Europe is a continent renowned for its cultural diversity, economic strength, and historical influence, is home to a wide variety of countries ranging from vast transcontinental nations to smaller yet strategically important states. When discussing the largest countries in Europe and their major cities, size can be measured in terms of total land area, and in some cases, the extent of a country’s territory that lies within the European continent. These countries boast bustling capitals, economically vibrant metropolitan areas, and culturally rich cities that attract millions of visitors every year. Understanding their geographical expanse alongside their urban centers offers valuable insight into the political, economic, and cultural influence they wield within the region and the world.
Largest Countries in Europe and Their Major Cities
1. Russia
Location: Eastern Europe and Northern Asia (European part west of the Ural Mountains)
Description: Russia is the largest country in the world, and its European territory alone is the biggest in Europe. It plays a dominant role in European geopolitics and boasts a wide range of climates, landscapes, and resources.
Major Cities: Moscow (capital and largest city), Saint Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Rostov-on-Don.
2. Ukraine
Location: Eastern Europe
Description: Ukraine is Europe’s largest country entirely within the continent’s borders. It is known for its fertile agricultural lands, historic cities, and strategic position connecting Eastern and Western Europe.
Major Cities: Kyiv (capital), Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv.
3. France
Location: Western Europe
Description: France is not only one of Europe’s largest countries but also a global cultural, political, and economic leader. Its varied landscapes include coastlines, mountains, and fertile plains.
Major Cities: Paris (capital), Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Nice.
4. Spain
Location: Southwestern Europe, Iberian Peninsula
Description: Spain combines rich cultural traditions with modern economic hubs. It has diverse landscapes ranging from Mediterranean beaches to mountainous regions.
Major Cities: Madrid (capital), Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Bilbao.
5. Sweden
Location: Northern Europe, Scandinavian Peninsula
Description: Sweden is the largest Nordic country by area, known for its natural beauty, high quality of life, and strong economy.
Major Cities: Stockholm (capital), Gothenburg, Malmö, Uppsala, Västerås.
6. Germany
Location: Central Europe
Description: Germany is the largest economy in Europe, with a strong industrial base and a rich cultural heritage.
Major Cities: Berlin (capital), Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt.
7. Finland
Location: Northern Europe
Description: Finland is known for its thousands of lakes, vast forests, and advanced technology sector.
Major Cities: Helsinki (capital), Espoo, Tampere, Vantaa, Oulu.
8. Norway
Location: Northern Europe, Scandinavian Peninsula
Description: Norway is famous for its dramatic fjords, high standard of living, and vast energy resources.
Major Cities: Oslo (capital), Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger, Tromsø.
9. Poland
Location: Central Europe
Description: Poland has a rapidly growing economy and a deep history that blends Western and Eastern European influences.
Major Cities: Warsaw (capital), Kraków, Łódź, Wrocław, Poznań.
10. Italy
Location: Southern Europe, Italian Peninsula
Description: Italy is a cultural powerhouse known for its art, architecture, cuisine, and historic cities.
Major Cities: Rome (capital), Milan, Naples, Turin, Florence.
11. United Kingdom
Location: Northwestern Europe, British Isles
Description: The UK is a political, financial, and cultural hub with a global influence that extends far beyond Europe.
Major Cities: London (capital), Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool.
12. Romania
Location: Eastern Europe
Description: Romania is known for its diverse landscapes, including the Carpathian Mountains and the Black Sea coast.
Major Cities: Bucharest (capital), Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Iași, Constanța.
13. Belarus
Location: Eastern Europe
Description: Belarus has a strong agricultural sector and is strategically located between Russia and the European Union.
Major Cities: Minsk (capital), Gomel, Mogilev, Vitebsk, Grodno.
14. Greece
Location: Southeastern Europe, Balkan Peninsula
Description: Greece is a cradle of Western civilization, known for its ancient history, islands, and Mediterranean lifestyle.
Major Cities: Athens (capital), Thessaloniki, Patras, Heraklion, Larissa.
15. Bulgaria
Location: Southeastern Europe, Balkan Peninsula
Description: Bulgaria combines mountain ranges, fertile plains, and a Black Sea coastline with a growing tourism sector.
Major Cities: Sofia (capital), Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Ruse.
READ ALSO: List of European Countries and their Capitals [Complete List]
Top 15 largest countries in Europe, including their location (region) and area
| Country | Location | Area (sq km) |
|---|---|---|
| Russia (European part) | Eastern Europe | 3,960,000 |
| Ukraine | Eastern Europe | 603,500 |
| France | Western Europe | 551,695 |
| Spain | Southern Europe | 505,990 |
| Sweden | Northern Europe | 450,295 |
| Norway | Northern Europe | 385,207 |
| Germany | Western Europe | 357,022 |
| Finland | Northern Europe | 338,424 |
| Poland | Eastern Europe | 312,679 |
| Italy | Southern Europe | 301,340 |
| United Kingdom | Northern Europe | 243,610 |
| Romania | Eastern Europe | 238,397 |
| Belarus | Eastern Europe | 207,600 |
| Greece | Southern Europe | 131,957 |
| Bulgaria | Eastern Europe | 110,993 |
15 largest countries in Europe and their Major Cities
| Country | Capital City | Other Major Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | Moscow | Saint Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Rostov-on-Don |
| Ukraine | Kyiv | Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv |
| France | Paris | Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Nice |
| Spain | Madrid | Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Bilbao |
| Sweden | Stockholm | Gothenburg, Malmö, Uppsala, Västerås |
| Germany | Berlin | Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt |
| Finland | Helsinki | Espoo, Tampere, Vantaa, Oulu |
| Norway | Oslo | Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger, Tromsø |
| Poland | Warsaw | Kraków, Łódź, Wrocław, Poznań |
| Italy | Rome | Milan, Naples, Turin, Florence |
| United Kingdom | London | Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool |
| Romania | Bucharest | Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Iași, Constanța |
| Belarus | Minsk | Gomel, Mogilev, Vitebsk, Grodno |
| Greece | Athens | Thessaloniki, Patras, Heraklion, Larissa |
| Bulgaria | Sofia | Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Ruse |
FAQ
What is the largest country in Europe by land area?
Russia is the largest country in Europe, covering over 17 million square kilometers, although most of its territory lies in Asia.
Which European country has the most major cities?
Germany has the highest number of large and economically important cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and Frankfurt.
Are all the largest countries in Europe part of the European Union?
No, some large countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and Norway are not EU members, while France, Spain, and Sweden are part of the EU.
Which is the smallest country among the largest in Europe?
Romania ranks among the smallest in the “largest countries” list, yet it covers over 200,000 square kilometers.
Which of the largest countries in Europe are entirely in Europe?
Countries like France (excluding overseas territories), Spain, Sweden, Norway, and Poland are entirely in Europe, unlike Russia and Turkey which span two continents.
Do the largest countries in Europe have multiple capital cities?
Some, like the Netherlands, have administrative and constitutional capitals (The Hague and Amsterdam), but most have a single official capital.
Conclusion
The largest countries in Europe and their major cities illustrate the continent’s vast geographical diversity and cultural richness. From the expansive Russian plains to the Mediterranean charm of Spain and Italy, and from the Nordic landscapes of Sweden and Finland to the historic centers of France and Greece, these nations not only dominate in terms of land area but also contribute significantly to Europe’s political, economic, and cultural identity. Their major cities serve as hubs for governance, commerce, innovation, and heritage, shaping Europe’s present and influencing its future.