Top Places to Visit in Europe Post-COVID

With the pandemic winding down and countries lifting travel restrictions and opening up to visitors, now is the perfect time to take a trip to Europe. Here are some of the best destinations to choose.

The idea of traveling to Europe is always exciting. France, Spain, Italy… So many fascinating places with iconic landmarks, great food, and a million things to see and do.

The great news is that most of Europe is now completely open to international travel. Like most of the world, the continent was hit hard by the outbreak of coronavirus, but after nearly 3 years of the pandemic, the majority of European countries have now lifted all travel restrictions.

The other appeal of Europe is that 26 of the most popular destination countries are united as the Schengen Area, making travel between them much easier. 

Plus, citizens of most countries in the Americas can visit visa-free. Bear in mind that in the near future, you’ll have to sign up online to enjoy this visa exemption —  you can do this though the new ETIAS system managed by Frontex.

Paris

The number one destination in the world for many people, Paris needs no introduction. France is currently the most-visited country in the world and its capital is the jewel in its crown.

The number of famous landmarks in Paris is staggering. The Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées, Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Sacré Coeur, the Panthéon, and the Grand Palais are but a few of the city’s claims to fame.

Who hasn’t dreamt of strolling by the Seine, exploring the ghostly Parisian Catacombs, or admired the works of Van Gogh at the Musée d’Orsay? Who’d say no to a chance to sample haute cuisine at an authentic French restaurant or simply enjoy a coffee or glass of wine at a chic Paris café?

Plus, just outside the city, you can find the incredible Palace at Versailles and, if you’re traveling with kids, Disneyland!

Now that the pandemic is over, perhaps it’s time to live the Paris dream!

Barcelona

With great weather, history, culture, nightlife, and delicious Mediterranean cuisine, Barcelona has it all. The Catalan capital is a favorite destination for many people around the world, including Latin America.

If you want sun, sand, and sea, you can relax on 9 different beaches, spanning over 5 km, in the city itself — with many more just a short journey away along the coast.

Barcelona is also well-known for its architecture. The city is a wonderful mix of the old and the new, from the narrow medieval streets of the Gothic and Raval Quarters to the modern glass tower, Torre Agbar.

Of course, the main draws are the works of Catalan modernist architects Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner, whose buildings have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Some of the best known include Domènech i Montaner’s Hospital de Sant Pau and Palau de la Música Catalana and Gaudí’s Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, and his masterpiece, the unbelievable Basilica of the Sagrada Familia.

Spain is one of the few EU countries that still has some rules regarding coronavirus. Check the latest COVID-19 travel restrictions for Spain before setting off.

Naples

There are many places in Italy worth visiting, but the top of our list has to be Naples. An absolute must if you’re interested in history or old buildings, it was known as the “city of the seven castles” in ancient times. You can still visit these structures today, including the impressive Maschio Angioino (or Castel Nuovo), the Castel Sant’Elmo, and the Castel dell'Ovo.

By far the most important historical landmark in the Naples area is Pompeii. The ruins of this city and the other nearby Roman town of Herculaneum have long caught the imagination of the world after being destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius. Speaking of…

One of the highlights for visitors is taking a trip to the top of Vesuvius itself. Don’t worry, the volcano is highly unlikely to erupt these days, although you might see smoke and vapors rising from the vents in the crater. The views from the top are unparalleled.

Amsterdam

Famous for its picturesque canals, colorful houses, and windmills, the capital of the Netherlands is a fascinating city to visit.

Sample a local lager from one of the city’s many microbreweries and don’t miss out on the stroopwafels — typical Dutch syrup waffles that can be found on virtually every street and market. Or, if you like, you could try out one of Amsterdam’s unique coffee shops…

Amsterdam is also a city of history and culture. From the grandeur of the Royal Palace of Amsterdam to the novelty of having large windmills in the middle of a major city —  de Gooyer is one of the best to visit. Then there’s the incredible Van Gogh Museum and the emotional experience of visiting the Anne Frank House.

Porto

Portugal’s second-biggest city is arguably its most beautiful. With its colorful buildings along the banks of the River Douro, and the various mountains and national parks that surround it, Porto is the perfect place to get a holiday snapshot that you’ll treasure forever.

Visit old gothic buildings like Porto Cathedral and Clérigos Tower and marvel at the more modern masterpiece of engineering that is the Luis I Bridge. At 385 meters in length, with a maximum height of 45 meters, this multi-leveled bridge provides a path across the Douro for cars, trains, and people walking on foot.

Aside from these destinations, there are many more great places to visit in the post-COVID world, including these 5 new travel trends in 2022.