The "best" city in Europe?

Well, of curse there is no way to judge a "best" city, and each individual will have their own personal reasons why they might pick a favorite city so I'm not sure how informative that would be. But I'll play along... I wish my answer was more creative or unique. There are certainly plenty of other cities I have greatly enjoyed for a variety of reasons. But If someone said to me; "You have a free week in any city in Europe. Where do you want to go?", my answer would be... Paris

I was the most excited in Rome, standing in the midst of so much history and so many Roman ruins. This is a city I really want to return to. Berlin is fascinating, have been 3 times and want to go back. Edinburgh also needs a return ticket, as does London. Honestly though, and I will be probably be slapped down for this, I truly love Frankfurt. It has everything that I enjoy in a city and I can barely imagine living anyplace else, though perhaps somewhere in the Netherlands if I couldn't live here. Can't really say I have a favorite to visit, as they are all favorites due to different reasons.

Of course people will have different opinions. I haven't been to every city in Europe, so I will just say that MY favorite is --- Paris!!

I hope this doesn't turn into another CAGEFIGHT. The blood and the guts are gonna make you swoon.

London. Never tire of it. Always eager to return. Comforted when I arrive. Have loved watching it's ebb and flow for 40 years.

OH.. it is so hard to choose. Salzburgh for atmosphere. Oslo for ... well for just being Oslo. Inverness for it's access to the Highlands. But to take Randy's tack... London is the city I'd spend a week in anytime! I am actually 'travelsick' for London.

Istanbul..for it's historical sites, culture, wonderful food, etc.

To me, "best city" does not necessarily imply the best place for tourists or the place with the most interesting sights. And ranking places is difficult for all the reasons listed above. But I'll throw one out there: Berlin

I'll assume "best" as in a place I'd repeatedly visit, stay and enjoy. In that context, considering only medium and large European cities, BEST European City: Berlin. It is, in my opinion, the most dynamic big city in Europe, it always has novelty when re-visited after one year or so, and despite having jaw-dropping museums it still doesn't look a live museum. It helps it has modern architecture and a lot of things going on its dining scene. Completing my TOP FIVE, I'd also add: Zürich, Rotterdam, Wien and London.

Of course only my personal opinion, but , Paris for best city, and Tossa De Mar Spain for best small town. I like London too, it has some of similar things that I love in Paris( tons of amazing history and great churches and museums) but it lacks in a few departments,, the food is blah to me, and due to the horrors of the bombings, parts of city was rebuilt post war in the "ugly , cheap , quick " style that I detest.

Really easy for me... and no surprise to regulars... Paris. My favorite place on the planet.

I know I'll be in the vast minority on this, but if you told me I could only visit one European city ever again, my choice would be PARIS, naturellement.

London. I'll be there for my third visit in 2 weeks. If I had to pick something a little less obvious I'd go with Nuremberg.

I'd go back to Paris again and again and never be tired of it. If I had to live somewhere (not counting Paris), it'd be maybe Barcelona or Madrid. They both seem so liveable. Or Copenhagen or Stockholm (except for the weather...)

Istanbul. It's magical.
Followed by London and Paris.

"all" europe - london; "mainland" - rome/barcelona/lisbon
S

Outside of the Christmas season, most of Europe is better when it's not winter, but I do agree that Berlin is a particularly stark contrast. The city is surprisingly green and verdant in the summer. In winter, it's dark and grey stereotype rings true, and because Berlin is so large and spread out, there's a lot more walking in freezing temperatures.

There are a ton of great big and small cities. I puzzled for awhile before deciding the best is - Venice. It's beutiful and unique.

This is tough, as I like different cities for different reasons. Paris is magical. I was totally swept away by how much I enjoyed it, expecting it to a be a bit overrated. It's not! It's totally amazing. It's also exhausting and frustrating at times. I love to visit, but I can't say I'd want to live there, honestly. Berlin is both someplace I love to visit and would love to live in. It's a "real city" that's not frozen in time or in love with itself and it's own nostalgia, the way Paris can feel sometimes. Culturally it reminds me a lot of San Francisco, physically some parts remind me a lot of New York, but it's definately it's own place. The history is amazing and around every corner. Vienna would have to be a close third though and my vote for "most underrated city in Europe" - another place I didn't really expect to love but was totally charmed by. It's just stunningly beautiful and elegant, but also has a vibrant youth art culture. I would love to live in Vienna, but I have to admit that it's not quite as exciting as Berlin or Paris. There's a relaxedness to Vienna that is very charming for a capital city, though. And the history - if you take the time to learn about the Hapsburgs and how they basically dominated Europe for over 500 years and started WWI, it's hard to walk around Vienna without getting history chills.

A tough call here as to which is the "best" presumably in all and every aspect: Paris...go back to it anytime, all year round, never gets dull. Berlin...great in the spring and summer, every trip, obviously in the "best" category. Going in the winter...I would have to think about it.

Vienna. It's always Vienna. I lived there as a student and have managed to return several times since, taking my family to share this beautiful city. Any excuse to go...

London. I'm an Anglophile, though. It's my favorite place on Earth, and I live in NYC, which is a close second.

Venice. Venice and then Venice!

This is a great question, but one that obviously is highly subjective. I love Paris, and I think Venice may be the most magical place in Europe that I have seen. But I now put London over Paris as my favorite European city. Also, I will add that I have not visited Berlin. Cities that I need not return to are Vienna and Rome--showing how personal and subjective the question of favorite cities is. I found Vienna pleasant but much prefer Salzburg. And I just did not care for Rome.

I see someone else said Nurnberg! I felt Nurnberg was perfect - easy to get around, charming, has a castle (always a plus), cheap, good food ... I really liked Lisbon and Salzburg as well - both have castles on the hill. Ghent is one of my favorites - but on the smaller side - again, great castle. I liked Paris but wasn't head over heels for it. London does nothing for me. Krakow - great town. I like vibrant smaller cities with plenty of eating and drinking options.

Paris!!!!
Like Vienna a lot too!

Love both Paris and Berlin, but the Budapest is now in my top 3. First visited this past May and can't wait to return.

I'm a massive history buff. Mostly 20th century. So...what better city in Europe for me but the capital of Nazi Germany, the forefront of the Cold War, a new, rebuilt Berlin!
London, Paris, and Budapest are right up there though. Especially Budapest.

Vienna. We have been over 5 times and keep coming back for more.