The Must-See Cities in Europe if you have limited time

After living in The Netherlands for almost 3 years, we found ourselves constantly planning and researching the best places in Europe to visit. After all, when you are already on this side of the world, you want to be able to experience as much as possible. 

Unfortunately, we did live in Europe during that “time”, and travel was not something that was easy to do. When we were able to travel again, the children were at school so we had limited time to be picky and needed to make some choices.

So where do we recommend if you have limited time in Europe? 

London

Filled with iconic landmarks and rich in history, London is the perfect location for people to start their European travels. Throw yourself straight into the British lifestyle by heading to the local pub, and then check out a show at the West End. If you are short on time but want to see all the famous sites, consider a sightseeing trip on a red double decker bus or take a boat trip along the Thames. 

Paris

Paris is a city like no other and was on the top of our list from the day we arrived in Europe. Like all good tourists, you need to see the Eiffel Tower. We booked the elevator to head to the top at 7pm in February. This way so we could see the view of Paris at night and the flashing light show that appears on the hour. Arrive early to also see the tower during the daylight too. While in Paris, stroll down De Champs-Élysées with a pain au chocolat, and watch artists paint and purchase their masterpieces. Art lovers can spend a day visiting The Louvre. You will also want to wander the streets of Montmartre to soak up the bohemian vibe. 

Rome

You cannot visit Europe without heading to Italy and there is no better stop than Rome. You cannot visit the Italian capital without seeing the historic Colosseum or throwing coins in the famous Trevi Fountain. If you only have a short time in Rome, spend the day in St Peters Square for some fresh pasta and gelato. Also, check out St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican, including Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.

Barcelona

Probably our favourite city out of all them, Barcelona is relaxed yet vibrant. Full of art and history but a great city just for a shopping weekend. Barcelona really kicks off after 5 and it isn’t uncommon for a 10pm dinner even with kids. If you are a football fan (Soccer) make sure you head to Camp Nou and do a stadium tour. And make sure you stand in awe of the Sagrada Familia. 

Amsterdam

As you probably guessed, we didn’t just visit Amsterdam once. Known for its gorgeous canals and unique Red Light District. But this city is full of hidden treasures, with some of the most stunning art galleries and museums in the world. Some of the best are located in Museumplein. Even if you are not an art lover, it is worth visiting the RijksMuseum to see some of the world’s best known paintings. From there you can head to Vondelpark for a dose of the evergreen nature that The Netherlands has to offer. The atmosphere is electric no matter where you go. People watching is just as fun as any other task, so enjoying a drink on one of the many terraces is a must. 

Quick Tips

When planning a trip to Europe, don’t just pack for the season you’re going to be travelling in. Prepare for the possibility of an unseasonal weather change. Layers and comfortable clothing in neutral colours will always be the safest choice. It can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion and location. Just make sure you don’t look like a tourist no matter where you visit.  All cities are safe, but tourists are always a target for pickpockets. 

If you only have a few weeks to visit Europe, consider the option of train travel. The train connects these favourites to other major cities to make seeing Europe easy. For example, you can get to Paris from London in less than three hours.

FINAL THOUGHTS

While this is just a small handful of the stunning cities around Europe, they are all easy to get to when you are short on time.