Whenever I go travelling somewhere, the very first thing that I do is look up the best, most distinct, most interesting, and prettiest places to eat and drink in the area. You’re on holidays, it’s time to treat yourself and have unique and memorable experiences; therefore, the location is very important. In fact, I often plan my entire day around the cafes and restaurants that I have picked out. Cafés, in particular, are key to a relaxing holiday, in my opinion, as they are where you get that first coffee of the day to wake you up or where you can go and sit with your book for a couple of hours and actually take a break. Cafés are the best place to well and truly get away from day-to-day life and relax, which is why we have compiled a list of some of the prettiest cafes around the world that make for perfectly pretty spots to grab a snack or a tasty drink, to get some cute photos to remember your trip by, and to forget about the outside world for a little while. Check out these beautiful oases of calm…
1. Bar Luce, Milan
Designed by famous director Wes Anderson, Milan’s Bar Luce is a picture-perfect and chic café that looks like a set from one of his movies. Owned by the Fondazione Prada, this stylish and cinematic gem is a must for those who have found a vacation rental in Milan.
1. Bar Luce, Milan
Designed by famous director Wes Anderson, Milan’s Bar Luce is a picture-perfect and chic café that looks like a set from one of his movies. Owned by the Fondazione Prada, this stylish and cinematic gem is a must for those who have found a vacation rental in Milan.
2. Lolina Vintage Café, Madrid
If you were thinking about a vacation in Madrid, instead, but are still looking for the vintage vibes of Bar Luce, Lolina Vintage Café offers a similar stylised vision of the past, although a cosier and more pattern-prone experience. Slide into a leather booth, grab a cocktail, try not to be too mesmerised by the sixties wallpaper, and enjoy this retro beauty.
3. Spells Café, Crete
Among the countries of Europe, Greece is not necessarily famous for her café culture but it is home to some rather special examples, like Spells Café, which is a must for Potter fans who have found a holiday rental in Crete. Expect Harry Potter-themed desserts and décor, Alice in Wonderland tea parties, a Game of Thrones throne, and lots of other pop culture surprises.
If you were thinking about a vacation in Madrid, instead, but are still looking for the vintage vibes of Bar Luce, Lolina Vintage Café offers a similar stylised vision of the past, although a cosier and more pattern-prone experience. Slide into a leather booth, grab a cocktail, try not to be too mesmerised by the sixties wallpaper, and enjoy this retro beauty.
3. Spells Café, Crete
Among the countries of Europe, Greece is not necessarily famous for her café culture but it is home to some rather special examples, like Spells Café, which is a must for Potter fans who have found a holiday rental in Crete. Expect Harry Potter-themed desserts and décor, Alice in Wonderland tea parties, a Game of Thrones throne, and lots of other pop culture surprises.
4. Greenery Procaffe, Zagreb
If you like your cafés more modern and minimal but no less stylish or Instagrammable and you have found a vacation rental in Zagreb, then we recommend heading to Greenery Procaffe where you will find the chic, light-filled, white box café of your dreams featuring elegant floral arrangements, an undulating, curved concrete ceiling, swing seats, and perfectly tasteful décor.
5. Café Citron, Paris
Located in the new Champs-Élysées location of Galeries Lafayette, Café Citron is another stylish vision of a café from fashion designer Simon Porte Jacquemus of the cult label Jacquemus and it doesn’t get much chicer than this. A must for any fashionistas that have found a holiday rental in Paris.
If you like your cafés more modern and minimal but no less stylish or Instagrammable and you have found a vacation rental in Zagreb, then we recommend heading to Greenery Procaffe where you will find the chic, light-filled, white box café of your dreams featuring elegant floral arrangements, an undulating, curved concrete ceiling, swing seats, and perfectly tasteful décor.
5. Café Citron, Paris
Located in the new Champs-Élysées location of Galeries Lafayette, Café Citron is another stylish vision of a café from fashion designer Simon Porte Jacquemus of the cult label Jacquemus and it doesn’t get much chicer than this. A must for any fashionistas that have found a holiday rental in Paris.
6. Espai Joliu, Barcelona
For those with a fondness for cacti, meanwhile, a vacation in Barcelona would not be complete without a visit to the lovely Espai Joliu, where you can sit in the sunny setting of a pretty and eclectic café that also boasts a wide selection of cacti and other plants, which can be considered over a cup of coffee and purchased in store (or just admired – they’re probably not the most travel-friendly souvenirs!).
For those with a fondness for cacti, meanwhile, a vacation in Barcelona would not be complete without a visit to the lovely Espai Joliu, where you can sit in the sunny setting of a pretty and eclectic café that also boasts a wide selection of cacti and other plants, which can be considered over a cup of coffee and purchased in store (or just admired – they’re probably not the most travel-friendly souvenirs!).
7. Fioraio Bianchi Caffè, Milan
Another plant-filled gem that looks charmingly eclectic and a little like an old country house that is falling down around you, this café in Milan boasts floral arrangements throughout and a sumptuous menu. Along with the aforementioned Bar Luce, it is a pit stop for any café lover that has found a holiday rental in Milan.
8.Café Kitsuné, Paris
Fashion house Kitsuné expanded into music and became taste-makers there a long time ago and now, with cafés all of the world, they are also setting the bar for cool coffee shops too. There are several locations in Paris and all manage to be both elegant and hip: a tough feat to pull off. Pencil a visit in for your next vacation in Paris.
Another plant-filled gem that looks charmingly eclectic and a little like an old country house that is falling down around you, this café in Milan boasts floral arrangements throughout and a sumptuous menu. Along with the aforementioned Bar Luce, it is a pit stop for any café lover that has found a holiday rental in Milan.
8.Café Kitsuné, Paris
Fashion house Kitsuné expanded into music and became taste-makers there a long time ago and now, with cafés all of the world, they are also setting the bar for cool coffee shops too. There are several locations in Paris and all manage to be both elegant and hip: a tough feat to pull off. Pencil a visit in for your next vacation in Paris.
9. Botaničar, Zagreb
This beauty is another for those who have found a vacation rental in Zagreb to explore. A little bit hipster but in the best possible way, it features spacious interiors, cool art, funky furnishings, lots of greenery and cool events like film screenings, art exhibitions and more…
10. Little Kook, Athens
This final pick is a rather extraordinary place and like our other Greek example a case for Greek cafés not doing things by halves! If you have found a holiday rental in Greece then be sure to head to this gem and take in the feast for the eyes that it is for yourself. Constantly changing according to theme, it has recently been an insane Christmas extravaganza, a Hallowe’en-themed haunted-house-cum-café, and a Mary Poppins wonderland. The decorations are done to the max and the theme utterly committed to in every detail and it is one of the most amazing cafés that you will ever visit.
So, if you have a penchant for cafés and you are headed to any of the above locations be sure to drop in, see them for yourself, take a snap, and to remember us and this list fondly – you’re welcome!
This beauty is another for those who have found a vacation rental in Zagreb to explore. A little bit hipster but in the best possible way, it features spacious interiors, cool art, funky furnishings, lots of greenery and cool events like film screenings, art exhibitions and more…
10. Little Kook, Athens
This final pick is a rather extraordinary place and like our other Greek example a case for Greek cafés not doing things by halves! If you have found a holiday rental in Greece then be sure to head to this gem and take in the feast for the eyes that it is for yourself. Constantly changing according to theme, it has recently been an insane Christmas extravaganza, a Hallowe’en-themed haunted-house-cum-café, and a Mary Poppins wonderland. The decorations are done to the max and the theme utterly committed to in every detail and it is one of the most amazing cafés that you will ever visit.
So, if you have a penchant for cafés and you are headed to any of the above locations be sure to drop in, see them for yourself, take a snap, and to remember us and this list fondly – you’re welcome!