Europe attractions

One of the most remote and beautiful beaches on Italy's Sorrento Coast, the Baths of Queen Giovanna (Bagni Regina Giovanna) is set along the rocky cliffs of Capo di Sorrento near a dramatic natural stone arch and the ancient ruins of a Roman villa. This stretch of coastline and its natural pool are accessible only by foot or private boat, making it a tempting destination for intrepid wanderers—and sailors.

Erected in 1960, Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos) stands at the edge of the Tagus River and depicts a caravel (a ship commonly used by Portugal’s 15th-century explorers) about to set sail. Aboard the ship are 32 sculptures of leading figures from Portugal’s seafaring heyday, including Henry the Navigator, Vasco da Gama, and Ferdinand Magellan. Climbing to the observation deck atop the 170-foot (52-meter) sculpture affords panoramic views of Portugal’s capital.

Instantly recognizable for its gigantic dome and snow-white facade, the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur—or Basilica of the Sacred Heart—is one of Paris’ most magnificent structures. Completed in 1914 and now a listed national monument, the basilica overlooks all of Paris from its perch on the Butte Montmartre (Montmartre Hill). Visitors are free to visit the church (quietly), after which they can admire the spectacular cityscape.

Patchwork stone hints at the many restorations that Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa) has undergone over its more than 800 years, following repeated attempts by earthquakes to topple it. A signature site in the popular neighborhood of Alfama, the cathedral features a mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, excavated Roman ruins in its cloister, and various significant relics in its treasury.

Piazzale Michelangelo is the most famous scenic overlook in Florence, affording visitors spectacular views over the city and its landmarks. From this 19th-century square set on a hillside in the Oltrarno neighborhood, you can see the Ponte Vecchio stretching across the Arno River and the iconic Florence Duomo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore) soaring over the city’s rooftops, with the Tuscan hills rolling in the distance.

Trinity College Dublin—Ireland’s most prestigious academic institution—was founded in the 16th century and boasts alumni including literary legends Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, and Samuel Beckett. Travelers from the world over come to wander the historic cobblestoned campus in the city center, admire its handsome Georgian and classical architecture, and see The Book of Kells—a 9th-century illustrated manuscript housed in the Old Library.

Perched on the steep edge of a caldera, looking out over the glittering Mediterranean, Oia is famed for its dreamy sunsets. It’s also one of the most picturesque villages in Santorini, with its striking white buildings, blue-domed churches, and atmospheric cave houses that burrow into the volcanic rock. Two historic harbors nestle below the village, which is the end point of the popular Fira–Oia Hike.

Named after a small monastery that once stood on Monastiraki Square, the vibrant Monastiraki neighborhood in downtown Athens brims with energy night and day. Its bustling streets are crammed with shops and stalls selling everything from inexpensive trinkets to handcrafted leather goods and antique treasures, as well as people-packed rooftop bars and terraces. Ancient highlights include Hadrian’s Library, and the Ancient Agora of Athens is close by.

Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco) is a medieval fortress built by the Visconti dynasty that became home to Milan’s ruling Sforza family in the 15th century. Stark and domineering, the historic brick complex has massive round battlements, an imposing tower overlooking the central courtyard and surrounding Parco Sempione gardens, and interior decorations by Leonardo da Vinci. Today, the castle houses eight world-class museums and galleries, including one dedicated to Michelangelo’s final Pietà.

Built around the ruins of the Roman Agora, Plaka is one of the oldest residential areas in Athens—and its cobbled streets are essentially an open-air archaeological site. Here you’ll find Cycladic-style white-washed homes, characteristic architecture dating back to Byzantine and Ottoman times, and narrow alleyways with views of the Acropolis perched on the hill above. Once you’ve visited Plaka’s monuments and museums, sit at a sidewalk taverna to see its charm on full display.

French luminaries such as Victor Hugo, Voltaire, and Molière all lived in Le Marais, and the lively neighborhood remains a hub of art, fashion, and culture. Established in the 12th century, it’s one of the oldest districts in Paris, with boutiques, art galleries, and museums lining the narrow medieval lanes and picturesque squares flanked by elegant Renaissance-style buildings. The district is also home to the historic Jewish Quarter and a thriving LGBTQ+ scene.

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel remains the showstopper of the Vatican Museums, but Raphael’s Rooms (Stanze di Raffaello) are no mere runner-up. The walls and ceiling of this set of four rooms are adorned with frescoes painted in the 16th century by the Renaissance master Raphael. A stroll through this section of the Pontifical Palace is one of the highlights of any visit to the Vatican, and you shouldn’t miss the Raphael Rooms.

The tree-lined Avenue des Champs-Élysées is one of the world’s most famous boulevards and one of Paris’ most magnificent sights. Stretching in a straight line all the way from the proud Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde, the avenue draws visitors as much with its elegant architecture as with the boutiques, hotels, and restaurants that line it.

Dramatically positioned on the coastal cliffs of Cape Sounion, this temple is one of the most evocative sites of ancient Greece. It’s dedicated to Poseidon, the god of the sea, and dates back to the 5th century BC. Today, all that remains of the magnificent structure is a series of gleaming white marble columns, standing proudly atop the cape and overlooking the Aegean Sea.

Hidden underground in Rome’s outskirts, the sites known collectively as the Catacombs of Rome (Catacombe di Roma) include some of the city’s most ancient burial complexes. Dating from around the 2nd to 5th centuries, these underground networks of tunnels and chambers include early Christian symbols, often in the form of frescoes and sculptures—including the oldest known depiction of the Virgin Mary inside the Catacombs of Priscilla.

Forming a grand walkway between Prague Old Town, and the Lesser Town and Castle District, the 15th-century Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) is one of the city’s most striking landmarks. The magnificent Gothic bridge features 16 stone arches, two watchtowers, and 30 blackened baroque statues depicting various saints.

Like a mini Times Square, Piccadilly Circus in the West End has appeared on countless TV shows and movies, capturing the buzz of London life. With its flashy billboards, high footfall, and nearby tourist hot spots, visitors often pass through Piccadilly Circus on sightseeing tours or en route to some of the city’s major attractions. It’s also a great place to shop and is close to other top destinations, including Leicester Square and Regent Street.

Perched on cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean, Dunluce Castle is one of Northern Ireland's most spectacular medieval ruins. You can wander through towers, courtyards, a hidden cave, and the remains of a lost town while taking in the movie-worthy coastal views. That's not an exaggeration, as the castle ruins found fame after being a filming location for the TV series Game of Thrones.

Few natural landmarks are as emblematic of Sicily as Mt. Etna, the conical-shaped volcano that stands watch over Catania on the east coast. The UNESCO World Heritage–listed geological wonder takes the title of the world’s most active stratovolcano, with its first eruption dating back more than 500,000 years and its most recent in 2025. When it’s not spurting lava, it’s known for its hiking, skiing, and scenic train and cable car rides.

Few buildings are as synonymous with the extravagance of France’s Second Empire as the Palais Garnier, the grande dame of Paris opera houses. The historic home of the Paris Opera and the inspiration behind Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, it’s best known for its grand auditorium, where you can sit beneath a magnificent Marc Chagall ceiling painting and a dazzling, 7-ton chandelier—the weight of an actual elephant!

In the heart of London’s West End, Covent Garden is one of the city’s most popular hubs for dining, shopping, and entertainment. Thanks to the many street performers, market stalls, and world-class restaurants, there’s never a dull moment in this lively district. Home to the Royal Opera House, several top theaters, and major brand stores, it’s a buzzing destination that draws in London visitors seeking culture, food, and great entertainment.

St. Mary of the Sea Cathedral (Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar) reigns over the atmospheric Passeig del Born, and is the only surviving church in Catalan Gothic style. Built in the 14th century, the cathedral is characterized by its architectural elegance and harmony. Highlights include exquisite stained-glass windows, tombs of medieval brotherhood members, and 360-degree views of Barcelona from the church’s rooftop terrace.

Perched above the rocky coastline of the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik Old Town enchants visitors with its medieval architecture, labyrinth of limestone-paved streets, and massive, fortified stone walls. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was a primary filming location for the fictional city of King’s Landing in HBO’s Game of Thrones. Today, it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatia.

In the culture-rich district of central Portugal lies Fátima, one of the Catholic Church’s most important pilgrimage sites. The now sacred shrine first became known in May 1917, when three shepherd children reported that the Virgin Mary had appeared to them. A marble pillar with a statue of Our Lady marks the exact spot in the Chapel of Apparitions (Capelinha das Aparições), and the complex also consists of two basilicas: Basilica de Nossa Senhora de Fátima and Basílica da Santíssima Trindade.

The Tiber River (Fiume Tevere) has run through Italy’s capital city since ancient Roman times, and Tiber Island (Isola Tiberina) has a history that’s just as long. Once the site of the ancient temple of Aesculapius (the Greek god of medicine), Romans have visited the island since antiquity to seek healing. Today, one of Rome’s main hospitals is still located here, as is the historic Church of San Bartolomeo all’Isola.

Ask a Londoner to name a famous food market, and chances are they’ll say Borough Market. This iconic foodie spot is lively, bustling, and full of sensory appeal—with everything from artisan cheese and sizzling street food to seasonal produce for those planning to cook at home. With a history spanning back over 1,000 years and a loyal following that includes celebrity chefs, it’s a go-to destination for anyone looking to eat, drink, and explore.

Built in the third century, the Hippodrome was the home of now-named Istanbul’s sporting entertainment during the Byzantine era, with a wide track for chariot racing. Today, the route of the old track is covered by Sultanahmet Square (Sultanahmet Meydani), a wide open space in the center of the old city, punctuated by ancient obelisks.

It's no surprise that the Széchenyi Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lanchid is a top Budapest attraction since this 19th-century landmark offers fantastic views of Castle Hill. You can walk across for waterfront views, pose for a snapshot with the Buda Castle in the background, and marvel at the bridge's stone towers while crossing the Danube.

Commissioned by Julius Caesar in the final years of the Roman Republic and completed under the reign of Emperor Augustus, the Theater of Marcellus (Teatro di Marcello) predates the Colosseum, which it resembles in style. Visiting offers a glimpse into the lives of the ancient Romans, with far fewer crowds than the better-known Colosseum and Roman Forum.

Matthias Church (Matays-templom), is a top sight in Budapest's must-see Castle Hill district. This Roman Catholic church boasts neo-Gothic architecture and intricate detailing, from ornately tiled roof and carved gargoyles, to frescoes and stained-glass windows. Visit Matthias Church as part of a Buda Castle complex tour.