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Warsaw, Poland
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This surprising city has been voted Europe’s best destination for 2023

Over half a million travellers voted on their favourite European destinations for a new list of places to visit this year

Ed Cunningham
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Ed Cunningham
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When trying to decide where to travel in 2023, we wouldn’t blame you for being a bit more adventurous than you have been before. After all, why bother going to the same places everyone else does? New year, new city, we say. 

So forget your Barcelonas and your Berlins. If you’re on the hunt for a less conventional Europe trip in 2023, travel website European Best Destinations has a few suggestions. Over half a million travellers voted on destinations for its list of the continent’s best places to visit this year. And out of a whopping 400 destinations, the 20 most-voted spots made the final round-up.

Alongside the usual suspects, the list includes plenty of lesser-known destinations and takes into account everything from green spaces and safety levels to a destination's historic attractions. 

Top of the pile was... Warsaw! The Polish capital was singled out for a whole bunch of reasons, from its parks to its historic wonders and overall safety. And, from the spectacular spire of the Palace of Culture and Science to the characterful Old Town Market Square, it’s not hard to see why the city was held in such high regard.

Warsaw was followed by Athens, thanks to its food, art and culture, and Maribor in Slovenia, which got a nod for its natural scenery and summer festivals.

Here are the top ten places to visit this year, according to European Best Destinations.

  1. Warsaw, Poland
  2. Athens, Greece
  3. Maribor, Slovenia
  4. Vienna, Austria
  5. Cittadella, Italy
  6. Essen, Germany
  7. Veszprém, Hungary
  8. London, UK
  9. Grenoble Alpes, France
  10. Mannheim, Germany

Certainly a bit more interesting than most European 2023 travel lists, right? You can find out more on the European Best Destinations website here. Then read our own list of the 18 best city breaks in Europe for 2023.

Did you see that these cities are Europe’s new cultural capitals?

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