10 best riverside cities in Europe

River-and-port-wine city with painted azulejos, granite alleys, and a slower beat than Lisbon.

Still the daydream of cities. Pricey, romantic, intellectually serious, and unbeatable for art and food.

France's gastronomy capital, with two rivers, three hills, and an unhurried tempo.

Global city in every sense — anything you want exists here, if you can afford the rent.

Canals, bikes, and one of the most liberal cities on earth. Tiny apartments and tall windows.

Northern port city — canals everywhere, a famously cool music scene, and a maritime soul.

Wealthy, mountain-clean, punctual. Highest salaries in the world balanced by eye-watering costs.

Fairy-tale skyline on the Vltava with bohemian cafés, beer pubs, and a serious tech sector.

Two cities across the Danube, thermal baths in every district, and ruin pubs in old courtyards.

Pocket-sized Slovenian capital. Castle on the hill, dragon bridges, Alps and Adriatic both an hour away.