12 Most Beautiful Neighborhoods in Europe You Need To See

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Europe’s towns and cities are packed with fascinating neighborhoods that offer unique experiences, authentic insights into local life, and exciting attractions that help make a place worth visiting. Whether you want to live like a Londoner, experience Paris’ authentic charm, or live among locals in Barcelona, European neighborhoods have it all.

However, finding the best places to stay isn’t easy. Luckily, that’s where we come in. To help you find the best neighborhoods in Europe, we’ve compiled a list of 12 beautiful neighborhoods that you’ll love. We’ve selected these places based on their overall beauty, exciting atmospheres, and wide range of things to do.

El Poble Sec – Barcelona, Spain

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First, we have El Poble Sec in Barcelona. El Poble Sec is an elegant neighborhood in the Sants district famed for its beautiful architecture, lively atmosphere, and wide range of things to do. It runs from Av. Paral·lel to Montjuïc and was reportedly the city’s first expansion. In this neighborhood, you can expect a mix of traditional and modern culture, a vibrant atmosphere, and endless entertainment opportunities.

When you’re not admiring the fascinating 19th-century architecture, listen to live music, enjoy tapas in an authentic restaurant, and watch musicals and cabaret at an old-school playhouse. Notable attractions in El Poble Sec include Plaça de las Navas, Plaça del Sortidor, and Teatre Victoria. The neighborhood’s central location also provides easy access to the rest of the city.

Montmartre – Paris, France

Montmartre is a seductive Parisian neighborhood on a large hill in the French capital’s 18th arrondissement. It’s best known for its small village feel, historic Parisian architecture, and breathtaking city views. The highlight of this neighborhood is the white Sacré Coeur Church, which stands proudly above the area on the hill’s peak.

Once you’ve taken in the incredible city views from the church, explore the winding cobblestone streets, searching for Montmartre’s best-hidden gems. You don’t want to miss the beautiful Love Wall, the Museo de Montmartre, or Place du Tertre Square, where you’ll find the neighborhood street artists. For extra entertainment, visit La Maison Rose and the iconic Le Moulin Rouge Cabaret.

Nørrebro – Copenhagen, Denmark

If you’re visiting Copenhagen, the Danish capital, you must stay in Nørrebro. This vibrant neighborhood is a melting pot of fun, interesting, and unique things. Known as Copenhagen’s most culturally diverse neighborhood, visitors are treated to experiences from around the world.

When you’re not tucking into a bowl of ramen, stuffing your face with tacos, or eating the best shawarma in the city, explore the busy streets and fall in love with the city. Most of the action in Nørrebro is found along the main road, Nørrebrogade. You’ll find indie shops, hip cafes, late-night bars, and more tucked into the side streets. Points of interest in the area include the Assistens Cemetery, Superkilen Park, Dronning Louises Bro, and the Politimuseet.

De Wallen – Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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De Wallen, more famously known as the Red Light District, is one of the most iconic neighborhoods in Europe. Infamous among European holidaymakers, De Wallen is the best place to stay in Amsterdam if you want to have a lot of fun and enjoy the city’s beautiful architecture.

Many people associate De Wallen with unsavory behavior and parties, but it has much to offer. For example, De Wallen is the oldest district of Amsterdam. It was built in 1385 and features some of the city’s most beautiful architectural structures, including the Oude Kerk Amsterdam, Our Lord in the Attic Museum, and the Basilica of Saint Nicholas. The neighborhood’s streets are lined by the city’s vast canal system, too, so you could explore the area by boat.

Kreuzberg – Berlin, Germany

Sprawling Kreuzberg is a fascinating and picturesque Berlin neighborhood with a rich history, a thriving arts scene, and many things to see and do. Once enclosed on three sides by the Berlin Wall, this neighborhood is now a vibrant part of the city loved by creatives, artists, immigrants, and misfits.

As you walk through the neighborhood, you’ll see colorful street art, quirky thrift shops, and street markets serving delicious cuisines from around the world. At the same time, you’ll stumble upon blasts from the past in the form of Gothic architecture. Places in Kreuzberg worth mentioning include Bergmannkiez, Oberbaum Bridge, Görlitzer Park, and Markthalle Neun.

Smithfield – Dublin, Ireland

Smithfield, Dublin, is an exciting neighborhood that blends old architecture with modern amenities and attractions. It’s a former warehouse district on the River Liffey in the Irish capital, offering visitors many things to see and do and an insight into what the city used to look like.

The former warehouses can still be seen, having been cleverly developed into entertainment centers, bars, and restaurants. You’ll likely spend most of your time in the neighborhood listening to traditional Irish music in lively pubs, sipping coffee in hip cafes, or discovering bargains at Smithfield Square’s seasonal flea markets and food fairs. You don’t want to miss the Jameson Distillery Bow Street and its restored 19th-century whiskey factory.

Cotroceni – Bucharest, Romania

The next European neighborhood on our list is Cotroceni, a quiet and peaceful neighborhood in the Romanian capital. This charming residential area is located west of Bucharest’s city center. It is home to a handful of the city’s most popular attractions, including the stunning communist-era Palace of the Parliament.

Other noteworthy attractions include the Cotroceni National Museum, Bucharest Botanical Gardens, and Bucharest National Opera House. This district is also known for its ornate tea houses, small local businesses, and quirky bars, so the best way to explore is to get lost in the side streets. Cotroceni’s central location also makes it much easier to visit other parts of the city.

Malasaña – Madrid, Spain

If you find yourself in Madrid, you must spare a few hours to explore the happening Malasaña neighborhood. Popular with students, this neighborhood is most famous for being the birthplace of the La Movida Madrileña. This counterculture movement took place in Madrid after the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975.

However, travelers love Malasaña most for its lively atmosphere, vibrant nightlife, and fascinating street art project that brings the area to life with beautiful artwork. During the day, wander the winding streets, stopping in local bakeries, coffee shops, and vintage clothes shops, and visit the historic Plaza del Dos de Mayo. At night, enjoy a show at Conde Duque Cultural Center or party the night away at the many dance and rock clubs.

Halepa – Chania, Greece

Chania is a mindblowing Greek city on the island of Crete, famed for its rich history, pastel-colored architecture, and Venetian harbor. While you’ll likely love wherever you stay in the town, Halepa is a top choice. Halepa is a suburb of Chania Town and easily one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the region.

In the neighborhood, you’ll find impressive mansions, vibrant neoclassical houses, and exciting attractions, including the family home of Greek politician Eleftherios Venizelos. The Agia Magdalini Church also sits nearby, as does the coastal Tabakaria District, where you’ll find old tanneries and seafood tavernas. From Halepa, you can also easily visit Chania Town’s main sights, including the 14th-century harbor, 16th-century lighthouse, and Nea Chora Beach.

Alfama – Lisbon, Portugal

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If there’s ever a time to get lost, it’s in Lisbon’s Alfama neighborhood. This steep hillside neighborhood is the oldest in the city, and it’s clear to see. At every turn, this steep hillside neighborhood reveals another architectural wonder from the past.

The best way to explore Alfama is by foot. Get lost down the labyrinth of narrow streets, explore quaint squares, dive into quirky shops, and admire the beautiful views of the enticing coastline. If you’d prefer not to walk everywhere, jump on the historic No. 28 tram that winds through Alfama up to the 11th-century São Jorge Castle. Make sure you visit Lisbon Cathedral, Fado Museum, and Miradouro de Santa Luzia during your visit.

Monti – Rome, Italy

Conveniently located near some of Rome’s most iconic sights, Monti is a history buff’s haven. Located in central Rome, it has a bohemian and classic feel and a lively Roman atmosphere, perfect for an Italian getaway. However, despite being a stone’s throw from the Colosseum, the Monti neighborhood is surprisingly relaxed and laid-back.

After a busy day of exploring the city’s major attractions, head back to Monti to enjoy eating and drinking in stylish bars and restaurants and stop by various vintage boutique stores. Notable points of interest in this neighborhood include Trajan’s Column, Nero’s Domus Aurea Palace, Cavour, and Vias Nazionale.

Wimbledon – London, United Kingdom

The final neighborhood we have for you is Wimbledon in southeast London. The whole world knows about Wimbledon’s tennis, but that’s about it. The rest of this typical English neighborhood is generally a mystery to most people, which is a shame because it has much to offer.

Wimbledon is an affluent residential area, home to some of London’s largest green spaces and a charming village. You’ll find cute cafes, independent boutiques, upscale restaurants, and famous horse stables in the village. Wimbledon Common is a popular place to cycle, run, and walk, while Wimbledon Park draws in families with a lake and multiple playgrounds. Meanwhile, the Polka Theatre and New Wimbledon Theatre host regular musicals. What’s not to like?