Europe attractions

Antiques and oddities spill out onto the inner city streets of Seville with the coming of the Mercadillo del Jueves each Thursday. This long-standing flea market is one of the oldest in Europe and sprawls along Calle Feria, enticing passersby with its discordant mix of wares that are just as likely to appeal to nostalgia, curiosity, and novelty as they are good taste.

Set in the wooded hills outside Bologna, the Cenobio di San Vittore is one of the city’s premier examples of medieval architecture. Made up of a church and cloister, the 12th-century complex dazzles with original frescoes, a wooden choir dating from the 15th century, and the serene cloister lined by marble columns with carved capitals and other Romanesque architectural details.

An 18th-century Palladian villa surrounded by 66 acres (26 hectares) of riverside parkland, Marble Hill House is the epitome of elegance. You can spend hours exploring the woodlands and gardens around the pristine white mansion, while the house’s Georgian-style interior transports you back to the 1700s with its lavishly decorated rooms.

Set slightly back from the Old Venetian Harbor of Heraklion, a cluster of high vaulted tunnels is all that remains of the city’s Venetian Shipyards. Four old tunnels rest side by side towards the south of the harbor; one newer tunnel remains to the east. Their impressive scale shows how big the Venetian ships of yore were.

Ask anyone for their favorite beach in Andros, and Zorkos Beach often tops the list. This beautiful bay has it all: clean water, a seemingly endless stretch of fine sand, nearby tavernas, and it pulls off the rare feat of being reasonably accessible yet somehow off-the-grid. Caves, rocks, and sweeping sea views all add to its appeal.

Set at Linen Mill Studios, where some of Game of Thrones was filmed, Game of Thrones Studio Tour offers insights into the craft, sets, makeup, costumes, prosthetics, and special effects that shaped the iconic TV series. The 110,000-square-foot (10,200-square-meter) attraction boasts a wealth of photo ops, including one atop the Iron Throne.

The home of Bath Rugby since 1894, Bath’s Recreation Ground—known locally as “the Rec”—is considered one of the country’s most idyllic rugby grounds. Located right in the city center along the banks of the River Avon, it’s also a publicly accessible green space, and is used for other sporting events, festivals, concerts, and more.

Located in the Aosta Valley and bordering the Gran Paradiso National Park, Mont Avic Natural Park boasts lakes, forests, snow-capped peaks, and meadows full of Alpine wildflowers. A must for outdoor enthusiasts, here you can hike, go wildlife watching, or bring a picnic to enjoy the mountain views.

One of the oldest churches in Asti, Collegiata di San Secondo (Collegiate Church of Saint Secundus) is located on a scenic square in the heart of the city. This Catholic church is a destination for its striking architecture, including its baroque altar and a three-nave structure with tall arches, and artwork dating back to the 16th century. Seeing the crypt beneath the church, where the remains of Saint Secundus are kept, is another popular reason to visit.

The MAR Positano (Museo Archeologico Romano) shows a different side of the Amalfi Coast than most visitors get to see—less modern glitz, more ancient glory. The intimate archaeological museum, housed in the crypt of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, offers a glimpse into the ancient Roman Villa buried beneath Positano. Frescoes, mosaics, and fascinating artifacts all transport visitors back in time.

While it’s no match in size for mighty Lake Geneva just to the south, Lake Neuchâtel stakes the claim of Switzerland’s largest lake, as it’s the only one sitting entirely within the country’s borders. Whether you see it as big or small, it’s undeniably scenic, framed by the Jura Mountains and vineyards to the north, and sandy beaches and marshlands to the south.

Conwy Mountain (Mynydd y Dref), located to the west of Conwy in North Wales, sits in the foothills of the Carneddau range of mountains, overlooking Conwy Bay. The mountain is home to wild Carneddau ponies and roaming sheep, adding to the splendor of this part of the Welsh countryside. With its natural beauty, the area serves as a popular spot for hiking, running, and walking.

Formed from the estuary at the mouth of the Basque Country's Oka River, the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve (Urdaibai Reserva de la Biosfera) is an important habitat for migratory and resident birds. Urdaibai also boasts some of the most popular beaches in the region, and several archeological sites—such as Cave Santimamiñe, with its ancient paintings—that are worth visiting.

Just south of Dijon's city center, Parc de la Colombière is a 17th-century green space with large grassy areas, meandering paths, and thousands of trees. Thanks to playgrounds and animal enclosures it's particularly popular with families, and there’s plenty of space for kids to run around.

The sprawling sand-colored fortress around the old town of Aigues-Mortes is the Camargue region’s standout historical site. Built as a 13th-century defensive fortress at the behest of King Louis IV, the monument remains remarkably intact and well-maintained. Visitors today can scale the ramparts, walk the walls, and head up the spiral staircase inside Constance’s Tower.

If it’s sun and sand you seek, there are few better places on Andros than Achla Beach. This arc of fine-pebble sand on the island’s east coast is framed by hills that buffer the wind and deter many land-based travelers. While it’s definitely secluded, the beach doesn’t quite get the summertime solitude it deserves, with many travelers now visiting by boat from Chora.

Once home to the leading Bulgarian figure Neofit Rilski, a monk, writer, and educator, this museum now shows visitors what a typical 18th-century house was like in the town of Bansko. Set behind high walls, the space is well-preserved, though the small exhibition in the barn about Rilski’s work is a modern addition.

One of France’s most important aquariums, Oceanopolis (Océanopolis), in Brest, is both a traditional aquarium and a center for oceanography. The site is made up of three main pavilions divided into tropical, polar, and temperate exhibition areas, each of which hosts a variety of sea life, from anemones to seals.

Boasting a wealth of flora, fauna, and landscapes, this wetland wilderness in south-western Estonia is a must-see for any outdoor enthusiast. Under 45 minutes’ drive from Pärnu, the park is an ideal day-trip destination, while more intrepid adventurers can take advantage of the park’s camping facilities for overnight expeditions.

One of Asti’s most beautiful historic palaces, Palazzo Mazzetti is now home to a museum of wide-ranging objects and art. This landmark is notable for its architecture and baroque decoration, plus its collection of porcelain, paintings, and sculptures, complemented by temporary exhibitions. Visitors who are interested in an in-depth experience can make a reservation in advance for a 1- or 2-hour guided tour.

Overlooking Lake Geneva near the border with Switzerland, the Casino d'Evian is a large complex featuring table and electronic games, live entertainment, and plenty of dining options. It's also known for its Belle Epoque architecture and beautiful frescoed interiors.

Cars, bikes, and motorcycles are the stars at the Coventry Transport Museum, a central Coventry institution that houses an enormous collection of vintage vehicles. While the museum attracts visitors of all ages, it’s especially engaging for younger guests, with plenty of educational and interactive exhibits for children.

Located within the Triglav National Park, Krn Lake is the largest Alpine lake in Slovenia. In the shadow of Mt. Krn, the lake sits 4,560 feet (1,391 meters) above sea level, surrounded by a landscape of Alpine flowers and fauna. It is a mecca for nature lovers and offers incredible views of the surrounding mountain landscape.

Set on the far southern coastline of the Peloponnese, Mavrovouni Beach offers a wide stretch of sand that extends for more than 3 miles (6 kilometers)—long enough that it never seems crowded, even in the busy summer months. Rent an umbrella and beach chair to bask in the sun, frolic in the transparent water, or try your hand at windsurfing or other water sports.

A small nature reserve with views of the sea and Dover’s white chalk cliffs, Samphire Hoe is home to wildflowers, including orchids, hundreds of moths and butterfly species, a wealth of birdlife, and grazing livestock in season. A network of well-maintained paths crisscross the reserve, providing several short walks for you to take to see its wildlife wonders.

An immersive museum, bringing digital art not just onto screens but onto the floor, the walls, and even visitors, Nomad Museo Inmersivo transforms art from around the world into interactive installations featuring sound and movement. Past exhibitions have delved into the images of Van Gogh, Hieronymus Bosch, Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock art, and psychedelic AI creations.

Lightroom is one of London’s most modern and boundary-pushing art destinations. Located in Coal Drops Yard near King’s Cross Station, the exhibition space specializes in multimedia, artist-led exhibitions. Thanks to its larger-than-life scale and immersive audio and video capabilities, Lightroom invites visitors to step right inside the art, and has partnered with luminaries including David Hockney and Tom Hanks.

Lanzarote itself was formed from volcanic eruptions, and there’s no better place to get a sense of the island’s fiery geology than the Fire Mountains. These rust-colored beauties are scattered inside Timanfaya National Park, a landscape punctuated by craters, lava fields, and geysers. Travelers can hike around the mountains with a guide, and even visit a restaurant where meals are prepared using volcanic heat.

Located on the Italian island of Lampedusa, part of the Sicilian island chain, this tranquil cove is known for its stunning coastline scenery. Spiaggia dei Conigli—Rabbit Beach in Italian—is what many people picture when they imagine a coastal paradise: crystal-clear, emerald water, and white sand flanked by low, rocky cliffs. No wonder it’s Lampedusa’s most popular beach.

One of the prettiest churches in the Cinque Terre, the 14th-century Chiesa di San Pietro is worth the hike to the clifftop town of Corniglia. Admire its stark facade decorated by an elegant lunette and rose window in white marble from nearby Carrara, then take in the art-filled baroque interiors with a 12th-century baptismal font, ornate altar, and polyptych from the 17th century by local painter Prospero Luxardi.