Europe attractions

Located in the village of Auvers-sur-Oise northwest of Paris, the Maison de van Gogh was where Vincent van Gogh spent the final two months of his life. Today, the landmark’s 19th-century appearance has been preserved; on a guided tour, you can see the attic room where van Gogh lived and died, and watch an audiovisual presentation about his life in the adjacent room (formerly rented by another artist, Anton Hirschig).

Inaugurated in the year 1230, St. Nicholas Church (Nikolaikirche) is the oldest building in Berlin. It played a huge role during the Reformation as the site of the first Protestant public worship service, following Martin Luther’s religious reforms. The former church now houses a museum dedicated to the German capital’s 800-year history.

Step back in time with York Castle Museum, an informative, interactive destination that will charm history-buffs and families alike. Unique in its depictions of everyday life, both past and present, York Castle Museum is best-known for period reconstructions of historic streets—like the Victorian Kirkgate—and costumed actors who help bring the past to life.

Part of the fourth-century Villa of Maxentius complex along the Via Appia Antica in the Roman countryside, the Circus of Maxentius (Circo di Massenzio) is a well-preserved chariot racetrack in Rome, second in size only to the Circus Maximus. Today, the archaeological site is located within the Appian Way Regional Park, approximately 30 minutes from Rome, with its ruins open to exploration.

Mauthausen was one of the largest concentration camps in the Nazi-controlled part of Europe during World War II. It was the last camp to be liberated by the Allies, with at least 90,000 people estimated to have been murdered there. The main camp at Mauthausen, located outside the titular town in Austria, has served as a museum since 1975.

Celebrating the long history of the Turkish military, the Military Museum and Cultural Center Command (Askeri Müze) displays thousands of pieces of military paraphernalia in the First Army Headquarters building. There are weapons from Islamic, Iranian, Caucasian, European, and Turkish periods, and exhibitions about WWI and the Turkish War of Independence.

With a hilltop vantage point overlooking Brunelleschi’s Dome and the city beyond, the Bardini Garden is home to one of the most beautiful green spaces in central Florence. Tree-lined gravel paths, pretty fountains, and lots of flower varieties make the garden well worth visiting any time of year. For the best photo ops, head to the grand baroque staircase and a wisteria pergola that blooms in the spring.

The Barberini Palace (Palazzo Barberini) is one of the most beautiful palaces in Rome, designed by the city’s renowned Renaissance architects, Carlo Maderno, Francesco Borromini, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Now home to the National Gallery of Ancient Art, the palazzo contains an important collection of paintings from the 13th to 18th centuries. Worth a visit for its architecture alone, the building features a soaring marble facade with three tiers of arches facing a semi-enclosed courtyard.

Amsterdam has been nicknamed the “City of Diamonds,” and the Diamond Museum Amsterdam is here to tell visitors why that is. Founded by the diamond polisher Ben Meier (who once polished a diamond watch for Queen Juliana of the Royal House of the Netherlands), the wide-ranging museum explores the gemstone’s billions-year-old roots, cutting and polishing techniques, and Amsterdam’s history as a world-renowned diamond capital. Expect to see plenty of sparkling rocks, both real and replica.

Learn about 800 years of Berlin history through 11 interactive shows at the Berlin Dungeon. A cast of theatrical actors lead a journey through the city’s history from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Expect humor and a bit of terror, plus two underground rides and memorable special effects during a visit to the Berlin Dungeon.

One of Malaga’s top galleries, the Carmen Thyssen Museum houses the private collection of Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza, a wealthy art collector. Occupying the converted 16th-century Palacio de Villalón and an adjoining modern annex, the museum rewards visitors with a host of magnificent Spanish art and other works, set in serene surroundings.

Elche (or Elx in the Valencian dialect) is a small city on the edge of Alicante. Established over 2,000 years ago, it was inhabited by the Greeks and the Moors at different points in its history. Today, Elche is celebrated for its Palmeral—the distinctive, extensive groves of palm trees that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and other centuries-old landmarks.

Resembling the sail of a Portuguese ship and characterized by lattice steelwork, the Vasco da Gama Tower (Torre Vasco da Gama) has become a symbol of modern Lisbon. The tallest building in the Portuguese capital, it soars 475 feet (145 meters) above the banks of the Tagus River, making it a natural choice for travelers seeking panoramic views—and the option to enjoy them with a drink in hand at the tower’s rooftop bar.

Cádiz is ancient—settled by Phoenicians more than 3,000 years ago, it’s often called Europe’s oldest living city. The most spectacular evidence of its distant past is the waterfront Roman Theatre of Cádiz (Teatro Romano de Cádiz), which dates to 70 BC. Its semicircular seating accommodated some 10,000 spectators, and it’s among the earliest and best-preserved Roman theaters anywhere in Spain.

Set amid the rolling glens of Scotland’s premier whisky region—Speyside, in Cairngorms National Park—the Glenlivet Distillery is known for producing the granddaddy of all single malts. Distilled in unique lantern-shaped copper stills and matured in oak casks for at least 12 years, The Glenlivet has a fruity, smooth flavor thanks to using Scottish barley and spring water from the local Josie's Well.

With its white-stone buildings, Renaissance architecture, and traditional French market, Uzès is a picturesque pocket of Languedoc that’s all-too-often overlooked by visitors. The city’s Roman roots link it to the region’s most memorable monument, the UNESCO-listed Pont du Gard aqueduct, which delivered water from Uzès to Nîmes in ancient times.

Located on the shores of Loch Shiel, Glenfinnan Monument—constructed in 1815 and completed in the 1830s—is a tribute to all who fought for and lost their lives during the 1745 Jacobite Rising. The 59-foot (18-meter)-high column is crowned by the figure of a kilt-wearing Highlander, and visitors can ascend to the top for remarkable views.

One of Central London’s major thoroughfares, bustling Baker Street is best known for its association with the one and only Sherlock Holmes. According to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved books, the fictional detective resided at number 221B—a fictional address to match. Today, the Sherlock Holmes Museum commemorates the area’s literary legacy and draws crowds throughout the year.

Celebrating the history and legacy of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Association, this museum in central Geneva will be of interest to anyone who wishes to learn more about the humanitarian association’s impact on the world.

The extravagant 19th-century Miramare Castle (Castello di Miramare) is set on the Grignano promontory above the Gulf of Trieste and has beautiful interiors and 54 acres of grounds and botanical gardens. Home to the Habsburg family until the 20th century, this sumptuous noble residence offers a fascinating glimpse into royal life.

Naples’ Capodimonte Museum (Museo di Capodimonte) contains masterpieces from the Neapolitan and other Italian schools, as well as furniture and decorative arts, and ancient Roman sculptures. With works by Raphael, Titian, and Caravaggio, this museum is a must for art lovers and a popular stop on many private and group tours.

Not to be confused with the Port Olímpic, the Port of Barcelona is one of Spain’s most important maritime hubs. With ferry connections to Italy, Morocco, and Spain’s islands, ships have been transporting passengers across the Mediterranean Sea from the port for millennia. If you’re not sailing off into the sunset, the most interesting part of the Port of Barcelona to visit is Port Vell (Old Port), a bustling lifestyle destination filled with superyachts.

Built from 1866 to 1883, the Palace of Justice (Palais de Justice) is the seat of the supreme court in Belgium and one of the most important historic buildings in Brussels. It was commissioned by Leopold II and designed by Joseph Poelaert, and it may have been the largest building constructed in the 19th century.

Originally the private collection of Carl Jacobsen, the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (Glyptoteket) is now one of Denmark’s best-known art museums and houses over 10,000 works within its Renaissance-inspired halls. The Glyptotek is most famous for its ancient Egyptian and Greek sculpture, although it also holds an extensive painting collection.

Set in the Luberon region of Provence, Fountain of Vaucluse (Fontaine-de-Vaucluse) is a small village famous for its hidden spring. The “fountain” feeds the Sorgue River and is a bit of a mystery, as the source of this underground spring is unknown. The Sorgue River is so crystal clear it appears emerald and is the area’s main attraction.

The streets of Paris are filled with romance and excitement, but for travelers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, a stroll along the scenic Canal Saint-Martin offers a quieter, more laid-back vibe. Lined with leafy trees, footbridges, and waterside cafés, it’s a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike to people-watch, dine alfresco, and soak up the bohemian feel of the neighborhood.

The 17th-century Church of Our Lady Victorious (Kostel Panny Marie Vitezne) wows with its baroque style, including dazzling gilt and marble interiors. The headliner here isn’t the architecture, however, but the small Infant Jesus of Prague statue, donated to the church in 1628 and adorned with bejeweled crowns and sumptuous clothing.

A spectacularly ruined Gothic castle, Ogrodzieniec Castle (Zamek Ogrodzieniec) is one of the most dramatic stops on the Trail of the Eagles’ Nests, a chain of medieval fortresses built to secure Krakow, mostly during the 14th century. Its eerie turrets and gaping windows served as the filming location of the Battle of Sodden Hill in The Witcher.

The French town of Orange is a popular destination known not only for its sunny, picturesque charm, but also for its long history. Visit to see it’s impressive Roman architecture, which include some of the world’s most notable examples outside of Rome itself.

Prague’s New Town Hall (Novomestská Radnice) is a charming hodgepodge of architectural styles that date back to the 1300s. Climb the 221 steps to the top of the Gothic tower for bird’s-eye views of the Czech capital, or visit the original Hall of Justice and admire the Renaissance south wing added in the 16th century.