Europe attractions

The largest of the seven mountain lakes in the Black Forest, Lake Mummelsee is a crystalline lake notable for its white water lilies (called mummel in German). According to legend, a crystal palace under the lake is inhabited by a bevy of water sprites who only come to the surface at night.

Towering 15,771 feet (4,807 meters) above sea level, Mont Blanc is western Europe’s highest summit and a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Straddling the border of France and Italy, this iconic peak is considered the birthplace of modern mountaineering, and travelers still flock to Chamonix to experience it. As well as endless opportunities for hiking, mountaineering, and adventure sports, less active visitors can admire it from a cable car.

Uppsala Castle—a 16th-century fortress—is one of Uppsala’s most notable landmarks. Recognizable for its pink facade, the castle was originally built during the reign of King Gustav Vasa and has been the site of royal coronations, assassinations, and abdications throughout the centuries. Today, Uppsala Castle is home to three different museums, one of which is housed in its original ruins.

A 13th-century church with a crypt and a museum, the Seville Church of Santa Ana (Iglesia de Santa Ana) is as much an architectural landmark as it is a place of worship. This Catholic church is known for its Gothic-Mudejar architecture and its wealth of sculptures, paintings, and jewelry displayed inside. The church also offers regular mass services for visitors interested in attending services.

Rotterdam’s Euromast observation tower—which was built in 1960—rises to 607 feet (185 meters, making it the Netherlands’ tallest building. Extended to its current height in 1970, the observation tower offers restaurants, hotel suites, abseiling experiences, a viewing platform, and a rotating Euroscoop glass elevator with panoramic views.

Situated in the former home and workshop of surrealist painter Salvador Dali, the Salvador Dali House—Portlligat (Casa Salvador Dalí—Port Lligat) showcases the artist’s quirky work and offers a look into his eccentric life. Visitors can explore the house-museum’s maze-like interior, window-framed views, and kitschy decor including everything from mannequins to taxidermy. Outside, you’ll find a surrealist wonderland as well, with curiosities like a funky lip-shaped sofa flanked by giant Pirelli tire signs and an abundance of Dali’s signature giant eggs.

Covering more than 270 square miles (700 square kilometers) and reaching a thickness of as much as 2,460 feet (750 meters) in places, this vast glacier is Iceland’s fourth largest. It sits atop the active Katla Volcano, which has erupted many times over the centuries, spewing meltwater, rock fragments, and ash into the air.

One of Orkney’s most poignant sites, the Italian Chapel is a testament to the human spirit. The chapel was built by Italian World War II prisoners who had been taken to Orkney to construct the Churchill Barriers. Created from two Nissen huts and scrap material, the ornately decorated chapel and its moving back story make it an Orkney highlight.

Fort du Mont Alban, a 16th-century hilltop fort in miraculous condition, is one of the most striking viewpoints along the French Riviera. You can walk up here from Nice or Villefranche-sur-Mer—once you get to the top, clear days mean views of Corsica. You’ll also get the honor of stepping foot on one of the most key landmarks of the former States of Savoy.

Home turf of Munich’s FC Bayern and TSV 1860 football (American soccer) teams, Allianz Arena is one of Germany’s largest sports stadiums. Built in 2005, it’s renowned both for its award-winning architecture—by Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron—and sports legacy as host to major events, such as a World Cup and UEFA Champions League Final.

Switzerland is famous for its high-quality chocolate, so a visit to the oldest chocolate manufacturer in the country should be on your itinerary. The Maison Cailler—a renowned chocolaterie—offers informative and interactive guided tours that are fun for the whole family, even members without much of a sweet tooth.

The historic Dome Church at Les Invalides (Dôme des Invalides) is hard to miss, with its golden dome rising more than 350 feet (107 meters) into the skyline. The church, which hosted the royal Mass under Louis XIV, is home to both Napoleon’s tomb and the Army Museum (Musée de l’Armée), making it a must-see for those interested in architecture or European history.

The National Museum of Denmark (Nationalmuseet) is the country's largest cultural and historical museum. Exhibits encompass 14,000 years of Danish history and include a prehistoric Sun Chariot, Egyptian mummies, and an original hash stall derived from Copenhagen’s infamous commune, Christiania.

An offshoot of the Parisian art gallery of the same name, the Centre Pompidou Málaga houses over 100 contemporary masterpieces by artists such as Kahlo, Picasso, and Magritte. Here, the exterior is as notable as the interior—Centre Pompidou Málaga is housed within a modernist multicolored greenhouse known as "The Cube."

Set in the elegant 17th-century building that held the original Ashmolean Museum, the History of Science Museum (previously known as the Museum of the History of Science) is a treasure trove of scientific wonders. From Einstein’s equations to Marconi’s radio transmitter, by way of astrolabes and penicillin, it’s endlessly fascinating.

One of Madeira’s loveliest green spaces, the island’s Botanical Gardens (Jardins Botânicos da Madeira) debuted in 1960. Stretching across 20 acres (9 hectares) and home to more than 2,000 species of exotic plants, the oasis is best known for its colorful geometric flower beds and carefully groomed topiary gardens.

This grouping of three historic cities—Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua—look out to Valletta across the Grand Harbour. Originally enclosed by a line of fortification constructed by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century, the dockside neighborhoods were the knights’ base from 1530 until the Valletta’s founding in 1570. Today, the cities provide a scenic backdrop to the Grand Harbour.

If there’s one thing that the town of Harburg is known for, it's the magnificent 11th-century Harburg Castle—one of southern Germany’s oldest, biggest, and best-preserved fortifications. This sleepy Romantic Road town is loved for its fairy tale location in the Bavarian countryside, surrounded by forests and next to the River Wornitz.

Set at the end of the Parc du Champ de Mars within sight of the Eiffel Tower and Trocadero, the 18th-century École Militaire houses several military training facilities. Alma mater of Napoleon Bonaparte, the French classical main hall–marked by bullets fired by retreating German units during World War II–is still home to the officers’ academy of the French army. The Champ de Mars park just outside the complex originally served as the school’s parade ground.

The pure white marble from Carrara’s quarries has been used since Roman times for everything from landmarks like the Pantheon to Renaissance sculptures like Michelangelo’sDavid. Take a guided tour through the massive underground caverns and open-air quarries and see where this stone has been mined for centuries.

The last standing example of the BT-6 watch towers that stood guard over the Berlin Wall, the GDR Watch Tower was built in 1966 and used to survey the border between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Hidden away on a side street, close to the bustle of Potsdamer Platz, the tower is a somber reminder of Berlin’s recent history.

Triglav National Park (Triglavski Narodni Park) is one of Europe’s largest nature reserves, with over 340 square miles (881 square kilometers) of mountains, lakes, glacial valleys, and alpine meadows. Best known for its rocky mountain vistas and rich biodiversity, the park is an ideal spot for hiking, climbing, rafting, and other wilderness activities.

Pleasure boats float along Caledonian Canal, a scenic 60-mile (97-kilometer) waterway that runs through Scotland's Great Glen, connecting Fort William in the southwest to Inverness in the northeast. The canal, which links Loch Lochy, Loch Oich, Loch Dochfour, and Loch Ness, is popular with walkers and cyclists, who follow towpath trails.

World famous for the eponymous music festival that happens nearby, Glastonbury has a creative spirit that burns all year round. Steeped in history, the small town is known for its medieval abbey and links to King Arthur, as well as its lively markets, artisan boutiques, and thriving arts scene. From crystals and organic goodies to vibrant murals, it’s a hotbed of alternative culture.

Obscured behind the shell of a modern facade until the 1980s, this medieval-era townhouse—once home to the Lord Mayor of York—has been restored to appear as it would have in its late-15th-century heyday. Inside the timber-framed structure, exhibits explore medieval themes and life in Tudor-era England.

Jutting out from the westxa0 side of Oslo into the Oslo Fjord, the Bygdøy Peninsula is known for its clutch of museums highlighting Norwegian culture and history of exploration. A one-stop cultural and leisure destination, the stunning area has sand beaches and hiking and cycling trails, and an organic farm at Royal Manor, the King of Norway's summer residence.

Dynjandi (which means “thunderous”) is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in all of Iceland. In the remote Westfjords region, you’ll pass five other waterfalls on a 15-minute hike up to the topmost one, Fjallfoss, where the 328-foot (100-meter) cascade spreads like a bridal veil over the volcanic rocks. The trek up is delightful, with views of the smaller Hundafoss, Strokkur, Göngumannafoss, Hrísvaðsfoss, and Sjóarfoss along the way.

Opened in 1913, the Salzburg Marionette Theater is one of the world’s oldest marionette theaters and celebrates the city’s long tradition of puppetry. The theater stages a range of productions using a cast of around 500 wooden puppets, from operas and fairy tales toThe Sound of Music—the 1959 movie that showcased the city and its puppetry.

For a respite from the heat and crowds of Taormina, retreat to the lush confines of the 19th-century English-style gardens of the Parco Duca di Cesarò, also known as the Villa Comunale. Unwind surrounded by colorful tropical plants and flowers, explore the tower and gazebo, and take in the view over the sea from the terrace balustrade.

Centered around three main pathways bordering the Paseo del Parque, Málaga Park stretches along the city’s seafront, from Plaza del General Torrijos to the Plaza de la Marina. The park is a popular stop on Málaga cycling tours, and horse-and-carriage rides also pass by gardens filled with roses, orange and cypress trees, and exotic plants.