Europe’s Best Wine Breaks
The perfect wine break includes a rich wine history, high-quality products, and plenty of vino-related activities. Whether you’re a seasoned wine drinker or new to the beverage, a wine trip to Europe promises an excellent experience.
To help you discover the right destination, we analysed wine data for popular European cities, sourced from TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide, and Decanter.
Each European city received a score based on their number of wine experiences, wineries, and vineyards, alongside how many award-winning wines their respective countries had. A final score was then calculated (the higher the score, the better) which contributed to an overall ranking, revealing the top 10 must-visit destinations guaranteed to put you on cloud wine.
| Rank | City | Number of wineries & vineyards | Total number of wine experiences | Number of award-winning wines (by country) | Total/93 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paris | 34 | 425 | 51,782 | 89 |
| 2 | Bordeaux | 40 | 303 | 51,782 | 87 |
| 3 | Florence | 11 | 930 | 39,427 | 86 |
| 3 | Rome | 18 | 521 | 39,427 | 86 |
| 5 | Barcelona | 21 | 354 | 27,162 | 83 |
| 6 | Lisbon | 18 | 423 | 9,855 | 82 |
| 7 | Madrid | 23 | 175 | 27,162 | 79 |
| 8 | Porto | 5 | 615 | 9,855 | 77 |
| 9 | Milan | 14 | 109 | 39,427 | 74 |
| 10 | Nice | 10 | 108 | 51,782 | 72 |
1. Paris
Our findings reveal Paris as the best European city for a wine break, scoring an impressive 89 out of 93. The city’s top ranking proves it’s worthy of being one of the world's great wine capitals. Expect an impressive 34 wineries and vineyards, reflecting the incredible diversity of French wine regions. What’s more, France, in its entirety, boasts an impressive 51,782 award-winning wines, cementing its position as a wine powerhouse.
Paris has a host of wine experiences, including an astounding 425 different opportunities to explore French viticulture. From intimate wine bars in Montmartre to prestigious wine academies offering professional-level courses, the City of Light provides unparalleled access to France's wine heritage.
2. Bordeaux
In second place with 87 out of 93 is Bordeaux. Our findings reveal that Bordeaux maintains its position as one of France's most prestigious wine regions. That’s down to its 40 wineries and vineyards, making it an essential destination for serious wine enthusiasts. With France's remarkable collection of award-winning wines, Bordeaux very nearly pips Paris as the go-to spot for experiencing French winemaking excellence.
Home to legendary châteaux such as Margaux, Latour, and Pétrus, the region offers visitors the opportunity to experience wine at its most respected level. The city's 303 wine experiences focus on quality over quantity, providing in-depth explorations of Bordeaux's Left and Right Bank regions, each with its distinct terroir and grape varieties. The Cité du Vin - a wine museum in Bordeaux - also contributes to the city's appeal for wine breaks, offering immersive experiences that celebrate global wine culture whilst highlighting Bordeaux's central role in wine history.
3. Florence and Rome
Third place takes us to Italy. Sharing the position with 86 out of 93 are two of Italy’s most wine-loving destinations, Florence and Rome. Whether it’s witnessing incredible ancient architecture in Italy’s capital, or admiring Florence’s renaissance charm, an Italian wine break promises exquisite wine and stunning scenery.
Florence earns its place through an extraordinary combination of factors that make it the perfect spot for wine lovers seeking an authentic Italian wine break. The city serves as the gateway to Tuscany's world-renowned wine regions, including Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and the highly-famed Super Tuscans.
With 11 wineries and vineyards, Florence offers visitors a glimpse into traditional Italian winemaking techniques that have been perfected over generations. Expect 930 diverse wine experiences, such as wine tours and tastings, ensuring that every palate is catered for. The wine culture here blends excellently with its artistic heritage. Many of the city's most celebrated vineyards reside in properties that have been producing wine since the Renaissance, creating the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable wine break.
Also scoring 86, Rome offers wine lovers the opportunity to discover the diverse wines of Lazio and neighbouring regions. With 18 wineries and vineyards, Rome provides an excellent introduction to central Italian wine culture.
The city's 521 wine experiences are perfectly integrated with its incredible historical attractions, allowing visitors to combine wine tastings with explorations of ancient Roman sites. Rome's wine bars and enotecas (Italian wine shop) offer a peek into authentic Italian wine culture, where wine is treated as an essential part of daily life rather than merely a luxury commodity. Perhaps that's why Italy has such a large and impressive portfolio of award-winning wines -. 39,427, to be precise!
5. Barcelona
Barcelona claims a spot in the top five with 83 out of 93, thanks to its 354 wine experiences that reflect Catalonia's rich wine heritage. The city is particularly renowned for its role in Cava production and provides excellent access to the emerging regional wines of Priorat and Montsant, making it an increasingly popular wine break destination.
Barcelona's wine culture perfectly complements its vibrant culinary scene, with innovative wine bars and restaurants showcasing both traditional Catalan varieties and international wines. The city's 21 wineries and vineyards offer intimate tastings often combined with spectacular views of the Mediterranean, creating memorable wine experiences. Spain's impressive 27,162 award-winning wines also highlight the country's commitment to viticultural excellence.
6. Lisbon
Our index places Lisbon in sixth with 82 points, highlighting Portugal's emergence as a serious wine break destination. With 18 wineries and vineyards, Lisbon provides access to some of Portugal's most exciting wine regions, including the Douro Valley, Vinho Verde, and the increasingly acclaimed wines of the Alentejo region. Portugal's collection of 9,855 award-winning wines reflects the country's growing reputation in the wine community.
Lisbon's 423 wine experiences showcase Portugal's unique grape varieties. The city's wine scene has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, with innovative wine bars and tasting rooms offering visitors a taste of Portugal, making Lisbon an exciting choice for adventurous wine-loving break travellers.
7. Madrid
Meanwhile, with 79 points, Madrid flaunts Spain's incredible wine diversity, from the traditional Rioja and Ribera del Duero to emerging regions across the Iberian Peninsula. Spanish wines are appreciated for their quality and diversity, offering connoisseurs and amateurs alike a chance to soak up Spain’s unique flavours. Madrid secures Spain a second spot in our top 10, demonstrating the country’s significance within the wine community.
With 23 wineries and vineyards and 175 wine experiences, Madrid serves as one of Spain's top destinations for wine, offering everything from traditional tapas and wine pairings to cutting-edge wine technology demonstrations, making it an ideal spot for exploring Spanish wine culture.
8. Porto
Porto lands eighth position, scoring a healthy 77. Renowned for its port wine, it’s an essential destination for those in need of a comprehensive European wine break. The city's 615 wine experiences are intensely focused on this fortified wine, offering visitors unparalleled insights into port production, from the quintas of the Douro Valley to the historic lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia.
The city's 5 wineries and vineyards specialise in both port and the increasingly popular still wines of the Douro region, providing a comprehensive Portuguese wine experience that justifies its place in our wine break index. With over 9,000 award-winning wines, Porto’s residing country demonstrates excellence in wine production.
9. Milan
Fashion-capital Milan secures the ninth position with 74 out of 93, highlighting it as an ideal European city for a wine break. Milan serves as the sophisticated gateway to Piedmont's prestigious wine regions, including Barolo and Barbaresco. Italy’s often synonymous with wine due to the country’s extensive winemaking history, and its frequent appearance in our top 10 make it a strong contender for a European wine break.
The city's 14 wineries, vineyards, and 109 wine experiences offer visitors access to some of Italy's most celebrated wines. Expect an impressive 39,427 award-winning wines, showcasing the depth and quality of the nation's winemaking traditions.
10. Nice
Rounding up our top ten wine break destinations is Nice, scoring 72. With 10 wineries and vineyards and 108 wine experiences, Nice is a worthy destination for indulging in delicious, authentic French wine. Situated in the Provence region, appreciated for its rich cultural heritage and beautiful landscape, Nice is more than equipped to provide a quality wine break complete with tours and tastings in a picturesque setting.
Our index highlights Europe’s rich wine culture and heritage, offering wine lovers a glimpse into each city’s traditions and extensive selection of quality products. Whether you're drawn to the Renaissance grandeur of Florence, the sophisticated charm of Paris, or the emerging excitement of Lisbon and Porto, each destination provides a unique interpretation of wine culture. A trip to one of our top 10 cities guarantees a fulfilling wine break.
