My 9 Favorite European Destinations of 2019 (& To Consider for 2020)

I traveled quite a bit in 2019 – I quit my job to become a digital nomad right at the beginning of the year, and thus was able to see a lot more than I did in 2018. Hence why I don’t really have a “favorite destinations of 2018” because I didn’t travel nearly as much!

If you’re curious about 2017, though, I gotchu – here’s a list of my favorite destinations from 2017.

And so, here are my favorite destinations from 2019 and ones you might want to think about for 2020!

BANSKO, BULGARIA

I’m surprised by how much I’ve fallen in love with Bansko! It’s got pretty much everything I love – cobblestone streets, delicious food, lots of nature nearby and mountain views, a weekly market, and it’s small and walkable!

Oh, and of course there’s the coworking space that has created an amazing digital nomad community!

I’m already making plans to come back in the fall…

Related Articles:

• 13 Things to Do in Bansko, Bulgaria That Aren’t Snow Sports
• A Week in the Life of a Digital Nomad in Bansko, Bulgaria

MÜRREN, SWITZERLAND

This was suggested by our AirBnb hosts in Basel. We’d originally planned to go to Interlaken but they told us to skip it and go here instead – and they were SO right!

Mürren was the perfect small ski town of my dreams, surrounded by jagged mountain peaks topped with an abundance of snow. We even saw people heli-skiing while eating our Röstis which was very entertaining!

Related Articles:

• 5 Winter Day Trips from Basel, Switzerland

HAMBURG, GERMANY

It’s no secret that Hamburg is one of my favorite cities – I’ve written about it multiple times…

I’m not really a city person, but if I had to pick one, Hamburg would definitely be up there. It’s really pretty, has a ton of parks, the public transportation is amazing and it’s easily bikeable…I could go on and on!

And of course – CHRISTMAS MARKETS. OMG the Christmas Markets!!! I am still shook that I FINALLY was able to go to some after dreaming about them for years. You think I’m being dramatic, but I’m really not.

I just can’t go back to the “Christmas in the Park” (anyone from San Jose, California?) display in my hometown again after attending the real deal in Europe.

Related Articles:

• How to Spend One Day in Hamburg, Germany
• 5 Beautiful Day Trips from Hamburg
• Why You Should Visit Hamburg (Like, Now)

BERGEN, NORWAY

The views from the mountains in Bergen (Ulriken and Fløyen) are stunning! But my favorite thing we did while we were there had to be the fjord cruise. Honestly, if it wasn’t for that, Bergen probably wouldn’t be on here – but the cruise itself was just so breathtaking.

I was so close to not going, too. My budget happy self wasn’t sure if it would really be worth it. But oh, it was. It really was.

Like, I’m still wondering if the scenery was real…We even got to drink water from a waterfall. Like our boat floated near the falls, our guide dipped the bucket in it, and then we all drank it. And this is real life.

Related Articles:

• Review of Rødne Fjord Cruise in Bergen, Norway

COLMAR, FRANCE

I’d wanted to go here since FOREVER and it was pretty much EXACTLY what I’d hoped it would be.

I’d imagine it’s super crowded if you go on a weekend during high season which would probably make it a little less enjoyable, but we went on a weekday in February early in the morning and had it mostly to ourselves! So that’s my advice to you.

RIGI, SWITZERLAND

There was something about being on a super high mountain completely above the clouds that was soooo cool! Even though it was pretty touristy it was still so epic.

Related Articles:

• 5 Winter Day Trips from Basel, Switzerland

RHINE RIVER AREA, GERMANY

Ugh, this was so beautiful! The castles. The river. The wine. THE WINE!!!!

We even met a guy at our hotel whose friend owned a castle. And then he invited us to see the castle the next day!!! And we had coffee and hung out with them for an hour!!!

Like I can’t make this shit up. I mean, I could, and you would never know if I was telling the truth or not – but I’ll let you decide 😉

But anyway – the wine festivals were so fun, too! We stumbled upon one on a rainy day and it was poppin’. And by poppin’ I mean the Federweißer! This is a cool drink that is basically teenage wine. Except unlike teenagers, it’s not stressful to be around, and in fact, quite the opposite!

I may or may not know from personal experience…

THE YORKSHIRE COAST

Ok, I feel like I’m kind of cheating with the past two – but the whole area is just so pretty!! Each town is similar yet still has its own ~vibe~.

But I suppose if you reallllly made me choose a favorite, I’d have to say Robin Hood’s Bay – I think the history is so cool! It was once a smuggler’s paradise back in the day, and although many other towns were, too, it’s the most well-known for it.

There are lots of secret passageways and narrow alleys between the main streets, and it’s said that one could go from the coast to the to their final destination without ever seeing daylight!

Related Articles:

• 5 Beautiful Yorkshire Coastal Towns in England

ALTES LAND

Ok, I honestly am just basic AF and love apple picking. Even though the actual apple picking process really isn’t that long, but idk, there’s just something about doing all the fall things that makes me happy?

And also all the old houses!!! I was in love.

I hope you enjoyed this list of my favorite destinations of 2019! Any that you’d want to visit in 2020? And out of curiosity, how many have you heard of?

Related Articles:

• Apple Picking is More Fun in Germany (My Experience in Altes Land)

LIKE IT? PIN IT!