Here are the most popular capitals in Europe - If you ask Google
Google is the most influential data source available when it comes to influencing our travel. According to most studies, Google and friends and families are the first sources we turn to for travel tips. By analyzing how we use Google and what we search for, we have managed to map out which European capitals we are most interested in visiting.
We did this by analyzing user data focusing on global search volumes on the Google search engine. By analyzing search terms such as "where to stay in.." and "what to do in..." etc. we have been able to create an index that shows which capitals in Europe the world shows the most interest in visiting.
Humbo is a platform that wants to inspire to great travel. Therefore we are always looking for ways to better understand how people want to travel.. We also get a lot of insights from looking at our own users, but based on the huge search volumes that Google has, we get an even more complete picture of the interest in European capitals.
A large number of searches for a particular city does not necessarily mean that more people want to travel to that location, but there is likely to be a correlation between the number of searches and the interest in visiting that location. It also gives an indication of the strength of the city's global brand.
The research is done on search terms that indicate an interest in discovering the city, this selection has been important to remove news-related behaviors such as the high interest in Kiev, which unfortunately has little value for the tourism industry.
In this way, we want to encourage cities that are doing an outstanding job of attracting visitors and at the same time create a perfect bucket list for those who want to discover the best capitals Europe has to offer.
To create this list, we have used various tools that are commonly used to analyze the search behavior of the Google search engine, these tools are often used by digital marketers to understand their market and for working on search engine optimization.
Here are the 16 most popular capitals in Europe
London
We are not surprised that London takes the win as the most popular capital of Europe. London is also the city within the list where most people are looking for “things to do- searches”. London is a bustling metropolis filled with history and culture. Explore the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace, or take a walk through Hyde Park for a taste of nature in the heart of the city. London is also famous for its West End theaters and pub culture.
Paris
Paris has definitely earned this silver medal. The City of Light is a must-visit destination for any traveler. Home to iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum, Paris is also known for its romantic atmosphere and world-class cuisine. Be sure to take a stroll along the Seine River and explore the charming neighborhoods like Montmartre and Le Marais.
Amsterdam
Our research shows that Amsterdam is the third most popular capital of Europe, if you ask Google. One thing that might affect the positive result for the capital of Netherlands is the fact that the movie named Amsterdam was launched in 2022. But never the less, Amsterdam is an amazing city and one of the most popular destinations in Europe. Amsterdam is known for its picturesque canals and colorful buildings, Amsterdam is a city that offers something for everyone. Visit the Van Gogh Museum or the Rijksmuseum for a taste of Dutch art, or take a bike ride through Vondelpark for a breath of fresh air. The city is also famous for its vibrant nightlife and coffee shops.
Rome
Congratulations Rome to land on fourth place on this prestigious list. Known as the Eternal City, Rome is a city that is steeped in history and culture. Visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum to get a glimpse into ancient Rome, or take a stroll through the Vatican City to see the stunning St. Peter's Basilica. Don't forget to indulge in some authentic Italian gelato and pizza!
Berlin
The capital of Germany is a city that is full of contrasts and has worked hard to be the fifth most popular capital in Europe. Visit the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie to learn about the city's tumultuous history, or explore the trendy neighborhoods like Kreuzberg and Neukölln for a taste of modern Berlin. The city is also famous for its nightlife, with clubs like Berghain and Tresor drawing crowds from around the world.
Lisbon
On position six we find the capital of Portugal, Lisbon is a city that is full of charm and character. Explore the narrow streets of the Alfama neighborhood and take a ride on the famous tram 28 for a taste of old-world Lisbon. The city is also known for its seafood and wine, with dishes like grilled sardines and port wine drawing foodies from around the world.
Dublin
Dublin is in seventh place, the capital of Ireland, is a city that is full of charm and history. Visit the stunning Trinity College and see the Book of Kells, or take a stroll through the charming streets of Temple Bar for a taste of Irish culture. Dublin is also known for its lively pub scene and famous breweries, like Guinness and Jameson, which draw crowds from around the world. For a taste of nature, visit Phoenix Park, one of the largest city parks in Europe, or take a trip to the nearby seaside town of Howth for stunning coastal views.
Prague
The capital of the Czech Republic is of course to be found in the top 10, more exact on the 8th place. Prague is a city that is full of charm and history. Explore the narrow streets of the old town and marvel at the stunning Gothic architecture of the Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square. Prague is also famous for its beer culture, with breweries like Pilsner Urquell and Budweiser drawing crowds from around the world.
Madrid
The capital of Spain is a vibrant city that is known for its art and architecture. Visit the Prado Museum to see works by famous Spanish artists like Goya and Velázquez, or explore the Retiro Park for a taste of nature in the heart of the city. Madrid is also famous for its tapas scene and lively nightlife. Madrid is the only city we found that was beaten by another city in the same country. We are of course talking about Barcelona. In fact, if we were to add the Catalan capital Barcelona to the list, Spain would have ended up as the fourth most popular city in this list.
Athens
Athen is the last capital to reach the top ten. The birthplace of Western civilization, Athens is a city that is rich in history and culture. Visit the Acropolis and the Parthenon to see the ancient ruins, or explore the charming neighborhoods like Plaka and Monastiraki for a taste of modern Greek life. Be sure to indulge in some delicious Greek food, like moussaka and souvlaki.
Budapest
The capital of Hungary is a beautiful city well worth a visit, and out of our research, the interest for visiting Budapest is huge. Take a dip in one of the many thermal baths, like the famous Széchenyi Baths, or visit the Buda Castle and Fisherman's Bastion for a stunning view of the city. Budapest is also known for its delicious Hungarian cuisine, with dishes like goulash and chimney cake.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is often called the capital of Scandinavia, that is something we can confirm out our research as well. 12th position in Europe and the first Scandinavian capital to reach the list. The capital of Denmark is a charming city that is known for its hygge lifestyle. Visit the colorful Nyhavn harbor and take a bike ride through the city's many parks and gardens. Copenhagen is also famous for its design scene and world-renowned restaurants.
Vienna
The capital of Austria is a city that is steeped in music and culture. Visit the stunning Schönbrunn Palace and take a stroll through the gardens, or explore the charming old town for a taste of Viennese charm. Vienna is also famous for its coffeehouse culture and delicious pastries, like the Sachertorte and Apfelstrudel. We believe that if we would have added some more culture-related and pastry search queries to our research Vienna might have won:)
Brussels
As the seat of the EU, Brussels is known as the “capital of Europe. But in this list Brussels in found in position 14. Visit the stunning Grand Place and the famous Atomium, or explore the charming neighborhoods like Saint-Gilles and Ixelles for a taste of Belgian life. Brussels is also known for its chocolate and beer, with brands like Godiva and Duvel drawing foodies from around the world.
Stockholm
The capital of Sweden is a great place to add to your bucket list. Visit the stunning Royal Palace and the picturesque Old city center (Gamla Stan), or explore the many museums and galleries for a taste of Swedish art and history. Stockholm is also known for its seafood and design scene. Don't miss the boat ferries to explore the beautiful archipelago, with over 30 000 islands this is a must-see. We congratulate Stockholm on the 15th place on this list.
Reykjavik
Last in our top 16 capitals of Europe we find the capital of Iceland. Reykjavik offers something really unique to the people visiting the island. Visit the Blue Lagoon and take a dip in the geothermal waters, or explore the stunning countryside for a taste of Icelandic nature. Reykjavik is also known for its design scene and world-class seafood, with dishes like langoustine and skyr drawing foodies from around the world.
