Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
The number of residents, as a rule, indicates the degree of development of the city and its significance for the country. But there are those who are ready to offer not only a high population density, but also a rich cultural and historical heritage. In our rating, we have collected a magnificent eight of the most populated cities in Europe and, concurrently, the most famous.
The largest metropolitan areas in Europe: top 8 most populous cities
| Nomination | a place | Town | Population |
| 8 most populous cities | 1 | Rome, Italy | 2.8 million people |
| 2 | Kiev, Ukraine | 2.8 million people | |
| 3 | Madrid, Spain | 3.2 million people | |
| 4 | Berlin, Germany | 3.7 million people | |
| 5 | Saint-Petersburg, Russia | 5.4 million people | |
| 6 | London, Great Britain | 8.2 million people | |
| 7 | Moscow, Russia | 12.6 million people | |
| 8 | Istanbul, Turkey | 15 million people |
Rome, Italy
Rating: 4.3
Population: 2.8 million people
Rome is the Italian capital and one of the oldest cities on the planet. The city on seven hills, according to legend, is considered the brainchild of the son of the god of war Mars – Romulus. He also became the first king of the fortified settlement, which Rome once was.
The mythical date of the founding of the city is April 21, 753 BC. It is on this day that knowledgeable travelers come to the Italian capital. All kinds of fairs, tasting of delicious traditional dishes, bright fireworks and impressive gladiator fights – all this awaits those who join the annual celebration of the city's founding day.
Tourists note: on the day of the founding of Rome, many museums are open for free admission.
Rome is one of the few historically important ancient cities in the world that has survived to this day. Over the course of several centuries, the city was repeatedly destroyed by invaders (Visigoths, vandals), and its inhabitants were taken into slavery. So at one time most of the noble Roman families were destroyed.
Rome is considered the only city in the world on whose territory an independent state is located – the Vatican, which is also known as the smallest country on the planet. Rome is home to one of the seven wonders of the world – the Colosseum. True, few people know another fact about this arena: during the entire existence of the Colosseum, about 500 thousand people and 1 million animals were killed in its arena.
Rome is famous for another amazing fact: it is a city of cats. They can be seen everywhere. It is prohibited by law to harm them. He also gives them complete freedom of movement. There is even a special organization whose main task is to feed and care for pussies.
Kiev, Ukraine
Rating: 4.4
Population: 2.8 million people
The capital of Ukraine and its largest city, Kiev, is also deservedly included in the rating of the most populous in Europe. The city stretched out on the banks of the Dnieper is considered very ancient – it was he who in ancient times was the largest settlement of the Polyans (East Slavic tribe), the capital of Kievan Rus, the principality of the same name, the Ukrainian People's Republic, etc.
There are several religious buildings (including the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, St. Sophia Cathedral, etc.) included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
At the end of the 18th century, the city's population did not exceed 30 thousand people. In literally one century, the situation changed dramatically: in the 19th century, rapid assimilation took place in Kiev, due to which the number of Ukrainians decreased significantly, and the population grew just as rapidly.
The industrial center of the country, one of its largest transport hubs and a storehouse of many cultural and historical monuments – Kiev has something to boast about. It is here that one of the deepest metro stations in the world is located – Arsenalnaya, located at a depth of more than 105 meters, the world's only monument to a garbage truck and one of the most visited museums in the country – Kiev Pechersk Lavra.
Madrid, Spain
Rating: 4.5
Population: 3.2 million people
The sunniest city in Europe – the Spanish capital – is not only one of the most populous, but also the most popular cities among tourists. For almost 500 years, Madrid has been the 'face' of the country, but, curiously, it cannot boast of sights of world significance.
Interesting fact: Madrid has the second highest city budget deficit in the world. It is over $ 67 billion. Moreover, the city is considered the fourth richest in Europe.
Few people know that the first settlers of the city were the Moors. They gave it a name similar to the present one 'Magrit'. Madrid is considered the cultural, political and economic center of the country. Few cities in Europe can compete with the Spanish capital for the amount of greenery and tourists who visit it every year.
It is in Madrid that the oldest restaurant in the world, Restaurante Botin S.L., is located (according to the Guinness Book of Records), which opened its doors back in 1725. It is renowned for its delicious piglet dish. The city has one of the largest botanical gardens in the world – more than 90 thousand plants and 1500 trees are represented here.
In Madrid, there is also the world's only sculpture of the devil. According to legend, who found her (which is not easy to do) will be lucky in everything.
Berlin, Germany
Rating: 4.6
Population: 3.7 million people
Berlin is a city with a rich and ancient history. Divided by the will of fate into two parts, even 20 years after the reunification, he has not yet come to his senses. The city is considered one of the most irreligious in Europe: more than 60% of its inhabitants are atheists and only 9% are Catholics.
Berlin can be safely called the city of bridges: there are over 2000 of them here. For example, Venice, which actually stands on the water, boasts only 500. There are many museums in the city, any of which can be visited for free on Thursdays from 16:00 to 20:00, and at availability in the pocket of the amount from 2 to 8 thousand euros and rent for a private party.
An interesting fact: more than half of Berliners prefer not to start a family, and the majority of those who decide to do this do not marry. The fact is that cohabitation without an official marriage allows you to save on rent for housing and utilities. In addition, non-cohabiting marriages are quite common.
Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Rating: 4.7
Population: 5.4 million people
Known to the world as the Venice of the North, and to the inhabitants of Russia as the Northern Capital, St. Petersburg has been and remains the country's cultural center. It receives millions of tourists every year, and even more than the capital. Many people mistakenly believe that the city was named after the first Russian emperor. In fact, it got its name in honor of its patron Saint Peter.
St. Petersburg amazes the imagination with the number of cultural and historical monuments, many of which are unique. What is Isaac's Cathedral – the largest in the country and the fourth largest in the world. The gilding of its domes took over 100 kg of gold.
It should be noted that the Hermitage Museum, rich in valuable memorials, is the largest in the world: it will take 8 years to inspect all 3 million exhibits, and it will take no more than 1 minute for each. Not far from the city is the famous Peterhof. The luxurious ensemble, represented by 173 fountains, was included in the UNESCO cultural heritage list.
It is in St. Petersburg that the deepest subway and the longest escalator in the world are located – as much as 150 meters.
An interesting fact: in the 19th century (in the first half of it), smoking was prohibited on the streets of the city, so that it was due to the predominance of wooden buildings, and fires were a frequent occurrence at that time.
London, Great Britain
Rating: 4.8
Population: 8.2 million
The unique charm and ancient history of the city attract millions of tourists every year. London is very original and really interesting, but it always disappoints with incredibly high prices.
Londoners speak 300 languages, making it the most multilingual city in the world. At the same time, absolutely everyone speaks English here, of course. London can be called unique for many reasons, sometimes very non-trivial. For example, this is the presence of 20 rivers under the city, enclosed in pipes. The world's first zoo was opened here (back in 1828).
Fun fact: London is undeservedly considered one of the rainiest in the world. But this is not at all the case. This city is one of the driest in Europe. But cloudy days are really quite frequent here.
Although London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, one form of transportation is very cheap here – a bicycle. It can be rented on almost any street, of which there are, by the way, about 1000. Renting a two-wheeler for a day will cost half the price of the shortest metro ride.
Moscow, Russia
Rating: 4.9
Population: 12.6 million people
The ancient Russian city can accommodate the population of all the Baltic countries at once. Moscow is invariably called white-stone because of the once snow-white Kremlin, although during Stalin's time it was repainted red. By the way, the Kremlin is the largest operating fortress in Europe.
Lovers of quality literature in the Russian capital will obviously not be bored – there are over 500 libraries in Moscow. This is an absolute world record. By the way, one of the libraries (named after Lenin) is the largest in Europe. Moscow is home to the world's largest thermometer, barometer and clock.
Two of the world's most famous diamonds (Shah and Orlov) are also kept in Moscow. The first, by the way, was presented to Russia by the Shah of Iran after an incident at the Russian embassy in Tehran: the building was actually destroyed. A diplomat and famous Russian writer Griboyedov died there.
An interesting fact: in 1812, when the Napoleonic army approached the city, a fire started, which destroyed more than 80% of all buildings in the capital.
The highest European TV tower – Ostankino is located in Moscow. She is one of the ten tallest buildings in the world.
Istanbul, Turkey
Rating: 5.0
Population: 15 million people
The capital of four ancient empires – Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman – Istanbul is one of the oldest cities on earth. Multicultural, striking with its complex and unique architecture, as well as the friendliness of its inhabitants, Istanbul has almost never been renamed in its almost 2000-year history.
Located simultaneously in two parts of the world – Europe and Asia, Istanbul is connected by the Bosphorus Bridge – one of the longest (among the suspension bridges) in the world. There is a toll here, and the road is closed for pedestrians: the bridge was very popular with suicides.
An interesting fact: already in the 14th century, more than 1,500 public toilets were equipped in the then Constantinople, although at that time such an innovation was far from every European palace.
Istanbul boasts one of the largest palace complexes on the planet: Topkapi Palace with an area of over 700,000 sq. m now turned into a museum and is a separate area of the city. There is also a world-famous bazaar, striking in its scale: it consists of 66 streets, on which there are more than 4 thousand shops.
Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
