Europe's Top 20 Capital Cities: Copenhagen to Istanbul

Explore Europe's top 20 capital cities across the continent, spanning over 10,943 km. This route connects iconic destinations from Copenhagen and Stockholm in the north to Athens and Istanbul in the south, featuring cultural and historical landmarks in between.

Mode
Places
Start
Lake Bled
End
Ljubljana
Stops
10
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Lake Bled — Europe's most beautiful alpine lake one hour from Ljubljana, featuring an island with church in the middle, stunning scenic backdrop.
  2. Cliffs of Moher — Dramatic coastal cliffs on Ireland's west coast, three hours from Dublin, offering spectacular Atlantic Ocean views and scenic landscapes.
  3. Dark Hedges — Ancient tree-lined avenue in Northern Ireland, two hours from Dublin, known for atmospheric setting and eerie natural beauty.
  4. Holyrood Park — Edinburgh's volcanic park containing Arthur's Seat (823 ft), offering panoramic views of the entire city and surrounding landscape.
  5. Copenhagen
  6. Bern
  7. Athens — Greece's largest and oldest city, home to the iconic Acropolis and Parthenon, surrounded by white-washed buildings with mountainous backdrop.
  8. Istanbul
  9. Madrid — Spain's modern central capital since 1606, home to the Royal Palace (Europe's largest) and historic Plaza Mayor.
  10. Ljubljana — Slovenia's smallest capital with 300,000 residents, featuring Ljubljana Castle overlooking the city and river running through historic center.

Useful for your trip

Tip
Acropolis entry in Athens costs about 20 euros
Transport
From Dublin, drive 3 hours to reach the Cliffs of Moher on Ireland's west coast
Transport
From Dublin, drive 2 hours to reach Dark Hedges in northern Ireland
Transport
From Ljubljana, make a 1-hour drive to visit Lake Bled
Save money
Sweden is more affordable than other Nordic countries like Norway and Iceland
Timing
Visit Trevi Fountain early to avoid crowds
Transport
From Tallinn, take a short boat ride to reach Helsinki, Stockholm, or St Petersburg
Tip
Edinburgh Castle is home to Scotland's crown jewels
Tip
Arthur's Seat in Holyrood Park is an extinct volcano with 823-foot elevation offering views of Edinburgh
Tip
Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna has over 1,400 rooms with stunning gardens and mazes

Video on this route

Top 20 Capital Cities To Visit In Europe

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