There’s simply no better place than Europe for history, culture and culinary diversity – not to mention the great shopping!
Each European country (and there are 44 of them, according to the UN) is unique. All are downright beautiful.
Europe: In brief
About: Europe covers about 3,930,000 sq. miles (10,180,000 sq. km).
Population: It’s densely populated, with 747.7 million people (in 2020).
Countries in Europe: 44 countries (according to the UN)
Smallest country in Europe: Vatican City – yes, the Vatican City in Rome is its own sovereign city-state and country!
Languages: Europe has 24 official languages, with the most common languages being English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and Russia.
5 Famous landmarks in Europe
- Eiffel Tower in Paris
- Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy
- Alhambra in Granada, Spain
- Catherine Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia
- Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany
Some of our top Europe travel articles
1) Porto (Portugal)
Is Porto worth visiting? Absolutely! (Especially if you read our tips on how to avoid the crowds)
2) Dresden (Germany)
Ogle museum treasures and tour opulent palaces. Bicycle the Elbe River. And go beer hopping. You’ll want to spend at least 2 days in Dresden to enjoy what this delightful city has to offer.
3) Mallorca (Spain)
From hiking donkey trails and admiring Palma’s Gothic cathedral to swimming in idyllic coves, we loved all the fabulous things to do in Mallorca.
There are many enchanting places to stay in Mallorca too. (Don’t miss bedding down in a countryside finca!)
4) Istanbul (Turkey)
A Turkish hammam is not just a bath. It’s a decadent indulgence.
If you’re wandering through Istanbul, slipping into one of these luxury hammams is a must-do – a slice of the city’s heart and soul that you can’t miss.
5) Split (Croatia)
“Where is Diocletian’s Palace?” visitors often ask when in Split. Shopkeepers laughingly reply, “You’re in it!” The ruins of this 1,700-year-old palace are the beating heart of the inner city.
Be sure to include Split in your Croatia itinerary!
6) Baden-Baden (Germany)
There’s an art to bathing naked in the co-ed Friedrichsbad. The spa elevates the simple act of getting clean into a decadent three-and-a-half hour ritual. (Just leave your modesty behind.)
We love the Mediterranean
The Med, especially, is lovely to visit in spring and autumn!
About the Med
Countries bordering the Mediterranean: 22 countries share a border with the Mediterranean, including Croatia, Greece and Tunisia
Coastline: 28,600 miles (46,027 km)
Islands: There are 3,000+ islands in the Mediterranean Sea
Largest Mediterranean island: Sicily
5 Fun facts about the Mediterranean
1) Italy has the most luxurious superyachts in the Mediterranean.
2) The Mediterranean diet (which can help stave of heart disease and strokes) is mainly plant-based, with lots of extra virgin olive oil.
3) The Phoenicians ruled the Mediterranean before the Greeks and Romans (from about 1550 to 300 BC).
4) The Med is the world’s leading tourist destination, attracting one-third of the world’s international tourists.
5) The Strait of Gibralta (which connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean) is only eight miles wide at its narrowest point.
Spotlight on Greece
Mama mia! We love Greece!
It’s one of our favorite places to vacation in Europe.
There are many hidden gems and unique places to visit in Greece – and we can’t wait to explore more of them. Kythera, we hear you’re the perfect Greek island?
Greece travel guide
For everything we know about Greece (well, almost everything), check out our Greece travel guide.
Find information on topics like:
Where to stay in Europe?
Read our post on our favorite romantic hotels in Europe.
More information on Europe
For more Europe travel information, see all our Europe posts.
Our top travel tips and resources
Hotels: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one. (We especially like their flexible cancellation policy!)
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
Car rental: Renting a car is often one of the best ways to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best rates.
Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more.
Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.
Pssst! If you make a booking or purchase through our site, we may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). Thanks!
About the authors
Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George Mucalov are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents. See About.
Find destination guides, global food-and-wine stories, luxury hotel reviews, articles on cultural explorations and soft adventure trips, cruise reviews, insanely useful travel tips and more!