Europe's 20 most beautiful cities: Vote for the fairest!
When it comes to bucket-list destinations, iconic landmarks and romantic spots for an escape, it's hard to beat Europe's cities and capitals. From the Baltic Peninsula to the isles of the Mediterranean, the 20 cities in the slideshow above -- all nominees in 10Best.com's Readers' Choice travel award contest -- represent Europe's creme de la creme.
Any discussion of Europe's beauty starts with the heavy hitters. Paris packs a timeless punch when it comes to sheer aesthetics, while Venice's romantic allure is undeniable. Those who find beauty in art will have a hard time finding a more appealing city than Florence, while those who appreciate culinary beauty flock to charming Lyon, capital of French cuisine. London offers beauty in landmarks recognizable around the world.
Joining these well-known cities are an up-and-coming bunch of European destinations. Prague, Budapest and Copenhagen have garnered a reputation as world-class destinations thanks to their impressive architecture and rich cultural offerings. Dubrovnik has spearheaded Croatia's rapid rise to the top of many a bucket list, with its picturesque walled city and stunning coast, while Valencia offers a more modern -- yet equally beautiful -- European experience.
Cities don't have to be big to be beautiful. Sometimes, beauty is in the intimate charms of smaller destinations, like the canal-filled cities of Bruges and Strasbourg; windmill-dotted Leiden; or fairytale-like Chester. Some of Europe's most beautiful cities might be completely off the radar of some travelers: consider Riga in tiny Latvia, or Norway's Bergen. Innsbruck, Austria and Lugano, Switzerland are also lovely, but often don't make a European visitor's first itinerary.
For those travelers who believe a city's beauty isn't complete without a beach, Mediterranean destinations like Santorini in the Greek Islands or beachy Palma de Mallorca, off the coast of Spain, fit the bill.
Vote for your favorite here. These beautiful cities are all nominees in 10Best.com's Readers' Choice travel award contest. To see previous winners and other active contests, go to 10best.com/awards/travel.
READ MORE: 10 irresistibly charming World Heritage cities
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