Europe attractions

The port city of Genoa (Genova may seem like an overwhelming monolith at first glance but it is actually a patchwork of distinct neighborhoods, each with a unique history and identity. One of the most scenic is hilltop Castelletto, home to the Spianata di Castelletto overlook, offering one of the most commanding views over the city.

A stark modernist structure, the Ara Pacis Museum (Museo dell’ Ara Pacis) houses the Ara Pacis, or Altar of Peace, one of the most significant monuments of ancient Rome. Commissioned by Emperor Augustus to celebrate the consolidation of his power, the Carrara marble monument features a sacrificial altar in a richly decorated enclosure.

This picturesque village in the valley of Sitter is the capital of Switzerland’s smallest canton, Appenzell Innerrhoden. In addition to its heritage-listed landmarks, including its parish church, 16th-century town hall, and castle ruins, the settlement is known for its strong sense of tradition and observation of age-old ceremonial events.

With a library of some 60,000 films spanning all genres alongside countless posters, photographs, and other movie memorabilia dating from 1896 to the present day, Amsterdam’s EYE Film Institute ranks among the world’s best cinema museums. Whether exploring film-themed exhibitions, watching a movie at the four cinemas, or gazing out over Amsterdam’s IJ river from the glass-front Eye Bar, it’s a must-do for movie buffs.

Nestled amid the picturesque landscapes of Scotland, Hopetoun House is a historical masterpiece offering a taste of Scottish grandeur. Used as a prominent filming location in the TV series Outlander, it’s a popular destination for diehard fans. However, you don’t have to pine for a kilted Scot to enjoy the country estate.

The Alcaicería was once a lively Arab bazaar and the center of the city’s Muslim silk exchange. The original gated bazaar was almost entirely destroyed by a fire back in 1843, and today the restored shops occupy a smaller space, dotted around Calle Alcaiceria, in the shadows of the Cathedral of Granada.

Vilnius University (Vilniaus Universitetas is among the oldest universities in the region, and it showcases a microcosm of Lithuanian history. Find diverse architecture, a 16th-century library, and great views from St. John‘s Church. Atop the church's bell tower, you can appreciate views from the tallest building in the Old Town.

The Seine divides Paris into two: to the north is the Right Bank (Rive Droite), and to the south is the Left Bank (Rive Gauche). Although home to some of the city’s top landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, the Left Bank retains a romantic, bohemian reputation thanks to its universities, famous former residents, and literary and artistic hangouts.

Though work on St. Anne’s Cathedral (also known as Belfast Cathedral) began in 1899, many changes and extensions were made during the following decades, culminating in the addition of the Spire of Hope in 2007. The neo-Romanesque structure contains a wealth of decorative features and artworks, including a 150,000-piece glass mosaic.

Taking its name from Mount Etna, the imposing volcano that looms over the city, Via Etnea is one of Catania’s most important thoroughfares, lined with shops, restaurants, and cafés. A lively destination both day and night, Via Etnea connects two of the city’s top attractions—Piazza Duomo and Villa Bellini.

In the Beatles’ early days, they slept in meager conditions in Hamburg’s St. Pauli neighborhood, playing clubs like the Kaiserkeller. Today, visitors will find the Beatles-Platz, or Beatles Square, just steps away from their old stomping grounds—a circular landmark, like a vinyl record, stands below five statues depicting the Fab Four.

One of Monaco’s highlights, Casino Square (Place du Casino) is home to the world-famous Monte Carlo Casino, as well as the glamorous Hôtel de Paris and other storied landmarks. A popular destination for both high rollers and curious visitors, the square has a reputation for opulence that’s known the world over.

Often known as “Vitoshka,” Vitosha Boulevard is Sofia’s main commercial street. Partially pedestrianized, it runs from the historic center to South Park, with most of the action concentrated at the northern end. Vitoshka is home to higher-end stores and cafés, St. Nedelya Church, the huge Communist-era TSUM store, and more.

An iconic Sibiu attraction, the Bridge of Lies (Podul Minciunilor dates back several hundred years, though today’s structure was built in 1859 as one of Romania’s first cast-iron bridges. Since then, legends have passed down over generations regarding its mysterious name, while its picture-perfect location makes a city must-see.

History abounds at the Hauptplatz (main square), where architecture dates to the Middle Ages. Set in Graz Old Town, the square today remains the city’s core, linking every street worth seeing and every tram. Architecture enthusiasts and people-watchers come to linger, enjoying markets and events that add buzz to the elegant backdrop.

Set within four former Ashkenazi synagogues, the Jewish Museum (Joods Museum) is the only museum in the Netherlands dedicated solely to Jewish culture and history. The museum’s collections celebrate past and present Dutch Jewish life, while temporary exhibitions present diverse stories about the Jewish experience. A connected children’s museum explores Jewish culture and traditions in a fun and interactive way suitable for the little ones.

The grand baroque colonnade and gardens of the Palais Longchamp are home to Marseille’s Natural History Museum and Fine Arts Museum. The imposing buildings and spacious park are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Founded in 1835, Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions is one of Edinburgh’s oldest tourist attractions. Located on the top floor, the Camera Obscura provides real-time views of the city, while the five floors below it are crammed with puzzles, optical illusions, and interactive exhibits that fool the eye and the mind.

Carving a ribbon through France's Provence region, the Verdon Gorge paints a dramatic picture, with towering limestone cliffs flanking a river so turquoise it looks like it’s been lifted from a tropical lagoon. This “Grand Canyon” of Europe stretches from the town of Castellane in the east to the Lake of Sainte-Croix in the west, enticing adventure seekers with kayaking, rafting, boating, canyoning, climbing, hiking, and more.

Lording over busy Via Giuseppe Garibaldi where it runs into Piazza dell’Unità, the monumental Fountain of Neptune (Fontana del Nettuno) is one of Messina’s most eye-catching public fountains. Built in 1557 by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli—a collaborator of Michelangelo—the fountain symbolizes the city’s power over the hostile sea.

Flowing through the heart of Cambridge, the River Cam is one of the city’s most important natural attractions. Visitors can stroll along its banks past some of the University of Cambridge’s most famous colleges, but the city’s signature experience is gliding along the river in a traditional flat-bottomed punt. Going on a punting tour offers a unique perspective, with views and commentary on the distinctive bridges as well as the College Backs.

The seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and part of the headquarters of the Eastern Orthodox church, the Patriarchal Church of St. George is known for its lavish gold interior and Byzantine religious icons. Look beyond the unassuming neo-classical facade—constructed in 1836 after fire damage—and you’ll find millennium-old mosaics and the Patriarch’s walnut and mother-of-pearl throne.

The Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship is a working replica of the 19th-century vessel that carried Irish emigrants to North America on 16 journeys undertaken between 1847 and 1855. Today, the vessel and museum offers tours of the re-created ship revealing what the transatlantic passage was like for those fleeing the devastation of the Great Irish Famine.

Built in 1120, Imperial Castle of Nuremberg (Kaiserburg) was once a residence for kings of the Holy Roman Empire. Despite suffering damage over the years (especially during WWII), the castle has been carefully restored to showcase its original Gothic and Romanesque architecture.

Built in the 13th century when Crete was under Venetian rule, Koules Fortress is known by many names. Sometimes called Rocca al Mare, or simply the Venetian Fortress, it was initially designed to protect Heraklion from invasion. Today it houses exhibits on the history of Heraklion.

Opened in 1879, the Monte Carlo Opera is a grand auditorium in the Monte Carlo Casino complex that hosts not only operas but ballets and performances by the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra. It has premiered many works by composers including Massenet and Saint-Saëns.

The 15th-century Scuola Grande di San Rocco is one of Venice’s most important Renaissance attractions, famed for its stunning collection of Tintoretto’s works. The building houses some of the artist’s most celebrated paintings, alongside other notable pieces by a variety of artists, including Titian and Tiepolo. Visitors come here to explore over 60 paintings in opulent halls, making it a city highlight for art lovers.

Founded in 1990, the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) is located in a former royal hospital on 48 acres of land with a formal garden and medieval cemetery. In addition to its substantial collection of artworks, special exhibitions, educational programs, lectures, workshops, and studio tours draw visitors to the museum.

A visit to Amsterdam’s Museum Van Loon offers a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century aristocratic life. Originally built in 1672, the canal house sits along the Emperor’s Canal (Keizersgracht) in the heart of the UNESCO–listed Canal Ring (Grachtengordel) and is characteristic of the era’s waterfront mansions, complete with a formal garden. Purchased by the wealthy Van Loon family in 1884, it’s now a museum filled with their collection of antique furniture, prized heirlooms, artworks, and family portraits.

The medieval-style Markt (Market Square) is the setting for Bruges’ most photogenic landmarks, including the belfry (Belfort) and the Provinciaal Hof. At its center stands a statue of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, who played leading roles in the Flemish resistance against the French in the 1302 Battle of the Golden Spurs.