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People travel from across the globe to experience rich European culture.
Europe’s hot spots can be impossibly crowded in the summer months, but there’s a reason that everyone wants to visit.
Think dreamy architecture, towering cathedrals, and fabulous cultural venues.
A new study by the global luggage storage provider Slasher has revealed the most cultural destinations in Europe.
We’ve laid out the top 4 below, which one is your favorite?
4. Milan
Milan ranked as the 4th most cultural destination in Europe as well as the most cultural spot in Italy. It is noteworthy that Milan ranked above Rome in every single category within the Slasher study.
Milan was ranked highly for its film and media sites, comedy and entertainment venues, and parks and recreational spaces.
Some of the best cultural attractions not to miss in Milan include Duomo di Milano, which is Milan’s cathedral and is considered the city’s most important landmark.
You can also see da Vinci’s famous mural of The Last Supper in Milan, as well as explore the Triennale di Milano which is a museum of art and design in the Parco Sempione in Milan.
For art lovers, there are few cities better to explore in Europe. Milan deserves a spot on your bucket list!
3. Amsterdam
Amsterdam can be famously overcrowded, especially during the summer months, but that doesn’t stop it being the 3rd most cultural city in Europe. And for good reason.
Amsterdam boasts the highest number of live performance spaces of any city in Europe. And there are 94 sites of cultural interest per 100,000 residents in the city, which is the 2nd highest in Europe.
Some of the cultural highlights of a trip to Amsterdam include The Rembrandt House Museum which is located in a beautiful townhouse in the center of the city.
The Anne Frank House is also a fascinating location which gives great insight into life in the city during the Second World War.
The best way to see Amsterdam, especially if you’re short on time, is via its canals.
Amsterdam is one of my favorite European cities because, despite its reputation for debauchery, it is one of the most child-friendly European capitals.
From beautiful urban parks to fascinating canal cruises and child-focused museums, I’ve been visiting Amsterdam since I was a child and I love returning to explore all of its beautiful culture with my own kids.
2. Barcelona
The 2nd most cultural destination Europe this summer is Barcelona. And it may be an unpopular opinion, but I think it’s one of the best times to visit the city.
Barcelona in the summer is hot and sticky. But if you go off the beaten track then it can also be one of the quietest times to explore.
Many natives of the city leave during the summer months, so the streets are empty and local shops and restaurants are closed.
This means you can wander the back streets alone, which is something almost unheard of in such an overcrowded destination.
Some of the best cultural attractions to explore in Barcelona, no matter what the time of year, include the vibrant Park Güell, the Picasso Museum, and the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art
And it would be impossible to talk about cultural attractions in Barcelona without mentioning Gaudi’s Sagrada Família. This stunningly beautiful basilica is finally set for completion in 2026, but that doesn’t mean it’s not an amazing place to visit now.
1. Paris
It is probably no surprise that Europe’s most popular cultural destination is Paris.
Paris is known as the City of Light and has been a source of inspiration for more novels, films, and other creative works than I can count.
The French capital is famously hosting the Olympics this summer but there’s so much to do here if sports isn’t your thing.
Paris is home to the highest number of parks and recreational spaces per 100,000 people in the whole of Europe with an incredible 1,238 green spaces to explore.
And the city also ranked highly for its number of live performance spaces.
Of course, the city’s most iconic attraction is the Eiffel Tower.
But other cultural hubs in Paris that are worth exploring include the Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées,the grandiose Petit Palace, and The Hôtel des Invalides. This is a particularly fascinating attraction if you have an interest in military history.
My favorite cultural attraction in Paris is the city’s museum of modern art (Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris). The exterior of the building is imposing, but it’s the art inside that has me going back again and again.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.