Europe attractions

Perched above Annecy’s Old Town, Annecy Castle (Château d'Annecy) was the princely residence of the Counts of Geneva between the 13th and 17th centuries. After years of neglect and multiple fires, the restored castle is today a historic monument housing the Alpine Lakes Regional Observatory and the Musée-Château d'Annecy Museum.

Cutting through the heart of Plaka, Adrianou Street is one of the most storied and atmospheric thoroughfares in Athens. It runs from the Monastiraki Flea Market, past the Ancient Agora of Athens, to the statue of Theseus at Thissio. Most of its length is lined with lively eateries and a variety of shops selling handcrafted jewelry and art, antiques, and souvenirs.

Holland Casino boasts several locations across the Netherlands. But don’t expect a grungy, dimly lit gambling hall, especially when it comes to the Amsterdam Centrum location. The casino, located in the heart of the Dutch capital, is known for its upscale ambiance, offering a fleet of slot machines and a mix of table games like poker and blackjack. Meanwhile, its on-site restaurant, the Global Kitchen, serves up international fare like Thai red curry and chicken gyros.

With its 328-foot (100-meter) spire and imposing facade, this large neo-Gothic cathedral—also known as the Cobh Cathedral—dominates the skyline of the harbor town of Cobh. The cathedral is famous for its 49-bell carillon, the only such instrument in Ireland and one of the largest of its kind in Europe.

Amsterdam’s 19th-century Royal Concertgebouw (Concert Hall) boasts neoclassical architecture, three performance spaces, and an annual program of concerts and cultural events. Renowned for its acoustics, the hall has hosted many legendary performers over the years and is home to the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Located steps from the Danube River in Budapest's opulent District V, the mid-19th-century Vigadó Concert Hall (Pesti Vigadó was restored after suffering damage in World War II, and today stands as a premier Hungarian music venue. The Vigadó—home to the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble—frequently hosts top-notch classical music concerts.

This well-preserved 17th-century street now lies hidden beneath the Edinburgh City Chambers on the Royal Mile. It takes its name from Mary King, a merchant and mother who lived on the close (alleyway) and was considered a woman of high social standing with rare voting rights. Her former street is a unique spot, as it’s the only Edinburgh close that’s now underground. It’s also shrouded in mystery, with many reports of paranormal activity over the years.

Housed within a striking building designed by renowned French architect Jean Nouvel, the Arab World Institute (Institut du Monde Arabe) celebrates cultures of the Arab world, from origins to today. From contemporary art to scientific objects, the cultural center showcases items from its own extensive collection as well as those on loan from national museums.

Some of Tenerife’s most scenic landscapes can be found along La Orotava Valley. Stretching from the Teide Volcano, this picturesque region is dotted with vineyards, banana plantations, and pine-clad mountains popular for hiking. The historic town of La Orotava serves as a base for adventure in the valley.

Dating way back to 1894, the Norsk Folkemuseum (Norwegian Museum of Cultural History) has resurrected Norway’s past, from the Middle Ages to the present. “Museum” is a misnomer here—though there is a traditional aspect, the “open-air” section preserves 160 buildings from each of Norway’s regions, and walking the streets here feels like exploring the pages of time.

Scotland’s Isle of Islay is a land of dramatic coastal scenery, vibrant bid life, and fine seafood, but it’s Islay’s distinctive smoky whiskies that really draws the visitors. Home to nearly a dozen working distilleries, including Lagavulin and Bowmore, Islay’s distinctive single malt makes it a bucket list destination for whisky lovers from across the world.

All visitors to Geneva should spend some time exploring the Old Town (Vieille Ville) area. It’s full of fascinating museums, churches, and atmospheric cafés, plus most of the streets are pedestrian-only, so you can wander aimlessly without a care.

Long connected to monastic orders and once home to a leper colony, the tiny, diamond-shaped island of San Lazzaro degli Armeni is most famous for its Armenian Catholic monastery. Home to monks of the Mekhitarist Order, San Lazzaro is a center for Armenian culture and boasts one of the world’s largest collections of Armenian manuscripts. Around the monastery, rose gardens offer views of the nearby Lido island.

One of the country’s largest amusement parks, Energylandia sprawls over 64 acres (26 hectares) of southern Poland. It offers a wealth of shows, a water park, and scores of rides spread across three zones: Family, Little Kids, and Extreme, known for its roller coasters. Summer weekends see music festivals ranging from ‘80s to EDM.

One of the three villages of Cottonera that are collectively known as the Three Cities of Malta, Senglea offers beautiful scenery and lots of history. This fortified city is particularly known for its statues, notably of Christ the Redeemer and Mother Mary.

A museum devoted to all things chocolate Bruges’ Choco-Story is a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth. Learn how Belgian chocolate is made—and then sample some freshly made treats before you leave.

Although built outside the city walls in medieval times, Place Gambetta is now the bustling center of Bordeaux, both figuratively and literally—the square is, technically, the kilometer zero milestone of Bordeaux, from which all distances are calculated. Recently renovated, it’s a popular meeting point, known for its tree-lined gardens.

The National Museum of Iceland chronicles the country’s cultural heritage, from its first Viking settlements to its independence from foreign rule in 1944. Standout objects include traditional Icelandic clothing and drinking horns, an 11th-century bronze statue of Thor, and a hand-carved church door depicting scenes from the medieval knight’s tale, Le Chevalier au Lion. Along with the Making of a Nation exhibition, the museum’s impressive photograph collection captures daily life in Iceland over the centuries.

Best known as the site of the 1944 Siege of Bastogne, this quiet Belgian town in the Ardennes is where encircled United States soldiers managed to turn the tide for the Battle of the Bulge, despite difficult conditions and heavy casualties. Today, Bastogne memorializes these events through monuments and museums.

Opened in 2001, Hamburg’s Miniatur Wunderland holds the Guinness World Record for the largest model railway. One of Germany’s most popular tourist attractions, the vast landmark encompasses more than 1,000 trains, as well as myriad model airplanes, cruise ships, and other vehicles.

From gravity-defying rollercoasters to classic carnival rides; Liseberg Amusement Park has been entertaining families in Gothenburg since 1923. Attracting over 3 million annual visitors; it consistently ranks among Europe’s favorite amusement parks, as well as being a popular music concert venue.

Set in green fields, Clonmacnoise is a striking historic site and monastic complex dating back to the sixth century. A scattering of stone ruins includes a cathedral, churches, round towers, high crosses, and grave markers. Guided tours show you the historical significance and the stories of this spiritual place. The sweeping views of the River Shannon are worth a visit all by themselves.

Montreux, on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva, has been a popular hangout among artistic types since the 19th century. The Old Town of Montreux (Vieille-Ville de Montreux) is an often overlooked part of the city, due to its location on a steep hill high above the town, but the views and relaxed atmosphere are worth the climb.

10 Corso Como is one of Milan's trendiest addresses. Home to the Galleria Carla Sozzani art gallery, it also houses an ultra popular café, a fashion boutique, a roof garden, a restaurant, and a tiny hotel. If you want to see and be seen in Italy’s capital of chic, there is no better place.

With a capacity of nearly 75,000, Old Trafford is the UK’s second-largest football (soccer) stadium and home of Manchester United since 1910. Beside Premier League fixtures, the venue has hosted Olympic games, rugby league finals, and several international cup matches. The on-site museum houses the team’s famous continental treble trophy.

With a history dating back to the Bronze Age, Nimes is one of France’s oldest cities. Its Roman ruins—which include the UNESCO-listed Pont du Gard aqueduct and Colosseum-inspired Arènes de Nîmes—still take centerstage in the modern city.

Amoreiras Shopping Center is a premium shopping destination and one of Lisbon’s flagship malls. Set in a central location with striking post-modern towers, the complex features over 200 stores, offering a mix of mid- to high-end brands from all over the world. Visitors can also find a cinema, a large supermarket, and lots of restaurants. There’s even an observation deck at the top of the complex, which offers panoramic views of the city.

Microscopic organisms take their turn in the spotlight—or, rather, under the microscope—at Micropia, the first museum in the world devoted entirely to microbes. Part of Amsterdam’s ARTIS Park, Micropia’s main goal is to enlighten visitors on the positive role microbes play in daily life. The interactive exhibits offer engaging activities for both young and old and will challenge the worldviews of even the biggest germophobe.

Golden sands meet the Ionian Sea at Kourouta Beach, which stretches for almost 10 miles (16 kilometers) along the coast of the Peloponnese. With clean shallow waters, the beach is well-suited to swimming and water sports.

St. Paul’s Within the Walls Church (Chiesa di San Paolo Entro le Mura) was the first Protestant church built in Rome, considered the capital of the Catholic world. This 19th-century Episcopal church is home to beautiful and relatively modern mosaics that earned it recognition as a national monument. Today, it is not only a religious and cultural center, but also a performance venue that regularly hosts concerts of classical music and opera.