12 Top European Cities You'll Love To Call Home

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Who wouldn’t love to live near medieval castles, dramatic landscapes, and some of the best food on the planet? Of course, we’re talking about Europe, and in 2024, it’s easier than ever to call it home.

Europe’s charming cities and towns that are full of incredible highlights, including historical places, world-class beaches, and famous nightlife. They also have great livability and many have pleasant weather.

We’ve compiled a list of the 12 best cities in Europe to live in 2024. We chose each destination based on its livability, safety, cost of living, and proximity to fun activities and sights. Keep reading below to learn more.

Vienna, Austria

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The capital of Austria is more than just Victorian palaces and endless desserts; it’s one of Europe’s most livable cities. In 2024, it received top honors from The Economist’s Global Liveability Index, which rates cities around the world based on their livability.

At just over $2,000 per month for a single person, it’s not the cheapest city in Europe, but it’s also not the most expensive. Life in Vienna brings you incredible food, wine, nature, history, culture, and year-long fun, in one of Europe’s safest cities.

While in Vienna, you can visit historical places such as the Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and Mozart’s apartment. On top of the sights is the city’s incredible food scene and its access to hiking trails and refreshing riverside nature areas.

Lisbon, Portugal

Best Neighborhoods and Hotels to Stay in Lisbon Best Hotels in Cais do Sodré — © Armando Oliveira / Adobe Stock

Lisbon, Portugal’s sun-soaked capital city, has become one of the world’s most popular destinations for travelers. With its exciting food scene, non-stop nightlife, nearby beaches, and beautiful architecture, it’s easy to see why.

While in Lisbon, you can enjoy its colorful architecture while exploring its narrow streets and parks. Duck into one of its many taverns to enjoy fado performances with a glass of wine or journey to the coast to relax on its beaches.

You can live comfortably in Lisbon for around $2,300 a month per person, making it an affordable European capital city. Lisbon is a hub for exploring the surrounding countryside, where you can see the castles of Sintra or the striking coastline of Parque Natural da Arrábida.

Thessaloniki, Greece

Castles in Greece_White Tower, Thessaloniki — © 22Images Studio / Shutterstock

On the beautiful coast of the Aegean Sea is Thessaloniki. With its stunning architecture, ancient ruins, and unparalleled natural scenery, this northern Greek port city is one of Europe’s most exciting destinations and a wonderful place to live.

A single person can expect to pay around $1,500 a month for living in a dream destination. Within the city are endless attractions, gorgeous beaches, and hundreds of incredible restaurants waiting to be experienced.

You can enjoy historical places such as the Arch of Galerius, the Heptapyrgion Fortress, and the iconic Triangle Tower. Plus, a large part of the city center contains preserved Roman and Greek buildings, making it a must-see destination for anyone who loves history.

Colmar, France

Located in France’s wine-rich region of Alsace, Colmar is full of colorful architecture, charming parks, and endless restaurants that serve some of the most heart-warming dishes in Europe. Plus, at just around $700 per month for rent, it’s one of France’s most affordable cities.

While in Colmar, you can dine at historic restaurants such as La Petite Venise and sip on fine wine next to the La Lauch River. Or, visit one of the city’s museums, including the Musée Bartholdi, which is dedicated to the designer of the Statue of Liberty, Auguste Bartholdi, one of Colmar’s most famous citizens.

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Outside the city, you’ll enter the beautiful French countryside and‌ see vineyards, medieval castles, and romantic natural areas. Come during the winter and you can enjoy some of the finest Christmas markets in Europe in the city of Colmar and its neighboring towns.

Catania, Sicily

At the base of Mt. Etna, one of Europe’s most stunning volcanoes, is the ancient port city of Catania. If you love fine wine, warm beaches, and year-round great weather, Catania is the place to be. Plus, at just under $1,200 a month for a single person, you’ll be living in style affordably.

Catania was founded back in the 8th century BC and became important for trade in the Ionian and Mediterranean Seas. This port city is full of historical sights such as the baroque Palazzo Biscari and the 13th century Ursino Castle.

Along its narrow streets are centuries old taverns, markets, and beautiful architecture. As you leave the city center, you can enjoy activities such as hiking, scuba diving, and wine tasting. On top of all it offers, it keeps a traditional and friendly vibe that makes it hard to leave.

Athens, Greece

Where to stay in Athens Best Hotels in the Center of Athens — © kite_rin / Adobe Stock

Greece’s capital city is a mixture of the ancient and the new. Its narrow streets have existed for millennia, and so have its rich traditions. Athens is also a foodies paradise, with fine dining, street food, and small boutique eateries as far as the eye can see.

The other side of Athens is its history. You can enjoy historical places and UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. You can also experience dozens of world-famous museums that preserve the city’s rich history.

You can expect to spend around $1,300 a month in Athens per person. In addition to its affordability, history, culture, and cuisine are its natural highlights. You’re not too far from picturesque mountain trails or the crystal-clear waters of the Saronic Gulf.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is Denmark’s capital city and is consistently rated one of the world’s happiest cities. When you’re here, it’s easy to see why. With its world-class museums, beautiful architecture, and walkability, it’s hard to beat Copenhagen’s livability.

This coastal city has a unique maritime charm. You’ll find intriguing museums and historical sites such as Rosenborg Castle and the 12th century Christiansborg Palace. Also, don’t miss the city’s artistic monuments such as the Little Mermaid statue.

Life in Copenhagen revolves around the outdoors. You can enjoy hundreds of bike trails, parks, and green spaces in the city. Although Copenhagen’s monthly cost of living is on the higher end, at over $3,000 per person, its livability and safety make it one of the best cities in Europe to live in.

Madrid, Spain

European Capitals with the Most Beautiful Parks Madrid — © FSEID / Adobe Stock

Spain’s capital is a lively mix of historical places, beautiful architecture, and fascinating culture. It also has booming art and food scenes that evolved from a mixture of cultures, including Latin American, Middle Eastern, and European.

For a large capital city, Madrid is full of green spaces, including parks, natural areas, and small public gardens. Expect to pay a little over $2,000 a month for rent and living costs, making it more affordable than many other European capitals.

What makes Madrid stand out above other European cities is its livability. With friendly people, plenty of nightlife, and a laid-back pace of life, Madrileños (people who live in Madrid) enjoy a high quality of life.

Split, Croatia

Sitting on the dramatic Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea is the city of Split. In this ancient port city, you can enjoy endless adventure, from water sports to nearby hiking. Plus, the city has one of the most exciting food scenes in Europe, with a mixture of traditional Croatian and fusion.

When you’re here, you’ll find friendly people, warm weather, and beautiful places. Although it’s a big city, you’re never far from beaches with turquoise water and hidden trails through pine forests. Plus, if you have a car, you can experience the region’s unique culture and traditions in the surrounding towns and villages.

At around $1,500 a month per person, it’s hard to beat Split’s affordability. Don’t miss historical sights such as Diocletian’s Palace, an ancient Roman palace, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Prague, Czechia

Prague is one of Europe’s most intriguing destinations, with its inspiring architecture, medieval streets, and amazing culinary scene. Its buildings span centuries and feature some of the best Gothic and Art Nouveau architecture in Europe.

Known as “The City of a Hundred Spires” its medieval architecture survived the wars that devastated many other European cities. You can see centuries old churches such as the 14th century Church of Our Lady before Týn and the 15th century Prašná brána medieval gate.

A single person can live comfortably in Prague for just over $1,500, making it an affordable destination. On top of its sights and affordability, Prague also has great walkability, safety, and public transportation.

Seville, Spain

Seville, in Spain’s southern region of Andalucia, is one of Europe’s most exciting destinations for food, culture, and nature. You’re never far from a historic site or a fine restaurant. Plus, you can live comfortably at just under $2,000 a month for a single person.

This beautiful city is full of historic charm and traditions. You can experience traditional flamenco shows or dine at one of the city’s famous food markets. Or cozy up to live music and a glass of sherry at one of the city’s centuries-old taverns.

When you’re in Seville, don’t miss historic sites such as the 16th-century Palace of the Countess of Lebrija. If you love art, architecture, and history all in one, don’t miss the Antiquarium. Here, you can see Roman ruins and fine art, all inside one of Europe’s most iconic modern buildings.

Istanbul, Türkiye

European Cities with the Best Coffee Culture Istanbul, Turkey — © gilitukha / Adobe Stock

Over the last few years, Istanbul has become one of Europe’s top destinations for tourists. From its incredible culinary scene to its mesmerizing medieval architecture, it’s easy to understand why.

The city sits at the intersection of Europe and Asia and has a mix of cultures. You’ll find fascinating markets, world-renowned cuisine, and a mixture of architectural styles. At just under $1,500 per month for a single person, it’s hard to beat its affordability.

When in Istanbul, check out historical sights such as the Byzantine Hagia Sophia mosque, Basilica Cistern, and 15th century Topkapi Palace. Then, enjoy eating in Taksim Square and the Beşiktaş neighborhood before winding down at one of the city’s coastal parks.