Where to go in Europe: seven destinations from Paris to Montenegro

In Europe it is all too easy to get overwhelmed: there are many destinations, but only one vacation. This guide narrows the choice down to seven places worth visiting in 2026.

For a budget reference, use prices from official websites. Climbing the Eiffel Tower costs from €14.20 to €35.30 per adult (as of 10/2026, official Eiffel Tower website).

Below you will find Paris, Barcelona, Switzerland, Prague, Vienna, Amalfi and Montenegro: what to see, when to go and where to buy tickets in advance.

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How to choose a destination

💡 In short:

• Mix cities and nature: Paris and Vienna offer museums, Switzerland and Montenegro offer mountains.
• Buy tickets to major museums online: without a fixed time slot you will stand in the general line.
• Traveling around Europe by train is convenient, and in Switzerland a panoramic route is also an option.
• Eiffel Tower ticket prices: 10/2026, according to the official Eiffel Tower website.

Season matters a lot. In Paris and Vienna, May and September are best for walking around. In Barcelona and on the Amalfi Coast it is hot in July and August, but mild in May and October. In Switzerland the ski season runs from December to March, while hiking trails are open in summer.

Think about the type of trip you want. Looking for museums and architecture? Choose Paris, Vienna or Prague. Want sea and beach? Look at Barcelona, Amalfi and Montenegro. Need mountains? Your option is Switzerland and Durmitor National Park.

1. Paris: the city of lights and museums

Paris fits into two days: the historic center is compact, and the metro connects all districts. See the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre-Dame Cathedral first. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, so use that day for a walk along the riverbanks.

Food here is a reason to come on its own: get baguettes, croissants and local cheeses, and every region of France has its own wine. For shopping, head to the central quarters, where stores of well-known brands stand next to small boutiques with designer clothing. In the evening the city does not quiet down, and illuminated facades and embankments draw strollers late into the night.

Hotels in the center sell out quickly in May and September, so book in advance. The easiest way to see current options is to browse hotels in Paris and compare prices.

2. Barcelona: the sea and Gaudí's architecture

Barcelona combines beach and architecture. Barceloneta and Bogatell beaches are popular, but crowded in summer. Gaudí's architecture is seen at three points: Sagrada Família, Park Güell and Casa Batlló.

A Sagrada Família ticket costs €26 without towers and €36 with tower access (as of 10/2026, official Sagrada Família website). Buy an online ticket with a fixed time slot, otherwise you will stand in line for over an hour.

Tours and guided tickets are also booked in advance: Barcelona tours on GetYourGuide.

When it comes to food, be sure to try paella and tapas: Catalan cuisine is diverse, and portions are easy to order for two and share at the table.

3. Switzerland: the Alps and trains

Switzerland suits active travel all year round. In winter the resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz operate, in summer hiking trails around the lakes are open. If you are going for the views, try the Glacier Express panoramic railway between Zermatt and St. Moritz.

A seat in the panoramic car is booked separately. A seat reservation costs 54 CHF, and a second-class ticket for the entire route can reach 159 CHF (as of 10/2026, official Glacier Express website). People ski and snowboard here, and in summer hiking trails are added to the lakes.

The AlpenBook service helps you plan a trip around the country, a Switzerland business directory with addresses of restaurants, hotels and activities (according to the service description).

Try fondue and raclette: they are especially good after mountain walks.

4. Prague: a medieval city

Prague is compact, and its old center can be covered on foot. The main sights are close to each other: Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and Old Town Square with the astronomical clock. In the evening people come to the bridge for the view of the river.

Admission to Prague Castle on the main route costs 450 crowns per adult (as of 10/2026, official Prague Castle website). The route includes St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace and Golden Lane.

Beer here is served with classic snacks, and local varieties are brewed according to old recipes, so an evening in a beer hall becomes a separate part of the trip. The cultural program is also rich: from classical concerts in historic halls to modern theater productions.

5. Vienna: music and museums

Vienna keeps music and art in the city center. Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert worked here, and classical concerts take place every evening. For architecture, see Schönbrunn, St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Belvedere with works by Gustav Klimt.

Book concert and museum tickets in advance, especially for weekends: Vienna museum tickets.

Try the Wiener Schnitzel, and order Sachertorte for dessert. Among museums, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Albertina and the Leopold Museum are most often recommended, but even without them the center has plenty of halls and concert venues.

6. Amalfi: the coast near Salerno

Amalfi sits on a narrow strip of the Tyrrhenian Sea coast. The town is surrounded by steep cliffs, and ferries and buses run along the coast. From Amalfi you can easily reach neighboring towns.

See Amalfi Cathedral in the center, the small paper museum and the gardens of Villa Rufolo with a sea view in nearby Ravello. You can get here by bus or car from Naples and Salerno; in summer the ferry is more convenient.

The menu features fresh seafood, pasta and pizza, and for dessert lemon cake and gelato. The coast is best seen from the water: a boat passes cliffs and small coves, and the sea offers the best views of the town.

7. Montenegro: the Balkans and nature

Montenegro combines sea and mountains in a small area. On the coast are Kotor and Budva, while away from the sea you will find the mountainous Durmitor National Park and Lake Skadar. The historic region of Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For active travel, hiking, rock climbing and water sports are available, and Lake Skadar deserves a separate trip for its birds and tranquility. If you want old towns, add the former capital Cetinje with its historic buildings.

Destinations compared

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to go to Paris?

The most comfortable time is from April to June and in September: mild weather and fewer tourists. In July and August it is hot and crowded, in winter damp and overcast. If you are going for museums, choose the shoulder season: lines are shorter and hotel prices are lower.

Which beaches are popular in Barcelona?

The best known are Barceloneta and Bogatell, as they are closest to the center. In summer they are crowded, so come to the water early in the morning. Beaches farther from the center are calmer and cleaner, but you need to travel to get there.

Which resorts should you choose in Switzerland for skiing?

The most commonly mentioned are Zermatt, St. Moritz and Davos. In Zermatt and St. Moritz you will find slopes of different levels, from easy descents to long routes. The season usually runs from December to March; check exact dates on resort websites.

What should you definitely see in Prague?

Three main sights: Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and Old Town Square with the astronomical clock. Allow half a day for Prague Castle; admission on the main route is paid. The rest can be covered on foot in one day.

How do you get to Amalfi?

You can reach Amalfi by bus or car from Naples and Salerno. In summer the ferry from neighboring coastal towns is more convenient: no traffic jams and a view of the coast. The roads here are narrow, so in season it is better to leave the car and switch to public transport.

In short: what to book

If you want museums and architecture, choose Paris, Vienna and Prague. If you want beach and sea, look at Barcelona, Amalfi and Montenegro. For mountains and trains, go to Switzerland, and for old towns by the sea, to Kotor and Budva.

Book tickets to major museums and trains in advance: weekend slots sell out weeks ahead. Hotels in capitals get more expensive in high season, so compare prices in advance on Trip.com.