This Italian City Has Just Been Named the Best in Europe – And It’s Hard to Argue With It!
Europe isn’t exactly short on stunning cities – from ancient capitals to coastal gems – so deciding which one reigns supreme is no easy task. Thankfully, Travel + Leisure handed the job to their readers, who cast over 657,000 votes in the 2025 World’s Best Awards, rating each city on culture, food, friendliness, landmarks, shopping and value for money.
The winner? Florence.
The iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, dominates Florence's skyline
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Yes, the Tuscan jewel has officially taken the crown as Europe’s best city – and if you’ve ever wandered through its cobbled streets or gazed up at Brunelleschi’s dome, you’ll probably agree.
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According to one reader, Florence is a place where “the architecture is beautiful, the people are friendly, and the food is fantastic.” Fair point. Despite its global fame, the city still manages to feel surprisingly intimate – a ‘small-town vibe’ that T+L says is key to its enduring charm. It scored a mighty 90.08 out of 100.
Following closely behind were two southern Spanish beauties: Seville (2nd) and Granada (3rd), both packed with history, Moorish architecture, and endlessly good tapas.
Seville ranked second thanks to its rich blend of architecture, history and culture
Here’s the full top 15
1. Florence, Italy
2. Seville, Spain
3. Granada, Spain
4. Istanbul, Turkey
5. Rome, Italy
6. Siena, Italy
7. Porto, Portugal
8. Madrid, Spain
9. Lisbon, Portugal
10. Lyon, France
11. Prague, Czech Republic
12. Salzburg, Austria
13. Cordoba, Spain
14. Athens, Greece
15. Aix-en-Provence, France
