Every country will argue that its capital city is the best of the best (as they should!). Yes, tourism numbers may show favorites based on popularity, but does that mean the most-visited capital cities are the best? Absolutely not.
Far & Wide did take tourism numbers into account, but we also took a different approach by analyzing each European capital based on healthcare index, crime rates and average hotel prices. Of course, we also had to factor in our own opinions as well as tourism numbers to determine which ones were the best and which ones, well, simply weren’t.
So, which capitals came out on top? Here are 47 European capitals, ranked from worst to first.
*Due to size and unreliable datasets, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City were left off this list.
How Amsterdam Compares
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Shocked to see Amsterdam so low on the list?
Well, we think it’s kind of the Las Vegas of Europe. This is where stag and hen (bachelor and bachelorette) parties come for all-hour fun, and the youth of the world can be found celebrating into the wee hours. (Sorry, Amsterdam, your Red Light District and coffee shops are notorious, and not in a good way.)
The combination means hotel prices soar, and thefts are common.
But Amsterdam is only to blame for allowing the revelry. The residents are actually very healthy, biking for transportation and enjoying its immense Vondelpark. They are also cultured and friendly … until you stumble out of a nightclub at 4 a.m. heaving.