10 Best Things to Do in Europe

The landmarks of Paris are world-famous and mostly located in the heart of the city. This means so many great places are within walking distance that you can visit many, even if you’re not staying long. After taking in the gorgeous Paris skyline, you might start at the Eiffel Tower before heading off to see more.

Cross the Seine and walk to the inspiring Arc de Triomphe and let it spur you onwards, southeast along the Avenue des Champs Élysées towards the Tuileries Garden and the Louvre Museum. When you’ve had your fill of the art there, Notre-Dame is just a few minutes away.

London museums showcase a wealth of history from the time of the dinosaurs to the modern age. The British Museum, the first national museum to open its doors to the public, is the obvious starting point. Its vast collections could keep you busy for your whole trip on their own, but we recommend you don’t stop there.

The Tower of London is a museum as well as a popular landmark, while the Science Museum or the Natural History Museum, perfect for dinosaur fans, are great family-friendly options. If you’re more into mechanical wonders, why not try The London Transport Museum, which houses steam engines, double-decker buses and other vehicles you can explore inside and out. These are just the beginning.

In Rome, famous ancient ruins are never too far away. The Colosseum is the most famous of them without a doubt, and you should start there if you’re a first-time visitor. After gazing upon the majestic amphitheatre, check out the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, which are right next door. These are packed with important historical sights there, such as the houses of Augustus and Livia.

The Basilica of San Clemente is equally close. Underneath the medieval basilica is a 4th century early Christian church as well as a 3rd century Mithraic temple, perfectly preserved. Don’t miss the nearby Mercati di Traiano, the world’s first shopping mall from the 2nd century.

Hopping on a ferry from one Greek island to another lets you take your time to absorb the stunning vistas of the Aegean Sea. There are numerous ways to make such a trip. Some of the starting points we recommend are Athens, Thessaloniki, Igoumenitsa and Patras. It all depends on which islands you’re planning to visit.

The islands of Hydra, Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Corfu and Naxos are just a few outstanding holiday spots worth considering in these waters. Do some research, pick your route and remember to book early. Many of the islands are hugely popular.

The Giant’s Causeway is an awe-inspiring natural wonder on the north coast of Northern Ireland. It consists of around 40,000 basalt columns created by a volcanic eruption 10s of millions of years ago. UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Site.

The more enthralling story behind the place is an ancient local legend. It claims that the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill built the causeway to fight a Scottish giant. Whatever the truth, you should definitely plan to visit this place of myths. If you are in Belfast or Londonderry, it will only take an hour or so.

The Romantic Road is a scenic road trip through Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, featuring castles, picturesque villages and vineyards. Start from Würzburg and remember to check out the Würzburg Residence, a grand Baroque palace, before you point your car towards Füssen. Soon enough you’ll arrive in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a beautiful medieval town.

Further along the way you’ll discover the beauty of Nördlingen, the village of Harburg and its castle and bucolic Steingaden with its rococo church. An unmissable stop on this tour is Neuschwanstein Castle, one of the most astonishing castles in Europe, built by King Ludwig II as his own residence, sparing no expense.

The Alps are a classic choice for enjoying winter sports and for a good reason. Straddling several European countries, the beautiful mountains seem to go on forever. If you fancy downhill skiing, head to Gstaad, Kitzbühel or Chamonix, depending on your skill level. All of them have at least some runs suitable for beginners.

Other sports are on offer in the Alps, of course. Cross-country skiing is excellent exercise and places like St Moritz and Davos are where the world’s best come to train. You should also consider snow tubing, ice skating or dog sledding. For a change try fatbiking – these bicycles won’t get stuck in the snow.

So many towns in Belgium still feature well-preserved medieval architecture that you’ll be spoiled for choice. Busy cities like Antwerp or Brussels still have plenty of architecture to admire, and we recommend the fortress of Het Steen in Antwerp and the Grand Place in Brussels.

Do not neglect the many smaller Belgian towns and villages, Tournai and Kortrijk both have incredible buildings protected by UNESCO, while Mechelen has a lovely old town centre. Then there’s Bruges. One of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, the entire historic centre of this astonishing city is another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ibiza’s vibrant nightlife has made the island famous with fans of electronic music. You’ll find a great variety of night clubs, beach clubs, garden bars and rooftop bars including the world’s biggest nightclub, Privilege Ibiza. It should be enough even for the most hardened dance enthusiast, capable of holding an astonishing 10,000 people.

Other noteworthy clubs include Amnesia, Hï Ibiza, Pacha Ibiza, Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Club and DC-10. Many DJ superstars regularly play Ibiza, so if the latest beats are your thing, look no further.

The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis to use their scientific name, are a magical astronomical event. As the name implies, the best places to witness them are in the Nordic countries. Finland, Norway and Sweden lie across the Arctic Circle and have the dark winter nights that are essential for the best viewing experience.

Whichever country you choose, travel far north to optimise your chances of seeing this celestial display. Cities like Tromsø in Norway, Kiruna in Sweden and Rovaniemi in Finland are popular destinations. As they are a natural wonder, the Northern Lights are unpredictable and may not be visible. September to March offer the best viewing conditions, but all 3 countries also offer plenty of other winter activities.