The essential European city: the Louvre and Eiffel Tower, café terraces, Seine strolls and Montmartre at dusk. Endlessly romantic and walkable, it’s the perfect first taste of Europe and never gets old. See the best things to do in Paris.

An open-air museum where the Colosseum, the Vatican and the Trevi Fountain sit among the world’s best food. Layer upon layer of history, all walkable, all served with exceptional pasta and gelato. See the best things to do in Rome.

Gaudí’s surreal architecture, a buzzing tapas-and-beach culture and Gothic lanes make Barcelona the most fun of Europe’s big cities. The Sagrada Família alone is worth the trip, and you can swim in the Med the same afternoon.

Whitewashed Santorini for sunsets, lively Mykonos for beaches and nightlife, and dozens of quieter isles for a slower pace. Island-hop by ferry for the classic Greek summer of blue domes, clear seas and long tavern dinners.

World-class museums (mostly free), royal pageantry, huge parks, theatre and one of the planet’s great food and culture scenes. English-speaking and superbly connected, it’s an easy, endlessly varied city break for any age.

Storybook scenery of turquoise lakes, snow peaks and flower-strewn meadows, with Interlaken, Lucerne and the Jungfrau region as bases. Scenic trains make it easy, whether you’re hiking in summer or skiing in winter. Pricey, but unforgettable.

Gabled houses along dreamy canals, world-class art at the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, and a relaxed, bike-everywhere culture. Compact and charming, it’s a perfect long-weekend city — go in spring for the tulips.

A fairytale of Gothic spires, a medieval astronomical clock and a castle above the river — and one of Europe’s best-value capitals, with famously cheap, excellent beer. Atmospheric, walkable and easy on the wallet.

Pastel hills, rattling trams, tiled façades and soulful fado, with sunshine, great seafood and gentle prices. Add day trips to fairytale Sintra and the beaches of Cascais, and Lisbon is one of Europe’s best-value city breaks.

Pastel towns clinging to cliffs above a sparkling sea, lemon groves and long Italian lunches. Positano and Ravello are the stars; pair them with Capri for a few days of pure Mediterranean glamour and dolce vita.

Imperial palaces, grand coffee houses, world-class music and one of the highest qualities of life in Europe. Elegant and easy to navigate, Vienna rewards slow days of museums, cake and concerts — especially beautiful at Christmas.

Dubrovnik’s marble-walled old town, the island-dotted Dalmatian coast and the waterfalls of Plitvice make Croatia one of Europe’s best-value coastal escapes. Sail between islands, swim in clear Adriatic coves, and skip the priciest Mediterranean spots.