Europe attractions

One of Germany’s most famous Renaissance artists, Albrecht Dürer lived in Nuremberg from 1471 to 1528. He created paintings, prints, etchings, and woodcuts, and now his idyllic half-timbered home is a museum. During a visit, it’s possible to see reproductions of Dürer’s work, and a workshop that showcases historical printing techniques.

Clinging to the cliffs of Liguria in attention-grabbing style are the five villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, which make up the Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Historically, their main focus was winemaking, though they also became home to farming and fishing communities over the years. Today, tourism is big business, and the Cinque Terre attracts people from around the world with coastal views from its hiking trails and shores.

Spread across hills overlooking the crescent-shaped Mirabello Bay, Agios Nikolaos is a picturesque and cosmopolitan seaside resort. By day, visitors flock to the beaches, while at night, patrons fill chic waterfront restaurants and bars in the harbor and around Lake Voulismeni—connected to the harbor via a narrow channel. The lively yet low-key atmosphere appeals to many visitors who use the town as a base while in Crete.

Art fans in Delft flock to the Museum Prinsenhof to see its large collection of paintings from the Dutch Golden Age. Other museum highlights include tapestries, period furniture, housewares, and plenty of fine examples of Delft's blue-and-white ceramics. The museum's 15th-century building holds interest, too.

The most strikingly situated of Side’s ancient ruins, the grand Temple of Apollo stands perched on the edge of the historic town, overlooking the Mediterranean. Dating back to the second century AD, the temple was believed to have been a gift from Anthony to Cleopatra and still has five of its original Corinthian columns, towering over the seafront.

The little town of Palamós is a popular Costa Brava vacation choice for independent travelers, and the small cruise port makes it a jump-off point for shore excursions to the Costa Brava and historic Girona. Palamós’ pretty fishing harbor is known for its prawns, but the town offers more than just good seafood. Relax on golden sand beaches, visit rocky coves, and stroll the historic town center.

The Bavarian State Opera (Bayerische Staatsoper) is a historic opera company in Munich that dates back to 1653. It hosts around 400 events every year, with 600,000 spectators, and the main headquarters are at the National Theater Munich on Max-Joseph-Platz in central Munich. Visitors come to see ballet, concerts, music recitals, and operas.

Bacvice Beach curves in a half-moon shape around a wide bay just east of Split’s historic Unesco-listed town center. This city beach, popular with residents and visitors alike, is home to a buzzing assortment of beach bars, cafes, pastry shops, and fast-food outlets. A high-end restaurant with views over the Adriatic Sea is also a big draw.

Dominating the skyline in the city of Lyon, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere is one of Lyon’s most recognizable buildings. With a fairytale castle exterior and ornate gilded interior, it attracts visitors from all over the world, especially those interested in sacred architecture.

Trains from França Railway Station whisk travelers to cities across Catalonia—and Europe—but that’s not the only reason to visit. This 1929 landmark features elegant, Noucentista architecture, from its iron-and-glass canopy spanning its 12-track train shed to a lobby in marble and bronze. Even its cafeteria is a destination in its own right; it serves affordable, 3-course menus featuring seasonal, Mediterranean cuisine.

The Lake District’s third-largest lake, Coniston Water is known for its depth and its scenic surrounds, which offer prime conditions for water-based activities. The area’s human history reaches back to the Bronze Age, and more recent notable locals include Victorian thinker John Ruskin and the writers Arthur Ransome and Beatrix Potter.

The Grade I listed Manchester Cathedral is one of the city’s oldest and most important religious landmarks. With origins dating back to 1421, the soaring cathedral was constructed in the English Gothic style, and later renovated during the Victorian period and following World War II. Today, the landmark is celebrated for its striking interior.

Built atop a shrine in the 14th-century, Bilbao's Santiago Cathedral now towers over the original Seven Streets of the city’s Old Quarter. Follow in the footsteps of Camino de Santiago pilgrims and admire the Gothic Revival facade; elaborate portal—known as the Angel Door—on Correo Street; and the 15th-century Gothic cloister.

Hamburg’s grandest promenade, Jungfernstieg is a top spot for sightseeing and stylish shopping. Located along the Inner Alster Lake (Binnenalster), its name is inspired by the days when families would take their unmarried daughters (“Jungfern”) to walk along the promenade in a coming-of-age tradition.

Dominating the landscape on the border between the Algarve and Alentejo regions is the Sierra de Monchique, a forest-covered mountain range. The small town of Monchique is hidden within the hills, offering visitors a look into rural life in the region.

The picturesque mountain town of Besalú is well-known for its ancient Catholic monasteries and iconic Romanesque architecture, particularly a photogenic 12th-century bridge that has become the symbol of the town. In the Middle Ages, Besalú was a regional capital, overseeing this scenic section of Catalonia.

Leipzig's St. Thomas Church, dating back to the 15th century, is known for its musical history. As the final resting place of Johann Sebastian Bach, who served as its music director, the church attracts admirers of his work. It’s also home to the St. Thomas Boys' Choir, established in 1212 and one of Germany's oldest and most renowned boys' choirs.

Montecitorio Palace (Palazzo Montecitorio) is one of Rome’s most important civil buildings as the seat of the Chamber of Deputies, an Italian house of parliament. Its elegant baroque facade watches over Piazza di Monte Citorio, also home to the Obelisk of Montecitorio, which is covered in genuine ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. While the palace has a splendid 20th-century art nouveau interior, it is rarely open to the general public.

For more than 250 years, the Royal Academy of Arts has championed Britain’s visual art scene. The Mayfair mansion is home to a world-renowned permanent collection and features works by artists such as John Constable, J.M.W. Turner, and Dame Tracey Emin. Its summer exhibitions also draw critical acclaim, showcasing contemporary art from around the world available for anyone to purchase.

Rising above the port of Nice, Mt. Boron (Mont Boron) is a green wilderness with spectacular views over the great views over the city, and the entire Côte d’Azur, especially nearby beauties, Villefranche and Cap Ferrat. Sign-posted trails for hiking and mountain biking make this nature reserve a popular place to escape the city.

Located in the heart of western Croatia, the 2,000-year-old coastal town of Porec contains a historic Old Town. Lined with shops, cafés, and other attractions, the district is a pleasant stage from which to explore the Istrian Peninsula’s history. The Old Town’s original architecture is well maintained, and historical monuments dot the town.

Düsseldorf blends historic appeal with avante-garde energy—and nowhere captures that spirit better than the city’s Old Town (Altstadt. Located on the Rhine, the small but perfectly formed district boasts remarkably preserved, medieval architecture. Owing to its many pubs and restaurants, it’s also known as “the longest bar in the world.”

Since its opening on La Rambla in 1847, the Gran Teatre del Liceu has been a cultural, artistic, and political hub for Catalonia, as well as one of the most impressive opera houses in all of Europe. After fire damaged the theater on several occasions, the Gran Teatre was completely restored in 1999, complete with new technology for contemporary productions.

Just minutes from the bustling bazaars and yacht-lined marinas of Fethiye, the crumbling churches and long-deserted buildings of Kayakoy—known to locals as the “ghost town”—stand in eerie contrast. Abandoned in 1923 after the Greco-Turkish War and later ravaged by an earthquake; the town offers a fascinating insight into Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) complex past.

Located on an island on southern Germany’s Lake Chiemsee, Herrenchiemsee New Palace was commissioned in the late 19th-century by Bavarian king, Ludwig II. Designed to echo Versailles and pay homage to Louis XIV, the palace is one of the most lavish royal buildings in Germany.

One of the few parts of the city to have escaped both WWII bomb damage and the drastic redesigns of the communist era, Lipscani is Bucharest’s historic hub. By day, its pedestrianized streets are ideal for strolling, antique shopping, and caféhopping, while at night, its many restaurants, bars, and clubs fill with fun-seeking revelers.

Heidelberg’s charming Market Square (Marktplatz) is the epicenter of the Old Town. Dotted with key landmarks, you can see the Hercules Fountain at its center, which dates back to the early 1700s, the Church of the Holy Spirit to the west, and the Town Hall to the east. It hosts a weekly food market and a fantastic annual Christmas market.

Hidden away in the northeastern fringes of Kotor Old Town, the Church of St. Luke is one of the city’s oldest churches. Dating from 1195, this tiny and modest-looking Romanesque church hides a shimmering interior and an unexpected feature: Christian and Orthodox altars sitting side by side.

Made famous in the final scene of the classic film Braveheart, the Battle of Bannockburn was where King Robert the Bruce led the greatly outnumbered Scottish forces to victory over the English in 1314. To this day, the victory is hugely celebrated in Scottish history, and the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre is one of the most popular tourist destinations in central Scotland.

One of Milan’s jewels of contemporary urban design, the futuristic Piazza Gae Aulenti was inaugurated in 2012 and is named after the Italian architect who designed Paris’ Musee d’Orsay. The square is lined by three steel-and-glass towers—one of which, Torre Unicredit, is Italy's tallest building—and is known for its vibrant nightlife.