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Lisbon Alfama District Portugal
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Revealed: the best European capitals for tourists to visit in 2024

The continent’s major cities were ranked based on safety, affordability and friendliness, and the results are in

Liv Kelly
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Liv Kelly
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Europe isn’t all about its major cities. Our own round-up of European city breaks for 2024 has a lovely mix of second cities, capitals and lesser-known spots that offer the perfect blend of culture, food and nightlife, alongside practical stuff like walkability and affordability.

But if you’re keen to visit one of Europe’s bustling capitals, a new study from VisaGuide.World has looked into which ones offer the best visitor experience, based on factors including friendliness, safety and affordability.

Lisbon was crowned the best capital for tourists in 2024, thanks to its budget-friendliness, actual friendliness, safety and long list of things to do. We can’t argue with that – the Portuguese capital really does have it all, from must-see artworks and rooftop bars to mention nearby beaches and nightlife hotspots.

In second place it was Amsterdam (though you might want to take heed of the city’s ‘stay away’ campaign) and in third it was Prague, which is the most budget-friendly entry on the list. 

The 10 best European capitals for tourists to visit in 2024

  1. Lisbon, Portugal
  2. Amsterdam, Netherlands
  3. Prague, Czechia
  4. Warsaw, Poland
  5. Madrid, Spain
  6. Zagreb, Croatia
  7. London, UK
  8. Rome, Italy
  9. Bern, Switzerland
  10. Paris, France

You can have a read of VisaGuide.World’s study in a little more detail here

When in Europe 

Europe is absolutely bursting with things to do, from amazing train journeys and hikes to beaches, bucket list activities and underrated destinations

These are our top picks for the best city breaks in Europe for 2024

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Plus: There could be an underwater tunnel linking Europe and Africa by 2030

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