Dublin Makes Top 5 Most Popular Cities in Europe that Brits’ Dream of Visiting

Dublin (Ireland) takes the top fifth spot for most popular destinations amongst Brits’ dream European travel bucket list

To help you decide on the best destination to travel to next, Iceland’s flagship airline, Icelandair has identified the top 20 most popular cities in Europe that Brits’ dream of visiting. Looking at data scraped from Statista, Instagram, Twitter and Reddit, the team has analysed and ranked the cities based on the highest scores.

The UK’s Ultimate European Travel Bucket List:

The UK’s Top Five European Bucket List Destinations 2022: Dublin (Republic of Ireland), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Paris (France), Brussels (Belgium) and Rome (Italy).

5. Dublin, Republic of Ireland

Dublin, the charming capital of Ireland takes it’s spot in the top five. Although a small city, Dublin is bursting with character and is known worldwide.

Home to some of the most prolific writers in the world to have lived, including Oscar Wilde and James Joyce, the city is steeped in history as well as being home to ‘the black stuff’, otherwise known as the best Guinness to be served worldwide and entrenched in the Irish culture.

As well as the many free musuems and galleries there are to visit, traditional live music is played most nights in many of the local pubs and Dubliners are said to be some of Europe’s friendliest.

Best time of year to visit: June to August

Temperature: Hottest month 15.5°C (July), coldest month 5°C (January)

Cheapest Time of year to visit: January to February

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam, Netherlands, is nicknamed the ‘Venice of the North’ for the beauty of its canals. Many tourists take a canal cruise, while for the Dutch, the canals are one of their everyday ways of getting around, as well as by bicycle. Famously, highway rules favour cyclists, and it is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world.

The Dutch capital has an impressive contemporary art scene and some of the best art galleries and museums in Europe, thanks to Amsterdam’s steep history. The Dutch are welcoming, creative and relaxed and the nightlife won’t disappoint regardless of if you want a few quiet beers or a wild club night.

Best time of year to visit: April or September

Temperature: Hottest month 16°C (July), coldest month 2°C (January)

Cheapest Time of year to visit: November, January and February

3. Paris, France

Paris, the capital of France, has been dubbed the most romantic city in the world and in the words of Audrey Hepburn, ‘is always a good idea’.

Packed with landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and the Notre Dame Cathedral, the city is world-renowned and un-surprisingly so home to the Mona Lisa.

Parisian cafés line the streets, with café culture engrained within their society and the luxury of high-end department stores merged with the flea market’s vintage finds, Paris is a shopper’s paradise (on every budget).

Best time of year to visit: April to June and October to early November

Temperature: Hottest month 20°C (July), coldest month 25°C (February)

Cheapest Time of year to visit: Mid January

2. Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium, also known as the political heart of Europe, is home to legendary jazz clubs, comic-book street art and quirky flea markets. All of this alongside the must-see museums, architecture, and famous statues, means there is something for everyone.

Home to not only the best Belgian waffles, famous frites and chocolate you can imagine, but most importantly the infamous beer. With an abundance of green space, there is plenty of scenery to take in while walking it off.

Best time of year to visit: March to May and September to October

Temperature: Hottest month 17.5°C (July), coldest month 2.5°C (February)

Cheapest Time of year to visit: Early November

1. Rome, Italy

Rome, Italy, also known as the Eternal City, is small enough to walk around in one day, making it a great weekend getaway. But that’s not to say there isn’t more than enough to do and see.