With its layers of history and overlapping
of cultures, Europe is a treasure trove of
everything from the medieval and ancient to
the baroque and art nouveau.
Couple this with Arctic conditions in the
north and beautiful Mediterranean climates
in the south, and there’s a whole side of
nature to go with the main dish of culture
that can be found in this wonderful continent.
Here’s a look at the top tourist attractions
in Europe:
Number 25.
Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The world-famous leaning tower is known around
the globe for its incredible four-degree tilt
that makes it seem as if the tower is about
to topple over.
The amazing slanted belltower sits behind
Pisa Cathedral and was built in the Romanesque
style.
Dating back to the 12th century, the tower
took a whopping 199 years to complete, but
began to slant during its construction due
to soft ground on one side.
Today, the tower – which stands at a wonky
55.86 meters tall – attracts tourists from
far and wide.
Number 24.
Canals of Bruges.
The arteries of the old town, the canals of
Bruges have long been the roadways that connect
the city.
The canals were dug from a river for commercial
shipping in order to move essential goods
and supplies around the town.
Bruges’ inner canals mark the old city walls
and ramparts and make for a beautiful area
to explore on foot or in one of the many tourist
boats.
Cruise past the numerous old overarching brick
bridges, sail along small streams, and spot
the scenic riverside houses.
Number 23.
Cliffs of Moher.
Located in Ireland’s County Clare, the Cliffs
of Moher are an awe-inspiring sight.
The coastal cliffs are made up of steep 214
meter stone and run for 14 km.
From the top of the cliffs, the Aran Islands
can be spotted across the sparkling waters.
The coastal walking paths along the cliffs
make for a fantastic ramble among the natural
landscape, where you can glimpse the castle-like
cliffs.
The cliffs have been the subject of many folk
tales and stories, and have been featured
in numerous films, such as Harry Potter.
Number 22.
Pompeii.
In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted with devastating
effect.
Many small towns and settlements in the region
were completely destroyed by the eruption,
not least Pompeii.
Ironically, being buried under layers of ash
that fell from the volcano has led to an incredibly
well-preserved snapshot of a Roman city frozen
in the midst of a disaster.
Though a few valuables were taken through
the centuries, the site was rediscovered and
has been excavated since 1764.
Nowadays, visitors can walk around the ancient
city and marvel at preserved colorful murals
and see the plaster casts of people and animals
in their final moments.
Number 21.
Meteora.
Meaning “elevated” in Greek, Meteora is
a jutting rock formation in Northern Greece
– a wild landscape made up of hill-like
boulders that dominate the skyline.
Part of what makes that magnificent landscape
so amazing, however, are the monasteries that
precariously cling to the rocks.
Set on cliffs with staircases cut into the
very stone itself, this religious site dates
back to the 15th century, and some still welcome
visitors to this day.
The most famous of all, the Holy Trinity Monastery,
perches an amazing 400 meters atop a natural
rock tower and is a breathtaking sight to
set eyes on.
Number 20.
Sagrada Familia.
Officially the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia,
this famously opulent church in Barcelona
is the brainchild of the renowned Catalan
architect Antoni Gaudi.
With work starting on the church back in 1882,
137 years later, the Sagrada still remains
unfinished.
It is expected that the building will be completed
in 2026.
Built in the art nouveau and gothic styles,
the fantastical church has an impressive eight
spires and ten that are yet to be constructed.
This amazing building draws crowds of tourists
with twisting turrets, and surreal curves,
while intriguing gargoyles make for something
from another world and time entirely.
Number 19.
Tallinn Old City
Once part of the trading alliance the Hanseatic
League, Tallinn was formerly an extremely
prosperous city.
The riches of Tallin’s past can be seen
be in the Old City, which still retains its
13th-century city plan.
Authentically medieval, there are grand merchant’s
houses and churches lining the cobblestone
streets.
One of the major sites in this cultural and
historical heart of the Estonian capital is
the Town Hall Square, home to the gothic Town
Hall.
Elsewhere, you’ll find Estonia’s oldest
church, the 13th-century cathedral of Saint
Mary the Virgin.
Today, it’s not just the historic buildings
that make the area so charming; there are
also numerous bars and shops to enjoy too.
Number 18.
Tower Bridge
Often mistakenly thought to be London Bridge,
Tower Bridge is a late Victorian masterpiece
showcasing the height of London’s standing
on the world stage.
Opened in 1894, the bridge crosses the Thames
close to the Tower of London, another London
landmark.
The bridge itself is a drawbridge powered
by engine rooms which are located in the neo-gothic
north and south towers, making this a feat
of 19th-century engineering.
The bridge is still in use to this day and
has even been modernized with lights that
glimmer in the evening.
Number 17.
Neuschwanstein Castle
One of the architectural projects of “Mad”
King Ludwig II of Bavaria, Neuschwanstein
Castle is the quintessential fairytale castle.
In fact, it was the castle’s soaring spires
and romanesque revival style that inspired
Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Construction of the castle began in 1869,
but sadly, Ludwig never got to live in his
castle; he died in 1886, the same year of
the castle’s completion.
Set in South Bavaria among forested mountains
and mirror-like lakes, the picturesque setting
of the castle is as impressive as the building
itself.
Number 16.
Mont Saint-Michel
This famous fortified island is located around
a kilometer off the northwestern shores of
Normandy in France.
Walking around Mont-St-Michel might feel as
if you have been transported back to another
time; the monastery here dates back to the
8th century and is still in use today.
The old walls and chapels are intriguing places
to explore.
At high tide, waters make the island seem
as if it is a floating fortress in the sea.
Previously only reachable by foot or car during
low tide, the island can be reached at any
time on foot along a bridge built in 2014.
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Number 15.
Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands form a rugged, mountainous
region of Northern Scotland.
There are many things to do in amongst the
dramatic scenery of this picturesque area.
There’s Glencoe Valley where red deer roam
and waterfalls hide; close to here, Ben Nevis
calls with the highest mountain peak in the
United Kingdom.
Elsewhere, Loch Ness sits in the Central Highlands
and is where you can try to catch a glimpse
of the legendary Loch Ness Monster, or simply
take a stroll and enjoy the serene atmosphere.
The Scottish Highlands are also home to Inverness,
the largest city in the region.
Number 14.
Lake Bled.
Set in Northwest Slovenia close to the town
of Bled is a gleaming emerald lake surrounded
by stunning verdant hills.
Catch one of the old wooden boats over to
the small Bled Island in the middle of the
lake.
The island is home to the Church of the Assumption
of Mary – a 17th-century building with some
15th-century gothic frescoes still intact.
Around this incredibly picturesque spot, there’s
also Bled Castle, but one of the best things
to do in the area is to simply stroll around
the lake and take a break for a swim in the
calm waters.
Number 13.
Saint Basil's Cathedral
Arguably the most iconic sight in Russia,
this twisting Cathedral with its multi-colored
onion domes is set in Moscow’s equally iconic
Red Square.
St Basil’s Cathedral was built by Ivan the
Terrible in 1555.
The structure is a madly bright lollypop of
strange styles that seem more like a funfair
and look unlike anything else in Russia.
Because of its unique architectural style
and its historic links to a victorious battle
in Tatarstan, the cathedral is a symbol of
Russia.
Number 12.
Dubrovnik Old Town
One of the most beautiful old towns in Europe,
Dubrovnik’s Old Town is a red-roofed marvel
that is asking to be explored.
Its ancient city walls jut out into the Adriatic
Sea, and its cobblestone streets hide a plethora
of restaurants, bars, boutiques, and museums.
Dating back to the 16th century, the stone
walls boast baroque churches and crumbling
buildings.
Built in 1573, Pile Gate marks the entrance
the Old Town with its remarkable renaissance
arches – it’s particularly beautiful when
lit up at night.
The Dubrovnik Cable Car offers the opportunity
to see the ancient streets of the city from
above.
Number 11.
Canals of Amsterdam
Amsterdam is well known for its canals.
In fact, there are more than 100 kilometers
of canals weaving around the Netherland’s
capital, forming around 90 islands and requiring
1,500 bridges to get around.
The waterways lead to Amsterdam being labeled
the ‘Venice of the North.’
Dug in the 17th century, the canals were used
for transportation, as sewers, as drinking
water – a bit of everything.
In the modern city, the canals make up the
charming cityscape that Amsterdam is known
for.
The canals are backed by 17th-century townhouses,
adding even more to the charm factor.
Number 10.
Eiffel Tower
Named after Gustave Eiffel, the unmistakable
symbol of Paris is a sight that must be witnessed
when visiting the French capital.
Constructed between 1887 and 1889, the tower
was originally built to be the impressive
entrance to the World’s Fair.
The tower stands at 324 meters tall and was
amazingly the world’s tallest man-made structure
until the Empire State Building took the title
in 1930.
Take the lift all the way to the observation
deck of the tower and marvel at the views
of the Parisian boulevard and pattern of parks
below.
Number 9.
Prague Old Town
The medieval Old Town of the Czech Republic
capital is bristling with historical sights,
which is what makes it such a popular destination.
At its heart is the Old Town Square, where
you’ll find the Old Town Hall, boasting
an Astronomical Clock which dates back to
1410, making it the oldest clock still in
operation in the world.
Connecting the Old Town with the Lesser Town
of Prague across the Vltava River is the Charles
Bridge.
Construction on the bridge started in 1357
but wasn’t completed until the early 15th
century.
Around the Old Town, plenty of bars and a
buzzing nightlife scene make for an enjoyable
place to stick around after dark.
Number 8.
St. Peter's Basilica
Located in Vatican City, St Peter’s Basilica
is the biggest church in the world, and one
of the most famous examples of Italian Renaissance
architecture.
Construction began on this monument in 1506,
with one of the architects being none other
than Michelangelo.
This is where the Pope himself addresses the
tens of thousands of worshippers who crowd
the adjacent St Peter’s Square.
The current Basilica replaced the old St Peter’s
Basilica, which stood in the same place from
around 360 AD.
The church itself is thought to be built over
the tomb of St Peter.
Number 7.
Canals of Venice
Venice is the original canal city; every other
canal city in the world is compared to Venice.
The enigmatic waterlogged city is the site
of more than 150 waterways and 400 bridges,
including the famous Bridge of Sighs.
The main canal in Venice is the two-mile-long
Grand Canal, which flows past St Mark’s
Square and is lined with some of Venice’s
historic architecture.
Gondoliers punt visitors around wearing striped
shirts and wide-brimmed hats, but boats on
the river are not just for tourists; they
are also used for everyday jobs such as rubbish
collection.
Number 6.
Palace of Versailles.
Versailles is a monument like no other; when
it comes to palaces, Versailles definitely
takes first place.
This grandiose building was the main residence
for French royalty from 1682 until the 1789
French Revolution.
The exterior of the castle is enchantingly
ornate, but its interiors are no less impressive.
Some rooms inside the building are as famous
as the palace itself, such as the Hall of
Mirrors with its opulent gilded decoration.
The geometric gardens punctuated with conical
trees and woven as canals and fountains.
Number 5.
Fjords of Norway
One of the top reasons many people travel
to Norway is to see its majestic fjords.
Shaped by glaciers over an incomprehensibly
long 2.5 million years or so, the towering
U-shaped valleys and their carved cliffs create
a stunning landscape that’s almost too huge
to take in.
Norway boasts over 1000 fjords, only a portion
of which are visited en masse, meaning it’s
still possible to find a slice of solitude.
Taking a cruise ship is a great way to see
the soaring walls of the fjords as the boat
glides on the waters.
Alternatively, hiking atop the fjords offers
a birds-eye-view of the incredible landscape.
Number 4.
Alhambra
Built on the ruins of Roman fortifications
in 889, Alhambra is a combination palace and
fortress situated in Granada, Spain.
For almost 1,000 years, much of the Iberian
peninsula was ruled by the Islamic Moors,
with Andalusia being their longest-held territory.
Today, you can explore its citadel, the oldest
part of the fortress, climb up its watchtower,
explore the amazing Moorish gardens and courtyards,
and be amazed at the delicate geometric patterns
throughout the complex.
The setting on the backdrop of the Sierra
Nevada makes Alhambra that much more mystical.
Number 3.
Hagia Sophia
For almost 1,000 years, Hagia Sophia was the
biggest cathedral in the world and is still
a fantastic structure to set eyes on.
Originally built as an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral
in 537 when Istanbul was named Constantinople,
Hagia Sophia became an Ottoman mosque from
1453 and is today a museum for all faiths
to enjoy.
The dome of the Hagia Sophia is a marvel in
itself, and the building as a whole perfectly
reflective of Byzantine architecture.
Walking around the building today, you can
piece together the history of the city with
its intriguing murals and interesting artifacts.
Number 2.
Acropolis
The Acropolis in Athens is a simply stunning
sight.
This monumental hill is the location of a
number of ancient sites that date back to
the 5th century BC.
Some of the attractions that crown the Acropolis
include the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheum,
and, of course, the Parthenon.
Constructed at the peak of the Athenian Empire
in 447 BC, the Parthenon is a symbol of Greece
and impresses with its innumerable columns.
After nightfall, the Acropolis is lit up with
a glow that can be seen around Athens.
Number 1.
Colosseum
The Colosseum is the perfect symbol of the
power of the Roman Empire at its height.
Dating back to 72 AD, it was designed to hold
50,000 spectators and was, at the time, the
biggest amphitheater ever built.
Here, all manner of public spectacles were
shown – from animal hunts and executions
to gory gladiator battles; it was even filled
with water for mock sea battles.
Although practically a ruin, the Colosseum
is still very much an icon of Rome.
Step inside the arches and take a tour of
the structure.
Sit and imagine yourself as a spectator in
Roman times, and the grand displays and spectacles
that went on inside
the ring.
