Americans’ Ultimate European Travel Bucket List 

Icelandair has identified the Top 20 Most Popular Cities in Europe that Americans currently Dream of Visiting and therefore are predicted to be the most popular destinations amongst US travelers next year.

The top five have been revealed as: 

1. Brussels
2. London
3. Rome
4. Hamburg
5. Vienna 

The Ultimate Americans’ European Travel Bucket List 

Brussels (Belgium), London (United Kingdom) and Rome (Italy) take the top three spots for most popular destinations on Americans’ dream European travel bucket list 

To help you decide on the best destination to travel to next, Iceland’s flagship airline, Icelandair has identified the top 20 most popular cities in Europe that Americans dream of visiting. Looking at data scraped from Statista, Instagram, Twitter and Reddit, the team has analysed and ranked the cities based on the highest scores. 

The USA’s Ultimate European Travel Bucket List:

1. Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium, also known as the political heart of Europe, is home to legendary jazz clubs, comic-book street art and quirky flea markets. All of this alongside the must-see museums, architecture, and famous statues, means there is something for everyone. 

Home to the best Belgian waffles, famous frites and chocolate you can imagine, but most importantly, the infamous beer. With an abundance of green space, there is plenty of scenery to take in while walking it off. 

Best time of year to visit: March to May and September to October 

Temperature: Hottest month 17.5°C (July), coldest month 2.5°C (February)

Cheapest Time of year to visit: Early November 

2. London, United Kingdom

London, United Kingdom, also nicknamed the ‘The Big Smoke’, is best known for its iconic skyline and world-renowned landmarks, such as The Tower of London and Big Ben.

Shopping in the capital city is hard to beat and offers tourists the ultimate experience on every budget. While there are also some of the best, many being free, museums and galleries in the world as well as scenic royal parks if you’re looking to spend nothing at all.

As for the nightlife, Londoners work hard but play harder. From quiet pubs and fancy clubs to some of the best theatre shows in the world, there is always something to do in the later hours.

Best time of year to visit: March to May

Temperature: Hottest month 19°C (July), coldest month 5°C (Jan)

Cheapest Time of year to visit: November to March

3. Rome, Italy

Rome, Italy, also known as the Eternal City, is small enough to walk around in one day, making it a great weekend getaway. But that’s not to say there isn’t more than enough to do and see. 

The whole city is a UNESCO World Heritage site steeped with some of the world’s most famous fountains, architecture and churches, as well as home to the Colosseum and many works of Michelangelo.

The mild climate makes for a comfortable visit and means the sights can be enjoyed all year round. Not to mention the gelato and roman pizza. 

Best time of year to visit: Mid-March to May and September to November

Temperature: Hottest month 25.5°C (July), coldest month 8°C (Jan)

Cheapest Time of year to visit: September to February  

4. Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg, Germany, the self-titled "Gateway to the World" comes third on the list. Home to the biggest port city in Germany, a jaw-dropping opera house and magical Christmas markets every winter - there is something for everyone in Hamburg.

The city has more bridges than any other city in the world and is home to incredible architecture, so there is plenty of scenery to take in while walking around the city.

Best time of year to visit: May through September and December

Temperature: Hottest month 16.8°C (July), coldest month 0.25°C (January)

Cheapest Time of year to visit: October-November

5. Vienna Austria

Vienna, the capital of Austria, attracts culture lovers from all over the world thanks to its picturesque landmarks, diverse architecture, and abundance of museums.

From fine art to cool street art, there is something for everyone's palette and with one of the best public transport systems in the world, it’s extremely easy to get around at a bargain price compared to cities like New York.

Not only is it home to the infamous Sachertorte cake and the best quality coffee around, but it is also home to musical sensations such as Mozart and Beethoven and in turn live classical music events every day of the week.

In Winter, Vienna is buzzing with Christmas markets and has charmingly decorated streets.

Best time of year to visit: June to August and December

Temperature: Hottest month 19°C (July), coldest month -1°C (January)

Cheapest Time of year to visit: September to October

Icelandair also took a further look into how Iceland made the list and the statistics speak for themselves.

Most notably, Iceland makes the Top 20 due to its exponential growth in popularity in recent years and according to the Icelandic Tourist Board website, about 42 thousand or almost a third (30.7%) of all departures in November 2022 were US tourists.

19. Reykjavik, Iceland 

Reykjavik, the Icelandic capital, is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts on the lookout for unforgettable views, natural wonders, and marine wildlife to spot. Iceland offers volcanoes, waterfalls, fjords and the opportunity to go whale watching, followed by bathing in one of the infamous Icelandic Geothermal baths.

Most famously, tourists flock from all over the world to gaze at the northern lights. The natural light display is visible throughout the winter, most notably between September and March. Tourists also speak of the infamous Icelandic Geothermal baths all over the world. Not only are the natural wonders all Iceland has to offer, but the cultural city also offers museums, top art galleries and an array of intricately coloured houses as well as great nightlife.

Best time of year to visit: July and August 

Temperature: Hottest month 11°C (July), coldest month 0°C (January)

Cheapest Time of year to visit: September to November and January to May