Europe attractions

The Settlement Exhibition is one of Scandinavia’s most unique and intriguing museums. Visitors start in the oldest house in Reykjavik, descending underground to active excavations that date back some 1,200 years. A combination of multimedia technology and real-life ruins makes this a truly immersive destination, which is worth a stop for all ages and interests.

The Adliswil-Felsenegg Cable Car was built in 1954 to connect the town of Adliswil to Stallikon, specifically the Albis mountain chain’s Felsenegg viewpoint. The cable cars and stations have undergone renovation since then. Now, the journey time to the top is five minutes, with departure intervals every 15 minutes.

An extraordinarily picturesque cove on Mallorca’s southern coast, the Caló des Moro is small but perfectly formed. Surrounded by rocky cliffs and promontories that ensure its water remains smooth and calm for swimming, the cove’s beach boasts soft white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters. Though it lacks many tourist amenities, its dramatic beauty makes it well worth a visit.

Fantoft Stave Church, just south of Bergen, is a great example of Norway’s famous stave churches—though it’s had a difficult time surviving. Originally built in 1170, moved in 1883, burned down in 1992, and rebuilt in 1997, Fantoft Stave Church may not be original, but every original detail has been recreated in its reconstruction. Today, it’s as striking as ever.

On the southwestern end of Cyprus, the Cape Greco Viewpoint is among the top spots in Cape Greco National Park for anyone keen to enjoy the beautiful sea views, whether by day or sunset. You can visit the viewpoint on foot or get a different perspective of the cape by heading out to sea aboard a boat or kayak.

Just a short trip from the bustle of Nice, the hilltop Château de Bellet produces some of the Riviera’s finest wines. A historic winery, which dates to the 18th century, the château produces top-rated wines using the region’s indigenous grape varietals, including rolle, folle noire, and braquet. A tasting session and tour of its pretty grounds is a must.

At 4,547 feet (1,386 meters) tall, the mountain plateau of Pfingstegg is one of the best spots in the Swiss Alps to find a dramatic alpine view. The area boasts Grindelwald's only aerial cable car, and from the mountaintop vantage point, the panorama spans the rolling meadows and glacial peaks of the Grindelwald valley.

Ancient church ruins and quaint houses of Bulgarian Revival design line the cobblestone streets of Nessebar Old Town. The historical center of Nessebar, also known as Old Nessebar, covers a small peninsula on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, with cars and souvenir kiosks some of the few signs that you’re still in the 21st century as you wander its mostly pedestrian streets.

Slides and a cute mine train take you underground to see 500-year-old salt works at the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine. Cool air fills the mine’s rugged tunnels, while modern light displays illuminate small water reservoirs. Combining scenery with information and a dose of fun, this experience is designed with the whole family in mind.

One of Europe’s leading automotive museums, the Beaulieu National Motor Museum is an essential stop for car lovers. Home to 280 vehicles—including everything from F1 cars to the original Chitty Chitty Bang Bang—as well as a vast collection of automotive artifacts, photos, and films, the museum also hosts a range of temporary and permanent exhibitions and installations.

Behind the 16th-century Gothic and Renaissance-style facade of the Palau Cervelló, the Moco Museum Barcelona is anything but traditional. Brimming with cutting-edge modern and contemporary art, the museum presents household-name artists alongside a multisensory digital art space. You’ll see Salvador Dalí sculptures and Keith Haring cartoons, as well as works by Yayoi Kusama, Andy Warhol, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

The Sant Joan Funicular Railway runs from the Montserrat Monastery up to the very peak of the mountain. Built in the early 20th century for monks wishing to pray at the Hermitage of Sant Joan, it trundles up the 65 percent gradient to 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) above sea level for sweeping views across the wild, arid landscapes of Catalonia and the surrounding Pyrenees.

The Livorno Cruise Port (Livorno Terminal Crociere), a busy shipping terminal set on the Tuscan coast, serves as a gateway to this famous Italian region and its capital city of Florence. With few attractions of its own, the port city of Livorno is primarily a jumping-off point to explore the Tuscan cities and countryside.

Named after the seven towering chalk cliffs that run its shores, this Sussex spot sits where the South Downs meets the English Channel. Roughly 700 acres (280 hectares), it also comprises grasslands full of grazing sheep and the meandering Cuckmere River. Also home to plenty of winged and four-legged creatures, too, Seven Sisters is Britain’s nature at its best.

One of the strongest tidal currents in the world, Saltstraumen exerts a mighty pull. Located close to the Northern Norway town of Bodø, Saltstraumen is a prime destination for travelers. Whether you arrive by land or water, you can witness a stunning visual display and demonstration of the raw power of nature as water surges through its strait.

One of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, Amsterdam’s Hortus Botanicus is home to more than 6,000 different types of trees and plants, including a giant water lily that’s more than 150 years old. A palm house, an orangery, a butterfly greenhouse, and the Climate House, featuring three climatic zones, mean there’s something to enjoy whatever the weather.

The Bosphorus Strait is a legendary waterway dividing the European and Asian sides of Istanbul; it brims with history and scenic beauty. Serving as a vital trade route for centuries and a crossing place for commuters, it's now a hot spot for visitors seeking both culture and spectacular views.

One of the Isle of Skye’s most loved natural wonders, the Old Man of Storr is a 164-foot (50-meter) high rocky pinnacle that juts out from the otherworldly Trotternish Ridge. Shrouded in legend and folklore that claim it to be a giant’s thumb (among other things), the Old Man of Storr is a favorite of sightseers, hillwalkers, and photographers.

One of London’s most innovative entertainment venues, the ABBA Arena was purpose-built in 2022 specifically for ABBA Voyage—a live concert that features the digital avatars of Swedish pop icons ABBA, known as ABBAtars. These virtual performers are paired with the band’s original vocals and supported by a live 10-piece band. The arena holds up to 3,000 fans, and its hexagonal design ensures great views from every vantage point.

Graffiti on exposed concrete replaces the sheen of ice that once covered the now defunct Sarajevo Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track. This abandoned track from the 1984 Winter Olympics sits among the forest on Trebevic mountain outside the city, waiting for visitors to walk or bike along its course. Fans of urban exploration or nature hikes may enjoy exploring this now neglected site.

Located in the restored stock exchange building in Brussels, the Belgian Beer World Experience is an interactive museum focused on Belgium’s beer industry. Exhibits cover brewing techniques, beer styles, and the role of Trappist and abbey beers—all with panoramic city views. Fittingly, the experience ends with a tasting, so you can connect everything you’ve learned to what’s in your glass.

The Café de Flore is one of Paris’ most storied cafés. Once frequented by artists and intellectuals such as Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus, Pablo Picasso, and Ernest Hemingway, the art deco café in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood is a Paris institution and a throwback to the Left Bank’s era as a bohemian enclave.

Boasting the largest stage in Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye), plus a few other cutting–edge venues, Istanbul’s Zorlu Performing Arts Center (Zorlu PSM) offers over 1,200 performances annually. The lineup ranges from top Turkish comedians like Cem Yilmaz to musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera, world–famous DJs, and operas.

Family fun comes thick and fast at the Madrid Amusement Park (Parque de Atracciones de Madrid) in the Spanish capital’s Casa de Campo Park. Opened in 1969, this much-loved attraction offers everything from scary-high coasters to water adventures, shows, and carousels, all set against a leafy backdrop.

One of Paris’ most mind-bending attractions, the Paradox Museum challenges visitors’ perceptions (and even seems to bend the space-time continuum). Home to dozens of immersive installations and optical illusions, the museum invites travelers of all ages to navigate its wonderfully perplexing exhibits, and to take advantage of the many photo opportunities along the way.

Officially called the Leonardo da Vinci Airport, the Rome–Fiumicino International Airport is most commonly referred to as, simply, Fiumicino, the city just outside Rome where it’s located. The country’s largest and busiest airport, Fiumicino serves more than 40 million passengers annually and is the main hub for Rome and central Italy.

Located a short tram ride from Athens’ main Syntagma Square, Voula Beach is a popular spot along the Athenian Riviera for a quick seaside getaway. A hassle-free way to enjoy the coast for a few hours, this long stretch of sand has numerous beach clubs offering services such as umbrella and chair rentals, dining options, and places to hire water sports equipment.

Set on a black-sand beach at the tip of the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula, Grótta Lighthouse is a lovely spot for escaping the hustle and bustle of Reykjavik, as well as for birdwatching and, if you’re lucky, spotting the northern lights. Due to its abundant bird life, Grótta, the tidal island on which the lighthouse sits, has been a nature reserve since 1974.

The global brand, served in more than 50 countries worldwide, started in Armenia at the end of the 19th century. With its vintage lettering visible from many parts of downtown Yerevan, this historic brandy factory is a bonafide landmark and represents a piece of the city’s history. Come to the Ararat Museum to see how the iconic liquor is made.

Second only to Disneyland Paris as Europe’s largest theme park, Germany’s Europa-Park is a wonderland of rides, shows, and attractions that will entertain the whole family. The park is inspired by iconic European destinations—visitors can zoom through the Alps on a roller-coaster, ride a London bus, see Iceland's Northern Lights, and meet the fairytale characters of Grimm’s Enchanted Forest.