Europe attractions

In a city famous for its gorgeous baroque architecture, the Lecce Basilica of Santa Croce (Basilica Di Santa Croce) is a standout. With a glorious stone facade decorated with ornately carved animals, gargoyles, flora, and a large rose window, this 17th-century masterpiece is a feast for the eyes and a highlight of Lecce.

Lisbon’s lively Baixa District (Lower Town) occupies the sweet spot between Alfama and Bairro Alto. The buzzing district is packed with stores, restaurants, hotels, and bars, and is home to some of the city’s most symbolic streets and squares. Built after the 1755 earthquake, Baixa showcases neoclassical architecture and engineering marvels; highlights include the neo-Gothic Santa Justa Lift (Elevador de Santa Justa) and the monumental Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio), with its grandiose arched entryway.

Butchers, chefs, and restaurateurs converge on the historic Smithfield Market between 2am and breakfast time, when most of London is sound asleep. It’s not a tourist market, nor a treat-for-the-senses food market, but it is a real working part of the capital’s history, where meat has been traded for more than a century. Visits here offer a glimpse of a bustling world that most Londoners and tourists simply sleep through, without knowing much about it.

Perched atop a hill by the River Ness, this Victorian-era red sandstone castle—built to replace the medieval fortress blown up by the Jacobites in 1746—is one of Inverness’ most prominent historic structures. Today it houses the Inverness Castle Experience, which blends sound, imagery, and interactive installations to tell the story of the Highlands. Having long played an important role in Scotland’s history, the castle is a good choice for history buffs.

Hailed as one of Greece’s prettiest islands, Symi is characterized by pastel-colored town houses and a quaint harbor full of wooden fishing boats. Restaurants serving fresh seafood and Greek delicacies line the seafront, while the heavily forested inland offers an abundance of walking and cycling trails.

Just along the coast from St. Tropez, Port Grimaud is a chic village purpose-built in the 1960s by architect François Spoerry. The town was designed to resemble a mini Venice with its network of canals and brightly painted buildings, and today it is a popular destination for visitors to the Côte d’Azur.

San Polo is one of the oldest of Venice’s six districts (sestieri) and home to many of the city’s most popular sites, including the Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) that connects San Polo to the San Marco side of the Grand Canal, and the historic Rialto Market, where locals shop for fresh produce and seafood. The district is a fun place to visit, thanks to its lively mix of culture, history, and authentic Venetian life.

The mirrored glass dome of Perlan shines from its position on Öskjuhlíð hill, just outside Reykjavík. Comprising a glass hemisphere sitting atop six massive hot water tanks, the building offers panoramic views of Reykjavík and the surrounding areas. Inside, it houses a restaurant, a viewing deck, a planetarium, and the Perlan Museum, which brings to life Iceland’s epic—and ephemeral—natural wonders.

The Paris Catacombs (Catacombes de Paris) date back to the 1700s, when the ossuary was formed from an old underground quarry. Over the years, more and more remains were brought here from overcrowded cemeteries to make room for the city’s development, up until 1860. For those with an interest in all things macabre, it’s a fascinating look at a former burial practice.

The most prestigious and largest cemetery in Paris, the Père Lachaise Cemetery (Cimetière du Père Lachaise) was founded in 1804. Today it’s the site of more than 70,000 ornate tombs, including those of some of France’s most important public figures, from writer Honoré de Balzac to actress Sarah Bernhardt. It’s also the final resting place of international luminaries, including Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde.

Jutting out of Istanbul’s Hippodrome, the Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius originated at the Temple of Karnak in the 15th century BC and arrived in Constantinople in AD 390, courtesy of Emperor Theodosius I. The obelisk decorated the ancient Hippodrome’s horse-racing track, which has long since been converted to a public square—but the obelisk remains.

If you’re looking to sample authentic Viennese cuisine or soak up local culture, head to the 16th-century Naschmarkt—the oldest of Vienna’s many markets. Located just south of Vienna’s historic center, Naschmarkt hosts a week-long food market and a Saturday flea market.

The medieval John Knox House is one of the oldest buildings on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Knox, a prominent Reformation leader, is thought to have lived here in the 16th century, and the building now hosts tours chronicling the life of Knox and the houses’ other famous resident, James Mossman, goldsmith to Mary, Queen of Scots.

Santorini’s hot springs are on the tiny, uninhabited islet of Palea Kameni—making them slightly less crowded than their on-island neighbors. Continuous volcanic activity underground maintains the springs’ temperature between 86ºF and 95ºF (30°C and 35°C). The sulfuric, orange-tinged spring waters that bubble up into a shallow cove off the islet’s coast are said to be curative for the skin and joints.

A magnificent example of late Gothic architecture, Tallinn Town Hall was completed in 1404 and is now one of Northern Europe's oldest surviving Gothic town halls. The building functions as a museum, concert hall, and site for official receptions, where visitors can discover preserved medieval artwork, wood carvings, and tapestries.

This Old Town district is thought to be where Zurich began as a Roman fort in the second century. For years, its hilltop location played an important role in defending and governing the city. Today, its main square is a popular spot for visitors and locals alike, known for its open-air chess boards, leafy avenues, and panoramic city views.

Bowness-on-Windermere, or simply Bowness, is one of the main tourist hubs of the Lake District. Located on the banks of Lake Windermere, the town’s picturesque Victorian architecture and good transport connections make it the ideal starting point to explore the surrounding region.

With its stark white tower perched atop the Cape Armenistis cliffs and views stretching out over the sea, the Armenistis Lighthouse (Faros Armenistis) feels a world away from the lively streets of nearby Mykonos town. Though the lighthouse is no longer in use, it remains an impressive landmark and a popular spot to admire the sunset.

One of the largest cemeteries of its kind in Europe, with headstones dating back to the mid-1400s, the Old Jewish Cemetery (Starý Zidovský Hrbitov) is an off-the-beaten-track destination where you can spend a peaceful hour or two. More than 100,000 of Prague’s Jewish citizens were buried here, and there are around 12,000 gravestones still in place.

Prague’s historic Clementinum is a vast complex of beautiful baroque and rococo halls. One of the largest building complexes in Europe, the halls were built from the mid-16th century to mid-18th century, originally as a Jesuit dormitory. The Clementinum is now mostly occupied by the Czech National Library.

Covering a hillside near Ypres, Tyne Cot Cemetery is the world’s biggest Commonwealth military cemetery. Home to the graves of 11,954 British Commonwealth servicemen lost in World War I, the site—with its white gravestones and Memorial Wall— is a key fixture on WWI battlefields tours.

Perched at the end of the breakwater, the Venetian Lighthouse—constructed around 1570 when Chania was under the control of the Republic of Venice—is the most striking building on the town’s Venetian Harbor. One of the oldest lighthouses in the world, its spectacular architecture makes it one of the most photographed landmarks in the city.

Linking the central San Marco and Dorsoduro districts of Venice, the pedestrian Accademia Bridge (Ponte dell’Accademia) is popular with visitors for its Grand Canal views and history. Created in the late 19th century, the structure was originally made from iron, which was replaced in the 1930s with wood reinforced by steel supports.

From Roman times to the present day, the city of Barcelona boasts thousands of years of history and has many stories to tell. The Museum of the History of Barcelona (Museu d'Història de Barcelona, or MUHBA) is today situated in Plaça del Rei atop the Roman ruins of Barcino. Its collection preserves and communicates the heritage of the Catalonian capital.

The UNESCO-listed Cefalù Cathedral (Duomo, dating from the 12th century and one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Sicily, is a highlight of the historic town of Cefalù. Known for its imposing fortress-like exterior and lavish interior mosaics, the duomo is a must for art and architecture enthusiasts.

Located right off the bustling pedestrian thoroughfare of Istiklal in the downtown Beyoglu area, Cicek Pasaji is a covered arcade dating back to the 1870s. Built in a luxurious Parisian style, the passage became popular with Russian flower sellers fleeing Bolshevik Russia—hence the blossom-inspired nickname. Today, you’ll find a lively mix of souvenir shops, bars, and upscale restaurants.

The Oberbaum Bridge crosses the Spree River, connecting the two Berlin districts of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. Prominent in the city’s history, it was one of the only crossing points between East and West Berlin during The Cold War, and so, fiercely guarded. Today it is widely regarded as a symbol of reunification.

A Galway landmark on the banks of the River Corrib, the Spanish Arch is the remains of a late 16th century bastion designed to protect the city. Located in the heart of Galway, the Spanish Arch is a short walk from other city landmarks including the Claddagh and the Galway City Museum.

Built in 1664, Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nymphenburg) was once the summer residence of Bavarian kings. One of the largest royal palaces in Europe and located on the outskirts of Munich, this magnificent complex boasts a dramatic baroque facade, lavishly decorated interiors, and an expanse of stunning gardens and lakes.

The Amalienburg palace is the former hunting lodge of Emperor Charles VII. Located on the expansive, scenic grounds of Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nymphenburg), it is considered a fine example of European Rococo style.