My Top 5 Favorite European Countries Ranked
- Madilyn Brus
- 1 hour ago
- 5 min read
Through the high school offering international student tours with EF, I have traveled to five European countries. Today, I am ranking them based on food, art, architecture, shopping, and attractions.
Dive in and don’t be hesitant to allow it to change your opinion on traveling internationally. It truly is a life-changing opportunity that everyone should consider.
Honorable Mention: Vatican City
Vatican City is technically a country due to its religious significance. That being said, it cannot compare to the other countries on account that fully fledged countries have more cultural influences, music, food, and most importantly, people who live there other than the Pope.
Do not get me wrong, though. The Vatican is a gorgeous display of religious art, and it should 100% be on your “to visit” list. The Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Cathedral contain hundreds of pieces of beautiful art that are begging to be visited. The hallways of the Vatican Museum are art in themselves, and I dare not try to capture their beauty with mere words.
The Sistine Chapel is something so grand it cannot be described. If you are visiting Italy, is it entirely worth your time to visit Vatican City, if not for the religious aspects, then for the architecture and art?
5. Greece
Greece is the country to visit if architecture and history are your jam. The Acropolis provides a breathtaking view of Athens from above, as well as a view into what once was.
Greece has beautiful museums chock full of intricate pottery, figurines, and archaeological finds from Ancient Greece. My favorite museum is the Acropolis Museum, which is home to the five Caryatid Statues (the Sisters of the Erechtheion). The sixth sister is located in the British Museum, and it is on my bucket list to visit her; however, it would be an astounding experience to see all six together again.
The sixth sister was taken in the 19th century and once held the Erechtheion Temple, acting as a column. The ones currently displayed in the museum are genuine and have been used to make replicas that hold up the Erechtheion temple today.
4. Germany
Guten Tag! Germany is my 4th ranked country, but do not disregard it. Germany has many attractions, such as Nymphenburg Palace, Rathaus Glockenspiel, Linderhof Palace, Innsbruck, and Neuschwanstein Castle.
Nymphenburg Palace and Linderhof Palace are beautiful estates with amazing gardens and walkable views of the ornate palaces. The Rathaus Glockenspiel in Munich is a breathtaking example of Gothic architecture that cannot be thoroughly captured with pictures.
Innsbruck is a beautiful city with amazing treats, architecture, and shops. Germany has so much more to offer than the examples above; do not hesitate to visit.
3. Switzerland
Yodel eh he hoo! Or something along those lines? You have not lived until you have woken up in the Swiss Alps to the sound of cow bells and seen the world from the peak of a mountain. The views alone are astounding and entirely worth the eight-hour plane ride.
Switzerland is the only country that, if I were to visit again, I wouldn’t dare complain about airport lines, waiting for transport, or expenses. It is 100% worth it. The swans on Lake Lucerne adorn the insanely blue water enclosed by walls of breathtaking mountains.
The view from Mount Pilatus truly boosted my ego, and I definitely thought about climbing a mountain for a few months. Switzerland has charmed me so much that I would jump at the opportunity to visit again. It has definitely made my vision board several times.
2. Austria
The hills are alive with the sound of music! Austria is the location of the iconic movie The Sound of Music and for good reason, because it is beautiful. The traditional European architecture adorns most buildings with Greek-inspired Corinthian-style columns, intricate statues, arches, and Gothic-inspired domes, spires, and stained glass windows.
Inside famous buildings such as the Austrian National Library, the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, and Schonbrunn Palace, the ceilings are adorned with gold and/or intricate paintings. The walls have an infinite amount of detailed moulding, and sculptures decorate the floor space.
The food is very good, with breakfast being similar to that in most European countries: meat, cinnamon cake, bread, and eggs with fresh fruit and vegetables. Dessert and snacks were by far my favorite foods. I have yet to enjoy the Manner Wien brand wafers again since my trip, and the memory of the taste is gone from me, but I remember them being addictive and insanely delicious. The hazelnut is the best.
Austria is also home to the Salzburg Sound of Music scenic bike tour, which features sights such as the Mirabell Gardens, where the Do-Re-Mi scene was filmed. Austria is filled with cultural experiences like this, and it is definitely worth visiting. Vienna waits for you, but don’t stall too long; it is too beautiful not to experience.
1. Italy
"Il mattino ha l’oro in bocca" literally means the morning has gold in its mouth and is equivalent to “the early bird gets the worm” or seize the day, which is exactly the attitude one must have about traveling to Italy. It is truly a beautiful country filled with the best architecture, food, museums, attractions, tours, and culture. To rank these countries is so difficult, but I truly believe that Italy is deserving of the number one spot.
The tourist attractions are not overhyped like some tend to be. The Trevi Fountain is a masterpiece in marble and an astounding sight to see. Rome and Florence are decadent with hundreds of intricate sculptures that make art accessible to the public. The Roman Forum tour is one of the best I have ever experienced and is truly immersive. The Colosseum is an iconic Roman centerpiece, but do not let it be the only one you visit. Italy has so much to offer besides Rome. Florence is home to some beautiful art museums and delicious gelato, as well as great shopping opportunities. The Italian countryside is the single most beautiful sight I have ever experienced, and I have written essays on how the small town of Orvieto has genuinely changed my life.
Orvieto is also home to a beautiful cathedral adorned with gold-plated artworks and beautifully weathered copper doors. Italy is truly one of the most beautiful, most culturally rich countries in the world. Not to mention the food is amazing and iconic, as people all over the world eat traditional dishes often. Italian food from Italy is top-notch and definitely worth trying.
These 5 countries are beautiful and entirely worth being on your bucket lists or vision boards! Immerse yourself in international culture.
