Affectionately called Kungsan, this public park smack dab in the middle of Stockholm is one of the city's most important public spaces. Surrounded by restaurants and cafés, the park is an ideal place to rest after your walk through central Stockholm. It comes alive with blossoming cherry trees in spring and an ice skating rink during winter.
Home to two golf courses, a luxury hotel, a Palladian-style country house, and Ireland’s highest waterfall, the 25-square-mile (64-square-kilometer) Powerscourt Estate has no shortage of attractions. The landscaped gardens, with their cascading terraces, lakes, and follies, are, however, the greatest draw to this sight in County Wicklow.
Nestled into a curve of the Danube River, about 30-miles (48-kilometers northwest of Budapest, Esztergom is a near-perfect day trip destination for Budapest visitors. Set on the Slovakian border, this former Hungarian capital's top draw is its basilica, which towers over the city from Castle Hill, and offers panoramic views from its dome.
Once the summer retreat of Spanish royal family, the 19th-century Miramar Palace in San Sebastián’s old town has extensive English gardens and grassy lawns that tumble down to Ondarreta Beach. The palace buildings now host a music conservatory and an annex of the University of Basque Country, while the gardens form a public park where locals come to picnic.
Located along Reykjavik’s scenic waterfront, the whitewashed building known as Hofdi House made headlines around the world in 1986. US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev met here for a summit that many consider the beginning of the end of the Cold War. The traditional wooden building is characteristic of turn-of-the-century Icelandic architecture, and remains a popular photo spot today.
In the center of Modena, a historical brick factory building is dwarfed by the adjacent contemporary glass-and-steel hangar topped with a bright yellow car hood–shaped roof. Together, these two structures and their contents tell the story of Enzo Ferrari, race car driver and founder of one of the most famous car brands in the world.
This pretty park was once a private royal garden but has been one of the most popular spots in Vienna for locals to gather for the past century. Lined on one side by the art nouveau Palmenhouse—today home to the Butterfly House and a buzzy cafe—the park offers grassy lawns and shady benches overseen by a monumental statue of Mozart.
Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches-les-Bains is not a place as much as a feat of engineering. A “Mulberry harbour” was a temporary mobile harbor constructed and transported during World War II for unloading troops, vehicles, and supplies during the Normandy landings in June 1944. The remains of the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches can still be seen today.
The tawny walls of Fort Saint-Jean rise from the Bay of Marseille, a 17th-century military installation that’s among the city’s most visited sites. A footbridge links the fort and the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations (Le Mucem), forming a complex for art, culture, and history with sweeping views across the water.
Lecce is known for its 17th-century Baroque beauty, but the city’s history stretches back to the Roman empire. Nowhere is this legacy more evident than in Lecce’s Piazza Sant’Oronzo, where theLecce Roman Amphitheatre (Anfiteatro Romano di Lecce) from the second century BC is still used today for performances.
An ancient town with a stunning castle complex sure to impress history buffs, always-charming Visegrád is a top draw for Budapest day-trippers. Located just north of the Hungarian capital on the Danube River, top attractions here include the 13th-century Upper Castle, the Salamon Tower and its Gothic fountain, and the medieval Citadel.
Bodrum’s most prominent landmark, the Castle of St. Peter—better known as Bodrum Castle—stands on the promontory that divides the city’s twin bays. The 15th-century fortress boasts a somewhat unusual history, built by the Knights Hospitaller and featuring towers constructed by the English, French, Germans, and Italians. Today, the castle houses the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology and affords spectacular sea views.
The North York Moors have provided creative inspiration for a number of celebrated writers, including Bram Stoker, Sylvia Plath, and the Brontë sisters. Situated on England’s northeastern coast, the stunning landscape is wild and rugged with an untamed beauty that draws visitors from all over the world.
Located at the confluence of the Þjórsá and Fossá rivers, Hjálparfoss waterfall cascades over a 31-foot (10-meter) basalt cliff. The lava-strewn landscape that surrounds the waterfall is courtesy of the nearby Hekla volcano, one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes. During the warmer months, spot Icelandic horses grazing in the surrounding grasslands.
Situated in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, Ljótipollur Lake is made up of deep turquoise waters surrounded by the dramatic, uninhabited landscape of the Landmannalaugar highlands. Visit this striking site in southern Iceland to admire the lake and the steep basalt and lava cliffs speckled with rainbow-hued minerals that surround it.
Strolling the halls of the National Portrait Gallery is like taking a walk through British history, as you pass images of royals, politicians, and pop culture icons. When it opened in 1856, the gallery was the first of its kind. Now, it houses the world’s biggest portrait collection, featuring more than 215,000 works. Some of the most famous faces inside include William Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth II, and Dame Judi Dench.
Roque Nublo (Cloud Rock is a lofty, 262-foot (80-meter rock formation that was formed millions of years ago during a volcanic eruption. Located in Nublo Rural Park (Parque Rural del Nublo, the landmark is the island’s second-highest peak after Pico de la Nieves.
When in Scotland, you don’t have to head to the Highlands for a taste of good whisky—you don’t even have to leave the Lowlands. The historic Glengoyne Distillery dates back to 1833 and is renowned for its award-winning malt whiskies, distilled at a third of the usual rate and matured in sherry oak casks.
Regardless of your stance on bullfighting, a visit to the Valencia Bullring (Plaza de Toros offers insight into an important part of Spain’s cultural heritage. The 19th-century structure features quintessential Spanish bullring characteristics such as a multi-leveled exterior, brick arches, and a sand-filled arena.
Explore the ruins of what was one of the most impressive structures in the ancient Roman city of Ephesus. The Temple of Domitian dates from the 1st century and is the earliest known structure dedicated to an emperor. It is located on the south end of Domitian Street.
Principe Real Garden (Jardim do Principe Real) is a small and peaceful park at the heart of Lisbon’s Principe Real neighborhood. The park is a favorite spot for locals who come to relax in the shade, play chess, and admire the exotic trees—including a 250-year-old juniper. Pop-up markets, a café, and children’s playground round out the park’s offerings.
With its imposing pink sandstone turrets presiding over the River Ness, Inverness Cathedral (St. Andrew's Cathedral or, less commonly, the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew) is one of the most striking of the city’s many churches. The 19th-century Gothic-style structure is conspicuously spire-free. Though architect Alexander Ross put them in his original design, they had to be scrapped due to lack of funds.
Crete is renowned for its many beautiful beaches, and many consider Preveli Palm Beach the very best of them all. Located on the island’s southern coast, the beach sits in front of the limestone cliffs of the Kourtaliotiko gorge and is framed by a lush palm forest.
Thought to be Scotland’s oldest working distillery, Glenturret has an idyllic setting in the heart of the Perthshire countryside. Open since 1775, a visit to the distillery offers the chance to learn about the traditional methods—including mashing by hand and cutting by eye—still used today to produce Glenturret Highland single malt.
Inaugurated in 1880, Frankfurt’s Old Opera House (Alte Oper) was among Germany’s elite opera houses during its 20th-century heyday. Left in ruins after WWII, it finally reopened in 1981 and is now one of the city’s leading concert venues, hosting around 300 classical and popular music events throughout the year.
Given that Cadiz is almost entirely surrounded by water, the desire to hit the beach is bound to strike at some point. When it does, the go-to spot is La Caleta, the only proper beach in the Old Town. This sandy stretch lines the western side of the city, nestled inside a natural harbor once used by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and Romans.
Launched in 2013 in honor of Marseille's designation as an EU Capital of Culture, the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations was an excellent addition to the city's already fantastic museum. Its focus is on the history and culture of the Mediterranean basis, exploring the cultural history of the region and those who shaped it.
The center of Milan was once crisscrossed with a series of interconnecting canals, called “navigli,” used to transport goods and people. Two still exist just south of the city center, and the surrounding Navigli District is one of Milan’s trendiest areas, full of galleries, cafés, restaurants, and clubs. It’s a hot spot worth a visit.
One of Germany’s grandest and most important cathedrals, Frankfurter Dom dates back to the 13th century and dominates the city’s skyline. The landmark was once where Holy Roman Emperors were crowned and today exhibits several major artworks, including the Lamentation of Christ by Antonius van Dyck and Job by Emil Schumacher.
With origins dating to the 18th century, the Marché d’Aligre is one of central Paris’ most bustling markets, and is particularly popular among adventurous foodies. It features an open-air section and a covered area—sometimes referred to as the Marché Beauvau—with bakeries, cheese shops, butchers, produce vendors, specialty stalls, and a flea market. Several well-rated cafés, restaurants, and wine bars surround this culinary paradise.
