Lonely Planet's top 10 European destinations for 2016

Best in Europe 
The European destinations you need to see in 2016



Is Europe on your wish list for 2016? Lonely Planet’s travel experts have combed the continent to create the ultimate selection of European destinations to see this year.

Ready to go? Get to the heart of Europe and download one of Lonely Planet's in-depth, award-winning chapters or complete guidebook.

1. The Peloponnese, Greece

Greece - Peloponnese (Chapter)

This region bears traces of the civilisations that came before, witnessed in its classical temples, Mycenaean palaces, Byzantine cities, and Ottoman, Frankish and Venetian fortresses. The food here is among Greece’s best and the vineyards are contributing to Greece’s wine renaissance.

Coverage includes: Corinthia, Ancient Corinth, Acrocorinth, Ancient Nemea, Argolis, Argos, Ancient Mycenae, Nafplio, Tiryns, Epidavros, Southwest Argolis, Arkadia, Central Arkadia, Lakonia, Sparta, Mystras, Monemvasia, Neapoli, Gythio, The Mani, Lakonian Mani, Messinian Mani, Messinia, Kalamata, Ancient Messini, Koroni, Methoni, Pylos, Gialova & Around, Olympia, Andritsena, Kyllini, Achaïa, Patra (Patras) and Kalavryta & Around.

2. Aarhus, Denmark

Denmark - Central Jutland (Chapter)

Easily the largest and most varied of all Danish regions, central Jutland encompasses dramatically different features, from the calm beaches of the sheltered east coast to the wild and woolly west coast, battered by North Sea winds. Lying in between, offering visual stimulation among the flatness, are the rolling hills and forests of the Lake District.

Coverage includes: Aarhus, Djursland & Around, Ebeltoft, Grenaa, The Lake District, Silkeborg, Ry, Himmelbjerget, The Interior, Jelling, Givskud, Billund & Legoland, Randers, Rebild Bakker & Rold Skov, Viborg, Central West Coast, Hvide Sande.

3. Venice, Italy


Watch a Murano glass-blower practice his craft, stroll past stalls of tiny octopus and giant oysters at Rialto Market, or take a moonlit gondola ride past ancient palaces; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Venice and the Veneto and begin your journey now!

Covers: Sestiere di San Marco, Sestiere di Dorsoduro, Sestieri de San Polo and Santa Croce, Sestiere di Cannaregio, Sestiere di Castello, Giudecca, Lido, Murano, Burano, and more

4. The Dordogne, France


Limousin, the Dordogne and the Lot are the heart of la belle France. Dordogne has a bevy of bastides (fortified towns), castles and spectacular cave paintings; Limousin is strewn with farms and hamlets; and Lot is ribboned with rivers to cruise and caverns to explore.

Coverage includes: The Dordogne, Périgueux, Brantôme, Bergerac, Issigeac & around, Monpazier & around, The Dordogne Valley, Sarlat-la-Canéda, The Vézère Valley, Limousin, Limoges & around, Brive-la-Gaillarde & around, The Lot and Cahors & around.

5. Lviv, Ukraine


The city of Lviv is an emerging tourist magnet, a truly captivating place, rich in historic architecture and with an indulgent coffeehouse culture. Away from Lviv, are the moody Carpathian Mountains, historic Lutsk, the olde-worlde spa at Truskavets and the Pochayiv Monastery.

Coverage includes: Lviv, Zhovkva, Drohobych, Ternopil, Pochayiv, Kremenets, Volyn & Rivne Regions, Lutsk, Shatsky National Nature Park, Dubno.

6. Warwickshire, England


Few other places come so close to the dream of England as here, the country’s heart. If you’re searching for chocolate-box villages of wonky timbered houses and gracious stately homes that look like the last lord of the manor just clip-clopped out of the stables, you’ll find them here.

Coverage includes: Birmingham, Warwickshire, Stratford-upon-Avon & around, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Peak District, Buxton, Castleton & Around, Derwent Reservoirs, Edale, Eyam, Bakewell & Around.

7. Extremadura, Spain


Visiting Extremadura is a journey into the heart of old Spain, from the country’s finest Roman ruins to beautiful medieval cities and villages. Mérida, Cáceres and Trujillo rank among the country’s best-preserved historical settlements, while extremeño hamlets have a timeless charm.

Coverage includes: Cáceres, Valencia de Alcántara, Alcántara, Trujillo, Guadalupe, Plasencia, La Vera, Valle del Jerte, Valle del Ambroz, Hervás, Granadilla, Coria, Parque Nacional de Monfragüe, Mérida, Badajoz & around and Zafra & around.

8. East Coast Tenerife


Tenerife is the striking grand dame in the archipelago family. The island offers volcanic lava, a sultry Carnaval celebration and a stash of museums, temples to modern art and colonial towns. And, towering above it all, the dramatic Pico del Teide.

Coverage includes: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, La Laguna, San Andrés & around, Taganana & the Anaga Mountains, Punta del Hidalgo & around, Tacoronte & around, Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava, Icod de los Vinos, Garachico, Parque Nacional del Teide, Vilaflor, Punta de Teno, Santiago del Teide, Masca, Los Gigantes & Puerto de Santiago, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas & Costa Adeje, Las Galletas, Candelaria, Güímar and El Médano.

9. Texel, the Netherlands


The quintessentially Dutch province of Noord-Holland (North Holland) wraps around Amsterdam like a crown. Less than 20km west of Amsterdam, but entirely its own city, elegant Haarlem is the region’s capital and a charming example of 17th-century grandeur.

Coverage includes: North Holland, Haarlem, Around Haarlem, Zaanse Schans, Waterland Region, Alkmaar, Broek op Langedijk, Hoorn, Enkhuizen, Medemblik, Den Helder, Texel, Muiden, Het Gooi, Flevoland, Lelystad and Urk.

10. Northern Dalmatia, Croatia

Serving that classic Dalmatian cocktail of historic towns, jewel-like waters, rugged mountains, sun-kissed islands, gorgeous climate and Mediterranean cuisine, this region is a holidaymaker’s paradise. Yet it’s the cities and islands further south that hog all the limelight, leaving Northern Dalmatia, if not quite undiscovered, then certainly less overrun.

Coverage includes: Lika, Plitvice Lakes & around, Gospić & around, Paklenica National Park, Pag Island, Pag Town, Central Pag, Novalja & around, Zadar, Dugi Otok, Sali, Božava, Veli Rat, Šibenik-Knin County, Kornati Islands, Tisno & Murter Island, Šibenik, Krka National Park, Knin.

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