Europe attractions

One of several beaches in the town of Sopela (formerly known as Sopelana)—just a quick trip north from Bilbao—Sopelana Beach is a popular day-trip destination for city residents and visitors looking to spend a day at the seashore. With its golden sand, surfer-friendly waves, and surrounding pintxo bars, the beach typifies the appeal of the Basque Country coast.

Discover the Art Nouveau heart of Brussels at the Ciamberlani House, and see architect and designer Paul Hankar’s work in place as an intricately detailed inner-city mansion. A collaborative work with Italian symbolist painter Albert Ciamberlani, his bold frescoes were restored by the only artisanal sgraffito artist remaining in Brussels.

Housed in a 19th-century building, the Museum of Finnish Architecture (Arkkitehtuurimuseo has less of a cutting-edge feel than you’d expect in Helsinki’s Design District. But the exhibits are fascinating, whether covering Finnish architecture’s journey to its heyday in the 1970s or exploring the work of modernist icons such as Alvar Aalto.

Normandy Museum is an memorable family-friendly museum that puts this popular region into perspective without getting into the events of World War II. Exhibits trace the the formation of history, the culture of the people back to the prehistoric ages,xa0 and following through to various eras of migration.

One of six museums in Helsinki’s Suomenlinna Fortress, the Ehrensvärd Museum occupies the Commander’s House in the fort’s main bastion. It's named after Augustin Ehrensvärd, a Swedish admiral who founded the fortress, and it recreates an 18th-century upper-class home, with period dress, furniture, portraits, weapons, and model ships.

Leafy forests in the scenic Black Mountain region of southern France shelter winding trails, clear streams, and cave entrances. Hiking, cycling, fishing, caving, and other outdoor pursuits lie within easy day-tripping distance of Carcassonne, while the towns of Mazamet and Hautpoul are windows into the region’s religious Cathar heritage.

The 16th-century Branciforte Palace (Palazzo Branciforte) underwent a dramatic 21st-century makeover courtesy of Italian architect and designer Gae Aulenti, and today the former aristocratic residence is home to one of Palermo’s premier cultural centers and museums.

Once the home of important modern Greek painter Niko Ghika, the Ghika Gallery (Pinakothiki Ghika) centers on his work. (English writers generally spell his full name Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika or Nikos Chatzikyriakos-Gikas.) Besides Ghika’s art and possessions, it celebrates the Greek artistic and literary culture of the mid-20th century.

Adaköy is a forested headland facing Marmaris Bay. Hailed as one of the region’s best-kept secrets, the peninsula attracts visitors with its tranquil atmosphere and secluded beaches. Plus, the sheltered position of Adaköy’s beaches make their waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

Helsinki’s Urho Kekkonen Museum Tamminiemi was the home of three Finnish presidents, including President Urho Kekkonen for 25 years. Today, the former residence is a museum dedicated to Finnish political history, and explores the lives of the presidents who lived here. You can take guided tours and see temporary exhibits.

Formerly known as the Art & Design Atomium Museum but now simply called "The ADAM," this museum focuses on design from the 1950s through the present, with a particular emphasis on plastic design. Here visitors will find a variety of permanent installations and exhibitions, along with a rotation of temporary exhibits and other programs.

After World War II, the Soviets extended their communist reach to Poland and constructed the utopian ideal city of Nowa Huta—6 miles (10 kilometers east of Krakow’s city center. Today it's a suburban neighborhood and is one of the most populous regions of the city.

If you’ve ever fancied peeking into gruesome specimen jars, pondering over peculiar X-rays, or seeing what a brain tumor looks like, head on over to the Berlin Museum of Medical History (Berliner Medizinhistorisches Museum). Part of the Charité, one of the largest university hospitals in Europe, the museum’s quirky exhibitions take a deep dive into the history of Western medicine, featuring a huge collection of anatomical specimens and medical curiosities.

Found within the island fortress of Suomenlinna in Helsinki, the Military Museum of Helsinki is an entry point for travelers into Finland’s military history. The museum, also known in Finnish as Sotamuseo, is the central museum of the Finnish Defence Forces, and its collection details the country’s eventful history of war and weaponry.

Part of the Suomenlinna Fortress UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Military Museum’s Manege is a former horse training school that's now a military museum. Displays and mockups cover the four wars Finland has fought since gaining independence from Russia. Head to the Artillery Manege next door to learn about the Finnish Defence Forces after WWII.

The oldest photography museum in Europe, the Finnish Museum of Photography has focused on supporting the culture and specialized art of photography in Finland since its opening in 1969. Its work is supported by the City of Helsinki and the Finnish Ministry of Education, and the museum’s collection holds roughly 2.5 million pictures.

Everything old was once new, and the Helsinki Museum of Technology (Tekniikan Museo) tells the story of how Finns and technology shape each other over time—past, present, and future. Items from its 18,000-strong collection are displayed as long-running themed exhibitions in a riverside industrial building, with a fun interactive zone for kids.

With more than 70,000 square meters dedicated to the exploration of science, Granada’s interactive museum is the most visited museum in all of Andalusia. Packed with educational and engaging exhibits covering topics such as chemistry, astronomy, natural sciences, optical effects, and human anatomy, the Science Park is a playground for the mind.

One of Finland’s quirkier museums, the Hotel and Restaurant Museum features exactly what you’d think: Museum displays cover the arrival of restaurants in Finland, the evolution of Finnish food, and the country’s complicated relationship with alcohol, which includes a long period of Prohibition in the 1920s. More modern elements include an interactive model kitchen, piped scents, film screenings, and workshops.

Situated in a renovated 1920s tobacco factory, Málaga’s State Russian Museum (Colección del Museo Ruso) is home to over one hundred pieces of Russian art dating from the 15th century onward. As the first and only European branch of the Russian museum of the same name, this gallery a must for Russophiles.

The Falaise Memorial (Mémorial de Falaise)—also known as the Civilians in Wartime Memorial (Mémorial des Civils dans la Guerre)—offers exhibits about the lives of French civilians during World War II. Artifacts, videos, and other powerful objects and testimonials tell the story of life during the war and under occupation.

Set in the Catalonian Pyrenees, within reach of hubs like Barcelona and Girona, La Molina is one of Spain’s most popular ski resorts. Incorporated in 1943, it was the country’s first such resort, but that doesn’t mean it’s stuck in the past: today it’s home to 68 slopes, the biggest superpipe in the region, and a large snowpark.

A branch of the National Museum in Krakow that opened in 2013, the Europeum Center for European Culture displays Continental art in a renovated, 17th-century granary. The compact collection of more than 100 paintings and sculptures spans seven centuries and includes important works by Italian, Dutch, and Flemish masters (Polish art is housed elsewhere).

The Mamaeva Sloboda Open Air Museum replicates a traditional Cossack settlement of the 17th and 18th centuries in the heart of Kiev. With nearly 100 buildings spread out over 9.2 hectares, the museum offers visitors a glimpse of Ukrainian architecture and a look into the Ukrainian way of life, starting with the Cossack three-domed wooden church that stands in the center of the museum. As visitors make their way through the grounds, they will also see the estates of a church warden, blacksmith, potter, fortune teller and several Cossacks, each with multiple structures such as storehouses, stables and barns. Visitors also have the opportunity to sample traditional Ukrainian dishes at the museum restaurant, to ride Cossack horses, to feed farm animals and to learn more about Ukrainian customs, rites and handicrafts.

Better known as the Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life, the Shevchenkivskiy Hai Open Air Museum outside of Lviv is one of the largest open air museums in Europe. Set near Shevchenko Park northeast of the city, it is comprised of more than 100 buildings from the past three centuries, including six wooden churches. Most notable is the Church of St Nicholas from the Kryvka village, which features a 17th century iconostasis and is considered an architectural gem of great cultural importance. The museum attempts to recreate the traditional atmosphere of villages from different regions around western Ukraine, including Bukovyna, the Transcarpathians and the lands of the Boykos, Hutsuls and Lemkos – eight different regions are represented altogether. It includes more than 20,000 objects, from furniture and clothing to ceramics and jewelry to a collection of 130 painted Easter eggs known as pysanky. On weekends, visitors can enjoy demonstrations of blacksmithing, baking, pottery, doll making and woodcarving.

Winding through lush river gorges, climbing steep peaks, and passing dramatic waterfalls, the Flåm Railway (Flamsbana) is one of Europe’s most spectacular train journeys, bar none. Running for 12.5 miles (20 kilometers) between the Norwegian towns of Flåm and Myrdal, the train is among Norway’s most popular tourist attractions, offering incredible views of the country’s UNESCO World Heritage–listed fjords and unforgettable experiences along the route.

A striking addition to Birmingham’s skyline, The Cube is a modern hub for dining, shopping, and leisure activities. This contemporary architectural gem features restaurants, shops, a bowling alley, a luxury hotel, and aspirational apartments. Its crowning glory is its rooftop restaurant and sky bar, offering panoramic views of the city—perfect for an afternoon tea or a night out.

An architectural icon and an ex-industrial artifact, London’s Battersea Power Station traces its history back nearly a century. Instantly recognizable for its four soaring chimneys, the key landmark along the Thames River has been reborn as a leisure destination. Today, it contains a high-end shopping mall, restaurants, accommodation, and other entertainment offerings.

Experience the ritual of Turkish bathing at the opulent Cagaloglu Hamam in Istanbul, one of the city’s historical landmarks. With its stunning architecture and rich cultural significance, this 18th-century bathhouse takes you on a pleasant foam-filled journey into Ottoman-era luxury and relaxation.

Nestled on top of a hill on the east coast of Rhodes, Lindos is a picturesque seaside village offering plenty of history and natural beauty. A popular day trip destination, highlights include the Acropolis of Lindos, several pretty beaches, and a charming maze of small cobblestone alleyways, whitewashed houses, and a lively dining scene.