From Feed to Feels: The Most Instagrammable Spots in Europe
Are you craving a picture-perfect escape that’s as stunning in real life as on your Instagram feed? From fairytale landscapes and turquoise coastlines to centuries-old architecture steeped in culture, these European destinations are the ultimate backdrop for your next adventure.
Whether it’s the enchanting charm of Lake Bled, the sun-soaked streets of Dubrovnik, or the vibrant allure of Istanbul, these spots offer a beautiful blend of history, nature and culture like none other. The best part? They’re all conveniently accessible, and affordable via coach and train. Below, Julian Hirst, Regional Director EMEA at Busbud, shares the stops guaranteed to turn your travel snaps into scroll-stopping moments.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Travel time from Split: 4 hours
Ticket price: £12
It’s easy to see why the producers of Game of Thrones chose Dubrovnik as their filming location. The city described by the poet Byron as ‘the pearl of the Adriatic’ is extraordinarily cinematic and majestically located on Croatia’s blue-green Dalmatian coast. Wander through the formidable Pile Gate to explore the Old Town’s gleaming limestone streets, sumptuous palaces, stunning Baroque Jesuit Staircase, and squares humming with cafes and restaurants.
Serenity and beauty prevail in the Franciscan Monastery. The narrow stairs of the famed Minceta Tower and the unmissable fortress deliver sweeping views and stories. And contrary to Game of Thrones’s bloody-minded storylines, Dubrovnik is wonderfully welcoming with breezy parks and beaches, lively music venues, flavourful markets, friendly people and vibrant rooftop bars. Dragons are in short supply.
Istanbul, Turkey
Travel time from Ankara: 5 hours
Ticket price: £7
The storied link between Europe and Asia, Istanbul is amazingly immersive. Set yourself up with a traditional breakfast of simit bread, cheeses and eggs, then explore the awe-inspiring Byzantine Hagia Sophia, legendary Topkapi Palace, 14th century Galata Tower, Gülhane Park and striking Blue Mosque. Haggling is part of the deal at the centuries-old Grand Bazaar with more than 4,000 shops selling everything from fake designers to artisanal carpets. If you prefer chic shopping, hit glamorous Nisantasi.
Bright Balat is Instagram-perfect, with painted houses and cobbled streets. And vibrant Istiklal Street is crammed with historic buildings, terrific boutiques and street performers. No Istanbul visit is complete without Turkish coffee, Turkish Delight and a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait. And who can say no starlit sharing plates at a rooftop restaurant with fabulous food and panoramic views?
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Travel time from Ljubliana: 30 minutes
Ticket price: £16
Straight out of an Alpine fairytale, Slovenia’s Lake Bled merges spellbinding natural beauty with picturesque architecture. Think mountain peaks, dense forests, bright-blue water, a medieval castle and even a Gothic church with a wish-granting bell.
The hike to the peaks of Velika Osojnica is Insta-famous for good reason. Bled Town is a cosy charmer with narrow streets and lakefront cafés. (Try Bled Cream Cake, a confection of custard, cream and pastry).
To crown it all, the cliff-top Lake Bled Castle offers Romanesque architecture, courtyards and terraces, and spectacular vistas. The final detail: a chance to sample local wines and seal your own bottle with medieval wax at the Castle’s winery.
Bruges, Belgium
Travel time from Brussels: 1 hour 20 minutes
Ticket price: £6
Craving romance and inspiration? Bruges delivers an abundance of both — plus the chocolate for which Belgium is rightly famed. A tiny jewel-box destination, this port city is studded with medieval churches, grand mansions and ornate facades. Cobbled streets are lined with historic buildings, cafes, stores and wonderfully photogenic vistas. Boats and swans glide over serene canals.
The city centre features a 14th-century City Hall on Burg Square, Markt Square with a 13th-century belfry, and Michelangelo’s sublime ‘Madonna and Child’ in a Gothic Church. After that, get happily lost in dreamy side streets, linger in inviting inns and breweries and indulge in outstanding cuisine from beef stews and seafood galore to frites and waffles.
Granada
Travel time from Málaga: 1 hour 20
Ticket price: £12
A captivating blend of culture and charisma beneath snow-capped mountains, Granada enchants with fabulous experiences — and photo opportunities. Its crown jewel, the Alhambra, is a jaw-dropping palace/fort with magnificent gardens. The medieval alleyways and Moorish architecture of Albaicín offer a journey back in time. The mood is fun and creative in Realejo. And iconic Sacromonte rings with passionate flamenco beats.
For a garden setting with stunning views plus peacocks, visit Carmen de los mártires.Or be entranced by the Moorish El Bañuelo baths with their star-shaped skylights. The food is stellar too with vibey tapas spots, great restaurants and free bar snacks… Heaven for feeding yourself at the same time as your IG.
Top photo by Liz Weddon on Unsplash
