Europe attractions

A vast tract of untended land southeast of Nuremberg's medieval city center, the Nazi Party Rally Grounds were once the stage for some of Adolf Hitler's most infamous and dangerous speeches during the rise of the Third Reich. The nearby Documentation Center museum chronicles the terrors inflicted by the Nazi party during World War II.

Used as a government building for much of its 220-year-old history, Sándor Palace is one of the hilly Buda district’s most iconic landmarks. The neo-classical building was first commissioned for a family of Hungarian aristocrats—the Sándors—in the early 1800s. During World War II, Allied bombers came close to destroying it. But the palace was restored in 1989 and now houses the Office of the Hungarian President.

According to legend, the Greek village of Paleokastritsa (Palaiokastritsa) is where Odysseus was shipwrecked and met Nausicaa in Homer’s epic tale theOdyssey. It’s a suitable setting for mythical romance, with a string of beaches, olive groves, and cypress forests set against the glittering Mediterranean Sea.

Nestled deep within the orange grove-covered Valley of Gold (Vall d’Or), Sóller is the ideal base for exploring the surrounding Serra de Tramuntana. Hailed as one of the prettiest towns on Mallorca, this traditional enclave feels far from the crowded beaches of the island’s resorts. Before taking to the trails, spend some time strolling the labyrinthine streets, admiring the art galleries, and enjoying what Sóller is best known for: oranges.

Perched on the banks of the Avon River, the 11th-century Warwick Castle is considered to be one of England’s most magnificent castles. Founded by William the Conqueror, the ancestral palace is a stunning testament to British medieval architecture. But while its exterior might suggest a serious historical attraction, this castle boasts fun exhibits and live-action entertainment that make for an immersive, family-friendly experience.

The Clink gets its name from a prison that operated there from the 12th to the 18th century. During its 600 years of operation, the prison gained a reputation for its poor conditions, notorious inmates, and frequent rebellions. Today, the museum offers interactive exhibits that reveal the harsh realities of crime and punishment in medieval London, including archaeological artefacts, torture devices, and tales of former inmates.

The neo-Baroque Belfast City Hall is home to a memorial garden and visitor exhibition that provide insight into the city’s history. Built to commemorate Belfast’s new city status in the late 1800s, the building survived the Belfast Blitz, and was at the center of the 2013 dispute regarding its continued use of the Union flag.

Lined with shops on the north side, Princess Street is Edinburgh’s principal shopping street. To the south, this heavily trafficked thoroughfare borders the memorial-dotted Princes Street Gardens, a park overlooked by Edinburgh Castle. Princes Street is also known for being one of the principal venues for Hogmanay, Scotland’s famous New Year’s celebrations.

Stretching 150 miles (241 kilometers) from Tuscany’s Mt. Falterona to the Ligurian Sea, the Arno River is the best-known river in central Italy after the Tiber. While the river flows through Pisa, it is most often visited in Florence, where it divides the city into two and serves as a meeting point for locals. Florence’s bridges—including the famous Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in the city—are renowned for their Arno views.

The Hague’s 13th-century Inner Court (Binnenhof) complex encompasses several landmarks, including the Gothic Hall of Knights (Ridderzaal), a state building characterized by medieval-style turrets. Now home to the Dutch Parliament, the heritage site attracts visitors with a blend of courtly features and political significance. While viewable from its inner courtyards, the complex provides a grand backdrop to the scenic Hofvijver lake in the heart of the city.

The only remaining mine crater from World War I that is open to the public, the massive Lochnagar Crater was created by a British underground detonation at precisely 7:28am on July 1st, 1916—kicking off the now-infamous Battle of the Somme. Visit this immense hole to get a feel for the scale of the destruction during this bloody battle.

Few Roman monuments are as striking as Pont du Gard, a 3-tiered bridge that has spanned the Gardon since the first century. It was once part of a 31-mile (50-kilometer) Roman aqueduct network that carried water to the city of Nimes. Today, visitors come to this UNESCO World Heritage Site to admire its extraordinary engineering while exploring an on-site museum, scenic walking trails, river beaches, and spectacular viewpoints.

The only brewery still working in Bruges’ city center, Brouwerij De Halve Maan has been operated by the same family since 1856. It’s believed, however, to have been in operation for much longer: The first recorded mention of the brewery dates from 1546, when Bruges was home to more than 30 breweries.

Frankfurt’s most important public square, Römerberg is a highlight of the city’s Old Town (Altstadt) and one of its top tourist destinations. A major gathering place since the 15th century, and host to bustling markets and festivals, Römerberg Square is known for its heritage architecture and for being the seat of the local government.

Locals and travelers alike flock to Santa Caterina Market (Mercat de Santa Caterina), which stands out amid the historic buildings of Barcelona’s La Ribera neighborhood with its wave-like mosaic roof. The colorful redesign was added more recently, but this is one of the city’s oldest covered markets, dating back to 1848 and brimming with fresh produce and delicious gourmet foods from around Spain.

Near Warsaw’s Old Town Market Square, St. John’s Archcathedral dates back to the 1300s, making it one of the city’s oldest churches. The site of the 18th-century coronation of Poland’s last king—and of his tomb—this striking, neo-Gothic cathedral was revamped in the 1800s before being destroyed in World War II and rebuilt in 1960.

Standing next to city hall on Burg Square, the Basilica of the Holy Blood (Heilig-Bloedbasiliek) is a highlight of Bruges’ historical center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church dates back to the 12th century and houses one of the city’s most sacred relics: a vial believed to contain the blood of Jesus Christ.

A unique sight in Orvieto, the Pozzo di San Patrizio (St. Patrick’s Well) is a remarkable feat of hydraulic engineering dating from the 16th century. Descend the double-helix staircases down almost 200 feet (more than 50 meters), and admire the ingenious design aimed at providing the clifftop city with water in times of siege.

Overview Built in the 18th century, Bordeaux’s Grand Theatre is a well-known symbol of French culture. The ornate neoclassical building is used for theatrical and operatic performances and has also served as the location of the French parliament during times of war.

If Florence is the capital of the Italian Renaissance, then the National Museum of Bargello (Museo Nazionale del Bargello) is the capital of Italian Renaissance sculpture. One of five sites that comprise the Bargello Museums, the National Museum of Bargello (often referred to as the Bargello), offers an impressive collection with four Michelangelo works, standout Donatello sculptures, and other masterpieces by household names of the 14th–16th centuries—all displayed in the beautiful Palazzo del Podestà.

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London invites Harry Potter fans to embark on a magical journey to the wizarding world—and behind the scenes of one of the most popular film series ever made. Inside the expansive space, explore film sets ranging from Diagon Alley to the Hogwarts Great Hall, and discover the secrets of the movies’ special effects. The impressive collection of costumes, props, and interactive exhibits helps make the enchantment even more real.

The Warsaw Jewish Ghetto is one of Poland’s most important World War II historical sites. Once the largest Jewish ghetto in Nazi-occupied Europe, the area now commemorates the lives lost during the Holocaust and the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Visitors come here to see memorials, monuments, preserved buildings, and fragments of the former ghetto walls, while learning about the area’s history.

Characterized by rugged cliffs, forested trails, and waterfalls, the wild landscapes of the Masca Valley are among Tenerife’s most beautiful. The remote gorge offers a thrilling backdrop for a hike—the trail winds down through the gorge and finishes at a black-sand beach.

Adjacent to the UNESCO-listed site of Olympia, the Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games follows the founding and development of the Olympic games. Displays exhibit sporting objects, sculptures, and artistic representations, and cover key events such as javelin throwing, chariot racing, and wrestling.

A former industrial zone beautified for the 1998 World Expo, the Park of Nations (Parque das Nações) is a trendy waterfront area filled with restaurants, museums, and the massive Lisbon Oceanarium (Oceanário de Lisboa) aquarium. Much of the ultramodern architecture—featuring undulating rooftops and buildings that soar like ship masts—evokes the nearby Atlantic. Art installations line the public gardens and bike paths along the Tagus River.

Experience the sights, smells, and tastes of a working whisky distillery at Deanston Distillery, picturesquely set by the River Teith at the entrance to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Housed in a former cotton mill, Deanston uses traditional methods to handcraft smooth and sweet single-malt whisky.

Made up of several different sites, the Jewish Museum (Zidovske Muzeum explores Prague’s extensive Jewish history. It’s a must-visit for anyone who wants to learn more about the fascinating heritage and, at times, tragic history of Jewish people in Europe.

Twenty-two floors above ground, the A'dam Lookout observation deck offers 360-degree views of Amsterdam’s historic center, its canals, and unique polder landscape—as well as the chance to swing over the edge, 328 feet (100 meters) above the city. There’s also a bar, three restaurants (one revolving), and DJs on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as a virtual reality (VR) roller coaster that sends you whirling through the city’s highlights.

Founded in 1083, Bachkovo Monastery is one of the largest and most important pilgrimage sites in Bulgaria, and is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed monument. The historic monastery also boasts a magnificent setting, perched in the hills around Asenovgrad and overlooking the Chepelare River.

A defining fixture of the Riga old town skyline, St. Peter’s Church is one of the city’s most cherished landmarks. This 13th-century church still has many original elements inside, including stone tombs and wooden altars, but the viewing platform atop the church’s 404-foot-high (123-meter) Gothic tower is its main draw.