How Well Do You Know Your European Capitals?

WORLD

By: Jonnathan Chadwick

6 Min Quiz

Image: © Marco Bottigelli/Moment/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Europe is drenched in history. Its art, science, culture, languages and people date back to 6,000 B.C. In comparison, that's more than 7,700 years older than the United States of America, which hasn't even been around (as a nation) for 250 years. From Ancient Greece and Rome, to London and Paris, Europe has been the center of some of the most pivotal moments in the history of the world. Its 50 countries are home to more than 700 million people who practice every major religion in the world and speak every major language. The European Union even recognizes 24 official languages.

The food in Italy, Spain and France is considered some of the best in the world. The monuments in Rome and Athens have been standing for so long, they'll make you rethink the meaning of life. The beaches of Croatia and the mountains of Switzerland look like they were plucked from paintings by the greatest minds of the Renaissance. And signs of some of the of most important movements for the human population, like the Renaissance and Industrial Revolution, are found in city blocks all over the region. If you're planning a vacation to Europe and don't know where to go, a great starting point is checking out the capital cities. But before you can do that, you have to know the capital cities themselves! Let's see how many of them you can name.

Can you name the capital of Hungary, which is made up of two areas connected by a bridge?

The Danube River bisects Budapest, which is comprised of the hilly section of Buda and the flat section of Pest. Both sections are connected by the Chain Bridge, and the hills in the Old Town of Buda offer beautiful views of the entire city.

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What is the capital of Albania, known for its colorful architecture?

You'll be surrounded by pastel buildings and Soviet-era architecture as you walk around Tirana. One of the focal points of the city is Skanderbeg Square, named after the Albanian military hero, George Castriot, also known as Skanderbeg.

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Do you know the capital of the Netherlands, home to the Van Gogh Museum?

Amsterdam is most famous for its canals and beautiful homes. It's also one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.

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Can you name the Czech capital, nicknamed the "City of a Hundred Spires"?

Prague's colorful architecture makes it one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The Old Town Square is in the center of the city, where you'll be able to see the Astronomical Clock, which has been in use since 1402.

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Which of these is the capital of Latvia, which borders the Baltic Sea?

One of the most popular monuments in Riga is the Freedom Monument, which honors soldiers killed during the Latvian War of Independence. Aside from the Freedom Monument, Old Town, with its hundreds of buildings, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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What is the Croatian capital, which is dominated by colorful, Austro-Hungarian architecture?

The country of Croatia is one of the most famous destinations for summer vacations. The country hosts yacht week every year, and HBO's "Game of Thrones" filmed scenes in the country. Its capital, Zagreb, is known for its gorgeous architecture.

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What is the capital of the United Kingdom, home to Big Ben and other famous landmarks?

London has topped the list of vacation destination and most-livable cities for decades, and its legacy continues on. It has a world-class metro system and a host of world-famous landmarks that people flock from all over to see.

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Do you know the Greek capital, which is considered the birthplace of democracy?

Greece is not the only place to find ancient architecture, but it's home to some of the best. Athens itself is home to the Acropolis, the Parthenon and a host of 5th-century-B.C. landmarks. Ancient Greeks believed that Athens was guarded by the goddess Athena.

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Can you name the capital of Montenegro, where the famous Clock Tower has stood for centuries?

Podgorica features a couple rivers running through it that give way to bridges that are centerpieces of the city. The main attraction of the city's old town is the Clock Tower, which is one of the few landmarks that survived the WWII bombings.

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What's the Irish capital, where you can find castles and cathedrals all around?

Not only does Dublin sit on the country's east coast, offering cliff-side views of the Irish Sea, it's the most populous city in Ireland and home to gorgeous medieval architecture. Two of its most famous landmarks are the Dublin Castle and St. Patrick's Cathedral.

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Do you know the capital of Portugal, which borders the Atlantic Ocean?

Portugal's hilly capital, Lisbon, sits on the coast where the Tagus River meets the ocean. It's known for its fresh seafood, like sardines, and pastel-colored buildings. Just outside of Lisbon is a slew of beaches situated along the Atlantic Ocean.

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Can you name the Finnish capital, home to many political summits?

In December and January, Helsinki only sees about five or six hours of sunlight per day, but June and July, it only sees about six hours of darkness per day. It's a nice city where beautiful architecture tracing back to the Stone Age can be seen—when it can be seen.

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What is the capital of Iceland? It's located on the coast.

From the end of May to the end of July, the sun can be seen for 24 hours a day in Reykjavik, making it somewhat difficult to fall asleep if you don't have heavy blinds on your windows. On the other hand, that leaves plenty of time to see all of Iceland's beauty, including the Blue Lagoon, which is nearby.

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What is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated?

In June of 1914, Sarajevo found itself at the center of the universe when presumed heir to the Astro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his wife were mortally wounded as they rode in a car near the Latin Bridge. The event is said to have kicked off WWI.

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Do you know the Italian capital? It was once considered the world's greatest civilization.

Every corner you turn in Rome, you'll be faced with a remnant of its 3,000 years of art, culture, science and architecture. From the Colosseum to the Sistine Chapel, you will never be at a shortage of sights and sites to see.

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What is the capital of Austria, home to Mozart and Beethoven?

Today, Vienna is littered with beautiful architecture and imperial palaces around every corner. The city has been the center of art, science and education for centuries and has been home to some of the most famous figures the world has ever seen.

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Do you know the capital of Lithuania, which housed one of the largest Jewish population in Europe before WWII?

One of the most striking features of Vilnius is its baroque architecture, which dates back centuries. Its medieval Old Town has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. Vilnius was first settled in the Stone Age and has undergone several changes since.

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What is the capital of Germany, which was once home to a famous wall?

The history of Berlin dates all the way back to the 1200s, and today, the city is filled with remnants of modern history. You will be able to see remains of the Berlin Wall and the Holocaust Memorial when walking around the city.

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Do you know the capital of Spain? It's home to the Prado Museum.

Madrid is one of the foodie capitals of Europe, if not the world. It's home to the oldest restaurant in the world, Sobrino de Botin, which was founded in 1725. If you don't get a seat there, the city is also known for its calamari sandwiches.

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What is the Serbian capital, nicknamed the White City?

Belgrade translates to "white city," which is the name it was given by the Slavs because the city's fortress looked white from the reflection of the river. The fortress, called Beogradska Tvrdjava, is the city's most significant landmark. It was of strategic importance to the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Serbian and Austrian empires.

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What is the capital of Ukraine, which is also its most populous city?

Kiev or Kyiv is not only the most populous city in Ukraine, it's the seventh-most populous city in all of Europe. It's an important city for art, science and education and is a cultural hub of Eastern Europe.

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Can you name the French capital, home to the world-famous Eiffel Tower?

Paris is filled with so many famous landmarks, it's almost impossible to see them all in just one weekend. The world-famous Louvre Museum requires at least a day to see, and if sightseeing isn't your thing, Parisian food is considered some of the best in the world.

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Can you name the capital of Scotland, which houses a castle built in the 12th century atop a 700-million-year-old extinct volcano?

Scotland may be known for its Scotch whisky, links-style golf courses and Angus beef, but it has something for everyone. Its capital city, Edinburgh, is a hilly city full of medieval architecture. It also hosts the largest annual arts festival in the world.

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Do you know the capital of Bulgaria, which is home to almost 50 mineral and thermal springs?

Sofia, Bulgaria is home to more than 2,000 years of history, including occupations by the Greeks, Romans, Ottomans and Soviets all at different times in history. It's also home to 49 thermal and mineral springs that offer unparalleled modes of rest and relaxation.

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Do you know the capital of Belarus, which is home to the KGB headquarters?

The premiere street in Minsk is Independence Avenue, where cultural attractions like theaters and museums line both sides. The Avenue leads right into Independence Square, where KGB headquarters loom over everyone who flocks to the destination.

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What is the capital of Poland that was heavily damaged during WWII?

Warsaw was one of the hardest hit Jewish centers during WWII. From 1941 to 1943, it was home to more than 100 Jewish groups that made up the famous Jewish resistance movement. In the summer of 1942, 300,000 were transported to a concentration camp.

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Can you name the capital of Denmark, home to landmarks such as the Tivoli Gardens and the Little Mermaid statue?

Denmark is one of those countries that is made up of a number of islands, and its capital, Copenhagen, is split between two of the islands: Zealand and Amager. Pastel-colored homes line the canals, which web through the capital.

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Do you know the capital of Belgium, famous for its waffles, chocolate and beer?

The Brussels-Capital Region is home to the City of Brussels, which is the country's capital and is home to more than 2 million residents. It's known for its neoclassical, Gothic and Baroque architecture, and one of its most popular attractions is the city's Grand Place.

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What is the capital of Estonia, which borders the Baltic Sea?

Not many people put Estonia on the top of their list when booking a European vacation, but the Estonian capital of Tallinn is an awfully beautiful place. It's located on the coast, and its Old Town is still walled off and has cobblestone streets.

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Can you name the city considered the Swiss capital even though Switzerland doesn't have an official capital?

Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe and is known for its cheese and chocolate. Big businesses love it for its lenient tax regulations, and others enjoy its architecture. Whatever the case, there's something for everyone.

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Can you name the capital of Romania, which is so beautiful it's been nicknamed "Little Paris"?

Bucharest is known for its bustling nightlife and is one of the premiere cities in Europe. Visitors love its wide, tree-lined streets and beautiful architecture. It was also home to Prince Vlad III, more commonly known as Vlad the Impaler.

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What is the capital of Norway, known for its open, green spaces and Viking history?

If you're interested in Norse culture, put Oslo on the top of your places to visit in Europe. Here you can find the Viking Ship Museum, where Viking ships and artifacts dating all the way back to the 9th century are on display.

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What is the capital of Malta, which was the first planned city in Europe?

The island of Malta is in the middle of Mediterranean Sea, offering amazing views of the ocean, as well as some of the freshest seafood in Europe. In the 1500s, the Knights of St. John built this beautiful walled city. It's home to less than 6,000 residents.

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Do you know the capital of Cyprus, which also happens to be the island's largest city?

Cyprus is the third-largest and third most-populous island in the Mediterranean. The northern portion of the island is under Turkish control, and the southern is independent, but some people call it Greek Cyprus, since its culture has a big Greek influence. Nicosia is also split the same way.

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Do you know the capital of Vatican City?

Vatican City is one of the few city-states in the world, meaning it is its own capital. It's actually also a country, much like Singapore is a city, state and country, and is considered the smallest country in the world. Vatican City is located within Rome's city limits and is stuffed with must-see sites like the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica.

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