Europe attractions

One of Zurich’s most distinctive and popular sights, Fraumünster Church is the green copper-spired building that is easily visible in Zurich’s skyline. The church itself dates back to the 9th century, but the building’s famous stained-glass windows are 20th-century additions.

A bustling business neighborhood in the former docklands area of East London, today’s Canary Wharf would be unrecognizable to London’s 19th-century dock workers. This regenerated area is now privately owned by the Canary Wharf Group, with its shiny glass skyscrapers leased out as office space to international banks, law firms, and financial service companies. Gardens, boardwalks, restaurants, bars, and underground shopping malls cater mainly to the city suits who work there.

One of the homes of the Muses in myth, 8,061-foot (2,457-meter) Mount Parnassus (Parnassos) is one of the star attractions of Parnassos National Park. Activities on offer run the gamut from skiing and snowmobiling to hiking, climbing, and mountain biking, but most travelers experience it only on a visit to the ancient site of Delphi.

Made up of Camden Lock, Stables Market, and Hawley Wharf, the area known as Camden Market is undoubtedly the UK’s most famous collection of street vendors. In continuous operation since the 1970s, the market draws crowds of visitors who come to shop the huge variety of stalls, eat, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. A life-sized statue of Amy Winehouse celebrates the market’s musical heritage.

Colorful buildings flank Warsaw Old Town Market Square, where centuries of history have unfolded against a picture-perfect backdrop. Christmas markets and an ice-skating rink keep the square bustling through cold-weather months. In summer, cafés open their doors for a season of outdoor dining and drinking with a view.

Spanning the Adige River on the northern edge of the city, Ponte Pietra reflects Verona’s remarkable history. This stone-and-brick footbridge was built by Romans in 100 BC and remained largely intact until several of its arches were blown up during World War II. Today, the reconstructed bridge is one of Verona’s top attractions.

Cawdor Castle is immortalized in literary history as the fictional home of the Thane of Cawdor in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The Highland castle, however, has little in common with its fictional counterpart as it wasn't built until the 14th-century, 300 years after the reign of both the real and fictional King Macbeth.

Plaza Nueva has long been at the center of local life in Granada, and its location at the foot of the Alhambra palace means many tourists will pass through it. Laid out in the early Christian era, the square was built over the Darro River and once served as an arena for sporting tournaments and bullfights, as well as public executions.

Amsterdam’s most important Roman Catholic church, the Basilica of Saint Nicholas was finished in 1887 and is one of the city’s most recognizable icons—even though public Roman Catholic worship had been banned there for centuries. An intricate rose window, lavish white-and-red marble, vibrant stained glass, and works by Dutch painter Jan Dunselman enrich the dark and moody interior.

Delve into the life and work of one of the most significant figures of 20th-century literature at the Franz Kafka Museum in Prague. The exhibition features most of the first editions of Kafka's works, correspondence, diaries, manuscripts, photographs, and drawings that have never been displayed before, as well as multimedia exhibits.

At the northern end of the grand Avenida da Liberdade and fringed by Eduardo VII Park, the Marquis of Pombal Square (Praça do Marquês de Pombal) is the nucleus of downtown Lisbon. Both a busy traffic intersection, linking several important boulevards, and an emblematic city landmark, it’s known for its towering white monument honoring the 1st Marquis of Pombal.

The Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo (Basilica di Santa Maria del Popolo) is the most important church in central Rome’s sweeping Piazza del Popolo. With a 17th-century facade designed by Bernini, chapels by Bramante and Raphael, and museum-quality art by Pinturicchio and Caravaggio, the church is a highlight on any tour of Roman art treasures, architecture, or Catholic sights.

Perched high on a mountaintop south of Rome, the Montecassino Abbey is notable both for its imposing architecture and for its long and turbulent history. One of the most important monastic complexes in Italy, the abbey draws architecture enthusiasts, history buffs, and Christian pilgrims by the thousands each year.

A formal court garden built by Elector Maximilian I in the 17th century, the Hofgarten is one of Munich’s favorite parks. At its center lies an octagonal pavilion, known as the Diana Temple; covered arcades skirt the edges; and the landscaped grounds host games of boules and even tango dancing during summer.

Located at the foot of the iconic Triple Bridge over Ljubljanica River—and dedicated to beloved national poet France Prešeren—Prešeren Square is one of Ljubljana’s most famous public spaces. Perched by the riverside, the square is connected to many of the city’s main thoroughfares, making it the perfect spot from which to explore the city.

Two life-size stone lions flank the stairway to the Loggia dei Lanzi (also called the Loggia della Signoria), an open-air gallery situated between the north end of the Uffizi Galleries (Gallerie degli Uffizi) and Piazza della Signoria. Though strikingly realistic, the lions are overshadowed by the masterpieces beneath the loggia’s three Gothic arches, including Benvenuto Cellini’s Perseus with the Head of Medusa and Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabine Women.

Step into Bulgaria’s rich history at the Plovdiv Roman Theater, an iconic relic in the heart of Plovdiv. This ancient amphitheater, dating back to the 2nd century AD, is a testament to Roman architecture’s legacy. With its well-preserved structure and dramatic backdrop, the amphitheater takes visitors on a captivating journey through time.

The St. Pauli Piers (St. Pauli Landungsbrucken) have nearly become their own ‘hood. One of Hamburg's most popular attractions, the once transport-heavy piers—a network of connected “landing bridges,” hence the German name—are now a bustling promenade. Visitors come here to people-watch, catch ferries and catamarans, visit the docked museum ships, stroll the onsite restaurants and gift shops, and more.

Prague's New Town (Nové Město is a bustling commercial hub and cultural nexus, and the easy-to-reach central district hugs the Old Town and Jewish Quarter. From shows at the art nouveau Municipal House (Obecní Dum, shopping at Palladium, and dining at cafés along Wenceslas Square, the New Town should be on every visitor's itinerary.

Characterized by babbling brooks, waterfalls, and vivid bursts of hydrangea flowers, Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park (Parque Natural dos Caldeirões) is a protected area that showcases the natural beauty of São Miguel island, part of the Azores archipelago in Portugal.

West Iceland’s Deildartunguhver Thermal Spring is famed as the highest flowing hot spring in Europe. With a rapid flow rate of 40 gallons (180 liters) per second, the spring produces so much energy that much of its water is used for heating Icelandic homes. It’s a great place to understand how Icelanders harness the power of their natural environment.

Cannaregio is one of Venice’s largest and most populated districts. Best known as the city’s Jewish neighborhood, it’s home to several synagogues, as well as the striking Madonna dell’Orto Church (Chiesa della Madonna dell'Orto), and the Renaissance beauty of Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli. In addition to admiring historical landmarks, you should come to see the canal-lined Fondamenta della Misericordia, where lively cafés, bars, and restaurants create the perfect atmosphere for bar-hopping and people-watching.

Focused on the war of independence and the evolution of modern Greece, the Athens National Historical Museum takes visitors all the way through history, from medieval times to World War II. Weaponry, folk costumes, decorative arts, war medals, and statuary are on display in the ornate neoclassical palace that was once Greece’s parliament. The building still houses the original parliamentary chamber.

Situated on Dublin’s Northside, O’Connell Street is one of the city’s main thoroughfares. As well as being home to shops, bars, and restaurants, this broad boulevard is also the setting for several statues, the 390-foot-high (120-meter-high) Spire monument, and the bullet-pocked General Post Office (GPO)—a key site in Ireland’s 1916 Easter Rising.

Board the Golden Hinde for a chance to step into naval history. Moored at the edge of the River Thames, this replica ship brings to life the wooden galleon that took Sir Francis Drake around the world between 1577 and 1580—sails, rigging, and all. Stride a gun deck lined with cannons, learn about life on board a 16th-century ship, and hear about the age of exploration.

Discover a symbol of Liverpool and gain insight into the city’s history with a visit to the National Heritage-listed Liverpool Cathedral. As the largest religious building in Britain, the Anglican cathedral boasts neo-Gothic architecture, distinctive artwork, and a 328-feet (100-meter) tower that provides sweeping views across River Mersey.

Football (soccer) fans won’t want to miss Spotify Camp Nou stadium, home turf for Football Club Barcelona—and the legacy of Lionel Messi. It’s the largest stadium in Europe, with 99,354 seats. Experience the energy of the stadium during a soccer match, or, if you can’t get tickets, check out the interactive museum and the immersive Spotify Camp Nou Live show, which recreates the action of a live game.

Once a Tudor palace, Somerset House was redesigned by Sir William Chambers in 1776 as part of the city’s infrastructural improvements. Today, it’s a creative and cultural hub that hosts shows, events, and exhibitions year-round, as well as featuring cafés, restaurants, and a winter ice rink in its courtyard. Stop by for drinks in the riverside bar, browsing its art galleries, or attending music events or film screenings.

Rising 4,409 feet (1,344 meters) above sea level, Ben Nevis is Scotland’s tallest mountain and a premiere destination for climbers. Once a massive volcano that exploded and collapsed inward, the summit is frequently shrouded in mist. In Gaelic, it is called the “mountain with its head in the clouds” and also “venomous mountain.”

In the shadows of the mighty Teide volcano, Los Roques de García are among the most memorable natural wonders of Tenerife’s UNESCO-listed Teide National Park. Formed by years of ancient volcanic activity, the pyroclastic rocks are known for their peculiar shapes, some appearing to defy gravity and others taking on an otherworldly presence.