Top Europe Nature Walks in 2026

The 1,000-year-old Montserrat Monastery is famed for its miracle-working statue, La Moreneta, or the Black Madonna—but many tours don’t include timed tickets to see the sacred relic. See more of the monastery on a comprehensive tour, which includes transportation from Barcelona and the opportunity to learn more about the sight than you would if you visited on your own.

Explore the Italian Riviera without having to rent a car on this day trip to the Cinque Terre from Florence. Follow your guide to each fishing village, from the beaches of Monterosso to the charming streets of Riomaggiore. Swim in turquoise waters and soak up all the character of this UNESCO-listed region before heading back to Florence. Upgrade to include a delicious street food lunch or a visit to Pisa.

Spend the day exploring Portugal’s famed Douro Valley on this guided excursion. Enjoy experiences that include touring the valley in a comfortable vehicle, enjoying a cruise on the Douro River, savoring a delicious lunch and wine pairing, and tasting a variety of reds and whites at a small, family-owned winery.

Revel in the incredible mountain scenery of the Pyrenees on this full-day guided tour from Barcelona. Travel through the charming villages of the Pyrenees’ foothills by minivan, then ride a rack railway to Nuria Valley, a vision of green pastures and peaks overlooking a lake. Drink in the setting and crisp air, and enjoy free time to go hiking, horseback riding, or grab lunch at a traditional restaurant (all own expense).

Make time for relaxation on your vacation with this day trip to Zakopane and its hot springs. Ideal for those staying in Krakow who want to visit Zakopane, this trip skips the need to navigate unfamiliar public transportation by arranging round-trip transfers for you. Enjoy two stops along the way at two small villages before you reach the Chochołów thermal pools. Then spend a few hours soaking in the warm water before it’s time to head back.

Montserrat sits about an hour outside Barcelona, and the rail-and-funicular connection takes up much of the day. Round-trip transport runs door-to-door from central hotels, leaving time on the mountain rather than in transit. A guide covers the Benedictine monastery, founded in the 11th century, and the basilica at its center, with admission included.

See Montserrat on your own way with this private half-day tour from Barcelona. You'll skip the crowds of the tourist groups, and travel to the pilgrimage site with your guide. Once there, how you spend your time is to you.

If you are docked in La Spezia and puzzling over how to visit the picturesque fishing villages of the Cinque Terre, this shore excursion saves you the trouble of organizing the logistics. Visit the villages of Vernazza and Monterosso with a guide, stopping to taste the local lemon liqueur, Limoncino. Travel between the villages by train, and end your day in Riomaggiore, where you have an hour of free time before returning to La Spezia.

Reaching Pompeii from Rome on your own means sorting trains and connections, and the ruins are vast enough to lose your bearings once you arrive. Join a guided tour to handle both, with transportation from Rome and a route straight to the site's highlights. From there, you can shape the day: add a crater hike, a walk at Mt. Vesuvius, extend your time in Pompeii, or upgrade to include lunch.

Explore a cornerstone of Catalan culture and history on this group tour to Montserrat—a driver handles the roads there, so you're free to soak up the scenery on the journey. Visit the Montserrat Monastery, home to the famous "Black Madonna," then, depending on the package you've selected, visit a winery for tastings and a tapas lunch, or upgrade for an exclusive cellar visit.

Discover the highlights of Catalonia—without needing to plan a thing yourself—on this small-group (or private), full-day tour to Girona and Figueres from Barcelona. Uncover ancient Roman history and stroll through the winding medieval streets of one of Europe's best-preserved Jewish quarters in Girona, then visit the Dali Museum in Figueres, birthplace of the groundbreaking surrealist artist.

Slow down and explore the lush heart of Madeira island on this half-day walking tour from Rabaçal to 25 Fountains. Led by a local guide, you’ll learn about Madeira’s levadas (canals), catch stunning views of Rabaçal Valley, wander through a laurel forest, watch for the elusive trocaz pigeon—a bird found only on Madeira—and marvel at the clear, green water of 25 Fountains.

Visit two Barcelona must-sees in one day without any rushing for trains or buses—and with a guide to provide background and stories on each site—on this full-day, small-group tour. Explore the wonders of the Sagrada Familia (tickets own expense) to admire Gaudi’s mastery, and after a stroll around Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, be transported to Montserrat to explore the mountainside monastery. Hotel or apartment pick-up and drop-off are included.

Kickstart your Iceland adventure on this small-group guided walking tour, getting you familiar with Iceland's capital city. As you wander the streets with your guide, you'll learn about Iceland’s early history at the Anarholl Statue, see Laugavegur main street, Austurvollur Square, Lake Tjornin, Hallgrim’s Church, take in plenty of street art, and more. Along the way, try a traditional Icelandic snack: schnapps with dried fish.

Get to know Spain’s Penedès region better on a small-group cava- and wine-tasting tour from Barcelona. Visit a winery in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, the capital of cava, Catalonia’s answer to Champagne, then explore a second winery’s vineyards on a Jeep. Get plenty of opportunities to taste both wine and cava, and indulge in local delights such as cheese and charcuterie. Includes return minibus transportation from Barcelona.

Explore the Royal Basilica and Monastery of Montserrat on this trip from Barcelona. Travel by coach and cogwheel train to the spectacular, mountainside Benedictine abbey. It’s one of Spain’s most popular pilgrimage sites for its revered "Black Madonna" statue—which you’ll see on your visit, thanks to prebooked tickets. Then, enjoy free time to explore or taste liqueurs, making this one of the most flexible Montserrat tours from Barcelona available. Upgrade to a private tour for a more personal experience and round-trip hotel transfers.

Enjoy a deeper experience of the stunning Amalfi Coast than most by hiking the Path of the Gods. This small-group tour from Sorrento takes you high above sea level, along rocky footpaths that hug the cliffs, and offers sweeping views of the mountains, Mediterranean countryside, and the UNESCO-listed coastline below.

Make a pilgrimage to Montserrat Monastery, one of Spain's key religious sites, during this guided visit. Scale Montserrat Mountain by your choice of cogwheel train or cable car, enjoying striking vistas of the mountain's surreal rock formations. Then visit the Benedictine abbey and the Basilica de Montserrat, to view La Moreneta (the Black Madonna). Your tour includes coach transport and free time to sample the monastery’s liqueurs.

Plunge into the rich culture of Catalonia on a small-group tour to Montserrat and Penedès from Barcelona. Travel to Montserrat where you can visit a Benedictine monastery, go for a walking tour, or admire the views by funicular or cable-car (at your own expense). Then, visit the Penedès wine region and learn about the winemaking history of Catalonia.

Avoid the stress of navigating winding coastal roads and coordinating transport between Amalfi Coast towns on your own. This small-group day trip from Naples takes you seamlessly to Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi, with time to explore each stop. With scenic commentary and photo opportunities, it’s a relaxed way to experience the highlights without planning hassles. An optional boat cruise along the Amalfi coast is available for an additional cost.

Hit several of the most important landmarks in Iceland on a Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik. Admire Gullfoss waterfall; the Geysir geothermal area, and Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park's mossy expanses and deep fissures. Visit the Friðheimar greenhouse, where geothermal energy is harnessed to grow hothouse vegetables in the middle of the Icelandic winter.

Visiting Dublin is not experiencing the real Ireland. Or at least not all of it. This guided day trip from Dublin to Wicklow National Park shuttles you to a different side of Ireland. Take a leisurely hike through the park. After the hike, indulge in a hearty Irish lunch (at your own expense) in a Victorian village and then spend time in Glendalough, taking in the medieval ambiance of the place.

Visit Toledo from Madrid, without the pressure of figuring out how to get there, on this group tour. Sit back and relax in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle as you're driven directly to the historic hilltop city. Enjoy an itinerary based on the type of tour you choose, with potential visits to the Cathedral of Toledo, the Church of St. Tome, and the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes.

Leave Seville behind–and take the guesswork out of sightseeing–on this three-in-one coach tour to Cordoba, White Village, and Ronda. Explore on foot and hear insights and stories from a guide, learning about history, culture, and architecture along the way. At the first stop, upgrade to include entry to the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba–extra expense–or enjoy free time to explore each stop at your own pace.