One Must-Visit Attraction in Each of Europe’s Most Popular Cities
Tags: Travel, Tourism, Europe

When you travel abroad, you want to get the most out of your short time there. An optimal itinerary includes the most popular sites for each city.

Get started with these top 25 must visit attractions in Europe.

1. Amsterdam — Anne Frank House

A tour of the Anne Frank House is a must for anyone in Amsterdam, Netherlands, whether for a day or for a month. It is the actual house where Anne Frank hid with her family during the Holocaust, nestled right in the center of this modern city. Book a reservation and arrive early so you don’t have to stand in lines that circle the block.

2. Athens — Parthenon

As the former temple of the Greek goddess Athena, the Parthenon is a historic relic. Completed in 432 BC in Athens, Greece, this monument features Classical Greek architecture and is considered the finest example of such. Inside the white columns are sculptures called friezes that detail Greek mythology in 3D.

3. Barcelona — Sagrada Familia

The massive Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, Spain is officially titled the Basicila i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia. The many jutting and pointed towers including the Tower of the Virgin Mary make this building one of the world’s tallest religious buildings.

4. Berlin — Berlin Wall

While the original Berlin Wall dividing this German city may have fallen in 1989, the city has never forgotten the connection to the Cold War. Today visitors go to see the East Side Gallery that is an open-air memorial dedicated to international freedom.

5. Brussels — Atomium

If you ever wondered what an atom looks like, now is your chance. As one of the must visit attractions of Europe, Atomium in Brussels, Belgium is a 335-foot tall metal sculpture of an atom. Constructed for the World’s Fair in 1958, you can actually go inside Atomium for a once in a lifetime experience.

6. Budapest — Fisherman’s Bastion

As one of Budapest’s most popular attractions, the Fisherman’s Bastion is unique, to say the least. This is a fortification overlooking Budapest, Hungary, offering panoramic views for miles. Yet the fortress is more like a fairy tale kingdom complete with castle walls and towers constructed in a Gothic and Romanesque style.

7. Copenhagen — Tivoli Gardens

For anyone who loves amusement parks, Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark is a bucket list adventure. The amusement park is one of the world’s oldest, dating back to 1843. Open-air concert venues and gardens are matched by amusement rides and carnival games, which are must visit attractions for visitors of all ages.

8. Dublin — Trinity College Library

Library lovers and book enthusiasts flock to the Trinity College Library for a glimpse of the Book of Kells, along with other rare manuscripts and three medieval Gaelic harps — the national symbol of Ireland. In addition to the Long Room, the Old Library is one of the biggest attractions in the country.

9. Dubrovnik — Walls of Dubrovnik

Overlooking the turquoise waters of southern Croatia is the mighty and medieval Walls of Dubrovnik. If you are a Game of Thrones fanatic, these are must visit attractions that you’ve already seen in King’s Landing. In fact, the Bokar Fortress, Seaside Walls, Minceta Tower, and West Walls of Dubrovnik were used in filming the hit HBO series.

10. Edinburgh — Arthur’s Seat

Arthur’s Seat offers a summit perfect for viewing the entirety of Edinburgh, Scotland. Originally known as the Height of Arrows, this magnificent hilltop is actually an ancient volcano. Today the hill is a 250-foot high peak perfect for hillwalking and enjoying the Scottish air.

11. Florence — Ponte Vecchio

Florence, Italy is home to the medieval stone arched bridge called Ponte Vecchio. Overlooking Arno River, the bridge is the oldest in the city dating back to 1218. Today visitors consider the bridge to be a romantic place to take an evening stroll while overlooking the river.

12. Helsinki — Helsinki Cathedral

The magnificent green dome and white neoclassical design of the Lutheran Cathedral of Helsinki is a must visit attraction in Finland. Built in 1830 to commemorate Tsar Nicholas I of Russia, the cathedral is also called St. Nicholas’ Church. If you are traveling to Helsinki in Christmas, you’ll be on hand to experience the glorious procession of Lucia, which is a major Finnish holiday tradition.

13. Lisbon –Tower of Belem

When traveling to Lisbon, Portugal, the Tower of Belem is the most popular attraction in Lisbon. Dedicated to the Age of Discovery, the fortified tower is an estuary defense system. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and national symbol.

14. London — Big Ben

The most famous clock tower in the world, Big Ben is an ever-present symbol of London, England. While visiting the Houses of Parliament and Palace of Westminster, be sure to look up and view this iconic landmark. But did you know the clock tower is actually named the Great Bell?

15. Lucerne — Pilatus

Mount Pilatus is one of the most legendary mountain massif located in Lucerne, Switzerland. A massif is a mountain made of several peaks rather than one zenith. To reach the top consider a ride along the Pilatus Railway, which is the steepest cogwheel railway on the planet.

16. Madrid — Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor was built in the 15th century in the center of Madrid, Spain. Today the central plaza with its Baroque architecture is highly popular among tourists and shoppers alike.

17. Munich — Marienplatz

Located in Munich, Germany the Marienplatz is the central square of the city. Built in the Middle Ages, the square is the heart of Old Town and a popular starting point for local tours.

18. Oslo — Holmenkollbakken

Holmenkollbakken is a ski jumping hill in Oslo, Norway that is the pinnacle of success for the world’s most famous ski jumpers. Visitors can also enjoy cross-country skiing in this massive arena, along with a tour of the Holmenkollbakken Ski Museum.

19. Paris — Louvre

Anyone interested in art understands the magnitude of the Louvre in Paris, France. The world’s largest and most extensive museum of art, here you’ll see the infamous Mona Lisa.

20. Prague — Astronomical Clock

The Astronomical Clock is a medieval wonder that is located in Old Town in Prague, Czech Republic (Czechia). In fact, it is the third oldest such clock on the planet dating back to 1410.

21. Reykjavik — Hallgrimskirkja

In Reykjavik, Iceland the Hallgrimskirkja Church is the city’s main landmark. The Lutheran church is a 244-tall tower in a minimalist style in a combination of Expressionist and Gothic Revival design jutting straight up to the sky.

22. Rome — Trevi Fountain

Considered the most beautiful fountain in all of Rome, Italy, Trevi Fountain features an elaborate stone sculpture of the papal coat of arms. It is said that visitors who toss a coin in the fountain will return to Rome one day.

23. Stockholm — Vasa Museum

The maritime Vasa Museum in Stockholm, Sweden features the world’s only 17th century ship in complete preservation. To get there you’ll need to travel to the island of Djurgarden.

24. Venice — Rialto Bridge

In Venice, Italy the Rialto Bridge is one of the must visit attractions of the city. It is an architectural icon dating back to the Renaissance period.

25. Vienna — Schonbrunn Palace

The Schonbrunn Palace opened in 1699 as a summer home in Vienna, Austria for Habsburg emperors. Today visitors can tour the 1,441-room Baroque palace, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Why visit the most popular tourist attractions? You gain the greatest local perspective while visiting locations that are organized just for you, the tourist. Everything from opening hours and queues to refreshment stands and gift shops is tailored toward creating a well-rounded experience for visitors. Now all you need to do is pick out the best destinations from this list for the cities you are traveling to.

Plan your European vacation with the help of the travel experts at go-today.