Europe attractions

More cabinet of curiosities than a museum, this quirky collection of bits and bobs from archaeological artifacts and Renaissance portraits to thousands of seashells from across the globe was amassed by the baron Enrico Pirajno of Mandralisca in the 19th century, and is a hidden delight in Cefalfù’s historic center.

St. John's Church was built in Gouda in the 15th Century to honor the city’s patron saint, St. John the Baptist. Commanding respect from all directions thanks to its tall spires and Gothic architecture, the church is an important Dutch monument. The main reason visitors make the trip here is to see the church’s stained glass windows.

One of Dijon’s loveliest historical landmarks, the Hôtel de Vogüé dates to the 17th century and was built as a hôtel particulier—a luxurious manor house—for Etienne Bouhier, an adviser to the Parliament of Burgundy. The building is renowned for its stone carvings, colorful roof tiles, grand courtyard, and other ornamental flourishes.

Turin is known as a fast-paced hub of industrial and financial business. Slow down and unwind within this bustling metropolis at QC Termetorino, an indulgent spa where you’ll find thermal and steam baths, relaxation rooms, massages, and other spa treatments.

Consecrated in 1890, the Church of the Sacred Heart (Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón) is one of Bilbao’s most striking churches, and one of its newest, as well. Designed by architect José María de Basterra, this place of worship is instantly recognizable for its red-brick, neo-Gothic exterior and its rose window.

Running for more than half a mile (one kilometer through the heart of the city; Avenyn is Gothenburg’s central boulevard. Buzzing with activity at all hours of the day, it’s lined with shops, restaurants, bars, and cafés; dotted with architectural landmarks; and home to a number of top museums and arts venues.

The Gemälde Gallery, also known as the Picture Gallery, is home to one of the most significant collections of European paintings from the 13th to the 18th centuries. The Berlin museum, which opened in 1998, houses more than 1,000 paintings and boasts numerous works by important artists including Raphael, Caravaggio, Rubens, and Rembrandt.

One of two outposts of Poland’s GOjump trampoline-park brand in the city, GOjump Krakow is located on the outskirts of Nowa Huta in northeastern Krakow. The park has a wealth of trampolines, a dodgeball court, an obstacle course, a bouncy basketball court to practice your Michael Jordan dunks, and more.

The Carouge district in Geneva was once its own town, and walking the neighborhood feels like strolling a quaint hamlet. This district ditches the buttoned-up architecture of Geneva's downtown in favor of pastel-colored buildings and hip boutiques and bars. With its Mediterranean feel and walkable streets, Carouge offers a pleasant change of pace.

Gothenburg’s biggest and most popular indoor food market is the buzzing epicenter of the city’s culinary scene. Housed in a 19th-century, barrel-roofed building designed by Swedish architect Hans Hedlund, the Saluhallen Market Hall (Stora Saluhallen) is brimming with artisan produce, lively restaurants, and old-fashioned charm.

With a history dating back to 1907, the Sondheim Theatre (formerly the Queen’s Theatre) has endured everything from World War II bomb damage to major renovations aimed at preserving its Edwardian character. Now, this Grade II–listed beauty stands strong and is best known for being the London home of Les Misérables since 2004. This world-renowned production has broken records as being one of the longest-running musicals in history.

Music, dance, acrobatics, and lavish costumes combine in spectacular style at the Son Amar Dinner Show in Mallorca. Staged at the House of Son Amar, a beautiful 16th-century manor house near Palma, these ever-changing theatrical shows promise an unforgettable evening out. In summer, the 700-seat theater offers early-evening performances ideal for families and late-evening spectaculars for older audiences.

Gabriel’s Wharf is an arty riverside hub of independent boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and street food stalls. In London’s South Bank area, the enclave offers a one-stop shop for eating, drinking, and browsing, with a creative character that makes it stand out from the chain-store dominated shopping areas elsewhere in London.

One of the oldest and most evocative streets in Dijon, the picturesque Rue des Forges is located in the city’s historical center. Featuring several hôtels particuliers (historical manor homes), the street also wends its way past the Palace of the Dukes and Burgundy States and connects to the verdant Square des Ducs.

The grand 17th-century Vieille Charité in the heart of Old Town Marseille houses not one, but two museums – the Museum of African, Oceanic and American-Indian Art (Musée d'Arts Africains, Océaniens et Amérindiens) and the Museum of Mediterranean Archaeology (Musée d'Archéologie Méditerranéenne). The archaeology museum focuses on the history of Marseille and its immediate surroundings.

The Saint Nicholas Princely Church (Biserica Domneasca Sfantul Nicolae) in Curtea de Arges is one of the most important examples of medieval architecture south of the Carpathians in Romania. Built in the shape of a Greek cross with a dome resting on four pillars, the church is also the oldest Orthodox church in the region. The exterior of the church is notable for its alternating stone and brick layers, while the inside is home to what are possibly the oldest surviving examples of Romanian painting. The several hundred Byzantine style paintings date back to the 14th century and include a depiction of a pregnant Virgin Mary. Another highlight of the church is the tomb of Romanian ruler Radu I Basarab, which features a glass pane through which visitors can see the remains of his garments adorned with gold and precious stones.

Next to the famous Pont d’Avignon, the Rocher des Doms is a local beauty spot with pleasant gardens and sweeping river views. People come here for an afternoon stroll along the shaded paths, or a lunchtime picnic.

Counting architectural wonders, a medieval castle, and a UNESCO World Heritage-listed archaeological site among its eclectic attractions, Darmstadt appeals to those willing to wander off the beaten track. Just a short hop from Frankfurt, the city is best known for its impressively preserved Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) architecture.

Just south of Cardiff city center, Penarth has been a popular seaside resort since Victorian times. In summer, particularly, British vacationers and international visitors alike come to experience its pebbly beaches and restored art-deco pier.

Semnoz is one of the most famous mountains of the Bauges range in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in eastern France. It’s a skiing destination that’s also popular in summer for mountain biking, hiking, and rock climbing. If sports aren’t your thing, the birds eye view over Lake Annecy and the surrounding mountain peaks make visiting worthwhile.

Colloquially known as “La Consla,” the Sanctuary of the Consolata (Santuario della Consolata) is an important site of Catholic worship, an architectural feat, and a key Turin landmark whose history dates back millennia. Rebuilt, remodeled, and expanded throughout the centuries, the Santuario della Consolata is unlike any other local basilica.

First laid out in the early 1900s, Carol Park spreads out over an area of about 75 acres (30 hectares. As well as greenery and tree-lined walking trails, the park also features a lake, an open-air theater, and several monuments, most famously a large Communist-era mausoleum that is now home to Romania’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Gaining a reputation as “the” cultural hotspot in Graz, the Joanneum Quarter links the city’s historic museum buildings and library from a modern plaza created in the city’s old town in 2011. Escalators sweep visitors up from the plaza to different museums that showcase art, history, science, and literature.

Las Palmas’ historic marketplace is an architectural landmark and one of the city’s main food markets. Built in 1891, it’s recognizable for its striking wrought iron arches and is packed with shops and stalls selling fresh produce, deli counters, restaurants, street food, and bakeries.

The ultimate destination for footie fans, Casa Milan is the striking new headquarters of the city’s leading football (aka soccer) club, A.C. Milan, and is located just 10 minutes from San Siro Stadium where games are held. Known for its futuristic façade embossed with the team’s colors, the building houses an A.C. Milan museum and shop.

The Bastille viaduct opened in 1857, at the start of the French administrator Haussmann’s modernization of Paris. The Paris to Bastille-Varenne railway line was replaced a century later by the Regional Express Network (RER) line A. The elevated railway tracks were transformed into a green walkway called the Promenade Plantée. Meanwhile, the vaulted arches below the elevated line were given over to craftspeople as the Viaduc des Arts. Today, these 41 artisan studios still form one of Paris’s coolest and most in-the-know art districts.

Built in 1498, the Tenerife Church of the Immaculate Conception is Tenerife’s oldest church and one of Santa Cruz’ most prominent landmarks. Legend dictates that the original church was erected under order of Alonso Fernandez de Lugo, commander of the Spanish conquerors, making it a key site in the founding of the city.

With turquoise waters surrounded by lush pine forests set against a backdrop of soaring mountains, the Bacina Lakes (Bacinska Jezera) are one of Croatia’s most enchanting hidden wonders. The seven lakes, six of which are interconnected, are off the radar for most tourists, but they provide an idyllic setting for outdoor activities.

Look in almost any direction from Alcoy, a small city north of Alicante, and you’ll see the rugged hills of one of the region’s many surrounding nature parks. Landscape views aren’t the only things on offer in Alcoy, as the city has a fondness for grand bridges and modernist architecture, even within its 19th-century Old Quarter.

The A380 road from Fort William to Mallaig, better known as the Road to the Isles, is one of the most scenic drives in Scotland. The 46-mile (74-kilometer) route runs alongside the shores of Loch Eil and Loch Eilt, through small villages including Glenfinnan, Arisaig, and Morar, and a series of glens (valleys) affording spectacular views all the way.