Fifteen years ago, when the Lisbon imprint was reckoning with near-empty dancefloors at the recently shuttered Musicbox venue, it would have been inconceivable for Principe to host a party at Lux widely considered to be among Europe's best nightclubs let alone pack out the roughly 1,500 capacity venue with the likes of minimal techno legend Richie Hawtin in attendance.
Mercado Bom Sucesso has been serving a wide range of traditional Portuguese food since 1949. Its modern design is unmissable when walking around the heart of Porto, and it's absolutely worth a stop. While farmers' markets are usually held outdoors, food halls are primarily indoors, and Bom Sucesso is no different. This means that no matter when you're visiting - whether it be the dead of winter or the height of summer - you'll be able to enjoy local delicacies in a climate-controlled environment.
Some destinations feel almost anonymously chic - in terms of the style you see, be it what people are wearing or the way the coffee shop interiors are curated, they could almost be anywhere in Europe. Lisbon isn't that. Instead, it's unmistakably, well, Lisbon, and choosing what to wear and what to pack for a trip to Lisbon is a chance to embrace its unique vibe. The capital of hills, beaches, forests, rivers and UNESCO World Heritage Sites is relaxed but energised, hipster-cool but also easygoing.
Vy Chao chalks it up to 'user error,' pointing out how they would hunt after finishing work, during traditional American dinner hours. At the time, locals mainly ate paella for lunch; the versions served at dinner were usually made for tourists. But on a return trip last year they found better luck, and paella, noting that the city had adapted to tourists' dining habits.
Although initially developed by the Portuguese, who first set foot here in 1500, the Brazilian fishing town of Trancoso remained virtually undiscovered until a small group of Paulistano hippies came upon it in the 1970s and happily settled in. Although the installation of new roads and the arrival of electricity a decade later increased accessibility, the vibe was set: Trancoso remains a sleepy, bohemian beach destination.
Athens is a city of beautiful contradictions. Michelin-starred dining rooms share sidewalk space with decades-old taverns. Modern rooftop bars overlook 2,000-year-old monuments. Everywhere you look, the past and present converge to create an unparalleled multilayered metropolis.
Throughout my life, I've visited a total of 18 European countries. That number climbed quickly when I moved from Chicago to London for college and spent four years living in my favorite city, thrilled by my newfound proximity to so many bucket-list destinations.
It's hard to name the best cities in Europe-there are so many great bustling hubs (not to mention charming small towns) spread across a relatively small continent, making it more a question of what you're looking for. Sure, some travelers just beeline to the best-known landmarks, eager for the chance to cross Rome's Colosseum or Paris's Eiffel Tower off their list. But we're in favor of taking a step back and asking yourself what you're most interested in.
Luxembourg City takes first place with 18.15 percent of reviews mentioning 'beautiful.' Travelers often highlight its clean streets and strong mix of old and modern areas. Even though the capital is small, people seem to appreciate how easy it is to walk around.