Europe attractions

Step inside one of the wooden coaches of the historic cogwheel railway that trundles up to Switzerland’s Schynige Platte, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Then get out on the Alpine plateau, where sweeping views of the Eiger mountain and the Jungfrau countryside await you.

Experience the bustle and energy of Istanbul market life in the Kadikoy Market (Kallavi Kadikoy). Stretched down a long pedestrian street in the eponymous Asian-side neighborhood and encompassing shops selling fresh fish, olives, cheese, meze, and more, Kadikoy Market attracts locals and visitors who want the freshest, high-quality food.

Watch enthusiasts find a home away from home at the Patek Philippe Museum, which showcases more than 2,000 timepieces from the 16th century onward. At this novel museum, visitors can find everything from pocket watches to jewelry-adorned pieces to the brand's intricate models while learning about watchmaking history and the Swiss horology tradition.

For a sky-high look at Madrid's cityscape, the views from the Madrid Teleférico (Teleférico de Madrid) are hard to beat. The 11-minute ride in a 6-person cable car whisks you over the Manzanares River and deposits you in the hills of Casa de Campo Park. Spend time here hiking, picnicking, or relaxing with a glass of sangria.

The former hospital of Hôtel-Dieu-Saint-Esprit—now Espace Van Gogh (Médiathèque d’Arles)—was where Vincent Van Gogh was treated after he cut off his ear in 1888. Memorialized in several Van Gogh paintings, the courtyard and garden of the repurposed complex are landscaped to match those paintings.

Naples’ paleo-Christian Catacombs of San Gennaro (Catacombe di San Gennaro) are the most important in southern Italy. Used as a burial site from the rise of Christianity until the 10th century, they hold the tombs of many bishops—including Sant’Agrippino, the original patron saint of Naples—and well-preserved mosaics.

This leafy park is home to everything that kids find fun. Playgrounds, funfair rides, fountains, boats, mini roller coasters, and a petting zoo beckon from Jardin d’Acclimatation in Paris’ Bois de Boulogne. Giving a sense of immersion in nature within the city, the park appeals to adults, too, with its retro, belle epoque rides and a less hectic vibe than other larger theme parks.

An active volcanic zone, the steaming landscape around the town of Hveragerdi sprawls across a dynamic lava field, and its geothermal energy heats a wealth of greenhouses that grow everything from bananas to flowers. Attractions related to this geothermal activity abound here: The Geothermal Park Hveragerdi boasts an erupting geyser, while the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River provides a fresh take on hot spring baths.

Opened in 2017, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent is located inside the designer’s haute couture house in Paris, where he spent almost three decades working. Rotating displays and themed exhibitions showcase the fashion icon’s body of work and design process, offering a rare glimpse into his inner sanctum.

Housed in the palatial former home of the 17th Marquis of Cerralbo, Enrique de Aguilera y Gamboa, the Cerralbo Museum is one of Madrid’s most opulent collections of furniture, statues, and other 19th century artifacts.

Many visitors in search of sun and sand land in Athens and flee the Greek capital for islands like Santorini or Mykonos. But Vouliagmeni Beach is where Athenians go when they’re looking to relax, and it has quickly become a favorite among international visitors, too. After all, it’s not for nothing that the Four Seasons has a luxury resort, Astir Palace, in Vouliagmeni, while the modest entrance fee makes the beach accessible to daytrippers, too.

Athens is known as Greece's capital of fashion and style, so between seeing the sights, you may find a shopping trip beckons. One of the best places to pick up a new outfit—and have some fun bargain-hunting—is at the Athens Designer Outlet, east of the city center. The open-air complex brings together hundreds of brands, providing a luxury shopping experience at discounted prices.

Reigning supreme over Marmaris Marina, the 16th-century Marmaris Castle is one of the city’s oldest landmarks. As well as offering panoramic views of the coast from its turreted lookout towers, the castle is also home to Marmaris Archaeology Museum.

A haunting testament to the destructive nature of war, the 16th-century Ablain-St-Nazaire Church—a Gothic masterpiece designed by architect Jacques Le Caron—was destroyed during heavy fighting in 1914. Today, the landmark has been purposefully left in ruins. It stands as a memorial and reminder of World War I’s devastation.

Housed inside one of York’s main medieval gateways, the Henry VII Experience documents the rise and reign of England’s first Tudor king. Exhibits cover Henry VII’s ascension, from snatching the throne from Richard III on the battlefield to quieting the Yorkist rebellion, as well as information on York at the time of his reign.

The Brancacci Chapel (Cappella Brancacci) is an iconic chapel tucked inside Florence’s Santa Maria del Carmine Church. Among the city’s most treasured landmarks, the chapel is adorned with early Renaissance-era frescoes painted in 1424 by Masaccio. So impressive is his work that the sanctuary is referred to by locals as the “Sistine Chapel of the early Renaissance.” Those interested in Italian art and history won’t want to miss it.

Spanning 125 acres (51 hectares, Chester Zoo features 35,000 animals from more than 500 different species, including exotic and endangered species from around the world. One of the most popular zoos in the UK, Chester Zoo draws nearly 2 million visitors a year. It’s also a leader in wildlife education and conservation.

Situated in a former archbishop’s palace, Tablao El Cardenal is one of Cordoba’s most coveted spots to watch Spain’s beloved art form: flamenco. Southern Spain is steeped in flamenco history, as it is believed this is where the tradition originated, andtablaos (flamenco venues) are the ideal place to experience the soulful tradition.

Summer adventures and winter snow sports beckon from the Dolomites (Dolomiti), an imposing mountain range that sits way up north in Italy’s Trentino Alto Adige (Südtirol) region. Loved for its stunning scenery, with highlights such as the Tre Cime di Lavaredo peaks, the chic ski town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, and the glass-like Lake Braies, the region also offers a diverse mix of culture, allowing visitors to experience the food, languages, and cultures of both Italy and nearby Austria.

With more than 380 species in themed exhibits that reflect native habitats, the Zurich Zoo is dedicated to the protection and public education of animals. The zoo works to mimic the natural environments of its wild occupants as closely as possible.

At the turn of the 20th century, Bercy was home to the world’s biggest wine markets; today, the old storage warehouses and wine cellars have been transformed into one of Paris’s premium shopping and entertainment destinations. More than 30 shops and boutiques flank the cobbled lanes and old railway tracks, offering an open-air shopping experience that feels far removed from the bustle of central Paris.

The vast and historical Puy du Fou is one of France’s most popular amusement parks. Built around the ruins of a Renaissance castle, the park wows with sword fighting, chariot racing, and falconry; the award-winning Cinéscénie show features more than 2,000 actors, a massive water stage and castle, and pyrotechnics.

Lovers of classic fairy tales can pay homage to one of Denmark’s most famous writers and the author of iconic stories like The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum. Located in Andersen’s hometown of Odense, this contemporary space offers visitors a chance to learn about Andersen’s life and works in a fun and educational way.

Prague is a culturally rich city, with lots of opportunities to watch traditional and contemporary dance and theater. WOW Black Light Theater hosts creative contemporary dance performed under black lights, so only the colorful costumes of the dancers and the stage set and props can be seen.

This 19th-century theater on Las Ramblas—Barcelona’s most storied street—is a cultural hub for performances ranging from fiery dance shows to theater acting. While the stage shows are the main draw for visitors, the building itself is impressive, too. Housed within the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, the elegantly designed theater previously functioned as a cinema and a comedy club, and was even the site of skirmishes during the Spanish Civil War.

Situated in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Poema del Mar Aquarium is a world leader in aquatic animal conservation and education. Here, adults and children can learn about the underwater ecosystems of five continents and have a rare opportunity to observe endangered species such as tequila fish, axolotes, and Thai sharks.

A paradise for wine enthusiasts and photographers, these UNESCO-listed terraced vineyards rising steeply above Lake Geneva form one of the most magnificent landscapes in Switzerland. Grape vines have been cultivated in the Lavaux wine region for centuries, and today much of the Canton of Vaud’s wine is produced on these slopes.

SEA LIFE®Speyer, on the banks of the Rhine River, is an aquarium offering an interactive, educational glimpse of life under the sea. Here you'll find thousands of creatures across hundreds of species, including colorful tropical fish, all living in recreated habitats.

The Wiltshire Museum illuminates the local history of Wiltshire, a county jam-packed with historic sites, from the prehistoric monuments of Avebury to the medieval Gothic masterpiece of Salisbury Cathedral. See gold and amber artifacts dating back to the time of Stonehenge, as well as displays covering Roman, Saxon, and medieval history.

In 1937, at the behest of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, German Nazi and Italian Fascist air forces bombed the Basque town and its inhabitants. Years later, Pablo Picassoxa0 immortalized the suffering in his masterpiece of the same name, and now, with an excellent Peace Museum, the revitalized town is a symbol for global peace.