Europe attractions

Portugal’s cultural and commercial ties to Asia date back to the Age of Exploration, and the Museum of the Orient (Museu do Oriente) aims to strengthen artistic bonds between the two regions. Part of Portugal’s Orient Foundation, the Lisbon museum showcases Portuguese influence in Asian art and culture, with a vast collection of art, textiles, furnishings, and ceremonial masks from Turkey to Japan.

Spread out over 74 acres (30 hectares) and home to hundreds of animals, ZOOM Erlebniswelt offers a variety of educational activities. In addition, the zoo spearheads important conservation efforts such as the breeding of several protected species.

Frolic and unwind year-round at a vast indoor water park that includes numerous pools, spa and beauty areas, and a botanical garden. Les Antilles de Jonzac, located just a short distance north of Bordeaux, is the largest such facility of its kind in France, and boasts all kinds of aquatic and pampering options under one roof.

What served as officer barracks during the Prussian era is now an art gallery housing the Scharf-Gerstenberg Collection (Sammlung Scharf-Gerstenberg). The collection includes over 250 surrealist works by such artists as Max Ernst, René Magritte, and Salvador Dalí, as well as works by artists that influenced them, such as Francisco de Goya and Giovanni Battista Piranesi.

Named after the Slovene writer and political activist Ivan Cankar, the Cankar Centre (Cankarjev Dom) is Ljulbjana’s arts and cultural hub. Designed by postmodernist Slovene architect Edvard Ravnikar, this vast complex features several performance venues and hosts hundreds of annual events such as the Ljubljana Jazz Festival and the Ljubljana International Film Festival as well as numerous conferences and other cultural events.

Along Alghero’s impressive 16th-century sea walls, Torre di San Giacomo is one of a few medieval watchtowers still standing vigil over the coastline. This octagonal stone tower is remarkable for its Catalan architectural details. It marks where the two stretches of ancient walls known as the Bastion of Cristoforo Colombo and the Bastion of Marco Polo meet, one of the liveliest areas along the city’s waterfront.

Aosta is known as the “Little Rome of the Alps” thanks to its concentration of ancient ruins dating as far back as the 1st century BC. Most impressive is the city’s Roman Theater, with its intact southern wall soaring over 70 feet (22 meters) into the air, and semicircular rows of seats lined by the remains of elegant arches.

Completed in 1885, Budapest’s neo-Baroque concert hall was built to celebrate the country’s 1,000-year anniversary. The luxurious interior was renovated during the Soviet era but has now been mostly returned to its original form. Today, the Danube Palace (Duna Palota) is known for its program of folk shows, orchestral concerts, and cultural events.

Located in the heart of the Medieval fortified village of Les Baux-de-Provence, St. Vincent Church (Eglise St-Vincent is one of the town’s most interesting historic landmarks. This 12th-century church is partially carved into the rocky hillside and gives off a curious cave-like vibe with its three cavernous chapels and rock-carved baptismal font.

Dedicated to all things science, this cutting-edge center and exhibition space invites you to discover and participate in the world of scientific observation and research. The Forum is focused on making learning fun—regular interactive temporary exhibits are designed to appeal to kids as young as two, while the Forum also holds special events and workshops, called atéliers.

No need to go all the way to Santiago Bernabéu Stadium for Real Madrid merchandise. Pick up team gear in Central Madrid at the Official Real Madrid Store El Carmen. Whether you need a gift for the soccer fan in your life, or want to find local team apparel to fit in with the Madrid crowd, this is the place to shop.

Experience life in wartime Britain at Eden Camp, a family-friendly museum which combines award-winning interactive elements with dozens of informative exhibits in a former World War II prisoner-of-war camp. Marvel over real tanks, military aircraft, and more, as the sounds and smells of Eden Camp recreate the feel of WWII life.

Learn about the original inhabitants of the Canary Islands with a walk through a reconstructed ancient aboriginal village at Mundo Aborigen. Located in the Natural Park of Ayagaure and overlooking the island’s largest gorge, the Barranco de Fataga, this open-air museum celebrates the history and culture of the Guanche people before the Spanish conquest of the Canary Islands.

Walk toward the west end of Trapani’s scimitar-shaped bay, and this 15th-century fortification strikes the eye with its sandstone colors and strategic position over the sea. It’s reachable via the pedestrian-friendly Mura di Tramontana—all that remains of the ancient walls along the coastline—and with an ample terrace facing the setting sun, it's probably the best place to catch a sunset in Trapani.

Vienna’s first museum dedicated purely to photography, the WestLicht Center for Photography has an eclectic collection that will thrill any photography buff. Visit this museum, set in a former glass factory, to admire historic cameras and equipment, and take in temporary exhibitions that highlight art photography and photojournalism.

In the midst of Antwerp’s Diamond District is Diamondland, one of the city’s largest showrooms and home to an exclusive collection of diamond jewelry. Here visitors can learn more about the process involved in creating diamonds, and travelers planning on proposing can browse hundreds of diamond engagement rings.

Attracting both car enthusiasts and history buffs, the medieval Loizaga Tower not only delivers fantastic Basque Country scenery, but is home to a car museum showcasing a remarkable Rolls-Royce collection. Admire rare and iconic vehicles from all over the world, including up to 45 different models from the 1900s.

The only remaining gate of Brussels’ medieval city walls, the Halle Gate (Porte de Hal is the oldest structure in Belgium’s capital. Built in 1381 and incorporating a black conical roof and neo-Gothic frontage added in the 1800s, this fairytale-like gatehouse is now a museum dedicated to Brussels’ military defenses and history.

On the shores of Lake Geneva, Swiss Vapeur Parc is a railway-themed miniature park with 6,560 feet (2,000 meters) of train tracks, rideable steam trains, and a model-train landscape dotted with Swiss landmarks and alpine villages. It’s a must for train enthusiasts, as well as a fun destination for the whole family.

Built in 1893, the Autrique House in Brussels was the first townhouse designed by Belgian architect Victor Horta, a pioneer of the early 20th-century art nouveau movement. Now restored to its original glory and open to visitors, the house is a key part of Brussels’ rich turn-of-the-century architectural heritage.

The Moses Fountain (Mosesbrunnen) in Bern’s Münsterplatz was first built in the 16th century, and then replaced by the current one in 1791. Its statue depicts Moses in blue and gold robes, holding the Ten Commandments. One of the abundant sculptural fountains in Bern’s historical center, it’s an artistic place to pause and refresh—the water can be sipped.

Go on a subterranean adventure at the Baume Obscure Cave (Grotte de Baume Obscure), part of a vast limestone ridge that runs along the French Riviera. See the cave’s many striking rock formations and experience the Souterroscope, a sound-and-light installation along its walkways.

The Berlin Gallery is dedicated to art created in the city since 1870 with a focus on photography and architecture. Since 2004, the museum has been housed in a modernist building featuring collections from the Dada Berlin, New Objectivity, and Eastern European avant-garde scenes, plus pieces from the Berlin Wall and reunification eras.

Originally built in the 14th century, this imposing medieval fortress saw plenty of military action before it was transformed into a country home in the 16th century. The town of Bevilacqua sprung up around the castle, again renovated in the 1990s, which now functions as a hotel and events venue.

Explore the former home of Johan Sederholm, the richest merchant in Helsinki during the 1750s, at Sederholm House (or Sederholmin Talo). The two-story stone building dates from 1757, and at the time was the most luxurious house in the city. Today, it is part of the Helsinki City Museum, which traces the history of the city and is home to an interactive children’s museum.

Boasting views of Mt. Blanc and exhibits about humans in the mountains, the Maison du Salève is a must for mountain lovers. The former 18th-century farmhouse near Geneva is packed with displays to interest both adults and children. You can trace the history, research, and sports of La Salève and the peaks beyond, and stroll the gardens for sweeping views.

The Museum of Decorative Arts is a treasure trove of fashion, furniture, and exquisite antiques. With one of Germany's oldest and most extensive collections of European decorative arts and crafts, it spans from the Middle Ages to the present day. Explore preserved 16th-century interiors and go on a fashion journey from baroque court attire to Christian Dior's haute couture.

A popular spot for team-building activities, Happy Forest is an outdoor entertainment center that offers a variety of activities, from zorbing to ropes courses. There's an escape room, as well as a variety of farmyard animals, and pony rides are available for younger visitors.

A massive water park featuring attractions for visitors young and old, Plopsaqua is conveniently located in the popular summer getaway of De Panne—between the beach and the railway station. Don a suit and explore the waterslides, pools, and other features, many of which are suitable for toddlers or those who prefer not to swim.

Set on the sound between Denmark and Sweden, the Øresund Aquarium (Øresundsakvariet) is a small saltwater aquarium with a special focus on local marine life. Part of the University of Copenhagen, the aquarium is particularly welcoming to young visitors with two large “petting pools” and other kid-friendly interactive exhibits.