A small and sunny capital with distinctive architecture and a unique atmosphere was voted in the Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 as the best capital to visit in Europe.
Conde Nast Traveller published its annual list of the best cities in Europe, according to its readers awards. The Readers Choice Awards highlight the years best travel choices, based on the experiences of the popular magazines readers, who voted for the European cities that stood out for their sights, culture, hospitality and food. At the top of this years list is a small, sun-drenched city with distinctive architecture and a unique atmosphere.
Valletta: The top city to visit in Europe
In first place, with a score of 97.3, is Valletta in Malta. The well-preserved medieval city, built by the Knights of the Order of St John, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Conde Nast Traveller describes Maltas capital as a «tiny Mediterranean jewel» that shines through an open-air museum of Baroque architecture.
«Narrow, undulating lanes crisscross the center, with the turquoise of the sea peeking out to the right and left - the more observant may recognize these striking scenes from Gladiator or Game of Thrones», writes Conde Nast Traveller.
The top 20 cities in Europe for 2025
In second place on the list is Oslo (94,4%), while Vienna (93,8%) completes the top three. It is worth noting that Athens took 12th place in the top 20 with a score of 89,6%. See the full list of the 20 best cities in Europe for 2025, according to the Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards, and get ideas for your next trips.
1. Valletta, Malta
2. Oslo, Norway
3. Vienna, Austria
4. Copenhagen, Denmark
5. Madrid, Spain
6. Munich, Germany
7. Lisbon, Portugal
8. Stockholm, Sweden
9. San Sebastián, Spain
10. Palma, Spain
11. Florence, Italy
12. Athens, Greece
13. Rome, Italy
14. Paris, France
15. Marseille, France
16. Reykjavík, Iceland
17. Porto, Portugal
18. Venice, Italy
19. Budapest, Hungary
20. Prague, Czechia
