Europe attractions

Once the center of London’s newspaper industry, Fleet Street is one of the city’s most storied locations. At the top of the street, you’ll find the UK’s highest court, the Royal Courts of Justice (also known as the Old Bailey). Also here is the historic Temple Church, which was built by the Knights Templar and featured in Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code.

Keeping watch over the northeastern tip of the island, the remains of the ancient Acropolis of Rhodes dominate the Dodecanese capital's skyline from atop Monte Smith hill. Highlights of the active archaeological complex include the exquisitely restored and partially reconstructed Temple of Apollo and the Temple of Pythian Apollo.

The New Synagogue is a historic landmark that is the current home of the Centrum Judaicum Foundation, an institution dedicated to the preservation of Jewish heritage. Dating back to 1859, the building has a large dome and was the center of the Jewish community in Berlin by the 1930s. It was damaged severely during World War II bombings.

Soccer fans won’t want to miss a visit to the magnificent Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (Estadio Santiago Bernabéu), home to the legendary Real Madrid football team. Boasting a capacity of more than 80,000 spectators, the Bernabéu is a spectacular place to enjoy the roar of the crowd during a match or go behind the scenes on a stadium tour. The on-site museum showcases trophies and other sporting memorabilia.

Right in the heart of Lisbon, on the fringes of the historic and multicultural Mouraria district, Praça Martim Moniz (Martim Moniz Square) is a popular gathering place for locals. Despite its unprepossessing appearance, it’s the starting point for the popular and iconic Tram 28 route and home to a number of trendy rooftop bars. It’s also surrounded by restaurants with diverse cuisines from different cultures.

Often described as the best example of the Prague baroque architectural style, St. Nicholas Church (Kostel Sv. Mikuláse dominates the Czech capital’s Lesser Town Square (Malostranské náměstí. Built between 1704-1755, it occupies the site where a 13th-century Gothic church, also dedicated to Saint Nicholas, once stood.

Built in the 18th century as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, Vienna’s magnificent Belvedere Palace (Schloss Belvedere) is one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in the historic center of Vienna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Upper Belvedere hosts art treasures such as Gustav Klimt’s Kiss, while the Lower Belvedere offers special exhibitions. The gardens are simply lavish.

Discover the melancholy melodies of Portugal’s answer to blues music at the Fado Museum (Museu do Fado). This Lisbon establishment features recordings, memorabilia, and interactive exhibits that give visitors a well-rounded look at the iconic music style, from its creation in the Alfama district in the 1800s to its evolution throughout the years. Musical audio guides for both adults and children bring the experience to life.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is a living history attraction that combines a 15th-century castle with a folk park depicting life in 19th-century Ireland. Visitors can tour one of the best-preserved fortresses in Ireland to see medieval and early Renaissance art and furniture. In the village, you'll find more than 30 reconstructed buildings—including village shops, cottages, and farmhouses—with costumed characters and craft demonstrations to enjoy.

Once considered an important commercial city and port in Europe, Seville built this Renaissance-style building—now called the General Archive of the Indies (Archivo General de Indias)—to serve as a merchant exchange. The space now houses documents related to Spain’s overseas possessions between the 15th and 19th centuries—which comprises more than 6 miles (10 kilometers) of shelving with over 43,000 volumes and 80 million pages.

Perched on a mountaintop overlooking one of Bulgaria’s oldest towns, Tsarevets Fortress is—both geographically and statistically—the top attraction of Veliko Târnovo. Dating back to the 12th century, the imposing fortress is known for its medieval architecture and royal legacy.

Killarney National Park, with idyllic lakes and ancient woodlands backed by the serrated MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountains, is an area of stunning natural beauty. The 24,710-acre (10,000-hectare) park is also historically significant, with two heritage buildings in situ: Ross Castle, a 15th-century fortress that’s also available for group bookings, and Muckross House, a stately Victorian estate.

Built by Duke Francesco I Sforza and later reworked by Bramante, the modest 15th-century Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie is known for housing one of Italy’s most celebrated works of Renaissance art: Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, which decorates the refectory wall of the adjoining Dominican convent. Often overshadowed by this groundbreaking mural, the convent’s church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and important cultural treasure in its own right.

Wedged between mountains and sea, Portovenere has long been known as the unofficial “sixth” village of Cinque Terre—one with ample charm and somewhat fewer crowds. And whether you’re sipping a waterside aperitif, swimming in the Gulf of Poets, or exploring its historic churches of San Pietro and San Lorenzo, Portovenere is anything but second-best. It’s an enchanting place to visit and a great home base for checking out the nearby coast.

Housed in the former Municipal Theatre of Figueres, the Dalí Theatre-Museum (Teatro-Museo Dalí) was converted by Salvador Dalí himself into a museum to display his works—the building itself is considered his final great work. Of the major Dalí sites in northeastern Spain, including his former homes in Portlligat and Púbol, this is the best place to explore Dalí’s art and see some of his most famed pieces. Even the polka-dotted exterior is pure Dalí, and his final resting place is here in a crypt beneath its stage.

Located along the southern end of the Galata Bridge, Eminonu Pier (Eminönü Iskelesi) is a central transportation point for Istanbul’s intercontinental ferries and public Bosphorus cruises. From here, boats head to Kadikoy, Uskudar, and the Princes Islands. To add to the energy, hawkers sell grilled fish sandwiches, roasted chestnuts, and steamed corn by the waterfront

Surrounded by a park that’s long been known as a romantic place for a stroll, Minnewater—also known as the Lake of Love—is a great place for anyone looking for some quiet time in nature. Swans are a common site on the lake, and the traditional Belgian brick houses around it make the park particularly photogenic.

The imperial tomb of French statesman and military leader Napoleon Bonaparte sits inside the 17th-century Dome Church, topped by a gilded dome that’s the tallest in the city. Surrounded by grand statues in the church’s crypt, Napoleon’s Tomb is a highlight of Les Invalides, a vast museum complex comprising the Army Museum (Musée de l’Armée) and other exhibits related to France’s military history.

With a name meaning “dark castles” in Icelandic, it seems fitting that Dimmuborgir—a 2,300-year-old lava field that resembles a collapsed citadel—gained fame as a setting on the hit TV show Game of Thrones. But more importantly, the volcanic formations are the stuff of local legend: In Icelandic folktales, the black caves are home to child-eating trolls. Dimmuborgir is currently one of the country’s most visited tourist destinations.

Part of the sweeping complex at Les Invalides, the Army Museum (Musée de l’Armée) was officially founded in 1905, when the Musée d’Artillerie and Musée Historique de l’Armée merged. History buffs, take heed: It’s the largest museum of military history in France, containing thousands of rare weapons and artifacts dating from antiquity to the 20th century.

The spires and stonework of Vienna’s city hall have a commanding presence on the Ringstrasse, an impressive feat given the boulevard’s other landmarks. Five adorned towers look out over Rathausplatz, and the nearby Rathauspark is an inviting patch of green with broad walkways, fountains, and park benches.

Once a moat that encircled medieval Amsterdam, the Singel is now the innermost canal in Amsterdam’s UNESCO World Heritage–listed ring of canals. The Singel is one of Amsterdam’s top sights, thanks in part to its picturesque bridges, historic canal houses, and proximity to Amsterdam’s most popular neighborhoods, including the picturesque Bloemenmarkt floating flower market.

Like many spots along Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, Cleopatra Beach (Kleopatra Plajı) is alleged to have been favored by Egyptian Queen Cleopatra and Roman Emperor Antonius. Whether there’s any truth in the legend or not, it’s still Alanya’s most popular beach and a beautiful spot for a swim with its long stretch of golden sands overlooked by the clifftop Alanya Castle.

Located just moments from the bustle of Las Ramblas, Güell Palace—also known as Palau Güell—is one of Antoni Gaudí’s earliest masterpieces. Designed as a private residence for wealthy industrialist Eusebi Güell, it showcases a darker, more experimental take on Gaudí’s signature style. Inside, visitors can discover surreal chimneys, stained glass, and ingenious plays of light and space. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see for architecture lovers.

Take a deep and delicious dive into Palermo’s culture and cuisine with a visit to Capo Market (Mercato di Capo), thick with stalls selling a wide variety of local produce, fresh fish, and other specialties.The atmosphere of this bustling market is testimony to the strong Arab influence in the port city, one of the hallmarks of its unique history.

Go island hopping during a trip to Dubrovnik with an excursion along the Dalmatian Coast to the Elaphite Islands (also known as the Elafiti Islands. The archipelago consists of 14 islands–including the three most popular destinations of Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan–and is a popular destination for swimming and sunbathing.

The historic and happening Oltrarno—which sits just across the Arno River from central Florence—is one of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods. It’s home to Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) and Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli), as well as Brunelleschi’s Santo Spirito Basilica and Santa Maria del Carmine’s Brancacci Chapel, frescoed by Filippino Lippi. Panoramic Piazzale Michelangelo perches just above, and lively artisan workshops, restaurants, and wine bars line the district’s narrow lanes.

The Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) is a major feat of 18th-century engineering uniting Ronda’s old and new towns over El Tajo Gorge, the sheer limestone ravine that descends 390 feet (120 meters) to the craggy bed of the Guadalevín River. Spanish architect José Martín de Aldehuela designed the bridge, constructed between 1759 and 1793.

In a city known for its baroque, Gothic, and Art Nouveau architecture, Prague’s postmodern Dancing House (Tancící Dum) stands out for displaying none of these architectural styles. The curvaceous, concrete, metal, and glass building was designed by the architectural duo of Czech-Croatian Vlado Milunić and Canadian-American Frank Gehry (of Guggenheim Bilbao fame) and completed in 1996.

Get a feel for the Sicilian town of Taormina by strolling down its main street, Corso Umberto I, which is crowded with locals shopping and socializing. Begin at the medieval Porta Messina city gate, stop to take in the view over the water from Piazza IX Aprile, and end in Piazza Duomo, home to the city’s historic cathedral and fountain.