From the ancient ruins of Rome to the contemporary metropolises of London and Paris, Europe is a continent rich in history and culture. It also has a diverse and rich legacy that is exclusive to the region. Europe has been a center of creativity and culture for millennia, as seen by the numerous monuments, museums, and galleries found throughout the continent.
There is no denying that Europe has many breathtaking locations to explore. There is an almost limitless list of breathtaking locations to discover, including its majestic cities, villages reminiscent of fairy tales, towering mountain ranges, and stunning beaches. These ten stunning locations in Europe are perfect for exploring, whether you are organizing your very first vacation there or simply trying to decide where to go next.
THE ITALY DOLOMITES
One of Europe’s most breathtaking travel destinations is the Dolomites in Italy, which feature craggy mountain peaks, quaint villages, and stunning lakes.
This is a hiking haven that draws people of all ages and skill levels in the summer. Hikers can reach some of the highest peaks via chair lifts, making it easy to capture some truly breathtaking vistas.
Skiers descend these same mountains in the winter, experiencing a snow-covered winter wonderland.
Top Experiences: There are numerous hiking options in the Dolomites, with Tre Cime di Lavaredo being one of the most well-liked treks. The Puez-Odle Altopiano walk is one of our favorites. If trekking isn’t your thing, we’ve put together a list of the top activities in the Dolomites that involve little to no hiking.
When Is the Right Time to Visit the Dolomites? From Venice or Verona, one might make a day journey to the Dolomites. Plan on staying here for at least two or three days for the finest experience. This allows you ample time to take in the scenery, go hiking, and ride the cable cars throughout the summer. See our Dolomites Itinerary for ideas on how to organize your trip.
Greece’s Santorini
The ruins of an old volcano make up the island of Santorini. All that’s left is the caldera’s rim, and some of Europe’s most picturesque villages are situated here.
One of Santorini’s most exquisite villages is Oia. Photographers will find a breathtaking backdrop of windmills and blue-domed cathedrals interspersed among the cascades of whitewashed dwellings. This place appears even more magnificent as the sun sets because the buildings sparkle in hues of pink, orange, and yellow. It’s undoubtedly a sight to behold.
Top Activities: Take a sunset cruise, visit the red, white, and black sand beaches, and take in the aerial view of the island from Profit Ilias. You can also explore the towns of Oia, Imerovigli, and Fira. Watch the Oia sunset, of course.
How Much Time Should You Allocate to Santorini? The ideal length of time to see the cities, beaches, and sunsets from Oia and a cruise ship is three days in Santorini.
France’s Paris
Paris is among the most beautiful cities in Europe. One of the most beautiful cities in the world is made up of big boulevards, magnificent buildings, parks and gardens, street cafes, and monuments.
Top Experiences: Admire the view of the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. Take a tour of Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and the Musée d’Orsay. Take a stroll along the Seine River and along the Champs-Élysées. Go to Montmartre, eat French food, and have lunch at a street café.
How Much Time Should You Allocate to Paris? Allocate three days to explore Paris for the ultimate experience. This allows you ample time to explore this amazing city and have the best experiences possible.
Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way
Ireland’s western coast is home to 1600 miles of road known as the Wild Atlantic Way. Traveling the Wild Atlantic Way by car is a challenging experience. It would take more than a month to travel the entire length of the Wild Atlantic Way, stopping at every viewpoint along the way. You can concentrate on a short section of the drive or just see the most important parts if you have less time.
Top Experiences: A few of the sites along the Wild Atlantic Way are the Cliffs of Moher, the Dingle Peninsula, and the Ring of Kerry. However, there are a ton of lesser-known vistas to explore that are equally dramatic. On the drive, there are actually 157 Discovery Points to see.
How Much Time Is Enough to Travel the Wild Atlantic Way? Driving the entire length of the Wild Atlantic Way takes at least three days, yet this hardly allows you enough time to fully appreciate the scenery. For the finest experience, budget at least five days for a road trip down the coast.
France’s Mont Saint-Michèle
The island of Mont Saint-Michel is situated in northern France. The medieval walls encircle this island, which is crowned by a historic settlement and abbey. Although the majority of the time it is encircled by sand, Mont Saint-Michel seems to be a floating island during high tide.
Top Activities: Take a tour of the abbey, meander through the little alleyways, go shopping, and take a picture of Mont Saint-Michel during high tide.
How much time is enough to spend at Mont Saint-Michel? While it is feasible to go to Mont Saint-Michel in a single day from Paris, spending the night in one of the neighboring towns will provide the most memorable experience. Find out more by going here.
Netherlands / Keukenhof
Keukenhof is a wonderland of blooming tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils between April and May. If you happen to be in Amsterdam during these months, it is quite stunning and definitely worth a visit.
Top Activities: Browse the gift shops, take lots of pictures, and stroll through the gardens.
How Much Time Is It Worth to Visit Keukenhof? A trip to Keukenhof includes transportation to and from Amsterdam and takes about 1.5 days.
MADERA, PORTUGAL
A little Portuguese archipelago called Madeira is situated west of Morocco in the Atlantic Ocean. Over a million visitors visit the area each year, drawn by the scenery, hiking trails, beaches, cuisine, and Madeira wine.
Top Activities: Hike, see the black sand beaches, swim in lava pools, and explore the town of Funchal.
How Much Time Should You Take to See Madeira? Plan to spend at least 7 days to take in the sites, trek the trails, and take in the breathtaking vistas for the greatest experience. Find out more by going here.
Germany’s Basti
One of Germany’s most distinctive landscapes is the Bastei. Overlooking the Elbe River and the verdant surroundings are enormous sandstone rock pinnacles. A striking stone bridge that links these towering rock formations but appears to go nowhere spans these pinnacles.
The angular sandstone rock formations seen in Saxon Switzerland National Park are referred to as Bastei. These rocks were home to the Neurathen Castle hundreds of years ago. These days, not much of that fortress is left. The main draw here is the bridge, known as the Basteibrücke (Bastion Bridge).
LAKE BLED, SLOVENIA
Everything you need for the ideal escape is right here in Lake Bled.There’s a castle high on a hill, a cute tiny island to explore, hiking paths, quiet bathing areas, and an amazing dessert.
Top Activities: Take a stroll around the lake, see Vintgar Gorge, hike to Mala Osojnica for the greatest view of the lake, go stand-up paddle boarding, and eat a slice of bled cream cake.
How Much Time Is Enough to Spend at Lake Bled? You only need to spend one day seeing the main attractions. This is a popular day trip destination from Ljubljana. To truly explore this area, however, allow several days, if possible, either here or at neighboring Lake Bohinj.
