Europe attractions

The largest excavated underground city in the world, Derinkuyu Underground City spans 18 levels of tunnels, reaching depths of over 279 feet (85 meters), although only a fraction is open to the public. The subterranean labyrinth of cave rooms and tunnels includes the remains of stables, cellars, storage rooms, kitchens, wineries, a church, and more. Fed by a remarkable ventilation system, it provides fascinating insight into Cappadocia’s troglodyte history.

One of Prague’s most popular tourist attractions, the Astronomical Clock (Prazský Orloj) was built in the 15th century and is a mechanical marvel. Found on the south side of Prague’s imposing town hall in Old Town Square (Staromestske namestí), visitors line up in their hundreds to see the display as the clock strikes the hour.

Cappadocia’s wind-sculpted volcanic tufa has created an impressive series of valleys, dotted with towering “fairy chimneys” and dramatic rock formations. Taking its name from the pigeonholes carved into the tops of its fairy chimneys, Pigeon Valley (Güvercinlik Vadisi) is stunning, and visitors to Cappadocia shouldn’t miss it.

Santa Cruz is Seville’s historic Jewish Quarter, a barrio filled with whitewashed buildings and some of the city’s most popular sights, including Giralda, the bell tower of Seville Cathedral, and the Real Alcázar. Meander down streets, stopping in bodegas and art galleries to enjoy the cultural and architectural richness of this barrio.

The Monastery of Profitis Ilias (Moni Profitou Iliou is perched on the mountain of the same name, the highest point on the southern half of Santorini. Built in the early 18th century, the complex is now home to a fine collection of Greek Orthodox icons and religious items, and the resident monks hold demonstrations of artisan crafts.

Honeycombed with tunnels, the twin slabs of volcanic tuff rock known as Uchisar Castle (Uçhisar Kalesi rear up above the little town of Uchisar and Cappadocia’s dramatic landscape in mesmerizing style. Climb the stairs to savor dramatic views across the surrounding valleys, which are spectacular at sunset—as is the castle itself.

With twin Gothic towers visible across the city, St. Vitus Cathedral at the heart of the castle complex is one of Prague’s most recognizable landmarks. It took almost 600 years to complete and is a must-visit for tourists who come to marvel at the architecture and stunning stained-glass windows.

The Panthéon is one of Paris’ most striking monuments. Originally built as a church dedicated to Saint Genevieve, the site is now a mausoleum containing the remains of some of France’s most revered artists and writers, including Rousseau, Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Dumas. Admire its magnificent triple dome, then head inside to explore the crypt, Foucault’s pendulum, and views of the city and the Eiffel Tower from the top.

Palazzo Vecchio has been the hub of Florence’s political activity since the 13th century. With its imposing crenelated roofline and defensive Arnolfo Tower, the museum and still-active city hall dominate Piazza della Signoria and houses the luxurious former chambers of the Medici family. Visiting its richly decorated apartments and meeting halls, which include works by Michelangelo and Donatello, gives you a glimpse into the Renaissance glory of Florence.

Designed for the Ibero-American Exposition in 1929, Seville’s grandiose Plaza de España is a semicircular public square nicknamed Venice of Seville, thanks to the waterway that flows around it. Renaissance and neo-Moorish towers sit at either end of the plaza in Maria Luisa Park, while painted ceramic benches are the perfect place to sit for a photo. The square often features in lists of Europe’s most impressive monuments, making it a must-visit Seville attraction.

Wenceslas Square (Václavské Námesti), one of Prague’s largest public squares, is actually more of a boulevard. Wide and tree-lined with sidewalk cafes and stylish boutiques, it feels modern and cosmopolitan. The square is bursting with history—from its intricate art nouveau buildings to its poignant memorial to the victims of Soviet occupation.

Cappadocia is already well known for its unusual rock formations, but at Devrent Valley—nicknamed Imagination Valley—these large stones are the densest cluster found anywhere else in the region and they seem to take on a life of their own.

The Pitti Palace is one of Florence’s most important museum complexes, enriched over the centuries by its esteemed inhabitants. The Medici family moved into the massive stone residence in 1550, and members of the Habsburg-Lorraine and Savoy dynasties lived there over the next few centuries. See the rulers’ relics displayed across five museums, from the sumptuous Royal Apartments to the Palatine Gallery and its many Renaissance masterpieces.

Crowning Krakow’s Wawel Hill and adjoining Wawel Cathedral, Wawel Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of numerous Romanesque, Renaissance, Gothic, and baroque buildings, courtyards, and gardens. Dating back to the 14th century, the castle was home to many of Poland’s monarchs and is a symbol of Polish history and pride.

Amsterdam’s main city square is one of the best-known locations in all of the Netherlands. Situated in the historical center of the city, just south of Amsterdam Central Station, Dam Square is home to many notable buildings, such as the grand Royal Palace Amsterdam and the National Monument. Major events frequently keep the square busy, whether they’re demonstrations or festivals, including National Tulip Day.

Once one of three Berlin Wall border points, bridging the divide between the Allied-occupied West Berlin and Soviet-occupied East Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie is one of the most important Cold War sites in Berlin. Today, a recreated guard house marks the site where numerous confrontations, escape attempts, and protests took place, and the adjoining Checkpoint Charlie Museum is a moving tribute to those who risked their lives to escape from East Germany and bring about the fall of the wall.

The high green mountains rise around Villa del Balbianello, reflected in the deep, sky-blue waters of Lake Como. This elegant property is quintessential Italian luxury—its manicured gardens, ivy-twined balustrades, and well-preserved interior speak to its history as a retreat for nobility, politicians, and artists. If its distinctive red-tiled roofs and waterview patios look familiar, it's because it’s been used as a location in several major films since the National Trust of Italy took it over.

The Roman ruins of Hadrian’s Villa (Villa Adriana) and the Renaissance palace of Villa d’Este—both UNESCO World Heritage Sites—put the town of Tivoli on the tourist radar. These luxe residences and their splendid gardens offer an ideal break from the urban bustle of nearby Rome. Stroll the grounds to admire the ornate fountains and water features, original statuary, and treasures of ancient Roman and 16th-century architecture.

A wealthy German and Nazi Party member, Oskar Schindler bought an enamel factory in Krakow following the invasion of Poland in World War II. He saved more than 1,000 of his Jewish employees from going to concentration camps by insisting that they were vital to the workforce. Today, Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory houses a permanent exhibition on the Nazi occupation of Krakow.

Built and extended between the 14th and 18th centuries, picturesque Kusadasi Castle sits on Pigeon Island (Guvercin Adasa), an islet connected to Kusadasi via a causeway. Originally constructed as a military base, the fortress is composed of outer walls that enclose its gardens and an inner castle with a tiny museum.

Located in the heart of London, Westminster is home to some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. For over 1,000 years, it has served as London’s political hub and has been the setting of many significant events in history, including the Reformation, the Gunpowder Plot, and Winston Churchill’s World War II campaign.

Site of the first Olympic Games, which date back to at least 776 BC, the UNESCO World Heritage–listed ruins of Ancient Olympia are one of the archaeological highlights of the Peloponnese. Explore the excellent museum and vast complex to admire the remains of temples, altars, and council buildings, plus the stadium, hippodrome, wrestling school, and gymnasium where Olympic athletes trained.

Carving inland from Montenegro’s Adriatic Coast, the UNESCO–listed Bay of Kotor is nature at its grandest. This roughly 17-mile (28-kilometer) fjord-like channel is hemmed by limestone peaks, scattered with grottoes and islands, and lined with stone settlements. Attractions range from the UNESCO–protected, fortified town of Kotor to the picturesque Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Skrpjela). Here, you can enjoy boat trips, water sports, and mountain ascents, all backed by phenomenal bay views.

Prague’s Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) is the historic heart and navigational center of the city’s UNESCO-listed Old Town. A feast of architectural wonders, the medieval square is ringed with grandiose Romanesque, baroque, and Gothic style buildings, including some of Prague’s most photographed monuments.

A somber yet striking memorial stretching over a 4.7-acre (1.9-hectare) plot in the center of Berlin, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Denkmal für die Ermordeten Juden Europas) was opened in 2005 to remember and honor the some 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

Spectacular Kravice Waterfall (Vodopad Kravica) in Bosnia and Herzegovina are one of Europe’s best-kept natural secrets. Plummeting over 98-foot (30-meter) soft tufa cliffs on the Trebizat River southwest of Mostar, the waterfalls have sliced out a natural amphitheater spanning nearly 400 feet (120 meters) as the river splits into more than a dozen separate waterfalls cascading into the lake below.

Offering spectacular city vistas, São Vicente de Fora Monastery is one of Lisbon’s most important historical buildings. Although the sumptuous decorations are mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries, the original monastery dates to 1147, when Christian forces recaptured Lisbon from its Almoravid Muslim rulers, and you can still visit the 12th-century cistern. Almost every Portuguese king from 1640 to 1910 is buried here.

The Bosphorus Bridge (Bogazici Koprusu) in Istanbul is one of three continent-spanning bridges over the Bosphorus Strait, connecting Europe and Asia. When it opened in 1973, the 5,118-foot (1,560-meter) bridge was the fourth-longest suspension bridge in the world. And though it has since slid down the rankings, it is still an impressive sight to behold.

The Theatre of Epidaurus is a well-preserved 4th-century BC theater built on a hillside that overlooks the Sanctuary of Asclepius. Its extraordinary acoustics meant that all 14,000 spectators could hear performances perfectly.

Hidden away in the warren of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, Plaça del Rei is the city’s best-preserved medieval square. Presided over by the 14th-century Palau Reial Major, once home to the counts of Barcelona and the Kings of Aragon, the plaza is a veritable open-air museum of Gothic architecture, encircled by notable sights.