59 European places you NEED to visit in your lifetime

Europe's unmissable sights

For such a small continent, Europe certainly punches above its weight. There are countless things to see, do, eat, learn and admire here – from historic neighbourhoods to natural wonders. Read on to discover 59 European places you should definitely add to your bucket list.

Go on a polar adventure in Svalbard, Norway

Svalbard is the final frontier before the North Pole and one of the world's northernmost inhabited areas. A place of dramatic landscapes, it’s perfect for observing the mesmerising Northern Lights throughout winter, while summers bring perennial sunlight. As one of Europe’s last true wildernesses, it’s also great for spotting Arctic foxes and polar bears.

Visit Santa Claus Village in Lapland, Finland

Located in Rovaniemi in the Arctic Circle, the Santa Claus Village is the “official residence” of Santa and his helpers. Visit the post office and write your wishlist, or stop by the Santa Claus office to meet the mythical man himself. With its Christmassy shops, snow hotel and a year-round festive atmosphere, even adults will believe in the magic.

See the chateaux of the Loire, France

More than 300 castles are dotted throughout the Loire Valley, and many of them are open to the public. Don’t miss the chance to visit one of the most exquisite: the 16th-century Chateau de Chenonceau. If you come to this picturesque region during the summer, you'll catch the captivating sound-and-light shows put on at many of the chateaux.

Hike in England’s Lake District, UK

Lace up your hiking boots and discover how the beauty of the Lake District – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – inspired William Wordsworth to write his sublime poetry. Follow in the footsteps of Alfred Wainwright, the intrepid hiker whose Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells is still required reading more than 70 years after he first started writing it. Whether you walk his signature routes or blaze your own trail, the majesty of the Cumbrian countryside won't fail to blow you away. Don't miss Bassenthwaite, Wastwater and Derwentwater, some of the prettiest lakes in the national park.

Climb the Three Towers in San Marino

Looming high above one of Europe’s smallest countries, the Three Towers are located on a trio of Monte Titano's peaks and used to serve as fortification during medieval times. Today only two towers are open to the public; when you reach the top of the highest tower, the Guaita fortress, you’ll be enchanted by sweeping views in all directions. San Marino is surrounded entirely by Italy and doesn't have its own airport or train station, so the Italian city of Rimini is your gateway to this elusive microstate.

Take a road trip in Iceland

For an unforgettable road trip, tackle some or part of the 828 miles (1,333km) that make up Iceland’s Ring Road. Leave at least 10 days to get to know some of the country’s most scenic spots. You'll go right past the huge blue-and-white expanse of the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, as well as the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, whose thundering cascade you can walk behind – just remember to pack your waterproofs.

Explore Andalucia's white villages, Spain

For a break from the beach crowds along the Costa del Sol, head into the mountainous countryside of Andalucia. Take a tour of the interior’s white villages, called pueblos blancos. One of the prettiest is Zahara de la Sierra, which overlooks a giant reservoir and features the remains of a Moorish fortress clinging to the mountainside.

Get musical in ABBA the Museum, Stockholm, Sweden

Fans of Sweden’s most famous musical exports can find out how Agnetha, Anni-Frid, Bjorn and Benny rose to fame in this fun museum. Listen to the fab foursome's memories of how they put Swedish pop music on the map, and see how you would look in their fantastically spangly costumes. Singing and dancing aren’t obligatory, but hard to avoid.

Hit the slopes in Grandvalira, Andorra

Europe really can’t complain about a lack of ski resorts. However, with great slopes comes a great number of skiers. Grandvalira in Andorra’s Pyrenees is the perfect mountain paradise to enjoy a day on powdery snow without the crowds. The area is also known for excellent après-ski bars and restaurants.

Feast on khinkali in Tbilisi, Georgia

Originating from the Caucasus mountain regions, khinkali are filled dumplings that you’ll find in every traditional Georgian kitchen. Most commonly they’re filled with a mix of spiced beef and pork mince with fried onions, but the fillings can range from mushrooms to various combinations of different vegetables. You'll find some of the best in Georgia's capital Tbilisi, at joints like Cafe Daphna and Amo Rame Bani. Eat the khinkali with your hands and try to slurp up the hearty broth inside without spilling a drop.

Relax in the Luxembourg Gardens of Paris, France

Pull up a green chair and chill out in one of Paris’ most elegant green spaces. Kids will love racing toy boats on the ornamental pond in front of the 17th-century Luxembourg Palace. Stroll through woods and past elaborate fountains and elegant statues. Play a round of tennis if you're feeling active – if not, exercise the brain with a game of chess.

Visit Lisbon’s Bairro Alto, Portugal

Portugal’s capital has an enchanting old town, filled with cobbled streets and vintage trams that trundle through its historic quarter. Lisbon’s layout harks back to its Moorish past, with narrow lanes and twisting alleyways. The old town is one of the liveliest parts of the city, with plenty of restaurants and bars where you can listen to the haunting sounds of fado, Portugal's Unesco-inscribed traditional music.

Hike along the Princes’ Way, Liechtenstein

If you’re craving panoramic views and a spot of light exercise off the beaten path, take on the Princes’ Way in the Ratikon Mountains of Liechtenstein. Starting at an altitude of over 4,500 feet (1,372m), the hike is just under four miles (6km) long and offers beautiful views of the valleys and mountains of the tiny country of Liechtenstein.

Visit Rome's Pantheon, Italy

Rome is full of ruins, but the wondrous construction that is the Pantheon has been standing intact since AD 128. You can’t help but marvel at the coffered dome and its oculus that lets the light (and rain) in. It's one of Rome's most beautiful buildings, having started life as a Roman temple before becoming a Catholic basilica. As of July 2023, you have to pay for a ticket to peek inside – look out for the tombs of two Italian kings, Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I.

Explore Bergen, Norway

Norway’s second-largest city is in a breathtaking location surrounded by seven towering mountains and impossibly deep fjords. Stroll along Bergen's old wharf past brightly coloured wooden houses, and hop on a ferry for a tour of the fjords. A visit to the fish market will whet your appetite for fresh seafood in the city's waterside restaurants.

Listen to live music in Galway, Ireland

You don’t have to go far to find traditional Irish music in Galway’s pubs. This lively city tucked into Ireland’s west coast has plenty of places for a musical night out. Taaffes Bar is one of the most popular, with two sessions of traditional music each evening. Order a pint of Guinness and listen to the sounds of fiddles, tin whistles and bodhran drums.

Take a ride in Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens, Denmark

This elaborate amusement park in Copenhagen has been entertaining people of all ages since 1843. Old meets new: you’ll find a roller coaster from 1914 alongside scream-inducing The Demon with its three exhilarating loops. Discover the park's cultural side by taking in a ballet performance or watching a pop concert.

Flop on western Algarve beaches, Portugal

You’ll find some of Portugal’s best beaches along this western strip of the Atlantic coast. Look out for Praia do Martinhal, one of the region’s most appealing beaches. It's one of the gentlest, as it's sheltered from the full force of the Atlantic's waves by the promontory at Sagres. It's only 90 minutes from the nearest airport at Faro, but it's a world away from the busier resorts of the eastern Algarve.

Ride a pedal boat through Amsterdam, Netherlands

Leave the canal boats for the others while you pootle at your own pace through Amsterdam’s waterways in a pedal boat. You’ll get a close-up view of the city’s distinctive gabled canal houses from your eco-friendly boat. They can be rented at four different piers in the city centre, including one by the Rijksmuseum – handy for a bit of culture after your ride.

Take the train from Koblenz to Mainz, Germany

Taking just over an hour, the train journey between Koblenz and Mainz is one of the loveliest in Europe. Along the way you’ll see some of the prettiest landscapes of the Rhine Valley, with castles and vineyards rising from the winding river. You can make the journey longer by taking the slower train that stops at some of Germany's most attractive riverside spa towns.

Taste the tapas of San Sebastian, Spain

This northern Spanish city is famed for its delicious tapas – known as pintxos in the local Basque language. Take a slow bar crawl through the old town, nibbling these morsels of ham, seafood, cheese or olives along the way. They're either on bits of bread or on toothpicks, which you then tot up to find out how much to pay. Don't miss the Playa de la Concha, one of the loveliest city beaches in Europe.

Visit Bruges’ offbeat museums, Belgium

Three of Belgium’s most prized products – fries, chocolate and beer – get their own museum. At the Bruges Beer Experience, reward yourself with a craft brew in the museum's taproom after taking a tour. At Choco-Story, you'll discover the fascinating history of chocolate and see how it's made. And as you wander through the Frietmuseum, the smell of fried potatoes will eventually lead your nose to the museum's cafe.

See Berlin’s East Side Gallery, Germany

There isn’t much left of the Berlin Wall, but there’s a stretch in old East Berlin that's become the longest open-air gallery in the world and shouldn’t be missed. Check out the graffiti and street art mocking just about everything from politics to industrialisation. It's right on the edge of Kreuzberg, still one of Berlin's hippest districts after all these years.

Catch the best view of Venice, Italy

Leave the crowds of Piazza San Marco behind and hop on a vaporetto (water bus) to the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. The church’s bell tower (currently closed for maintenance) typically allows you to see the best views of Venice – and there’s even a lift to the top. Elsewhere, use the vaporetto to explore some of Venice's lesser-known districts, including Giudecca and the studenty part of Dorsoduro.

Go shopping in Monte Carlo’s Carre d’Or, Monaco

It’s hard to find a more upmarket shopping area than the so-called Golden Square of luxury boutiques near Monte Carlo’s venerable casino. The top names are all here, ranging from Louis Vuitton and Gucci to Cartier and Christian Dior. While you're in Monaco, head up to the clifftop part of the principality where regal residences, colourful streets and public gardens await.

Watch Prague’s astronomical clock, Czechia

For more than 600 years, this mechanical marvel by Prague’s Old Town Hall has been putting on a performance every hour. Watch the procession of Apostles and statues as they mark each hour in mesmerising style. You can catch it every hour on the hour from 9am until 11pm. While you're there, don't miss a visit to the dazzling interior of the Old Town Hall, a complex of several Gothic buildings.

Visit Riga’s old town, Latvia

Latvia’s capital is a pleasure to explore, particularly Riga’s old town on the Daugava River’s eastern side. Walk along cobbled streets admiring the magnificent medieval and Baroque architecture before taking in the views from the top of St Peter’s Church tower. Because the tower soars to 425 feet (130m), you'll have splendid vistas of the old town's crenelated roofs, the historic zeppelin hangars that now house Riga Central Market and the uber-modern National Library of Latvia across the water.

Soak in Budapest’s spas, Hungary

Hungarians have long enjoyed the benefits of a soothing soak and a good gossip in gently pulsating warm water. Join them in the thermal springs at Budapest’s sprawling 19th-century Szechenyi Baths, Europe’s largest medicinal baths. There's also a handsome Art Deco spa complex within the Hotel Gellert, which is open to the public and has beautifully tiled thermal baths indoors and outdoors.

Explore Kazimierz Jewish Quarter in Krakow, Poland

Once you’ve had a good look around Krakow’s Market Square, head south to the old Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz. This lively district of kosher restaurants and funky bars is just across the river from Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory, now a powerful museum telling the story of Krakow's wartime occupation and also a tribute to the man who saved 1,200 Jewish people during the war.

Go hiking in the Tatra Mountains, Slovakia

The Tatra Mountains form a natural border between Slovakia and Poland, and feature more than 90 lakes and 35 valleys. Keen hikers can join a hut-to-hut guided tour and keep an eye out for wildlife, including lynx and bears. The town of Poprad is a handy starting point for guided or self-guided walks, as it's right by Tatry-Poprad airport.

See the art in London's National Gallery, England, UK

It’s one of the world’s finest art galleries – and as it’s free, it’s one of London’s best bargains. The National Gallery’s huge collection covers everything from 13th-century paintings to works from the early 20th century. Among the 2,300-odd artworks are some of the world's best-known paintings, including Van Gogh's Sunflowers and Van Eyck's Arnolfini Portrait.

Stop for a coffee in Vienna’s coffeehouses, Austria

For true Viennese cafe culture, give the big chains a miss and head to one of the city’s historic coffeehouses. The 19th-century Cafe Central is a good bet for a lazy coffee and an indulgent slice of chocolatey Sachertorte. The traditional drink to order is "Kaffee mit Schlag", which delivers a generous dollop of whipped cream on top of your coffee.

Visit the Acropolis in Athens, Greece

Lording it over Athens on a rocky outcrop since the 5th century BC, the Acropolis is one of the ancient world’s finest creations. Its most famous monument is the Parthenon, a wonder of Doric columns dedicated to the goddess Athena. You can see the sculptures of the Acropolis in the gleaming, state-of-the-art Acropolis Museum, just a few minutes' walk away.

Enjoy Ljubljana’s riverside cafes, Slovenia

Slovenia’s capital is one of the most visually appealing in Europe; a harmonious blend of Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture – not to mention an attractive string of cafes and bars along the Ljubljanica River. Some of the bars suit certain times of the day: for example, the ones along Petkovskovo nabrezje are the buzziest at happy hour. On hot summer days, head south to the large grassy area of Spica.

Eat oysters in Mali Ston, Croatia

The village of Mali Ston on Croatia’s Peljesac peninsula produces some of the world’s most delicious oysters. In fact, back in 1936, the General Trades International Exhibition in London awarded these oysters the Grand Prix, calling them the best in the world. If you're feeling fit, you can climb the three miles (5km) of 14th-century walls that connect Mali Ston to its neighbour, Ston.

Take a boat ride on Loch Lomond, Scotland, UK

Get the best view of Loch Lomond from the vantage point of a boat – anything as simple as a pedal boat to a large speedboat with its own skipper. Stop for a walk on a lake island or a lochside village. Loch Lomond forms part of the Trossachs National Park, the place to "bag some Munros" – walk up a Scottish mountain that's higher than 3,000 feet (914m). You've got 21 here to choose from. Alternatively, explore Scotland by cruise ship – its coastline and islands make for an epic seafaring adventure.

Visit Kotor, Montenegro

Tucked into a drowned river canyon is the charming medieval town of Kotor, which is rather like a smaller version of Dubrovnik, further up the Adriatic coast. For the best views (like the one pictured here), you’ll need to hike up to the top of Kotor’s fortifications to the Castle of St John. It’s worth the two-hour trek. Once you're back in town, treat yourself to ice cream at Marshall's Gelato.

Visit the old town of Vilnius, Lithuania

Allow plenty of time to explore the fascinating old town of Vilnius – it’s one of the largest intact medieval old towns in Europe, an enchanting mishmash of all sorts of architectural styles, from Gothic to Neoclassical. But Baroque is the king here, including the imposing 17th-century St Casimir's Church. For superb views, climb the 193 wooden steps to the top of St John's Church bell tower.

Lose yourself in Sarajevo’s Ottoman Quarter, Bosnia-Herzegovina

The Ottomans founded Sarajevo in the 15th century, and you can still see the strong Turkish legacy in the Bosnian capital’s old Bascarsija quarter. It’s like a mini Istanbul, with souk-like stalls squeezed in among cafes and silversmiths and coppersmiths working their metals in tiny workshops. You'll spot their little coffee pots in cafes, whose Turkish coffee – called bosanska kava – will keep you going for hours.

Ride a boat through Gothenburg’s waterways, Sweden

Weave your way along the waterways of western Sweden’s biggest city on a Paddan boat, which takes you through Gothenburg’s canal system. Or you can hop on a harbour ferry that stops at some of the 20-odd islands in Gothenburg’s archipelago. The southern islands have banned cars and are relaxing places for long walks and bike rides. Some boat trips give you the chance to spot seals.

Visit Beyoglu in Istanbul, Turkey

Once you’ve seen Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Istanbul’s other landmarks in Sultanahmet, head across the Golden Horn to Beyoglu. The district's Istiklal Street is one of the liveliest and most cosmopolitan in the city. Check out the little side alleyways where jazz clubs lurk in spaces hardly larger than cubbyholes.

Come to Lake Bled, Slovenia

Slovenia's Lake Bled really does look like something out of a fairy tale. There’s even a medieval castle perched atop the lakeside cliffs. Rising from an islet in the centre of the lake is the Baroque-style Church of the Assumption and its striking bell tower. Once you ride to the island on a wooden boat called a pletna, tradition has it that you should climb the 99 stone steps to the top of the church tower and ring the bell yourself.

Visit Symi, Greece

It’s hard to choose among Greece’s 227 inhabited islands, but if you have to pick one, go for Symi. This small Dodecanese island has one of the prettiest ports, a riot of colourful houses tumbling to the water’s edge – not to mention excellent beaches. On the days when it's too hot to hike to the beach, just take a water taxi from Symi harbour.

Explore Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, Cyprus

Tear yourself away from Paphos’ wonderful beaches and step into ancient history at the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park. This Unesco World Heritage Site features Greek, Roman and medieval ruins against a Mediterranean backdrop. Climb the steps of the ancient stone theatre and wander along the uncovered mosaic floors of four Roman villas.

Join the party on Belgrade’s floating nightclubs, Serbia

Serbia’s capital has the most boisterous nightlife in Eastern Europe – helped in large part by the several floating nightclubs, bars and restaurants that pepper both the Danube and Sava rivers. You'll find them in all shapes and sizes – from small shack-like bars to huge clubs with a pool on the terrace. In the summer, the party goes on well into the morning.

Explore Gozo's Ggantija Temples, Malta

The inhabitants of this small Maltese island evidently liked to think big when they built Gozo’s Ggantija Temples. This Neolithic temple complex is more than 5,500 years old – even older than the Pyramids in Egypt and Stonehenge in England. They're on the outskirts of the village of Xaghra and are less than two miles (3km) from the terracotta-coloured sands of Ramla Beach, one of the island's loveliest.

Visit Zermatt and the Matterhorn, Switzerland

Switzerland has some pretty magical mountains, but the jagged peak of the Matterhorn surely wins hands down. Come at any time of year to Zermatt, where you can ski on the glacier both in winter and summer or explore the mountain trails on foot or by bike. Check out the underrated Matterhorn Museum, which tells the story of the many attempts to reach the summit.

Explore Cluj-Napoca, Romania

The self-styled capital of Transylvania is one of the buzziest in this far-flung corner of Europe, where its youthful population and the growing number of direct flights arriving here help to keep it fresh. Enjoy the bohemian ambience of its cafes and student hangouts while taking in the handsome Gothic and Baroque architecture. Don't miss the impressive St Michael's Church and its soaring steeple.

Walk across the Stari Most of Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Stari Most – Mostar’s 16th-century bridge – had to be rebuilt after it was destroyed by Croatian forces in 1993 during the Bosnian War. You’d never know to look at it, though, and since its restoration in 2004, locals have carried on an old tradition of diving more than 65 feet (20m) into the Neretva River below. If you're holidaying in Croatia's Adriatic resorts, it's easy to fit in Mostar on a day trip.

Wander through Keukenhof Gardens, Netherlands

Prepare to be dazzled by the extraordinary Keukenhof. More than seven million tulips and other brightly coloured flowers spread across this sprawling garden that’s only about an hour from Amsterdam. But you'll have to time your visit carefully – because it's a celebration of spring flowers, the park is open only from March to May.

Discover Ohrid, North Macedonia

Named after the sweeping lake whose shores it occupies, Ohrid’s rich past is reflected in the picturesque streets of its old town, where Byzantine, Bulgarian and Ottoman architecture have given this idyllic town Unesco status. In its heyday it had 365 churches – one for each day of the year. One church that's not to be missed is the 13th-century Church of St John, which is in a dramatic setting overlooking the ancient waters of Lake Ohrid.

Head to Snowdonia, Wales, UK

The biggest mountain in Wales and England stands at a whopping 3,650 feet (1,113m), but there are many ways of exploring Snowdonia National Park without hardcore hiking. Its footpaths suit all levels – or you can just take the Snowdon Mountain Railway to the summit. But it's not just mountains here – the park includes nearly 200 miles (322km) of seashore, with sandy beaches and sheltered coves.

Explore Berat, Albania

Nicknamed the town of a thousand windows, Berat is one of Albania’s most arresting sights. White Ottoman houses cling to the side of a steep hill that’s crowned by a 13th-century fortress sheltering Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques. Have a look at the Ethnographic Museum housed in an 18th-century Ottoman building, where a medieval bazaar has been created.

Wander through Tallinn’s old town, Estonia

You get two old towns for the price of one in Tallinn. The hilltop upper town, Toompea, is dominated by the imposing Toompea Castle. Head to the walled lower town, All-linn, for romantic strolls along medieval cobbled streets. You'll see handsome merchants' houses dating from the time when Tallinn was attracting wealthy merchants from Denmark and Germany.

Stroll along Varna’s Black Sea waterfront, Bulgaria

Urbane Varna stands out from Bulgaria’s Black Sea beach towns as it’s a port city and naval base as well as a resort. There’s plenty of room along its waterfront promenade for sunbathing, as well as a large selection of bars and restaurants. Afterwards, you can cool off in the lushness of the 19th-century Primorski Park.

Walk along Dubrovnik’s city walls, Croatia

Allow at least two hours for a wander around the medieval and Renaissance fortifications circling Dubrovnik’s cookie-coloured old town. Get a snapshot of Dubrovnik life as you walk past courtyard gardens, laundry-lined balconies and terracotta rooftops. The walls are extremely popular with cruise-ship crowds that descend in their thousands, so try to time your visit for as early in the morning or as late in the afternoon as possible. A ticket for the city walls will also grant you access to Fort Lovrijenac, across the bay from the historic centre.

Spend a weekend in Dresden, Germany

Located near the German border with Czechia, Dresden has collected its fair share of nicknames over the years, including Florence on the Elbe and the Jewel Box. The world almost lost it forever during the Second World War, when it was bombed into near-oblivion. But this dazzling Saxon city has since been reborn and is full of world-class museums, lavish palaces, onion-domed churches and arty hotspots ready to welcome discerning visitors.

Get back to nature in the Faroe Islands, Denmark

It’s not just distance that sets this remote North Atlantic archipelago apart from the rest of Europe. Though the Faroe Islands are an autonomous territory of Denmark, they have a unique geography and culture all of their own. All emerald valleys, plunging waterfalls and ink-black basalt cliffs, this is a place of otherworldly beauty. Visit between May and August to be in with a chance of glancing puffins on Mykines, the most westerly of all the main Faroe Islands.

Learn Belfast’s nautical history, Northern Ireland, UK

The story of the Northern Irish capital is inextricably linked to that of the world’s most tragic ocean liner. Built on Belfast’s slipways, the RMS Titanic began life here before sailing into Southampton for that ill-fated maiden voyage. Today, the waterfront Titanic Quarter of the city exists to further connect the dots of this maritime history, featuring unmissable maritime-themed attractions like the immersive Titanic Belfast museum.

Now discover the story of Titanic's lesser-known sister ship