If you’re planning your spring and summer trips to include Europe and are looking for suggestions of places you absolutely can’t miss, then the announcement of the new ranking of the Best Europe Destinations couldn’t come at a better time.

A picture of Colmar and its canals
Colmar is the main city in the region of Alsace and it's the best destination in Europe for 2020 © serts / Getty Images

The list comes out each year to elect the best destinations in the continent according to travellers themselves. With more than 600,000 votes, the winner for 2020 is the French city of Colmar, located in the Alsace region at the border with Germany and Switzerland. Colmar “can be visited all year round” because every season has something unique to offer, from the magical Christmas markets to the vineyards ready for harvest in autumn.

A picture of Athens with the Parthenon in the background
Athens, one of the cradles of Western civilisation, was the second city on the list © TTstudio / Shutterstock

Second place on the list went to Greece’s capital Athens, with its great mix of stunning culture that makes the city an open-air museum and vibrant nightlife. The podium was finished off by Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia and a city with a “guaranteed “wow” factor” thanks to its striking mix of architecture styles.

A shot of Tbilisi with the old town in the foreground
Tbilisi was the third city on the list mainly because of all the great gastronomy choices it offers © Tanatat pongphibool, thailand / Getty Images

One of the safest cities in Europe, Vienna, made its appearance at number four in the list thanks to its fascinating royal history and its overall classy vibe; Portugal’s Cascais follows in fifth place, confirming its title as one of the most beautiful coastal destinations in the whole of Europe.

A shot of Cascais and its waterfront at night
Cascais is also very close to Lisbon, Portugal's capital, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sintra © Val Thoermer / EyeEm / Getty Images

But the ranking is also a great chance to discover some lesser-known cities that are true hidden gems, like Sibiu in Romania, Namur in Belgium and Rijeka in Croatia, which also happens to be one of Europe’s 2020 Capitals of Culture.

A picture of Rijeka and its riverfront
Together with Galway in Ireland, Rijeka is one of Europe's 2020 Capitals of Culture © xbrchx / Shutterstock

Closing off the top ten are cities that need no introduction like Paris, at number nine, and the quirky colourful city of Bydgoszcz in Poland. Here’s are the fifteen cities that appear in the Best Europe Destinations ranking: Colmar, France; Athens, Greece; Tbilisi, Georgia; Vienna, Austria; Cascais, Portugal; Sibiu, Romania; Namur, Belgium; Rijeka, Croatia; Paris, France; Bydgoszcz, Poland; Rome, Italy; Hévíz, Hungary; Cork, Ireland; Rochefort Océan, France; and Menorca, Spain.

Read more about each of them at this link.

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