Europe attractions

A wine estate backed by the rolling foothills of Serra de Montejunto, Quinta do Gradil is one of the oldest estates in the Lisbon region, with a history dating back to the 15th century. The estate comprises an 18th-century palace surrounded by bountiful orchards, forests, and vineyards growing peaches, pears, and 12 varieties of grapes. You can explore on a wine-tasting tour or even go bird-watching in the surrounding nature.

MyZeil is a large modern mall in central Frankfurt, which is a popular shopping and dining destination. With around 80 stores over eight floors, there are plenty of international brands and eateries, as well as German favorites. The glass structure and long, unsupported indoor escalator, make it an attractive place to visit, too.

In the heart of Nancy, Place Stanislas is a massive town square that was erected in 1755 and has served as a popular meeting place ever since. It's one of a trio of 18th-century UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the city (along with Place de la Carrière and Place d'Alliance).

Bordeaux’s original port is known as the Port of the Moon because it sat on a semi-circular part of the Garonne River. Historically the left bank of the port has been the center of commerce and culture and though it saw some decline after the invention of the automobile, today it’s a fun, trendy place to soak in local culture.

It’s easy to rack up thousands of steps when exploring Paris, making green spaces like the Esplanade des Invalides a welcome spot for respite. This city park stretches from the Seine to the Les Invalides museums, with grassy lawns for picnicking and admiring the surrounding architecture, including the gilded Dôme des Invalides, Paris’ tallest building besides the Eiffel Tower.

Contrary to its romantic name, Yerevan’s Lovers' Park is popular with couples, families, friends, and individuals. Pathways, ponds, and beautifully manicured flowers provide an ideal setting for leisurely strolls and picnics. In addition to serving as one of locals’ favorite parks, it also acts as a venue for local events.

Meaning “Karl’s retreat” in English, Karlsruhe was originally just that: a lavish palace retreat for the German nobleman Karl Wilhelm I. The town was later built around it in a fan shape, giving the palace status as the town’s cultural heart. Today, you can ogle its baroque-style architecture, explore its fountain-strewn gardens, or visit the on-site Baden State Museum.

Across the Avon River from the heart of Bath (via Pulteney Bridge), Great Pulteney Street is among Bath's longest and widest roads. Like many of the city's fine examples of Georgian architecture, the street and the stately homes that flank it were commissioned in the late 18th century.

Catch Barcelona’s top flamenco performers at this 19th-century theater. Home to perhaps the city’s most beloved show, it’s a quick dose of culture for any traveler interested in the passionate Spanish art form, and who wants to know what makes Barcelona tick.

Roald Amundsen, Norway’s favorite polar explorer, left Tromso for his last expedition in 1928 and never returned. This bronze memorial statue of Amundsen lies atop a stone pedestal in a small waterfront park near the explorer’s former home and Tromso’s old downtown. Stop by to take a walk in the park and pay tribute to Norway’s contributions to polar exploration.

Found along the string of picturesque fishing villages that make up the East Neuk of Fife, Crail Harbour is celebrated for its idyllic setting, surrounded by 17th-century whitewashed cottages with red-tiled roofs. Sheltered by cliffs, the compact harbor is a charming spot for a stroll along the cobblestone streets, past colorful fishing boats and piles of lobster pots.

Situated across two popular Italian provinces—Tuscany and Emilia Romagna—the Casentinesi Forest National Park comprises forests, villages, peaks, and even ancient monasteries. From the protected stretches of Sasso Fratino to the towns of Premilcuore and Portico di Romagna, this forest park is easy to explore on both foot and horseback, as well as by bike and boat.

The dank interior of Dunmore Cave has provided not only geological wonders—among them the Market Cross, a 23-foot (7-meter tall calcite formation—but also some fascinating archaeological finds. Viking-era coins and valuables have been uncovered here, as have human remains that many theorize belong to victims fleeing Viking violence.

Located in the heart of Birmingham’s city center, the Roundhouse is an eye-catching curved Grade II–listed building that was originally built as stables and storage space for the canal network. It’s now a launch point for a variety of tours that explore the canal area, both on and off the water: stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, cycling, and walking tours. It’s also home to interesting start-ups.

Important business goes on in this elegantly porticoed, red brick building with Gothic arches and a marble balcony. A hub for Bologna’s mercantile activities for the last 650 years, Palazzo della Mercanzia is currently the seat of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture, and Crafts. Plus, it preserves the official recipes of some of the city’s most treasured dishes.

Rarely visited and vastly less crowded than the Samaria Gorge, Crete’s Aposelemis Canyon guides the Aposelemis River down towards the sea. The canyon makes a rewarding wilderness walk, with the possibility of seeing vultures circling overhead. You can also follow the river to or from the sea as the gorge evolves into a valley and wetlands.

The tiny residential community of Footdee—or “Fittie” as it is pronounced locally—offers a peek into Scotland’s maritime heritage. The former fishing village still displays its historic character, with narrow cobblestone streets lined with stone cottages, which face inward, backing the North Sea, for protection from storms.

The elegant walls of the Praetorian Palace are among Koper’s most recognizable landmarks, with commanding views across Tito Square. Gothic, Renaissance, and Venetian styles mingle in the ornamented facade, but the building’s not just a museum display. Inside are a tourist information office, mayor’s office, conference rooms, and a venue for getting married.

Nestled in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Hardraw Force Waterfall is often said to be England’s highest single-drop waterfall, coming in at around 100 feet (30 meters) high. It’s a beautiful sight within a natural amphitheater, and the short walk there is made all the more worthwhile as one of the access paths takes you through the grounds of the Green Dragon Inn.

The DB Museum (German Railway Museum) in Nuremberg draws in train enthusiasts and history buffs alike. As one of the oldest railway museums in the world, it takes visitors on a journey through the evolution of rail transport. Visitors can see Germany’s oldest surviving passenger coach, a vintage train platform, and interactive exhibits such as train simulators and model railways, too.

TAF (The Art Foundation) is the ultimate destination for contemporary art lovers in Athens. Located in a 19th-century neoclassical building near the trendy Monastiraki Flea Market, this independent cultural center draws visitors with its bar, art gallery, shop, and exhibition rooms. Known as a thriving epicenter for arts and culture, TAF regularly hosts events including music, dance, theater, and photography, in addition to its regular exhibits.

Once hailed by artist John Constable as “the grandest view in the world”, Devil’s Dyke offers more than just stunning panoramas. As England’s longest, deepest, and widest dry valley, its history is as intriguing as its vistas: Scientists attribute its creation to the last ice age, and its nearby sights include the remnants of an Iron Age hill fort and an abandoned Victorian funfair.

Galway's Latin Quarter is a pedestrian’s paradise. The streets of this part of the Irish harbor city are lined with restaurants, pubs, arts-and-crafts tables, and other souvenir shops. It’s a wonderful area to take a break from the water and roam shops selling specialty, hand-crafted pieces, and then pop into a restaurant or pub for a traditional Irish meal.

Opened by Princess Victoria in 1830, Royal Victoria Park is the largest public park in Bath. Centrally located, this expansive green space boasts numerous amenities, including a bandstand, botanical garden, large playground, and mini golf. Regular events make it a local and visitor favorite for outdoor relaxation and recreation.

Just a half-hour ferry ride from Venice, the islands of Mazzorbo feel a world away from the frenzy on the other side of the lagoon. While nearby Burano and Murano are famed for their colorful houses and craft traditions, agricultural Mazzorbo is rich in natural beauty, with vineyards, artichoke fields, and the oldest bell tower in the Venetian Lagoon.

Sofia’s biggest park, Borisova Gradina offers lakes, woodlands, and manicured flower beds. Almost as big as New York City’s Central Park—and in a much smaller city—it’s home to two stadiums (the Vasil Levski National Stadium and the Bulgarian Army Stadium), a TV tower, a myriad of statues, the Communist-era Mound of Brotherhood monument, and several children’s playgrounds.

Located in the Toledo province, Consuegra Castle is one of Spain’s best-preserved castles. Despite being passed between Moorish and Christian rule throughout the years, little to no Moorish influence exists in the modern structure; however, you can still explore the medieval castle, enjoy views over the surrounds, and climb the windmills featured inDon Quixote.

Just a few blocks from the center of town, Alesund Church isn’t like Norway’s famous stave churches, but it’s an architectural gem of a different kind. Built in 1909, this stone church is covered in frescoes and stained glass. Gardens bloom outside the church in spring, making it a lovely stop on a sunny afternoon.

Sandwiched between Vigo’s busy port and hilltop fortress, Casco Vello is the city’s compact old town and hub for historical architecture. A maze of small streets and alleys weave between gray buildings in Casco Vello, with the Concatedral de Santa María church and several small plazas providing the main points of interest in this mostly residential area.

One of the best places to see art in Berlin isn’t quite a museum or gallery at all, but rather an unpretentious public space called Haus Schwarzenberg. Visit this artistic enclave to check out courtyard sculptures, art studios and galleries, an art-house cinema, and an underground amusement park, among other outlandish creations. If you dream of Berlin’s edgy art spaces, this is what you’re looking for.