Europe attractions

Delighting audiences since 1860, Au Lapin Agile is one of the oldest and most beloved cabarets in Paris. The 2-story cottage in Montmartre is emblematic of the bohemian district and is famed for once attracting a loyal following among artists such as Modigliani, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Utrillo. Picasso was another regular, and he immortalized the haunt in his 1905 painting, At the Lapin Agile, which now hangs at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met).

From its position on the Western Front, the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial commemorates the thousands of Newfoundland soldiers who died in World War I. Near the site of the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel—where more than 700 of the 800-man battalion were killed or wounded—it’s a powerful place of remembrance.

The Palace of Tears (Tränenpalast) is a museum that once served as a border crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War. It was erected at Friedrichstrasse station, when the city was divided by the Berlin Wall, and got its name due to the tearful goodbyes that occurred when people had to return home to West Berlin after visiting loved ones in East Berlin.

Museo Picasso Málaga, situated in the city of the master’s birth, showcases a collection of more than 200 pieces donated to the museum by Picasso’s family. While the Blue and Rose periods are missing, the collection highlights the artist’s personal side, with works he painted for his family or kept for himself.

Built on a hill on the edge of Tallinn’s Old Town, Toompea Castle was originally built over the remains of a 9th-century fortress by Danish invaders in 1219. Since it’s 13th-century founding, the castle has been the seat of succession across many centuries (and for many different ruling foreign powers), but now is Riigikogu—Estonia’s parliament building.

Laid out in the early 16th century under the papacy of Pope Julius II, Via Giulia is one of Rome’s most elegant thoroughfares. This cobblestone lane connecting Piazza dell’Oro with Piazza San Vincenzo Palloti is framed by ivy-covered arches and lined with historic churches and palaces, shops, and restaurants—making it a perfect place for a quintessentially Roman stroll. Highlights along the route include Michelangelo’s Arco Farnese, the adjoining Palazzo Farnese, and the Fontana del Mascherone.

The Palatine Chapel inside Palermo’s Royal Palace—once the private chapel of the Norman Kingdom of Sicily—is one of the most breathtaking and important attractions in the city. The chapel seems to glow in a golden light, reflected by the ornate mosaics that cover its interior and are considered among the best in Italy.

The clock tower of the Church of St. Michaelis (Michaeliskirche) has soared above the rooftops of Hamburg since the 1680s. This baroque Protestant church stood as a beacon for sailors for centuries; today, visitors enjoy panoramic views out to the Port of Hamburg from the tower's observation deck.

Amsterdam is home to over 150 canals, and Brouwersgracht is one of the prettiest. The name means “Brewers’ Canal” in Dutch, so called because breweries boomed along the waterway during the Dutch Golden Age of the 16th and 17th centuries. Tucked away in the quiet Jordaan neighborhood, this is a great spot to admire the city’s house boats and colorful townhouses without elbowing your way for a view.

Continuously staging plays and operas since 1893, Krakow’s Juliusz Słowacki Theatre (Teatr im J. Słowackiego w Krakowie) is known for being the birthplace of Poland’s modern theater movement. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the venue boasts magnificent European baroque and eclectic architectural features inspired by the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris.

Mother Teresa, the famous saint and humanitarian, was born in Skopje. Today, the Memorial House of Mother Teresa (Spomen Kuka na Majka Tereza) stands on the spot where she was baptized. The house serves as both a memorial to Mother Teresa and a museum to her life’s work, with photos, documents, and items related to her.

Casa da Música is one of the top attractions in Porto for music and architecture fans alike. Modern and eye-catching from the outside, inside it houses a vast 1,300-seat concert hall used by the Porto National Orchestra. The rooftop restaurant offers drinks and dinner options that are as delightful as the views.

One of seven mountains that surround Bergen, Mt. Fløyen stands 1,310 feet (399 meters) above the city. That makes it the perfect perch from which to admire panoramic views of the cityscape, as well as the surrounding natural scenery. Beyond its role as a de facto observation deck, Mt. Fløyen is also a popular hiking destination that features a funicular railway, plus a network of walking and biking trails and other recreational facilities.

With one of the largest and most comprehensive art collections in Madrid, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza) is a veritable paradise for art lovers. The collection contains more than 1,000 works of mostly Western art and is part of the “Golden Triangle of Art” along with the Prado Museum and the Museo Reina Sofia.

Barcelona’s L’Eixample neighborhood was built in the 19th century as part of a plan to enlarge the city by connecting it with smaller surrounding towns, such as Gràcia (now a neighborhood itself). Today, you’ll find some of the city’s most famous landmarks in this area—La Sagrada Familia as well as other Gaudí creations, Casa Mila and Casa Batlló.

This 14th-century Venetian fortress is a striking sight in Corfu, sitting atop the promontory between the Gulf of Kerkyra and Garitsa Bay and separated from the mainland by the Contrafossa moat. Today, the Old Fortress (Palaio Frourio) is home to a Byzantine art collection, Church of St. George, and panoramic lighthouse.

The Family Home of John Paul II is the tenement house where the late Pope John Paul II spent his early years. Situated in the small town of Wadowice, it is now a popular pilgrimage site for visitors looking to retrace the steps of the revered Polish Pope. You can learn stories about his life through multimedia exhibits and personal artifacts.

Standing on the shores of Loch Awe with a backdrop of moody, mist-shrouded mountains, Kilchurn Castle evokes exactly that—awe. Among the most atmospheric of Scotland’s many medieval castles, the ruins date back to the 15th century and boast a fascinating history, first as a Clan Campbell stronghold and later as a government garrison during the Jacobite Risings. While the interiors are closed off, visitors can still admire the striking facade.

Drinks, tapas, and labyrinthine medieval streets are plentiful in La Latina, a charming neighborhood tucked into the center of Madrid. Once a blue-collar and artsy district, La Latina maintains a local culture that complements its bohemian vibes. Wander to quaint public squares, see remains of ancient city walls, and sip tinto de verano, the local tipple.

Hidden away in a courtyard, just a short stroll from the medieval Barcelona Cathedral, the 2,000-year-old Roman Temple of Augustus is one of the most surprising landmarks of the Gothic Quarter. Once a mighty temple about half the size of Athens’ Parthenon, only four Corinthian columns remain. It’s nonetheless an impressive sight, with the ancient columns looming nearly 30 feet (9 meters) high.

Spanning the River Cam, the Mathematical Bridge is one of Cambridge’s most photographed landmarks. This wooden footbridge is surrounded by myths involving Sir Isaac Newton, who supposedly designed the bridge without the use of any nuts or bolts. However, the bridge was actually built after Newton’s death, so the famous story is unlikely to be true. Despite this, it’s still an impressive engineering achievement and a highlight of most Cambridge punting tours.

The center of Valencia’s civic activity, the Town Hall Square welcomes many festivals throughout the year, from the spectacular bonfires of Las Fallas in March to an ice skating rink in December.

Surrounded by lush greenery, turquoise waters, and impressive historical relics, the small town of Dalyan really packs a punch when it comes to its top attractions. The town also works as a base for exploring nearby attractions. Though it’s set up for visitors—with a wide range of shops, restaurants, and accommodation options—the town still retains its authentic Turkish charm.

Named after one of Bulgaria’s most esteemed writers, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre has been drawing audiences since 1907. The national theater is also the country’s largest and oldest, and is known for its productions, neoclassical architecture, and history. Cementing its status as a national icon, the theater’s colonnaded façade can be seen on 50-lev banknotes.

Fringed by mountains and woodland, the waters of Sapanca Lake (Sapanca Gölü pool in northwest Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye), just a 1.5-hour drive from Istanbul. With watersports from sailing to kayaking, windsurfing, and wakeboarding, plus bicycle trails, all-terrain vehicle tracks, and even skiing in winter, the area is a favorite active travel destination.

Perched high up on Mont Gibralfaro, Castillo de Gibralfaro offers commanding views of the city of Malaga and the Mediterranean Sea. Originally built by the Moors in the 10th century, the castle is one of Malaga’s best-known sights and is featured on the city’s flag.

Visitors who want to explore Hungarian history’s darker side can head to Budapest's House of Terror Museum (Terror Háza Múzeum). Located in a building that was once used as the headquarters of the Arrow Cross Party and the secret police, the museum offers a look at life under fascist and Stalinist rule.

Whether it's daytime or nighttime, at Hackescher Markt the energy never wanes. During the day, it's a prime location for shopping; think trendy boutiques, artists' studios, and one-of-a-kind souvenirs. It’s also awash with great restaurants, cafés, and regular farmers’ markets. For night owls, there’s an abundance of bars, clubs, and musical venues to discover nearby.

Straddling the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands, the island-studded Loch Lomond is the largest lake by surface area in Great Britain. Celebrated in a traditional Scottish folk song, the lake has mirror-clear waters that reflect the nearby crags and peaks, most notably the 3,195-foot (974-meter) Ben Lomond, which offers views of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. It’s easy to reach from Glasgow.

The postcard-perfect Mondsee Cathedral (Basilika St. Michael) was the setting for the wedding scene in “The Sound of Music”—and today, it still attracts thousands of fans of the iconic musical. In addition to its film role, the Mondsee Cathedral is a Gothic gem and one of the most important churches in Upper Austria.