Europe Overview

Europe has a lot to offer as a travel destination. There is a great variety of different countries and regions that attract numerous visitors year after year. The right area can be found here for both short trips and longer vacations, whether in summer or winter or all year round. Get to know the travel destination Europe.

Geography

The continent of Europe extends over the west, or the western fifth of the land mass in Eurasia. As a rule, Europe is viewed as an independent continent, although in a geographical sense it represents a subcontinent that together with Asia forms Eurasia.

The area is inhabited by more than 700 million Europeans. Europe is one of the parts of the world that are most densely populated.

The northernmost point of Europe is Kinnarodden in Norway. The southernmost point is the Punta de Tarifa in Spain.

Major regions

Europe can be divided into various large regions. A country cannot always be clearly assigned to a region.

  • Central Europe or Central Europe, to which a large part of Germany, Austria, Switzerland as well as Poland, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Hungary and Slovakia belong
  • Northern Europe, to which mainly Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden, Norway) and the Baltic States (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia) are allocated
  • Eastern Europe with for example parts of Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine
  • Southern Europe with Malta, Greece, Vatican City, Italy, Monaco, Andorra, Spain and Portugal
  • Western Europe, which includes Germany, Belgium and France, for example

Countries of Europe

According to Countryaah, there are 47 countries on the European continent. For some of the states only part of the territory is in Europe. The following table gives an overview of the countries in Europe.

COUNTRIES OF EUROPE
Country Capital Population (2017) Area in km²
Albania Tirana 2,930,187 28,748
Andorra Andorra la Vella 76,965 468
Belgium Brussels 11,429,336 32,545
Bosnia and Herzegovina Sarajevo 3,507,017 51,129
Bulgaria Sofia 7,084,571 110,994
Denmark Copenhagen 5,733,551 43,098
Germany Berlin 82,114,224 357,121
Estonia Tallinn 1,309,632 45,227
Finland Helsinki 5,523,231 338,144
France Paris 64,979,548 543,965
Greece Athens 11,159,773 131,957
Ireland Dublin 4,761,657 70,273
Iceland Reykjavík 335,025 103,000
Italy Rome 59,359,900 301,336
Kazakhstan Astana 480,000 146,700
Kosovo Pristina 1,907,592 10,887
Croatia Zagreb 4,189,353 56,542
Latvia Riga 1,949,670 64,589
Liechtenstein Vaduz 37,922 160
Lithuania Vilnius 2,890,297 65,301
Luxembourg Luxembourg 583,455 2,586
Malta Valletta 430,835 316
Macedonia Skopje 2,083,160 25,713
Moldova Chișinău 4,051,212 33,800
Monaco City-state 38,695 2
Montenegro Podgorica 628,960 13,812
Netherlands Amsterdam 17,035,938 41,526
Norway Oslo 5,305,383 323,759
Austria Vienna 8,823,054 83,879
Poland Warsaw 38,170,712 312,685
Portugal Lisbon 10,329,506 92,345
Romania Bucharest 19,679,306 238,391
Russia Moscow 104,000,000 3,955,800
San Marino San Marino 33,400 61
Sweden Stockholm 9,910,701 449,964
Switzerland Bern 8,476,005 41,285
Serbia Belgrade 7,058,322 88,361
Slovakia Bratislava 5,447,662 49,034
Slovenia Ljubljana 2,079,976 20,253
Spain Madrid 46,354,321 504,645
Czech Republic Prague 10,618,303 78,866
Turkey Ankara 9,799,745 23,384
Ukraine Kiev 44,222,947 603,700
Hungary Budapest 9,721,559 93,030
Vatican city City-state 792 0.44
United Kingdom London 66,181,585 242,910
Belarus Minsk 9,468,338 207,595

Among the cities that are more than 1.5 million inhabitants belong,

  • Moscow, Russia)
  • London (England)
  • Istanbul (Turkey)
  • Saint Petersburg (Russia)
  • Berlin, Germany)
  • Madrid (Spain)
  • Kiev (Ukraine)
  • Rome (Italy)
  • Paris, France)
  • Minsk (Belarus)
  • Bucharest (Ukraine)
  • Vienna, Austria)
  • Hamburg, Germany)
  • Budapest (Hungary)
  • Warsaw (Poland)
  • Barcelona (Spain) and
  • Munich, Germany).

Climate

In Europe there is a predominantly temperate climate; however, it is milder compared to the climate in other areas of the same latitude. Other climatic features include

  • milder winters and cooler summers in Western Europe
  • greater temperature fluctuations in countries remote from the sea in the different seasons
  • predominantly continental climate with hot summers and cold winters in the largest areas of Eastern Europe
  • winds coming mainly from the west
  • rain almost all year round in the coastal areas
  • Mediterranean climate in Mediterranean regions (hot, dry summers, mild and humid winters)
  • arctic climate in the north
  • continental climate in the southeast

Flora and fauna

There are four different vegetation zones :

  • arctic
  • boreal
  • moderate
  • Mediterranean

The original vegetation in the Mediterranean and temperate regions hardly exists anymore; it was used for thousands of years and thus destroyed. Northern Europe points in the arctic regions

  • weave
  • Mosses and
  • Bushes

Boreal vegetation is found in northern Russia and Scandinavia; this consists mainly of coniferous forests such as pine and spruce. The temperate zone is characterized by deciduous forests; further east there are also mixed forests.

In the south, steppe vegetation develops. The Mediterranean vegetation consists of Garigue or Macchie plants.

The animal world of Europe consists of elk and reindeer in the north and east. Furthermore, lynx, wolves and bears are spotted here, albeit rarely.

Roe deer, chamois, red deer and wild boar are typical for all regions. The Capricorn lives in the higher regions. Birds of prey such as griffon vultures, sea eagles and stone alder have significantly decreased in number.

The warm climate in the south of the continent there

  • snakes
  • Lizards and
  • Turtles

a home; Seals, on the other hand, live on the coasts. The Mediterranean is home to dolphins, while the northern seas are inhabited by whales.

Popular travel destinations

It would not be possible to list all of the popular travel destinations in Europe; The range and possibilities are far too large or too diverse for that. In the following, only a few pointers and inspiration can be given.

A trip through Scandinavia

Scandinavia is located in Northern Europe and is bounded in the west by the North Sea and the North Atlantic, in the south by the Baltic Sea and in the north by the Arctic Ocean. In the east are the states of Finland and Russia.

The term “Scandinavia” is used differently. In a geographical sense it describes the Scandinavian peninsula and thus the states Norway and Sweden, which are located on this land mass. In the broader cultural sense, Denmark and Finland also belong to Scandinavia because they are closely connected to these two countries.

Scandinavia is particularly impressive because of its great natural spaces. A trip to the far north is interesting in every season.

Travel destinations in Norway

The land of the fjords is located in the western part of the Scandinavian peninsula. The breathtaking landscape of the inlets is best experienced from a ship.

Many shipping companies offer cruises. The old post ship route, which the Norwegian Hurtigruten shipping company operates all year round, is an absolute classic.

Norway is also a popular destination for outdoor sports enthusiasts and sport fishermen. In the northern part of the vast country, the city of Bergen with its colorful wooden houses and the traditional fish market is worth a visit. Only a few meters from the market, when the weather is nice, people of all ages often meet to dance the tango.

Oslo is the country’s cultural hub. The Norwegian capital is one of the popular short trip destinations and can be quickly reached from Germany by ferry or plane.

Travel destinations in Sweden

Sweden has been one of the most visited northern travel destinations for decades. The landscape rich in lakes and forests attracts nature vacationers and families as well as anglers and hunters.

A recommended travel destination in southern Sweden is the Kingdom of Crystal with the capital Växjö. The world-famous Swedish glass is produced according to old traditions in 11 glassworks in the region.

A special kind of cruise is the trip from Stockholm to Gothenburg with so-called canal boats, historical ships from the 19th century. The multi-day, leisurely trip leads through the Göta Canal, Lake Vättern and Lake Vänern, among others.

City travelers will find culture, quaint pubs and international top gastronomy in the old town (Gamla Stan) in Stockholm. In wintry Lapland, snow enthusiasts can ski, go dog sledding and stay overnight in ice hotels.

Denmark and Finland

Denmark is almost a perfect summer destination for families with children. The holiday areas can be reached quickly and are tempting

  • Theme parks
  • Bike paths
  • small museums as well
  • the picturesque capital of Copenhagen.

The Danish Atlantic coast is one of the hotspots for surfers in spring and autumn. Since Finland is a little further away from Germany, travelers should take more time. If you want to experience the country intensively, you can set off on a round trip with the camper and then visit Santa Claus in Rovaniemi.

The lively capital Helsinki is an absolute must for Finland vacationers. The port city of Turku on the west coast impresses with a magnificent archipelago landscape, through which gigantic ships that are built in the shipyard in Turku glide. In winter, the city center is transformed into a fairytale land of light and snow.

City trips in Europe

Europe has numerous interesting destinations for a city trip. The capital cities are among the popular metropolises

  • Berlin
  • Madrid
  • London or
  • Paris

There is an immense number of cultural monuments, many of which are part of the UNESCO cultural heritage. But museums and numerous other highlights also make a trip to European cities worthwhile.

Outdoor and nature vacations

Those who prefer nature to the city will find some worthwhile destinations in Europe. Here you can either relax and unwind or go on your next outdoor adventure with your backpack.

Europe, for example, has a number of national parks that score points with different vacation options and an impressive biodiversity. Popular destinations are for example

  • the Saxon Switzerland (Germany): recommended for hikers
  • Jotunheimen National Park (Norway): recommended for hikers, mountain bikers, skiers
  • Peneda-Gerês National Park (Portugal): recommended for hikers (with swimming facilities)
  • Bialowieza National Park (Poland): recommended for hikers, animal watchers
  • Port-Cros National Park (France): recommended for hikers and snorkelers
  • Nuuksio National Park (Finland): recommended for hikers, anglers
  • Cinque Terre (Italy): recommended for hikers, kayakers
  • Bavarian Forest (Germany): recommended for hikers, cyclists, snowshoe hikers
  • Vatnajökull (Iceland): recommended for glacier hikers
  • Una National Park (Bosnia): recommended for hikers, rafting and kayaking enthusiasts

Summer vacation

The further south you travel in Europe, the warmer it gets. So it is not surprising that the European continent is also popular with sun worshipers and beach holidaymakers.

Especially those who go on vacation in the main season do not have to travel far to enjoy the beach and sea thanks to excellent flight connections. Popular destinations in this context are for example

  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Croatia
  • France
  • Portugal
  • Bulgaria.

But even in the Netherlands you can spend a relaxing beach holiday. If, on the other hand, you are drawn to the mountains to spend a more active vacation including hiking, mountaineering or even water sports, you will probably be more likely

  • Germany
  • Austria
  • Switzerland

Choose a Destination.

Winter vacation

Winter holidays in Europe offer snow, romantic huts and numerous sports opportunities. Countless ski regions are waiting to be explored; those who like it quieter will find a well-developed network of cross-country ski trails and winter hiking trails. Winter holidays in Europe are very popular – you can spend them in, for example

  • Germany
  • Austria
  • Switzerland
  • Italy
  • France or
  • Finland.

European cuisine

European cuisine can be summarized in the form of typical dishes and dishes. Each country has its own special features, so that only an overview with individual examples can be given below. These include, for example:

  • the German cuisine featuring hearty meat-containing dishes as well as a propensity for light, healthy cuisine
  • the Spanish cuisine with lots of seafood and antipasti
  • the Austrian cuisine, which is particularly noticeable due to the special desserts
  • the Greek cuisine with feta, gyros and
  • the Italian cuisine with pasta, pizza and lots of vegetables
  • the French cuisine served, which is also more upscale dishes with mussels, oysters and
  • Bohemian cuisine with hearty dishes, for example with mushrooms, sauerkraut or game
  • Croatian cuisine with many oriental dishes
  • Swiss cuisine, which integrates German, French and northern Italian cuisine
  • the Hungarian cuisine with paprika, goulash and many hot spices

European cuisine