Europe attractions

Described by Lord Byron as a “glorious Eden,” the fairy-tale district of Sintra more than lives up to its name. Emerald hills harbor buildings with extravagant architectural styles, ranging from neo-Gothic palaces and turreted Moorish castles to candy-colored mansion houses. But that’s not all—Sintra’s historic center is a lovely place to wander around and enjoy a pastel de nata (custard tart).

Sitting alongside the Theatre of Dionysus on the southern slopes of the Acropolis, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus dates back to AD 161 and holds around 5,000 spectators. Though it fell into ruin over the millennia, the theater was restored in the 1950s. Today, the combination of classical heritage and historic setting makes it a popular venue for live performances.

From medieval torture to grim executions and infamous royal prisoners, the Tower of London has long found itself at the center of the city’s dark history. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, the historic castle has served as a Royal Menagerie, Her Majesty’s prison, an execution site, a royal observatory, a Royal Mint, and a military storehouse over the course of its existence.

The River Seine acts as a dividing line between Paris’ historically sophisticated Right Bank and bohemian Left Bank, all while hosting sightseeing riverboats and offering plenty of opportunities for romantic strolls. The banks of the river are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are lined with some of the city’s top landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Musée d’Orsay, the Tuileries Garden, and the Louvre.

The star of Athens postcards, and arguably the most impressive of the city’s ancient ruins, the Parthenon stands proudly atop the rock of the Acropolis. Completed in 438 BC, the temple was dedicated to the goddess Athena and also served as a treasury. After centuries of war, looting, and changes in rulership, the near-perfect Doric columns that remain standing today are a striking reminder of the glory of ancient Greece.

Buckingham Palace is one of England’s most famous landmarks. It has served as the official London residence of the British royal family since the 19th century and is one of the few remaining working royal palaces in the world. Public access to the interiors is limited to the summer, but it’s well worthwhile for those who arrange a visit.

The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) is a top attraction on the island of Capri, located in Italy’s Bay of Naples (Golfo di Napoli). To enter this sea cave, named after the bright blue light filtering through the water via an opening in the rock below sea level, you must board a small rowboat and duck through a low opening. Once inside, you’ll have time to snap a few photos of the glowing turquoise water and—if you’re lucky—listen to a rower perform a quick Italian serenade.

Antoni Gaudí spent 15 years designing and building the whimsical fountains, mosaic benches, pedestrian walkways, and gingerbread house-like buildings within Park Güell, one of the seven Works of Antoni Gaudí locations that together make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with the Sagrada Familia, the hilltop public park sits at the top of Barcelona’s must-see list, and for good reason. The art nouveau wonderland adorns many postcards of the city.

The ancient city of Ephesus (Efes) is one of the eastern Mediterranean’s most impressive archaeological sites. It was a significant city in both the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. Many reconstructed structures and ruins, including the Temple of Artemis (Artemision), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, can be seen here.

Rivaling the Louvre as Paris’ favorite art museum, the Musée d’Orsay is known for its impressionist, post-impressionist, and art nouveau collections. Equally impressive as what’s inside the museum is its exterior: a former Beaux-Arts railway station with an enviable location on the banks of the Seine River. Both architecture and art buffs will want this museum on their Parisian itineraries.

Windsor Castle is the largest occupied castle in the world still used by resident monarchs. William the Conqueror built a wooden fortress on the site nearly 1,000 years ago—and Windsor has been a royal palace and residence since. Despite its daily use for royal business, much of the palace is open to the public and well worth a visit.

Astonishingly intact, the Pantheon has been wowing visitors to Rome for almost two millennia, and its massive dome is still the largest of its kind built out of unreinforced concrete in the world. Stand below the central oculus to watch clouds float above, then check out the highlights inside this temple-turned-church, including the ornate tombs of Renaissance artist Raphael and the first kings of unified Italy.

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum is the resting place for some 1.5 million people, as the site once served as a concentration camp and extermination site of the European Jewish community during World War II. Today, Auschwitz-Birkenau is an important historical area, allowing visitors to reflect on the monumental horrors that occurred during the Holocaust.

The powerful Doges ruled the Venetian Empire from the Gothic confines of the Doge’s Palace until the fall of Venice in 1797. The sprawling residence was meant to impress visitors as they sailed through the lagoon and landed at St. Mark’s Square, and the Doges ruled with an iron fist—often meting out justice in the courtrooms and prisons here. The marble facade and art-filled interiors continue to inspire awe today.

Towering 702 feet (214 meters) above the Atlantic Ocean at their highest point and stretching for 5 miles (8 kilometers) along the water, the famed Cliffs of Moher define the raw beauty of the west coast of Ireland. They’re also one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions, with tours from Dublin, Galway, Cork, Limerick, Killarney, and Doolin.

Ancient and sprawling, the city of Pompeii offers glimpses of a distant past. Rather than viewing museum displays behind glass, you’ll stroll the cobbled streets, see ancient graffiti, and likely be struck by the similarities to a modern city. From restaurants to public bathrooms to amphitheaters, ancient Romans followed many of the habits we do today. Wandering this almost 2,000-year-old city is a way to remember that people from all ages share commonalities.

Formerly a humble hunting lodge, the Palace of Versailles (Château de Versailles) is the extravagant creation of King Louis XIV. Embellished in royal decadence, Versailles features hundreds of rooms with frescoed ceilings and carvings, plus the Versailles Gardens (Jardins de Versailles), which brim with geometrically designed walkways and fountains. No visit to France is complete without visiting the UNESCO-listed marvel.

To understand why Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is so popular, just imagine bathing in steaming milky-blue waters, sipping a cocktail at a swim-up bar, and looking out over an otherworldly landscape of jagged peaks and black lava fields. This geothermal pool—the most visited of Iceland’s many such oases—boasts mineral-rich waters, a luxurious spa, and a magnificent setting, all just minutes from Reykjavik.

The historic center of Rome boasts more than 300 monumental fountains, but none are more famous than the ornate Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi). Centered around the sea god Oceanus (and including Tritons, horses, and other figures symbolizing Rome’s abundance of water), the baroque fountain has made many cameos on the silver screen and is thought to bring good luck; just throw in a coin and make a wish.

Shrouded in legend, the Li Galli (Sirenuse islets tower over the Mediterranean Sea. Once said to be inhabited by sirens, these tiny outcrops lure passing boats with their pristine waters and coastlines. Though the islands are private, you can still drop anchor on their outskirts to swim or snap photos.

From its hilltop perch above Lisbon’s Graça neighborhood, the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte lookout offers panoramic views across Portugal’s capital city. Included in its clear vista are the hilltop Castle of St. George (Castelo de São Jorge) and the city’s rooftops leading out towards the 25th of April Bridge. The viewpoint is named for the churchyard where it is located: Our Lady of the Hill.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site with a legacy dating back more than a millennium, Westminster Abbey is among London’s most popular historical landmarks. The Gothic church is best known for hosting headline-grabbing events involving the British royal family, such as the Queen’s coronation, Princess Diana’s funeral, and Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding. But it’s not just a pretty face; inside, you’ll find dramatic chapels and regal tombs.

Bordered by steep, waterfall-threaded mountains, dramatic Glencoe (Glen Coe) is the stuff of Scottish postcards. Though it has historical significance—it was the site of the 1692 Glencoe Massacre of the MacDonald Clan—and its very own ski resort, Glencoe Mountain Resort, the valley’s main draw is its spectacular scenery and world-class hiking trails.

Perhaps one of the world’s most beloved architectural mistakes, the Leaning Tower of Pisa’s inimitable tilt has made the UNESCO World Heritage Site an Italian icon. While travelers flock to snap photos of themselves “holding up” the tilted tower—originally intended as a bell tower for Pisa Cathedral—you can also ascend the 294-step spiral staircase for stunning views over Pisa.

One of the most remarkable ancient ruins in the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Acropolis, the Erechtheion is best known for its ornate porch, supported by six caryatids (columns carved as women in draperies). Dating from the fifth century BC, the temple perches on a craggy escarpment overlooking the heart of Athens. It marks the spot where legend holds that Poseidon and Athena fought for control of the fledgling city.

One of the most famous and sumptuous squares in Rome, Piazza Navona is home to the baroque Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, overlooking Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s monumental Fountain of the Four Rivers, and sitting atop the ancient remains of the Stadium of Domitian. Bustling outdoor restaurants, street artists and performers, and the occasional market lend a lively air to the otherwise stately square, making it a place to be both morning and night.

From Catherine de’ Medici to Napoleon Bonaparte, centuries of royal history have played out against the idyllic backdrop of the Tuileries Garden (Jardin des Tuileries). While its namesake palace burned down in the 19th century, the magnificent gardens—the work of Versailles landscaper André Le Nôtre—remain one of Paris’ most beloved public parks, with views of the Louvre Museum and the Seine River.

An Athenian landmark and feat of contemporary architecture, the Acropolis Museum sits at the base of the Acropolis, with the ruins of an ancient settlement visible beneath its floor. This must-see for ancient art enthusiasts is home to one of the premier archaeological collections in Greece. The art and artifacts span pre-classical times to the Roman era, but fifth-century BC treasures from the temples of the Acropolis are the focus, especially the recreated Parthenon frieze.

The London Eye offers panoramic views of Central London from its location on the South Bank of the River Thames (including the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, just opposite). The 443-foot (135-meter) Ferris wheel was built to mark the millennium, and it has since become one of the most popular paid tourist attractions in the United Kingdom.

Though it translates to “New Bridge” in French, the Pont Neuf is actually the oldest existing bridge in Paris, built in 1607 to connect the banks of the Seine River to Île de la Cité. Ahead of its time, Pont Neuf was one of the city’s first bridges not to have houses built along its sides, which is why visitors today can still enjoy sweeping city views from the tranquil pedestrian paths.