Europe attractions

Among the loveliest and most historical enclaves in the Cotswolds—an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty located west of London—Lacock is also one of England’s oldest villages. Renowned for the 13th-century Lacock Abbey and 14th-century St. Cyriac’s Church, Lacock is celebrated for its classically English beauty.

Set in Chania’s Firkas Fortress, the Maritime Museum of Crete (sometimes translated as the Nautical Museum of Crete) takes a deep dive into Crete’s nautical history with models of ships from prehistoric boats to modern-day destroyers and landing craft, as well as ancient navigational instruments and other seafaring artifacts.

With its traditional mountain villages, idyllic beaches, and rambling forests, Pelion serves up some of Greece’s most unspoiled natural landscapes You might even recognize it from the big screen, as the 2008 hit Mamma Mia! was filmed there. Curling south from Volos, the peninsula is one of the undisputed highlights of Greece’s Aegean coast.

One of two theme parks that comprise the larger Disneyland® Paris resort (alongside Walt Disney Studios® Park), Disneyland® Park is full of classic Disney attractions, rides, characters, and entertainment. A popular, family-friendly destination since 1992, the amusement park boasts five different themed areas for visitors to discover.

Located on Daukanto Square and surrounded by stately mansions, Vilnius' Presidential Palace is an ornate residence befitting a head of state. It's hard to miss its grand neoclassical exterior and charming palace gardens. It's an easy stop while exploring the Old Town, and the flag-changing festivities, held each Sunday, are a top draw.

Avala Mountain, near Belgrade, Serbia, beckons travelers with its lush forests, panoramic views, and often-overlooked history. An easy journey from Belgrade’s city center, this tranquil haven offers an escape from urban life. In addition to its vibrant flora and fauna, the mountain is home to several monuments, as well as the highest structure in the country, Avala Tower.

As one of the oldest buildings in Malmö, the 14th-century St. Peter’s Church is a must-see sight for history buffs. Noted for its flying buttresses, the church also contains late medieval frescoes and a 17th-century altarpiece —one of the largest in the Nordic countries. The church’s interior walls were whitewashed during the Reformation but some elaborate fixtures remain.

The Cotroceni Palace (Palatul Cotroceni) in Bucharest is home to the country’s president and houses 300 years of history. Visitors to the palace can explore royal bedrooms, ornate hallways, children’s nurseries, and an elaborate music hall. The site also includes the National Cotroceni Museum (book separately), comprised of over 20,000 artifacts. Both attractions are perfect for travelers seeking a more immersive look at Romania’s past.

The Old National Gallery (Alte Nationalgalerie) is the third-oldest museum on Berlin’s UNESCO World Heritage–listed Museum Island (Museumsinsel). Its collection showcases 19th-century artists such as Monet, Renoir, and Rodin. The interior of the neoclassicist building are influenced by Prussian classicism thanks to King Frederick William IV.

A historically Greek area located on the Golden Horn, the Fener District offers a peek into Istanbul of old. The neighborhood is home to Byzantine and Ottoman-era homes, churches, and other buildings, along with the Greek Patriarchate. Walk the side streets where you can't help but pass historic buildings and trendy cafes, stores, and galleries.

Once a home for aged priests, Seville’s Hospital de los Venerables is perhaps best known today for its museum. Browse works by notable Spanish artists such as Diego Velázquez and Bartolomé Murillo, admire the elaborately adorned chapel, then take a stroll through the calm central courtyard.

Known for its twisted spire that legend says the devil warped, St. Lambertus Cathedral is a defining landmark of Düsseldorf’s Altstadt old town. This Gothic church was founded in 1288, the same year as the city of Düsseldorf, but its peculiar tower is not an original feature, rather it settled into this shape after 19th-century renovations.

The Amphitheater of Serdica was discovered beneath Sofia in 2004. Dating back to the 3rd century, the 25,000-capacity venue would have held gladiator battles and blood sports and today forms part of the wider Ulpia Serdica archaeological complex. Visitors can peruse a small section of the remains, along with artifacts and animals prints that were uncovered at the site.

Influenced by Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya, this Byzantine-style basilica—built between 1902 and 1906—is among Romania’s largest Orthodox churches. The striped red and yellow-brick exterior hides a lavish interior where decoration, be it colorful frescoes, mosaics, or gold, covers almost every inch of wall and ceiling space.

Marked by undulating rock formations and stalactites, the Cave of Pëllumbas (Shpella e Pëllumbasit) is an easily-accessible adventure day trip from Tirana. Known by locals as the Black Cave and located a short hike away from the village of Pëllumbas, the karst cave is located on the slopes of the Dajti mountains, in Dajti National Park.

Built in 1421 to serve as a mausoleum for Sultan Mehmed I Celebi, the Green Tomb (Yesil Türbe) sits above the larger Green Mosque complex in Bursa, Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye). The striking exterior of the tomb is decorated with blue-green tiles, most of which replaced the original tiles after an earthquake damaged the tomb in 1855.

Cave hotels, cave churches, and a wall of crumbling cave homes make Cavusin (Çavuşin—say “cha-vu-shin”) a very atmospheric Cappadocian village. It’s divided into two parts: the old town, which was abandoned in the 1960s for fear of rockfalls, and the new village that replaced it. Hotels and cafés are springing up in the old town, encouraging travelers to stay awhile.

One of Bulgaria’s biggest winter sports resorts, with a heritage dating back to the 19th century, Borovets perches in the Rila Mountains and offers downhill, cross-country, and night skiing. It’s particularly good for intermediates and improvers. A lively but affordable aprés-ski scene makes it a smash with budget travelers, while there’s excellent hiking and mountain biking over summer.

Finished in the 14th century, Sibiu’s Lutheran Cathedral (St. Mary's Evangelical Church is one of the city’s most must-see landmarks. Its soaring steeple, pointed turrets, and Gothic facade dominate the city vista, while ancient tombs, sweeping arches, and southeastern Europe’s largest organ furnish the interior.

Framed by forested hills, lively seaside resorts, and miles of glittering blue waters—the Gulf of Fethiye (Fethiye Körfezi is among the most scenic stretches of Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) Turquoise Coast. A popular destination for boat cruises; it’s home to a dozen islands, dotted with Byzantine ruins and beautiful beaches.

The heart of Siena is Piazza del Campo, and the heart of this famous square is Fonte Gaia (Gaia Fountain). Dating from the 15th century, the fountain is lined with replicas of the original bas-relief panels by Jacopo della Quercia, considered a precursor to Michelangelo, and is one of the top attractions in this Tuscan town.

Located along the Baltic Sea coast, the Estonian capital of Tallinn is a popular stop on Baltic cruises, welcoming more than 300 cruise ships each season. The Tallinn Cruise Port (Tallinna Sadam) also receives regular ferries from Helsinki, Stockholm, and St. Petersburg, making it a convenient choice for a day trip or weekend getaway.

Dublinia, a living history museum, explores Dublin’s Viking history and delves into the lives of the city’s inhabitants in medieval times. With historical reenactments by costumed actors, it’s a fun, family-friendly attraction that provides insight into Dublin’s past. Highlights include recreations of a Viking warship, a Viking house, and a medieval street, plus climbing the 96 steps of St. Michael’s Tower for views across the city.

Established in 1670, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is one of Europe’s oldest botanic garden. Covering an area of more than 70 acres (28 hectares), the garden—which encompasses everything from Victorian glasshouses to a giant water lily pond and a rock garden—is a haven of tranquility in Scotland’s bustling capital city.

London’s Imperial War Museum (IWM) offers an all-encompassing introduction to Britain’s war history. It’s home to an overhead military aircraft, army tanks flanking the central exhibition hall, and a recreated World War I bunker to crawl through. Exhibits spotlight not only military equipment and strategy but also the wartime experiences of soldiers and civilians. This museum is an essential stop for military buffs interested in British war history.

Maeshowe Chambered Cairn is a chambered tomb in northern Scotland that is more than 5,000 years old. It’s considered the finest Neolithic building in northwest Europe due to its design, stonework construction, and use of massive individual stones. At least 3,000 years after it was closed up, Norsemen broke into the chamber, leaving behind runic inscriptions on the walls—it’s one of the largest collections outside Scandinavia.

Ölüdeniz (aka the Dead Sea) is the postcard star of Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) Turquoise Coast, thanks to its calm waters and idyllic setting. Silky sands stretch along the spit, dividing the seafront beach from the rippling waters of the Blue Lagoon, while the craggy peak of Babadağ Mountain looms on the horizon, swirling with paragliders at sunset.

Standing on the Cotswolds escarpment, Broadway Tower was conceived by 18th-century landscape artist Capability Brown and completed in 1798. Notable for its stone turrets and rounded-arch windows, this Gothic folly boasts historical exhibitions and a rooftop with views across 16 counties.

Spread out over two market halls in the heart of Copenhagen, Torvehallerne Market is the place to go for local and imported produce and gourmet delicacies. Along with around five dozen stalls and vendors selling everything from pastries to oysters, you'll find cute restaurants and cafes serving tasty treats from Denmark and beyond.

Housed within an 18th-century military barracks, the National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History branch displays an eclectic collection of furniture, coins, ceramics, silverware, and decorative objects. Permanent exhibits focus on Irish military history, furniture over the centuries, and the evolution of Irish fashion.