25/08/2022 / 12:49
Places to visit in Europe
Europe is a place frozen in time, highlighted by carefully preserved buildings, some of which date back to the Neolithic period. In addition to historical monuments, the best places in Europe have magnificent mountain ranges, deep gorges and green landscapes that turn excursions into vacations you will dream of for years.
Active travelers love the diverse attractions of Europe. You can ski in the French Alps, kayak in the Croatian Adriatic, hike in Grindelwald in Switzerland and cycle through the Netherlands.
Then there's the food. It's hard to beat the gastronomic delights of the best countries in Europe. From the creamiest of French flavors to the tastiest Swiss pralines to the tastiest Italian pasta dishes, Europe's diverse cuisines may be the best at tantalizing your taste buds.
With so many places to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which to visit first. Our advice? Don't stop at just one. Europe offers a number of fabulous places to visit in a relatively small area. This makes it easy to visit many places in one trip.
Italy
It's hard to imagine Italy without thinking about its food. This boot-shaped spot features tomatoes so sweet they taste like candy and perfectly cooked pizza. Italy is a utopia for restaurateurs.
Even more exquisite than the food are the impeccable architecture and cultural masterpieces found in the ancient buildings, plazas and museums that dot Italy's bustling cities and quaint small towns.
Rome's history is rich in sights (we're talking the Colosseum and the Pantheon), and its phenomenal city squares (e.g. Piazza Navona, St. Peter's Square and Piazza Spagna) are a feast for the eyes.
Florence is home to the photogenic Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, as well as museums not to be missed.
Venice's canals are romantic and unique, while Il Duom, one of Milan's main attractions, will amaze you, as will the stunning clothing on display in the city's many shops.
France
Vive la France! Known for its romance, great food, art, culture and natural beauty, this amazing place offers everything you could want in a vacation. Every traveler will find something to love in France.
Bask in the sun and meet a celebrity or two on the French Riviera. Put your camera to work on wild, lavender-covered photo fields in Provence.
Travel back in time to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed island of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy. Cruise down the French Alps in Chamonix, Val d'Isère or Méribel.
Dine at a café along the Champs-Elysée, visit a museum, climb the steps of the Eiffel Tower or stroll hand-in-hand with your soulmate along the Seine in Paris.
Spain
One of the most beautiful countries in Europe is Spain. From its architectural masterpieces to its towering mountain ranges, coastal cliffs and hilltop villages. No wonder more than 89 million tourists visited Spain in 2018, making it the second most visited country in the world.
There is much to see and do in the country's major cities. Madrid is home to the magnificent Crystal Palace and large gardens, as well as elegant squares.
The more elegant and romantic soundtrack of Seville consists of horses' hooves on cobblestone streets and peal of bells from church towers. Here you'll find must-see attractions like the spectacular Seville Cathedral, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Real Alcázar, and the sprawling Plaza de España.
Barcelona is both energetic and eclectic, with architecture that would make Salvador Dali proud and utterly unique must-see places.
Valencia will soothe your soul with healing sea views, while the Costa Brava boasts some of Spain's most beautiful beaches.
Austria
Austria is one of those places that can take your breath away. Surrounded by the Austrian Alps and filled with beautiful lakes, this wonderland is one of the most beautiful places in Europe.
It's impossible to walk the country's streets without hearing a snippet of a song composed by the esteemed Austrian Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The influence of the native of Salzburg is omnipresent (his likeness is even emblazoned on chocolate packaging). Stroll the narrow, winding streets of Salzburg's old town, enjoy lunch in a courtyard, or visit a museum or St. Peter's Church while in town.
Vienna is another great hotspot. In addition to the great palaces and gardens (e.g. in Schönbrunn Palace), you will find the City Hall and the magnificent Natural History Museum among other popular sights of Vienna.
Linz nestles on both banks of the Danube, making it a great place to explore the river and countryside.
Graz, the country's second largest city, is another architectural center with buildings and ruins dating back to 800 AD.
Croatia
A Mediterranean masterpiece, Croatia offers landscapes to soothe the soul and fresh foods to tantalize the palate. With friendly locals, hilltop castles, preserved Roman ruins and a sapphire sea, it's impossible to get stressed out in this amazing archipelago.
Stroll the winding streets within the high walls of Dubrovnik's Old Town or take the cable car up to Srd Hill for the most spectacular view of this beautiful city, dubbed the 'Pearl of the Adriatic'.
Split is one of the liveliest cities in Croatia and the second largest after Zagreb. Both are worth more than one visit. Hvar island will help you get to the beach; it is known as “the sunniest place in Europe”.
Croatia's crowning glory is its perfect location on the Adriatic Sea. Be sure to hop on a boat at some point to explore the archipelago, particularly the enchanting Elaphiti Islands, which lie northwest of Dubrovnik.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands offers visitors a relaxing holiday full of art, beauty and lots of cycling.
Located in North West Europe, the countryside is flat (perfect terrain for a bike) and dotted with famous windmills and fields that are full of tulips in spring (especially April and May). The best place to discover them is definitely the Keukenhof, also known as the "Garden of Europe".
Amsterdam is one of the best cities in the Netherlands. Despite its somewhat spooky reputation, this canal-filled country is beautiful and packed with impressive museums (40 to be exact). Don't miss the city's main attractions, the Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum.
You'll also find modern, eco-friendly architecture mixed with historic buildings in Rotterdam, Delft and The Hague.
Big cities are not your only option in the Netherlands. The delightful fishing villages on the IJsselmeer are worth a stop, especially Marken, Volendam and Enkhuizen.
Sweden
Swedes are known for their amiable nature and are referred to as friendly Nordic people. Given their pristine surroundings - ancient walled towns, lakes, sun-kissed beaches and glacier-capped mountains - it's no wonder they're so happy.
Located in Northern Europe between Norway and Finland, Sweden is the place to visit if you are looking for a breathtaking view of the Northern Lights. Here you can hike through dense forests, hike along crystal clear waters and pitch a tent in the open field.
Those who appreciate avant-garde architecture will be rewarded with some of the most intriguing designs in the world. The liveliest city in the country is Stockholm, where you'll find the famous Vasa Museum and stylish shops and restaurants. Don't miss a trip to Skansen, a large open-air museum showing life from the 1720s to the 1960s.
Gothenburg, Sweden's 'second city', is another must for foodies, with fantastic restaurants.
Switzerland
Switzerland is worth more than its high prices. Snow-capped mountains break through the clouds and emerge from lush green fields full of sheep.
Huge lakes (e.g. Lake Geneva) dot the landscape and offer a great welcome to rafting, canoeing, fishing and kayaking enthusiasts. Little villages like Gimmelwald look straight out of a fairy tale and will charm even the most eccentric traveler with their quaint shops and melt-in-the-mouth chocolates.
Larger cities like Zurich, Geneva, Lucerne and Bern help visitors soak up culture and beauty all at once, where you'll find plenty of impressive museums, art galleries, shops and fine dining.
Germany
Germany might not be the most romantic European holiday destination, but its spectacular scenery makes it a must-see destination for any traveller.
Cosmopolitan destinations like Munich, Hamburg and Frankfurt offer travelers the historical culture they crave in the form of old buildings, monuments and museums. They're also packed with shops and restaurants serving traditional sauerkraut and schnitzel mixed with more modern fare.
In small towns you can find a nice break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. These quaint villages are full of beautiful remnants of the past. Despite the suffering of war, many towers, churches and old houses stand strong and stoically add to the charm and appeal of these rural delights.
The colorful Bavarian towns of Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber, Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen will lift your spirits.
Turkey
When most people think of Turkey, they picture the Hagia Sophia Mosque or the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul and Turkish food. This popular country is also home to major cities such as Antalya (famous for its Dunden Waterfall), Bursa (site of the magnificent Great Mosque) and Sanliurfa where you will find the magnificent Abraham Pool.
While Istanbul is packed with things to see and do, including the aforementioned mosque and a glittering palace and hippodrome, it's also home to beautiful parks.
Those who want to relax on the beach and enjoy breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea will be amazed by the variety of picturesque islands in Turkey. Bozcaada is tranquil yet luxurious, framed by soft sandy beaches, while Gӧkçeada is a serene wonderland best visited during the busy summer months.