Europe attractions

Guimarães is considered the birthplace of Portugal, because the country’s first king—Afonso Henriques—was born there. An authentic example of the evolution of a medieval town into a modern city, Guimarães’ historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that makes for a fascinating day trip from Porto.

The European headquarters of the United Nations is located in the Palais des Nations (Palace of Nations), surrounded by Geneva’s Ariana Park. Guided tours of the complex offer a behind-the-scenes look at halls where the organization works to maintain world peace and foster international relations. A must-see for political science buffs, the building also attracts culture lovers who come to admire its 20th-century architecture.

Straddling the Germany–Czech Republic border, Saxon Switzerland National Park is one of Central Europe’s most spectacular natural landscapes. With its deep canyons, mountains, and dense forests spliced down the middle by the Elbe River, it’s a striking destination for adventurous travelers. Visitors come to hike, cycle, and rock climb, while taking in panoramic views of the park’s distinctive sandstone scenery.

A highlight of Rome’s historic Jewish Ghetto, the 16th-century sculptural Turtle Fountain in Piazza Mattei is known for the whimsical bronze turtles around its upper basin, which were added a century later and are often attributed to Bernini. A stop to admire this delightful landmark created by Giacomo della Porta and Taddeo Landini is a must when visiting the Ghetto.

The Knights of St. John became the toast of a grateful Europe after their triumph in the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, in which they repelled Ottoman invaders. Valletta’s magnificent Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta reflects the knights’ heroic standing and the wealth lavished upon them. Construction began in 1571 on the palace to house the supreme head of the Knights of St. John.

Backed by pine-topped ombré cliffs that fade from ochre to beige, Falesia Beach stretches for more than 3.7 miles (6 kilometers, making it one of Portugal’s longest beaches. It’s also one of the Algarve’s most loved strips of sand, with its colored cliffs and clear waters attracting strollers and swimmers alike.

The Skalka Sanctuary—also called St. Stanislaus Church—is a baroque church and Paulite monastery in Krakow. Predated by two earlier churches, the sanctuary marks the location of the gruesome 11th-century killing of Krakow’s and Poland’s patron saint, Bishop Stanislaus of Szczepanow.

North of Seville lies one of Andalusia’s most important historical sites: the ruins of Itálica near the Guadalquivir River. Founded in 206 BC, Itálica was the first and largest Roman settlement in southern Spain. The site, which can be visited on a guided tour, includes mosaics, an amphitheater, and the remains of grand villas and city streets.

Founded in 1838, Glen Ord is the only remaining single malt whisky distillery on the Scottish Highlands’ Black Isle peninsula. Visitors can go on a behind-the-scenes tour to see and understand the process of making a single malt from start to finish; you’ll check out the barley maltings as well as fermentation and distillation methods.

Built in 1622, London’s Banqueting House was once part of the Palace of Whitehall, which was home to the English monarch for 168 years. The building is the last structure standing of the former complex, and it exemplifies the beginnings of neoclassical architecture. It also boasts a tumultuous history, including the execution of Charles I in 1649, which is interesting, considering that banquet houses are designed for entertaining.

Tomar may seem like a simple riverfront town, but it packs a strong historical punch. Set on the banks of the Nabão River, this small city is home to the impressive Castle of Tomar (Castelo de Tomar) and the Convent of Christ (Convento de Cristo), a 12th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former medieval headquarters of the Knights Templar.

A looming stack of rocks standing proud off the southwest coast of Cyprus, the UNESCO-listed Rock of Aphrodite, or Petra Tou Romiou (Rock of the Greek), is one of the island’s most famous landmarks and the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, according to Greek mythology.

As important to French culture as Paris and paté, the art of perfume is on display at the Fragonard perfumery in Grasse, one of the oldest-running perfumeries in France. Dating to 1926 and featuring plenty of artifacts from the original distillery, the historic factory functions as a modern artisanal perfume factory deeply rooted in tradition.

A symbol of Verona, the 14th-century Castelvecchio Bridge (Ponte Scaligero) spanning the Adige River had the largest supporting arch span in the world when it was completed in 1356. The original was destroyed during World War II, but a new bridge was rebuilt with the same red-brick crenellations as its predecessor.

Chillon Castle (Chateau de Chillon), a medieval castle on the banks of Lake Geneva, is one of Switzerland’s most visited attractions. Travelers come to find out more about its fascinating history—it was used as a defensive outpost, a summer home for the dukes of Savoy, and a state-run prison.

With its 279-foot (85-meter) spire, St. Martin’s Cathedral is Bratislava’s largest church and a defining fixture of the Old Town’s skyline. The current Gothic cathedral was built over an earlier basilica and consecrated in 1452. A crown atop its spire symbolizes the 11 Hungarian monarchs crowned inside the cathedral between 1563 and 1830.

The Caliphate City of Medina Azahara, a new UNESCO World Heritage Site, dates back to the mid-10th century, when it served as the seat of power for the Umayyad dynasty in Córdoba. When the caliphate ended after a civil war in 1010, the city was laid to waste and forgotten until its rediscovery in the early 20th century.

Old and new come together elegantly at Verona’s Castelvecchio, a historic castle renovated in the 1960s by visionary architect Carlo Scarpa, who paired glass panels, concrete, and metal grills with the surviving medieval stonework to create a striking museum for artworks by Bellini, Tiepolo, and Veronese.

The best-known of Cologne’s seven bridges, the Hohenzollern Bridge (Hohenzollernbrücke crosses the famed Rhine River. First debuted in 1911 and later reconstructed following the devastation of World War II, the Hohenzollern Bridge is located near the Cologne Cathedral, and is today celebrated as a romantic destination.

Once a powerful fortress in the Venetian Republic, Zadar’s old town remains encircled by remnants of its defensive walls, some of which date back to ancient Roman times. Six different city gates provide entry into the walled section, each with a distinct architectural style and motif.

Named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the Victoria and Albert Museum (better known as the V&A) houses more than 2.8 million cultural artifacts spanning more than 5,000 years of history. As a museum of art and design, it features treasures from the Victorian era, including the famous Ardabil Carpet, one of the world’s oldest and most celebrated Persian carpets. You can also admire the Raphael Cartoons, a series of large-scale designs for tapestries commissioned by Pope Leo X.

The snow-coated peak of Hekla Volcano is one of the most memorable landmarks of Iceland’s South Coast, looming 4,891 feet (124 meters) over the surrounding lava fields. But beyond its picturesque facade, Hekla has a reputation for being one of the most active volcanoes in the country. It’s erupted more than 20 times since 874, earning it the nickname the Gateway to Hell.

This Museum serves as a moving tribute to one of the everyday heroes of World War II. Otto Weidt was a visually impaired man who owned and ran a factory that produced brooms and brushes. Weidt employed many blind and deaf Jewish workers, and during the war he went to great lengths to protect them from persecution and deportation.

One of Marseille’s key religious landmarks, the city’s cathedral (known locally as the Cathédrale La Major stands just steps from the water’s edge. Built in the 19th century, the neo-Byzantine church is distinctive for its striped facade and vibrant interior; it’s not to be confused with the hilltop Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde.

Located in the very center of Place des Quinconces in Bordeaux, the Girondins Monument (Monument aux Girondins was elevated in the late 1800s to commemorate the Girondists, a republican political faction that was one of the first group to openly denounce Louis XVI’s reign and the monarchy in general.

Long the center for activity in Riga’s medieval Old Town, the Riga Town Hall Square (Ratslaukums) looks brand new thanks to modern renovations. The square is always lively, as pedestrians mull around the Roland Statue to admire the Gothic architecture of the House of the Blackheads and visit the city’s Christmas tree come winter.

A soaring, shimmering glass and concrete edifice in El Raval, the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) spearheaded the once-dilapidated district’s revival. Its matte white interior flooded with natural light creates a backdrop for the 6,000-strong collection, which is displayed in ever-changing temporary exhibitions. Highlights include works by Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró dating from the mid-20th century.

Located in Belgrade’s Stari Grad municipality, at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, Belgrade Fortress was erected in the third century to protect the city’s then-modest population. Today, the fortress boasts an abundance of attractions and activities, including lush pathways, museums, unbeatable sunset viewpoints, and playgrounds. Rife with open-air history, it is the singular best place to visit in Belgrade for travelers seeking an enriching but unhurried day.

Surrounded by leafy Bute Park, Cardiff Castle (Castell Caerdydd) boasts a history spanning two millennia. The hodgepodge castle is a jumble of different architectural styles, from the Norman-era keep to the faux-Gothic apartments. It is the former home of the prominent Bute family, who helped transform Cardiff into an influential industrial port.

Lyon’s major hub and one of the largest public squares in France, the Bellecour Square is located in the heart of the city on the Presqu'île peninsula. Spanning 15 acres (six hectares), the pedestrianized square is a popular meeting place—as well as part of an UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses several key Lyon districts.