European Capitals Quiz & Test
From Paris to Reykjavik, do you know your European capitals? This European capitals test puts your geography knowledge on the line — only 5% of players score 20/20. Instant scoring, no sign-up needed!
Answers Explained
Q: What is the capital of France?
A: Paris
Paris has been the capital of France since the late 10th century. With a population of over 2 million in the city proper, it is known worldwide for the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and its rich cultural heritage.
Q: Which city is the capital of Germany?
A: Berlin
Berlin became the capital of a reunified Germany in 1990, after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. It is home to the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and a thriving arts scene.
Q: What is the capital of Portugal?
A: Lisbon
Lisbon (Lisboa) is the westernmost capital city of mainland Europe. It sits on the Tagus River estuary and is famous for its trams, Fado music, and historic Belem Tower.
Q: Which European capital city is also known as 'The City of a Hundred Spires'?
A: Prague
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, earned the nickname 'The City of a Hundred Spires' thanks to its extraordinary concentration of Gothic, Baroque, and Romanesque church towers visible on its skyline.
Q: What is the capital of Norway?
A: Oslo
Oslo is the capital and most populous city of Norway. Located at the head of the Oslofjord, it hosts the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony each December at Oslo City Hall.
Study Tips: How to Memorize European Capitals Fast
Struggling with names like Ljubljana or Vaduz? These five tricks help the capitals stick before your next attempt at this European capitals test.
1. Group by region, not alphabetically
Learn Scandinavia (Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Reykjavik) as one cluster, then the Baltics (Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius) as another. Regional clusters share history and are easier to recall together than a random A-Z list.
2. Use the "odd one out" trick for mix-ups
Some capitals are famous traps: Switzerland's capital is Bern, not Zurich; the Netherlands' constitutional capital is Amsterdam, not The Hague (where the government actually sits). Memorize the exceptions first — they're the ones quizzes target most.
3. Picture the landmark, not just the name
Linking Athens to the Acropolis or Brussels to the Grand Place turns an abstract fact into a mental image, which is far easier to retrieve under quiz pressure than a bare word pair.
4. Test yourself with flashcards both ways
Quiz yourself country→capital and capital→country. Most people can do one direction well but freeze on the reverse — practicing both closes that gap before you retake the quiz.
5. Retake the quiz within 24 hours
Spaced repetition works: missing a question and seeing the explanation, then retaking the quiz the next day, cements the capital far better than reading a list once.
Quick-Reference Table: All 20 Capitals in This Quiz
Reference| Country | Capital | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| France | Paris | Eiffel Tower, the Louvre |
| Germany | Berlin | Brandenburg Gate, reunification |
| Portugal | Lisbon | Trams, Fado music |
| Czech Republic | Prague | "City of a Hundred Spires" |
| Norway | Oslo | Nobel Peace Prize ceremony |
| Austria | Vienna | Classical music, coffee houses |
| Poland | Warsaw | Rebuilt UNESCO Old Town |
| Estonia | Tallinn | Medieval Old Town |
| Hungary | Budapest | Thermal baths, Chain Bridge |
| Netherlands | Amsterdam | Canals, Anne Frank House |
| Finland | Helsinki | World's most livable cities |
| Denmark | Copenhagen | Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn |
| Spain | Madrid | Royal Palace, Prado Museum |
| Italy | Rome | Colosseum, Vatican City |
| Sweden | Stockholm | 14 islands, 50+ bridges |
| Greece | Athens | Acropolis, birthplace of democracy |
| Ireland | Dublin | Trinity College, literary history |
| Switzerland | Bern | Often confused with Zurich |
| Belgium | Brussels | De facto EU capital |
| Iceland | Reykjavik | World's northernmost capital |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of France?
Paris is the capital of France. It has served as the country's capital since the late 10th century and is home to iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum.
What is the capital of Germany?
Berlin is the capital of Germany. It became the capital of a reunified Germany in 1990, following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
What is the capital of Norway?
Oslo is the capital of Norway. Located at the head of the Oslofjord, Oslo is also where the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held each December.
What Baltic capital is known for its medieval Old Town?
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is famous for its medieval Old Town, which is one of the best-preserved in Northern Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Which European capital is called the City of a Hundred Spires?
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is known as 'The City of a Hundred Spires' due to its many historic church towers visible across the skyline.
