Europe: The Best Travel Tips and Most Beautiful Destinations

Europe has much more to offer than most of us think. Sure, there are a whole bunch of destinations that we know inside out. But bet that there are many more hidden corners to discover?

We have compiled the most beautiful travel destinations in Europe for you. Here you will also find all the information and essential tips you need for a trip within Europe. Here are our recommendations - let's get started!

Looking for a beach vacation without having to travel far? In Europe, you can enjoy the beautiful summer-sun-beach feeling, especially along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. In Italy, for example, in Spain, Portugal, France, or even in Croatia. All these places are truly magnificent, and the respective coastal areas offer everything that a beach lover's heart desires.

Let's start in the vacation classic Nice, the largest city on the French Riviera. Nice serves as an excellent base from which you can easily access all the holiday highlights along the entire French Riviera. Just a tip: Cannes, Monaco, and Antibes are not far away, nor is Corsica, and even Italy is just 30 kilometers away. Besides, Nice itself has so much to offer that you could easily spend a whole vacation there. There are countless museums that often have free admission. In the old town, you can shop, enjoy coffee, and relax as you watch the bustling life. Afterward, grab a delicious melon from the market and head to the city beach, which is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in all of France. Tip: You'll find true dream beaches on the Cap Ferrat peninsula, nestled between Nice and Monaco in crystal-clear blue waters.

For those looking for a vacation far from the well-known destinations, we recommend a beach vacation on the Polish Baltic coast. Why? Because it boasts an incredible 500 kilometers of sandy beaches, each whiter and wider than the last. You can enjoy these beaches year-round, and it's generally cheaper than on the German side. It does get quite crowded on the Baltic Sea in July and August, as that's when all of Poland is on summer vacation. You can stay in picturesque fishing villages, camping sites, or upscale seaside resorts like Swinoujscie on Usedom, Kolobrzeg, or Leba with its giant migrating dunes. Particularly beautiful: Everywhere you go, you'll find well-developed bike paths, so you can explore the area at your leisure.

Our next tip takes us even further north, specifically to Denmark. Denmark also has plenty of coastline to offer - both on the North and East Seas. While the waves in the Baltic Sea tend to be smaller, the North Sea is significantly wilder. This might appeal especially to surfers among you. However, one thing holds true for both coasts regarding the beaches: All are stunning, wide, and sandy. On sunny days, you can spend the whole day at the beach. This is possible even in rough weather, although the activities will be more about long walks than lounging on a towel. In general, Denmark is quite peaceful, with no signs of stress, hustle, or simply too many people gathered in one place! In Denmark, you stay in camping sites or in one of the countless holiday homes.

Have you ever been to Albania? Even though some might still not believe it, we are firmly convinced that this small Balkan country has some of the most beautiful beaches in Southern Europe. You can truly relax in the resort town of Ksamil. From here, you can also visit the ancient settlement of Butrint, where the Romans, Greeks, and Ottomans left their marks. It's best to start your trip in Albania's capital, Tirana, and then head on to the Albanian Riviera.

Paris, Berlin, Vienna. Countless tourists come to these cities year after year from all over the world. Always worth a visit: Barcelona. In the Catalan capital, life pulses on every street, and no matter how often you've been there, every time the lively city feels like it has transformed once again. Currently trending is the El Born district, which boasts an abundance of fantastic bars, clubs, and pubs.

If you're in the mood for a city trip in Europe away from the crowds, take a look at our recommendations, which include some lesser-known gems:

Do you love city trips but don't want to forgo your vacation by the sea and on the beach? You don't have to! Many European cities are bursting with life and are also located along the coast. How about Copenhagen, Riga, or Helsinki, just to name a few highlights in Northern Europe? If you're more drawn to the warm South, we recommend Split, Palermo, or Alicante.

Copenhagen - a fantastic city. Not only because it's incredibly laid-back there but also because you can enjoy wonderful shopping in one of the largest pedestrian zones in Europe and immerse yourself in a wealth of culture. This is all especially great to explore by bike, as the bike paths in the city are particularly wide. The best part: You can also enjoy a beach vacation in Copenhagen. The Amager Beach Park boasts large, wide beaches. And the best part: You can get there in ten minutes by bike or subway! Another cool spot is the Svanemølle Beach in the Østerbro neighborhood of Copenhagen. It covers 4,000 m2 with a long pier stretching into the sea. There are also some fantastic outdoor swimming pools in the city!

Helsinki, the Finnish capital, offers the perfect combination as well. Helsinki and the beach - it sounds almost like Sahara and sauna. But only almost, because in the Finnish capital and on its outlying islands like Uunisaari, there are indeed quite a few beaches (and some outdoor pools). The city's most popular beach is Hietaranta, which the Finns refer to as Hietsu. When the weather is nice, it can get really crowded there. Conveniently, there are changing rooms, a volleyball court, and a playground, as well as a café. Helsinki is, perhaps surprisingly, a city with many facets. The old town is beautiful, especially notable for the many churches. The hipster district of Kallio is a must-see, as well as the museum district and the numerous Art Nouveau buildings throughout the city.

There are places that are still real insider tips and are slowly becoming trendy destinations. Others are well-known tourism spots with many undiscovered treasures away from the tourist crowds. Do you love culinary experiences and want to soak up as much art as possible? Italy is still perfect for this: With Air Dolomiti's Alternative Guide, you can discover many beautiful hidden corners in Italy's pearls Venice, Verona, and Florence.

Would you rather stay completely off the beaten path? The Lithuanian capital Vilnius awaits you with a unique Eastern European charm. Alongside a tumultuous history, numerous churches, and modern art, this Baltic gem offers a culture that cherishes freedom and a hip lifestyle. The Užupis district is a self-proclaimed artist republic, complete with its own constitution - and when you visit 'across the river' (that is what Užupis translates to), you even get a stamp in your passport. In the little cafés of this free republic, you'll find Bohemian flair and hipster vibes - so head right over! Especially worth a visit during a winter city break, as the 'funky' Christmas tree at the cathedral is regularly crowned one of the most beautiful in the world.

However, the Polish city of Łódź is also a true hub for art treasures: street art is found around every corner, while tourists are far less represented. Another hidden gem in Poland is Wrocław. It's particularly a great spot for young people, as there are countless bars, cafés, and true highlights for food lovers. A special tip: Hansel and Gretel. At the end of the marketplace, you'll find two Baroque-style buildings affectionately named 'Hansel' and 'Gretel'. While you'll find a very impressive art gallery in Hansel, Gretel offers a bar with a beer garden.

Do you prefer spending time outdoors in nature? Then we have something for you: plenty of nature and many hidden gems. We've found our favorites in the northern and southern parts of Europe - are you with us? Let's start our nature expedition far up on the map, on a small island in the European Arctic Ocean, more specifically in Iceland. Iceland, located just below the Arctic Circle, might sound cold, but it isn't. That's thanks to the Gulf Stream. Above all, you can expect stunning landscapes: mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls, canyons, glaciers, and black lava sand. You can ride Icelandic horses, go kayaking, trekking, or snowshoeing - it's quite a wild experience!

Do you want to get to know the home of Santa Claus? Then you should head to Finnish Lapland in winter, the northernmost part of Finland. Very few people live there, which isn't surprising given that winter temperatures plummet to minus 30 degrees. To cope, there's either the sauna or winter sports. The ski slopes in the north are a real highlight with perfect powder. Cross-country skiing is also a great idea against the cold. And to get some real Christmas spirit, you can ride a reindeer sled through the winter landscape.

Our next favorite: Ireland. In the southwest of the island, you'll find a rugged landscape. This area is best explored along the coastal road Wild Atlantic Way by rental car. This road is something special. Spanning more than 2,500 kilometers, it is the longest defined coastal route in the world. You must stop at Sheep's Head, a peninsula that most tourists hardly pay attention to, located southwest of Cork. With steep cliffs, rugged landscapes, and guaranteed magnificent views, the Caribbean feeling (on sunny days) occurs in Crookhaven. Under those circumstances, the beaches are white, and the sea shines in the most beautiful turquoise. Things are livelier at Mizen Head, of course, since the views of the land and the Atlantic are spectacular. If you prefer quiet, you should take the half-hour hike to Three Castle Head - a real hidden gem.

Now it's getting warm! In Southern Europe, there are truly undiscovered gems, even if hard to imagine. A prime example is the currently very trendy Montenegro - so hurry before it gets too crowded! You must check out Lake Skadar, the largest lake on the entire Balkan Peninsula at 48 kilometers long and 14 kilometers wide. Mighty mountain masses frame the lake, which belongs one-third to neighboring Albania and the other two-thirds to Montenegro. In summer, countless water lilies bloom there, offering a fantastic sight! Especially if you experience it on a boat tour. Tip 2: With a depth of 1,300 meters, the Tara Canyon is the deepest gorge in Europe and the second deepest in the world after the Grand Canyon. You'll find it in the Durmitor National Park in the north of the country. We find the Tara Bridge especially exciting, which spans the gorge at a dizzying height of 150 meters. From up there, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain landscape and the turquoise-glowing Tara River.

How do I best pay during my travels in Europe? You can use your debit card in the following countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic, Hungary, the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and Cyprus. You can also use the Girocard as a cashless payment method in the extended Eurozone countries Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Norway. More information can be found here.

What is the Schengen Area and which countries are part of it? The Schengen Area consists of 27 countries (as of November 2023) that have officially abolished passport controls and other types of border controls at their common borders. Among these countries are 23 of the 27 EU member states. At the internal borders of Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus, you still have to expect controls. Ireland is not part of the Schengen area. Additionally, the four member states of the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) are part of the Schengen area.

Do I need my ID or passport for travel within Europe? As an EU citizen, you do not need to show your passport when traveling within the border-free Schengen area from one country to another. However, Germans are required to have their ID with them abroad. Border controls are not uncommon. If you want to travel to or from a non-Schengen country, you need to present a valid ID or passport. Don't forget: Research before your trip what documents you need to enter the non-Schengen country you plan to visit.