Europe attractions

With artifacts covering thousands of years, from the Neolithic era (c. 7000 BC) through to Roman times (c. AD 300), the Heraklion Archaeological Museum in Crete is second only in size and importance to Athens’ National Archaeological Museum. It’s also widely regarded as one of the most important historical museums in Europe.

London’s pedestrian-only Millennium Bridge (officially the London Millennium Footbridge; unofficially the “Wobbly Bridge”) spans the River Thames, linking such attractions as St. Paul’s Cathedral on the north bank with the Tate Modern on the south. Stroll across the steel-suspension bridge for excellent views of the river and the London landmarks that line it.

Move over, Verona: Italy’s most romantic balcony is on Janiculum Hill (Gianicolo) in Rome. Affectionately called the eighth of the Seven Hills of Rome (Sette Colli di Roma), Janiculum is home to the San Pietro in Montorio church, which was built on the site where St. Peter was believed to have been crucified; the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola, a monumental fountain; and Orto Botanico, 30 acres (12 hectares) of botanical gardens. However, the main draw is the sumptuous view from the belvedere overlooking Piazza Garibaldi.

Nestled among the trees of Sibelius Park, the contemporary Sibelius Monument commemorates the life of acclaimed Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius. 600 hollow, silver-steel pipes hover above the ground and evoke a range of creative interpretations. Initially, the abstract sculpture caused controversy with its modern design, so a bronze Sibelius bust was installed nearby to appease critics.

At Zagreb’s beloved indoor-outdoor Dolac Market, all kinds of foods and products from the fertile farming regions of Croatia are displayed in stalls. The capital city’s premier market has been bustling for 80-plus years and attracts a crowd of grocery-shopping locals and hungry visitors. It's also an excellent people-watching spot.

Sicily’s most significant archeological site, the Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) is home to some of the most remarkably preserved ancient Greek ruins in Italy. Dotted along a ridge just outside modern-day Agrigento, the imposing ruins of seven Doric temples are the remnants of the ancient city of Akragas. Dating from the 6th century BC, they are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Manneken Pis—sculptor Jerome Duquesnoy’s small bronze statue of a little boy urinating into a Brussels fountain—is one of Belgium’s most beloved landmarks. Built in 1619, the boy is hailed as the capital’s oldest resident and remains a favorite of both locals and tourists, with a host of myths and legends to his name.

Towering above Florence, Filippo Brunelleschi’s Dome (Cupola di Brunelleschi) is a bona fide feat of engineering and architecture. Completed in 1436 after 16 years of construction, the symbol of the city—and the world’s largest masonry dome—crowns the Florence Duomo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore) and dwarfs every other building in the historic center. Frescoes by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari decorate the inside of the terracotta-tiled dome, while its terrace offers some of the best views over Florence.

The smaller companion to the neighboring Grand Palais, the aptly named Petit Palais is both an art venue and an architectural landmark. Like the Grand Palais, the Petit Palais was initially built for the 1900 World’s Fair. Today, it houses the Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris (the Fine Arts Museum of the City of Paris), which contains thousands of works that span from ancient times to the present day.

Inspired by the Palace of Versailles in France, Bavaria’s 19th-century Linderhof Castle is one of the country’s most magnificent structures. The smallest in a trio of elaborate royal palaces built by King Ludwig II (also known as the “Mad King”), Linderhof was the only one he saw completed.

Located on the north coast of Madeira, Santana is a small town famous for its traditional-style whitewashed A-Frame houses with thatched roofs, painted blue window frames, and red shutters. The town is also home to the Madeira Theme Park, a popular family-friendly attraction.

Sitting astride the steep gorge that once divided the cliff-top center of Sorrento, Piazza Tasso is the pulsating heart of one of Italy’s most popular seaside resort towns. This bustling, café-lined main square is where locals and visitors alike come to see and be seen, and to admire the square’s baroque church and 18th-century palace. Set off from here to explore the old town, shop on Corso Italia, or take the steps down to the waterfront below.

Sofia’s landmark cathedral was built to commemorate the lives lost in the Russo-Turkish War. Named after a 13th-century Russian prince, the Bulgarian Orthodox cathedral is a fine example of neo-Byzantine architecture and one of Sofia’s most recognizable symbols. The decadent interior features iconoclasts made from marble and onyx, while the crypt boasts Bulgaria’s largest collection of religious art.

Sat atop a rocky hill, this medieval-era citadel was built to stave off invaders and keep encroaching armies at bay. During times of attack, locals took refuge amid the maze-like passages of the fortified village. Visitors now come to explore the historic site and soak up views of the surrounding mountains and forests.

Situated atop Buda's Gellért Hill—just west of the Danube—the Citadella is a 19th-century fortress that's a prime destination for urban hikers seeking some of the best views in Budapest. You can ascend the hillside to reach the fortification, stop by the small museum on World War II history, and marvel at the unbeatable panorama from the viewpoint.

Dubrovnik’s 15-century, Gothic-Renaissance–style Rector's Palace (Knezev Dvor) contains the rector’s office and private chambers as well as public halls, courtrooms, and a former dungeon. Interestingly, the rector’s term was for only one month, during which time he was confined to the palace and allowed to leave only on official republic business.

Teide National Park (Parque Nacional del Teide) is the oldest and largest national park in the Canary Islands, and it’s also home to Spain's highest peak: Mt. Teide. As one of Tenerife’s top attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is an absolute dream for nature lovers, with hiking trails, lava fields, ancient calderas, and volcanic peaks to explore. After dark, its clear skies make it one of the island’s best stargazing spots.

The opulence of the Palace of Versailles reaches its peak in the Hall of Mirrors (Galerie des Glaces)—a 240-foot-long (73-meter-long) ballroom with 357 mirrors adorning 17 huge arches on one side and 17 arcaded windows overlooking the formal gardens on the other. It was also the location of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which formally ended World War I.

Castel Nuovo, known locally as Maschio Angioino, has the imposing stone walls, soaring turrets, and crenellated ramparts of a storybook medieval castle. Built as the new royal residence between 1279 and 1282 by Charles I of Anjou, it is one of Naples' most striking buildings and home of the city’s Civic Museum.

Designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is hailed as one of the most important architectural works of the 20th century. Within its undulating and reflecting walls on the banks of the Nervión River, you’ll find an abundance of contemporary pieces by artists such as Yayoi Kusama, El Anatsui, Richard Serra, and many more.

One of Málaga’s most popular attractions, the Alcazaba is an atmospheric Moorish palace and fortress with ornamental gardens. Take in panoramic views of the city as you marvel at the ingenious design tricks the Moors used to protect their stronghold.

Cast your gaze upwards as you reach the southern end of La Rambla, Barcelona’s central boulevard, and you’ll see one of the city’s most prominent landmarks—the Columbus Monument. The slender Corinthian-style column stands 197 feet (60 meters) tall, capped with a statue of Christopher Columbus pointing out to sea. Step inside the structure and take the elevator to the top for panoramic views over Barcelona’s seafront.

Attended by leading luminaries across the centuries—and in possession of an art museum, soaring cathedral, and stately quad—Christ Church is among Oxford’s largest, grandest, and most prestigious colleges. Famously used as a set for theHarry Potter films, it is now also a pop cultural attraction.

In the center of Amsterdam, the 17th-century Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis) is the official state palace of King Willem-Alexander. When dignitaries aren’t using it for state visits and gala dinners, it opens to the public for tours of its lavish rooms. Opulent chandeliers and marble statues, including a 6-meter (20-foot) statue of Atlas holding a globe, recall the city’s Golden Age.

Built into the mouth of a cave in the middle of a towering limestone cliff, the Renaissance-style Predjama Castle is one of Slovenia’s most popular attractions. The castle is now a museum featuring an eerie dungeon, many 16th-century treasures, and a secret hiding spot called Erazem’s Nook, after Erazem Lueger—Slovenia’s Robin Hood—who hid out from the authorities here.

Built in 1180 by Moorish stonemasons, Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue remains one of Toledo’s most celebrated examples of Mudéjar architecture. The Synagogue testifies to an era of multi-faith history on the Iberian Peninsula, when Muslims, Jews, and Christians all lived and worshipped side-by-side.

One of Bath’s most sought-after residential streets, Royal Crescent is a semicircular sweep of colonnaded Georgian terrace houses overlooking Royal Victoria Park. Of the 30 houses here, most are still privately owned though No. 1—restored to peak Georgian-era splendor—serves as a museum, showcasing upper-class life in 18th-century Bath.

Rotterdam’s new market hall is also the largest indoor market in the country. Architecturally striking, the building is designed with apartments flanking a horseshoe-shaped arch. Inside the glass facade is a covered public square and market hall, with more than 100 food stalls, eight restaurants, and 15 shops, and one of the Netherlands’ largest artworks on its ceiling.

Thank the natural harbor of the Golden Horn (Haliç) for the rise of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. The inlet separates Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district from Beyoglu, and is spanned by the Ataturk, Halic, and Galata bridges. An ages-old thoroughfare, ferries ply the Golden Horn to historical neighborhoods including Fener, Balat, and Eyup.

One of Dresden’s most important landmarks, renowned for its ornate baroque design, the Zwinger was built in 1719 as a place for royal festivities; later, in 1855, the more austere Semperbau was added. Today, the palace complex is home to several world-class museums with art collections by the Old Masters, as well as rare antiquities.