Europe attractions

Go for a stroll along the 16th-century walls in Heraklion, the capital city of Crete, to get a sense of the island’s Venetian history. The walls were constructed during the time of Venetian rule over Crete, and they withstood a 21-year siege of the city by the Ottomans. Seven bastions and four gates make up the massive fortifications.

Toulouse Cathedral, or Cathedrale St-Etienne, is a cathedral with a unique design that merges two different structures. With its mixture of architectural styles and lopsided appearance, it presents quite a change from the classic imposing grandeur of French cathedrals.

Lyon’s covered Les Halles Market (Les Halles Paul Bocuse has been open since 1970. They’re named in honor of Paul Bocuse, a legendary figure on both the French and international cooking scene. More than 95% of the shops are run by business owners who really know their products.

Steep cliffs, waterfalls, and the turquoise hue of the Loup River make Gorges du Loup one of the most popular natural escapes from the French Riviera. The area is a hub for hikers, rock climbers, and outdoor adventurers.

Though a little village of some 6,000 people just outside of San Sebastián, compact Astigarraga is the epicenter of Basque Country’s considerable apple cider industry. Following an ancient tradition dating many centuries, the town’s thriving farm-style cider houses (sagardotegi in Basque) serve the bubbly fermented beverage with generously portioned meals.

Mirogoj Cemetery isn't your typical graveyard, and the carefully designed 7-acre (2.8-hectare) property feels more like an elegant park with its tree-lined walking paths, neo-Renaissance arcade, and scenic Mt. Medvednica backdrop. Visit this popular attraction for a relaxing stroll, and feel Zagreb's bustling urban energy melt away.

Overlooking the Aegean Sea and the neighboring island of Halki, the crumbling stone shell of Kritinia Castle crowns a 430-foot (131-meter) hill above the village of Kritinia. Originally built in the 15th century by the Knights of St. John, the castle features a ruined chapel and the coats of arms of Grand Masters.

Borrowdale Valley is a highlight of any trip to Cumbria’s Lake District. With grass-covered peaks, oak-filled woodlands, and rolling pastures along the River Derwent, the natural beauty of the valley is undeniable, and its location at the heart of the Lake District makes it a prime destination for hikers.

Italy has a host of hot springs, many used as natural thermal baths since ancient Roman times. Among these historic spa destinations is the town of Abano Terme, the largest hot spring resort in Europe. Take a relaxing day trip from Venice to visit Abano Terme, set in the Euganean Hills with natural thermal waters as hot as 176°F (80°C).

With its multi-colored marble facade and striking round windows, the small yet beautiful Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli (Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli) is one of the most important examples of early Renaissance architecture in Venice. Built in the late 15th century to honor a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary, it showcases the spectacular work of architect Pietro Lombardo. It’s also considered a highlight of the historic Cannaregio neighborhood.

Perched atop a rocky outcrop in Provence, Les Baux-de-Provence is among France’s most beautiful villages, and one of the region’s most popular destinations. Visitors come here to wander its narrow cobbled streets filled with cafés, galleries, shops, and historic buildings, and to see the Carrières des Lumières art installations. The location boasts stunning panoramic views, which you can enjoy from the hilltop Château des Baux-de-Provence.

Underneath the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo in the center of Rome lies a subterranean network of living spaces built between the second and fourth centuries, before and during the rise of Christianity. Decorated with a mix of pagan and religious frescoes, these 20 rooms offer an intimate glimpse into the daily lives of regular folks in ancient Rome.

Built in the 14th century, Michael's Gate (Michalska Brana) is the only remaining medieval gate in Bratislava that has been preserved. The tower was reconstructed in the 18th century, at which point it was crowned with a statue of the archangel Saint Michael famously slaying a dragon. These days, the gate's tower houses the Museum of Arms, part of the Bratislava City Museum.

Johannes Vermeer is among the most celebrated Dutch Masters, particularly at the Delft Vermeer Centre (Vermeer Centrum). Here, the artist behind the "Girl With the Pearl Earring" is honored through exhibits focusing on both his work and his life in Delft.

Fashioned from the blueprint of London’s world-renowned Madame Tussauds, the Grévin Museum (Musée Grévin), Paris’ own waxwork museum, has been sculpting famous faces since it was founded back in 1882. Today, more than 200 waxwork figures—including politicians, movie stars, and historic icons—are on display, making this a popular destination for tourists and visiting families.

The charming island of Gemiler, off the Turkish coast, offers a serene setting to escape bustling city life. The island's rich history is evident from the ancient ruins of Byzantine churches, courts, and cisterns. In addition to the historical sites, visitors can also enjoy beaches with crystal-clear waters.

With pretty landscaped gardens, shaded woodlands, and peaceful walkways, Tivoli Park is Ljubljana's most popular green space. The 2-square-mile (5-square-kilometer) expanse features walking and cycling trails, mini golf courses, and playgrounds as well as important cultural institutions such as Tivoli Mansion and the Museum of Contemporary History of Slovenia.

Dresden’s Albertinum hosts the Galerie Neue Meister (New Masters Gallery), a large art collection that starts with the Romanticists of the early 1800s. The Renaissance Revival building is a former arsenal in Dresden’s historic center, and many visitors to Dresden walk past the grand building. Going inside and checking out the collections is a must for art enthusiasts.

Built in the sixth century by Emperor Justinian I as the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus (Kücük Ayasofya Camii), it later took its name Little Hagia Sophia from its resemblance to the larger Hagia Sophia, which was built nearby a few years earlier. After the Ottomans conquered Constantinople, the church was converted into a mosque.

The furniture, books, and personal possessions of William Wordsworth still sit inside Rydal Mount, where the Romantic poet lived from 1813 up until his death in 1850. Visitors can explore the house, which is owned by Wordsworth’s descendants, and wander the landscaped gardens, which were largely designed by Wordsworth himself.

On a hill with a strategic view of the Gulf of Izmir, the co-called Velvet Castle was built in the 4th century BC under Alexander the Great. Remnants of successive occupants, including Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans, may be found though not much remains of the fortified castle, except for towering ramparts, ruins of a 14th-century mosque—and the wonderful vista.

There's no better place for a stroll than Geneva’s Bastions Park (Parc des Bastions). This verdant oasis down the street from Geneva’s Old Town boasts green lawns, tree-lined walkways, and benches perfect for sipping coffee. Visitors entering through the main gate, at Place Neuve, can enjoy a quick game of chess at the giant public sets.

Home to Krakow’s Wawel Castle and Wawel Cathedral, Wawel Hill stands 748 feet (228 meters) above sea level to the south of the city’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overlooking the River Vistula, the hill was settled some 50,000 years ago and was the power base of Poland’s kings for 500 years from the 11th century on.

Designed by French architects, this historic wine estate dates back to the end of the 19th century. Once home to the Georgian royal family Bagrationi, it has been a wine estate for more than a century. Near Tbilisi, Château Mukhrani is a popular day trip for wine tastings, cellar and palace tours, and traditional Georgian food.

Covering the southern end of Slovenia’s brief coastline, Sečovlje Salina Nature Park is the protected area that covers the Sečovlje Salt Pans. The salt pans were worked for centuries using traditional methods, making them a valued part of Slovene Istria’s cultural heritage, while a vast array of bird species also call the park home.

One of Central Europe’s major rivers, the Elbe River runs through the heart of Dresden. It has played an important role in Germany’s history, forming part of the border between East and West Germany during the Cold War. Today the Elbe River is a popular spot for boat tours and views of landmarks like the Dresden Opera House.

Via Po is one of the most important and stately thoroughfares in the center of Turin, running in a wide, straight line from Piazza Castello to Piazza Vittorio Veneto. Its soaring pedestrian porticoes along both sides adorn some of the city’s most elegant boutiques, prestigious book shops, and historic cafés.

Commissioned in the 15th century by Sultan Bayezid II in Bursa, Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye), the Koza Han served as a caravanserai that provided income for the sultan’s mosque in Istanbul. Due to its strategic location at the end of the Silk Road, Koza Han—aka the Cocoon Inn—became a popular place for merchants to unload the last of their silk.

Looking out over the Old Port and marking the entrance to historic Mykonos Town, Manto Mavrogenous Square (Plateia Manto Mavrogenous) is the lively epicenter of the island of Mykonos. The square boasts shops, restaurants, and cafes along its seafront promenade, while its white-painted, blue-shuttered buildings make for a pretty photo op.

On April 26 1986, Reactor No. 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine exploded, releasing tons of extremely harmful radioactive chemicals into the air. The explosion contaminated dozens of European countries, and elevated radiation levels were also recorded as far away as Canada and the United States. The town closest to the explosion was Pripyat, situated just a few kilometers away. The residents were forced to evacuate (a little too late) and over the years it has been suggested that thousands of deaths were caused as a result of the explosion. Many more have been left with illnesses brought on by the radioactive chemicals. The long-term 30-kilometer exclusion zone is still in place today, and Reactor No. 4 can only be accessed as part of a short-term organized tour. Most tours include knowledgeable guides and a visit to the ‘ghost town’ of Pripyat, with its abandoned buildings and eerily decaying amusement park.