Europe attractions

The neoclassical Sabatini Gardens (Jardines de Sabatini) provides the perfect place for a rest on a busy day exploring Madrid. The gardens feature an impressive sculpted hedge maze, as well as fountains, statues, and a pond. Sit on a bench beneath one of the leafy trees to nibble a jamón sandwich with views of the Royal Palace.

This Romanesque church remains one of Zurich Old Town’s most iconic landmarks, thanks to its blend of medieval architecture and modern features. The south tower’s observation deck offers sweeping city vistas, while an 11th-century crypt and small museum reveal more about the site’s rich history as the birthplace of the Swiss Reformation.

Perched on top of Castle Hill overlooking Slovenia’s capital city, the mighty medieval Ljubljana Castle (Ljubljanski Grad) dates back to the 11th century. This well-preserved fortress is visible from most everywhere in town and is a must-see for unbeatable views of the city. Tour the castle’s Museum of Slovene History for a fascinating introduction to Slovenia’s past.

Elegant Turin, which was the seat of the Duchy of Savoy before briefly becoming the first capital of unified Italy, is home to a number of sumptuous historic palaces and castles. The Royal Palace of Turin (Palazzo Reale di Torino) is among the most opulent, and today it houses the Royal Museums, with an extensive art collection, armory, and gardens.

Commemorating the influential Della Scala family, the Scaliger tombs are a series of five Gothic funerary monuments found outside the Santa Maria Antica church in Verona. Dating back to the 14th century, the monuments are famous for their elaborate decoration.

The old Moorish town of Ronda teeters precariously atop the El Tajo Gorge, which historically served as a daunting obstacle for approaching enemies. Water from the Guadalevín River and melting snow flowing down from the Sierra de las Nieves eroded the gorge, and Ronda is one of the few towns in the world to be split in two by a ravine such as this.

Built under the reign of Emperor Vespasian between 27 BC and AD 67—around the same time as Rome’s Colosseum—Pula Arena (Pula Amphitheatre) is one of the largest Roman amphitheaters in the world. Today, it’s the best-preserved ancient monument in Croatia and is still used as a performance venue that accommodates up to 20,000 spectators.

One of the most elegant and panoramic spots on Capri, this villa built by Swedish doctor and author Axel Munthe at the turn of the 20th century today houses an eclectic collection amassed during his travels. Admire art and antiquities, stroll through the lush gardens, and take in sweeping views across the Bay of Naples.

Packed with cultural hotspots and boasting a laid-back atmosphere, London’s South Bank district is a must-visit for anyone curious about London life. Locals and visitors alike stroll the riverbank for striking views of Westminster, Big Ben, and other city landmarks. You can take in those views from the sky here, as well, aboard the enormous London Eye observation wheel. Or, pop into the museums, galleries, theaters, and pubs for which the area is famous.

Home to fishmongers and produce vendors, quirky hat specialists and trendy sandwich shops, Oxford Covered Market is both a bustling retail hub and a destination for food lovers. The market has operated continuously since its founding in 1774, and today it hosts more than 50 independent shops.

Constructed in 1988 to celebrate the legacy of Albanian communist leader Enver Hoxha, the Pyramid of Tirana is one of the city’s most distinctive buildings. After communism fell only a few years later, the pyramid fell into disrepair. Once used as a conference center, NATO base, and temporary exhibition space, it is currently in disuse.

Budapest is home to several bridges, and though the Elisabeth Bridge (Erzsébet Híd may not be the most famous, it's among the most important. Destroyed in World War II and rebuilt in the 1960s, today it's the city's most trafficked bridge, offers great city views if you walk across, and serves as the gateway to Buda's must-see Citadella.

A brightly patterned tiled roof makes this Catholic church one of the most distinctive buildings in Zagreb. Fires and an 1880 earthquake destroyed most of the church’s original 13th-century construction, though an ornate Gothic doorway remains. Devotional sculptures and frescoes by leading Croatian artists adorn the interior.

Also written Koprivshtica, the little riverside town of Koprivshtitsa is a living museum nestled in the foothills of the Sredna Mountains (Sredna Gora). Its history dates back to the 14th century, but the colorful and brightly lit merchants’ houses that decorate the town are from the Bulgarian Revival period, 500 years or so later.

The theatrical London Dungeon is a frightfully fun way to learn about London’s macabre history. Make your way through a series of shadowy rooms, where costumed actors reenact accounts of the gory murders committed by Jack the Ripper and Sweeney Todd, the failed Gunpowder Plot of Guy Fawkes, and 17th-century witch trials. The meticulous sets, spooky special effects, and a thrilling vertical drop ride make for a memorable, shriek-out-loud experience.

Commissioned by King Felipe II as a testament to Spain's devout Catholic faith, the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial—or just El Escorial—was built in the 16th century after the French were defeated in the Battle of Saint Quentin. The highlights of this immense UNESCO World Heritage Site—considered the most important monument of the Spanish Renaissance—include the elegant basilica; the marble Pantheon de los Reyes, where many kings and their relatives are buried; and the Patio de los Reyes, the entrance to the monument. The site is a must-visit for history buffs and architecture lovers.

Vibrant Testaccio offers an authentic taste of Italy. This historically working-class neighborhood has evolved into an off-the-beaten-path foodie destination and a nightlife hot spot that is loved by locals and visitors alike. Aficionados of Roman cuisine flock to the bustling Testaccio Market (Mercato Di Testaccio) for dishes such as cacio e pepe and supplì (deep-fried risotto balls).

Dominated by a glacier-topped stratovolcano, Snæfellsjökull National Park embodies Iceland’s moniker: the land of fire and ice. The park covers 70 square miles (183 square kilometers) and boasts basalt sea cliffs, black and gold sand beaches, and peculiar lava formations. While the park’s star attraction is undoubtedly Snæfellsjökull volcano—which inspired Jules Verne while writing Journey to the Center of the Earth—its otherworldly lava fields and remains of ancient fishing villages are not to be missed.

Venice sits across a network of islands in the Venetian Lagoon (Laguna Veneta), a sheltered bay on the Adriatic Sea spanning 212 square miles (549 square kilometers). Beyond the main islands, visitors can take a boat trip to the lagoon’s colorful and historic outposts, including Burano with its vibrant houses and lace, Murano famed for its glassmaking, and Torcello, which is home to ancient churches.

Perched on the banks of the Danube River in Lower Austria, this picturesque village is a maze of cobblestone lanes lined with pastel-hued houses and topped by a stately blue baroque tower. Full of traditional restaurants and shops selling local wines, it’s a popular stop on driving, cycling, and walking tours through the valley.

Frequent sightings of humpbacks, blue whales, and orcas make this colorful harbor town a hub for whale-watching—with the added bonus of a major puffin colony nearby. But there’s more to Húsavík than wildlife safaris. You can also visit its historic wooden church, earn your views on a hike up Húsavík Mountain, take in the bright costumes at the Húsavík Eurovision Exhibition, or browse handknit Icelandic sweaters at a cooperatively run shop.

Built in the 13th century, the Bordeaux Cathedral (Cathédrale St. André is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its role in the religious and cultural development of Bordeaux. Eleanor of Aquitaine married Louis VII here. Her wealth benefited both the city and the cathedral, which was subsequently enlarged and lavishly decorated.

The Megalopotamos River runs through this cliff-hemmed canyon for almost 1.8 miles (3 kilometers before flowing out into the Libyan Sea at Preveli Beach, a scenic stretch of palm-shaded sand. The Kouropa and Xiron Mountains rise up on either side of the gorge, adding to the dramatic natural scenery, while birds of prey circle overhead.

Stretching from Oslo Central Station to the Royal Palace, Karl Johans Gate is Oslo’s main thoroughfare. Named after King Charles III John, the street is home to many of thexa0city’s top attractions, including the Royal Palace, Stortinget, National Theatre, Central Station alongside pubs, restaurants, and a variety of shops.

On the banks of the Bidasoa river, sheltered by Mount Rhune’s austere peak, Hondarribia is one of the most picturesque towns on the Basque coast. Close to the French border, just east of San Sebastián, this lovely walled fishing village is enjoying a gastronomical moment, with an explosion of noteworthy restaurants.

Dedicated to the Ancient Roman king of gods, the Temple of Jupiter was constructed in the 3rd century as part of Diocletian's Palace and is considered to be one of the most well-preserved Roman temples in the world. Diocletian believed he was the reincarnation of Jupiter, who was highly worshipped until the Roman Empire was taken over by Christian rule.

Within Montjuic Park (Parc de Montjuïc), the Joan Miró Museum (Fundació Joan Miró) showcases paintings, drawings, sculptures, and stage designs by one of Barcelona's most famous 20th-century artists. It boasts more than 10,000 works of art by the revered creator, and the gallery itself is a piece of modern art—terraces and interior courtyards are designed to direct the flow of visitors and give the space an open-air feel.

Inaugurated in 1847, the Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert in Brussels form one of Europe’s most beautiful and oldest glass-roofed shopping arcades. Composed of three elegant, Florentine-inspired arcades, the galleries are lined with upscale shops and restaurants and draw around 6 million visitors each year.

A castle, palace, and restaurants draw visitors to Fruit’s Square (Trg Brace Radic) in Split. The space once held a bustling fruit market, but today the stone-lined square’s main attractions are historic landmarks and Baroque architecture. Literature buffs may want to check out the statue of Marko Marulic, a 15th-century poet considered the father of Croatian literature.

At the western end of the Tuileries Garden (Jardin des Tuileries), looking out across Place de la Concorde and the Seine River, the Musée de l’Orangerie has one of Paris’ most magnificent panoramas right on its doorstep. Brimming with impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces, it is best known for housing eight of Monet’s famous Water Lilies paintings.