Best European Cities for Free Attractions

1. Free Attractions: the number of free attractions in each city all year round. Source: TripAdvisor
2. Free Events: the number of free culture and business events in each city. Source Eventbrite
3. Free Water: the cities with drinkable tap water (with 1 indicating ‘yes’ and 0 indicating ‘no’). Source: multiple
4. Free Tours: the number of free tours available in each city. Source: Freetour.com
5. Free Wi-Fi: the number of free Wi-Fi hotspots available in each city. Source: Wiman
6. Free Accommodation: the number of hosts offering free lodging in each city. Source: Couchsurfing

Full methodology can be found here.

• Factors were weighted equally
• Each factor was standardized and scored using a scale of 0-1
• An average score was calculated for each city
• The final scores were standardized from 0 - 100, with 0 being the lowest score, and 100 the highest

Omio analyzed a total of 35 cities from 12 European countries to create this “Best Connected City” ranking. For each country, we picked three cities with the highest number of overnight stays. Google Maps was used on June, 28th 2018 at 16:00 GMT +1 to pinpoint the location of the city center, as well as the total time taken when departing from the airport, bus or train station. If several routes were available, then the fastest route was chosen when traveling either with public transit or on foot (excluding taxis). To compare the cities and rank them properly, we calculated the value of the time taken to travel to the city center from the respective airports, train stations and bus stations.

With a massive 98 points out of 100, Alicante has been declared the best European beach destination. Alicante scores high when it comes to nightlife, accessibility, and water activities— this Spanish haven really has it all. Travelers can spend the morning immersed in Mediterranean culture, followed by an afternoon basking in the sun, before dancing the night away in the Alicante’s renowned clubs.

1. Alicante: San Juan: Beautifully situated between the Sierra Grossa mountains and the stunning Tossal de Manises ruins, La Albufereta beach stands out with its white sand, palm trees, and mountain backdrop. A favorite holiday spot for locals, this beach provides a taste of authentic Spanish culture.
2. Catania: La Playa: Easily accessible by tram, Alicante’s most famous beach boasts a 7km open stretch of fine, golden sand. There’s no shortage of entertainment with plenty of seafront eateries and bars, as well as beach volleyball and windsurfing options. What’s more, it’s only a 24-minute drive from the airport.
3. Palma de Mallorca: Cala Major : In the heart of the city and renowned for its palm tree boardwalk, Postiguet beach offers the ultimate European beach holiday. With tranquil waters consistently awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness, this beach is highly accessible and attracts people from all over the globe.

Can you imagine being on the beach just 14 minutes after leaving the airport? Well this is a dreamy reality if you head to Westerland, Germany. For parents longing for a smooth family holiday or students and backpackers with limited time, accessible beaches are a godsend. That’s why we researched just how quickly and easily Europe’s beaches can be reached by public transport, making sure you waste no time getting into the sea.

From scuba diving to riding the waves, Omio investigated the various water sports available in all of Europe’s beach cities. Appealing both to those on family holidays and adventure-seeking travelers, each beach was given a score based on the available water activities. Palermo makes the biggest splash when it comes to beach fun in Europe.

You can scroll through the top 6 European destinations with beaches for water sports by clicking the arrow.

An ice-cold cocktail on the beach is a must for many groups trekking off on their summer jaunts—particularly when local nightlife is a rather vital ingredient to holiday fun. By looking into the various forms of evening entertainment available and local beer prices, Omio was able to list Europe’s liveliest beach cities and Barcelona, Spain took the crown for nocturnal hedonism.

Get inspired for your next fun-filled beach holiday by scrolling through our top six European destinations with beaches for nightlife below.