21 Things You Should Not Miss In Europe

From white sandy beaches, impressive mountain ranges and breathtaking landscapes, to beautiful architecture, you can find it all in Europe. If you are trying to decide where to go next, here’s our list of 21 things you shouldn’t miss in Europe.

1. Acropolis of Athens (Greece)

The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient complex of greek buildings located on top of a rocky hill in the city of Athens, Greece. One of the most famous buildings of the Acropolis is, without a doubt, the Parthenon, which is a temple dedicated to the goddess Athenea. When visiting the Acropolis, it is recommended to hire a tour guide in order to discover the history behind those buildings.

2. Algarve (Portugal)

Algarve is the most southern region in Portugal, formed by Faro, its capital, and 15 other towns. It is known for its characteristic coastline, full of beautiful golden beaches hidden between rock formations. Moreover, it is one of the cheapest destinations of Europe and it attracts a large number of tourists every year.

3. Blue Lagoon (Iceland)

The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa situated in the southwest side of Iceland. It receives more than one million visitors a year that go there to relax in the milky blue waters. Apart from the spa, you can also find accommodation, dinner and skin care services within the complex. The Blue Lagoon is cataloged as one of the 25 wonders of the world, so make sure you don’t miss it!

4. Charles Bridge (Czech Republic)

Charles Bridge is one of the most iconic places in the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague. It’s the second oldest bridge in the country, since it was constructed in the 14th century under the orders of Charles IV, and it's a UNESCO World Heritage monument.

5. Cinque Terre Italy (Italy)

Cinque Terre is a coastal area in the northwest of Italy, formed by 5 different beautiful fishing villages. It is well known for the stunning overview of the Mediterranean Sea that offers, the colourful houses and terraces built in the cliffs, and the good wine and food. The villages are connected through paths, trains and boats, and the whole area is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

6. Colosseum (Italy)

The Colosseum is the biggest roman amphitheatre in the world, situated in the centre of Rome, Italy. It was used by the Roman Empire to host all kinds of shows, like battles, exhibitions of animals or even executions. Nowadays the Colosseum is the most remarkable symbol of Rome, and in 2007 it was categorized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

7. Dubrovnik (Croatia)

Dubrovnik is a beautiful old coastal city in the south of Croatia visited by many tourists, mostly in summer. When in the city don’t forget to check the old town part, the cathedral, the Lovrijenac Fort, the city walls and the nice beaches. If you are a Game of Thrones fan, you will for sure recognise different parts of the city!

8. Eiffel Tower (France)

When you think about Paris, the first image that probably comes to your mind is the Eiffel Tower. There’s nothing as iconic as the tall iron tower located on the Champs de Mars. If you are not afraid of heights, you can get to the top of the tower either by lift or stairs, to catch the most spectacular views of the city. If you rather see it from the ground, going there by night to see the light show may be a wonderful experience!

9. Formentera (Spain)

Formentera is one of the smallest islands of the Balearic Islands, in Spain, and yet one of the most beautiful places you will ever see, for its white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. If you visit the island, make sure you pay a visit to beaches like Calo des Mort, Cala Saona or Ses Illetes. Keep in mind that the island can only be accessed by boat since there’s no airport.

10. Glenfinnan Viaduct (UK)

The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a viaduct with a railway located at the top of Loch Shiel, in the west part of Scotland. The viaduct creates a spectacular scenery of the area and it’s famous for appearing multiple times in the second and third Harry Potter films, attracting many fans to visit it every year.

11. Hallstatt Village (Austria)

Hallstatt is a small village in Austria, known for its production of salt and the unique beauty that is created through the combination of the nearby mountains, the lake and its characteristic houses. If you visit the village make sure you hike to the Hallstatter See, visit the Old Town, the Market Square and the Hallstatt Salt Mine.

12. Interlaken (Switzerland)

Interlaken is a town in Switzerland, close to the Swiss Alps. It is located between mountain peaks and the lakes Thun and Brienz, creating a spectacular landscape. It is the perfect destination for a rural holiday to enjoy nature, go hiking or biking, do different water activities in summer or enjoy the snow in winter.

13. La Sagrada Familia (Spain)

Designed by the well-known spanish architect, Antoni Gaudi, the Sagrada Familia is a modernist basilica situated in the heart of Barcelona, Spain. Its construction started in 1882 and it’s still nowadays not finished due to numerous events that delayed the completion of the construction, estimated now to be finished in 2030. If you visit the Sagrada Familia, make sure you get a ticket to also contemplate this masterpiece from the inside in order to appreciate the unique architectural forms.

14. Lofoten (Norway)

Lofoten is an archipelago located in the north east coast of Norway. It’s known for the beautiful contrast that the mountain peaks create next to the sea. In Lofoten you’ll be able to do all kinds of activities, like taking surfing lessons, riding a horse next to the sea, going climbing, going on a fishing trip… and if you go there between September and March, there’s a big chance that you get to see the Northern Lights!

15. Mont Saint-Michel (France)

Mont Saint-Michel is a small island with medieval buildings and an abbey on top, situated in a bay between Normandy and Brittany, in France. It is one of the most popular destinations in France since it creates an unforgettable and unique scene. In 1979 was given the title of World Heritage by UNESCO for the history that it holds behind.

16. Neuschwanstein Castle (Germany)

Neuschwanstein Castle is a stunning 19th-century castle located in the south of Germany, that used to be home of King Ludwig ll of Bavaria. After his death, the castle opened to the public and it became an important tourist attraction, with more than 1.3 million visitors a year. Visits of the inside of the castle are only available through tour guides, and outside the castle you can find different viewpoints to get the best panoramic views.

17. Provence (France)

Provence is a region located in the southeastern part of France, famous for its beautiful coastline, towns, good food and wines, ancient buildings and castles. To catch the most impressive landscapes, the best time to visit Provence is summer, since all the lavender fields bloom, creating a beautiful purple sea of flowers.

18. Santorini (Greece)

Santorini is a greek volcanic island located in the Aegean Sea, in the south of Greece. It is instantly recognisable for its white buildings with blue roofs constructed in the edge of the cliffs, over the blue sea. Santorini is the summer destination of many tourists, since, apart from its beauty, it offers many different activities like wine tasting, cruises, sea sports, hikes, and much more!

19. The Great Geysir (Iceland)

The Great Geysir is a hot spring located two hours away from Reykjavik, in the south-west of Iceland. It shoots big amounts of boiling water that can go up to 40 metres, leaving everyone with their mouth open because of such a phenomenon. It usually erupts every 5 minutes, so make sure you are ready to capture the moment!

20. Tulip fields (The Netherlands)

There isn’t a more beautiful scenario than the fields filled with colorful tulips during the spring season in the Netherlands. One of the best regions to find those extensive tulips fields is Noordoostpolder, in Flevoland. It is also recommended to visit Keukenhof, one of the most beautiful spring gardens in the world with more than 7 million flower bulbs planted there every year.

21. White Cliffs of Dover (UK)

The well-known White Cliffs can be found in Dover, on the south-east coast of England. The combination of the white chalk on the face of the cliff with the green grass on top and the blue ocean next to it creates an unforgettable landscape that you can enjoy by walking around the different paths to get the best views.

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