Which european city?
 

Hi
Next year I am travelling to europe around June/July and was wondering which of these following cities I should add into my itinerary. I would only have time for one.
London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Stockholm.

This trip would be two young adults early 20's
We like culture, nice scenery and good atmosphere.
I prefer not too expensive but doesn't bother me if it's worth it.
I would spend around 5 days or so.

Your question as stated will get results that the answerers like, rather than places you might like, given the lack of specific criteria.

You might like to enlighten us further, for instance, budget per day? For hotels or apartments? What sort of "culture"? Nice scenery can be had anywhere, so do you mean within the city in question? Or countryside outside the city? Five days, not counting arrival and departure days? Good atmosphere can mean anything, so what constitutes your version?

Where else are you going?

Cities typically do not have "nice scenery" - for that you usually want countryside. But Stockholm is beautifully situated on the water and there are a large number of islands, some of which can be visited. And there are boat trips to castles in the outer areas.

However, it is VERY expensive. So without knowing your budget it's not possible to know if this is doable for you.

London has some very pretty parks and the river - and you can head out of town to Greenwich, Windsor or Hampton Court very easily by train.

IMO, the good news is that each of these 4 cities offers interesting cultural experiences and a good atmosphere. And IMO, each of these cities also has scenic areas, and with 5 days, you would probably have time to take a day trip to somewhere more scenic. Too, 5 days would, IMO, be a very nice time frame for any of these areas. Scandinavia tends to be more expensive than many areas, but even Stockholm can be visited without paying a fortune if you plan your accommodations and meals carefully.

The bad news is that you still have to decide!

I recommend that you get some good guidebooks (or spend some time with a few in your local library), to see if the information they include help you decide. I generally recommend the National Geographic Traveler, Insight Guides, or Eyewitness for inspiration -- they each have great photos. (Once you decide on a destination, I recommend the Rough Guide or Lonely Planet as your primary resource and Fodor's, Frommer's, or the Michelin Green Guides to help prioritize.)

Hope that helps!

I suggest you do your own research on each city and then YOU decide which one suits you best.

"Cities typically do not have "nice scenery"" - you mean, like Sydney, SFO, Rio, Honolulu? Amsterdam has the canals and parks. Berlin and London have scenic areas. All of the cities mentioned are worth a visit so research will be needed to see what interests you most.

Berlin will be the cheapest, good access to the country as the city is not so big and public transport is good. Lots of trad Imperial museums plus lots of new stuff. Big park in the centre which will absorb lots of people in the good weather.

London has even more green space and while accommodation is expensive the museums are normally free and again has a fine set of Imperial museums.

Stockholm is smallest and access to the countryside is easy but you pay for the pleasure. Design and architecture is the real drawer here

Amsterdam, despite a children museum becomes more attractive as you enter adulthood. I'd use Amsterdam as a base for travel to the local cities as public transport is fantastic. If you love dutch art this is the place (and getting mown down by bikes)

Rotterdam of course. Amsterdam....meh.

Amsterdam

This is why asking this sort of question is a fairly useless exercise. One vote for Amsterdam following a vote against Amsterdam. Utterly subjective.

Theo! Do your homework and decide for yourself which you'll like. The truth is you'll probably enjoy any one you visit so make it a logistical choice instead of spending more to get somewhere a bunch of fogies tell you is best.

For less expensive, add Berlin. So much of interest there, and an exciting city.

The rest of your itinerary might influence my suggestions.

"ADD into my itinerary"--which is "where" and "how long". Your question is akin to "how long is a string".

Sorry - I think all of these cities are great to visit - but then I want to see every museum, cathedral, castle and historic sight there is.

For scenery I typically would head for the Alps or the Rhine or Black Forest or many other areas of natural beauty. I'm sure all of these cities have pretty parks - but IMHO would not qualify as tremendous scenic natural beauty.

This is the only forum i've ever been on where people respond that the OP shouldn't be asking questions.

Isn't that the purpose of a forum such as this?

@ PhillyFan -- Interesting comment, since (a) no one seems to have actually said that the OP shouldn't ask questions, (b) most of us (all but one, by my count) offered suggestions about how the OP might proceed and (c) your response doesn't seem, IMO, to provide the OP with even us much information as any of the rest of us who responded offered. I also find it interesting that you would jump in to offer this seeming non-response when you apparently only offer a response on any Fodor's forum other than the lounge once every month or so.

@ Theo1 -- please forgive this digression. Take the advice already offered and come back when you can refine your question a bit. :-)