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The 10 Most Congested Cities in Europe

Summer is long gone and with the rainy season already installed traffic jams become more and more part of our daily schedule. However some cities become a true hell when you think of having to overcome a few hours of your day to giant and endless traffic jams. So want to know if you live in one of the 10 most congested cities in Europe? Maybe you can feel a lot better after knowing that other people suffer even more than you every single day.

TomTom reknowned as a GPS brand is responsible for the new study where it announces the 10 most congested cities in Europe. The brand monitors millions of traffic journeys a year to compare the percentage change between non-peak times and rush hour to compile its hotspot list.

So take a look and discover if your city features on our list. Tell us your experience if you live in one of these.

10. Stockhölm

Stockhölm opens our Top 10, with congestion rising 30% in rush hours. The Scandinavian city suffers with drivers that are heading north of Stockholm coming from south being forced to through the center joining the local traffic.

9. Hamburg

The port city of Hamburg appears in ninth spot of the most congested cities in Europe. In peak hours the traffic increases 32% and the birgdes, tunnels and canals of the city don't seem to be enough to answer to the daily traffic inside the city where the largest German port is settled.

8. Brussels

Brussels traffic was once considered the worst in Europe and citizens blame traffic to the high density of cars in the city, the 2 million commuters that enter the city by car every day, unsynchronized traffic lights and too many businesses and government institutions are concentrated in the tiny city centre. Things have improved but there still seems to be a lot to be done.

7. Stuttgart

Stuttgart is the most congested German city according to this ranking. Maybe it's because it has so many automakers settled there, but the truth is that in peak hours traffic increases 33%. Looks like everyone likes to drive in the land...shame on you Porsche and Mercedes!

6. Paris

Paris is not only about love and gourmet cuisine because when it comes to traffic its one of the most congested cities in Europe. The French capital can make you lose up to 70 hours a year if you are on the road on Tuesdays between 8.00 and 9.00. Au revoir "La vie en Rose"!

5. Rome

Notorious for very heavy traffic, fast drivers and car accidents, Rome suffers with the Italian’s carefree driving attitude. In rush hours the city streets are 34% busier than in normal hours and Romans drive in "get out of the way and quickly" mode for sure! If you are thinking of riding to Rome, well, maybe you ought to thing twice.

4. Palermo

The Sicilian city of Palermo is the fourth most congested european city. With poor quality roads, chaotic organization and often uncontrolled Italian drivers on the wheel, you might even think that the Italian Mafia may be affraid of adventuring itself in such chaotic traffic conditions.

3. Marseille

Opening our Top 3 we have Marseille where car trips of residents are on average 40% longer than when traffic is smooth and even up to 80% longer in the morning and evening rush hour! At the moment the situation is even worsen thanks to the many development works on the tram infra-structure.

2. Warsaw

Our runner-up most congested city is the capital of Poland. The lack of a ring road means that Warsaw's traffic goes straight through the heart of the city, worsening congestion problems in the city centre. In rush hours traffic increases 45% with the city having to handle both Polish and international traffic going to the East from Germany or other Western European countries.

1. Istanbul

Istanbul is the ex-libris in Europe when it comes to traffic jams. In rush hours traffic in the Turkish capital rises 57% and with all action (night-life, tourist attractions, financial district, etc.) located in the city center everyone converges to the same place. Besides the city is surrounded by water with only two bridges to get into downtown which makes gridlocks a true hell on earth.