The 10 best destinations in Europe 2019 (Lonely Planet)

You know Carlos, I would figured Andalusia would have been on top of that list instead of Madrid. It's also surprising. Madrid is a wonderful city though. However, Andalusia is a wonderful region filled with beauty and culture. One of my favorite places in Southern Spain to explore and watch a sunset. It's ashamed that it's not even on the list. And even Barcelona did not make the list.

The Lonely Planet lists are often linked to special events - in that case Madrid is highlighted because of the bicentenary of the Prado Museum. Still a nice way to give travel inspiration, in their usual lyrical prose.

Ahh... thank you for the clarification balso, I knew there must be something more behind it :)

@RJean glad you like Andalucia so much! I think a few years ago Sevilla was Lonely Plant's top European destination for the year.

Not at all impressed with the top 10 list. I have been to several of these locations, but not the BEST in Europe.

I don't see their methodology for their annual selections on the link, but surely "10 best in Year X" is not intended to mean "10 best of all time" (in reference to the prior post). Otherwise, there would be no need to publish a rotating list every year.

To me these, top 10 lists are pure marketing, I don't attach much more significance to them...they are just something fun to look at and consider, and it gives people plenty of fodder to argue and talk about (all of which is good for Lonely Planet). Plus free publicity to a few off-the-beaten-path locations which become less off-the-beaten-path due to same publicity (by the way, Bosnia is great, loved that place). LP probably has certain criteria for their published list, such as city/region size, geographic diversity, concurrent special events, non-repetition from prior years, etc.

It was lovely to jog my memory of Croatia - those beautiful Adriatic blue waters and surrounding pine trees. I'm already in vacation mode just looking at that photo :-)

Since Lyon is listed, I had better give this place a second chance.

I was there the first time in the summer of 1997, didn't like it. In the summer of 1999 I came back to see if my views of the city would change, still didn't like the place...have not been there since.

Of the top ten, the Istrian peninsula appears the most intriguing and interesting.

I’m surprised Bari, Italy is on the list. It is really a port city and not very pretty. Will have to see if something special is going on there for it to make the list. Maybe it’s better, will keep hordes away from the places we love.

Though I have to say that the Tatra Mountains are really quite nice, I've mainly been on the Polish side, but I can see why they chose the Slovak Tatras, as they are more rugged and less built up infrastructure wise.

They have to come up with a mostly new list every twelve months, so it's not surprising that some unexpected or less well-known places are making it. Personally, I think a better description they could use would be "places you might not have thought about before, but are certainly worth considering", though I accept that isn't as snappy.

Leeds made it onto the list in 2017, so I guess it's Madrid's turn now.

My reaction is that perhaps that list will serve a useful function in that the hordes of people who put a place on their must-see list because a travel writer touts it, will stay away from the really wonderful places that are currently overrun. Maybe some who crowd Florence, for example, but confess to not being interested in art, will go to Lichtenstein instead.

"keep hordes away".

"the hordes of people".

Aren't many of us on this forum part of these "hordes"? I'm sure I am.

I try my best not to be part of the hordes.

Going off the beaten track, seeking minor sights, travelling off season, waking up early to beat the crowds, not going to must see sights if I'm not interested(I never go to modern/contemporary art museums no matter how famous they may be, I don't visit the Anne Frank House because I'm not interested, and so on).

I try to learn of the destination and culture as much as I can to be able to connect with locals, always trying to speak the local language(And the local langauge is not always the official language), trying to blend in and not stand out, seeking out local places to eat, taking local transport, hitchhiking, preferrring homestays for accommodation.

Anyone can travel like this, at least doing some of these things, and the result is a win-win situation for yourself and for locals likewise.

Yes, we are part of the hordes of people who frequent popular sites. Thanks for reminding me.

I don't know much but I know at least I'm certainly not one of the *cruise ship hordes * (...he said, tongue in cheek).

Well, in reference to one of the posts above, I am one of the “cruise ship hordes”, or rather, have been from time to time. I make no apology for this. I have also been on bus tours (oh, no, Mr. Bill!) but mostly we have travelled independently. Maybe I am misremembering, but I don’t think we spoiled anyone’s trip on our ship or bus tours, and likewise I have no memory of “hordes” ruining our road or train trips. Maybe it is time to rethink this “hordes”
thing. If there ARE hordes, they are your fellow tourists, and you are one of them.

If I am going to a specific destination which is one that the "hordes of people" have also targeted, then it looks like the travel destinations in this instance have overlapped, don't they? In that case, I am one of them but going by train and in the summer. Do many of "their" destinations coincide with those on my list? I think not.

Boy, sorry I used the word “hordes” in my response. Didn’t realize all the backlash I would get. My point was that posters here write about popular places being too crowded and how many travelers just want to be able to check off a travel box. These lists are sometimes for those box checkers. I will be extra careful with my words in all future responses.

"Hordes" is an accurate description, my choice of word exactly too in terms of numbers one confronts at a specific sight.

Madrid is good for nightlife, which probably appeals to Lonely Planet readers. Other than that, I'd stop at the Atocha train station, walk to El Prado for a visit, then catch the next train out of Madrid.

Somewhat related, Deutsche Welle's 10 natural wonders in Germany.

If you are looking for an interesting alternative destination in Europe, look at what the European Capitals of Culture are for the year. It's managed by a commission of the European Union, it's pretty good resource for more "off-the-radar" destinations to look out for (sans hordes 😉). For example this year was Plovdiv in Bulgaria and Matera in Southern Italy.

Here is their website: https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/creative-europe/actions/capitals-culture_en

@ Going....Thanks for link...lovely sights in Germany.

LP does a new list every year. This is meaningless and random. Not worth much thought or energy.

Caution in following that link.

I got through the first 5 picks and it confirmed my suspicions - remember LP is for the young travelers. Every destination's attractions either nightlife or outdoor activities (hiking, biking . . . ) or both.

. . . and once again Atlantis does not make the list.🙂

I feel Malta and some cities in Romania should be on the list as well as Valencia Spain.

It’s interesting to see how Lonely Planet’s focus has changed over the years. I remember them as a company who specialised in guidebooks for budget travellers and especially in more off the beaten path places.

It seems they’ve gone full hipster. As mentioned above, their list seems to focus on either the outdoorsy biking and hiking hipster or the urban hipster looking for vegan restaurants, trendy bars, and nightclubs.