Europe attractions

This award-winning skyscraper is one of the most important examples of contemporary architecture in Italy, and a highlight of the Porta Nuova neighborhood in Milan. Completed in 2010, the building was the tallest in Italy at the time and the winner of the 2012 International Architecture Award for the best new global design.

Built in the second century, Hardknott Roman Fort sits at the summit of a steep mountain pass. Remnants of old walls, a parade ground, and a commander’s villa still stand, though they are somewhat upstaged by panoramic views of Eskdale Valley and the surrounding mountains.

The Terrace of the Lions, built around 600 BC to honor Apollo, is today the most iconic image of Delos island. Nearly a dozen of the squatting guardian cats once lined the Sacred Way, but only seven have survived. The ones you see today perched atop piles of brick and rubble are replicas; see the originals in the site’s museum.

If you’ve ever wanted to see movie props up close, or you’re just looking for a good rainy-day destination where you can take a break from wandering cobblestone streets, head over to the Musée Miniature et Cinéma (Cinema and Miniature Museum). In a stately building in Old Lyon (Vieux Lyon), you’ll find real objects from hundreds of films, mini masterpieces, and more.

Discover a 700-year history of artistic glassmaking at the Museo del Vetro (Museum of Glass), located on the island of Murano, just north of Venice. Master craftsmen still create exquisite pieces of glass art on the island today, and the museum, housed in a 15th-century palace, showcases the world’s largest collection of Venetian glass.

Founded in the 15th century as an imperial palace school, Galatasaray High School (Galatasaray Lisesi) continues to be Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) most prestigious school. The curriculum is drawn from the French lycée model, and classes are taught in both Turkish and French. The ornate gate at the center of Istiklal Street is a popular meeting spot.

On the Bealach na Bà Pass in the Scottish Highlands, you can drive along the steepest road ascent in Britain. Full of twists and turns, the historic single-track road runs from the pretty coastal village of Applecross right through the mountains up to 2,054 feet (626 meters) and offers a challenging but unforgettable driving experience.

The River Avon flows through the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon, a town in the English countryside that’s famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare. This scenic river is also connected to other waterways in the region, joining the River Severn at Tewkesbury and flowing via canal to Birmingham. Taking a stroll or a boat trip, you’ll pass by notable riverside landmarks, such as the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Opened in 1930, the Prince Edward Theatre has hosted everything from cabaret to radio broadcasts and blockbuster musicals. During World War II, it became a morale-boosting hub for Allied troops before sustaining Blitz damage. Restored to its original purpose, the grand West End venue now stages large-scale productions in an elegant setting, offering visitors a classic London theater experience just steps from Soho and Leicester Square.

A traditional fruit and veg market turned hipster retail emporium, Broadway Market is one of Hackney’s liveliest weekend markets, with a bustling midweek food, drink, and shopping scene, too. There’s something to suit most tastes here; from smoked salmon to brownies, ethical fashion to handmade jewelry, the 18th-century Cat and Mutton pub to global street eats.

Home to one of the most sublime historic centers in Sicily, Noto is a baroque treasure and the Chiesa di Santa Chiara, officially known as the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, one of its many gems. The church’s refined exterior is just an amuse-bouche to the glory of its interiors, a triumph of decorative stucco and gilding.

Fife’s Aberdour Castle is among Scotland's oldest standing castles—it dates back to the 12th century with a 500-year noble legacy. Renowned for its preserved hall-house and beautiful gardens, the castle has been both a medieval fortress and an Earl's stately home. The mix of ruins and preserved sections offers a fascinating glimpse of how it’s evolved.

With its candy-colored buildings and half-timbered townhouses, Colmar has no shortage of photo-worthy architecture, but the Pfister House (Maison Pfister) stands out from the crowd. Its traditional wooden balconies, two-story corner oriel, and octagonal tower have a medieval fairy-tale quality and are decorated with ornate murals.

Learn about Avanos’ rich pottery-making history in the underground Guray Museum. The innovatively designed museum—hidden away in the caves and tunnels beneath the Guray Ceramic showroom—is full of ceramic art and artifacts, from ancient Chalcolithic finds to modern masterpieces.

One of Bruges’ most distinct churches, the Jerusalem Church (Jeruzalemkerk) is part of the Adornes Estate, built by a wealthy merchant family 600 years ago, and still in the care of the family’s descendants. Consecrated in 1429 and said to be inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the chapel is an architectural standout.

Elorrio is a small village with a rich medieval heritage in the heart of Spain’s Basque country. Visitors are drawn to the town for a taste of authentic Basque culture away from the crowds of popular coastal areas like Bilbao and Biarritz. It's also a popular stop for hikers looking to explore the surrounding countryside and mountain range.

Erected to honor military leader Gjergj Kastrioti, Skanderbeg Monument sits in the middle of the central square that also bears his name. As the leader who created a united Albania in the 15th century before it was occupied by the Ottomans, he is a symbol of Albanian national pride. The monument, from 1968, depicts him riding a horse.

Set just off Tuscany’s coast, Giglio Island (Isola del Giglio) has long attracted visitors to its idyllic beaches, quiet coves, and scenic hiking trails. The island, which covers 9 square miles (24 square kilometers), has three small towns and a serene countryside that offers respite from the crowds on the mainland.

A large grassy square in front of the Reichstag building, the Platz der Republik is a popular gathering spot for locals, particularly during the picnic-friendly summer months. It’s also a great place to snap photos of the Reichstag building without the crowds that gather closer by.

The Jewish Museum (Jüdisches Museum) provides insight into the history and cultural traditions of Jewish people in Munich. Through a mix of permanent and temporary exhibits, the museum covers topics such as life after World War II, religious practices, and the contribution of Munich’s Jewish community to science and modern thought.

One of Manchester’s premier museums, the Manchester Art Gallery was founded in the early 19th century and boasts a collection of more than 25,000 objects. It’s particularly renowned for its Victorian-era artworks (including multiple Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces) and places a strong focus on the decorative arts.

Located just inland from the port of Pozzuoli, the 1st-century ruins of the Macellum of Pozzuoli, also known as the Temple of Serapis, are a delight for archaeology buffs. This ancient Roman market is located in the Phlegraean Fields and its columns rise directly from a brackish pool of water, as the site has sunk below sea level.

At Pyramids of Güímar Ethnographic Park and Botanical Garden in Tenerife, uncover the history of the six mysterious lava-stone pyramids and explore the Canary Islands’ only poisonous plant exhibit in the Poison Garden. Then, learn about Polynesian culture, visit the Casa Chacona Museum, and wander the themed gardens.

Glance over the Hamburg Harbor, and that three-masted, green-and-red beauty is the Rickmer Rickmers, a sailing ship from 1896 that’s now a museum—and one of the city’s most popular attractions. Visitors can explore 100 years of maritime history inside and on deck, dine at the onboard restaurant, and climb the masts for an epic view of the city.

Gouda is famous for more than just its delicious cheeses. At Museum Gouda, learn all about the Dutch Masters who created fine Dutch pottery and paintings from the 16th to the 20th Century. Wander the streets where Erasmus grew up and see another side to this quaint city.

Mocenigo Palace (Palazzo Mocenigo) once served as the palatial residence of the rich and influential Mocenigo family. Between the 15th and the 18th centuries, seven members of the family became Doges, leaders of the Venetian Republic. After the palace was bequeathed to the city, its elegant rooms were converted into a museum showcasing aristocratic fashions and textiles, and, more recently, perfumes.

On the outskirts of Agrigento—a lovely hilltop town on Sicily's southwest shore—the Agrigento Archaeological Museum contains some of the best-preserved Greek art and architecture outside Greece, including hundreds of ancient artifacts from the prehistoric era to the Hellenic period dug out from the once illustrious Greek colony of Akragas.

Once an abandoned port area on the south bank of the Nieuwe Maas River, Kop van Zuid has since been revitalized to become a modern urban renewal success story. An eclectic mix of modern skyscrapers and restored historic warehouses, the neighborhood is now a vibrant business, residential, dining, cultural, and entertainment destination.

Pine and oak forests draw locals and visitors alike to Barcelona’s Collserola Park (Parc de Collserola), which sprawls for nearly 20,000 acres (8,000 hectares) along the city’s northwestern edge. Come to hike, run, and cycle a network of trails, visit the Tibidabo Amusement Park (Parc d'Atraccions Tibidabo), or get a bird’s-eye view of the city from one of Collerola Park’s many scenic overlooks.

Set against a dramatic volcanic backdrop, Betancuria is one of Fuerteventura’s oldest and most quintessentially Canarian towns which offers a laidback escape from bustling Corralejo. Admire Betancuria from above at the Morra Velosa viewpoint, before venturing into town to visit the Santa María Church, known for its elaborate baroque altar