I have visited around 30 countries in Europe, here are my 10 favourite medium-sized cities in the old continent (in no particular order)
All photos by me :))
Verona🇮🇹
I had the opportunity to visit Verona this past summer and it quickly became one of my favourite cities in the world. It feels like everywhere you look there is history. The city felt so lively and the hills that surround it offer amazing views of the old town! I did not have as much time I had hoped, so I’ll definitely be returning to this gem in the near future.
Porto🇵🇹
Porto is the city of my grandfather, so I might be a bit biased but it genuinely is one of the most amazing cities I’ve visited. The architecture, the views, the food, it’s so beautiful. I visited with a friend who’s a local and I couldn’t have asked for a better guide. The Portuguese Baroque and the azulejos are glorious and the sunset from the Jardim do Morro was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.
After visiting around 30 countries in Europe, here are my 10 favourite big cities in the Old Continent (in no particular order)🧵
All photos by me :))
Rome🇮🇹
This one of self explanatory. I spent a week in Rome during Christmas time last year it was impossible not to fall in love with it. The architecture, the history, the monuments, the galleries, the palazzi… everywhere you look, everywhere you turn, there is something waiting for you. Don’t even get me started on the food.
I can’t wait to return to the Eternal City as a week was barely enough to scratch the surface.
Madrid🇪🇸
Madrid is a city that actually surprised me a lot, the city center was surprisingly clean for a city so big. I went while there was a big festival going on and every square was so alive. Madrid feels incredibly livable and it’s very beautiful, and the food here is also amazing.
Next time I visit, I will have more time so I can visit all the museums and royal palaces/monasteries that surround the city.
An honest review of every Belgian city I have visited so far🧵
All photos by me :))
Brussels: 6/10
The capital of Belgium, as well as the unofficial capital of the EU, is a complicated city. Brussels is rich in architecture: the Grand Place(one of the most beautiful squares in the world), Palais de Justice(the largest building built in the 19th century) as well as one of the finest collections of art nouveau architecture in the world.
However, the city has too many problems that are hard to ignore, it’s dirty, there are too many ugly high rise buildings in the city centre (so much so that this phenomenon is called Brusselisation) and it has some awful neighbourhoods. The public transport isn’t great for a city with such size and wealth, and the Palais de Justice has been hidden under scaffolding for 40 years.
Despite all this, the city still has some nice museums, and lot of history, plus I have a soft spot for Art Nouveau, so it gets a 6.
Antwerp: 8.5/10
Antwerp is technically the largest city in Belgium and it was historically a very rich and incredibly powerful city, which can be seen in its architecture. The city has amazing museums, beautiful plazas, imposing churches and the world’s most stunning train station. Antwerp also has an amazing artistic heritage as the birth place of Rubens.
If the city had been better preserved, it would easily be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, that’s the only reason why Antwerp doesn’t score higher.
One of my favourite times for photography is the golden hour.
That time of the day right after sunrise and before sunset where the sky turns golden and buildings glow red, it’s pure magic. So here is a thread with some of my best Golden Hour photos :)🧵
An honest review of every French city I have visited so far🇫🇷🧵
All photos by me :))
Nîmes: 8.5/10
Nîmes has everything I love in a city. Gorgeous architecture, walkable streets, good food, friendly people and an absurd amount of history condensed into a small area. The city is famous for its Roman ruins, so much so that it was dubbed the most Roman city outside of Italy. I found the city to be quite safe, even at night. The city has one of the oldest public parks in Europe and this park is also the birthplace of Nîmes. This city is incredible and I can’t wait to return.
Strasbourg: 9/10
Strasbourg is magical. I have a soft spot for half timbered houses, and Strasbourg definitely does not lack them. The city has great food, particularly tarte flambée and wine and the churches are spectacular. The city is a bridge between German and French cultures and the architecture reflects this. I felt that Strasbourg is safer than most other large cities in France so it gets bonus points for that. Strasbourg, and many other Alsatian towns are famed for their Christmas markets, which I was lucky enough to experience last Christmas.
Another great thing about Strasbourg is that it’s a great place to base yourself if you wish to explore the rest of Alsace. Definitely one of my favourite cities in France!