The 10 Best Historical Cities in Europe
History comes alive when students step beyond the classroom. A school trip to some of the best historical cities in Europe not only inspires curiosity but also offers an opportunity to explore the complex events that shaped our world.
To make the most of your educational trip, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 European cities that are perfect for immersing students in history, from ancient ruins to modern landmarks.
Why is learning history important?
Ever heard the phrase, “Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.” Learning history is essential because it connects us to the past, helps us understand the present, and equips us to shape the future. Here are a few more reasons why history is such an important subject:
Interconnectedness of events
One of the most important lessons for history teachers is the interconnectedness of human events. It helps us see how decisions made in one era have shaped everything from scientific innovation to political systems. For example, studying the Industrial Revolution shows us the origins of today’s technology-driven economies.
Critical thinking
Analysing historical events, people and objects helps students evaluate sources, assess biases, and form evidence-based conclusions. By identifying patterns from the past, such as the causes of conflicts, students gain a deeper understanding of how societies, ideologies, governments and technologies have evolved.
Builds empathy
Moreover, learning history builds empathy through telling the stories of diverse people and cultures. It encourages us to see the world through different perspectives, breaking down stereotypes and establishing a sense of shared humanity.
10 best historical cities to visit in Europe
For history enthusiasts, there’s no better way to delve into Europe’s rich past than by exploring its most historically significant destinations. From iconic landmarks and breathtaking architecture to interactive museums, there’s so much for your students to discover! Let’s take a closer look at ten of the best historical cities to visit in Europe on a school trip:
1. Normandy & The Somme - WWI & WWII Battlefields
A WWI Battlefield trip is where students have the opportunity to experience and help comprehend the events of 1914-1918. WWI visits include some of the world’s most famous battlegrounds, memorials and cemeteries in the Somme, such as the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, which honours over 72,000 soldiers who died in battle.
If you’re looking to book a WWI Battlefield trip, then take a look at our accommodation options below:
For WWII school trips, the D-Day Landing Beaches provide many museums including the Utah and Omaha Beach Museums and information centres helping to increase awareness and knowledge of the period.
Accommodation options available with European Study Tours include:
2. Berlin
For students of 20th-century history, Berlin is one the best historical cities in Europe to visit. Students can dive into Bismarck-era history and explore stunning Germanic architecture in Charlottenburg Palace or Nikolaiviertel.
A day trip could include marvelling at the Pergamon Museum's Ishtar Gate, strolling Unter den Linden, and ending at the Reichstag Dome for panoramic views. Other top visits to add to your itinerary include the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate and Stasi Prison.
Some of the accommodation options available with European Study Tours include:
- Acama Kreuzberg
- Aletto Hotel Kudamm
- Citylight Hotel
- MEININGER Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz
- MEININGER Hotel Berlin Hauptbahnhof
3. Nuremberg
The city of Nuremberg was an extremely important location from 1933. Each year 500,000 National Socialists from all over Germany converged upon Nuremberg for a week.
Today, Nuremberg stands as a city of reflection and education.
The Zeppelin airfield, which still exists today, was built especially for Nazi parades and exemplifies the regime’s propaganda machine. Other key places to visit on a history trip to Nuremberg include Memoriam Nuremberg Trails – Courtroom 600, where Nazi leaders were tried for war crimes, marking a turning point for international justice. There’s also the Germanisches National Museum which showcases medieval weaponry, Renaissance paintings, and even rare manuscripts.
If you’re thinking of booking a history trip to Nuremberg, our prices start from as low as £545pp! For more details, simply get in touch with our experts.
4. Munich
Next on our list of the top historical cities in Europe is Munich. Its place in 20th-century history is dominated by its association with Hitler and as the birthplace of National Socialism.
A visit here will help students deepen their understanding of the factors that led to the rise and fall of the Third Reich, providing invaluable context to one of history’s most pivotal and cautionary chapters. Key sites to explore include the Dachau Concentration Camp, the Eagles Nest, the Munich Documentation Centre, and the White Rose Movement Exhibition.
Our Munich history trip, priced at just £545pp, includes:
- Return Air Travel
- 3 nights B&B Accommodation
- Specialist Group Travel Insurance
- Bespoke itinerary planning service
- Plus much more!
5. Vienna
Vienna is a beautiful and impressive city to visit, with a rich history that spans from its role as the centre of a vast empire to its Nazi past and role in the Cold War. The magnificent Schonbrunn Palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural, and historic monuments in the country.
Equally impressive is the Hofburg Imperial Palace, once the residence of the Habsburg dynasty rulers. Students on history trips can also visit the Museum of Military History, the Austrian Resistance Archive, the Jewish Museum and the Judenplatz Exhibition.
Book a history trip to Vienna with us, and your students will stay at A & O Vienna Hauptbahnhof prices starting at £515pp. This includes round-the-clock support during your trip, return travel, personalised itinerary planning, and so much more!
6. Krakow
As one of the oldest cities in Europe, Krakow holds immense historical significance, particularly for its role during World War II. Students can get to grips with life under Nazi occupation as they walk through the streets of the Krakow Ghetto. It’s also home to the impressive Wawel Castle, which, according to local folk tales, a dragon is said to live beneath.
Other important sites to visit include Auschwitz-Birkenau (located just 1 hour away from Krakow), the fascinating Crazy Communist Tour of Nowa Huta, the Oskar Schindler Museum, and the Galicia Jewish Museum.
If you plan on booking a history trip to Krakow, your group will be staying at the Hotel Wyspianski — a fantastic central location, just 200 metres from the Old Town Market Square (a 5-10 minute walk) and 500 metres from Wawel Hill.
7. Amsterdam
For students of Second World War history the Kamp Westerbork Concentration Camp, Amsterdam is a great location with its own history museum that takes you on a chronological trip through the city’s 800-year past.
It houses a permanent exhibition with many original photographs, documents, drawings, paintings, images, maps, and objects. Other must-visit sites include Anne Frank’s House, the Jewish Historical Museum, and the Dutch Resistance Museum, each offering profound insights into Amsterdam’s wartime history and resilience.
By booking a European Study Tours history trip to Amsterdam, groups will be able to stay in the Meininger Hotel Amsterdam City West. Located next to the Sloterdijk train station, it's the perfect place to stay and access the city's key historical sites.
8. Paris
Paris, the birthplace of the French Revolution, has a wealth of historical monuments and landmarks that will give students an insight into a pivotal period in European history.
There are countless historic landmarks to explore, including the magnificent Château de Versailles, the Les Invalides Army Museum, which houses Napoleon's tomb, and the La Conciergerie, a former military fortress turned prison where Marie-Antoinette was held during the Revolution.
At European Study Tours, prices for Paris history trips start from £379pp, including return coach travel, 2 nights B&B accommodation at the centrally located Est Hotel, personalised itinerary planning, 24-hour support and more!
9. Rome
Rome is one of the most significant historical cities in Europe, offering a variety of historical and cultural references which has had a great impact on much of the world’s history. From the rise of the Roman Empire to the establishment of the Catholic Church and the era of Fascism.
For students, a history school trip to Rome would be incomplete without exploring iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, and the Pantheon, originally built as a temple dedicated to all gods. The Time Elevator Roma is a multi-sensorial attraction that tells 3000 years of Roman History from Romulus and Remus up to the present day in an exciting, fun and unique way.
If you’re looking to book a history trip to Rome, then take a look at our accommodation options below:
10. London
With nearly 2000 years of history, including plague, devastating fire, civil war, the blitz, terror attacks and mass demonstrations, London has fantastic opportunities for students to expand their knowledge on any historical theme, from the Roman Conquest to World War II. Additional must-visit sites include Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Tower of London, the Cutty Sark, the Cabinet War Rooms, and the Museum of London.
Book a history trip to London with us, and your students will stay at one of our B&B accommodations - Premier Inn London Wembley Park, Royal National Hotel or YHA London Thameside. Prices start at £169pp which includes return rail travel (based on the fare from Birmingham stations), personalised itinerary planning, round-the-clock support and so much more!
Book unforgettable history trips with European Study Tours!
Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable historical trip? Take a look at our vast range of college and history school trip destinations, where students can explore the past, inspire the future, and create lasting memories.
Get in touch or request a quote, and our team will be happy to help with your enquiry.
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