Europe attractions

Delos (Dilos), an island in the Cyclades archipelago near Mykonos, is a great place for travelers to discover archaeological ruins and learn about ancient Greek history. Known as the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, Delos was once an important religious and cultural center, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site today. Visit to see the ruins—including a theater, temples, monuments, private homes, and markets—considered some of the most important in Greece.

Copenhagen’s waterfront Nyhavn district is one of the city’s most picturesque destinations, featuring a canal lined with brightly painted townhouses and cozy bars, restaurants, and cafés. Cobbled streets, sailboats, and tidy houseboats create a feeling of old-world charm that attracts visitors year round.

The ruins of this ancient Roman city, now the Herculaneum Archaeological Park, live in the shadow of their more famous neighbor, Pompeii. However, many enthusiasts consider this smaller site—one of Italy’s oldest UNESCO-listed spots—to be equally engaging. Following the AD 79 eruption of Mt. Vesuvius (Monte Vesuvio), Herculaneum was buried in a thicker layer of volcanic debris than Pompeii, leaving its ruins remarkably well preserved, including intact home interiors with furnishings, jewelry, and even food.

Riomaggiore is photogenic at every angle, thanks to its multicolored buildings cocooned between sea cliffs and fronted by the ocean. The largest and southernmost of northern Italy’s five Cinque Terre villages, Riomaggiore is the place for taking romantic promenades, sipping coffee in cafés, and bird-watching along the rocky shores.

Home to some of Istanbul’s most recognizable attractions, the Sultanahmet District is an ideal place to explore the city’s complex history. With the rose-colored Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) sitting across from the six minarets of the Blue Mosque and down the street from the energetic Grand Bazaar, this neighborhood packs in a wealth of culture.

Sitting high on top of a 200-foot (61-meter) cliff in the middle of Transylvania, Bran Castle is surrounded by an aura of mystery thanks to its tenuous connection to the story of Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula. While you won’t find any vampires inside or much of a link to its real-life inspiration (Vlad Tepes, also known as Vlad the Impaler), this 14th-century castle maintains a brooding beauty and a royal museum that make up for any mixed messages.

Since the 1500s, Bairro Alto has been a central meeting point in Lisbon and home to some of the city’s best restaurants, bars, and cafés. By day, the area is bustling with locals heading to work and tourists visiting popular attractions, including the Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara viewpoint and the Church of Sao Roque (Igreja de Sao Roque). Come sunset, the party begins with edgy bars, top-notch eateries, and the sounds of Lisbon’s fado music.

Expect bright lights, extravagant costumes, and raucous music at the world-famous Moulin Rouge. Opened in the Belle Époque of 1889 to celebrate Paris’ thriving creative scene, the windmill-slash-cabaret hall has never stopped basking in fun and frivolity. As a staple of Parisian nightlife, an unforgettable evening at the Moulin Rouge is a must on any traveler’s France itinerary.

For more than 1,000 years, Sintra National Palace (Palácio Nacional de Sintra) has presided over the town center. Notable for its white facade, conical chimneys, and intricately tiled chapel, this house-museum is one of the best-preserved medieval royal residences in Portugal and serves as a quieter alternative to nearby Pena National Palace (Palacio Nacional da Pena), whose rainbow-colored facade draws huge crowds.

In the heart of Lisbon, Chiado is nestled between the lively Bairro Alto district and downtown Baixa District. The neighborhood is worth seeking out, not only to stroll along its luxury shops and art nouveau buildings, but to find some of Lisbon’s best cafés and restaurants. It also boasts cultural landmarks including the National Museum of Contemporary Art (Chiado Museum) and Teatro Nacional de São Carlos.

Designed by a student of Gustave Eiffel—the architect responsible for the Eiffel Tower—Ponte de Dom Luis I marked a significant step forward in Porto’s economic growth at the time of its construction; before it existed, the only passages across the river were boats lashed together. Today, visitors can admire the Douro River and the Ribeira District from the pedestrian walkway of Porto’s most symbolic sight.

Facing the Florence Cathedral (aka the Duomo) and flaunting matching green and white marble, the Baptistery of St. John (Battistero di San Giovanni) is one of the oldest structures in the Tuscan capital. The octagonal building is thought to have been built in the fourth century, with artistic masterpieces added over time. These include Byzantine-style mosaics covering the ceiling and Lorenzo Ghiberti’s intricate bronze entry doors, which an impressed Michelangelo declared the “Gates of Paradise.”

In Christian tradition, St. John the Apostle came to Ephesus after St. Paul and ministered to the Ephesians. The vast Basilica of St. John, built by the sixth-century emperor Justinian, houses a fourth-century tomb that drew pilgrims from across Europe in search of miracles. It is still one of the world’s largest cathedrals today.

High in the forested hills of Sintra, Monserrate Palace blends Gothic, Moorish, and Indian influences into one striking summer retreat. Once a getaway for the Portuguese court, the palace is known for its fairytale architecture—complete with domes, fountains, a grand library, and intricate stonework. After exploring the interiors, head outside to discover the surrounding botanical gardens, home to exotic plant species from around the world and considered among the most impressive in Europe.

Towering above Lisbon is the National Sanctuary of Christ the King (Cristo Rei), built to thank God for protecting Portugal during World War II. The 361-foot (110-meter) monument was inspired by Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer, and looks over the Tagus River (Rio Tejo) and 25th of April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril). It’s also home to a chapel and intricately carved sculptures of saints Matthew, Luke, Mark, and John.

Once Capri’s main harbor, Marina Piccola today is simply one of the picturesque spots on the island’s southern coast. The towering Faraglioni sea stacks loom just offshore, and the tiny cove is home to exclusive beach clubs and waterfront restaurants. To get a taste of Capri’s chic la dolce vita vibe, this is the place to head.

While most famous for its sex work scene, Amsterdam’s Red Light District (De Wallen) also houses UNESCO–listed canals, bustling restaurants, bars, and plenty of shopping opportunities. While this controversial neighborhood may not be for everyone, its winding cobblestone streets and narrow alleys evoke Amsterdam’s rich history and laid-back culture.

The seat of Germany’s parliament and one of Berlin’s most recognizable landmarks, the Reichstag building is a feat of 19th-century architecture, with a futuristic dome added in 1999. While politicians convene in the halls below, you can head up to the open-air terrace or multi-tiered glass and steel cupola for must-see views of Berlin extending from the River Spree and beyond.

The Minoan settlement of Akrotiri came to an abrupt end around 1600 BC in a catastrophic volcanic eruption that buried it in a carpet of ash and blew apart the island of Thera. Excavations revealed buildings, drainage systems, pottery, and frescoes, but no human remains, indicating residents had time to flee before disaster hit. Today, the village’s ruins are a historic highlight of Santorini.

Whether glimpsed by land or sea, the towering Natural Arch is one of the most impressive sights along the coastline of Capri. This spectacular limestone arch stands 60 feet (18 meters tall and 40 feet (12 meters wide, and is all that remains of a Paleolithic cave. Take an island boat tour or hike the scenic trail to take in its majesty.

Puccini, Rossini, and Verdi are among the famous composers who premiered their operas at La Scala, giving it status as one of the world’s most prestigious theaters. And, a visit inside this 18th-century Milan theater makes you feel just as prestigious, where the red-and-gold decor and the elegantly dressed audience frame the action on stage. Operas, ballets, and concerts take place here, along with La Scala tours that include entry to the on-site museum.

With everything from holy relics to frescoes, the neoclassical St. Stephen’s Basilica (Szent István Bazilika) is a must for first-time visitors to Budapest. Marvel at the architecture, the clock towers, the stained glass windows—and the preserved hand of St. Stephen, the first king of Hungary.

Sometimes translated as Constitution Square, Syntagma Square (Plateia Syntagmatos) is a huge public plaza stretching out in front of Athens’ Parliament Building (Vouli). Gleaming with white marble statues and anchored by a fountain, it’s a great place for people-watching. Many of the city's most important streets begin here, including Ermou Street and Vassilissis Sofias Avenue.

Perched on a hill in Tuscany’s sunny Val d’Orcia region is the town of Montalcino. While it could be popular for its good looks and history alone, the town also has must-visit status for its fruity Brunello di Montalcino wine, which has been made for centuries using the Sangiovese grape. In addition to indulging in a glass of the good stuff, Montalcino travelers can also trace the town’s medieval past with visits to the Fortress of Montalcino and the town’s neoclassical cathedral.

From the sea, the sun sparkles off the jumble of whitewashed houses and churches lining a maze of narrow, winding streets in Mykonos Town (Chora Mykonos). This picturesque Cycladic town, perched on a harbor in the middle of a wide bay, serves as the island’s commercial hub—its traditional buildings now occupied by shops, cafés, galleries, and Greek restaurants.

Fisherman’s Bastion, or Halaszbastya, is one of Budapest’s most picturesque lookouts. Nestled high on Castle Hill, the neo-Romanesque terrace was built between 1895 and 1902, in celebration of millennial Hungary. Though today’s structure is decorative, it sits on fortified walls that were used to defend the city throughout its early history.

Built in an opulent European style, Dolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahce Sarayi) was the home of the Ottoman sultans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, before the fall of the empire. The giant crystal chandeliers, marble staircases, and lush carpets that adorn the interior reflect the shift toward Istanbul’s more European way of thinking.

Heroes' Square (H?sök Tere) is a grand public space at the entrance to Budapest's City Park. Visitors find sweeping columns, statues, and monuments to Hungary's celebrated statesmen. A worthy place to visit, Heroes' Square is an ideal stop for visitors wandering the park, or before stepping into Budapest's well-curated Museum of Fine Arts.

Located near the Pantheon, this busy square is one of Rome’s most important archaeological sites, home to the Sacred Area of Largo di Torre Argentina. Visitors can see the remains of four temples, dating as far back as the 4th century BC. Senate sessions were once debated here, though it’s most famous for a darker reason: On the Ides of March, in 44 BC, this is where Julius Caesar was stabbed to death.

The Pont des Arts—or Passerelle des Arts—boasts a long legacy as one of Paris’ most romantic bridges, famed for the “love locks” that couples once clipped to its railings. Conservationists have since put a halt to the practice, but the 19th-century bridge remains a popular spot for a romantic stroll with views along the Seine.