Europe is one of the most attractive destinations for travelers from all around the world. According to the Scift researches, every year more than 51 million of tourists visit European cities. “Many Europeans are choosing to travel closer to their home country in order to stick to budgets,” says Dan Peltier.

It has so much options and opportunities that it’s just hard to even imagine: Fifty sovereign states, 10 180 000 sq km, 738 200 000 people. Do you feel the scope now?
Absolutely everyone could find an own route, according to the budget, timing, preferences and possibilities.

Today we are going to speak about 5 fetching European cities and enormous quantity of interesting facts from our Friendly Local Guides.

London

“It is not the walls that make the city, but the people who live within them. The walls of London may be battered, but the spirit of the Londoner stands resolute and undismayed.” George VI

London is a cosmopolitan mix of all styles and epochs of the country’s history, generously flavored by a motley multinational population. In the city on the area of 1579 square meters live 7.1 million people.

In London, you can just walk for hours and enjoy the old buildings of the Victorian era.
The architecture of London as a whole is itself a tourist attraction. Each street in the center (and not only in the center) includes unique architectural designs. All of it is considered as a historical property, restored and preserved.

In London, you can go to any of the many parks (parks occupy 30% of the London area), lie on the emerald grass and feed squirrels. Fortunately, it’s allowed to lie on the lawns in the United Kingdom.

Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle is the real history that has survived until our days. The building of the English Parliament with the famous tower and Big Ben. You just need to see all this with your own eyes.

And in order to make your trip more interesting, we have prepared for you 25 Fun Facts about London.

Edinburgh

The advantage of Edinburgh is that you do not need a reason to go there. There is always something going on, there is always something you can look at, there is always the opportunity to experience something different.

If you think that in Edinburgh is worth visiting only during the summer festival or on the Hogmanay holiday (Scottish New Year), then you are wrong.

Here you can admire architecture for the whole day – from the angular Edinburgh Castle to the medieval courtyards of the Old City, from the Georgian splendor of the New Town to the modern buildings of the port area of Leith. There are many art galleries, museums and other attractions that offer a wide range of options even for the most discerning traveler.

To have a good time in Edinburgh, it is not necessary to be an expert on art or history. Walk along the streets, preferably a little further from the center, and you will find some wonderful shop or a cozy cafe. This city is ideal for unsystematic wanderings, during which interesting discoveries can occur. Did we forget to mention the local cuisine? There are five restaurants awarded with Michelin stars, as well as traditional pubs and designer bars.

While planning a trip to Edinburgh – don’t forget to check out our 20 Fun Facts about Edinburgh.

Milan

Milan is one of those cities in which the most beautiful, charming and interesting places are hidden from the views of ordinary tourists. This city appears in all its splendor only to those who really want to understand it, reveal all the secrets and find the answer to the question, what kind of Milan really is.

Local residents know that the most beautiful places of the city are on rooftops, in ordinary courtyards and gardens, hidden from prying eyes. The only option to notice and find them is an inquisitive and indifferent person.

Milan is like a non-stop caleidoscope. The city whose streets are jammed with fashionistas and lined with upscale restaurants, is a historical jewel. The precious past is illuminated here in every building, street, square and park.

Ready for a dive into history? Our Moscow tour guide Anna traveled to Milan and collected 17 Fun Facts for you.

Zürich

Picturesque, cosmopolitan and fresh, three adjectives for the determination of Zurich in Switzerland. This is one of the most important financial centers in the world, and you can experience it by simply looking at the luxury shops and shop windows. In addition, it owns many traditions, which can also be presented in the city center, where you can find Roman hiding places, which are still preserved with all their treasures. This place is beautiful at any time of the year.

This city will give you an opportunity to enjoy different views in the old part of the city (Altstadt) and you can enjoy the scenery of the 10th Middle Ages. Among other cities Zürich still have its medieval soul without any scar from the world war.

One of the most interesting places in Zurich is the Limmat River, where you can stroll along its shores, and also enjoy a cruise. If you have enough time – go to the mountain Utliberg, also known as the observation platform of Zurich, and also, if you are lucky and there will be a clear sky, you will receive a stunning postcard with the Alps!

If you need more tips, our Moscow guide Angelina has returned from her trip to Switzerland and shared with us 10 Things to do in Zürich.

Lisbon

When you are in Lisbon, it’s always difficult to decide what to do and where to go.

This is natural, because the city has many diverse tourist attractions   many other European cities. But we want to help you with what absolutely can not be missed and find out what to do in Lisbon.

Castle São Jorge, for example, must be visited. The antiquity and grandeur of the monument itself, especially pleased with the view of Lisbon. Further you can go through the old Moorish quarter, admire the Patriarchal Cathedral, stroll through the city center and visit the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, classified by the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, and visit the Belem tower.

Also, the Santa Justa lift is a point for those who visit the city of light, as well as typical Alfama areas, Graça observation platforms or the modern park Parque das Nações. Other highly regarded museums are the Museu do Azulejo, the Museu dos Coches e o Museu Nacional da Arte Antiga, where you can learn about the origins of Portuguese culture.

And traditionally – we would like to share with you 20 Facts about Lisbon and wish you an amazing journey!

In conclusion, we would like to share with you infographics about the quantity of tourists visiting mentioned cities: