Make 2020 your year of travel. Whether you’re planning a city break, a family holiday, a cultural trip, a romantic getaway or a beach holiday, here are some suggested European Places to visit in 2020.

I’ve given one suggestion per month, but for most destinations any month is equally valid. I limited my picks to 12 places to visit in 2020 as I gave one destination per month; but of course, there are many more!

Where possible, I have linked to a more detailed article.

12 European Places to Visit in 2020

January : Look for the Winter Sun in Tenerife (Spanish Island)

The weather in Tenerife is beautiful and definitely favours relaxation, barbecues and poolside drinks, however, if you can drag yourself away from the beach or the pool, there are plenty of things to do!

Places to visit in 2020.

There are a surprising number of things to do in Tenerife from trekking up a volcano, hiking, relaxing in tropical gardens to visiting theme parks, playing golf and a wide range of water sports.

In general,  architecture and historic towns are mostly found in the north of the island while the theme parks and coastal resorts are predominantly in the south (which generally benefits from better weather).

You can find out more about Tenerife here and here.

February: It’s Carnival Time! Try Venice (Italy)

My favourite time to visit Venice is actually May or September, as the weather is pleasant and there are less crowds than in the Summer.

However, Venice Carnival is one of the most famous carnival celebrations in the world. Every year around 3 million people descend upon this floating city to soak up the amazing scenery, admire the extravagant costumes and masks, and soak up the incredible atmosphere. Just make sure to plan warm clothing as Venice is still quite cold at this time of year, and, as there are so many people for the carnival, it can be tricky to find a table for a warm drink/ food.

In 2020, the carnival runs from Saturday 8th February to Tuesday 25th February and there really is no other place in the world that does carnival like Venice.

You can wander around the city and watch some of the free entertainment, including parades, music and street performances and admire some of the gorgeous costumes and magnificent masks that Venice is famous for. Most of the free entertainment takes place in St Mark’s Square, and a programme of the week’s events and shows will be displayed on the notice boards around the square

However, if you want to participate in a masquerade ball, you should be aware that these are all private events, so you will need to buy tickets, and of course, hire a costume! Some of these events are so exclusive that even getting a ticket is beyond mere mortals, and you will have to call on your fairy godmother!

March : Time for some culture ! Visit Galway (Ireland) – the European Capital of Culture for 2020

Places to visit in 2020.

With its picturesque lanes and colourful shopfronts curving around the bay, it is not surprising that Galway is one of Ireland’s most picturesque cities. However, it is also one of Ireland’s most vibrant cities, with a jam-packed calendar of events, art exhibions, buskers and musicians striking up in its atmospheric pubs. And this is just in a normal year. So, as the 2020 European Capital of Culture, Galway has put together an amazing program and the year long festival will run from February 1st 2020 to January 31st 2021, to coincide with the ancient Celtic calendar.

Now, I have to confess that I have never been to Galway, but I have been to Ireland, and it therefore seems to me that the logical month to visit Galway is March, in order to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in style!

2020 marks the 117th anniversary of the Galway St. Patrick’s Day Parade (14th to 17th March in 2020) and you can expect a wonderful display! The iconic fountain in Eyre Square will even turn green as part of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

However, if you can’t manage a trip in March, don’t worry as there are more than 1900 events with local, national, European and international artists and cultural organisations from over 30 different countries making up the programme of events for the year! So, there is something every month!

April: Spring is in the air! Head to the Algarve (Portugal) for some sun, sea and sand

Places to visit in 2020.

The Algarve coastline is truly spectacular and the beaches range from long sandy beaches, such as Falésia and Praia Oura in the Central Algarve and the 4km long Meia Praia Beach at Lagos, (which is the longest sandy beach on the western side of the Algarve) to secluded coves, such as Praia da Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo.

tenerife

The secluded coves are ideal for bathing and snorkelling as the water is calm and clear and the longer beaches are perfect for a stroll along the water’s edge or a brisk jog (if you’re feeling energetic!).

I would also highly recommend taking a “grotto” tour, where you can see the beautiful caves and cliffs that populate the Algarve coast from a small fishing boat.

The Algarve is also renowned for its huge range of golf courses, with over 40 golf courses and thirty-five different clubs along the Algarve peninsula, and I would recommend spending some time in Lagos, Faro and Albufeira.

if you want to find out more about the Algarve, have a look here and here.

May: Time to head to the Riviera (France) for some sun and celebrity spotting

With all-year round warm weather, stunning architecture, beautiful beaches, a gorgeous old town, colorful local markets, delicious mediterranean food and mesmerizing views, Nice is a must-visit destination in the South of France.

Add to that its ease of accessibility, the wonderful culture and the incredible day trips that you can make from a base in Nice, then you will soon see that Nice has everything you need for the perfect stay.  It’s central location along the Côte d’Azur, and good transport links make it easy to explore neighbouring towns, such as Menton, Monaco, Antibes and Cannes, or across the Italian border to San Remo. 

Menton is one of my favourite towns along the French Riviera, but the reason I suggest the French Riviera in May is of course, the Cannes Film Festival, which runs from Tuesday 12th to Saturday 23rd May 2020, and which is the leading film festival in the world! .

It’s almost impossible to attend screenings unless you are either an accredited attendee or hold an official invitation. However, each evening on the seafront at Plage Macé you can enjoy a free film, as long as you show up early enough to grab a spot! Films start around 9/9:30pm but get there early for a seat. And anyone can hang out by the “tapis rouge” and watch the stars arrive  ….!

Have a look at What to do and See in Nice for more inspiration.

June: Track down some treasures and tapas in Madrid (Spain)

Places to visit in 2020.

With beautiful parks, stunning architecture, lovely weather (mostly), world class museums (including El Prado), lots of culture, tapas and great food, Madrid is a must-visit destination.

It’s a city where the old and new intertwine, and you can walk from narrow, cobbled lanes in the old district to the main modern shopping street, the Gran Via in a few minutes.

three days in Madrid
three days in Madrid
three days in Madrid
three days in Madrid
three days in Madrid
three days in Madrid
three days in Madrid

If you want to find out more about Madrid, have a look here, but some key places you mustn’t miss include the Royal Palace, the Palacio Real de Madrid, the Cathedral. (Catedral de la Almudena), the Prado Museum, El Retiro Park and Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s vibrant main square.

July: Where better to live the ‘Dolce Vita’ than the Amalfi Coast (Italy)

The beautiful island of Capri is often associated with ‘la dolce vita’ (even though the original film was set in Rome), and a visit to Capri makes the perfect day trip from the Amalfi coast (with ferries and hydrofoils from Naples, Ischia, Procida, Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi).

Of course, it is also possible to stay on Capri, but it is for a ‘high-end’ budget, and also there is more to see and do on the mainland. So, I would recommend basing yourself in Sorrento, which is really “The gateway to the Amalfi Coast”.

Sorrento is a pretty town perched on the hill above the bay of Naples. It’s known for its spectacular views, the Piazza Tasso and the artisanal shopping (which consists of primarily inlaid wood, leather goods and limoncello).

Much of the charm of a visit to Sorrento is in simply wandering through the pedestrian streets and shopping areas. Most of the historic centre is within a 500m radius of the main Tasso Square, which is also a great place to stop for a coffee or aperitif!  There are a few small museums in Sorrento, and some churches, as well as the Cathedral.  There is also a wide array of bars and restaurants which cater for most tastes and budgets!

Make sure to visit Positano, Amalfi and Pompeii while you are there, take a boat trip and relax at one of the beach clubs.

If you want to find our more about Sorrento and surrounding towns, you can have a look at this post and you can find my post on Capri here.

August: Escape the hustle and bustle in Lucerne (Switzerland)

Places to visit in 2020.

Lucerne is just like a picture postcard and one of the most beautiful lake towns I have visited. It sits nestled on the lake of the same name and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, dominated by the vastly impressive peak of Mount Pilatus.

As well as a selection of stunning views, medieval architecture, lake-side promenades and a pedestrian Old Town, there is a wide variety of restaurants and cafés, all along the lake front.

The iconic and photogenic Chapel Bridge (‘Kapellbrücke’), pictured above, spans the river Reuss and is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe, as well as being the site of an inordinate number of tourist photos!

Located on a hilltop just a short distance from the old town are the medieval walls and towers, from which you get a stunning view of Lucerne.

Finally a trip to Lucerne isn’t complete without seeing the statue of the ‘Lion of Lucerne’, which commemorates the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution.

Add Lucerne to your bucket-list for 2020 and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

 

September : The perfect month for a city break in Seville (Spain)

Places to visit in 2020.

I specify that September is the perfect time to visit Seville as the first time I visited Seville I foolishly went in August and only ventured out first thing in the morning and after dark because of the stifling heat!

These photos were taken in September and, as you can see, the weather is perfect! Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit the city, when the daytime temperatures are warm, with mild evenings.

If Lucerne is one of the most beautiful Lake towns I have visited then Seville is without doubt one of the most stunning European Cities, steeped in rich history and culture,  with ancient Moorish walls, Roman ruins and Baroque churches at every turn.

I will shortly be writing a 48 hour guide to Seville so I’m not going into too much detail here! I will just let the photos give you a taste of what is to come!

October: Take a city break in Berlin (Germany) – where East meets West (take 1)

Places to visit in 2020.

Berlin is the German capital and is rapidly replacing New York as the city that never sleeps or at the very least is the European equivalent.

Alongside world-famous cultural and historical sights – such as the Unesco-protected Museum Island, the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, Alexanderplatz, the Holocaust Memorial and Checkpoint Charlie – Berlin is known for its nightlife, hip bars and restaurants, as well as independent boutiques and quirky art galleries.

Thirty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the German capital — divided for decades by bricks and barbed wire — has unified, but there are still differences between the East and West: one of which is seen from above! (Seen from space, the city’s lights show a stark contrast, with orange lights in the east and white lights in the west).

November: Discover where East meets West (take 2) in Istanbul (Turkey)

Places to visit in 2020.

The unusual thing about Istanbul is that it is situated in two continents. The old city is located in Europe whereas the more modern areas are located in Asia.

The European side is steeped in history and the architecture is spectacular. The key sites you should visit include the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace Museum, Sultanahmet Square, the Basilica Cistern and the Dolmabahçe Palace.

And don’t miss out on a trip to the Grand Bazaar – where else can you find 6000 boutiques, with different stalls selling everything from carpets, jewellery, souvenirs, clothing and leather goods? Haggling is expected and you can always get a good bargain for your purchases.

Two surprising things I noticed :

  • the surprising number of stray cats and dogs ( however, it seems that the city has developed a collective responsibility for strays and most hotels/ restaurants and residents don’t mind sharing their leftovers.
  • the also high number of bandaged heads, especially men. It seems that Istanbul has a booming business in cosmetic surgery, especially male hair transplants. On a quick stroll through Istanbul and on guided visits, you are likely to come across half a dozen men with the painful raw scalps and bandages that indicate a recent operation!

 

December : Get in the Christmas spirit in Vienna (Austria)

Places to visit in 2020.

There can be no better place to get into the Christmas spirit than in Vienna. The beautifully decorated streets, the buzzing Christmas markets, the beautiful twinkling lights, the seductive smell and enticing taste of the delicious cooking, the sound of Christmas music all serve to create the most charming atmosphere.

Many of the Christmas markets translate seamlessly into a New Year Village after Christmas, and did I mention that Vienna is also a magical place to spend New Year’s Eve? On New Year’s Eve, the whole of central Vienna is given over to partying and dancing. The New Year’s Eve Trail in the Old City is the highlight, and you can follow the trail past various entertainment stands, food stalls, champagne stands and culminating in a giant firework display at City Hall at midnight.

And don’t forget to visit the giant Ferris Wheel in Prater Park.

To find our more about the Christmas Markets in Vienna, have a look here.

I hope this has given you some inspiration for planning some European travel trips this year ! And I have lots of other destinations to share with you!

In the meantime, today is the perfect day to plan your next holiday in Europe. Book your flights, accommodation, activities and tours at the best price. 

If you can go at short notice then you can get some great last minute deals so you can travel more and spend less!  What’s not to love! Book now!