Europe attractions

This important shrine atop a hill outside Cefalù has a long history of religious importance for Christians, including a supposed miracle (confirmed by the Vatican) in 1760. Sicilians pilgrimage here to pray, while travelers visit to see the baroque shrine, highlighted by an intricate altarpiece, and catch unbeatable views of the Tyrrhenian Sea views from the belvedere.

Set on the south side of Timisoara’s historical center, the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral is a colorful affair. This towering church's striped exterior and vividly patterned tiled roof help it make a strong first impression, enhanced by the cheerful flower beds of Victory Square leading up to it. Step inside for an ornate interior and compelling museum exhibitions.

Punta Giglio is a mecca for nature lovers. Part of Porto Conte Regional Nature Reserve, this limestone promontory and forest complex showcases views of Sardina’s crystal-clear waters and rugged coastline. Visitors primarily come here to hike along the area’s well-marked trails or cycle through the scenic landscape. With its natural beauty and abundant outdoor activities, Punta Giglio is an ideal escape.

An 18-acre (7.2-hectare) green space flanking the River Lee, Fitzgerald’s Park boasts a peaceful atmosphere, a fun playground for kids, and public art including a range of sculptures. Many visitors come here to visit Cork Public Museum, then stop to enjoy the shady benches, stroll among the blooming flowers and scenic fountain, or to have a riverside picnic.

Dive into the history of one of Scotland’s greatest military regiments at the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum. Set in the heart of the mighty Stirling Castle, this museum traces the history of the regiment through artifacts and engaging exhibits. The museum brings Scottish history to life and provides insights into its culture and heritage.

The Geneva Ethnography Museum (the MEG) is the place to go for continent-crossing fun. Home to Switzerland’s largest ethnographic collection, the museum displays countless artifacts that examine cultural contrasts around the world. Alongside the permanent collection, there are temporary exhibits, a library, and a music gallery.

With a name related to local quarries dating back to ancient Rome, Cavoli Beach is a soft-sanded beauty with protected waters on Elba’s southwest coast. Thanks to its café and restaurant, pedalo and kayak rentals, and playground, the beach is very popular with families—and lies within pedal-boat distance of the enchanting Grotta Azzura (Blue Grotto).

The vast ruins of an ancient Greek city, the Archaeological Park of Antigonea covers a hillside of the Drino Valley near Gjirokaster. While Antigonea dates back to 290 BC, all that remains today are stone walls and pillars outlining where buildings, roads, and towers once stood; not to mention some spectacular and peaceful views of the valley and mountains opposite.

Billed as the largest private collection of Apple products in the world, the Apple Museum sits inside the Pop Art Gallery in a revamped 12th-century townhouse. This homage to all things Apple includes more than 470 original products and highlights the backstory of the company’s legendary founders, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.

Though oral tradition holds that the original Cromwell’s Bridge was built by monks back in the 11th century, the current structure is believed to date back to around 1700. The exaggerated curve of the rubble-stone arch is thought to have been designed to accommodate the fluctuating tidal range of the Finnihy River, which babbles below.

The most impressively preserved of Provence’s Cistercian abbeys, the Abbey of Thoronet was built between 1160 and 1230. Renowned for its sparse yet precise architecture and remarkable acoustics and now protected as a National Monument, the abbey offers fascinating insight into life under the Cistercian order of Saint Bernard.

Situated along the North Wales coast, Conwy Quay serves as a popular spot for sightseeing with attractions such as the Smallest House in Great Britain, the Conwy Mussel Museum, and a RNLI Lifeboat Station. After taking in the scenic views along the water, be sure to grab a pint at Liverpool Arms, Conwy’s oldest traditional pub.

This 17th-century baroque oratory, near the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola, is most famous for once hosting a concert by the teenage Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Today, the space in Rome’s historic center is both a religious site and a venue for opera and ballet performances. Both approaches allow visitors to see the ornate frescoes and gilded stucco that decorate the Oratory of St. Francis Xavier del Caravita and make it an overlooked Roman gem.

Known for its imposing Cluniac-style architecture, the 13th-century Collegiate Basilica of Notre Dame is one of Beaune’s most striking landmarks. Widely regarded among Burgundy’s most beautiful churches, it’s notable for its Renaissance-era bell tower, Gothic renovations, and series of 16th-century tapestries.

This historic landmark in central Augsburg may seem like an unassuming civic center from the outside, but the building is defined by its Golden Hall masterpiece. Head inside and make your way up to the second floor where the double-height ceremonial room awaits, resplendent with its coffered ceiling, murals, and golden doors that befit a grand entrance.

The one-time home of the dukes of Savoy, Chambery’s centerpiece castle remains an important place today, functioning as the Savoy region’s administrative seat. Castle visits give the lowdown on the history of the site, from its medieval roots to its medley of architectural styles, which range from the 13th century to the present day.

Located just north of the small town of Linlithgow in West Lothian, Linlithgow Loch is the largest natural freshwater loch in the region. Outdoor sports enthusiasts find plenty to do here: trout-fishing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, and more. The most famous attraction, however, is Linlithgow Palace, perched on the loch’s north shore.

Nestled on the banks of the River Ness, green and leafy Whin Park offers the miniature Ness Islands Railway, a boating pond with rowboats for hire, plus adventure play areas, an outdoor gym, picnic tables, and a kiosk with snacks. The play offerings are steadily evolving and being upgraded at one of Inverness’s most popular city parks for families.

One of Faial Island’s most famous hiking routes, the 10 Volcanoes Trail stretches from the volcanic reserve of Caldeira do Faial to the lava-carved landscapes of Capelinhos. While the strenuous trail is considered hard because of its multiple ascents, it's worth the effort for its serene atmosphere and spectacular views of land and sea.

More than just a mode of transportation, the Fribourg Funicular is one of the highlights of the old town. Opened in 1899, this line linking the hilltop portion of the historic center and the Basse-Ville below is one of the only remaining funiculars in Europe that uses local wastewater to run via a water-ballasted system rather than a motor. Take a scenic ride on the charming historic cars for a unique introduction to Fribourg’s old town.

Though compact, Cascais’ Museu do Mar (Museum of the Sea) hosts a rich collection of exhibits exploring Portugal’s maritime history. Surrounded by manicured gardens in the affluent coastal resort near Lisbon, this museum displays everything from boat models and marine fossils to artifacts salvaged from shipwrecks.

While long-haul passengers usually touch down at Heathrow Airport or Gatwick Airport, London Luton is a popular choice for budget travelers because it houses low-cost carriers such as Wizz Air, EasyJet, and Ryanair. With roughly 14.6 million annual passengers, LTN is London’s fourth-largest international airport, and runs regular flights to the UK and the rest of Europe, serving destinations such as Edinburgh, Barcelona, Budapest, Amsterdam, and Dublin.

The elegant 16th-century Palazzo Albergati, believed to have been designed by Baldassarre Peruzzi, dominates Bologna’s Via Saragozza. The inner courtyard and the richly frescoed, stuccoed interiors are perfect backdrops for the cultural events hosted there.

Rocca di Bergamo, perched on Sant’Eufemia hill, is a 14th-century fortress integral to Bergamo’s defense in the Venetian and Napoleonic periods. Visit to explore its historic ramparts and admire the panoramic views of the city and surrounding valleys. The on-site museum showcases medieval artifacts and stories from Bergamo's past.

Storyhouse is Chester’s modern cultural center, which encompasses a theater, cinema, restaurant, bars, and a library, along with open-air space for events. Housed inside a renovated art deco cinema building from the 1930s, the venue opened in 2017 and is a popular site for families, culture lovers, students, and tourists alike. You can find it in the heart of Chester city center.

Old meets new in Ulm’s Fishermen’s Quarter, the historic artisan enclave where half-timbered houses and water-mill wheels huddle by the water’s edge alongside bijous galleries and courtyard restaurants. Crooked, tilted, and hunched, these restored buildings once belonged to Ulm’s fishermen, shipbuilders, and tanners. Today, their charm draws photographers, painters, and those who enjoy a pretty place.

At the base of Montagne Sainte-Victoire in the suburbs of Aix-en-Provence, Château de La Gaude is an 18th-century castle that has operated as an art-filled luxury hotel since 2019. Property highlights include gourmet restaurants, an opulent spa, and an estate vineyard.

Sitting at the feet of the mighty Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles is a lake that’s a lovely surprise. The Alpseebad offers clear mountain water and a backdrop that screams Bavarian beauty. Here, castled-out sightseers can wander down to the southwest end of the lake, where the private beach of Alpseebad offers up summertime swimming and mountains all around.

A one-of-a-kind museum in the heart of Barcelona, Guitar Legends Hall provides an immersive and interactive way to delve into the history of rock ‘n’ roll. In this experience, you can play with jukeboxes, listen to old records, put your musical ambitions to the test—and even admire a collection of guitars once played by musical legends like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton.

Stretching over 310 square miles (500 square kilometers between Arles and Avignon, the Alpilles Natural Regional Park combines traditional villages, olive groves, and vineyards with mountainous landscapes and abundant wildlife. Vincent Van Gogh spent time at the foot of the Alpilles range and these mountains are featured in the background of many of his works.