Europe attractions

Once the residence of the infamous Tudor king, Henry VIII, the grand architecture and lavish interiors of Hampton Court Palace were designed to rival France’s Palace of Versailles. Add 500 years of turbulent royal history, the world’s largest grape vine, and stunning surrounding gardens, and you get one of Greater London’s most magnificent historical landmarks.

One of Taormina’s most spectacular sights, the Greek Theatre dates back to the 3rd century BC—though it was renovated by the Romans centuries later—and could once seat around 10,000 spectators. The theater is the second-largest in Sicily, and the stage’s original rear wall and wings are almost entirely intact. Still serving as a venue for concerts and performances, this archaeological gem has impeccable acoustics and memorable views.

Tiny Ravello, an idyllic village along the Amalfi Coast, has a long history and vibrant cultural life. Founded by the Romans in the sixth century, this picturesque clifftop town draws today’s travelers with its sea views, villas, and gardens. Home to Villa Rufolo—so beautiful that it inspired new music by German composer Richard Wagner—and Villa Cimbrone, known for its panoramic gardens, Ravello is an elegant respite from the crowds along the coast.

Standing between the Royal Palace and the opera house, the Plaza de Oriente is in the heart of historic Madrid. Lined with ornamental hedges, the plaza welcomes thousands of tourists a day on their way to visit the palace.

Ranking as the largest synagogue in Europe—and the second-largest in the world—Dohány Street Synagogue is one of Budapest’s most striking monuments. Aptly nicknamed the “Great Synagogue,” it’s not only an architectural marvel but also an important part of Budapest’s Jewish history and heritage.

Istiklal Street (İstiklal Caddesi) is the main pedestrian thoroughfare in Istanbul’s European Beyoglu district and an essential cultural center. Stretching from Taksim Square to Tunel Square, the bustling street is lined with late–Ottoman-era buildings built in a variety of architectural styles, ranging from neoclassical to art deco.

With its imposing Gothic facade and dramatic twin towers, the 13th-century Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is the city’s most recognized landmark. Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the magnificent cathedral is one of the most important in Germany and dominates the city skyline. Inside, you can gaze upon treasures such as the 4th-century St. Peter’s Staff and other priceless religious objects.

Soaring 1,207 feet (368 meters) over Alexanderplatz, Berlin’s TV Tower (Berliner Fernsehturm) is Germany’s tallest structure. Built to mark the 20th anniversary of the German Democratic Republic in 1969, the tower was intended to be a symbol of East Germany’s achievements as a socialist society. Today it’s one of the capital’s most visited landmarks, affording 360-degree views over the entire city.

Strategically set on Letná Hill, offering commanding views of Prague’s Old Town and the meandering Vltava River, Letná Park (Letenské Sady is popular with local skateboarders, rollerbladers, and cyclists, as well as visitors who flock here to soak up the views while relaxing with a picnic on the grass.

Once the principal residence of Danish monarchs, Christiansborg Palace is now the beating heart of Denmark’s government—home to the country’s parliament, prime minister’s office, and supreme court. Christiansborg is one of Copenhagen’s most iconic landmarks, holding over 800 years of Danish history.

The Sacromonte district of Granada is the seat of the thriving Gitano gypsy community that settled in hillside caves during the 15th and 16th centuries. Today, Sacromonte is also the epicenter of Granada’s zambra flamenco scene, with performances staged at thee tablaos along Camino del Sacromonte.

East Side Gallery is perhaps one of Berlin’s greatest displays of repurposing war remnants for the better. It uses nearly 1 mile (1.3 kilometers) of the old Berlin Wall as a canvas for commissioned pieces by artists from all over the world. The art is constantly changing and is a powerful symbol for tolerance, diversity, and urban art.

Mostly uninhabited and untouched, pristine Budikovac Island (Veliki Budikovac) is an ideal place to experience Croatia’s natural beauty. The island, off the coast of Split, is a great destination for getting out of the city and relaxing, thanks largely in part to its quiet bay, clear turquoise water, and pebbly beaches.

The Stockholm Royal Palace has everything you'd expect from a regal abode: think a baroque facade, lavish Royal Apartments, and museums, including an impressive treasury. Although the Swedish royal family now resides in UNESCO World Heritage–listed Drottningholm Palace, the Royal Palace still holds an important role as a historic monument, as court offices, and as the host of banquets and receptions.

Budapest's Liberty Square (Szabadság Tér is among the most picturesque of the city's public spaces. Nestled in District V, the square is flanked by grand buildings like the United States Embassy and Hungarian National Bank headquarters. A stately Soviet War Memorial is the park's centerpiece, and the interactive fountain is a must-see.

The University of Athens (the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, to give it its full title) forms part of the triumvirate of neighboring neoclassical buildings—including the Academy of Athens and the old National Library of Greece building—that are known as the “Athenian Trilogy”. With its elegant, column-lined facade, the imposing 19th-century building is one of the city’s architectural treasures.

There’s a lot to see in Iceland, and the grand Golden Circle (Gullni Hringurinn) is your ticket to easily hitting multiple popular sights, especially if you only have one day to venture outside Reykjavik. Departing from the city, Golden Circle tours showcase geysers, waterfalls, lava fields, volcanic craters, and Icelandic horses. There aren’t many other places in Europe where you can see so much topographical variety on one short trip.

A former royal residence located outside of Lisbon, the National Palace of Queluz lives up to its nickname as the Versailles of Portugal. Its opulent design fuses rococo, baroque, and neoclassical elements, with manicured gardens that complement the elegant architecture. Touring the 18th-century palace gives you an idea of the lavish parties and royal happenings that took place on its grounds, from the chandeliered throne room to the 377-foot (115-meter) tiled canal.

Home to the city’s town hall and other important buildings, Piazza Bra sits at the heart of life in Verona. The huge city square welcomes visitors from all around the world who come to stroll the wide expanse, enjoy a coffee or a meal at one of the al fresco restaurants, or attend one of the regular music performances held at the Verona Arena.

The most visited building in all of Finland, with an estimated 200,000 daily passengers passing through, Helsinki Central Station is the city’s main transport hub. It opened in 1919 and owes its distinctive art nouveau design, notable for its pairs of lamp-holding statues on either side of the entrance, to architect Eliel Saarinen.

Each day, Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper (Il Cenacolo) draws hundreds of art-loving visitors to the unassuming refectory of the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie for just 15 minutes with the painting. Arguably Milan’s most famous masterpiece, this 15th-century wall mural can only be seen by booking entrance tickets in advance or signing up for a guided visit.

Dating back to the 14th century, the Carmo Convent (Carmo Archaeological Museum) withstood many battles yet came crashing down during the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755. Today, the main altar hosts an archaeological museum beside the old convent ruins, which are arguably even more majestic in their partially destroyed state. Architecture buffs will delight in the Gothic arches and Manueline windows that were added in the 18th century.

Hewn into solid rock in the middle of a residential square, Helsinki’s Rock Church (Temppeliaukio Kirkko) features a circular ceiling covered entirely with copper stripping. Natural light streams in through 180 window panes, while an ice age crevice in the natural rock serves as the altar.

Antalya’s Old Town (Kaleiçi) remains the heart of this modern Turkish city. Home to a number of historic monuments, it’s also the city’s most atmospheric district—a maze of narrow winding streets dotted with traditional wooden houses, bars, restaurants, and Ottoman-style boutique hotels.

While its elegant design harks back to Victorian days, Leadenhall Market has Roman roots and Great Fire of London history, along with stints as a bustling meat and poultry market. It’s a storied place that’s only recently attracted tourist attention, thanks to its role as Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films. Office workers are among its main visitors today, who frequent the arcade’s shops and restaurants, along with the historic Lamb Tavern pub.

The largest opera house in Italy, Palermo’s handsome 19th-century Massimo Opera House (Teatro Massimo is one of the city’s crown jewels. From its elegant neoclassical exterior honoring Sicily’s ancient temples to the lavish gold-and-velvet interiors with impeccable acoustics, this landmark theater dazzles with more than just music.

A regular on lists of the world’s best beaches, Myrtos Beach (Paralía Mirtos) is a 0.5-mile (700-meter) expanse of gleaming white sand curving between two high promontories on Cephalonia’s north coast. While the stunning color comes from rounded pebbles and coarse sand, not fine powder, the view from the blue Ionian Sea is spectacular.

This cavernous medieval cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece. Focal points include the 16th-century stained glass Rose Window, which was painstakingly pieced back together following a fire in 1984, and the soaring central tower, the top of which offers panoramic views of York.

Perched on the clifftops of El Tajo Gorge, Ronda boasts one of Spain’s most dramatic landscapes and a rich history evident through ancient rock paintings, towering stone bridges, and 14th-century ruins. Today, this pueblo blanco (white town) is an ideal mountain getaway or a day-trip destination for travelers exploring Andalucia, thanks to its dramatic cliffs, local wineries, and rustic charm.

Explore an alternative side of Hamburg with a visit to the Reeperbahn, a street in the red light district at the heart of the St. Pauli neighborhood. This pedestrian street is lined with bars, clubs, and sex shops, but more upmarket restaurants and theaters with family-friendly shows have also opened here in recent years.