Top Cities in Europe to Visit For Photographers

If you’re a travel photographer, whether amateur or professional, who focuses on architecture or street life, there’s hardly a better place to go to than Europe. There are numerous photogenic European cities to visit for photographers. We’ve compiled some of the top cities in the list below.

Photogenic European Cities

Venice, Italy

Venice is kind of a given. It’s easily one of the most breathtaking cities in the world. Filled with pastel-colored buildings, crisscrossed by countless canals and home to spectacular churches, Venice is the absolute dream destination for urban photographers. Make sure to get up early, preferably before sunrise, to beat the midday crowds.

Places to focus on: Bridge of Sighs, Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Without question the top attraction in Croatia, Dubrovnik is a beauty of a city. Once an independent republic known as Ragusa, this old coastal city on the Adriatic Sea coast is perched on a rocky peninsula. Massive city walls surround the town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while cobbled streets and red-roofed buildings make up the townscape.

Places to focus on: Lovrijenac Fortress, City Walls and the top of Srd Hill

Stockholm, Sweden

Sweden’s capital is also the largest city in Scandinavia. Renowned for its green spaces and water—only one-third of the city’s surface area is actual urban space, the rest is either parkland or water—Stockholm is one of the most photogenic European cities in for photographers. Its Old Town, or Gamla Stan, consists of ochre-colored buildings, a plethora of museums and gorgeous palace. The city occupies several islands, which offer various photographic vantage points.

Places to focus on: Stortorget, Drottningholm Palace and the waterfront of Riddarholmen

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is home to one of the world’s most spectacular squares. Undoubtedly the city’s major highlight is its Grand-Place, or Grote Markt in Dutch. Lined with ornate, gold leaf-covered guildhalls, paved with cobblestones and featuring the imposing City Hall, this square is one of the most photogenic you’ll find anywhere in the world. Additionally, there’s also the uniquely weird Atomium and the atmospheric St. Hubert Galleries.

Places to focus on: Grand-Place, Atomium and St. Hubert Galleries

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Amsterdam is one of the most photogenic European cities because of its typical Dutch architecture and iconic canals. There are gorgeous waterfront houses, impressive palaces and relaxing parks.

Places to focus on: Keizersgracht Canal, Vondelpark and Leidseplein

Florence, Italy

The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is one of the greatest all-round destinations on earth. This is the former home of historical icons such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello, Brunelleschi and the de Medici family. Filled with monumental buildings and vibrant squares, Florence is heaven for travel photographers.

Places to focus on: Florence Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio, Piazzale Michelangelo and Piazza della Signoria

Strasbourg, France

Offering a mix of France and Germany, Strasbourg is as great as a crossroads city can possibly be. It manages to preserve its rich history while keeping its eyes firmly on the future. It’s home to both a superbly charming historic core, complete with half-timbered homes and scenic waterfronts, and the modern European Union headquarters.

Places to focus on: Pont Saint Martin and La Petite France neighborhood