The Best Luxury Holiday Destinations in Europe for 2024

Rome: The Eternal City

Travelling to Rome is a wonder destination to meet the past and immerse yourself in a constant architectural dance. If you have never travelled to this ancient city, you should know that every street hides a surprise. You will discover monumental sculptures in humble corners and taste the most delicious pizzas of your life in its traditional restaurants.

Cultural visits are endless, but the Colosseum, St. Peter's Square, the Sistine Chapel, the Roman Forum, and the Trevi Fountain are some stops that you wouldn’t want to miss.

Despite its age, the Colosseum is the largest standing ancient amphitheatre in the world. It is an intriguing sight that captivates visitors; something that you can consider adding to your itinerary if you want to expand your adventure.

As for the Sistine Chapel, it is mostly famous for the frescoes that decorate all of its interior but mostly its ceiling, which are all painted by Michelangelo.

The Roman Forum was the centre of daily life in Rome. Now, it is surrounded by the ruins of ancient buildings. These three points of interest are the most visited in Rome and it is no wonder given their cultural heritage.

Undoubtedly, Rome is a city made for luxury travel in Europe, to get lost in its streets and let yourself be carried away by the seductive atmosphere of its nightlife.

To transform your trip to Rome into a special experience, the Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel is a must. It is located in a crescent-shaped palazzo on Piazza della Repubblica, striking visitors as soon as they view its 19th-century marble architecture.

Thanks to its central location, you can walk to all the iconic points of the city, and enjoy the Roman night like never before spending a magical evening on its rooftop terrace which even has a swimming pool.

Marbella: The Gem of the Costa del Sol

Marbella, located in the southern region of Spain known as Costa del Sol, is among the most highly regarded luxury holiday destinations in Europe. This Mediterranean city offers a perfect balance between comfort, gastronomy, and nature. Its cobblestone streets invite you to stroll through them and its air is filled with the aromas of exquisite traditional dishes of Andalusian heritage.

One of the most beautiful places in Marbella is the Plaza de los Naranjos, built after the Christian conquest in 1485. Here, you can appreciate the beauty of the Andalusian architecture that combines the white of the houses with the colourful flowers.

As an obligatory cultural stop, the wall of the old citadel would be a great visit. This intriguing place was built during the reign of Abderraman III, between the 11th and 12th centuries. When you observe it, you will discover that it still preserves the defensive towers and you will have before you one of the most important historical monuments of the city.

Considered to be the most popular holiday destination in Spain, Marbella has so much more to offer, from sailing, canyoning and dolphin watching.

In the town of Marbella, you can also find an array of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs where you can enjoy your drink or a dining experience.

At nightfall, Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavís Marbella Resort is a luxury resort to elevate your experience on the Costa del Sol. It is in a privileged natural setting between Marbella, Benahavís, and Estepona. This resort has everything you need to enjoy an exclusive vacation: an elegant sanctuary surrounded by three golf courses, a lake of calm waters, and a Roman amphitheatre with more than 1200 original works of art. Everything together will allow you not only to disconnect from the stress of everyday life, but also to immerse yourself in its beauty, spa, and wellness facilities.

Amsterdam: A City That Breathes Freedom

When wishing for a luxury holiday in Europe, it points directly to Amsterdam, a city of canals with an architecture that exudes beauty in spades. This northern city attracts most of its visitors because it is a city of contrasts, with a classic urban style and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. People in Amsterdam seem to have a different pace of life from the rest of the world and are well known for having bicycles as their favourite means of transportation.

What is clear is that it is an ideal city to breathe fresh air and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of its streets. In addition, it has more than 70 kilometres of winding canals where you can see houseboats, one of the peculiarities of this city. If you are exclusively focused on visiting these monuments, definitely visit the three canals of Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, and Herengracht which are surrounded by buildings of the 17th century, a time when Amsterdam surprised the world with its commercial skills.

There are more activities that may interest you to mingle with the Dutch spirit and these include having a coffee in the colourful Spui square, visiting the flower market known as Bloemenmarkt and going to Anne Frank's house, which is now a museum.

Except for Anne Frank's house, for those who love visiting museums, Amsterdam has more to offer. One of Amsterdam's most visited places is the Van Gogh Museum where you can see the world's largest collection of works painted by the Dutch painter. You can also visit the Rijksmuseum which is the museum of Netherlands. It is fully renovated and boasts a wonderful garden for you to take stunning photos. The museum is ideal for those who want to learn the history of the Netherlands from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

For people who love nature, Amsterdam has a very famous park, the Vondelpark. There you can enjoy some outdoor activities, such as riding a bike, hiking a trail or having a picnic in this breathtaking landscape. During the spring season, this park is in full bloom of tulips, a signature beauty of the Netherlands.

To enjoy the cool nights of Amsterdam, Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam is one of the most prestigious hotels with over 150 years of royal celebrations. It is located on Dam Square, where the city was born. It is the most recognised square in Amsterdam and one of the busiest in Europe, with countless stores and restaurants. It is also home to some of the most emblematic buildings of the city, such as the Royal Palace and the Nieuwe Kerk church.

There is no better location than this hotel that, just a few metres away, allows you to taste the fantastic Dutch gastronomy at the Grand Café Krasnapolsky or at The White Room restaurant, which has a Michelin star. In addition, it offers spa, wellness, and gym services so that you can maintain your physical and mental health while you’re on holiday.

Faro: The Stunning City in Algarve

Faro is in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. It is the biggest city and the second most popular municipality in the Algarve. For its beauty and culture, it cannot be underestimated as a perfect destination in Europe for your luxury travel.

In Faro, you will not only enjoy the wonderful beaches and clear blue waters, but you will also see one of the most wonderful sunsets in the world.  Your luxury holiday will also create unforgettable memories while having the best experiences.

Why is Faro such a great option when talking about luxury holiday destinations in Europe? For nature lovers, make sure to visit Benagil Cave, which is undoubtedly one of Portugal's greatest landmarks. Benagil is a cave that has a hole in its ceiling that is widely known as “the eye” from which you can see the shiny blue sky above.  You can also take a catamaran to visit the famous Ria Formosa natural park where you can stroll around and enjoy seeing some animal species that you may have not seen before. For those who love water activities, you can kayak on the waters or charter a luxury yacht and enjoy the clear blue waters in Faro.

Faro, though, has more to offer. Speaking of luxury travelling, we think of shopping and maybe some wine tasting, and you will be thrilled to know that Faro has plenty of choices for you to shop and wine taste as well. It has a city shopping centre that incorporates numerous forums, some of which contain more than 200 stores. For wine connoisseurs, Faro flaunts a few extraordinary wineries where you can taste various wines of the greatest quality, paired with conventional bread and olive oil.

Finally, for the people who look for a social excursion, you can visit the Old Town Faro and the Historical Centre of Faro. Faro's Old Town is pleasant to such an extent that it will amaze you. It is encircled by ancient city walls and it is loaded with cobbled roads that anybody would cherish. The majority of the city is pedestrianised, which makes it safe and easy for everyone to navigate through it on foot. The city flaunts some brilliant 18th-century architecture and there are three entrances, the most famous of which is the Arco da Vila. Around the city, you can see a few displays of contemporary craftsmanship and you can find a little gallery which is devoted to Guternberg's press. At the Museum of Faro, you can find an intriguing assortment of artifacts some of which can be even traced back to ancient times.

If you are visiting Faro for a short period of time, a visit to the Cathedral is essential. It has a long history and is quite possibly one of the most visited attraction in Faro.

After a long day of exploring in Faro, retreat to Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort. Only a 10-minute drive from the Vilamoura marina, the resort offers a calming retreat for those of you looking for an extravagant getaway in Europe. It contains four pools, two of which are for families and two of which are for adults. There's a tennis court for those who love sports as well as a wellness place if you wish to work out. The resort also offers a paramount eating experience. Whether you're searching for a family-accommodating smorgasbord or some in-room treats, Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort has something for each individual and each sense of taste.

Discover the cultural richness of Europe with these destination ideas for your next luxury travel. Among the recommended options, stand out Rome with its rich history and Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel for luxury accommodation; Marbella with its Andalusian cuisine and warm weather to play golf at  Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavís Marbella Resort'sgolf courses; Amsterdam, with its canals and Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam´sideal location; and Faro with its marvelous beaches nearby Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort. Each one of them promises a luxury holiday in Europe, complete with all the essential amenities to delight you like never before on a trip.