What is your favorite European Capital City?

Without regards to wine (or with if you like), what is your favorite city in Europe to visit? Don't be offended if Sofia or Chisinau don't make the list (Europa is afterall numerous in countries). Oh, and my apologies to Amsterdam for not making the list -blame Robin for allowing too few entries

Paris is this Earths finest city.
2nd:Vienna
3rd:Berlin

[Robin Garr]

That's no easy pick, but I ultimately chose Rome over Paris in a tight judgement call. Based on the cities alone, I probably would have gone the other way - there's no place like Paris. But there's also no place like Italy, and Rome is in Italy. Really it's a dead heat, but blame Robin for not allowing tie votes.

Third place, Lisbon! Wait, you left out Lisbon, too! Okay, Vienna, I guess, but really it's a tie again ...

It was London until my wife and I spent two weeks in Paris a few years ago.

Wow.

Vienna, based primarily on memories.

Been to 2... Rome and London. Chose Vienna, though.

[James Roscoe]

Washington? Pathetic, but it's the only capital city I've been to.

I haven't been to any either, James.

I have had a passport burning a hole in my pocket since July 2005. In January 2006 I was given a trip to Paris for my birthday. The trip was to take place in May. The person who gave it to me and was to have been my traveling companion had to have emergency surgery and the trip was canceled.

So, in order of where I would like to go in Europe when opportunity presents, the top three are:

Paris
Vienna or London (tied)
Rome

Why are we limited to capitols? Paris is not where I'd go in France, Rome is not where I'd go in Italy. I'll admit that London is a pretty fine place, though hideously expensive.

I suppose if I were forced to limit my choices to European capitols, I'd pick Amsterdam or Madrid.

Well, since we were limited to capitals, that's what I chose. If we aren't limited to capitals... my list changes to:

Florence
Paris
Vienna or London

If we aren't limited, no question it would be Lyon and Alba for the food, Milan and Vienna for the music, London for the general entertainment.

Not a big fan of capital cities (in general busier, dirtier and less friendly than the other cities). Can't say there's any I'd care enough to vote for.

Tough choice. I'd have to go with a top 5. Paris, Vienna, Prague, Budapest; but if I had to choose one, it would be Berlin. I't a happening place right now. Great music, history, museums.

If we aren't limited, no question it would be Lyon and Alba for the food, Milan and Vienna for the music, London for the general entertainment.

Not Amsterdam? Interesting.

It made my top for capitals, great museums, great music, great attitude, great fun.

This is a very difficult question to answer, but, since I am Italy biased by default and I feel like I am being held up by gunpoint to make a decision, I vote for Rome! Vienna and Paris get honorable mention...!

I picked Vienna. I would love to live there. I love the atmosphere, the weather, and almost everything about it. However, like many have said, it's a difficult choice. If I were travelling for only a few days, I'd probably pick Paris or Rome over Vienna (probably Paris, as Rome can feel a bit crowded and is often very hot).

If we aren't limited, no question it would be Lyon and Alba for the food, Milan and Vienna for the music, London for the general entertainment.

Not Amsterdam? Interesting.

Pedant alert
Den Haag (The Hague) is of course the capital of Holland
Pedant alert over

OK, so I guess I just don't like capitals.

[Jenise]

Bill, I've been to all but Prague. And...you force me to pick? Well, it wouldn't be Rome. There was much to like there, but the thieves are too thick for my tastes. Spent many a fine afternoon on the Danube in Budapest, but the Russians were only just leaving and the city was in need of a bit of polish which by now it probably has. Would love to see it again, returned to splendor. Berlin--never saw so many cranes in my life until I saw Shanghai and Beijing. That's mostly what I remember of it. Like others I think your post should have been about "major" instead of capitals and that Amsterdam belongs on your list. I adore that city. Also, London and Paris and Madrid for different reasons, but ultimately it's going to come down to food, and for that, can there be any place but Paris?

Well, yeah, it does have to be Paris.

But I'd certainly nominate, as a distinctly fine runner up, Barcelona (as the capital of Catalonia ).

And I'm with you on Rome, Jenise. Been there several times, enjoyed and appreciated aspects of the city each time....but it's never even made my top ten, I'm afraid. I'd pick any number of places in Italy over Roma.

Well, yeah, it does have to be Paris.

No, it doesn't, not while Lyon exists.

Well, yeah, it does have to be Paris.

No, it doesn't, not while Lyon exists.

Yahbut, you're food fixated. Not that that's a bad thing, you understand.

And even more, you just focus on the veggies...like it's better to kill a plant than an animal cause you can't hear the plants scream???

I have no problem hearing them scream and I rather enjoy it.

Not just food-fixated, there's also the wine. Tucked between the Rhone and Beaujolais, how could it be otherwise?