISIT TO EUROPE, WE SEARCHED FOR TEXTILES AND JEWELRY IN THE GRAND BAZAAR IN ISTANBUL.
Lately, I’ve been daydreaming about shopping for homeware in Amsterdam’s Nine Streets the next time I visit.
Europe’s shopping is exceptional, especially for travelers who appreciate fine craftsmanship and authentic materials.
Conclusion
Europe’s treasures are waiting to be discovered, and its diverse regions and cultures offer something for everyone.
READY TO PLAN A TRIP TO EUROPE?
Head to my Destinations page to get some inspiration on the best places to visit, and then check out my collection of Travel Resources to help you with the nuts and bolts of trip planning.
And once you’re preparing for departure, don’t miss my various Packing Guides!
Cheers 😉,
Angela