If you are thinking about taking a getaway this summer, but you still don't know where to go, Europe is always a good idea.
There are destinations that have it all: sea, charming streets, terraces, culture and good atmosphere. Places that you want to disconnect for a few days, take a leisurely walk and return with the feeling of having chosen well.
To make it easy for you, I've rounded up 10 European destinations worth keeping on your radar when you start thinking about your next summer getaway.
1. Saint-Tropez, France: art, sea and elegance on the French Riviera
Saint-Tropez It is on the Côte d'Azur, in the south of France, between the Mediterranean and Provence. It is one of those destinations that always sounds like summer, but not only because of its beaches, its terraces or its port.
It has a very beautiful artistic part. For years it was a refuge for painters attracted by the light of the Riviera, and it still preserves that more cultural side in its museums, galleries and streets full of color.
Saint-Tropez sums up Mediterranean elegance very well: warm facades, nearby sea, boutiques, terraces and some of the most beautiful views of the Côte d'Azur. It is a place to walk leisurely, look at shop windows, sit down and have a drink and let the day go at its own pace.
The most charming corners of Saint-Tropez
If you are looking for the most beautiful corners of Saint-Tropez, it is worth going beyond the port. The Punch, the old fishing district, is one of the most charming areas, with narrow streets, colorful houses and very photogenic corners such as the Rue des Pêcheurs.
Rue des Pêcheurs, Saint-Tropez
The Old Port It remains one of the essentials, especially if you want to see the most iconic image of the destination.
Old Port, Saint-Tropez
Also worth a stop Place des Lices, with a more local and relaxed atmosphere. And if you want a more complete view of Saint-Tropez, the Citadel It is one of the best points to see it from above.
2. Antibes, France: art, sea and quiet charm on the Côte d'Azur
Antibes is on the Côte d'Azur, between Cannes and Nice, and has a quieter charm than other destinations on the French Riviera. It is a perfect city if you fancy something with the sea, culture and beautiful streets, but without the intense pace of Cannes or Saint-Tropez.
Its old town is one of its great attractions: cobblestone streets, balconies with flowers, small shops, cafes and corners that appear almost without looking for them.
In addition, it has a very special artistic part thanks to the Picasso Museum, located in the Château Grimaldi, where Picasso worked for a season in 1946.
Walks, markets and art in Antibes
One of the most beautiful corners is Vieil Antibes, the old town. Narrow streets, clear facades, flowers, small shops and that Mediterranean air that looks beautiful in photos without having to look too hard.
Inside the old town, it is worth stopping by Safranier neighborhood, a small and well-kept area, with beautiful houses and a more local atmosphere. It is perfect if you want to show a quieter and less touristy Antibes.
Safranier neighborhood, Altibes
It is also very pretty Marché Provençal, especially because of the mix of colors, stalls and local life. It has that French summer market feel that fits very well with the destination.
Marché Provençal, Altibes
For a more open image, the walls of Antibes They are one of the best places. From there you can see the Mediterranean, the ancient stone and the city profile. It is one of the most special areas to understand why Antibes has so much charm.
Walls of Antibes
And if you want something more artistic, the Picasso Museum, at the Château Grimaldi, is a perfect stop: art, history and sea views in the same place.
3. Portofino, Italy: the most beautiful bay on the Italian Riviera
Portofino It is on the Ligurian coast, near Genoa, and is one of those places that are best understood from above.
At first glance it looks like just a small port with colorful houses, but as soon as you go up towards Castello Brown or the church of San Giorgio the best appears: the bay, the boats, the roofs and all that greenery falling towards the sea.
It is small, yes, but it has a very powerful image. It's not about visiting a thousand places, but about finding a beautiful perspective: from the Piazzetta, from the path to the lighthouse, from the castle gardens or from the boat when you arrive. That's what's special about Portofino: it looks like a postcard, but it changes a lot depending on where you look at it from.
The best views of Portofino
The best known corner is the Piazzetta and the Portofino port. It is the classic image of the destination: the small bay, the colorful facades, the boats and the terraces by the water.
Piazzetta, Portofino
It is also worth visiting Calata Marconi, the promenade that borders the port, because from there you can see very well that postcard that is so characteristic of Portofino.
If you want a nicer view of the whole complex, go up to Castello Brown. More than the interior, it is worth it for the views of the port, the bay and the gulf. On the way you will also pass through the church of San Giorgio, another of those small but very beautiful corners, with a beautiful perspective over the sea.
Church of San Giorgio, Portofino
If you feel like extending the walk a little, continue to the Portofino lighthouse. It is at the tip of the peninsula and shows a more natural version of the destination: open sea, cliffs, pine trees, rock and the horizon of the Ligurian coast.
4. Taormina, Sicily: classic culture facing the Ionian Sea
Taormina is on the east coast of Sicily, on a hill facing the Ionian Sea. It is one of those places that have something special as soon as you arrive: lively streets, balconies, squares open to the sea and Etna always nearby, as part of the landscape.
Here the charm is not only in the historic center. It is in that mixture of ancient stone, blue sea and vegetation that makes each corner have a lot of visual force. It is an elegant city, but also warm and very Sicilian.
Taormina between ruins, squares and viewpoints
The Greek Theater is the most special place in Taormina. Not only because of the ruins, but because of the view: from the stands you can see the Ionian Sea, the coast and Etna in the background. It is one of those images that explain destiny almost without saying anything.
Taormina ancient theater
Afterwards, it is worth walking around Corso Umberto, the main street of the historic center. It joins the Porta de Messina with the Porta de Catania and concentrates shops, cafes, pastry shops, old facades and small side streets that lead to more hidden corners.
Corso Umberto, Taormina
One of the most beautiful points is Piazza IX Aprile, a spacious, bright square with views of the gulf of Giardini Naxos and Etna. It is one of those places where you want to stop for a while, look around and let the trip slow down a little.
Piazza IX Aprile, Taormina
Also save the Communal Villa, one of the quietest corners of Taormina. Its gardens function like a balcony over the Ionian coast, with palm trees, flowers, shade and charming small buildings.
Villa Comunale, Taormina
And, if you want a more coastal image, scroll down to Isola Bella. It is a small island joined to the beach by a spit of land and is considered a nature reserve. It is probably the most recognizable sight of Taormina next to the Greek Theater.
5. Palma, Mallorca: culture, patios and Mediterranean beauty
Palma is in the south of Mallorca, facing the Mediterranean, and is perfect if you want a getaway with more than just the beach. You can get lost in the old town, discover hidden patios, get close to the sea and end the day on a terrace without feeling like you're in a hurry.
It has that charm of a Mediterranean city with history, culture and neighborhood life. Its stone streets, hidden patios, galleries, pretty shops and squares with terraces make it a perfect destination if you fancy a getaway with more than just the beach.
Essential corners to discover Palma
One of the most beautiful corners of Palma is La Seu, its cathedral. Viewed from the Parc de la Mar, with the water in front and the palm trees around, it leaves one of the most special images of the city.
La Seu, Palma
Afterwards it is worth entering the old town, where some of the most beautiful streets in Palma appear: stone facades, Mallorcan patios, green shutters and small squares with terraces.
It also has a lot of charm The Market, one of the most beautiful neighborhoods to walk in the afternoon. Its narrow streets, its restaurants and the historic building of La Lonja make it one of the areas with the most character in Palma.
La Lonja, Palma
For a more cultural part, you can go to It's Baluard, the museum of modern and contemporary art in Palma. It is next to the old walls and combines art, architecture and sea views in the same place.
And if you want to see a more local Palma, save Saint Catherine. It has a market, cafes and typical terraces, perfect to end the day after touring the center.
