Top Europe Outdoor Activities

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Portugal's stunning coastline on this 2.5-hour Benagil Cave kayak tour. Your paddleboarding journey begins at Carvalho Beach, which is tucked away in a hidden oasis protected by limestone cliffs and only accessible through an enchanting tunnel. Guides will lead you around gorgeous caves, altars, and natural formations while keeping everyone safe along with any fun that comes your way.

Bask in the sun and sea of Madeira, one of the world’s tallest oceanside cliffs, on this catamaran excursion from the Funchal Marina. After boarding, find a nice spot on the deck or one of the four trampoline nets for spotting whales and dolphins. Your crew highlights landmarks and wildlife plus you have a choice of a morning or afternoon departure time.

If you’ve spent enough time lying on Lagos’ beautiful beaches, get out and explore the coastline on a kayak tour of Ponta da Piedade from Lagos Marina. Get closer to the caves, cliffs, and grottoes of the Algarve coastline than you could in a larger boat. Plus, enjoy time to swim, relax, or use the onboard slide to dive into the sea and keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife such as dolphins.

Rather than spending hours walking, see Barcelona's top landmarks—Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, and more—on this private electric tuk-tuk with a local guide who knows the city inside out. Choose from a one-, two-, three-, or four-hour tour that fits your schedule, and roll through neighborhoods at a comfortable pace without risking the sore feet. Blankets and rain covers keep you comfortable whatever the weather.

Get acquainted with Denmark’s capital from the water on a 1-hour Copenhagen boat tour. Glide along the city’s picturesque canals and soak up stellar views of top Copenhagen attractions. Pass landmarks such as the Amalienborg Palace, the Little Mermaid Statue, and the Copenhagen Opera House, and drift past colorful townhouses, cobbled lanes, and houseboats in the Christianshavn neighborhood. An easy way to see a lot in a short time.

Exploring the villages of the Swiss Alps can be confusing, but this group tour has you covered with mountain transportation all the way from Lucerne to the top of Mt. Pilatus. Your seasonal adventure includes panoramic gondola rides up Mt. Pilatus, free time at the summit, a ride down the world's steepest cogwheel train, and a scenic Lake Lucerne cruise (summer only). Guided commentary and round-trip transportation from Lucerne complete the experience.

Discover the highlights and hidden gems of Vis and the Pakleni Islands on this full-day speedboat tour from Hvar. Benefit from the personalized insights of your small-group skipper as you soak up coastal views, then tick off Adriatic must-sees Blue Cave and Green Cave before taking time to swim, snorkel and sunbathe on amazing beaches of Budikovac, Stiniva and Palmizana.

The rocky mountains, oak forests, and historic villages of the Geres National Park lie just over an hour’s drive from Porto. With this tour, venture off the beaten track in a 4WD and explore little-known viewpoints, local villages, and secret swimming holes. Stop along the way to admire the wild landscapes and waterfalls, enjoy short hikes, tuck into a traditional Portuguese lunch, and cool off with a swim in a natural lagoon.

Explore two of Iceland’s most popular attractions in just one day during this time-saving trip to the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon. Visit Thingvellir National Park, where the North American and European tectonic plates meet; the 65-foot (20-meter) geyser at Strokkur; the mighty Gullfoss waterfall; and the Kerid volcanic crater lake. Then, wind down from the sightseeing with a soothing soak at the famous Blue Lagoon.

View Budapest’s floodlit landmarks by boat on a Danube River evening cruise. Settle on the glass-enclosed vessel, and admire the cityscapes as you cruise by the UNESCO-listed riverbanks, glass in hand. Admire the Hungarian Parliament and Buda Castle district twinkling with lights, and sail under the illuminated Chain Bridge and other bridges. Your choice of Champagne, wine, beer, soda, or mineral water, Wi-Fi, and commentary included.

Avoid the crowds that flock to the Blue Cave by booking a small-group tour to the popular destination. The boat’s crew is dedicated to creating an intimate trip and utilizes alternate routes and less-common departure times to ensure you have a less-crowded experience. Plus, while some trips take all day, this efficient tour is offered in both the morning and afternoon so it is easier to fit into your schedule.

Discover the Swiss—Italian Lake District in just one day, with this well-crafted day trip from Milan. Led by a local guide, the excursion includes a Lake Como cruise on a private boat that sails past celebrity and luxury villas—such as Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello—to Bellagio, known as the "Pearl of Lake Como." Spend free time in Lugano, Switzerland, admiring lakeside views, boutique shopping, and Swiss chocolate, and then relax on the return to Milan.

Enjoy a romantic evening with a cruise down the Seine and see the City of Light at its most magical. Dine on a decadent multi-course dinner, accompanied by live music on board, as you float past illuminated landmarks such as the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Eiffel Tower.

Escape the crowds and have some fun in the sun on this guided boat cruise to discover some of Ibiza’s quieter beaches. Cool off in secluded coves, go snorkeling, or simply lie back on deck and soak in that vitamin sea. Onboard, enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks throughout, a glass bottom for observing marine life and two slides. Choose between a day tour or a sunset cruise for added romance.

Venice is home to hundreds of attractions, making it difficult to cover the highlights in limited time. Ideal for first-time visitors, this full-day tour of Venice checks off top sights. Stroll across the Rialto Bridge and browse the lively Rialto fish market, then hop aboard a traditional gondola for a romantic cruise along the Grand Canal. Finally, visit St. Marks's Basilica and enjoy skip-the-line entrance to the grandiose Doge's Palace.

View Dubrovnik from the sea and learn how to kayak on this half-day tour. Accompanied by a guide, paddle around the offshore island of Lokrum and hear stories about Dubrovnik’s history. Visit Betina Cave and pause for leisurely swimming and snorkeling with provided equipment. Opt to go cliff diving and take a break for snacks.

The Blue Grotto is the most famous sight on Capri, but the long wait at the cave entrance means that many boat tours skip a stop here. With this small-group tour, set sail first thing in the morning to beat the crowds and cut wait times to a minimum. After taking in the grotto, enjoy a boat tour around the island with stops to swim and free time to explore on land.

Croatia’s Krka National Park is sometimes sidelined by visitors to Split who want to avoid hiring a car to get there. This tour makes visiting easy, with round-trip transportation and a winery tour on top. Ride a boat and enjoy free time to hike, swim near the falls, and taste local produce such as cheese and olive oil. Your day finishes with a tour and wine-tastings at the wine estate.

Make sightseeing in Paris easier with a 24- or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour. Instead of relying on expensive taxis or figuring out local public transportation, use the bus to get around to all the major attractions. Audio commentary is available in multiple languages to add context to what you see. Upgrade to add a Seine River cruise so you can get views from the water, too.

If there's one must-do activity for first-time visitors to Amsterdam, it's a scenic sightseeing cruise along the city's UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal ways. Unlike the popular party boats, this cruise prioritizes a quieter and more comfortable experience. Settle into the cushioned seats, tuck into some traditional Dutch snacks, or purchase a drink from the onboard bar as you glide past Amsterdam's waterfront landmarks.

Maximize your chances of seeing whales in the wild on this half-day boat cruise from Akureyri. Iceland’s longest fjord is known for attracting humpback whales; travel aboard a specially adapted ship that covers all the likely viewing areas to increase the odds of seeing them. Choose from several departure times to fit your schedule, and stay cozy on board with thermal overalls, and raincoats or blankets.

The Bay of Kotor—also called Boka—offers up islets, caves, and more. This boat tour lets you experience its highlights more easily and scenically than traveling by hire car or public transport. Prebook to secure your seat, and visit the Our Lady on the Rocks island church, a Soviet-era submarine base, and the Blue Grotto, to swim in its neon-blue waters. A choice of departures provides important flexibility.

Experience the romance of the Danube River by night on this candlelight dinner cruise. Cruise past the city's many beautiful illuminated sites as you dine on a 4-course dinner, passing by the Chain Bridge, the Elisabeth Bridge, and the Hungarian Parliament along the way. Local musicians are also on board to add zest to the experience by performing live Hungarian music.