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Demand for culture-based travel has increased significantly in recent months, especially among Americans, who have flocked abroad in search of ancient monuments they might not be able to find in the relatively young country they call home.
It’s only natural that Europe is at the forefront when planning an international getaway. The high concentration of medieval towns and historical sights on the Old Continent and the accessibility of cross-border travel ensure that it an obvious choice if you are a history buff.
If that appeals to you and you’re looking for an immersive cultural experience, this is it four incredible cities what to add to your 2024 bucket list:
Athens, Greece
Athens, the cradle of Western civilization, is a mandatory stop on your European cultural trek, but don’t make the usual mistake of reducing it to a day trip to the Acropolis and an evening stroll at the Monastraki flea market: there is a lot of more for the Classic City tourists have yet to unpack.
This is a sprawling capital that doesn’t get enough credit for its street life and growing portfolio of modern art galleries, which only add to its rich cultural tapestry, unique contrast between millennia-old ruins and modern cityscape, and vibrant neighborhoods.
Of course, you won’t want to miss the city’s main attraction, the historic temples that sit on a hilltop overlooking the urban mess below. Trust us, the Parthenon is even more impressive in person, even though it is overrun by tourists all year round.
But again, it’s just the tip of a much bigger iceberg: you should definitely take the time to enjoy your way through the cobbled, restaurant-lined streets of PlakaVisit a cozy wine bar in relaxed Thiseio, or taste feta cheese and plump olives at the Central Market.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin, the capital of Germany, was once the center of an ideological dispute between the Western and Eastern worlds, with a wall running along the city essentially splitting it in two: the free, democratic world, from an authoritarian, communist-oriented world. half.
It may not be the most beautiful capital in Europe – much of historic Berlin was destroyed during the Second World War – but that’s exactly what makes it such an attractive city break: it proudly bears the scars of battle as a reminder of the horrors of the past, from bombed Neo-Romanesque churches to brutalist apartment buildings.
While walking through this inspiring city, tourists can find graffiti-covered remains of the infamous Wall, museums about the Holocaust and post-war Germany, and unique contemporary exhibitions, making it the favorite playground of any lover of art and European history.
If you’re going to Berlin this year, you should probably know that the local government has done just that DELETED entrance fees to no fewer than 60 museums until 2025, valid on the first Sunday of every month. Local favorites such as the Altes Museum, the Gemäldegalerie and Knoblauchhaus are on the list.
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkiye’s largest urban center and cultural heart, has been described over the centuries as the ‘city of the world’s desire’, thanks to its strategic location on the natural border between Europe and Asia, and enormous wealth.
The minarets-studded cityscape is what you dream of, and if you are interested in Byzantine heritage, Istanbul is the place to go: it houses the Hagia Sophia, formerly the largest cathedral of antiquity, now converted into a mosque, the impressive Theodosian walls and the medieval Galata Tower.
2024 is the perfect time to tick Istanbul off your list, with sights such as the Basilica Cistern, a Byzantine reservoir dating from 532 AD, now open to the public again after a major renovation project, and a new modern art museum in been to Istanbul revealed.
Americans in particular have all the more reason to rejoice, now that Turkiye has just lifted the visa requirement for American passport holders. From 2024, it will no longer be necessary to apply for an online entry permit, nor pay a fee, for travel to the multicultural gem that is Istanbul, or any Turkish destination for that matter.
Tartu, Estonia
Every year, European organizations meet to name three Capitals of Culture for the next twelve months, and for 2024 an unprecedented city, in a lesser-known country on the eastern edge of the continent, was given the honor.
Tartu is a hidden gem of Estonia, known for its eclectic architecture, which combines classicist, neoclassical and modernist efforts into one compact, walkable historic city center, dominated by a central square lined with cafes, and housing a traditional 17th-century university.
Home to countless folk festivals, a historic cathedral that, despite being partially destroyed due to wars, still inspires awe and a modern science center, it is a seriously underrated weekend destination that has flown under the radar for far too long.
You can expect this during 2024 a series of cultural events will take place in Tartu as a result of its designation, including an official ‘opening’ of the cultural year in the summer, music festivals, unique, temporary exhibitions in local museums, street art interventions and more.
There has never been a more exciting time to discover Tartu – and more broadly, the charming little country that is Estonia – than now.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
