Europe attractions

More than 30 fountains dot the gardens of Versailles, the most famous being the Apollo fountain, with its horses and chariot, and the Neptune fountain featuring the god of the oceans with his wife. Built in the 17th century, when water was a scarce commodity, the Versailles Fountains (Les Fontaines) were a lavish show of Louis XIV’s wealth and power.

Thingvellir National Park sits in a rift valley along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American tectonic plate and Eurasian tectonic plate are drifting apart. A remarkable (and active) volcanic landscape of gorges, waterfalls, lakes, and more, the park offers endless recreation opportunities: hiking trails, camping, snorkeling, diving, and fishing. In 2004, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a popular stop on Iceland’s Golden Circle route.

From its hilltop perch above Lisbon’s Graça neighborhood, the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte lookout offers panoramic views across Portugal’s capital city. Included in its clear vista are the hilltop Castle of St. George (Castelo de São Jorge) and the city’s rooftops leading out towards the 25th of April Bridge. The viewpoint is named for the churchyard where it is located: Our Lady of the Hill.

The Roman Baths is one of Europe’s most visited Roman sites and is found in the city of Bath. Today, the well-preserved baths offer a glimpse into Roman life, allowing visitors to visualize how the ancient Romans idled away their leisure time. While you can explore independently, guided tours give the stories behind the site’s many features, including the Sacred Spring, the Roman Bath House, and the Roman Temple.

The massive Gullfoss waterfall on the Hvítá River plunges 105 feet (32 meters) in two steps over a deep, dramatic crevasse in a river valley. The falls are considered one of Iceland’s most treasured natural wonders, with a name inspired by the phenomenon when glacial sediment in the water turns the falls golden in the sunlight.

One of the most remarkable ancient ruins in the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Acropolis, the Erechtheion is best known for its ornate porch, supported by six caryatids (columns carved as women in draperies). Dating from the fifth century BC, the temple perches on a craggy escarpment overlooking the heart of Athens. It marks the spot where legend holds that Poseidon and Athena fought for control of the fledgling city.

An eerie world where everything has been carved from salt blocks, the Wieliczka Salt Mine (Kopalnia Soli) is made up of a labyrinth of tunnels, the deepest of which lies 1,075 feet (327 meters) underground. The ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site is a major part of Poland’s salt mining history and one of the world’s oldest salt mines, having produced table salt from the 13th century until 2007.

The London Eye offers panoramic views of Central London from its location on the South Bank of the River Thames (including the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, just opposite). The 443-foot (135-meter) Ferris wheel was built to mark the millennium, and it has since become one of the most popular paid tourist attractions in the United Kingdom.

Bordered by steep, waterfall-threaded mountains, dramatic Glencoe (Glen Coe) is the stuff of Scottish postcards. Though it has historical significance—it was the site of the 1692 Glencoe Massacre of the MacDonald Clan—and its very own ski resort, Glencoe Mountain Resort, the valley’s main draw is its spectacular scenery and world-class hiking trails.

Shrouded in legend, the Li Galli (Sirenuse islets tower over the Mediterranean Sea. Once said to be inhabited by sirens, these tiny outcrops lure passing boats with their pristine waters and coastlines. Though the islands are private, you can still drop anchor on their outskirts to swim or snap photos.

Situated in a former Borghese family estate, Rome’s Borghese Gallery (Galleria Borghese) houses much of the eponymous family’s vast collection of antiquities, paintings, and sculptures across 22 rooms and two floors. Highlights include paintings by Titian, Raphael, Caravaggio, and Rubens, as well as several Bernini sculptures.

Few landmarks epitomize a country as perfectly as Big Ben, the iconic clock tower of London’s Houses of Parliament. Heralding Great Britain’s political heart in Westminster, the Elizabeth Tower (as it’s officially known) is the striking centerpiece of the Thames River waterfront. Westminster Bridge is the perfect place to admire its Gothic Revival architecture from afar.

One of Barcelona’s most fanciful buildings, Casa Batlló is a creation by celebrated Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Some visitors know the UNESCO World Heritage Site as the House of Bones for its skeletal columns, while others think its rippling, mosaic-covered facade symbolizes the sea. Come up with your interpretation on a visit—and don’t miss the interior’s exquisite tile work or undulating walls and ceilings.

The Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena) is one Tuscany’s most beautiful churches, second perhaps only to Florence's Santa Maria del Fiore. The magnificent Gothic and Romanesque structure is hard to miss thanks to its tall spires, bold white-and-green stripes, and ornate facade. Inside, the cathedral is equally impressive with works of art by Donatello, Bernini, and Michelangelo.

Although it’s also a residential area, the scenic Dutch village of Zaanse Schans is like an open-air museum that recreates life in 18th and 19th-century Holland. Known for its signature windmills and wooden houses, you can learn about traditional industries and crafts as you watch artisans at work, from cheese makers to pewter smiths. Wander among the five working windmills, visit museums, and browse shops for unique souvenirs.

Siena’s central Piazza del Campo is one of the most beautiful and famous squares in Tuscany. This sweeping, shell-shaped space is anchored by the magnificent Palazzo Pubblico (home to the Museo Civico) and soaring Torre del Mangia tower, and hosts the historic Palio di Siena festival each July and August.

Though it translates to “New Bridge” in French, the Pont Neuf is actually the oldest existing bridge in Paris, built in 1607 to connect the banks of the Seine River to Île de la Cité. Ahead of its time, Pont Neuf was one of the city’s first bridges not to have houses built along its sides, which is why visitors today can still enjoy sweeping city views from the tranquil pedestrian paths.

Unveiled at the turn of the 20th century, Pont Alexandre III is arguably the most impressive of all the bridges crossing the Seine. Connecting the Champs-Élysées and Grand Palais on the Right Bank with Les Invalides on the Left Bank, the National Monument is renowned for its elaborate beaux-arts architecture. Four towers, each crowned with a gilded Pegasus, stand watch over the bridge, while the arch is punctuated with ornate bronze lamp posts.

Piazza della Signoria is the most important public square in Florence, home to the fortress-like Palazzo Vecchio—both a museum and the Tuscan capital’s city hall—and the Loggia dei Lanzi, an open-air sculpture gallery with masterpieces by Giambologna and Cellini. The political heart of Florence in medieval and Medici times, today’s piazza is an elegant meeting place to sip spritzes and cappuccinos while admiring the stately Fountain of Neptune.

The Ponte Vecchio—or Old Bridge—is perhaps the most recognized symbol of Florence after Brunelleschi’s Dome. Stretching across the Arno River, the pretty pedestrian bridge is lined with pocket-sized jewelry stores and viewpoints over the city’s colorful riverside palazzi. The windows that run along the top of the 14th-century bridge hint at the Vasari Corridor—a secret passageway built for the Medici family and now accessible to the public.

Crowned by the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, Montmartre in Paris’ 18th arrondissement is famed for its cobblestone streets, artsy vibe, and panoramic central hill—a popular spot to watch the sunset. Visitors also flock here to imagine what life was like when artists such as Dalí, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Picasso lived and worked here, and to get their portrait sketched by a street artist in Place du Tertre.

Like the neighboring Petit Palais and Pont Alexandre III, the Grand Palais was created for the 1900 World’s Fair. Instantly recognizable for its colossal nave and immense glass roof, the versatile venue has hosted a wide range of events, from the Olympic Games to Chanel fashion shows. Today, locals and visitors alike come to explore its art exhibitions, educational activities for children, and dining and social spaces, all incorporated into its elegant Beaux-Arts architecture.

Located about 30 miles (50 km) northwest of Barcelona is Montserrat Mountain, the “Serrated Mountain.” This unique rock formation, sawed and sculpted by thousands of years of wind and rain, is most famously home to a Benedictine monastery, an important Catholic pilgrimage spot thanks to its 12th-century wooden statue of La Moreneta (The Black Madonna), Catalonia’s patron saint. Aside from its religious and cultural importance, the mountain also boasts unbeatable views from its peaks.

Flowing right through the heart of London, the Thames River has long been the British capital’s lifeblood. Today, the waterway is lined by many of the city’s best-known landmarks, from centuries-old attractions including the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and St. Paul’s Cathedral to ultra-modern skyscrapers and contemporary icons such as the London Eye.

The Spanish Steps are one of Rome’s most recognizable landmarks, connecting the Piazza di Spagna to the Trinità dei Monti church and the ancient Sallustiano Obelisk. Countless postcards and films, including Roman Holiday, have immortalized the 18th-century staircase’s more than 130 steps, and the surrounding square with bustling shops and cafés has long served as a meeting place for locals and visitors alike.

The Hungarian House of Parliament (Országház) is one of the world’s most photogenic government buildings. Perched on the UNESCO World Heritage–listed banks of the Danube River, the mainly neo-Gothic structure features 691 rooms, a handful of which are open to the public—including the Domed Hall, where the Crown of St. Stephen is on display.

Situated on the shores of sparkling Lake Lucerne, at the base of Mount Pilatus, the city of Lucerne is one of Switzerland’s most scenic destinations and a popular basecamp for exploring the Swiss Alps. Visit to see the city’s historic medieval center, then head into the mountains for hiking, cycling, and winter sports adventures.

St Paul’s Cathedral has been an enduring symbol of London since it was built in the 17th century. King Charles married Princess Diana there, Winston Churchill was buried there, and it famously emerged unscathed after the World War II Blitz. The magnum opus of architect Sir Christopher Wren, St Paul’s Cathedral is most famous for its gigantic dome, second only to Rome’s St Peter’s Basilica in size. (St. Paul’s is wider than six double-decker buses.)

The crown jewel of UNESCO–listed Sintra, Pena National Palace (Palacio Nacional da Pena), never fails to inspire. The fanciful red and yellow palace, combined with its eclectic 19th-century architecture, makes this hilltop landmark unlike anything else you’ll see on a day trip from Lisbon. What’s more, the palace’s sprawling park hides gorgeous chalets and panoramic viewpoints that are just waiting for visitors who take the time to wander.

Just north of Lisbon, Cabo da Roca is known for its dramatic views and scenic cliff-top walking path. As the westernmost point in continental Europe, it was once believed by Europeans to be the edge of the world. Today, it is home to a defensive lighthouse built in the 16th century and serves as a haven for local birdlife, which you can see soaring above the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean below.