Europe attractions

A massive water park featuring attractions for visitors young and old, Plopsaqua is conveniently located in the popular summer getaway of De Panne—between the beach and the railway station. Don a suit and explore the waterslides, pools, and other features, many of which are suitable for toddlers or those who prefer not to swim.

The Port of Savona—one of Italy's largest—is a modern cruise port located in Savona’s historic center. While there's little to do in Savona proper, the port serves as the ideal jumping-off point from which to explore the Italian Riviera’s coastal towns and Mediterranean beaches, including the nearby city of Genoa.

Set on the sound between Denmark and Sweden, the Øresund Aquarium (Øresundsakvariet) is a small saltwater aquarium with a special focus on local marine life. Part of the University of Copenhagen, the aquarium is particularly welcoming to young visitors with two large “petting pools” and other kid-friendly interactive exhibits.

In the shadow of the hilltop chateau of Rocamadour, Durandal Park offers a different kind of medieval attraction, with a spectacular schedule of equestrian shows. Daring, high-speed tricks and stunts, jousting displays, and medieval reenactments are all performed on horseback, ensuring a thrilling experience for all ages.

Stalactites, stalagmites, and underground lakes fill the caverns of the Dragon’s Cave (Spileo Drakou), located outside the small Greek city of Kastoria. Sitting on a peninsula within Lake Orestiada, the cave is hidden behind steep cliffs of rock, with nothing but a humble gate indicating that there’s more to see here than you might otherwise suspect.

Perched on a hillside overlooking the lakes and parklands of Wardour Park, the rugged silhouette of Old Wardour Castle makes for a dramatic sight, and the atmospheric ruins have long been a favorite backdrop of photographers and filmmakers. Make a stop to snap photos of your own and bring a picnic to enjoy on its sweeping lawns.

Housed in Helsinki's Olympic Stadium, the TAHTO Center, formerly the Sports Museum of Finland, offers a deep dive into the nation's sporting legacy. Its interactive exhibits and audiovisuals celebrate Finland’s diverse athletic achievements, from Olympic successes to extreme sports. Here, visitors can connect emotionally with the stories and legacies of Finnish sports icons across different sports.

The heart of Caiscais, 5th of October Square (Praça 5 de Outubro) is a gathering place for locals and visitors. Named for the Portuguese revolution of October 5, 1910, which marked the transition from monarchy to republic, the square’s setting in the center of the coastal resort town reflects the historical importance of the turning point in Portuguese history.

Situated in the resort town of Blankenberge, SEA LIFE® is an indoor/outdoor aquarium featuring a variety of oceanic exhibits, an outdoor section with play areas for kids, and a seal-rescue center. Here visitors can learn about marine life through feedings, talks, and interactive experiences at the on-site touch tank.

A magic show in an intimate, fashionable nightclub setting, the Prague Illusion includes surprising illusions, mind reading, dangerous tricks, and plenty of audience participation. Even with close-up views, visitors are frequently amazed by magician Jonathan David Bass’ illusions.

Secluded in a basement in Regensburg Old Town is the city’s Golf Museum, a treasure trove of golfing artifacts. Among its 1,200 artifacts from the sport’s long history are the world’s oldest golf club and golf ball, both centuries old. Traditional golfing outfits and golf-themed artwork help set the mood in this cellar museum.

One of London’s most popular seasonal events, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland has delighted the capital’s residents and visitors since 2007. The biggest festival of its kind in the city, Winter Wonderland comprises a huge range of attractions, including an open-air ice rink, a soaring ferris wheel, ice bars, carnival games, Christmas markets, Santa meet-and-greets, and more.

Conwy’s Albion Ale House is a traditional 1920s pub specializing in locally produced beer. It also offers a wine list, spirits, bar bites, and pub games. You’ll still find the bell pushes along the chair rail, once used to summon bartenders. Visitors can sit in the lounge by the baronial-style fireplace, relax in the snug, or saddle up to the bar with a pint.

Yser Tower is a memorial honoring the Flemish soldiers who died during World War I. It is one of the tallest peace monuments in Europe and houses a museum and a chapel. The ruins of the first tower, destroyed during World War II, remain, while the monument today was built in 1965 and is 275 feet (84 meters) tall. The inscription “Never again war” is written on the tower in four languages.

With a history dating back almost eight centuries, Barry Mill is one of Scotland's few working water mills. It offers nature walks by Barry Burn and the chance to learn how millers lived and worked—not to mention where flour and oatmeal come from. The building dates from around 1814, when the old mill caught fire.

Discover a rare collection of antiquarian books, maps, manuscripts, and prints during a visit to the Bolton Library. See this collection of around 12,000 books from the 13th to 18th centuries including works by Dante, Swift, and Machiavelli in its new home at the University of Limerick. Visits are available by appointment only.

With nearly 25 miles (40 kilometers) of runs across four valleys, the Garmisch-Classic Ski Area offers incredible access to the Bavarian Alps. Skiers and boarders of all skill levels will find themselves careening on the slopes of three peaks, stopping for drinks at various mountain stations, and taking in some of Germany’s highest views.

Stretching from Trieste in Italy to the Vipava Valley, the Karst region of Slovenia is a rocky limestone plateau rich with cave formations, underground lakes, and charming villages. The most notable attraction is the Postojna Cave, known not only for its stunning rock formations, but for being the world’s only cave with its own underground railway.

Seville Opera (Sevilla de Opera) is a unique theater where you’ll find live, participatory performances that cross typical stylistic boundaries. Enjoy arias and scenes from some of the most famous operas set in Seville, such asCarmen and theMarriage of Figaro, and enjoy a bite to eat at this intimate, theater-in-the-round setting.

Tucked away in the forest, the Dinosaurier Museum Altmühltal brings extinct animals vividly to life with life-size statues of dinosaurs, mammoths, and other creatures arranged along a walking trail. Learn about dinosaurs, see fossils and skeletons, and try your hand at fossil hunting through family-friendly exhibits and activities.

Situated on the Punta Falcone, between the bay of Santa Teresa Gallura and the postcard-perfect Rena Bianca beach, this 16th-century tower is one of the most striking sights on the Sardinian coast. Climb to the rooftop observation deck to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the pristine coastline and turquoise water.

An exquisite mix of old and new Hungarian architecture, the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter (Zsolnay Kulturális Negyed) features much of the ceramic work that the country is famous for. The area extends outward from the original Zsolnay family factory that produced much of the original porcelain, tiles, and stoneware that can be seen throughout Hungary. Visitors can view pieces being made by hand at the factory, or take a stroll on the sprawling green grounds that surround it. The Bobita Puppet Factory is another highlight for many, a foundation for Hungarian culture and art. The quarter consists of smaller, themed sections including the Handicrafts District, the Creative District, the Children and Family District, and the University District. With its interactive activities and preservation of longstanding culture, it is widely regarded as a top cultural experience of Central and Eastern Europe. It’s a living example of the history of the area’s arts and traditions.

Helsinki’s Tennis Palace (Tennispalatsi), named for its former courts, has served many purposes since its construction in 1937. The building has been a car showroom, an Olympic venue, and a museum. Today it is a recreational center home to the Helsinki Art Museum, Finland’s largest cinema complex, and a range of restaurants and bars.

There are more than 200 historic fountains in Bern’s old town, and the striking 16th-century Zähringerbrunnen (Zähringen Fountain) is one of the most important. This memorial to the founder of Bern sits at the end of the main Kramgasse thoroughfare near the city’s landmark Clock Tower (Zytglogge) in the heart of the UNESCO–listed historic center, and is a highlight of city sightseeing tours.

Aberconwy House is the only surviving medieval merchant's house in Conwy. It has had many uses over the years, including a hotel and antique shop. It’s now a secondhand bookshop with flexible space for community events on the upper floors. The building’s two lower stone floors support the projecting upper floor, which extends over the lower section on corbel stones.

Sitting on a spit of land that stretches into the Danube River, the Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum houses an array of contemporary and modern art. Located outside Bratislava, the impressive building is designed to look like a Roman galley that almost floats above the water’s surface. Colorful and striking sculptures are scattered throughout its grounds.

Set in the Kinský Gardens, the Musaion (Ethnographic Museum of the National Museum) features excellent exhibits about life in rural Czech communities over the last 300 years. Learn about the traditions of Bohemia, Silesia, and Moravia, catch workshops demonstrating artisan crafts, and watch folk music concerts.

Bourg—also known as Bourg-sur-Gironde—is considered one of the most scenic historic villages in southwestern France’s Gironde department. Poised on a rocky promontory overlooking the confluence of the Dordogne and Garonne rivers, the village was founded by the Romans in the 2nd century, and is also celebrated for its wine.

One of Slovenia’s finest castles, Podsreda Castle is a Romanesque fortress near the Croatian border that dates back to the 12th century. Forty years of renovation have revitalized the castle, which now serves as a hotel, wedding venue, and tourist attraction, as well as the main hub for exploring Kozjansko Regional Park.

Lost Souls Alley is an interactive museum in Krakow that merges haunted house chills with escape room puzzles. Before entering, visitors select a "pain level" to customize the scare intensity. The goal is to find keys and solve clues while navigating through around 12 horror-themed rooms, intensified by the presence of costumed actors who deliver scares along the way.