Deciding to explore Europe is the easy bit. Deciding which part of Europe to explore is where it gets tricky! In fact, you could call it a conundrum of continental proportions. Europe has 51 independent nations, and they all boast a long list of tantalizing attractions.
Whether it’s Italy’s ancient Roman ruins, Norway’s famous fjords, or Greece’s paradise islands, it’s jam-packed with enviable destinations – and you probably want to visit them all. To help you decide where to go first (or next), here are 40 of the best places to visit in Europe.
1. Hallstatt, Austria
There aren’t many places in Europe as picturesque as this small village in Austria. Hallstatt is famous for its fairytale-like aesthetic.
Steep mountain peaks provide an epic backdrop to its cobbled streets and age-old church, all of which sit alongside a pristine lake. People flock here in summer, so expect crowds, but the magical setting will make up for it.
2. Orkney Islands, Scotland
The Orkney Islands are an archipelago off the north coast of the Scottish mainland. It is a wild, beautiful, and remote destination comprising roughly 70 islands. On them, you’ll find ancient sites of global significance. The “Heart of Neolithic Orkney” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 5,000-year-old stone circles and the infamous Skara Brae settlement.
3. Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
Ireland is a vibrant and verdant European destination renowned for its history, traditional music, and natural beauty. The Wild Atlantic Way is one of the most popular things to do there.
A whopping 1,600-mile drive down its west coast, it takes in some of the Emerald Isle’s most famous and impressive places, including the mighty Cliffs of Moher, Slieve League, Galway, and the Dingle Peninsula.
4. Iceland
All of Iceland deserves a place on your Europe bucket list. It’s a gem of a country that’s ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, with landscapes that defy belief with their scale, splendor, and diversity. Expect black sand beaches, volcanoes, enormous waterfalls, natural hot springs, and so much more. If you’re lucky, you might also see the Northern Lights.
5. Rome, Italy
Italy’s capital city is a history buff’s dream. It’s a bustling place where the amenities of a modern metropolis rub shoulders with 2,000-year-old attractions.
While the list of things to do is endless, highlights include the iconic Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Vatican City. I recommend spending at least three days in Rome to see as much as possible without burning out.
6. Amalfi Coast, Italy
The Amalfi Coast is another beautiful place to visit in Europe. A series of colorful, elegant towns built on cliffsides overlook glittering cerulean seas. Don’t miss the historic and luxurious island of Capri, either.
Similarly, consider stopping at Pompeii en route to the Amalfi Coast. Frozen in time by Mount Vesuvius’ infamous eruption in 79 AD, it’s as close as you can get to exploring an ancient world.
7. Dolomites, Italy
The Dolomites were by far my favorite place in Northern Italy. With striking mountains, pristine lakes, gorgeous views, and more hikes than you can shake a stick at, it’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The best-known highlight is Tre Cime di Lavaredo. These three chimney-like peaks are instantly recognizable, and the hike up to them is breathtaking.
8. Mont Saint-Michel, France
You’d be forgiven for mistaking Mont Saint-Michel as a school for witches and wizards. Located in northern France, this storied UNESCO World Heritage Site definitely seems like something from a fairytale.
A renowned pilgrimage location, there’s been an abbey on this tidal islet for over 1,000 years. Today, it’s one of France’s most popular tourist destinations – and for good reason.
9. Paris, France
Paris is officially Europe’s most popular destination, attracting over 40 million visitors annually. It’s busy year-round, with people flocking to the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, and other famous tourist attractions for which the City of Love is known. The crowds are unideal, but Paris is huge, historic, and full of fantastic art and architecture.
10. Prague, Czech Republic
The Czech Republic’s capital city is renowned for its architectural wonders and cheap (but delicious) beers. Its UNESCO-listed center is a maze of beautiful squares and cobblestone streets lined with bustling bars and historic buildings. Highlights include the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Old Town Square and Clock Tower.
11. London, England
Built on ancient Roman foundations, the UK capital is another European destination where history and modernity coexist. It’s a huge, electrifying city where millions of people walk the streets.
You can party into the early hours, tour age-old attractions like the Tower of London, stroll through verdant parks, and explore dozens of incredible museums. One thing’s for sure: you’ll never be bored in London.
12. Split, Croatia
Croatia’s second-largest city enjoys a prime location on a peninsula jutting into the Adriatic Sea. Split balances old and new, with ancient architecture hiding in plain sight among more modern buildings.
The most famous attraction is Diocletian’s Palace, a remarkable relic of ancient Rome left behind by the eponymous emperor – the only one to voluntarily abdicate his position. This vast harborside palace complex was where he retired. Today, it forms around half of Split’s old town.
13. Norway’s Fjords
Norway is another outdoor paradise. It feels largely untouched by human hands – a wilderness characterized by giant mountains, waterfalls, and iconic fjords. Visitors from around the globe come to gawp at these mighty cliffs that fall thousands of feet into the waters below.
They pepper Norway’s west coast, but the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord are two of its most famous.
14. Valletta, Malta
Malta is a small archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, but its strategic location prompted some of history’s greatest empires to fight over it.
As a result, the islands are peppered with huge fortresses, walled towns, and watchtowers, with Valletta, Malta’s capital, being a prime example. It’s a remarkable place with giant fortified stone walls. Visiting feels like stepping back into a medieval world of knights and crusading armies.
15. Lucerne, Switzerland
Lucerne is a beautiful town with a medieval history located on the edge of the eponymous lake. Its centerpiece is Chapel Bridge, a covered 14th-century wooden bridge spanning the river Reuss at an unusual, diagonal angle. The architecture, museums, atmospheric old town, and incredible mountainous setting make this an underrated place to visit in Europe.
16. Transylvania, Romania
Thanks to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Transylvania is often associated with vampires. In reality, it’s a spectacular region of Romania famous for fairytale castles, medieval towns, and stunning scenery.
Highlights include the iconic Bran Castle, Rasnov Fortress, the 13th-century Sighisoara Citadel, the unique Turda Salt Mine (with its amusement park inside), and the epic Transfagarasan Highway.
17. Lapland, Finland
Lapland is one the best places to visit in Europe if you’re looking for an adventure in a winter wonderland.
Get pulled by huskies through snow-covered forests, experience the midnight sun, see majestic wildlife like bears, wolves, eagles, and lynxes, and gaze up in wonder at the Northern Lights. The landscapes and attractions here are hard to beat.
18. Greek Islands
If you prefer warmer climates, head to Greece to hop between paradise islands. While there are too many to visit in a single trip, they all boast historical attractions, pristine sandy beaches, and picturesque towns full of charm. Some of the most famous Greek islands to explore are Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Corfu, and Rhodes.
19. Meteora, Greece
While tourists tend to focus on the Greek islands, the country’s inland areas are equally sublime. Meteora is one of the most iconic places in northwestern Greece. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s home to centuries-old monasteries perched precipitously atop huge sandstone peaks. Some date to the 14th century and are still in use today.
20. Lake Bled, Slovenia
Lake Bled takes first prize for aesthetic appeal in a country that’s perfect for outdoor adventures. A symbol of Slovenia, places in Europe don’t get much more picturesque. It’s surrounded by mountains, has an island in the middle with a medieval church on top, and there’s a castle perched on cliffs overlooking the scene.
Still unsure where to travel in Europe? Read on for a quick rundown of 30 additional epic places to visit in Europe.
Enjoy the Best Places to Visit in Europe
This list of the best places to visit in Europe barely scratches the surface of the continent’s top destinations. You could spend a lifetime exploring and still not tick them all off your bucket list! That’s not a bad thing, though. It means there’s always more to explore – and anywhere you decide to visit will provide memories that last a lifetime.
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