Europe is one of the best places in the world to experience art and culture, and the continent’s expansive history has created a very diverse cultural experience.

Spice up your Europe trips by taking in museums, galleries, music venues, and events. If you plan to visit the following cultural cities of Europe, you won’t be disappointed. The following are just a few experiences you should add to your cultural bucketlist.

Baroque to Cubism Works in Barcelona

While the art of Picasso and architecture of Antoni Gaudi should be on your list to see, remember to make time to visit Museu Nacional d’Art in the Catalonia area of Barcelona. This museum is worth your time if you love Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque works.

While in the area, also consider visiting new and upcoming galleries. Barcelona has a number of famous music venues. Top-rated club Razzmatazz hosts electronic, alternative, and underground music.

Check out Jamboree since it is a favorite among tourists for funk and reggae. Sala Apolo has two floors and hosts genres like hip-hop and techno to name a few.

Historic Architecture and Modern Art in Zurich

Switzerland is a fantastic place to ski, but it’s also culturally fascinating to visit, and Zurich is a charming city on the water. Zurich offers an abundant amount of historical architecture in addition to a variety of ancient and modern art.

Make sure you visit Galerie Gmurzynska, as it is one of the top galleries in the world showcasing art by modern and contemporary masters. Zurich also boasts the world’s largest electronic open-air party simply called the Street Parade, where they attract around one million attendees annually.

Food and Architecture in Helsinki

Immerse yourself in Finnish cuisine by visiting the Market Square in Helsinki for delicious coffee, seasonal fruit, crisp local vegetables, and fresh seafood. Many travelers visit the stark white Helsinki Cathedral followed by the historic Senate Square that is directly across the street.

Temppelaiukio Church, in the center of town, is another architectural marvel; a church built directly into solid rock; as well as the wooden Karuna church on the island of Seurasaari. It might also surprise you to learn that Anteneum Art Museum holds what is considered the largest collection of artwork in Finland from the 1750s to 1950s.

For nightlife, Helsinki has many bars and clubs in one location. Tavastia is considered Finland’s number one club for rock music, while other bars offer any style you can name like pop, electronic, rock, hip-hop, metal, and more.

Flamenco Dancing Seville

Flamenco is the most famous style of dance and music in Spain, and Seville is one of the best places to watch and/or learn this centuries old tradition.

Flamenco clubs throughout Seville are intimate and intense – it’s an extremely passionate dance, and a lot of fun to learn. One of Seville’s oldest tablaos (places to see Flamenco) is Los Gallos Tablao Flamenco; a historic renovated home which uses the traditional architecture of the original building to create an authentic feel to the place.

A night of Flamenco usually includes a generous flow of cocktails and sangria, so make sure you book a taxi to get back to your hotel.

All Things Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a city of bicycles, canals, and springtime flora. Visit a local market, take a bicycle tour, see the city from the water on a canal tour, or shop for interesting items and gifts in Negen Straatjes, which translates to Nine Streets in English.

The Amsterdam Museum showcases a 350-year-old statue of Goliath that is made of wood. Here, you will also enjoy work by Dutch masters and modern artwork. Paradiso might be the most amazing music venue in all of Europe, since it is a former church with beautiful stained-glass windows and two balconies.

Wineries in Bordeaux

Wine and France go hand-in-hand, and though there are a number of high quality wineries and vineyards that you can head to, Bordeaux is home to some of the best wine around the world.

A mecca for wine lovers steeped in wine making history, incredible architecture and landscapes, this region was recently voted Lonely Planet’s must-visit city for 2017, courtesy of the new LGV Sud-Ouest line and the opening of the Cite du Vin as well as its famed gastronomy.

It is at the heart of France’s largest fine wine region, boasting over 7,000 chateaux, and producing close to 900 million bottles of wine per vintage. It is without question the most famous wine region on the planet, offering up an incomparable supply of distinct reds.

Historical Art in Bruges

Bruges is known for its cobblestone streets and swans swimming in the canals. Check out a free harp performance in Oud Sint-Jan or a concert at the Concertgebouw, which also hosts contemporary artwork.

The Groeninge Museum in Bruges is home to breathtaking colorful historic paintings dating from the 18th Century and several modern pieces worth viewing. To step outside the tourist norms, visit the Lace Museum, Folklore Museum, and Adornes site.

Old World Meets New in Prague

Prague is home to one of the largest historic city centers with some of the most interesting architecture. Prague Castle is one of the largest castle complexes and it dates from the ninth century.

Architecture buffs will want to spend time visiting the medieval Powder Tower and the Petrin View Tower, which was inspired by the Eiffel Tower. Plan a visit to the National Gallery to view classical and modern art. When it comes to nightlife and music venues, Prague offers retro music clubs to electronic dance clubs.

Nightlife in Hamburg

It is a little-known fact that Hamburg’s Rathaus, town hall, is larger than Buckingham Palace and one of the best sights to see in Europe. Hamburger Kunsthalle displays a great collection of old and new paintings and sculptures.

Hamburg offers a famous party street where you can find one of the oldest party venues in the city. At Prinzenbar, imagine dancing to electronic music while surrounded by a luxurious baroque interior including classical wall adornments, mirrors, and chandeliers.

Because Europe has been a center for art and culture for years, it is difficult to choose such a short list of cities to visit. When visiting Europe to indulge in an art and culture experience, make sure you check out a variety of sights to see. This ensures that you have a well-rounded trip and gives you a better understanding of art and culture.

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Europe is one of the best places in the world to experience art and culture, and the continent’s expansive history has created a very diverse cultural experience.

Europe is one of the best places in the world to experience art and culture, and the continent’s expansive history has created a very diverse cultural experience.

Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind Waking Up Wild; a website dedicated to opening your eyes to the wild & natural world.

Committed to bringing you the best in adventure travel from all around the globe, there is no mountain too high, and no fete too extreme! They haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on their list.

Follow their journey on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.

Photo credits: Helsinki Cathedral by Giuseppe Milo. Prague & Amsterdam by Moyan Brenn.