American Grand Tours used to take a few years to complete. The beautiful places to visit in Europe, they thought correctly. It would be best if you had a long time to take in all Europe offers. Given that most of us these days only have a few weeks off each year, we have to choose what we see.
We may sort the numerous excellent places to visit in Europe by region or area of particular interest. We can always return to see fresh things since, unlike the weeks it took our forefathers to travel to Europe, it simply takes hours these days.
Best Places To Travel In Europe
Paris
Though springtime is when songs exalt Paris, this fascinating city on the Seine is worth seeing at any time of year. A city full of history, culture, excellent food, and high fashion.
The famous Eiffel Tower is unmissable. The Louvre houses one of the best collections of artwork in the world. Great churches in the area are Notre Dame and Sacred Heart. With its well-known Hall of Mirrors, Versailles is the epitome of luxury.
Rome
The ancient Romans created colonies as far afield as Great Britain. But when it came to erecting magnificent monuments, they didn’t overlook their hometown. The Colosseum, a stadium that could accommodate up to 80,000 spectators for gladiator competitions, is a must-see sight in Rome.
A little nation inside the city, Vatican City, with its magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica and Michelangelo’s artwork, is a must-see even for non-Catholics. You might catch a peek at the pope at his Wednesday audiences.
Istanbul
Istanbul, however, is on the periphery of Europe, but it is well worth seeing when visiting another country. Rich in history, vibrant markets, and mosques, Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey.
Leading sights include the Bosporus, which divides Europe and Asia; the ecumenical Hagia Sophia, formerly an imperial mosque and now a museum; and the 15th-century Topkapi Palace, now a museum. Shop a little in the 1461-founded Grand Bazaar.
Lisbon
Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is on the Atlantic coast beside the Tagus River. In the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, this place inspired explorers to sail far and wide throughout the globe.
Belem Tower, a 16th-century fortification on the north bank of the Tagus, is one of the sights you should see. The Moors constructed Sao Jorge Castle on a hilltop if you want to see some historic Lisbon.
London
Buffs of English history will be in heaven in London. Buckingham Palace and Hampton Court Palace are only a few of the palaces in this Thames city. The royal jewels are housed at the Tower of London, which is more of a prison than a palace.
And there is fantastic shopping from Knightsbridge to Carnaby Street (don’t miss the impressive food halls at Harrods). Riding the well-known Tube will get you about London fast and effectively; watch out for the gaps.
Amsterdam
Tall, thin-row homes line the flowing canals that define Amsterdam, a lovely city. As it is the city where Anne Frank penned her well-known journal, seeing the house where she wrote is essential.
The Rijksmuseum, which houses important European classics, Rembrandt’s house, and the more contemporary Van Gogh museum are just a few of the many art treasures in this “Venice of the North.” See the Heineken Brewery and have some Dutch beer during your tour break.
Matterhorn
Though Egypt has its pyramids, the Matterhorn, a natural pyramid, belongs to Italy and Switzerland. This well-known peak rises to 4,478 meters (14,692 ft), among Europe’s highest. Four equally craggy faces make up the mountain.
From the first ascent in 1865, climbers have been drawn to this fabled peak; 150 attempts to summit it each day in the summer. Couch potatoes might be equally content to stay below and marvel at the pinnacle while playing hide-and-seek with the clouds.
Plitvice Lakes
Authorities declared the Plitvice Lakes a national park because they are so beautiful. Comprising sixteen lakes, Plitvice Lakes is in central Croatia and welcomes over a million tourists annually. Waterfalls tumbling from one lake to another connect the lakes encircled by verdant woodlands.
The height difference separates the lakes into two portions, lower and higher. Walking is the ideal way to view the lakes; you may encounter some wildlife.
Budapest
When the Hungarians arrived in the ninth century, Budapest was an established metropolis. Nowadays, it is the most significant capital of the nation. Among other rulers of Budapest between these two events were the Ottomans and Mongols.
With more than 100,000 works in the collection, Budapest is regarded as one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Ensure you see the museums, cathedrals, palaces, and Parliament buildings in the centrally situated Old Town.
Gullfoss
You most likely know not many people who have visited Iceland. Travelling there, though, would be worthwhile to see the fantastic Gullfoss waterfalls. Gullfoss is one of the main tourist destinations in southern Iceland.
Given that a glacier feeds it, it occasionally has a glacier-like appearance—appropriate. Just after the Ölfusá River turns perpendicular, the waterfalls start and tumble down a three-step staircase into a 35-meter (115-foot) deep gorge.
Athens
The world first heard of democracy from Athens, which was inhabited in the fifth century BC and was the capital of ancient Europe and Greece.
The old town, around the Acropolis, in particular, contains many of Athens’s main sites. The Parthenon, perched atop the Acropolis, Hadrian’s Arch, the symbolic entry to the city, and the temple of Zeus are all on the list.
Bay of Kotor
See Kotor Bay in southwest Montenegro when you need a stunning landscape. With charming settlements between the cliffs and gorgeous blue water, this harbour of the Adriatic is breathtakingly beautiful and surrounded by mountains.
Several well-preserved medieval towns surround the bay. In addition to enjoying the scenery, pilgrims travel here to see the 200 Orthodox and 100 Christian churches and chapels scattered among the settlements.
Santorini
When it is time to unwind, head to the Aegean island of Santorini. After visiting, you can see why top travel publications rank this as a top location.
Beautiful sunsets, an active volcano, and picture-postcard communities abound on the island. See Fira, a community located on a cliff. You should also sample wines, notably the dessert wine Vincanto, and the produce enhanced in sweetness and flavour by the volcanic ash soil it grows in.
Venice
Romantics who like to glide around the Grand Canal while a gondolier belts out Italian love ballads should visit Venice. After all, Marco Polo left this place on his way to China.
San Marco Square is where you should begin your tour of Venice. Here, you can see the primary church of Venice, St. Mark’s Basilica, with breathtaking views from the tower, and the Doge’s Palace, the seat of Venetian administration.
Monte Carlo
If you enjoy flash and luxury, go no farther than Monte Carlo, the capital of the little principality of Monaco. Monaco has always been renowned for these attributes, which peaked when its prince declared Grace Kelly his princess.
Perched on the Mediterranean coast, Monte Carlo is renowned for its aristocratic casino and fast auto races. Wander around the harbour to view the abundant and wealthy yachts, some of which are the size of ships.
Neuschwanstein Castle
“Fairy Tale Castle” sums up Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps well. Some claim Neuschwanstein was the model for the castle in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty; its 19th-century Romanesque Revival castle appears to have stepped straight out of a fairy tale.
King Ludwig II of Bavaria intended the castle as a getaway because he thought it romanticized the Middle Ages. The castle was constructed of brick and covered with rock, including the distantly visible white limestone.
Prague
Prague, with its protracted history of violence and devastation, is regarded as one of the top tourist destinations in Europe. Even with the destruction brought on by World War II, Prague boasts a charming Old Town worth exploring for a few hours. Numerous pedestrian zones in Prague make wandering around Prague Castle, through the Jewish Quarter, by St. Vitus Cathedral, and over the Charles Bridge delightful. The New Town’s Wenceslas Square is a hive of activity and nightlife.
Geirangerfjord
Travel to Norway for astonishing landscapes if Europe’s summer heat gets to you. The magnificent falling waterfalls that feed the 15 km (9.3 miles) long Geirangerfjord provide crystal blue waters. You can see the nearby towns by riding a car ferry across the fjord.
See the Seven Sisters and Suitor waterfalls, so named because tradition has it that he is attempting to seduce the sisters. Also, see the Bridal Veil; in the proper light, it appears as a thin veil covering the rocks.
Barcelona
Roman in origin, Barcelona is a thriving Mediterranean Sea metropolis today. It is a significant force in the area, being the capital of Catalonia. The odd structures architect Antoni Gaudi created may have made it most famous. Among these famous buildings is the 1892-built church La Sagrada Familia.
The famed pedestrian boulevard La Rambla in the heart of Barcelona is one of the major attractions you might base your entire trip around.
Dubrovnik
Though Dubrovnik is not extremely large compared to other European cities, don’t let that stop you. One of the most visited cities in the Mediterranean is this small gem, home to less than 43,000 people.
Travelers are transported to a time when the walled city of Dubrovnik commanded the third-largest fleet in the Mediterranean. St. Viaho, the city’s patron saint whose life is commemorated every February, is probably represented in sculptures you will see as you stroll around the streets.