What follows is an edit of Europe's countries, regions, cities, and neighborhoods that are worthy of your time and attention in 2024—all thoughtfully selected by our editors at Condé Nast Traveller UK and Spain. It's just a fraction of what Europe has on deck in the year ahead, but it's, we feel, the best place to start. Happy travels.
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# The Best Places to Go in Europe in 2024

For countryside fine dining, retro-cool surf scenes, and cities of the future.

November 15, 2023

The Best Places to Go in Europe in 2024

Courtesy Gundari

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In considering the best places to go in Europe in 2024, we asked our expert contributors to nominate the destinations that are on the up—either because of a flock of hotel openings, perhaps, murmurings of Michelin arrivals, shiny new museums, or a concerted conservation effort taking root. Across the continent, we heard about a first-time sports events in Italy; astonishing nature and new glampsites in Scandinavia; and an unexpected surf scene in France with heightening buzz. There are also classic Greek escapes, which are easier to reach than ever before, and Hungarian cities evolving wholesale in time for major anniversaries.

What follows is an edit of Europe's countries, regions, cities, and neighborhoods that are worthy of your time and attention in 2024—all thoughtfully selected by our editors at Condé Nast Traveller UK and Spain. It's just a fraction of what Europe has on deck in the year ahead, but it's, we feel, the best place to start. Happy travels.

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

## The Best Places to Go in Europe

## Antwerp, Belgium

Go for: intriguing new architecture and a clutch of sharp hotel openings

Enjoy the cocktails at August in Antwerp; then head next door for dinner at the new Untitled, which offers rustic dishes from a renowned team.
Robert Rieger

August, and sister property Hotel Julien, showcase the effortless cool that characterizes Belgium's most underrated city.
Robert Rieger

So often overlooked in favor of its Dutch neighbor Amsterdam—or mistakenly written off as being as staid as Brussels— Antwerp is easily Belgium's most underrated city. In fact, the diamond capital of the world is somewhat of an undiscovered gem, with plenty of cool and culture for a weekend romp. There’s an impressive concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants to rival major European capitals. Perhaps best known is two-star The Jane, which was ranked number 39 in this year's World’s 50 Best Restaurants list and will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2024. If the exquisite 14-course tasting menu htere is out of budget, the restaurant’s sleek new bar, Untitled, which opened earlier this year, offers rustic dishes at a more accessible price point, all lovingly plated before your eyes by chef Joeri Timmermans. After dinner, roll yourself next door to bag a bed at August (a former Augustinian convent turned supremely serene sanctuary), or for a sleepover in the heart of town, sister property Hotel Julien is a design-led favorite. Once you’ve eaten your way through the city’s culinary offerings, walk it all off Zuidpark, an ambitious development set for completion by spring 2024. Pinned to be one of Antwerp’s leafiest havens, the seven-hectare park will have 30,000 plants and several smart water features—all part of the city’s continual effort to be greener. — Gina Jackson

## Asturias, Spain

Go for: eco-focused tourism that doesn't scrimp on luxury

Sink into Asturias's mountainous landscapes at Ecoboutique's Solo Palacio, in the Picos de Europa mountain range, where smart interiors beg travelers to stay a while.
JFK

In this lesser-trammeled slice of Spain, rural hotels provide a place to rest your head between days spent hiking and visiting Michelin star restaurants. Talk about balance.
JFK

While the pandemic generated a new type of traveler—increasingly nature-loving and environmentally conscious—Asturias did not have to reinvent itself to attract them. The tagline “Asturias, natural paradise,” created almost 40 years ago, represents everything we look for in a getaway. Perhaps that is why this autonomous community is the most dynamic destination in northern Spain; it welcomed more than 2.4 million visitors last year, with more international travelers than ever. The climate also helps: heatwaves are barely noticeable. This is the year to discover its natural spaces, many of them UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, via rejuvenated routes such as the Camino Primitivo, a calmer branch of the popular Camino de Santiago, through some of the country’s least-known regions. Spain’s first rural hotel, La Rectoral de Taramundi, opened here, and other noteworthy addresses include PuebloAstur Eco-Resort in the Picos de Europa mountain range, Ecoboutique’s Solo Palacio and Las Caldas Villa Termal. Alternatively, book into new arrivals Palacio de Figueras from the Vestige Collection or CoolRooms’ Palacio de Luces. The food scene also makes Asturias unmissable. Its “landscape cuisine” rivals that of the Basque Country. There are 11 Michelin stars peppered around the region as well as an emerging culinary movement in the Caudal and Nalón valleys, while chefs such as Natalia Menéndez (Casa Chuchu), Diego García (El Pintu), Paula Lamas and Jairo Rodríguez (Roble), and Xune Andrade (Mont) are on the rise. Regional capital Oviedo is aiming to be the country's Gastronomic Capital for 2024, bringing together more than 200 chefs at the Euro-Toques conference in April. — Clara Laguna

## Biarritz, France

Go for: a sweet surf scene in a lesser-known stretch of the Basque Country

Sun-soaked Biarritz has built on its Belle Époque heritage with hotels like Villa Magnan (unsurprisingly, you may fine local interior designers sitting beside you at its restaurant).
Melvin Israel

Breathe in the salty air atop the roof terrace at Regina Biarritz, a new opening from the Parisian-born Experimental Group—and added proof that the surf town is having a comeback.
Mr Tripper

Just over the border from San Sebastián, the French resort town of Biarritz is prepped to step out of the shade of its Michelin-star-studded Spanish Basque counterpart and welcome a new generation of sophisticate. These travelers are booking into its artfully resuscitated Belle Époque hotels, including Experimental’s brand new Regina Biarritz, Unbound’s Hôtel du Palais, and enigmatic indie Villa Magnan (book a table at De Puta Madre and dine with local interior designers and filmmakers). The late 20th century was not kind to this beautiful town on France’s southwestern coast, its dwindling fortunes and faded grandeur standing in stark contrast to its late-19th-century and early-20th-century heyday, when Emperor Napoleon III had his summer palace here, and his Spanish wife Eugénie promoted Biarritz as a health resort. Happily, in-the-know Spanish and French urbanites have rediscovered this delight, lapping up a hip surf scene (Biarritz is one of Europe’s oldest surf destinations, thanks to a bunch of Americans who visited in the 1950s) and fueling a youthful Basque culinary scene, from the thrilling Les Halles covered market to neo-bistro Epoq and Michelin-starred favorites such as L’Impertinent. — Anna Hart

## Bodø, Norway

Go for: stargazing, spectacular nature, and can't-miss cultural events

The aurora borealis are one of the biggest draws for those visiting Bodø in winter, but cultural events in 2024 will means days equally full of colorful entertainment.
Getty Images

Bodø’s position on the pristine shores of northern Norway affords it endless days in the glow of the midnight summer sun and shocks of fluorescent light come winter, when the aurora borealis erupt onto the night sky. This small Arctic fishing town is a European Capital of Culture for 2024, which will result in the area’s largest-ever arts program, including about 1,000 events and an influx of people interested in creativity in all its forms. The region’s unique Sámi heritage is championed here, while striking modern expansion is seen in buildings such as the world-class, harbor-fronting Stormen Concert Hall, which can hold 900 people and will form a crucial centerpoint for the celebrations.

Beyond its cultural accolades, Bodø is also the gateway to the ethereal Lofoten Islands. The dramatic landscape of fjords and jagged peaks makes it a perfect playground for adventurers and photographers alike, offering unforgettable, dramatic views. Adding to Bodø’s appeal is its burgeoning food and drinks scene (try Lystpå for dinner and Brødrene Berbusmel Bakery for breakfast) as well as exciting new places to stay. The Wood Hotel will open in 2024, offering the town’s most luxurious lodgings yet, with pared-back Scandi design and floor-to-ceiling windows. For something a little more in tune with nature, try GlampNord.— Rosie Conroy

## Budapest, Hungary

Go for: a fresh take on the 150 year-old city

As the city of Budapest turns 150, an overwhelming sense of old-meets-new is inspired by historic attractions living alongside just-opened hotels (such as the art deco-inspired W, above) and futuristic buildings (like the House of Music Hungary).

Renowned for its architecture, the Hungarian capital is home to everything from art nouveau and neoclassical to gothic and baroque, with the Blue Danube connecting it all like a ribbon. And then there are the mineral-rich thermal baths, featuring ornate design flourishes. The city also buzzes with creativity, which spills over into the vibrant nightlife; the ruin bars district is a tangible example of crafting opportunity from the ashes of adversity following the brutality of Communist rule. November 2023 marks 150 years since the previously divided cities of Buda, Pest, and Obuda were unified, as well as a series of cultural events. The Chain Bridge—the city’s oldest and a “symbol of togetherness,” according to Mayor Gergely Karácsony—has fully reopened after a two-year restoration, granting excellent views of Buda Castle and the Hungarian Parliament Building. New builds such as the spectacular House of Music Hungary and the National Athletics Centre (the central stadium for 2023’s World Athletics Championships) are testament to a city with optimism for its next 150 years. The art deco W Budapest—formerly a palace and on a UNESCO World Heritage-listed street—opened in July 2023 opposite the Hungarian State Opera. Also in the Marriott portfolio is the Dorothea Hotel, with its 216 rooms and glamorous rooftop restaurant. In keeping with the musical events celebrating the 150th anniversary, the 2022 opening of the Hard Rock Hotel—Eastern Europe’s first—combines musical memorabilia (Prince’s faux-fur coat in a shade of, unsurprisingly, purple) with an in-thick-of-it location on Nagymező Street, Budapest’s legendary louche entertainment strip. — Sarah Rodrigues

## Carlsberg City District in Denmark

Go for: new-new-wave eateries in the city's district of the moment

Petit fours are served at Studio, a new restaurant from acclaimed chef Christoffer Sørensen. It joins a select set of eateries in the Carlsberg District.

From Studio's food, to fashion ateliers and design houses, Carlsberg is an intentional hub of creative newness in the beloved Danish city.

For 161 years, Copenhagen’s sprawling Carlsberg brewery held its secrets behind closed gates. When Carlsberg moved away in 2008, a plan was hatched to transform the old site, with its patinaed spires and life-size elephant statues, into a showcase neighborhood. What attracts residents to the emergent Carlsberg District also charms visitors: copious green space, easy public transit, and an evocative mash-up of contemporary and repurposed architecture, anchored by cherry-picked restaurants and shops. At the light-flooded Coffee Collective, they like to serve two roasts at once to contrast the beans’ terroirs. Aamanns, the pioneer of modernized smørrebrød, is also here, along with Neopolitan pizzeria Surt; Kona, a destination izakaya from former Noma chef Philipp Inrieter, and Studio, by Christoffer Sørensen, a Michelin Best Young Chef. Home designers Carl Hansen and Søn, by Adelborg and PP Møbler have arrived. Fashion’s Henrik Vibskov has also moved in, packing his atelier with kaleidoscopic garments, in contrast with the classic suits of Deerest nearby. In December 2023, the Carlsberg brewery itself springs back to life, with a state-of-the-art, interactive visitors’ center and the revival of its 1847 bar-room. Also to come are Friday summer parties in the courtyard and the unveiling of namesake Carl Jacobsen’s lavish gardens, open to the public for the first time since their 1890 groundbreaking. Afterwards, retire to the windowseat of your room at Hotel Ottilia overlooking the construction cranes. In a city that believes in livable density, you’re witnessing smart urban planning unfold. — Betsy Andrews

## Costa de Prata, Portugal

Go for: boho openings in an unsung corner of the country

Drive north of Lisbon to the quiet Costa de Prata, where Areias de Seixo is one of several new hotels attracting an effortlessly cool crowd.

After bedding down at Areias de Seixo, hit the world-class waves lining the coast—like those Portugal's World Surfing Reserve in Ericeira.

Not as show-offy as Comporta, much less known than the Algarve and with more surfer vibes than the Costa Vicentina, Costa de Prata (Silver Coast) is the strip of Portugal’s Atlantic seaboard that we are most excited about right now. Start a south-to-north road trip in Ericeira, where Aethos Hotels opened an outpost in which smart design is combined with laid-back coastal cool at the end of 2022. It was hot on the heels of Immerso, a hotel full of local crafts and the same truly Portuguese personality as new restaurant and beach club Balagan. Heading north, Areias do Seixo continues to be a benchmark for luxury stays on the Costa de Prata, while in Nazaré, where German surfer Sebastian Steudtner rode a world record wave of 86 feet, Ohai Nazaré has family-friendly glamping. A visit to Obidos, one of the most beautiful towns in Portugal, is the perfect excuse to stay at the bohemian Literary Man or, if golf is more your thing, check in at Marriott’s Praia D’El Rey. Along the coast, surfing hub Peniche has standout beaches, including Consolação, and is a great jumping-off point for the Berlengas islands, an increasingly less secret paradise. The road trip ends in Aveiro, known as the Venice of Portugal, where MS Collection Palacete de Valdemouro has just opened under the Small Luxury Hotels banner. There’s no doubt that the Costa de Prata is on track to take gold. — David Moralejo

## Cyclades, Greece

Go for: salty-air island-hopping made easier than ever

Stylish boutique hotel Kalesma Mykonos is opening a spa in 2024, marking a hotel boom throughout the cluster of islands known as the Cyclades.
Salva Lopez/Kalesma Mykonos

It will be easy to hop between Kalesma and islands like Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Milos, and Ios, thanks to new flights to and throughout the dazzling blue archipelago.
Salva Lopez/Kalesma Mykonos

Is there anywhere more popular than the Greek islands right now? This past summer, the Cyclades—an island group that includes Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Milos, and Ios—dominated social-media feeds with beautiful blue and white backdrops, thrilling beach clubs and nightclubs, and unparalleled shopping. With more smart stays being unveiled in 2024, as well as new flights, next summer is the time to make a Cyclades trip happen. Etihad, British Airways, and Saudia added new routes to various Greek islands in 2023, plus the 2022 launch of Cycladic, the first inter-island airline, means it’s easier than ever to get there. Hotel business is booming. Santo Pure in Oia on Santorini has just added 20 new suites, and next year it will be joined by sister hotel Santo Mine, a 37-suite luxury resort. Slick boutique hotel Kalesma on Mykonos will launch its spa for the 2024 season, including a hammam and cryotherapy area. Five-star, 80-acre Gundari Resort will open on Folegandros next May, while a new One&Only property will come to Kea in April. Such plush hotels are rare on these islands, expanding the options for luxury stays in the Cyclades. — Ali Wunderman

## Kosovo

Go for: new hiking and biking trails, pristine countryside views

Kosovo's untouched valleys offer the perfect canvas for multi-day hiking and biking trips—like the Trans Dinarica cycling route, opening in 2024, which will wind its way past rivers, markets, and via ferrata setups.
Getty Images

Tiny Kosovo lacks the stunning beaches of Albania and luxury resorts of Montenegro, but Europe’s newest country has sky-scraping peaks, pastoral countryside and heart-warming hospitality, a combination ideal for multi-day hiking and biking trips. 2024 will mark the 25th anniversary since the end of the Kosovo war, and there's much to discover in the region now. Following in the footsteps of cross-border adventure trails such as the Peaks of the Balkans and High Scardus, the Trans Dinarica cycling route opens in 2024, making its way past the minarets framing Prizren’s eponymous river, through the Ottoman market town of Gjakova, and on to Peja. Perched on the edge of the Rugova Gorge, Peja serves as base camp for the country’s many outdoor adventures, including via ferratas and spelunking. A new paved path will soon connect the Lumbardhi River Promenade with the popular Health Trail—the beginning of the south-to-west route through the inaptly named Accursed Mountains. Two additional forthcoming routes connect trails in the Rugova Mountains to the gushing White Drin waterfall and Radac cave. Steps from the waterfall, the sleek, modern Ujëvara e Drinit Resort specializes in rooms with a view and fresh trout dinners. Through-hikers can rest weary bones and fill hungry bellies further from town at rural guesthouses such as Ariu, where traditional Kosovar dishes include flija, made with dairy produced on-site. — Naomi Tomky

## Mallorca, Spain

Go for: an outpouring of exciting new hotels across the island

Whether you're looking for poolside cocktails or art installations, beloved Mallorca has more where that came from in 2024.
Heinz Troll

The pool and gardens at Ikos Porto Petro, a sleek resort that opened in 2023 in Mallorca, add to the region's hearty roster of luxury stays.
Heinz Troll

The grande dame of the Mediterranean remains unrivaled thanks to its pitch-perfect brand of low-key luxury, exceptional service, and focus on sustainability. But in recent months, the Balearic island has added even more jewels to its crown; among them is Son Bunyola, Richard Branson’s latest hotel, in the Tramuntana Mountains. Not far from there, in the town of Puigpunyent, the team behind Andalucia’s stellar Finca Cortesin has opened Grand Hotel Son Net in a 17th-century manor house. Also adding to the excitement for 2024 is the slick styling of Ikos Porto Petro, farm-turned-boutique stay The Lodge, and Zel Mallorca—the first Zel hotel is a collaboration between Rafael Nadal and another homegrown big hitter, Meliá. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s also the Four Seasons, which takes over the much-loved Hotel Formentor; Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra; beachfront Aethos; and Marugal, which has unveiled its second project on the island after Cap Rocat. Meanwhile, S’Arracer del Dimoni hotel will open in Santa Margalida, and Belmond La Residencia will continue its artists-in-residence program and the third edition of art installation Mitico, in collaboration with Galleria Continua. — María Casbas

## Northern Italy

Go for: next-level cycling, need-for-speed motorsports, and a slow travel on a new train line

No longer second-fiddle to France, cycling holidays in Italy are taking off—and the north of the country is where all the action is unfolding in 2024.
Tourissimo

For the first time ever, the first three stages of the Tour de France will take place in Italy in 2024, a historic moment for the country, the sport, and the prestigious race. Competitors will saddle up in Florence, head east towards Rimini on the Adriatic Coast, follow the Apennines north through Emilia-Romagna, and complete stage three in Turin. With their truffles and terroirs, Italy’s northern regions are best known for their gastronomic heritage, but two-wheeled pursuits have long been part of the landscape. The 1998 Tour de France champion Marco Pantani was born here, while professional racer Davide Cassani was instrumental in developing the Via Romagna, a nearly 300-mile network of cycling routes throughout the region. Now, tour operators have upped their game in time for the event: Tourissimo’s week-long cycle holiday is designed to provide guests with live-action access to the tour itself, plus the chance to conquer the hills and thrills of Emilia-Romagna. Ride International Tours and Ride Holidays have released new routes to reflect growing interest in the region, while the looping, leisurely route between Parma and Modena by Inn Travel leaves more time for sampling local delicacies along the way. Those more comfortable on four wheels will find the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and the annual Motor Valley Fest, both in May, irresistible—this is the birthplace of Maserati, Ferrari, and Lamborghini after all—while those who prefer life in the slow lane can board new railway routes between Turin and Canelli with Fondazione FS’s 1930s carriages or take Nightjet’s overnighter from Verona to Liguria (via Milan and Genoa). Make a final pit stop in Pesaro to find out why it’s been crowned the Italian Capital of Culture for 2024. — Anna Prendergast

## Yorkshire, UK

Go for: star chefs leading a foodie revolution

The Abbey Inn is the latest Yorkshire opening from local foodie hero Tommy Banks—and with three luxurious bedrooms launched in summer 2023, you won't have to travel far after indulging at one of the many Michelin-star restaurants in the area.

For a bewitching break in 2024, go north. Yorkshire-born sculptor Henry Moore once said: “The observation of nature is part of an artist’s life.” And Yorkshire has some of the most seductive nature: sweeping landscapes like living oil paintings; undulating dales and peaks; deep-forested moors with big skies; heady lavender fields; lofty woodlands filled with birdsong; and golden sandy sweeps skirting the peppermint-blue sea. The Brontës’ romanticism is not lost. In 2024, go stargazing in Yorkshire’s national parks at the magical Dark Skies Festival. The Yorkshire Balloon Fiesta will return to its new home at Castle Howard in 2024, with rainbow-bright, early-morning mass balloon flights and night glows. There were plenty of Michelin mentions for the county in 2023, with keen eyes on the 2024 list, so restaurants with rooms are ramping up. Just up the road from The Black Swan in Oldstead, Michelin-lauded chef Tommy Banks’ latest outpost, The Abbey Inn, opened in May and its three luxurious bedrooms, care of Tommy’s mother, were launched in July. For the ultimate culinary sleepover, stay two nights and eat at both restaurants. Newbie Mýse, helmed by chef-and-sommelier couple Joshua and Victoria Overington, is a petite restaurant with rooms set among caramel-colored cottages in the sleepy village of Hovingham. Book in for its creative tasting menu, then retire upstairs to one of the cosy-cool rooms. In June, Middleton Lodge, a sustainable luxury retreat bordering the Yorkshire Dales National Park, launched the Forest Spa in the heart of a serenely wooded estate. Don’t pass by honeycomb-hued Helmsley, with its emerging culinary scene and the recent opening of Pignut—a restaurant with a sustainable focus and impressive casual and tasting-menu options. Expect plenty more magic in 2024. — Rachel Everett

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