The Euro Concierge

Where to stay in Europe, city by city.

An independent guide to Europe's cities. For each one we compare the neighborhoods to stay in, say which sights sell out and how far ahead to book them, and link to the sites that sell them.

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Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy

Where to stay

Where to stay, city by city

The area to stay in for each city, and who it suits.

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Good for

The Eiffel Tower seen from the Champ de Mars on a clear day

FranceParisStay in The Maraisfirst visits, shops and walking

The Promenade des Anglais in Nice running along the sea

FranceNiceStay in Vieux Niceatmosphere, markets and evenings out

Place Bellecour in Lyon with its statue and the hill of Fourvière behind

FranceLyonStay in Presqu'îlea central base for walking

The Miroir d'eau reflecting the Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux

FranceBordeauxStay in Saint-Pierre and the old centera central base near the river

Boats moored in the Vieux-Port of Marseille with Notre-Dame de la Garde on the hill behind

FranceMarseilleStay in Vieux-Porteasy walking and first visits

A canal in Petite France, Strasbourg, with half-timbered houses along the water and a stone tower behind

FranceStrasbourgStay in Grande Île and the cathedralfirst-time visitors

The Palais de l'Isle and old town houses beside a green canal in Annecy, with a mountain behind

FranceAnnecyStay in Vieille Ville (the old town)atmosphere and first visits

The broken Pont Saint-Bénézet over the Rhône in Avignon, with the cathedral and the Palais des Papes behind

FranceAvignonStay in Place de l'Horloge and the centerfirst-time visitors

The Plaza Mayor in Madrid, with Philip III on horseback before the painted Casa de la Panadería

SpainMadridStay in Sol, Huertas and the old centerfirst visits and walking

The Sagrada Família basilica in Barcelona seen from the street

SpainBarcelonaStay in Eixamplea calm, central base

The cathedral of Palma in warm evening light, seen over palm trees from the Can Pere Antoni seafront, with wooded hills behind

SpainPalma de MallorcaStay in Old town: La Seu, the Born and La LlotjaFirst visits, sightseeing on foot

Plaza de España in Seville, with its canal and bridges

SpainSevilleStay in Santa Cruzatmosphere and walking to the sights

The Palau de les Arts and the Hemisfèric beside a pale turquoise pool in the City of Arts and Sciences, under a clear blue sky

SpainValenciaStay in Ciutat Vella: El Carmen and El Mercata first visit, sights on foot

The Alcazaba fortress and the rooftops of Málaga seen from the cathedral

SpainMálagaStay in Centro Históricosights and first-timers

The Alhambra palace complex on its hill above Granada

SpainGranadaStay in The center, around the cathedralfirst-time visitors

The curve of La Concha bay in San Sebastián seen from above, with the beach, the promenade and the city behind

SpainSan SebastiánStay in Parte Viejabars and first visits

The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao beside the Nervión river, with its curved titanium walls and the city behind

SpainBilbaoStay in Casco Viejobars and first visits

The historic peninsula of Istanbul with its mosques and the modern skyline behind

TurkeyIstanbulStay in Sultanahmetfirst visit and the big sights

Rooftops and old stone walls of the Kaleiçi old town in Antalya

TurkeyAntalyaStay in Kaleiçiold town atmosphere and walkability

Hot air balloons rising over the rock valleys near Göreme at dawn

TurkeyCappadociaStay in Göremethe easiest base, with the most choice

Bodrum Castle on its headland above the harbor

TurkeyBodrumStay in Bodrum townwalking, the castle and nightlife

ItalyRomeStay in Centro storicoFirst trip, walking everywhere

The front of Milan Cathedral on Piazza del Duomo

ItalyMilanStay in Centro storico, around the Duomofirst visits and short stays

The main monuments of Florence, including the cathedral and its dome

ItalyFlorenceStay in Duomo and the historic centerfirst visits

The Grand Canal in Venice seen from the Rialto Bridge

ItalyVeniceStay in Cannaregioquiet streets and local restaurants

ItalyVeronaStay in Centro storico, near Piazza delle Erbefirst visits

Piazza Maggiore in Bologna seen from the Palazzo Comunale

ItalyBolognaStay in Historic center, near Piazza Maggiorefirst visits

A view over the Bay of Naples and the port, with Mount Vesuvius rising in the distance

ItalyNaplesStay in Centro Storicoatmosphere and first-timers

The harbor of Marina Grande in Sorrento, with pastel houses, small boats and the town on the cliff above

ItalySorrentoStay in The old centerfirst-time visitors

The wooded Bellagio promontory with red-roofed houses, blue lake water and mountains behind

ItalyLake ComoStay in Como towntrains and value

Palermo Cathedral, its dome and clock tower against a blue sky, with palm trees in front

ItalyPalermoStay in Quattro Canti and Via Maquedaa first trip on foot

Piazza del Campo in Siena, the shell-shaped square, with the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia

ItalySienaStay in Around Piazza del Campoa first visit

The Mole Antonelliana in Turin lit up at night, with the Alps behind

ItalyTurinStay in Around Piazza San Carlo and Piazza Castellofirst visits and short stays

The Palace of Westminster and the Elizabeth Tower, known as Big Ben, seen from above across the rooftops, with the London Eye on the skyline under a gray sky

United KingdomLondonStay in Covent Garden and Sohofirst visits, theater and restaurants

Edinburgh Castle on its rock above the Grassmarket

United KingdomEdinburghStay in Old Townfirst visits and the main sights

Pulteney Bridge and the curved weir on the River Avon in Bath

United KingdomBathStay in City centera first visit and the main sights

The Gothic Revival Manchester Town Hall with its tall clock tower, seen across a square with trees under a dark, cloudy sky

United KingdomManchesterStay in Northern Quarterbars, record shops and independent cafes

York Minster rising above the roofs, seen from the medieval city walls

United KingdomYorkStay in Inside the wallsfirst visits and walking everywhere

The Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens

GreeceAthensStay in Plakafirst visits and walking to the sights

The stone-paved Street of the Knights in the medieval Old Town of Rhodes

GreeceRhodesStay in Medieval Old Townatmosphere and history

The White Tower on the Thessaloniki waterfront

GreeceThessalonikiStay in Aristotelous Square and the centerfirst-timers

A whitewashed terrace in Oia looking out over the Santorini caldera

GreeceSantoriniStay in Firatransport, food and first-timers

The windmills and the waterfront houses of Little Venice in Mykonos Town, seen across the water

GreeceMykonosStay in Mykonos Town (Chora)walking, food and nightlife

The Venetian Koules fortress at the harbor entrance in Heraklion, lit at night

GreeceHeraklionStay in The old harbor and the centerfirst-timers on foot

The Old Fortress wall beside a narrow sea channel with small boats, in Corfu Town

GreeceCorfuStay in The Old Townatmosphere and walking

The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin lit at dusk with a purple sky

GermanyBerlinStay in Mittefirst-timers and sights

Marienplatz in Munich with the Neues Rathaus town hall and its tower

GermanyMunichStay in Altstadtsights and first-timers

The Frankfurt skyline of glass towers seen across the River Main

GermanyFrankfurtStay in Altstadt and Römerbergsights and first-timers

The Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg rising from a brick warehouse beside the harbor

GermanyHamburgStay in Altstadt and Neustadtsights and first-timers

Cologne Cathedral and the illuminated Hohenzollern Bridge over the Rhine at blue hour

GermanyCologneStay in Altstadtsights and first-timers

The Frauenkirche in Dresden with its stone dome

GermanyDresdenStay in Altstadtsights and first-timers

The Neptune fountain in the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna

AustriaViennaStay in Innere Stadtsights and first-timers

The old town of Salzburg and the fortress above it, seen across the river

AustriaSalzburgStay in Altstadtfirst-time visitors

The Golden Roof, a late Gothic balcony with gilded tiles, on a house front in Innsbruck's old town

AustriaInnsbruckStay in Altstadtfirst-time visitors

A yellow tram climbing a narrow street in Alfama, Lisbon

PortugalLisbonStay in Baixa and Chiadofirst-time visitors

The Ribeira district and the Douro river seen from the Dom Luís I bridge

PortugalPortoStay in Baixafirst-time visitors

Funchal's harbor, breakwater and red-roofed town seen from the hillside above, with the Atlantic beyond

PortugalFunchalStay in Centre and Zona Velhawalking everywhere

The golden limestone cliffs and sea stacks of Ponta da Piedade near Lagos in the Algarve

PortugalLagosStay in The old townfirst-time visitors

The Prinsengracht canal lined with narrow gabled houses in Amsterdam

NetherlandsAmsterdamStay in Canal ringfirst-time visitors

The skyline of Rotterdam seen from the Erasmus Bridge

NetherlandsRotterdamStay in Centrumconvenience

The Dom Tower rising above brick canal houses and an arched bridge on the Oudegracht in Utrecht, with autumn trees and reflections in the water

NetherlandsUtrechtStay in Oudegracht and Dompleina first visit

The twin towers of the Grossmünster rising over the Limmat river in Zurich

SwitzerlandZurichStay in Altstadtfirst-time visitors

The Jet d'eau fountain rising from Lake Geneva

SwitzerlandGenevaStay in Pâquisvalue and the lake

The covered wooden Chapel Bridge and its water tower across the river in Lucerne

SwitzerlandLucerneStay in Altstadtfirst-time visitors

The Höhematte meadow in Interlaken with the Victoria-Jungfrau hotel and a wooded mountainside behind

SwitzerlandInterlakenStay in Interlaken centertrains, boats and restaurants

The Matterhorn above the chalets and church of Zermatt village on a sunny winter afternoon

SwitzerlandZermattStay in Village centerrestaurants and the lifts

The terracotta roofs of Dubrovnik's old town and the Adriatic, seen from the city walls

CroatiaDubrovnikStay in Old townatmosphere on foot

The seaward wall of Diocletian's Palace in Split

CroatiaSplitStay in Diocletian's Palaceatmosphere on foot

Ban Jelačić Square in the center of Zagreb, with the statue and surrounding buildings

CroatiaZagrebStay in Lower Town (Donji Grad)first-time visitors

Aerial view of Hvar town from the south, with its harbor, red roofs and the Spanjola fortress on the hill

CroatiaHvarStay in Hvar town, around the main squaresights and evenings on foot

The round Church of St Donatus beside the old Roman forum in Zadar

CroatiaZadarStay in Old town peninsulaeverything on foot

Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral above the Vltava river

CzechiaPragueStay in Staré Město (Old Town)sights and first-timers

Český Krumlov castle and its tower on a rock above a bend of the Vltava river, with the old town roofs below

CzechiaČeský KrumlovStay in Vnitřní Město (Inner Town)the old lanes and the main square

The Hungarian Parliament Building on the bank of the Danube in Budapest

HungaryBudapestStay in Belváros (Inner City)sights and first-timers

The Ha'penny Bridge, a white cast iron footbridge, arching over the River Liffey in Dublin

IrelandDublinStay in St Stephen's Green and Grafton Streetfirst-timers and shopping

A small boat moored in the Claddagh basin in Galway, with the painted houses of the Long Walk along the far bank

IrelandGalwayStay in The Latin Quarterpubs, music and sights on foot

The painted townhouses and wooden ships along the Nyhavn canal in Copenhagen

DenmarkCopenhagenStay in Indre Bysights and first-timers

Wawel Castle and Cathedral on their hill above the Vistula river in Kraków

PolandKrakówStay in Stare Miasto (Old Town)sights and first-timers

Old Town houses and the medieval port crane along the Motława river in Gdańsk

PolandGdańskStay in Główne Miasto (Main Town)sights and first-timers

The Old Town Market Square in Warsaw, lined with rebuilt townhouses

PolandWarsawStay in Śródmieście (the center)first trips and transport links

The guild houses and town hall tower around the Grand Place in Brussels

BelgiumBrusselsStay in Grand Place and the Lower Townsights on foot

The Rozenhoedkaai canal in Bruges with the Belfry tower rising behind the gabled houses

BelgiumBrugesStay in Markt and Burgbeing in the middle

The Graslei in Ghent, a row of old gabled guild houses along the canal

BelgiumGhentStay in Graslei and Korenmarktbeing in the middle

Stockholm City Hall, a red brick building with a tall tower, seen across the water from Riddarholmen

SwedenStockholmStay in Gamla Stanatmosphere and the palace

Oslo seen from the fjord, with the white Opera House and the waterfront buildings of Bjørvika behind it

NorwayOsloStay in Sentrum and Karl Johans gatesights and first-timers

The wooden gabled warehouses of Bryggen on the Bergen waterfront, with the harbor bay of Vågen and a tall ship beside them

NorwayBergenStay in Bryggen and the harborfirst-time visitors

Hallgrímskirkja church with its tall stepped tower, and the statue of Leifur Eiríksson in front, in Reykjavík

IcelandReykjavíkStay in Miðborg, the old centerfirst-time visitors

Prešeren Square in Ljubljana, with the pink Franciscan Church and the Triple Bridge

SloveniaLjubljanaStay in Old town (Stari Ljubljana)atmosphere on foot

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Pikk Hermann tower and the Toompea cathedral spire above the roofs of Tallinn

EstoniaTallinnStay in Old Town (Vanalinn)sights and first-timers

Valletta's waterfront and skyline seen across the water from Sliema

MaltaVallettaStay in Vallettaatmosphere on foot

Helsinki Cathedral rising above Senate Square in the center of Helsinki

FinlandHelsinkiStay in The center, around the stationsights and arrival

The House of the Blackheads and the tower of St Peter's Church in Riga's Old Town

LatviaRigaStay in Old Town (Vecrīga)sights and first-timers

The rooftops and church towers of Vilnius Old Town at dusk, seen from above with the lights coming on

LithuaniaVilniusStay in Old Town (Senamiestis)sights and first-timers

Bratislava Castle on its hill above the Danube, with river boats in the foreground

SlovakiaBratislavaStay in Old Townsights and first-timers

The Romanian Athenaeum, a domed concert hall with a columned front, in central Bucharest

RomaniaBucharestStay in Piața Universității and Calea Victorieisights and first-timers

The domes of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia

BulgariaSofiaStay in Serdika and the old centerfirst visits

The old town of Kotor at the head of the Bay of Kotor, with the mountains behind it

MontenegroKotorStay in Old townatmosphere on foot

Paphos castle beside the harbor and marina, seen from across the water

CyprusPaphosStay in Kato Paphos and the harborfirst-timers and sights on foot

A wide view of the Grund quarter of Luxembourg City, with the Alzette river winding below the old fortress walls

LuxembourgLuxembourg CityStay in Ville Hautethe sights on foot

The Rock of Monaco with the Prince's Palace and cathedral above the marina at Fontvieille

MonacoMonacoStay in Monte-Carlothe Casino, the grand hotels and evenings out

By country

Where to stay in Europe, by country

Finding the right neighborhood is the biggest decision in planning a city break. Here are the areas to start with in the three most visited countries.

Every country

Where to stay in France

From Paris's boulevards to Nice's old town by the sea, a central neighborhood means less time on the metro and more time on foot.

Paris: the Marais
First visits, shops and walking.
Nice: Vieux Nice
Atmosphere, markets and evenings out.
Lyon: Presqu'île
A central base for walking.

Where to stay in Italy

Italian cities are best on foot. Stay in or beside the historic center, with the sights, trattorias and piazzas a short walk away.

Rome: Monti
Walking to the ancient sites.
Florence: Duomo and the historic center
First visits.
Venice: Cannaregio
Quiet streets and local restaurants.

Where to stay in Spain

Spanish cities mix late nights with old streets. Stay central, where the tapas bars and the main sights are within walking distance.

Madrid: Sol, Huertas and the old center
First visits and walking.
Barcelona: Eixample
A calm, central base.
Seville: Santa Cruz
Atmosphere and walking to the sights.

Hotels

Hotels worth booking, starting in Rome

Chosen for their area and their character, each with a note on the room to ask for, and a link to check availability on the site that sells it.

Where to stay in Rome

Rome · Hotel★★★★★

Book ahead

Tickets to book before you go

Europe's busiest sights sell timed entry with a daily limit. Book these ahead or risk being turned away at the door.

All destinations

Six that sell out

City	Book this first	How far ahead
ParisFrance	Eiffel Tower summit	4 to 8 weeks ahead in summer
MadridSpain	Prado Museum	1 to 2 weeks ahead
IstanbulTurkey	Topkapı Palace Harem	a few days ahead in spring and autumn
RomeItaly	Galleria Borghese	3 to 4 weeks ahead
LondonUnited Kingdom	Tower of London	2 to 4 weeks ahead, longer for weekends and school holidays
AthensGreece	Acropolis timed ticket	a week or more ahead in season
BerlinGermany	Reichstag dome	2 to 4 weeks ahead in summer
ViennaAustria	Schönbrunn Palace tickets	a few days to weeks ahead
LisbonPortugal	Sintra palaces	1 to 3 days ahead in summer
AmsterdamNetherlands	Anne Frank House	4 to 8 weeks ahead
ZurichSwitzerland	A table at a traditional restaurant	1 to 2 weeks ahead
DubrovnikCroatia	A table at the best restaurants	1 to 2 weeks ahead in peak season
PragueCzechia	Prague Castle tickets	a few days ahead in summer
BudapestHungary	Parliament tour	a week or more ahead
DublinIreland	Book of Kells tickets	a few days to weeks ahead
CopenhagenDenmark	Popular restaurants	2 to 4 weeks ahead
KrakówPoland	Auschwitz-Birkenau entry	weeks ahead in summer
BrusselsBelgium	Atomium and Magritte Museum tickets	a few days ahead in busy weeks
StockholmSweden	Popular restaurants	2 to 3 weeks ahead
OsloNorway	Fine-dining restaurants	4 to 8 weeks ahead
ReykjavíkIceland	Blue Lagoon entry	2 to 4 weeks ahead in summer
LjubljanaSlovenia	Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle	1 to 2 weeks ahead in summer
TallinnEstonia	Old Town dinner at weekends	one to two weeks ahead
VallettaMalta	The Hypogeum	2 to 4 months ahead
HelsinkiFinland	Sauna and sea pool slots	a few days ahead in summer
RigaLatvia	Dinner at weekends	a week ahead in summer
VilniusLithuania	Dinner at the best restaurants	2 to 4 weeks ahead for the starred tables
BratislavaSlovakia	Dinner on Friday or Saturday	a few days ahead in summer
BucharestRomania	Palace of the Parliament tour	several days ahead
SofiaBulgaria	Day trip to Rila Monastery	a week ahead in summer
KotorMontenegro	Dinner at the better restaurants	1 to 2 weeks ahead in summer
PaphosCyprus	A rental car for Aphrodite's Rock and the villages	1 to 2 weeks ahead in summer
Luxembourg CityLuxembourg	A Grand Ducal Palace tour	A few weeks ahead for summer
MonacoMonaco	Anything during the Grand Prix	many months ahead

What every city guide covers

Clear answers before you land: where to stay, what to book ahead, what to skip and where to eat, with links to book on the sites that sell them.

Neighborhood comparisons

Each area compared on walking times to the sights, noise at night and price.

How far ahead to book

The sights and tickets that sell out, and how far ahead to book each one.

What to skip

The tourist traps, tours and areas that aren't worth your time or money.

Direct booking links

Links to the official ticket sellers and booking sites. We never take payment.

Where to stay in Europe, city by city.

Where to stay, city by city

Where to stay in Europe, by country

Where to stay in France

Where to stay in Italy

Where to stay in Spain

Hotels worth booking, starting in Rome

Hotel de Russie

The Fifteen Keys

Hotel Santa Maria

Hotel Locarno

Tickets to book before you go

Six that sell out

What every city guide covers

Neighborhood comparisons

How far ahead to book

What to skip

Direct booking links

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