This paper investigates the links between precipitation δ ¹⁸O and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) on decadal timescales to identify the optimum locations within Europe at which to compile δ ¹⁸O-based proxy records of past NAO variability. δ ¹⁸O is a commonly used paleoclimate (rainfall and temperature) proxy preserved in natural archives including stalagmites, ice cores, tree rings, and lake sediments. Precipitation δ ¹⁸O data (δ ¹⁸O_p), compiled from Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation (GNIP) stations in the North Atlantic sector reveal the direction and strength of the δ ¹⁸O_p-NAO relationship in mid-latitude, high-latitude, and Mediterranean Europe. The highly significant, positive δ ¹⁸O_p-NAO relationship in central Europe is attributed to the strong control of air temperature on δ ¹⁸O_p in this region. The δ ¹⁸O_p-NAO relationship is strongly negative at high-latitude GNIP sites and weak at Mediterranean sites. Decadal-scale solar irradiance variations correlate with winter δ ¹⁸O_p at eight mid-latitude sites.