Europe attractions

Lined with grand Victorian buildings and big-name stores, Regent Street was London’s first dedicated shopping street, dating back to the early 19th century. Running for almost 1 mile (1.3 kilometers) between Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus, the historical boulevard is a major traffic thoroughfare and one of the capital’s busiest streets. Even if you don’t bring your wallet, it’s worth a stroll—the street is gorgeous.

For a glimpse into the sumptuous life of Florence’s powerful Medici family, look no further than the Medici Riccardi Palace (Palazzo Medici Riccardi). Designed by the architect Michelozzo for Cosimo the Elder, the 15th-century palace is now a museum displaying masterpieces collected by members of the Medici and Riccardi families. Get a feel for the palace’s Renaissance glory with Filippo Lippi’s Madonna With Child, then see its baroque era in the lavishly frescoed Mirror Gallery.

Built between 1528 and 1782, after Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand expelled the Moors from the Iberian Peninsula, Málaga Cathedral (Catedral de la Encarnación de Málaga) is one of the city’s top historic landmarks. Designed by architect Diego de Siloé, the cathedral is a unique combination of Gothic, Renaissance, and baroque styles.

Centered around a rugged volcanic crater, the small island of Nea Kameni offers a dramatic landscape, with dark cliffs sculpted from lava rock and orange-tinged natural thermal waters. The island’s striking landscape and natural hot springs make it a popular destination for day cruises from Santorini.

Opened in 2017, the Elbphilharmonie (Elbe Philharmonic) is a striking work of modern architecture on the banks of the Elbe River in Hamburg. Made with 1,096 individual glass panes, it houses two concert halls, as well as a hotel and residential apartments. The halls’ acoustics are considered among the best in the world.

Europe’s oldest still-working synagogue, the Old-New Synagogue (Staronová Synagoga was completed around 1270, making it one of Prague’s first Gothic buildings. Situated in the Jewish Quarter of Josefov, it is the main synagogue of the Jewish community in Prague.

Go for an evening stroll along the Riva Promenade, a waterfront walkway lined with palm trees in the town of Split. This stretch of glazed white tiles runs the length of the Old Town, offering harbor views and shady benches for watching residents stroll by. Restaurants and cafes line the promenade as well.

Before a violent volcanic eruption in 1650 BC, Thirassia was part of Santorini’s mainland and now the pretty islet lies just off its western coast. With small pretty beaches, blue-domed churches, ancient stone villages and a population of only about 200, the little island is a perfectly serene spot to visit.

Situated along Valencia’s old Turia riverbed, the visually striking City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias) was the work of Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The spectacular architecture is just part of the appeal of this futuristic complex though, which is also home to a science museum, planetarium, and more—all popular with families.

Established as a small Viking church in the 11th century, Dublin’s magnificent Christ Church Cathedral was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century. Though most of what you see today dates to a 19th-century neo-Gothic makeover, some elements—including the crypt—endure, as do the mummified remains of a cat and rat mid-chase, recovered from the pipes of the cathedral’s organ.

Built under the orders of Louis XIV, Les Invalides was established as a care center for veterans. In addition to its original purpose, the vast complex today comprises the Army Museum (Musée de l’Armée), one of the world’s largest collections dedicated to military history and art. The site is also home to the Dome Church, which contains the tombs of notable figures, including Napoleon Bonaparte.

Built against a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the charming seaside village of Porto Moniz on the north-west tip of Madeira is known for its natural salt-water swimming pools surrounded by volcanic rock formations. Life here revolves around the outdoors; the village started out as a fishing and farming outpost and you’ll see the tropical fruit plantations along the hillside as you walk around.

A popular stop for French Riviera travelers en route to Monaco, Eze has all you need for a calm couple of hours. Its narrow alleys give way to medieval architecture and flower-bedecked stone houses, and there are plenty of terrace restaurants that satisfy you with Mediterranean Sea views alone. The village is also home to the historic Fragonard perfumery and the Exotic Garden of Eze, where tropical foliage abounds.

Anthony Quinn Bay, named after the actor who filmed The Guns of Navarone on Rhodes in 1961, is one of the most popular spots on the island for sun seekers. The picturesque pebble beach features shallow emerald green water—perfect for swimming—framed by dramatic coastal rocks that form underwater reefs teeming with fish.

Like its Parisian namesake, this triumphal arch sits at one of the city’s busiest intersections and is surrounded by a constant whirl of traffic. The 85-foot (27-meter monument, designed by influential Romanian architect Petre Antonescu, was inaugurated in 1936 to celebrate the unification of Romania and victory in World War I.

The Cibeles Fountain is one of Madrid’s most famous monuments. Crowning the end of the Paseo del Prado in the middle of the city it’s a landmark for locals and a must-see for visitors.

Valencia Cathedral is famous the world over for its holy chalice, which many believe to be the Holy Grail of Christian legend. It’s also a fantastic place for fans of architecture, integrating Gothic, baroque, and Renaissance elements into its construction.

As the landing point for the discoverers of Madeira in the 15th century, the town of Machico boasts a rich history. It’s home to Capela dos Milagres—one of the island’s oldest churches, the historic fortresses of São João Baptista and Nossa Senhora do Amparo; and a beach that’s backed by a fountain-flanked promenade.

Milan boasts a number of trendy neighborhoods thick with hip bars, restaurants, and clubs. Of these, the Brera district—a maze of narrow, cobblestone streets lined with boutiques and cafés near the Duomo in the city center—is perhaps the most beautiful thanks to its laid-back pace and old-world charm.

Within easy day-tripping distance of Lisbon, Sesimbra is a fishing town known for its seafood eateries, beautiful beaches, and historical sights. With a 12th-century Moorish castle overlooking it, a long stretch of beach in front of it, and the opportunity for all sorts of water sports in Setúbal Bay past the sand, this seaside spot ticks a lot of boxes.

The Basilica of St. John Lateran (Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano) is the most important of Rome’s four papal basilicas—after all, it’s the seat of the Pope, the bishop of Rome. It’s also the city’s oldest church, built under Constantine I in the fourth century and now decorated with rich mosaics, Cosmatesque floors, stained-glass windows, and larger-than-life-size marble statues of the Twelve Apostles.

The first Belfast Peace Walls were built in 1969 in response to Northern Ireland’s sectarian conflict. Initially intended as temporary barriers, the continuation of the Troubles led to the extension and reinforcement of the walls. Today, they’re political and philosophical murals and attract visitors looking for insight into this part of Irish history.

You may feel like you’ve been dropped into a gnome village during a visit to Alberobello, which is home to more than 1,000 round trulli: fairy-tale-like whitewashed cottages topped with conical roofs. Dating as far back as the 14th century, trulli sometimes stand alone, but are often adjoined from the inside to form larger homes, shops, and restaurants. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a top destination in Puglia’s Itria Valley and a must for everyone from photographers to families.

There is no better stretch of beach in Positano to take a dip or work on your tan than Spiaggia Grande, next to the town’s main jetty. There is a small area of free public beach, but most of the area is covered in beach clubs where you can rent a sun lounger and umbrella. Stroll along the waterfront, grab a meal at the nearby restaurants, or hop on a ferry to other coastal destinations or the islands.

Set nearly 400 feet (120 meters) below ground, the Turda Salt Mine (Salina Turda) was excavated for centuries before opening to the public in 1992. The subterranean, salt-encrusted chambers now host a Ferris wheel, mini golf, table tennis, an amphitheater, and a boating lake.

Forming an integral part of Porto’s historic center, the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Palace of the Stock Exchange (Palácio da Bolsa) is a marvel of neoclassical architecture. The 19th-century palace has played host to royal guests, and today can be explored only as part of a guided tour.

A delightful blend of galleries, museums, ancient ruins, and teetering 19th-century mansions, Plovdiv Old Town (Stari Grad) is a highlight of any visit to Bulgaria’s second city. From Thracian ruins and Plovdiv Roman Theater to Ottoman mosques and grand bay-windowed Bulgarian Revival house-museums, it wears the city’s millennia of history with unassuming grace.

Set on the banks of the River Douro, Ribeira is Porto’s oldest quarter. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the district’s maze of alleyways and pastel-colored houses rises up on a hill above the bay. The Ribeira’s modern waterfront—lined with restaurants, bars, and cafés—is a popular leisure hub and nightlife destination.

One of the most historic of Rome’s seven hills, Capitoline Hill is the site of Piazza del Campidoglio—the elegant public square designed by Michelangelo, which overlooks the Roman Forum and features the monumental Cordonata staircase. It is also home to the Capitoline Museums, dating from 1471, displaying treasures including ancient Roman sculptures and works by artists such as Rubens, Titian, and Caravaggio; the institution is considered the world’s oldest public museum.

Founded around 1000 BC, the ancient Greco-Roman city of Aspendos is best-known for its impressive Roman theater, one of the most remarkably preserved in the world. Designed by Greek architect Zeno and built in the second century AD, the theater seats up to 7,000 people and is still used as a venue today.