10 Of The Best European Cities For Cultural Breaks In 2025
The Palace of Craiova, Romania
Although less known (and visited) than Bucharest, the capital, Craiova, in southwestern Romania, is a cultural hotspot with numerous events throughout the year, including the Shakespeare Festival, the world's largest international festival dedicated to the playwright. For electronic dance music lovers, the IntenCity Festival is every June with open-air performances. And a more unusual event, Puppets Occupy Street Festival in August, involves giant puppets and immersive performances. Craiova is the birthplace of Constantin Brâncuși, the pioneer of modernist sculpture whose works are at major museums around the world including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Pompidou in Paris and Tate Modern in London, among others. A visit to Craiova should include the Brâncuși Centre for a fascinating look at his life and The Craiova Art Museum, housing his work.
Cathedral of Santa Maria in Gerona, Catalonia, Spain
Located between the Pyrenees and the Costa Brava, Girona is one of Spain's most attractive and underrated cultural destinations. With its perfectly preserved medieval core and vibrant arts scene, Girona has much to offer, all without the crowds of larger cities.
The Old Town (Barri Vell) is one of the best-preserved in Europe with ancient city walls that you can walk on. Girona Cathedral is truly impressive, with the widest Gothic nave in the world. It's no surprise that Girona has become a popular backdrop for filmmakers (including Game of Thrones) thanks to its striking architecture. The city has its fair share of festivals including the gorgeous Temps de Flors, a celebration every spring of all things floral.
Guggenheim Museum by Frank Gehry architect and Maman Sculpture by Louise Bourgeois. Bilbao, Spain
Bilbao, one of Europe's most exciting cultural destinations, is a model for other former industrial cities that could benefit from major regeneration. The Spanish city was once a shipbuilding powerhouse, before the industry declined from the 1970s-1990s. After the Frank Gehry designed Guggenheim Museum, opened in 1997, the dockland area around it was regenerated and what has become known as the 'Guggenheim effect' has been replicated in other cities. The museum is now one of the most important contemporary art spaces in the world, with a permanent collection and exhibitions from major international artists including Jean Michael Basquiat, Richard Serra and Louise Bourgeois. Bilbao is also a glowing example of bold architectural innovation, from Santiago Calatrava's Zubizuri Bridge to the Azkuna Zentroa cultural center, a 20th-century wine warehouse transformed into a creative hub.
The Parthenon (447 B.C.) on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece
The birthplace of philosophy, democracy and theater, Athens is an open-air museum filled with awe-inspiring monuments and a thriving urban scene. The Acropolis, the Parthenon and the Ancient Agora are of course essential for any visit but every corner of Athens seems to tell a story of mythology, innovation and artistic achievement. Aside from ancient treasures, Athens has a buzzy contemporary art scene bursting from its bohemian neighborhoods, galleries and avant-garde theaters. In 2025, the National Gallery will show a retrospective of Panayiotis Tetsis's work, The Obsession of the Gaze and at Museum of Cycladic Art, see Marlene Dumas: Cycladic Blues.
Binnenhof (Dutch Parliament), The Hague (Den Haag), The Netherlands.
Often overshadowed by Amsterdam, The Hague is a hidden gem of Dutch culture, history, and elegance. As the political and royal capital of the Netherlands, this city is home to world-class museums, historic landmarks and a vibrant arts scene. If you missed out on the blockbuster Vermeer show in 2024 at Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, you can visit the Mauritshuis to see Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, as well as masterpieces from Rembrandt and and Holbein. The Gemeentemuseum features an outstanding collection of Mondrian and De Stijl movement artworks, while the Escher Museum has the mind-bending works of M.C. Escher. As the seat of the Dutch monarchy and government, The Hague offers a fascinating glimpse into royal and political history. Visit the Binnenhof, one of Europe's oldest parliamentary buildings and stroll past Noordeinde Palace, the working palace of the Dutch king.
Salzburg historic district, Austria
Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is a city of Baroque beauty, classical music and Alpine charm. With breathtaking mountain landscapes and historic architecture, Salzburg is a UNESCO-listed jewel. Salzburg breathes music. The Salzburg Festival continues to celebrate Mozart's legacy with world-class opera, orchestral concerts and theatrical performances each summer. Salzburg's Altstadt (Old Town) is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, with elegant palaces, domed churches and charming squares. Don't miss Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Hohensalzburg Fortress and the Salzburg Cathedral. Fans of The Sound of Music can visit filming locations such as Leopoldskron Palace and the rolling hills of the Salzburg countryside.
Panorama of Florence and Saint Mary of the Flower in Florence, Italy
Florence, known as the cradle of the Renaissance, is one of the world's best art destinations. Home to some of the world's greatest masterpieces, you'll see Botticelli's Birth of Venus at the Uffizi Gallery and Michelangelo's towering sculpture David at the Accademia. The Duomo, one of the largest churches in the world with its famous Brunelleschi-designed dome, houses works by Michelangelo, Donatello and Giotto. And if you're feeling energetic, climb the 463 narrow, winding steps to the top of the Duomo for panoramic views and a sense of accomplishment.
City of Basel in Switzerland
Basel, on the river Rhine, is perhaps best known for its contemporary annual art fair Art Basel that attracts collectors and artists from around the world. The city also has over 40 museums, including the Kunstmuseum (Switzerland's oldest art museum), Fondation Beyeler, and Museum Tinguely, featuring masterpieces from Holbein to Rothko. Explore the stunning Basel Minster and admire contemporary landmarks designed by Herzog & de Meuron and Renzo Piano. Sitting at the intersection of three countries, Basel is a blend of Swiss precision, French charm and German efficiency.
View of Paris with Eiffel tower
Paris deserves its title as 'the city of light' as an endless source of inspiration for art lovers, history enthusiasts and dreamers alike. Every art lover must visit The Louvre at least once in their lifetime not just to see Leonardo's incredible Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo by but for the quieter galleries too in the Richelieu wing with works by masters like Rubens, Rembrandt and Vermeer. Other must visits: the Musée d'Orsay, in a former train station with some of the greatest Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, the Musée Rodin and the Picasso Museum – the list goes on. For contemporary art, Fondation Louis Vuitton on the outskirts of the city is also essential. For literature buffs following in the footsteps of writers like Victor Hugo, and Ernest Hemingway, walk through the historic Latin Quarter, visit the legendary Shakespeare & Company bookstore, and stop for coffee and people watching on the terrace at Les Deux Magots, where Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir and Picasso once met. Music lovers can see grand productions at the Opéra Garnier and Opéra Bastille and visit the excellent jazz clubs on Rue des Lombards.
Big Ben with bridge over Thames, London, England, UK
If you went to an art gallery in London every day for two years you wouldn't visit them all. The National Gallery, the two Tates, the Hayward and the Royal Academy are just a few of the UK capital's 857 public art galleries, most of which offer free admission. The National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery on Trafalgar Square are a great place to start an art-focused visit. If you like Impressionist art, the National Gallery has several rooms of masterpieces while nearby on the Strand, at the Courtauld Institute of Art, you'll see wonderful paintings from Renoir, Manet and Cezanne. And also worth visiting are lesser known galleries like Kenwood House at the top of Hampstead Heath with its precious Vermeer and Turner paintings and The Wallace Collection with Fragonard's The Swing and works by Canaletto, Rubens and Titian. Theater lovers will find that seeing a Broadway-level play or musical on London's West End is much less expensive and a Shakespearean classic in the round at the Globe Theatre on London's Southbank is a wonderful experience. London has a thriving music scene with the best in classical music at the Royal Festival hall and the Royal Albert Hall. Venues like Ronnie Scott's, Club 606 and the Vortex are a joy for jazz lovers as is the annual EDF London Jazz Festival every November.
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