Capitales de Europa

Domina las capitales de los 44 Estados soberanos de Europa: desde microestados como Mónaco y San Marino hasta países transcontinentales como Rusia. Esta lección completa recorre cada país europeo — incluidas capitales que suelen sorprender.

44 Capitales 45-60 minutos

Estudia las capitales

Tirana

Albania

Population: 920,000

Tirana es la capital y la ciudad más grande de Albania, conocida por su colorida arquitectura otomana, fascista y soviética, y una vibrante cultura de café centrada en la plaza Skanderbeg.

Landmarks: Skanderbeg Square, Et'hem Bey Mosque

Fun Facts

A principios de la década de 2000, el alcalde de Tirana pintó edificios monótonos de la era comunista en colores brillantes para transformar el estado de ánimo de la ciudad.
La plaza Skanderbeg lleva el nombre del héroe nacional de Albania que resistió al Imperio Otomano en el siglo XV.
Albania tiene más de 173.000 búnkeres de hormigón abandonados construidos durante la era comunista, muchos de los cuales son visibles incluso en Tirana.

Andorra la Vella

Andorra

Population: 23,000

Andorra la Vella es la capital de Andorra, enclavada en un valle de los Pirineos orientales. A 1.023 metros de altitud, es la capital más alta de Europa.

Landmarks: Casa de la Vall, Caldea Spa Complex

Fun Facts

Andorra la Vella es la capital más alta de Europa a 1.023 metros sobre el nivel del mar.
Andorra no tiene aeropuerto ni ferrocarril: se accede a la capital por carretera a través de Francia o España.
El país ha sido co-gobernado por el presidente francés y el obispo de Urgell desde 1278.

Vienna

Austria

Population: 2.0 million

Viena es la capital de Austria, una gran ciudad imperial en el Danubio famosa por su patrimonio de música clásica, cafeterías y palacios ornamentados de la era de los Habsburgo.

Landmarks: Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral

Fun Facts

Viena ha sido clasificada repetidamente como la ciudad más habitable del mundo por la Economist Intelligence Unit.
La ciudad fue el hogar de Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss y muchos otros compositores legendarios.
La cultura de la cafetería de Viena es Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial de la UNESCO, con tradiciones de café que datan del siglo XVII.

Minsk

Bielorrusia

Population: 2.0 million

Minsk es la capital de Bielorrusia, reconstruida casi en su totalidad en un monumental estilo estalinista después de ser devastada en la Segunda Guerra Mundial, cuando alrededor del 80% de la ciudad fue destruida.

Landmarks: National Library of Belarus, Victory Square

Fun Facts

Minsk quedó casi completamente destruida durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial: alrededor del 80% de los edificios de la ciudad quedaron reducidos a escombros.
La ciudad fue reconstruida con una grandiosa arquitectura estalinista soviética, dándole amplios bulevares e imponentes edificios gubernamentales.
La Avenida de la Independencia en Minsk se extiende a lo largo de 15 km y es una de las calles más largas de Europa.

Brussels

Bélgica

Population: 1.2 million

Bruselas es la capital de Bélgica y la capital de facto de la Unión Europea, y alberga la Comisión Europea, la sede de la OTAN y cientos de organizaciones internacionales.

Landmarks: Grand Place, Atomium

Fun Facts

Bruselas es la sede tanto de la Unión Europea como de la OTAN.
La ciudad es oficialmente bilingüe (francés y holandés), lo que refleja la división lingüística de Bélgica.
La Grand Place, la plaza central de Bruselas, está considerada una de las plazas más bellas de Europa y es Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la UNESCO.

Sarajevo

Bosnia y Herzegovina

Population: 420,000

Sarajevo es la capital de Bosnia y Herzegovina, situada en un valle a lo largo del río Miljacka. Es famoso por ser el lugar del asesinato que desencadenó la Primera Guerra Mundial y por soportar el asedio más largo de la guerra moderna (1992-96).

Landmarks: Latin Bridge, Baščaršija (Old Bazaar)

Fun Facts

El asesinato del archiduque Francisco Fernando en Sarajevo el 28 de junio de 1914 desencadenó la Primera Guerra Mundial.
Sarajevo sufrió un asedio de 1.425 días durante la Guerra de Bosnia (1992-96), el asedio más largo de una ciudad capital en la historia moderna.
La ciudad fue sede de los Juegos Olímpicos de Invierno de 1984, lo que la convierte en una de las pocas ciudades en albergar tanto la guerra como los Juegos Olímpicos en una década.

Sofia

Bulgaria

Population: 1.3 million

Sofía es la capital de Bulgaria, una de las ciudades más antiguas de Europa con una historia que abarca más de 7.000 años. Se encuentra a los pies de la montaña Vitosha, combinando ruinas antiguas con la vida urbana moderna.

Landmarks: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Vitosha Mountain

Fun Facts

Sofía ha estado habitada continuamente durante más de 7.000 años, lo que la convierte en una de las ciudades más antiguas de Europa.
El nombre de la ciudad proviene de la Iglesia de Santa Sofía, que significa "santa sabiduría" en griego.
Puedes esquiar en la montaña Vitosha, a solo 30 minutos del centro de la ciudad.

Zagreb

Croacia

Population: 810,000

Zagreb es la capital de Croacia, construida sobre dos colinas (Gradec y Kaptol) con un casco antiguo austrohúngaro, una vibrante cultura de cafés y numerosos museos.

Landmarks: Zagreb Cathedral, Ban Jelačić Square

Fun Facts

La Ciudad Alta de Zagreb todavía dispara un cañón todos los días al mediodía desde la Torre Lotrščak, una tradición desde 1877.
El Museo de las Relaciones Rotas, que muestra recuerdos de amores fallidos de todo el mundo, se originó en Zagreb.
Zagreb tiene más museos per cápita que casi cualquier otra ciudad europea.

Nicosia

Chipre

Population: 340,000

Nicosia es la capital de Chipre y la última capital dividida del mundo, dividida entre el sur grecochipriota y el norte turcochipriota por una zona de amortiguación de la ONU desde 1974.

Landmarks: Venetian Walls, Selimiye Mosque (formerly St. Sophia Cathedral)

Fun Facts

Nicosia es la última capital dividida del mundo: una zona de amortiguación de la ONU la ha dividido desde 1974.
La ciudad ha estado habitada continuamente durante más de 4.500 años.
Las murallas venecianas que rodean la ciudad vieja, construida en el siglo XVI, son perfectamente circulares con 11 bastiones en forma de corazón.

Prague

Czechia

Population: 1.4 million

Praga es la capital de la República Checa, famosa por su impresionante casco antiguo medieval, iglesias góticas, palacios barrocos y uno de los centros históricos mejor conservados de Europa.

Landmarks: Prague Castle, Charles Bridge

Fun Facts

El Castillo de Praga es el complejo de castillos antiguos más grande del mundo, con una superficie de casi 70.000 metros cuadrados.
El Reloj Astronómico en el Antiguo Ayuntamiento ha estado funcionando desde 1410, uno de los relojes astronómicos en funcionamiento más antiguos del mundo.
El centro histórico de Praga sobrevivió a la Segunda Guerra Mundial casi completamente intacto porque la ciudad no fue fuertemente bombardeada.

Copenhagen

Dinamarca

Population: 1.4 million

Copenhague es la capital de Dinamarca, una ciudad costera conocida por su colorido puerto de Nyhavn, su cultura ciclista, su patrimonio de diseño y su alta calidad de vida.

Landmarks: Tivoli Gardens, The Little Mermaid statue

Fun Facts

Copenhague aspira a convertirse en la primera capital neutra en carbono del mundo para 2025.
Más del 60% de los residentes se desplazan en bicicleta: la ciudad tiene más de 450 km de carriles bici.
Tivoli Gardens, inaugurado en 1843, es uno de los parques de atracciones más antiguos del mundo e inspiró a Walt Disney.

Tallinn

Estonia

Population: 450,000

Tallin es la capital de Estonia, con uno de los cascos antiguos medievales mejor conservados de Europa junto con una próspera sociedad digital: Estonia a menudo se llama el país más avanzado digitalmente del mundo.

Landmarks: Toompea Castle, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Fun Facts

El casco antiguo de Tallin es una de las ciudades medievales mejor conservadas de Europa, con murallas y torres que datan del siglo XIII.
Estonia was the first country to offer e-Residency, and nearly all government services are available online.
Skype was originally developed in Tallinn by Estonian programmers.

Helsinki

Finlandia

Population: 660,000

Helsinki is the capital of Finland, a design-forward city on a Baltic Sea peninsula known for its functionalist architecture, sauna culture, and proximity to nature.

Landmarks: Helsinki Cathedral, Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

Fun Facts

Helsinki has more saunas than cars — there are approximately 3.3 million saunas in Finland for a population of 5.5 million.
The city's Temppeliaukio Church is carved directly into solid rock and has become one of Finland's most popular tourist attractions.
Helsinki is one of the northernmost capitals in the world, with only about 6 hours of daylight in December.

Paris

Francia

Population: 2.1 million

Paris is the capital of France and one of the world's most visited cities, celebrated for its art, fashion, gastronomy, and iconic landmarks along the Seine River.

Landmarks: Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum

Fun Facts

The Louvre is the world's most visited museum, with approximately 10 million visitors per year.
Paris has only one stop sign in the entire city (at a construction company exit in the 16th arrondissement).
The Eiffel Tower was meant to be temporary — built for the 1889 World's Fair, it was saved because it proved useful as a radio antenna.

Berlin

Alemania

Population: 3.6 million

Berlin is the capital of Germany, a city defined by its tumultuous 20th-century history and creative reinvention since reunification in 1990.

Landmarks: Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag Building

Fun Facts

The Berlin Wall divided the city for 28 years (1961-1989); today, fragments remain as memorials throughout the city.
Berlin has more bridges than Venice — approximately 1,700 compared to Venice's 400.
The city has more museums than rainy days — over 170 museums in total.

Athens

Grecia

Population: 3.1 million

Athens is the capital of Greece and one of the oldest cities in the world, with a recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. It is the cradle of Western civilisation, democracy, and philosophy.

Landmarks: Acropolis and Parthenon, Ancient Agora

Fun Facts

Athens is considered the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and Western theatre — it has been inhabited for over 3,400 years.
The Parthenon atop the Acropolis was built in 438 BC and has survived earthquakes, wars, and explosions.
Athens hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and again in 2004.

Budapest

Hungría

Population: 1.8 million

Budapest is the capital of Hungary, formed by the unification of Buda and Pest on opposite banks of the Danube in 1873. It is famed for its thermal baths, ruin bars, and stunning riverfront architecture.

Landmarks: Hungarian Parliament Building, Széchenyi Thermal Bath

Fun Facts

Budapest has the most thermal springs of any capital city in the world — over 120 natural hot springs feed its famous bathhouses.
The city was formed in 1873 by merging three cities: Buda and Óbuda on the west bank with Pest on the east.
The Hungarian Parliament Building is the third-largest parliament building in the world.

Reykjavik

Islandia

Population: 140,000

Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland and the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. Despite its small size, it is a culturally rich city powered almost entirely by geothermal and hydroelectric energy.

Landmarks: Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa Concert Hall

Fun Facts

Reykjavik is the northernmost capital of a sovereign nation, located at 64°N latitude.
Nearly 100% of Iceland's electricity comes from renewable sources (geothermal and hydroelectric).
The name Reykjavik means "Smoky Bay," named by the first Norse settler who mistook geothermal steam for smoke.

Dublin

Irlanda

Population: 1.4 million

Dublin is the capital of Ireland, a literary city on the River Liffey that has produced four Nobel Prize winners in literature and is now a major European tech hub.

Landmarks: Trinity College Library, Dublin Castle

Fun Facts

Dublin has produced four Nobel laureates in literature: Yeats, Shaw, Beckett, and Heaney.
The Guinness brewery at St. James's Gate signed a 9,000-year lease in 1759.
Dublin's name comes from the Irish "Dubh Linn" meaning "black pool."

Rome

Italia

Population: 2.8 million

Rome is the capital of Italy and the former heart of the Roman Empire. The "Eternal City" contains nearly 3,000 years of globally influential art, architecture, and culture, plus an independent country (Vatican City) within its borders.

Landmarks: Colosseum, Vatican City (St. Peter's Basilica)

Fun Facts

Rome contains an entire independent country within it — Vatican City, the world's smallest sovereign state.
The Colosseum could hold 50,000–80,000 spectators and is nearly 2,000 years old.
Legend says Rome was founded by twin brothers Romulus and Remus in 753 BC.

Pristina

Kosovo

Population: 210,000

Pristina is the capital of Kosovo, a young nation that declared independence from Serbia in 2008. The city blends Ottoman-era architecture with communist-era buildings and modern development.

Landmarks: Newborn Monument, National Library of Kosovo

Fun Facts

Kosovo declared independence in 2008, making it one of the youngest countries in Europe.
Pristina has a boulevard and statue dedicated to Bill Clinton for the US role in the 1999 NATO intervention.
The National Library of Kosovo is one of the most unusual buildings in Europe, covered in metal domes and nets.

Riga

Letonia

Population: 615,000

Riga is the capital of Latvia and the largest city in the Baltic states, renowned for having the greatest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture in the world.

Landmarks: House of the Blackheads, Riga Central Market

Fun Facts

Riga has the highest concentration of Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) buildings in the world — over 800 in the city centre alone.
The Riga Central Market occupies five former Zeppelin hangars and is one of the largest markets in Europe.
Latvia's national sport is ice hockey, and Riga hosted the IIHF World Championship.

Vaduz

Liechtenstein

Population: 5,700

Vaduz is the capital of Liechtenstein, a tiny principality nestled between Switzerland and Austria in the Alps. The hilltop Vaduz Castle, residence of the reigning prince, dominates the skyline.

Landmarks: Vaduz Castle, Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein

Fun Facts

Liechtenstein is one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world (the other is Uzbekistan).
Vaduz Castle is still the residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein and is not open to the public.
Liechtenstein has more registered companies than citizens due to its low corporate tax rates.

Vilnius

Lituania

Population: 590,000

Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, featuring one of the largest surviving medieval old towns in Europe, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture.

Landmarks: Gediminas' Tower, Vilnius University (one of the oldest in Eastern Europe)

Fun Facts

Vilnius has one of the largest old towns in Europe, with over 1,500 buildings spanning Gothic to Neoclassical styles.
The city's artistic district of Užupis declared itself an independent republic on April Fool's Day 1997, complete with its own constitution.
Lithuania was the first Soviet republic to declare independence from the USSR in 1990.

Luxembourg City

Luxemburgo

Population: 132,000

Luxembourg City is the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, perched on dramatic sandstone cliffs above the Alzette and Pétrusse river valleys. Its old quarters and fortifications are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Landmarks: Bock Casemates, Grand Ducal Palace

Fun Facts

Luxembourg City has the highest GDP per capita of any city in the world.
Over 70% of the city's workforce commutes daily from neighbouring France, Belgium, and Germany.
The Bock Casemates are 17 km of underground tunnels used as fortifications since 963 AD.

Valletta

Malta

Population: 6,400

Valletta is the capital of Malta, a fortified city built by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century on a peninsula in the Mediterranean. It is one of the smallest capital cities in the EU and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Landmarks: St. John's Co-Cathedral, Fort St. Elmo

Fun Facts

Valletta is the smallest capital city in the EU by population and one of the most densely concentrated historic areas in the world.
The city was built by the Knights of St. John after the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.
Valletta has 320 monuments within an area of just 0.55 square kilometres.

Chișinău

Moldavia

Population: 700,000

Chișinău is the capital and largest city of Moldova, known for its Soviet-era architecture, tree-lined boulevards, and role as the economic heart of one of Europe's least-visited countries.

Landmarks: Nativity Cathedral, Triumphal Arch

Fun Facts

Moldova is one of the least visited countries in Europe, and Chișinău remains largely undiscovered by tourists.
The city has extensive underground wine cellars — Mileștii Mici near Chișinău holds the Guinness World Record for the largest wine collection (over 2 million bottles).
About 80% of Chișinău was destroyed in WWII and the 1940 earthquake, then rebuilt in Soviet style.

Monaco

Mónaco

Population: 39,000

Monaco is a city-state on the French Riviera, meaning the country and its capital are one and the same. It is the world's second-smallest sovereign state and the most densely populated country on Earth.

Landmarks: Monte Carlo Casino, Prince's Palace of Monaco

Fun Facts

Monaco is the most densely populated country in the world, with about 26,000 people per square kilometre.
The Monaco Grand Prix races through the city streets and is one of the most prestigious events in Formula 1.
About 30% of Monaco's residents are millionaires, and the country has no personal income tax.

Podgorica

Montenegro

Population: 190,000

Podgorica is the capital and largest city of Montenegro, located at the confluence of the Ribnica and Morača rivers. While the administrative capital, the historic royal capital Cetinje still holds some governmental functions.

Landmarks: Millennium Bridge, Niagara Falls (Cijevna River)

Fun Facts

Podgorica is one of the warmest cities in Europe, with over 2,400 hours of sunshine per year.
The city was called Titograd during the Yugoslav era (1946-1992), named after President Tito.
Montenegro's name means "Black Mountain" in Italian, referring to the dark appearance of Mount Lovćen.

Amsterdam

Países Bajos

Population: 905,000

Amsterdam is the constitutional capital of the Netherlands, famous for its canal ring, cycling culture, liberal attitudes, and Golden Age heritage — though the government actually sits in The Hague.

Landmarks: Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House

Fun Facts

While Amsterdam is the constitutional capital, the Dutch government, parliament, and royal court are all in The Hague.
Amsterdam has over 100 km of canals, 1,500 bridges, and 90 islands.
There are more bicycles than people in Amsterdam — approximately 881,000 bikes for 905,000 residents.

Skopje

Macedonia del Norte

Population: 600,000

Skopje is the capital of North Macedonia, rebuilt in a unique blend of brutalist and neoclassical styles after a devastating earthquake in 1963 destroyed most of the city.

Landmarks: Stone Bridge, Kale Fortress

Fun Facts

A catastrophic earthquake in 1963 destroyed 80% of Skopje; the city was redesigned with help from Japanese architect Kenzo Tange.
Mother Teresa was born in Skopje in 1910 (then part of the Ottoman Empire).
The "Skopje 2014" project controversially added hundreds of neoclassical statues and buildings to the city centre.

Oslo

Noruega

Population: 710,000

Oslo is the capital of Norway, uniquely positioned between a fjord and forested hills, giving residents easy access to both marine and mountain recreation within the city limits.

Landmarks: Oslo Opera House, Vigeland Sculpture Park

Fun Facts

Oslo is surrounded by forest — two-thirds of the municipality is protected green space and you can reach wilderness by metro.
The city's Opera House features a sloped roof that visitors can walk on, rising from the harbour like an iceberg.
Oslo was known as Christiania (or Kristiania) from 1624 to 1925.

Warsaw

Polonia

Population: 1.9 million

Warsaw is the capital of Poland, a city that was 85% destroyed in WWII and meticulously rebuilt. Its reconstructed Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — a testament to national resilience.

Landmarks: Old Town Market Square, Palace of Culture and Science

Fun Facts

Warsaw's Old Town was almost entirely rebuilt from scratch after WWII destruction, using paintings by Canaletto as reference. It is now a UNESCO site.
About 85% of the city was destroyed during WWII, including the deliberate Nazi demolition after the Warsaw Uprising of 1944.
Warsaw is home to more skyscrapers than any other city in the EU outside Frankfurt.

Lisbon

Portugal

Population: 550,000

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, one of Europe's oldest cities built on seven hills overlooking the Tagus River estuary. It was largely rebuilt after a catastrophic earthquake in 1755.

Landmarks: Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery

Fun Facts

The 1755 Lisbon earthquake (magnitude ~8.5) and subsequent tsunami destroyed most of the city and killed up to 50,000 people.
Lisbon is the oldest city in Western Europe — older than London, Paris, and Rome by hundreds of years (founded ~1200 BC by Phoenicians).
The city's iconic yellow Tram 28 climbs through the steepest streets of the historic Alfama district.

Bucharest

Rumania

Population: 1.8 million

Bucharest is the capital of Romania, once known as the "Little Paris of the East" for its elegant Belle Époque architecture, though much was demolished under communist dictator Ceaușescu.

Landmarks: Palace of the Parliament, Romanian Athenaeum

Fun Facts

The Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest is the heaviest building in the world and the second-largest administrative building after the Pentagon.
Bucharest was called "Little Paris" in the interwar period for its French-influenced architecture and wide boulevards.
Dictator Ceaușescu demolished about one-fifth of the historic centre to build his megalomaniac Civic Centre project.

Moscow

Rusia

Population: 13.0 million

Moscow is the capital of Russia and Europe's most populous city, centred on the medieval Kremlin fortress and Red Square. It is the political, economic, and cultural heart of the world's largest country.

Landmarks: The Kremlin, Saint Basil's Cathedral

Fun Facts

The Moscow Metro is famous for its palatial stations, with chandeliers, mosaics, and marble — it is often called an underground museum.
Red Square's name doesn't refer to communism — "krasnaya" originally meant "beautiful" in old Russian.
Moscow is the northernmost megacity in the world (population over 10 million).

San Marino

Population: 4,500

San Marino (Città di San Marino) is the capital of the Republic of San Marino, perched atop Monte Titano in the Apennine Mountains. It is the capital of the world's oldest republic, founded in 301 AD.

Landmarks: Three Towers of San Marino, Palazzo Pubblico

Fun Facts

San Marino claims to be the world's oldest republic, founded in 301 AD by a Christian stonemason fleeing Roman persecution.
The entire country is surrounded by Italy and covers only 61 square kilometres.
San Marino has more cars than people — approximately 1.6 vehicles per citizen.

Belgrade

Serbia

Population: 1.7 million

Belgrade is the capital of Serbia, one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited cities, strategically located at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. It has been destroyed and rebuilt over 40 times.

Landmarks: Belgrade Fortress (Kalemegdan), Temple of Saint Sava

Fun Facts

Belgrade has been destroyed and rebuilt over 40 times due to its strategic location at the crossroads of Eastern and Western Europe.
The Belgrade Fortress has been fought over by 115 wars throughout history.
Belgrade is famous for its vibrant nightlife — floating river clubs (splavovi) on the Danube and Sava are a unique local tradition.

Bratislava

Eslovaquia

Population: 475,000

Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia, the only capital in the world that borders two other countries (Austria and Hungary). It lies on the Danube River just 60 km from Vienna.

Landmarks: Bratislava Castle, Old Town Hall

Fun Facts

Bratislava is the only national capital that borders two other countries — Austria and Hungary.
Vienna and Bratislava are the two closest capital cities in Europe, only 60 km apart.
From 1536 to 1783, Bratislava (then Pressburg) served as the coronation city of the Kingdom of Hungary.

Ljubljana

Eslovenia

Population: 295,000

Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia, a charming green city centred on a river lined with willow trees and crossed by ornate bridges designed by architect Jože Plečnik. A hilltop castle overlooks the compact old town.

Landmarks: Ljubljana Castle, Triple Bridge

Fun Facts

Ljubljana was named European Green Capital in 2016 for its extensive car-free zones and sustainability efforts.
The city centre is almost entirely pedestrianised, closed to cars since 2007.
A local legend says Ljubljana was founded by Jason of the Argonauts, who slayed a dragon here — the dragon is the city symbol.

Madrid

España

Population: 3.3 million

Madrid is the capital of Spain and the country's largest city, located at the geographic centre of the Iberian Peninsula. It is renowned for its world-class art museums, Royal Palace, and vibrant nightlife.

Landmarks: Royal Palace of Madrid, Museo del Prado

Fun Facts

Madrid's "Golden Triangle of Art" — the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums — houses one of the greatest art collections in the world.
Madrid is the highest capital city in the EU at 667 metres above sea level.
The Royal Palace of Madrid has more rooms than any other European palace — 3,418 rooms.

Stockholm

Suecia

Population: 1.0 million

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden, built across 14 islands where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea. The medieval old town (Gamla Stan) sits on one of these islands.

Landmarks: Gamla Stan (Old Town), Vasa Museum

Fun Facts

Stockholm is built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges, earning it the nickname "Venice of the North."
The Vasa Museum houses a 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was recovered nearly intact in 1961.
Stockholm's metro system is called the "world's longest art gallery" — over 90 of its 100 stations feature artwork.

Bern

Suiza

Population: 135,000

Bern is the de facto capital (officially "Federal City") of Switzerland, with a medieval old town on a peninsula in the Aare River that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Landmarks: Zytglogge (Clock Tower), Federal Palace of Switzerland

Fun Facts

Bern is not officially a "capital" — it is designated the "Federal City" where the Swiss government sits.
The city's name may derive from "Bären" (bears) — bears have been kept in a pit in Bern since at least 1513.
Albert Einstein developed his theory of special relativity while working at the patent office in Bern in 1905.

Kyiv

Ucrania

Population: 2.9 million

Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine, one of Eastern Europe's oldest cities, founded over 1,500 years ago on the hills above the Dnipro River. It is the historical birthplace of the medieval state of Kyivan Rus'.

Landmarks: Saint Sophia Cathedral (UNESCO), Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves)

Fun Facts

Kyiv is older than Moscow by several centuries and was the centre of Kyivan Rus', the medieval state that gave rise to Ukrainian, Russian, and Belarusian cultures.
The Kyiv Metro's Arsenalna station is the deepest metro station in the world at 105.5 metres below ground.
The Motherland Monument statue in Kyiv stands 102 metres tall (including pedestal), visible across the city.

Pon a prueba tus conocimientos

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Sobre las capitales de Europa

Europa alberga 44 Estados soberanos en un continente relativamente compacto: desde ciudades estado milenarias como San Marino (fundada en el año 301 d.C.) hasta Estados jóvenes como Kosovo (2008). Sus capitales condensan milenios de historia — Atenas y la democracia, Roma y el imperio, París y el arte revolucionario, Berlín y la Guerra Fría. Algunas capitales sorprenden hasta a viajeros experimentados: la capital de Suiza es Berna (no Zúrich ni Ginebra); la capital de los Países Bajos es Ámsterdam (el Gobierno trabaja en La Haya); la capital de Montenegro es Podgorica (no las ciudades costeras más conocidas por el turismo). Dominar las 44 capitales es una prueba intensa de conocimiento geográfico.

Preguntas frecuentes

¿Cuántos países tiene Europa?

Hay 44 Estados soberanos ampliamente reconocidos en Europa (aquí se incluye Kosovo; la porción europea de Turquía puede contarse de distintas formas). El número exacto varía según cómo se incluyan los Estados transcontinentales y los reconocidos sólo en parte.

¿Cuál es la capital de Suiza?

Berna es la capital de facto de Suiza, denominada oficialmente «ciudad federal». Mucha gente piensa en Zúrich o Ginebra por su tamaño y fama, pero ninguna de las dos es la capital.

¿Qué capital europea es la más antigua?

Atenas (Grecia) suele considerarse la capital europea más antigua con historia documentada de más de 3.400 años. Otras capitales antiquísimas son Roma (tradición del 753 a.C.) y Lisboa (colonización fenicia hacia el 1200 a.C.).