Europe has some of the most beautiful cities and architecture, and I share five of my favorites in this article.
You should not focus on modern architecture for the best cityscape photography in Europe. There are some interesting buildings in that style. However, when it comes to contemporary and futuristic cities, Asia and the UAE have more to offer.
Europe is renowned for its rich and diverse architectural heritage. Some buildings in Europe have lived through centuries or even millennia. Because of that, you find classical, gothic, renaissance, and many more influences in European architecture. That's why some of the cities offer unique photography opportunities.
Prague
One of my favorite cities to photograph is Prague. I first visited back in 2000, before I had picked up photography. The city has changed dramatically between this and my last visit in November 2024. It has become more crowded and a lot more touristy. But despite that, it's still a magical place, especially early in the morning.
The Charles Bridge is undoubtedly the most famous photo subject. It's packed with visitors during the daytime, but if you come in the morning, you'll only have to share it with other photographers. And thanks to many different vantage points, there's enough for everybody to photograph.
The photo above shows the perspective from the western shore of the Vltava River. It was a cold morning at the beginning of November, and mist was dancing above the water. It took me five visits to Prague to finally get these conditions.
But you'll find many photo subjects even if you don't encounter fog. Prague is also known as the City of a Hundred Spires. You can get to the top of many of these towers to enjoy beautiful city views.
Venice
Italy may have the highest density of photogenic cities and buildings. It doesn't matter where you go; you'll always find intricately decorated facades and many Gothic and Renaissance buildings.
However, Venice stands out because of the adaption of its architecture to the lagoon environment where it was built. There are no cars in the streets of Venice. To get around the city, you walk or take a water taxi.
Like Prague, Venice is very crowded, especially during the warmer months and around the carnival. If you roam the streets before sunrise, it's usually calm, though. I spent one week in Venice in 2022 and could largely avoid the masses. You'll always find some less frequented alley or canal to photograph. If you take your time, you'll find many hidden gems in addition to the popular photo spots. I cover the most important areas in my photography guide here.
Budapest
The architecture in Hungary's capital reflects various styles, including Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau. When I visited a couple of years ago, it reminded me of Prague. Like Prague, it's also split by a large river, the Danube, spanned by beautiful bridges.
From the western shore, you have a spectacular view of the city. Here, Castle Hill is the best photo spot. You can photograph the beautiful government building on the eastern side of the river or focus on the many Gothic buildings around the Fisherman's Bastion.
As usual, the best time to photograph Budapest - as any city - is in the morning. You'll encounter much fewer people and can enjoy the architecture in silence.
Lisbon
I've been to Lisbon three times and walked many streets in its center around Alfama and Bairro Alto. Along its narrow winding streets, you'll find many interesting photo spots. Line 28 tram is a particularly great subject. You can follow it throughout the inner city and photograph it from different vantage points - best early in the morning or late in the evening when the streets become increasingly empty.
What makes Lisbon unique is its location on the coast. Close by, you will find some of the most spectacular seascapes in Europe. Places like Praia da Ursa and Praia da Adraga are just a 30-minute drive away. So you can easily combine cityscape and seascape photography if you visit. It's worth it.
London
I love London's architecture. It provides a beautiful mix of historic and modern styles and many iconic buildings. But in some areas, photography can be challenging. London is one of the few places where you'll frequently be asked to remove your tripod or photograph elsewhere.
Take my photo of Westminster Bridge above. I could set up my tripod to the left of the bridge, facing toward the Houses of Parliament without problems. I wasn't allowed to do so on the right side of the bridge. The reasoning by the security doesn't always make sense, as does trying to argue with them. Thankfully, the balustrade along the River Thames can stabilize a camera in most places, so you don't need a tripod.
It's also hard to know beforehand where you can set up a tripod and where you can't. So it doesn't hurt to be fast. Don't plan on camping at a location with your tripod, and certainly don't block any public path. Sometimes, you'll also see markers on the pavement around buildings. Those metal studs indicate ownership boundaries. You'll often see them in front of buildings; standing close to those buildings behind them might put you on privately owned land — not a good place to put a tripod.
Conclusion
The five cities in this article are just a tiny selection. I still haven't visited many cities, although I live in the center of Europe. So, let's share some inspiration. What are your favorite European cities? Let us know in the comments.
