Europe attractions

Pisa’s Leaning Tower may be more famous, but the nearby baptistery (battistero) is equally captivating. Clad in white marble with intricately carved rows of Romanesque and Gothic arches and a cupcake dome, the baptistery is one of the essential sights in the city’s UNESCO-listed cathedral (duomo) complex.

Set on the banks of Oslo Fjord, Akershus Castle (Akershus Slott)—also known as Akershus Fortress (Akershus Festning)—was built in 1299 as a residence for Norway’s royal family. Over the years it has served as a fortress to protect Oslo against sieges from rival Swedish forces, as a Renaissance castle, and as a full-fledged 19th-century prison.

Departing from the west, Vernazza is the second of the Cinque Terre’s five villages after Monterosso. It’s also one of the national park’s most popular places to stay, with a good choice of accommodation and a postcard-perfect backdrop of colorful houses clustered around its tiny harbor. If you find yourself here, hiking, wine tasting, and snapping photos from the Doria Castle ruins are among the top Vernazza things to do.

The Piraeus cruise terminal is an important historical port in Greece and one of the largest cruise ship docks in Europe. While known by cruisers as a gateway to the ancient city of Athens, the Aegean Islands, and other destinations in the Mediterranean, the city of Piraeus—with its traditional center, cafés, and harbor—also merits a visit.

Regularly ranked among France’s most beautiful villages, the medieval Gourdon is a sightseeing highlight of Provence’s craggy interior. Poised atop a dramatic, rocky spur, the village offers panoramic views stretching as far as the Mediterranean. Gourdon is also celebrated for its château and its elegant gardens.

Sprawling along the Irish Sea coast and centered on Mt. Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, Eryri National Park (Snowdonia National Park) is a rugged wonderland of sculpted hills, medieval castles, and lakelands. Both Harlech Castle and Dinorwic Slate Quarry are recognized with UNESCO World Heritage status. But it’s the ample opportunities for hiking and outdoor activities that make Snowdonia one of Wales’ most-visited destinations.

Perched atop a forested hill on the north bank of the Danube River, overlooking the Old Town (Stary Mesto), Bratislava Castle(Bratislavsky Hrad) is the city’s most distinctive landmark. Visible from all over the city, the grand Renaissance palace dates back to the 16th century and now houses the Museum of History, part of the Slovak National Museum.

Occupying a commanding mountain perch above Berchtesgaden village, Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) is today a summertime chalet-restaurant; however, in its former life, it was a power symbol for Hitler’s Nazi regime. There is a small exhibition on-site, but those curious about its World War II history can stop at the Dokumentationszentrum Obersalzberg, home to original underground bunkers and exhibits, or join a WWII-themed tour.

Looming over Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, Calton Hill is one of the seven hills that the Scottish capital is built on. Come here for 360-degree views that encompass Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and, on a clear day, the Firth of Forth.

In a city of famous fountains, Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana delle Quattro Fiumi) stands out. Located in the center of Piazza Navona, this baroque, 17th-century masterpiece continues to delight hundreds of years later with its ornate animal sculptures, soaring Egyptian obelisk, and cliff-like base decorated with male figures representing the Danube, Ganges, Nile, and La Plata Rivers.

With its startling blue light and luminescent waters, it's easy to see how the Bisevo Blue Cave (Modra Spilja) earned its name. The natural wonder is hidden in the sea cliffs along the coast of Bisevo Island and is made even more enticing by its remote, difficult-to-reach location. Join one of the many paddle boat tours that cruise into the sea cave, and your effort will be rewarded with magnificent views.

Glimpse the lavish days of the aristocracy in 18th-century Prussia at Sanssouci Palace. Built for King Frederik the Great, the palace is a fine example of rococo opulence. Gilded ornaments and priceless antiques fill the interiors, while perfectly manicured grounds with fountains and follies, and even a vineyard, are outdoors.

One of Ireland’s most important monastic sites, Glendalough was founded by St. Kevin back in the sixth century. Today, visitors can explore the early Christian ruins dotted around, the most notable of which is the Round Tower and the remains of a cathedral. Hike the trails and soak up the beauty that abounds within this Wicklow Mountains location.

The Reina Sofia Museum (Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia) is Madrid's premier modern art destination, featuring mostly works by Spanish artists. Among them isGuernica, a political statement on the Spanish Civil War by Pablo Picasso, as well as a room devoted to Joan Miró's paintings and a collection of about 20 Salvador Dalí pieces.

The Temple of Debod (Templo de Debod), an Egyptian temple built in the fourth century BC, stands in Madrid’s Parque de la Montaña near Plaza de España. While it may seem out of place in the middle of the modern city, the temple was dismantled, shipped, and carefully reconstructed here in 1972 to protect it from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan Dam. Spain received the temple as a thank you for helping to save Abu Simbel, another archaeological site that was threatened by flooding in Egypt.

The Palais Bourbon is one of France’s most important seats of power, as the meeting place of the Assemblée Nationale (National Assembly), France’s lower house of Parliament. Built in the early 17th century, the building is attractively positioned overlooking the River Seine and is steeped in history and architectural grandeur.

Graffiti-lined Brick Lane in East London is known for its vast array of bars and eateries, great shopping, and vibrant nightlife. The area has long been home to immigrants, which is reflected in its food scene; thanks to its Bangladeshi community, there is a string of famed curry houses specializing in South Asian cuisine to its south. Head north for vintage clothing shops, cafés, and the road’s beloved bagel shops. The Brick Lane Market runs daily but is at its most lively on Sundays.

A former fishing village situated on a cove about an hour and a half north of Lisbon, Nazaré is a surfer’s paradise that’s famous for having the biggest waves in the world. But even if you’re not here to soak up the swell, the town’s golden crescent of a beach is backed by a restaurant-fringed promenade and white-washed, red-roofed houses and shops. It’s the epitome of Portuguese seaside splendor.

One of Zagreb’s oldest and most renowned landmarks, the Stone Gate (Kamenita Vrata) dates to the 13th century. The atmospheric entryway leads to the medieval Upper Town and hosts a shrine to the Virgin Mary. In addition to tourists, the landmark attracts religious devotees, who come to pray and light candles.

Dating back to 1215, the Prince's Palace (Palais Princier de Monaco) is the official residence of the Prince of Monaco and one of Monaco’s most impressive landmarks. As well as hosting state occasions and royal celebrations, the palace receives flocks of tourists who come to tour the lavish state rooms and watch the traditional Changing of the Guard ceremony.

Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking its namesake southern Turkish city, Alanya Castle (Alanya Kalesi) is unmissable. Wherever you are in Alanya, look up, and you’ll spot the castle’s miles-long fortifications zigzagging down the hillside. The Seljuk-era castle is a sprawling complex that includes the seafront Red Tower, 400 cisterns, a clifftop Inner Fortress, and an 11th-century church.

One of the loveliest corners of Prague, Kampa Island is formed by the Vltava River and its side branch—the Čertovka—and offers an idyllic respite from the crowds of Malá Strana. In addition to the pretty riverfront park and Na Kampě square, highlights include the 15th-century Grand Priory Mill, the Kampa Museum, and the Lennon Wall.

Clad in heavy red bricks, the Oslo City Hall is impossible to miss in central downtown Oslo. The administrative seat of the City Council, the building may look simply functional, however, it houses important murals and artworks from celebrated Norwegian painters and sculptors. Here, within its stately walls, the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held.

A site of volcanic activity for over 100,000 years, Furnas is a geothermal wonderland filled with geysers, hot springs, and traditional volcanic cozido ovens that cook food underground. Steam rising from bubbling mud pools gives the village an otherworldly atmosphere, and lush surroundings make it the perfect spot for nature lovers. Spend an afternoon hiking around Furnas Lake, discover the Parque Terra Nostra gardens, then relax and soak in thermal pools and mud baths.

Blackness Castle is often referred to as "the ship that never sailed" due to the mighty fortifications that make the 15th-century structure look like an ocean-going vessel. The castle has served as a royal residence, prison, artillery fortification, and fortress over the centuries, and now one of Scotland’s most impressive strongholds is a popular tourist attraction.

One of Valencia’s best-known landmarks, the Silk Exchange (La Lonja de la Seda) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of the city. Built in the 15th and 16th centuries as a hub for the city’s silk and commodities traders, the exchange is a marvel of Gothic architecture.

Built in the 10th century to defend the city of Guimarães against attacks from the Moors and Normans, Guimarães Castle is a perfectly preserved example of military architecture. The castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features turrets and towers reminiscent of fairy-tale castles.

Strolling the Paseo del Prado you'll likely pass Plaza de Cibeles, a tiny square in the center of a roundabout featuring a grand, marble fountain depicting the goddess Cybele. Stop here for unbeatable views of the Cybele Palace (Palacio de Cibeles) or to celebrate a Real Madrid football win—the local fans are known to congregate here.

Perched on the slopes of Monte Caputo overlooking the Golden Valley (Conca d’Oro, the medieval village of Monreale earns a spot on the travel map for its magnificent mosaic-filled cathedral. Built by William II in 1184, the cathedral and adjacent cloister are considered among the best examples of Norman architecture in Sicily.

Discover a national symbol and gain insight into England’s history at the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Canterbury Cathedral. Dating back to 597, the site has held religious significance for centuries, drawing pilgrims to the location of Thomas Becket’s murder and visitors interested in its medieval towers, chapels, and stained-glass windows.