Europe attractions

Situated in Fife—the Scottish region known for its castles, fishing villages, scenic landscapes, and golf history—the village of Falkland offers its own strong dose of charm. Nestled among the Lomond Hills Regional Park, Falkland is especially renowned for the 16th-century Falkland Palace, once the residence of the Stuart monarchs.

This working-class neighborhood of West Belfast came to prominence during the Northern Irish conflict, when it served as a stronghold for loyalist paramilitary organizations. The peace walls that separated Shankill from the neighboring Falls Road to curb sectarian violence are now covered with political murals.

One of the most popular natural attractions on Scotland’s Isle of Skye, the towering sea cliff of Kilt Rock is so named for its resemblance to the traditional Scottish garment. The 180-foot (55-meter vertical cliff is composed of both igneous and sedimentary rock of different colors, which come together in vertical bands and look like the pleats of a kilt.

Many of the Stuart royals, among them James I and Mary, Queen of Scots, did stints in this loch-side 15th-century pleasure palace. Gutted by fire in the 18th century, Linlithgow lies in ruin, though evidence of its grandeur—from the great hall to the intricately carved King’s Fountain—is still plentiful.

Of Venice’s 100-plus outlying islands, the group that forms Murano is the most famous. This tight cluster of islets has been the center of the city’s historic glassmaking industry since 1291. Today, travelers visit Murano to see how master artisans blow glass into exquisite stemware, chandeliers, vases, and sculptures. The island is also home to the Glass Museum (Museo del Vetro), which traces the art back to ancient Egypt.

A deep expanse of black lava sand, Perivolos Beach (Paralia Perivolos) runs along Santorini’s low-lying southeastern coast, merging into lively Perissa Beach to the north and quieter Agios Georgios Beach to the south. The strip is popular with a dynamic crowd, thanks to its buzzing beach bars that often feature DJs, coupled with sun loungers and a range of water sports.

Art enthusiasts are drawn to the Lucca Cathedral for its paintings by masters like Ghirlandaio and Tintoretto; architecture aficionados appreciate the church’s unique mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles. But the Duomo di Lucca is revered by locals primarily as home to the city’s most precious relic: the Holy Face of Lucca (Volto Santo.

In the heart of Amsterdam, New Market Square (Nieuwmarkt) is a bustling central square that has long been a popular hangout spot. It’s served as a market (hence its name) since the 17th century, but it has also seen some of the darker moments of European history: in World War II, the Nazis used it as an assembly point for Jews who were being sent to concentration camps.

Spanning an impressive 1,748 square miles (4,528 square kilometers), Cairngorms National Park is the UK’s largest national park. A popular destination for mountain bikers, nature lovers, sea kayakers, and hikers, the park has been named one of the world’s Last Great Places by National Geographic. It’s the perfect place to enjoy Scotland’s renowned wild landscapes of granite mountains and deep lochs.

Lying at the southern end of Porto’s majestic Avenida dos Aliados is Liberdade Square (Praça da Liberdade), which started its life in the late 18th century when the city began to expand beyond its medieval walls. If you stand in the centre of the square, you’ll get spectacular views of some of Porto’s architectural symbols, which include the Baroque City Hall (Câmara Municipal).

Şirince, a small village of just 600 inhabitants, has a long history dating back to the fall of Ephesus. Today, the mountainous town is mainly known for its well-preserved stucco homes, olive groves, and wineries with verdant backdrops. St. John the Baptist Church is another popular attraction, adorned with stunning Byzantine frescoes.

Perched atop the dramatic cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples and just a short stroll from Capri’s central Piazzetta square, the lush Gardens of Augustus (Giardini di Augusto) are a quiet oasis offering mesmerizing views of the tiny cove of Marina Piccola and the soaring Faraglioni sea stacks just off shore.

At the heart of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, where the infamous ship was built, the Titanic Belfast is one of Northern Ireland’s flagship attractions. Built to mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s maiden voyage, its immersive exhibitions draw visitors into the workings of an early 20th-century shipyard, capturing both the excitement surrounding the unveiling of the “unsinkable ship” and the tragedy that unfolded soon after.

Formula 1 fans and sports car aficionados won’t want to miss the Ferrari Museum, devoted to the history and legacy of the household-name auto manufacturer. Located in Ferrari’s hometown of Maranello, close to the famous Ferrari Factory, the museum not only houses an impressive collection of rare models, vintage Ferraris, and supercars, but also offers a Ferrari simulator and a pit-stop tire-change experience.

Piazza Barberini is a transport hub in central Rome, but look past the bustle of traffic and pedestrians to appreciate not one, but two 17th-century fountains designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. These include the small yet delightful Fountain of the Bees and the ornately sculpted Triton Fountain. The latter is near the entrance to Palazzo Barberini—a must for art lovers, as it’s home to the National Galleries of Ancient Art (Galleria Nazionale di Arte Antica).

The striking 19th-century Spanish Synagogue (Španělská Synagoga) is one of the most unique buildings in Prague’s Jewish Quarter (Josefov). It was designed in a Moorish Revival style inspired by the art from the Arabic period of Spanish history—hence the synagogue’s name—and features stained-glass windows and intricate interior decorations.

Though modest by Roman standards, this ancient portico in the heart of the Jewish Ghetto has a fascinating past—it once held temples, a library, and a medieval fish market. Emperor Augustus refurbished the original structure and dedicated it to his sister Octavia. Though only a few of its original columns remain today, the portico lies steps from the Theater of Marcellus via a small passageway.

With pride of place in London’s upscale Knightsbridge neighborhood, Harrods is the British capital’s largest and most iconic department store. Founded more than 120 years ago, the Grade II-listed landmark has long been a destination for luxury lovers and royal fans. Containing some 330 different departments spread over eight floors, it’s a top choice for shoppers, and you can find everything from high-end souvenirs and gourmet British foods to renowned designer brands and stylish homewares.

Lake Zurich is a popular place for boating and summer bathing between Zurich at its northern end and the town of Rapperswil-Jona toward its south. Its slender shape means you’re never far from a pretty lakefront view, and efficient Swiss transport links and sports facilities help travelers explore with ease. Beyond the bustling lidos, you can head to Ufenau Island or ride the Felsenegg cable car for bird's-eye views over the water.

Situated in Chora Mykonos (aka Mykonos Town), the waterfront quarter of Little Venice is one of the island’s top sunset-viewing spots. Rows of whitewashed old fishermen’s houses—now occupied by bars, shops, and restaurants—back onto the seafront, their brightly painted red and blue balconies jutting out over the water.

Geysir may be Iceland’s best-known geyser—and the one after which all others are named—but its neighbor, Strokkur, is equally impressive. Despite reaching only half of the height of Geysir, Strokkur’s appeal lies in its reliability. Unlike the largely dormant Geysir, it erupts every 5 to 10 minutes, shooting boiling water up to 65 feet (20 meters) into the air and making it a popular photo stop along Iceland’s famed Golden Circle route.

The smallest of London’s eight Royal Parks, Green Park is a 40-acre (16-hectare) stretch of green space between the Mall and Constitution Hill, right beside Buckingham Palace. Known for its mature trees, shaded pathways, and sweeping lawns, Green Park is a tranquil escape in the heart of the city.

One of Italy’s most prestigious performance venues, La Fenice Opera House (Teatro La Fenice) has been at the heart of Venice’s cultural scene for centuries. While its storied history since opening in 1792 includes fires and restorations, it remains a much-loved venue known for its ornate interiors and world-class shows. Come to take guided tours behind the scenes or attend opera and ballet productions in a truly historical setting.

Presumed to be set over the tomb of St. Paul, the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura) is one of four papal basilicas in Rome and among the city’s most important Christian sites. The 4th-century church, located south of Rome’s old Aurelian Walls, has a striking interior decorated with 80 columns and extensive frescoes and mosaics, plus a beautiful Romanesque cloister with unique twisting columns.

Bologna’s most important square, Piazza Maggiore, is lined by elegant medieval and Renaissance palaces. Today, you can enjoy views of the Basilica di San Petronio and the Fountain of Neptune from the bustling café tables beneath their porticoes, or enjoy the square as part of a food tour or sightseeing tour.

Standing on the site of a former hospital reduced to rubble by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, the bustling Praça da Figueira is surrounded by 18th-century townhouses housing shops, cafés, and hotels. Pigeons perch on the square’s off-center equestrian statue of King Joao I, while Castelo de São Jorge can be seen in the distance, and Rossio Square (Praça Dom Pedro IV) is just around the corner.

One of the largest urban parks in the world, the English Garden (Englischer Garten) is Munich’s most popular green space, boasting over 48 miles (78 kilometers) of walking and cycling trails. It offers plenty to explore, including a Japanese teahouse, a boating lake, and traditional beer gardens.

One of Barcelona’s most iconic public squares, Plaça d'Espanya sits at the foot of famed Montjuïc hill. Both a historic site and a major traffic hub, the plaza was designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch for Barcelona’s International Exhibition in 1929. Plaça d'Espanya is anchored by an impressive fountain in its center that depicts Spain’s rivers and seas. Those headed to Montjuïc hill will inevitably pass through this bustling center.

The Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute was constructed in the mid-17th century to give thanks to the Virgin Mary, after a deadly bout of bubonic plague ripped through Venice, wiping out a third of the Floating City’s population. Today, the votive church—known as La Salute, meaning “health” in Italian—is a recognizable landmark that houses masterpieces by Titian and Tintoretto.

Surrounded by the New Mosque, Egyptian Spice Bazaar, and Bosphorus Strait, Eminӧnü Square (Eminönü Meydani) is one of central Istanbul’s main transit hubs. The tangled side streets that radiate out from the square lead to tucked-away mosques, clothing boutiques, and bazaars. The plaza’s central location means most visitors will spend at least some time here.