20 Best Places to Live in Europe: Travel + Leisure

In this guide, we will share the best 20 places to live in Europe for travel and leisure.

Europe is a wonderful continent full of charming old towns, big cities, and some of the best natural scenery in the world.

So, when it comes to choosing the best places to live in Europe, just know that there is no shortage of options.

Regardless of your lifestyle or preferences, there is some place, city, or town that has something that will be interesting to you.

In fact, a majority of towns and cities in Europe offer a high quality of life, offer a mix of modern and ancient history and culture, and have a lot of English-speaking locals. 

The challenging part is choosing the best places to live in Europe, owing to so many viable options with unique qualities and attractions. We have done most of the hard work for you by narrowing the list. 

These places offer opportunities for leisure and travel. We will try to highlight some useful information about each location, including weather, scenery, transportation, and cost of living. If you are ready, let’s get started.  

The Best Places to Live in Europe

1. Madrid, Spain

We believe Madrid is the best place to live in Europe because of its low crime rate, reasonable cost of living, and high quality of life.

It is ideal for various categories of travelers. Whether you relocate there to work remotely, have a business to run from there, or are looking forward to retirement in the city, Madrid will accommodate your needs. 

2. Berlin, Germany

Berlin is a city that beautifully merges the present and the past. In the heart of Europe, this city is often referred to as the best place to live in Europe.

The city is a tapestry of diverse neighborhoods, with each corner of the city having its own unique charm. 

Creatives and culture enthusiasts will appreciate Berlin’s vibrant galleries and rich museums. The nightlife here is also awesome.

And if you are concerned about the cost of living, Berlin is reasonably affordable compared to major European capitals. 

3. Vienna Austria

Vienna is one of the best cities to live in the world, not just Europe. It has won many international awards for being the most livable city on the planet.

The Austrian capital is rated highly, not without reason. Its lush green spaces, classical architecture, and exceptional quality of life contribute to its status.

Its unique food scene and traditional coffee houses further enhanced the charm of the city. 

4. Copenhagen, Denmark

With a perfect mix of heritage and innovation and its high quality of life, Copenhagen has earned a reputation as one of the best places to live in Europe.

Many people will easily recognize the city because of the colorful buildings lining its streets. 

Life in the city is centered around well-being and community. Nearly everywhere in the city is bikeable, making Copenhagen accessible and eco-friendly.

The city also leads the way when it comes to sustainability.

5. Brighton, UK

If you are looking to settle in a beautiful place in Europe but don’t want to stress yourself out by learning a new language, then a place like Brighton will be ideal.

Unlike bigger cities like London, Birmingham, or Manchester, which are perfect for those looking to work in large corporations, Brighon is best for start-ups, free thinkers, and digital nomads. 

6. Hamburg, Germany

Germany is a welcoming place for American expats who are looking to connect to their roots or just want to explore the country.

And one of the best places to stay while in the country is Hamburg.

Berlin might be your place in Germany if you are a young and active digital nomad, but if you are in your forties and wish to explore cultural life next to the sea, then Hamburg is a better option. 

7. Athens, Greece

Athens is a vibrant historical city that offers adventure opportunities to foreigners. The city’s life is an interesting mix of old and new. Modern infrastructure includes sophisticated shopping areas, bustling markets, trendy cafes, and a thriving nightlife. 

8. The Algarve, Portugal

If you are tired of cold seasons, then you could just relocate to the Algarve and experience warm weather throughout the year.

On top of this, you will get to explore some of the most stunning beaches.

If you need to travel back home regularly, the Algarve is just 30 minutes from Lisbon, which you can connect to most international airports. The city also boasts a number of international schools. 

9. Brussels, Belgium

Brussels is open to the world. Being the EU capital, it is home to many international institutions and corporations.

So, you will expect a lot of expats to be living in Brussels. The city is also a nice spot for digital nomads because of the relatively affordable cost of living and a vibrant cultural scene.

This is an ideal place to live for nomads looking for culture and nightlife, as well as diversity. 

10. Split, Croatia

Croatia’s second-largest city, Split, is located centrally on the country’s coastline, making it the best spot for exploring other parts of the country.

The city is compact, with only 175,000 residents. So, you can explore it without the need for a car. And since it is a popular tourist spot in Croatia, nearly everyone in the city speaks some English. 

The city is generally affordable, but the cost of living tends to fluctuate based on the seasons. The summer months are the most expensive due to the influx of tourists. 

11. Malaga, Spain

Malaga is beaming with culture, architecture, openness, tradition, events, and gastronomy. The city is also associated with sun and beaches, but it offers more than that.

Besides being the best place to live in Europe, Malaga has one of the highest concentrations of museums in Europe.

It also offers a rich culture, a high quality of life, good health care services, security, and a warm climate throughout the year. 

12. Tuscany, Italy

Many US expats have fallen in love with Tuscany because of its high quality of life, breathtaking landscapes, culture, and gastronomy.

Unfortunately, it is not cheap. But if you can afford to live in the hills halfway between Florence and Siena and be in a neighborhood with great business leaders, movie stars, and world-renowned singers, then it will be worth it.

If you prefer a cheaper area, you can settle in one of the Tuscan villages. 

13. Cork, Ireland

Cork City offers a strong cultural and artistic vibe. It is also a place of dramatic landscapes, bays, river valleys, seascapes, harbors, coastlines, and mountains.

While it is the second-largest city in Ireland, many locals know it as the real capital of Ireland. Generally, Cork will appeal to lovers of water sports, world nature, cultural and music enthusiasts, and food lovers. 

14. Brittany, France

Brittany is counted as the best place to live in Europe, not just France, partly due to its proximity to the sea, quality of life, affordability, culture, gastronomy, and exceptional events that run throughout the year.

This place attracts many digital nomads and expats because of its business-friendly environment. Moreover, it is much cheaper than big cities like Paris.

15. Prague, Czech Republic 

Located in the heart of Europe, Prague is a city full of history and modernity. It is a blend of modern vibrancy and medieval charm.

Prague’s streets are a maze of cobblestones that lead to hidden courtyards, ancient chappels, and the iconic Charles Bridge.

And that is why we consider it the best place to live in Europe.

16. London, UK 

The capital of England is probably the most multicultural city in Europe. Almost a third of its residents were born abroad.

So, the city will make it easy for you to adapt to the new environment. Such diversity also allows for cultural exploration and making friends with people across the world.

17. Amsterdam, the Netherlands 

This is a beautiful city if you prefer a traffic-free life. People in the Netherlands commute by bike.

Another positive thing about Amsterdam is that there are a lot of expats, and the majority of the Dutch people speak English. So, you won’t have a hard time mingling and making friends. 

18. Porto, Portugal 

Porto is a stunningly beautiful city that attracts both tourists and expats.

Most expats and digital nomads love this place because of its vibrant culture and pleasant climate. It is also the best place to live in Europe due to its low crime rates and affordable cost of living.

19. Barcelona, Spain 

Barcelona has one of the most vibrant expat communities, living in a warm area with incredible architecture.

The city also boasts an exciting culture and unparalleled cuisine. So, you won’t get bored easily while staying in this city.

20. Mykonos, Greece

Living in Mykonos will make it seem like you are always on vacation.

The island boasts stunning blue-and-white architecture and beautiful beaches. The locals are also welcoming to visitors. 

Wrap-Up

That is it. You now know the best places to live in Europe. You can take it from there and choose the best place to live in Europe, or even sample a couple of them.

While choosing your best place, you need to look at the quality of life, healthcare and education systems, safety, natural beauty, adventure and cultural offerings, language spoken, and presence of foreign communities.

Also Read:

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• Top 20 Best Places to Live for Digital Nomads in 2024