Europe
ποΈ Historical Buildings πΊ Ancient Ruins β°οΈ Mountains π² Forests πΌοΈ Culture
Europe packs in many flavors, traditions, religions and colors. The continent tops the list for those who love history, culture, shopping, wining and dining. Nature is never far away, if you need to unwind.
Whether you picture yourself skiing in the Alps, getting happily lost in cobblestoned old towns, getting pampered in Icelandic hotsprings and Scandinavian saunas, or lazing on a Mediterranean beach, Europe makes many daydreams come true.
Of course, visiting Europe is also about seeing some of the worldβs most famous landmarks. Whether you fly, train or bus it, it can take as little as a week to visit Big Ben and Tower Bridge in London, the canal district of Amsterdam and the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Make it a fortnight and you can also take in Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe in France, the Roman Colosseum and Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, the Sagrada Familia in Spain and the Acropolis in Greece.
Donβt forget to also enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle by kicking back on Europeβs southern beaches and sampling its olives, cheeses and seafood and wines. Or how about a river cruise?
If youβve done all that already, set out to find Europeβs less famous man-made wonders. The striking Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest, the wonderful churches of St. Petersburg, the romantic Charles Bridge in Prague in the Czech Republic and the sparkling Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul are some of the other architectural marvels of Europeβs mixed heritage.
Southeastern Europe is making a name for itself as a summer hotspot now too. Hike through the Accursed Mountains in Albania or the Balkan Mountains in Bulgaria, swim in the idyllic bays of Montenegro, party the night away by Lake Ohrid in Macedonia and enjoy an al fresco meal in the maze-like Old Town of Dubrovnik in Croatia.
Or why not start small? Europe is home to some of the tiniest countries in the world and visiting Andorra, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City can take no time at all, but will instantly show you what Europe is all about.
Greece
Visit the building blocks of Western civilization, swim and sunbathe on beautiful Mediterranean islands and enjoy the lively nightlife scene.
Athens
Italy
Discover ancient cities, charming coastal towns and diverse landscapes in this boot-shaped Mediterranean nation, famed for its cultural riches and rustic cuisine.
Bologna
Florence
Milan
Rome
Venice
Verona
Spain
Sample seafood in the quaint towns and cities of this diverse country where you can explore an eclectic terrain featuring mountains, desert regions and coastal wonderlands.
Barcelona
Madrid
MΓ‘laga
Seville
Malta
This Mediterranean archipelagoβs scenic coastline encompasses rocky cliffs and powdery beaches, behind which stand prehistoric sites and hilltop fortresses.
United Kingdom
The land of long-held traditions packs a lot into a small space, including a famous metropolis and scenic landscapes, from the cliffs of Dover to remote Scottish isles.
Belfast
Brighton & Hove
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Liverpool
London
Manchester
France
Famous for fashion and first-class cuisine, this influential European nation features monumental cities, quaint alpine villages and glamorous beach resorts.
Bordeaux
Lyon
Marseille
Nice
Paris
Strasbourg
Portugal
Sunbathe on gorgeous golden beaches, feast on incredibly fresh seafood and explore medieval castles and cobblestone towns in this sunny Iberian country.
Lisbon
Porto
Switzerland
From adventures on mountains, glaciers and lakes to explorations of pretty Alpine towns and chic modern cities, Switzerland supplies natural and man-made thrills.
Iceland
An increasingly popular vacation hot spot, this sparsely populated Nordic nation offers epic adventures amid volcanos, glaciers, caves and waterfalls.
ReykjavΓk
Germany
Travel through the sophisticated cities and quaint villages of this European country to experience its breweries, folk traditions and fascinating history.
Berlin
Hamburg
Ireland
Land of legends, medieval castles and Guinness beer, this wonderfully green island is known for its wild beauty, rich culture and chatty locals.
Cork
Dublin
Croatia
With a scenic, island-dotted Mediterranean coastline and stunning medieval architecture, this country is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe.
Austria
As famous for its picture-postcard mountain villages and snowy peaks as it is for its imperial palaces and classical music, this Alpine wonderland is sure to delight.
Innsbruck
Salzburg
Vienna
Netherlands
Taste acclaimed cheeses, wear wooden shoes and cycle beside canals past quaint villages in this traditional treasure in the heart of Europe.
Amsterdam
Denmark
Conjuring images of Vikings and fairytales, this country of colorful houses, candlelit cafΓ©s and historic harbors is an unexpected treasure.
Copenhagen
Sweden
Hop across islands and relax on a stretch of sand, before heading north to enjoy a glistening and snowy wonderland.
Stockholm
Andorra
Immerse yourself in Catalan culture, taste its cuisine and visit the ski resorts and hiking regions of the scenic Pyrenees Mountains.
Luxembourg
This wealthy European country packs a whole lot into its small borders, including a UNESCO-listed medieval quarter and its very own wine-producing region.
Belgium
The land of chocolate and lace, this bilingual country is famous for its medieval towns, its cobblestoned streets and its frothy beer.
Norway
With rugged landscapes and stunning fjords, this northern Scandinavian country is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, with active pursuits from fishing to skiing.
Oslo
Finland
Gaze up at the otherworldly northern lights from the icy northern reaches of Europe in this sophisticated and picturesque nation.
Helsinki
Poland
Delve into Polish culture in well-preserved medieval towns and cosmopolitan cities, and find forests, mountains, coastline and lakes all ripe for open-air adventure.
GdaΕsk
KrakΓ³w
Warsaw
Jersey
Breathtaking countryside, beaches, centuries-old castles and a distinct cuisine make this one of the most appealing destinations of the British Channel Islands.
Montenegro
Slightly smaller than Connecticut, this Southeastern European country has ocean, beaches, mountains, lakes and hundreds of years of fascinating history.
Slovenia
Relax amid the natural beauty of forests, lakes, caves and a magical island in this central European country that was once part of Yugoslavia.
Albania
Bordered by the Ionian and Adriatic seas, this Eastern European country has beautiful beaches, exquisite mountain scenery and fascinating museums.
Czechia
Ancient castles, medieval old towns and a longstanding beer-brewing tradition make this Central European country a true delight to explore.
Hungary
From ornate palaces and bathhouses to enchanting vineyards and sparkling lakes, this central European nation has everything necessary for an incredible vacation.
Budapest
Svalbard
A largely untouched Arctic wilderness awaits you in these islands far north of Norway, east of Greenland and surrounded by icy seas.
Liechtenstein
Donβt be fooled by its small size, as this exciting nation is packed with exciting culture and stunning natural scenery.
Romania
Learn about traditional folklore, be awed by stunning mountain views and marvel at hilltop castles and royal palaces in this fascinatingly diverse country.
Guernsey
Escape to the scenic destination of Guernsey, a compact island that packs in medieval castles, Victorian homes, clifftop walks and stunning beaches.
Monaco
Sunbathe on the beach, charter a yacht for a day out at sea and shop for designer items in luxury boutiques in this tiny, celebrity-filled Mediterranean city-state.
Serbia
Party with locals at a summer festival, marvel at towering citadels and follow hiking trails to mountainous villages in this fun-loving European nation.
Estonia
This increasingly popular Eastern European nation has vast forested nature reserves as well as cities with UNESCO-listed quarters filled with medieval buildings.
Tallinn
Slovakia
Historic castles, dramatic mountain views and ample space for hiking and biking make this European country a true joy for lovers of the outdoors.
Gibraltar
Nature reserves, cheeky macaques, historic underground tunnels and stunning sea views are some of the attractions that await in this British Overseas Territory.
San Marino
One of the worldβs smallest countries lies within eastern Italyβs countryside. Visit the longstanding city-state for natural beauty, culture and food specialties.
Lithuania
This underrated Baltic destination offers an intriguing assortment of attractions, from Soviet remains, to centuries-old castles, to sandy stretches of coastline.
Latvia
Admire quirky art nouveau architecture, climb to the top of medieval castles and spot wildlife in a nature park in this enticing Eastern European country.
Vatican City
Marvel at the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel, venture inside majestic St. Paulβs and perhaps even see the pope himself in this tiny European state.