Top Destinations to Visit in Europe

Are you looking for inspiration on the best holiday destinations in Europe? At Chill, we’re passionate about helping you explore Europe’s top destinations with the peace of mind that comes from having a travel insurance policy.

Check out these four iconic cities in Europe and their top attractions to inspire your travel plans for the year ahead.

Malaga

Malaga is known by Irish holidaymakers as the gateway to the Costa del Sol, but the city is well worth a visit. The old town is a maze of winding streets that open into grand plazas – a perfect place to enjoy a local beer and traditional Spanish tapas. The birthplace of artist Pablo Picasso, Malaga has plenty of churches, museums, and galleries to escape the midday sun. There’s also a marina and a few fabulous beaches within walking distance of the historic old town.

Top attractions:

• Alcazaba Moorish Castle
• Pablo Picasso Museum
• Mercado de Atarazanas

Best time to visit:

• Avoid the crowds and heat with a visit in May or September.

Local customs:

• Feria de Málaga, the city’s traditional fair, takes place every August. Dating back to the 15th century when the city was reconquered from Moorish rule, the week-long street party is full of colour, flamenco dance, and fino (sherry).

Must-try cuisine:

• Anchovies can be found in many popular dishes such as pescaito frito (fried fish).
• Visit a traditional tapas bar for the best patatas bravas, croquetas, and buñuelos.

Getting around:

• Malaga Airport’s train station takes you to the city centre in just 12 minutes.
• Walking or renting a bike is a good way to see the old town.
• The metro and bus system are also a cheap way to travel.

Berlin

There's so much to see and do in Berlin, from tracing the path of the historic Berlin Wall to the city's stunning Museum Island. Pose for a photo at the famous Checkpoint Charlie and finish your day as the sun sets on the majestic Brandenburg Gate. Berlin also offers a lively nightlife with many iconic clubs and bars.

Top attractions:

• Brandenburg Gate
• East Side Gallery
• Reichstag Building

Best time to visit:

• Visit in summer to enjoy the street life, beer gardens, and festivals.
• November to February is ideal for cheaper stays and shorter queues.

Local customs:

• Find a café to enjoy the local custom of Kaffee und Kuchen - coffee and cake.

Must-try cuisine:

• Currywurst, a German fast-food delight of sausage in spicy sauce.
• Pfannkuchen, Berlin's version of a doughnut.

Getting around:

• Berlin has a brilliant public transport system including S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and trams.
• The Berlin Welcome Card offers unlimited travel on public transport and savings on some of the city's main attractions.

Lisbon

Lisbon has a rich history to explore through many diverse districts like Alfama, Bairro Alto, and Chiado. Portugal's hilly, coastal city offers stunning vistas and incredible architecture like the Belem Tower and Arco da Rua Augusta. The nearby beaches of Cascais and Estoril are worth a visit, as is a day trip to romantic Sintra. Lisbon's friendly locals and warm climate almost all year round make it a must-visit.

Top attractions:

• Belem Tower
• Arco da Rua Augusta
• MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology

Best time to visit:

• March to June and September to November – it's still warm but with fewer tourists.

Local customs:

• Head to a fado bar in Alfama for traditional Portuguese music and singing.

Must-try cuisine:

• Traditional bacalhau (salted cod).
• Pastel de nata (custard tarts).

Getting around:

• Lisbon’s buses, trams, suburban trains, and metro are cheap and plentiful.
• The traditional yellow trams are a fun way to see the city and travel around Lisbon's hilly streets.

Rome

Known as the Eternal City, Rome's history spans over two and a half thousand years. Visitors flock to the city's famous sites like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and St. Peter's Square - the ancient piazza at the heart of Vatican City. When in Rome, soak up the vibrant street life and dine on delicious pizza, pasta, and gelato. Rome also has some of the best museums and art galleries in the world, including the Sistine Chapel with its incredible painted ceiling by Michelangelo.

Top attractions:

• Colosseum
• Sistine Chapel
• St. Peter's Basilica

Best time to visit:

• March to May to avoid the heat and crowds of the summer months.

Local customs:

• Festivals to commemorate the lives of saints, like the Festa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo (Feast of Saints Peter and Paul) in June.

Must-try cuisine:

• Cacio e Pepe, a cheese and black pepper pasta dish.
• Roman-style artichokes.
• Supplì - fried rice balls filled with mozzarella cheese, peas, or tomato sauce.

Getting around:

• Rome is easy to get around with cheap buses, metro, and trams.

Travel Insurance with Chill

If you fancy visiting one of our best holiday destinations in Europe, a travel insurance policy gives you peace of mind and protection should things go wrong - from lost baggage to cancelled flights. As a leading travel insurance provider in Ireland, Chill can get you the right level of cover in minutes. Choose from single trip travel insurance for a one-off break, or an annual multi-trip policy if you're planning more than one trip in the year.

You can get a travel insurance quote in minutes through our website by simply selecting your trip type, destination, and cover level. To give your holiday the best possible start, we're pleased to offer you a 10% discount on travel insurance using the promo code EXPLORE.

Bon Voyage! We hope this article has inspired you to start planning a break away in one of Europe’s top holiday destinations. Whether it’s Malaga, Berlin, Lisbon, or Rome, it’s sure to be a holiday you won’t forget. And with travel insurance from Chill, you certainly won’t regret it!

Visit here to find out more about travel insurance and get an online quote.