Europe attractions

In the heart of Ghent, Vrijdagmarkt is both the name of this historic square and the weekly Friday market, where you can shop for food such as bread and cheese, plus souvenirs from clothing to shoes to books. (There’s a smaller version on Saturdays.) Known as a market primarily for locals, Vrijdagmarkt is an ideal place for people-watching in one of the many cafés that line the square.

Located in Batumi’s historical center, Batumi Piazza features an enormous marble mosaic at its center, fringed by the canopies, dining tables, and chairs of surrounding restaurants. The mystery of why this public square is described as a “piazza” soon becomes clear when looking at the Venetian-inspired architecture that encloses this lively outdoor dining and nightlife spot.

Established back in Soviet times in 1935, this botanical garden still offers a quiet refuge from Yerevan’s hustle and bustle. Part of the Armenian Academy of Sciences, it boasts a wide-ranging collection of trees, medicinal species, and other plants from all over Armenia and the former USSR. On clear days, the garden also has views of distant Mount Ararat.

If you’re interested in exploring Konya’s rich history, from the Early Christian period to the arrival of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi in the 13th century, Konya Panorama Museum opens a window to the past. Wandering through the open-air courtyard and into the domed panorama building, you’ll see dramatic depictions of the life of Rumi.

The chic Mediterranean town of Taormina on Sicily’s northeast coast is located high in the mountains—which means rewarding hikes and beautiful views. However, for visitors arriving at the Taormina Cruise Port (Taormina Terminal Crociere) who want to stay closer to town, Taormina’s medieval center is full of unique shops, historical monuments, and sidewalk cafés.

Perched on a hilltop in the heart of France’s Poitou region, Poitiers charms with its intact old town surrounding the ornate Notre-Dame la Grande church and 15th-century university—one of the oldest in the country. Stroll its cobblestone streets lined with student-filled cafés, funky boutiques, and bustling food markets.

Lukiskes Square (Lukiskiu Aikste) is the largest in the city, and its history dates back to the 17th century when this corner of Vilnius was a bucolic enclave dotted with wooden houses. Since, the park has been enveloped by urban space, where it's bordered by Gediminas Avenue, and steps from the baroque Church of St. James and St. Philip.

Terraced into a Malaga hillside, the tree-shaded Malaga English Cemetery (Cementerio de Inglés Malaga) dates from 1831 and is mainland Spain’s oldest Protestant Christian graveyard. Visitors can view the more than 1,000 graves of British and other nationalities, gain poignant insight into Malaga’s diverse history, and view the Protestant St. George’s Church, which stands within the burial ground.

Bustling with cultural diversity, Paris’ 4th Arrondissement is home to large Jewish, LGBTQ+, and expat communities, as well as a near-constant throng of visitors who come to discover the bohemian Marais area, the Seine islands, and trendy museums, shops, and riverside promenades such as Quai de l’Hôtel de Ville. Though busy and expensive, it’s nethertheless a popular central Paris zone where both tourists and locals converge.

What is now ruins was once a cathedral built in the seventh century. Destroyed a few centuries later, it lay undiscovered outside Yerevan near Etchmiadzin Cathedral for almost a millennium. The now partially restored ruins are one of Armenia’s most beautiful landmarks. On clear days, you can admire views of snow-capped Mt. Ararat.

The Dolderbahn rack railway whisks riders from the busy streets of Zurich into the upper reaches of Adlisberg Mountain in under six minutes. First opened in 1895, the line has long provided quick and easy access to Zurich’s scenic surrounds and remains a popular city escape route for hikers, joggers, and nature lovers in the region.

The Lanxess Arena in Cologne is one of Germany's largest multifunctional arenas, hosting up to 20,000 people for events. From ice hockey clashes with the Kölner Haie to intense basketball battles with the Köln RheinStars and gripping handball showdowns with VfL Gummersbach, it's the ultimate destination for sports and entertainment enthusiasts.

Art aficionados and anyone who loves a garden will enjoy Clos Normand, one of the gardens at Monet’s house and garden site in Giverny. Visitors can stroll through the colorful enclosed gardens that inspired some of the influential French impressionist artist's most famous paintings and tour his house, which the Clos Normand surrounds.

A short jaunt south of Bucharest will take you to the Comana Natural Park, a beautiful and quiet getaway that's considered one of the most biodiverse areas in the country. In this 62,000-acre (25,000-hectare) park, you'll find all sorts of wild creatures, including over 140 types of birds, among them the endemic glossy ibis.

A haunting reminder of the Cold War era, the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial, formerly a Stasi prison, stands as a testament to the political persecution endured by thousands in the former East Germany. Once the main remand prison for those under investigation, it's now a museum that was founded by former inmates to give visitors insights into the tough realities of life under the Stasi.

Paying homage to Giovanni Segantini, the Segantini Museum showcases the Italian painter’s 19th-century canvas paintings of the Swiss Engadin Alps. Go there to admire yesteryear alpine scenes—long before St. Moritz found fame—and to learn a little about the man himself. His unfinished triptych La Vita, La Natura, La Morte (Life, Nature, and Death) is the standout piece.

The Arctic Circle doesn’t scream beach destination, but there’s an ideal (summer) swimming and picnicking spot on the water not far from Tromso. When the weather’s warm, this small, shallow beach gets crowded with locals looking to swim within view of Vengsøy Island and the open Norwegian Sea. Hiking and hunting for the views of the northern lights round out the activities here.

Sandy beaches, seafood restaurants, and sea views welcome sunseekers to Le Touquet, a chic seaside resort along France’s Opal Coast. Officially named Le Touquet-Paris-Plage (a nod to its popularity with Parisians) the northern beach town is equally adored by British vacationers who hop across the Channel to nearby Calais.

Hamburg’s Panik City crosses boundaries–and defies them. Part music venue, part gallery, and part hall of fame celebrating German musician Udo Linbenberg, the multimedia venue is truly an all-sensory experience. Head inside the eye-catching building that looks like it’s made from stacked building blocks for a 60- or 90-minute guided tour (in German) to learn more about the rock legend.

Located in the heart of the Champagne region, Pressoria Champagne Museum offers a deep dive into the world of the famed French drink. Housed in the former pressing room of Champagne Pommery, this interactive museum brings the story of Champagne to life through a multi-sensory, immersive experience.

As London’s third-busiest airport, after Heathrow and Gatwick, London Stansted sees up to 24 million passengers pass through its terminals each year. As well as being a major base for low-cost carrier Ryanair, Stansted serves over 170 destinations all around Europe, as well as select destinations in North Africa, Central America, and the United States.

Quiet, shaded trails lead through the grounds of Marechal Carmona Park in the south of Cascais. The park is bordered by grand old buildings, including the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães, but at its heart lies sheltered areas with picnic tables, sculptures, and open lawns. Chickens, ducks, and peacocks wander about the park—as do tourists seeking views of Santa Marta Beach.

Nicknamed “Cathedral Mountain” by locals, Mainz Cathedral is an imposing sight. Easily mistaken for a royal palace or a Disney castle, it’s a feast of eye-catching red sandstone topped with a bell tower and a trio of fairy-tale turrets. Inspired by Rome’s St Peter’s Cathedral, the landmark is an important center of worship and a historic monument.

Aix-en-Provence Old Town (Vieil Aix) is the city’s ancient heart, where people have lived and worked since Roman times. The area is home to narrow streets that are lined with mansions, historic churches, museums, art galleries, and lively squares. It’s a popular meeting place for tourists and locals alike, and visitors come here to browse market stalls and boutiques, dine alfresco, people-watch, and soak up the Provençal atmosphere.

Located in Turkey’s verdant Black Sea region, Altindere Valley National Park is best known as the home of the Sumela Monastery. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary and likely constructed in the 4th century, this surreal cliff-cut landmark soars above the forest from a solid sheet of rock. Beyond this star attraction, the park is known for its mountain springs and diverse flora and fauna.

DoluSu Park is one of the largest and most varied water parks along Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) Turquoise Coast—and it's located 30 miles (50 kilometers) south of Antalya. Whether you come for the private beach, aquarium, swimming pools, water slides, activities, or water sports, rest assured that the park has something to suit all ages and interests.

An iconic London street known for its world-class tailoring, Savile Row is the capital's premier spot for sartorial elegance. The shop windows of this affluent Mayfair Road are filled with exquisite suits, coats, robes, jackets, and shoes; many of the businesses on the street have been in operation since the early 1800s.

The triumphs and challenges of yacht racing are on full display at The Ocean Race Museum. Exhibits that chart the history of The Ocean Race and its contributions to sailing technology include yachts and gear used in the 9-month-long race (that has set off from Alicante since 2008), as well as videos, interactive displays, and simulators for a hands-on experience.

See the world in small at Klagenfurt’s Minimundus, a model village near the lake. Educational and enjoyable for all ages, the mostly outdoor park showcases replica landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, CN Tower, and St. Peter’s Basilica, all recreated in accurate detail. Miniature steam trains, ships in ponds, and interactive displays add to the fun.

This alpine plateau in Triglav National Park is covered in pine forests, grazing cattle, and shingle cottages straight out of a Slovenian mountain postcard. Pokljuka Plateau is a short distance from the famous Lake Bled and offers peaceful escapes into picturesque farmland and nature, which are perfect for hiking, mountain biking, winter cross-country skiing, and exploring traditional alpine pastures.