23 Jul Best European cities to visit for senior citizens
Europe has a very rich culture and history, making it a popular vacation destination among senior travelers. Museums, parks, impressive landmarks, and a versatile selection of restaurants. In short, if you are retired there are plenty of wonderful ways to pamper yourself in any city in Europe. However, very few cities are easy to navigate and discover for senior travelers. When you are planning your vacation in Europe, what every senior traveler has to consider is your level of fitness, accessibility of major attractions and activities, the best transportation, in addition to budget and vacation duration.
So, we have hand-picked a few of the best cities to visit in Europe for senior travelers. So, you are welcome to follow our journey in the 7 senior-friendly cities in Europe.
Rome, Italy
Rome is a great city to visit in Europe for senior travelers. The ancient city of Rome, most attractions, hotels, and restaurants are completely accessible for seniors in a wheelchair. This means that the city sidewalks all have ramps for wheelchairs, and the city itself is flat, so regardless of your fitness level, you will find it very easy to walk around.
While Rome gets to be quite crowded in high season, if you travel off-season, in fall, for example, you’ll get to have Rome almost completely to yourself. In addition, hotel and travel prices tend to drop off-season, Moreover, you won’t need to worry about renting a car, because you could easily travel to Rome from any destination in Europe by train. There’s nothing more convenient than train travel in Trenitalia’s high-speed modern and advanced trains. In addition to comfort and great on-train service, you can enjoy special discounts on train tickets for seniors.
Milan, Italy
The Duomo and Leonardo De Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ make Milan a paradise for art and history lovers. Beyond being an architectural gem, Milan is very friendly to senior travelers and has even won a 2016 EU Access award. Thus Milan is one of the best cities to visit in Europe for senior travelers.
If you passed your 60’s and ready for beautiful living, then you will have an absolutely amazing time in Milan. The Italian cuisine, the stunning architecture of Basilicas, art galleries, and museums will make you feel like royal. When in Milano, you should definitely join a pasta cooking class because it is never too late to learn the perfect pasta sauce recipe so you could recreate la dolce vita back home.
Bruges, Belgium
Some say that Bruges is the best-preserved medieval city in Europe. Cobblestone streets, colorful houses, Gothic architecture, all make Bruges a great travel destination in Europe for senior travelers. Moreover, there are canals where you can take a cruise and admire Bruges without making a step, an experience any senior will appreciate. But, if you still prefer discovering the city on foot, no worries, Bruges is a very compact city. So, it’s perfect for senior travelers at any fitness level.
You should dedicate at least 3-4 days to sail across 80 of the city’s canals and relax at Minnewater lake. Another great activity in Bruges is the market for some souvenir shopping for the family.
The central train station in Bruges is about 10-20 minutes’ walking from the city center, so you can travel anywhere in Belgium and the UK.
Baden-Baden, Germany
With trains from Paris, Basel, Zurich, and Munich, Baden-Baden town is very accessible for senior travelers. While it is not a big cosmopolitan city like Berlin, it is the epitome of beautiful living. Germany is home to 900 spa resorts, but Baden-Baden’s resorts and class outrun them all.
A spa vacation in Baden-Baden is the perfect vacation option for senior travelers in Europe. The tranquil pace, mineral and mud spa treatments, beautiful gardens like Paradies, create a piece of heaven. However, if you love staying active on holidays, then there are golf courses and sports clubs in Baden-Baden for you to visit.
Senior travelers in Europe might find most cities challenging to travel around, due to hills and bumpy roads. So, it is very important to understand if the city of your dreams is the best for your physical abilities. Traveling to the right senior-friendly city in Europe is just as important as travel insurance. Our top 7 cities to visit for senior travelers list features the most accessible cities in Europe for seniors.
Berlin, Germany
Museums and landmarks relating to WWII and the cold war, make Berlin a terrific destination for senior travelers in Europe. Berlin is flat and public transportation is very good, both buses and the underground. If you are at a good fitness level, you could explore the city on a Segway tour.
Berlin’s many green parks are perfect for afternoon strolls and picnics, and the art galleries are a great option if you prefer a more quiet and cultural activity than wandering the busy center.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
With its picturesque channels, Amsterdam is always a great travel destination for senior travelers in Europe. Amsterdam is one of the best cities to visit in The Netherlands, thanks to its relaxed vibes and size. Amsterdam is relatively small in comparison to other European cities, so you don’t need to run and worry about sightseeing.
If you get tired of the busy city, head outside of town to the famous mills or tulip fields, if you travel in springtime. Or if you are in good physical shape, renting a bike and biking around the charming city is a terrific idea.
Vienna, Austria
Spectacular architecture, opera, and imperial palaces make Vienna a marvelous travel destination for senior travelers. If you have reached that free of worries period in life when you can just sit back and enjoy the fruits of hard work, then head to Vienna. Moreover, Vienna is the second most accessible city in Europe for senior tourists with limited mobility.
The Austrian coffee houses ‘living rooms’ serving cakes and Austrian schnitzel, guarantee that you will surely have an unforgettable culinary experience. For the cultural part of the trip visit the stunning opera house for a show. After all, Vienna is where Mozart and Schubert composed their phenomenal pieces, the city of music and art.
The Belvedere palace is one of the must-see places in Vienna, surrounded by flower gardens and fountains, it is a spot to sit back and enjoy.
The city center is just 5 minutes away from the central train station. So, if you are arriving from neighboring countries, there’s nothing easier than traveling to Vienna.
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