Europe has 44 to 50 countries depending on how you count, and every one has a capital. This page lists them alphabetically, marks which are in the European Union, and explains the borderline cases. Finish with the quiz to test what you remember.
Capitals of the 27 EU countries
| Country | Capital |
|---|---|
| Austria | Vienna |
| Belgium | Brussels |
| Bulgaria | Sofia |
| Croatia | Zagreb |
| Cyprus | Nicosia |
| Czechia | Prague |
| Denmark | Copenhagen |
| Estonia | Tallinn |
| Finland | Helsinki |
| France | Paris |
| Germany | Berlin |
| Greece | Athens |
| Hungary | Budapest |
| Ireland | Dublin |
| Italy | Rome |
| Latvia | Riga |
| Lithuania | Vilnius |
| Luxembourg | Luxembourg City |
| Malta | Valletta |
| Netherlands | Amsterdam |
| Poland | Warsaw |
| Portugal | Lisbon |
| Romania | Bucharest |
| Slovakia | Bratislava |
| Slovenia | Ljubljana |
| Spain | Madrid |
| Sweden | Stockholm |
Capitals of the other European countries
| Country | Capital | EU |
|---|---|---|
| Albania | Tirana | no |
| Andorra | Andorra la Vella | no |
| Armenia† | Yerevan | no |
| Austria | Vienna | yes |
| Azerbaijan† | Baku | no |
| Belarus | Minsk | no |
| Belgium | Brussels | yes |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Sarajevo | no |
| Bulgaria | Sofia | yes |
| Croatia | Zagreb | yes |
| Cyprus† | Nicosia | yes |
| Czechia | Prague | yes |
| Denmark | Copenhagen | yes |
| Estonia | Tallinn | yes |
| Finland | Helsinki | yes |
| France | Paris | yes |
| Georgia† | Tbilisi | no |
| Germany | Berlin | yes |
| Greece | Athens | yes |
| Hungary | Budapest | yes |
| Iceland | Reykjavik | no |
| Ireland | Dublin | yes |
| Italy | Rome | yes |
| Kosovo* | Pristina | no |
| Latvia | Riga | yes |
| Liechtenstein | Vaduz | no |
| Lithuania | Vilnius | yes |
| Luxembourg | Luxembourg City | yes |
| Malta | Valletta | yes |
| Moldova | Chisinau | no |
| Monaco | Monaco | no |
| Montenegro | Podgorica | no |
| Netherlands | Amsterdam | yes |
| North Macedonia | Skopje | no |
| Norway | Oslo | no |
| Poland | Warsaw | yes |
| Portugal | Lisbon | yes |
| Romania | Bucharest | yes |
| Russia† | Moscow | no |
| San Marino | San Marino | no |
| Serbia | Belgrade | no |
| Slovakia | Bratislava | yes |
| Slovenia | Ljubljana | yes |
| Spain | Madrid | yes |
| Sweden | Stockholm | yes |
| Switzerland | Bern | no |
| Turkey† | Ankara | no |
| Ukraine | Kyiv | no |
| United Kingdom | London | no |
| Vatican City* | Vatican City | no |
* Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. It is recognized by many countries, including the United States, but not by every country: Serbia, Russia and five EU members (Spain, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Cyprus) do not recognize it. Vatican City is a sovereign state but not a member of the United Nations, where it is a permanent observer.
† Transcontinental: Turkey, Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan lie partly or mostly in Asia, and Cyprus lies in Asia geographically although it is an EU member. Lists of European countries do not all include them.
- European capitals list (PDF, 2 pages, US Letter): the full list, and the same table blank to fill in
Tricky cases
- Netherlands: Amsterdam is the capital, but the government sits in The Hague.
- Switzerland: Bern is the federal city; Switzerland has no official capital in the constitution.
- Turkey: Ankara is the capital, not Istanbul; only a small part of the country lies in Europe.
- Russia and Kazakhstan: Moscow is in Europe; Kazakhstan lies mostly in Asia.
- Kosovo: Pristina; not recognized by every country, marked with an asterisk.
- Ukraine: spelled Kyiv in English.
- Cyprus: Nicosia, a member of the EU although geographically in Asia.
Blank map of Europe
A blank map to print and label in US Letter size.
Test yourself
Take the European Capitals quiz, already available in English.
Frequently asked questions
How many countries are in Europe?
It depends on the definition: 44 to 50, depending on whether you count Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan, Cyprus, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
What is the capital of Switzerland?
Bern, called the federal city.
What is the capital of the Netherlands?
Amsterdam; the seat of government is The Hague.
Which European capital is the northernmost?
Reykjavik, in Iceland, is the northernmost capital of a sovereign state in Europe.
How do I memorize the capitals?
Study by region, six or seven at a time, then use the quiz and the blank map to check yourself.
Is Istanbul the capital of Turkey?
No. Ankara has been the capital since 1923.