Europe attractions

Uzupis may feel like a city within a city, which is no surprise, since this artsy district actually declared independence from greater Vilnius more than two decades ago. Though left to crumble under Soviet rule, the renewed bohemian enclave is packed with galleries, bars, and restaurants, and offers easy access to Old Town sights.

A 15-mile (25-kilometer limestone ridge runs like a spine down the center of this vast national park, sloping down to virgin forests, lakes, and meadows. Thousands of plant and animal species thrive here, with brown bears, wolves, lynx, and chamois making their home in the park’s woodlands and high cliffs.

The Mall Firenze is Tuscany’s premier luxury outlet shopping hub, where dozens of high-end designer brands have stores selling clothing, shoes, and accessories at discounted prices. Head here for a day of bargain hunting for brand-name finds from Italian and international fashion houses: think Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Versace, Valentino, Balenciaga, and Gucci. You can stop for refreshments at the on-site restaurant, bistrot, or gourmet food truck.

One of Andalucia’s cleanest urban beaches, the man-made Malagueta Beach (Playa de la Malagueta) sweeps along the coastline for 0.7 miles (1.2 kilometers) and is backed by palm trees, high-rise hotels, and luxurious apartments. Take a dip in the calm surf, relax beneath a parasol, and enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere.

One of the Champagne region’s largest and most influential producers, Champagne Pommery is best known for pioneering the dry, brut-style sparkling wine. Today, Pommery is renowned for its sprawling network of chalk caves and its colorful, Elizabethan-style headquarters.

Housed inside a striking sandstone Victorian edifice, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of Scotland’s most-visited cultural attractions. Works by Dali, Botticelli, and Monet are counted among its collection, alongside more eclectic items such as a taxidermy elephant, a Spitfire airplane, and a magnificent Lewis pipe organ.

Closed to prisoners for more than a century, this formidable looking ex-jail in Dublin is now a museum that offers a walkthrough of modern Irish history. Visitors can learn about the common prisoners, jailed for stealing food during the Great Famine, along with political prisoners who spanned events from the late 18th-century rebellions, to the Easter Rising, to the Irish Civil War. There’s also an exhibition of political prisoner stories from around the world.

Located around a bay on Malta’s south coast, Marsaxlokk has starred in thousands of postcards and many a film. Check out the colorful traditional boats in this photogenic little town, and be sure to sample some fresh seafood.

Bordeaux has long been one of the world’s top wine destinations but when Cité du Vin opened in 2016, it finally got a museum to match its reputation. Housed in a modernist building that resembles a wine decanter, the center comprises exhibition spaces, cultural events, a Belvedere with a beautiful view of Bordeaux, an auditorium, and more.

The 12th-century Sénanque Abbey outside of Gordes is run by a small community of Cistercian monks who fastidiously grow, harvest and process lavender from the surrounding fields. Come June, thongs of visitors arrive to lay witness to the enormously beautiful and fragrant landscapes and the abbey’s impressive botanical production.

Denmark’s National History Museum is housed within Frederiksborg Castle, the largest Renaissance castle in Scandinavia. Spread out over three small islets on Slotssøen (the castle lake), the palatial museum contains more than 500 years of Danish history, illustrated through a vast collection of paintings, furniture, and decorative art.

Spread out over one starfish-shaped floor, the Malta National Aquarium is a great place to see marine species from the Mediterranean and beyond. Step inside to see hundreds of saltwater and freshwater fish species, along with reptiles and amphibians, in massive tanks designed to imitate their natural environments.

Popes have been interred in St. Peter’s Basilica for centuries. While many papal tombs are inside the basilica, others are located underground in the Vatican Grottoes—most notably, that of St. Peter, the first pope. Take the stairs down from the transept to view the final resting places of dozens of popes, several royals, and ornately decorated chapels; art enthusiasts will appreciate a 14th-century fresco of the Madonna by Pietro Cavallini.

Marie Antoinette made a bigger impact on Versailles than any other French queen—so much so that she had her own estate on the property. This area comprises the Petit Trianon, her personal palace away from her husband, and the Queen’s Hamlet, landscaped gardens set around a village of cottages on an artificial lake.

Discover an important piece of Dubrovnik’s history in the heart of the Old Town. Orlando’s Column, erected in 1418, is located in the heart of Luza Square and is dedicated to the knight Orlando who saved the city from Saracen pirates in the eighth century. Over centuries, the column has now come to represent the freedom of Dubrovnik.

Lake Brienz looks exactly how you’d imagine a Swiss alpine lake to look: Gleaming turquoise waters hemmed in by forest-clad mountains set against a jagged horizon of snow-hatted peaks. On the lake’s northeast shore, Brienz village is a picturesque getaway with 18th-century wooden chalets and train rides into the mountains. On the west shore, the mountain resort town of Interlaken is Switzerland’s Adventure Capital and the gateway to the Bernese Oberland.

With its vibrant purple fields, sunflower-filled valleys, and charming hilltop villages, the Valensole Plateau is one of Provence's most defining landscapes. In the summer, the countryside bursts into color, drawing travelers to the lavender farms, the panoramic viewpoints, and the village of Valensole, with boutiques selling locally made soaps, honey, and other regional specialties.

The French National Library started as the private collection of the royal court. After the French Revolution, revolutionaries claimed the vast library as the property of the French nation. The complex expanded in the 19th century. Today, it occupies several buildings and locations, forming one of the largest libraries in the world. The French National Library also contains a museum.

Located in the heart of old Brasov, Council Square*(Piata Sfatului)* is lined with beautiful Gothic, baroque, and Renaissance buildings. Home to a number of key landmarks, Brasov’s main square has been a focal point of life in the city since medieval times. It’s a popular gathering place and a great spot to soak up the scenery.

The Gherkin may be officially named 30, St. Mary Axe, but it is best known by its nickname, inspired by its distinctive pickle shape—or, as the Brits say, gherkin. While most of its 41 floors are rented out as office space, the public can visit Searcys Helix Restaurant on Level 39 or the Searcys Iris Bar on Level 40 for Champagne and cocktails with a view.

A family favorite, the 69-acre (28-hectare) Dublin Zoo has been around since 1831. Over 400 animals from about 100 different species can be seen across its various sections. In the African Savanna, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, and ostriches roam, while the Asian Forests exhibit is home to lions, snow leopards, and crested black macaques.

The tallest structure in Austria at more than 820 feet (250 meters) high, Vienna’s Danube Tower offers magnificent panoramic views around the old city, Danube Park, and the Vienna Woods from an observation deck. A bungee-jumping platform is built for thrill-seekers, while a rotating restaurant lets diners savor 360-degree views of the Austrian capital.

Running between the Chain Bridge and the Elisabeth Bridge on the Pest side of the Danube, the lengthy Danube Promenade is a picturesque destination for a stroll. Luxury hotels and historic buildings are plentiful here, and the views are unbeatable. Admire Buda Castle and the Citadella perched on Gellért Hill, just across the river.

One of the trendiest corners of Rotterdam, Old Harbor (Oude Haven) was the city’s first port, dating back to 1350. Today, this vibrant area along the north bank of the Meuse River is a mix of historical and modern architecture—including Piet Blom’s famous Cube Houses—where visitors can experience the best dining and nightlife in the city.

Magdalen College—pronounced “Maudlin”—is one of the most storied and scenic colleges at Oxford University. Founded in 1458, it’s known for its lofty Magdalen Tower, its choral associations, and the celebrated figures who once walked its halls, including C.S. Lewis, Oscar Wilde, and Sir John Betjeman.

Arguably one of the most famous universities in the UK, if not the world, the University of Cambridge is known as one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious academic institutions. Visitors come here to explore the centuries-old college buildings and to learn about the seemingly endless list of famous alumni such as Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, Lord Byron, and Alan Turing.

Located on Berlin’s UNESCO-listed Museum Island, the Neues Museum is home to the Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection, the Museum of Pre- and Early History, and the Collection of Classical Antiquities. Restored and reopened in 2009 after having been left a ruin post World War II, the museum proudly displays the bust of Egyptian Queen Nefertiti.

The Grand Canal, a highlight of the 2,000-acre (800-hectare) Park at the Palace of Versailles, leads the eye to the farthest perimeter of the grounds. Designed by Andre Le Norte, the canal extends for nearly a mile and is the largest body of water on the palace grounds.

Thanks to its proximity to Rome, Lake Bracciano (Lago di Bracciano) has long been a popular retreat for city dwellers while remaining largely off the tourist radar. The medieval lakeside villages of Bracciano, Anguillara, and Trevignano have waterfront promenades and the lake waters are ideal for swimming, sailing, and water sports.

Located a short drive from the D-Day Landing Beaches, the Caen Memorial Museum (Mémorial de Caen) puts one of the most significant battles of World War II into historical context. The museum gardens serve as a poignant tribute to the international soldiers that lost their lives on Norman soil.