Europe attractions, photos and descriptions
There are so many attractions in European countries that it is difficult to single out the most significant ones. Some people are more interested in ancient monuments. Some people prefer to visit modern attractions. In European cities there are several dozen architectural monuments included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The most famous and visited ones are described in the article.
Coliseum
The construction of this gigantic structure, located in the Italian capital, began in 72, and it lasted eight years. Like other Roman amphitheatres, the Collisium is an ellipse, the middle of which is occupied by an arena. This landmark of Europe differs from all similar structures in its size. The walls of the Colosseum are made of large marble. The ancient master used tuff as a finishing material.
Today the Colosseum is under the protection of the Italian government. In the 20th century, excavations were carried out under the arena, during which archaeologists discovered basement rooms.
In the 1930s, near the city of Gniezno, archaeologists discovered the remains of a large settlement. Thanks to the preservative effect of lake silt, not only parts of wooden buildings, but also many objects were preserved. This gave scientists a unique opportunity to restore the ancient settlement to its original form. The find created a sensation in the scientific world.
Every year in the summer an archaeological festival is held on the territory of the former settlement, attracting thousands of participants. Today Biskupin is a famous open-air museum and one of the most famous attractions in Eastern Europe. Thanks to the work of archaeologists, tourists have the opportunity to stroll along ancient streets and even visit ancient houses.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
The bell tower was erected in two stages with an interval of one hundred years. Construction began in 1173. By that time, the ensemble of the square, Piazza dei Miracoli, had already practically taken shape. Almost 100 years later, three more tiers with loggias and galleries appeared, resulting in the total height of the tower reaching 48 meters.
In 2008, experts declared that the fall of the Leaning Tower of Pisa had been stopped. This was preceded by a number of complex events. The condition of the famous bell tower is under the control of scientists. Since 1987, the complex has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
St Paul's Cathedral
This is one of the greatest domed structures in Christendom, the seat of the Bishop of London. The cathedral is located on Ludgate Hill in the center of the City. One of the main attractions of the temple is the Whispering Gallery, located in the inner part of the dome at an altitude of 55 meters. Here you can observe a unique acoustic effect: if you pronounce a word while standing facing the wall at one end of the gallery, it will be heard at the other, but not in the center. In addition, from the gallery you can admire eight magnificent frescoes by James Thornhill, depicting scenes from the life of St. Paul.
The Charles Bridge
The oldest crossing of the Vltava is recognized throughout the world as an engineering and artistic masterpiece of the Gothic style. This is the oldest bridge in the capital of the Czech Republic. It is decorated with thirty sculptures in the Baroque style.
The first stone in the foundation of the stone structure was laid personally by Charles IV. For almost 5 centuries this bridge remained the only one in Prague. It was only in the thirties of the 19th century that other crossings across the Vltava began to be built.
Humanity has built thousands of bridges. However, few of them are significant monuments of their eras, which travelers from all over the world strive to see. The Charles Bridge in Prague is one of these mysterious echoes of the Middle Ages.
Notre Dame Cathedral
This temple is a masterpiece of early French Gothic, the spiritual heart and calling card of Paris. It is located in the historical center of the city on the Ile de la Cité. The cathedral began to be built in the 12th century on the site where the Temple of Saint Etienne was located. The initiator was the Parisian bishop. The first stone was laid by Pope Alexander III in 1163.
Notre Dame Cathedral symbolizes kilometer zero, where all the roads radiating out from Paris converge.
Tower
Several famous European landmarks are located in London. One of them is a fortress on the north bank of the Thames. At different times there was a prison, a royal residence, an observatory, a state archive, a menagerie, a mint, and a royal arsenal here.
The famous landmark of Europe appeared thanks to King William I the Conqueror. When Norman troops treacherously invaded Britain in 1166 and defeated the last Anglo-Saxon king, Harold, their leader began building a fortress right at the city gates of London. William wanted to simultaneously control the mouth of the Thames and intimidate the local residents, who were distinguished by their rebellious and freedom-loving disposition.
Almost from the moment of its foundation, this castle became a prison for state criminals. Prisoners of the Hundred Years' War languished here - the French king John II and Duke Charles of Orleans.
In the halls of the fortress museum today you can see ancient instruments of torture, in the courtyard - the place where the scaffold stood, in the treasury - the crown and scepter of the British Empire.
Cologne Cathedral
This temple is the largest in Germany and one of the medieval monuments in Europe. The attraction belongs to the Roman Catholic Church and is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne. About 20 thousand people visit the temple every day.
The place where the cathedral is located was already sacred to local peasants in the Roman period. During excavations there, the foundations of several early churches were discovered.
The first stone for the foundation of the modern cathedral building was laid on August 15, 1248 by Bishop Conrad von Hofstaden. However, around 1450 construction stopped completely. Times have changed: the Reformation was brewing, the economy of fragmented Germany fell into decay, and the Thirty Years' War broke out in the 17th century. The Gothic style went out of fashion and was replaced by the Renaissance and Baroque.
During the occupation of the city by the French, Napoleon expelled the clergy from the cathedral and placed a fodder warehouse for his army there. But in the middle of the 19th century, on the wave of patriotic upsurge, construction was finally completed. More than six hundred years have passed since construction began.
This landmark of Western Europe is a huge five-day basilica, shaped like a Latin cross with a rounded top. The walls are made of trachyte stone. The outside of the building is replete with pilasters, flying buttresses, decorative carvings, and sculptural plastic.
Intercession Cathedral
The Intercession Cathedral on the Moat is one of the ancient symbols of the Russian capital, a unique example of Russian architecture. More often this landmark of Eastern Europe is called the Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed.
It so happened in Rus' that especially significant events were celebrated not by the construction of monuments, but by the construction of temples. In October 1552, Moscow celebrated one of the decisive victories in Rus''s difficult struggle against a dangerous enemy, namely the capture of Kazan by the troops of Ivan the Terrible.
The triumphant king ordered that a temple be built in honor of each stage of the victory, and the dedication be associated with the names of saints whose memory falls on the days of victories. This is how several churches appeared in Russia, but only one of them was destined to become a symbol of the White Stone Church, an architectural monument known throughout Europe.
Several legends are associated with the Kremlin landmark. One of them: in 1812, Napoleon was so amazed by the miracle of the Intercession Cathedral that he wanted to move the building to Paris. Finding no way to do this, he ordered the building to be blown up, but heavy rain extinguished the burnt wicks.
Venice
It is in this Italian city that the most romantic sights of Europe are concentrated. Photos and descriptions of the legendary Venetian bridges are presented below.
The city is crossed by about 150 canals, and the islands are connected by more than 400 structures. The oldest of them is the wooden Arsenal Bridge, connecting two crenellated towers on opposite banks of the canal of the same name.
The most famous bridge in Venice is the Rialto, which connects the banks of the Grand Canal. For several centuries it was made of wood. In the 16th century, the structure collapsed, and then the Doge announced a competition for the construction of a stone bridge. Among others, the great Renaissance architects Michelangelo and Sansovino presented their projects. In three years, according to his design by the winner, Antonio de Ponte, the stone Rialto Bridge, 48 meters long, was erected.
Another symbol of Venice is the Bridge of Sighs. This is the only path that connects the Doge's Palace with the building of the former city prison. Prisoners walked along it to the cell, and those sentenced to death were led to execution. Through the two barred windows of the bridge, they saw a piece of sky for the last time and sighed sadly. As many people mistakenly believe, the bridge has nothing to do with lovers.
Palace of Versailles
Versailles are the palaces of the French kings, surrounded by luxurious gardens and rushing fountains. More than four centuries ago, an architectural and park ensemble was created, which today is included in the list of the most grandiose attractions in Europe. Every person has seen a photo of Versailles at least once in their life. This is one of the symbols of France.
The first king to hunt in the game-rich forests of Versailles was Henry IV. His son, Louis XIII, built a modest hunting lodge on these lands in 1623. This moment is considered to be the beginning of the history of Versailles, which, perhaps, can be considered one of the main attractions of Europe.
The next French king decided to build a castle on the site of the hunting house. To implement the grandiose plan, he invited the best craftsmen. Construction began in 1661. Completed in 1682.
The scale of Versailles still amazes today. The length of the palace is 500 meters. The total area of the ensemble is about 10 km 2 . A modest hunting lodge in the woods near Paris turned into a magnificent palace, where the luxury of the French royal palace shone.
Dancing House in Prague
Prague is a city where almost every building has become a significant part of history. Including this house, located on Resslova Street and the Vltava embankment.
People call it the “dancing house” or “Ginger and Fred” - in association with Hollywood dancers of the 20th century. And in fact, two towers located in close proximity, made in the style of constructivism, are very reminiscent of a pair of giants gliding along the streets of the Czech capital in a graceful dance.
Eiffel Tower
In 1884, the French government decided to hold a world exhibition in Paris to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. At its entrance they planned to erect an extraordinary monument that would capture the imagination of participants and visitors.
Employees of the Eiffel engineering firm proposed creating a metal tower 300 m high. Construction began in 1887. It caused protests from many respected cultural figures, including writers Guy De Maupassant and Alexandre Dumas fils. However, construction continued. The opening took place in March 1889.
The attractions of Europe are those objects of the cultural heritage of the Earth that do not need to be advertised or argued for the importance of visiting them. Europe has always been a place that many tourists dream of visiting. It is part of and washed by the seas of two oceans - the Atlantic and Arctic. In addition, in Europe there are more than 40 states, which are home to approximately an eighth of the world's population. Therefore, various outstanding places simply abound here. And each of them is a separate story, life, universe. Every resident has heard about these architectural masterpieces, and many of them simply break records in terms of attendance. After all, how can you not want to see the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben or the Roman Colosseum? Therefore, let's not waste time, but go to a place where breathing stops, heartbeat quickens, and the mind is transported to the distant, distant past.
Western Europe and attractions of this part of the world
Travel to European capitals
The capitals of Europe are something unique: London, Paris, Stockholm, Kyiv, Sofia or Prague leave unforgettable impressions in the memory of tourists. Each of these cities amazes with its grandeur; here the breath of history is felt at every step. And the sights of the capitals of Europe are unique masterpieces of architecture, rich museums and unsurpassed towers and castles. Just look at Stockholm alone, which is the capital of Sweden. This city attracts people with its high standard of living, beaches and historical and modern monuments.
Once you arrive in Stockholm, it won’t take you long to see all the sights. But you can start the tour, for example, from the Kaknastornet television tower. It was created in 1967, and the author of its project was Bengt Lindros. The height of the sculpture reaches 155 meters excluding the antenna. With it, this figure will increase to 170 meters.
It is also recommended to visit the ABBA Museum. These are two places that make up the best attractions in Europe today. Besides them, there are many more objects included in this category, but we will only remember these. In 1974, she blew up the music world. And in 2013, a museum dedicated to the work of this group opened on the island of Djurgården. Here are the outfits of musicians, which visitors have the opportunity to try on.
Belgian Brussels
Another city in which many attractions of foreign Europe have gathered. The heart of the capital, and the whole country, is the Grand Place. The immortal Victor Hugo called this place the most beautiful square among all European squares. And his words have a right to exist.
Grand Place literally means "big market". Here are two more equally important and wonderful masterpieces: the House of the King and There used to be swamps on the territory of the square. And in the 12th century, the Grand Place arose on the site of these dried reservoirs. A little later, in 1402, its construction began.
Brussels is also famous for the Mini-Europe park, where you can see all the main attractions of Europe in just a few hours. Thus, on an area of 24 thousand meters there are 80 cities and 350 buildings. There is the Eiffel Tower, reaching the height of a three-story building, a four-meter Big Ben, as well as small copies of the most memorable monuments of the European Union.
From west to east
Western Europe is not all of Eurasia. The famous places of this part of the European continent are no less amazing than the sights of Eastern Europe. The states of these borders include: Belarus, Moldova, Slovakia, Ukraine, Hungary and other countries. And even if there are not many architectural masterpieces here, they are all of great historical value.
Take Hungary, for example, almost the entire territory of which is saturated with natural, cultural and historical objects of planetary significance. Hungary, or as it is also called Pannonia, in the old days served as the eastern border of the Roman Empire. Tribes of Slavs, Romans and Germans lived here. The Hungarian tribes arrived only in 896. The city of Székesfehérvár is famous for its museum called “The Ruins of Gorzium”, and Szolnok is impossible to imagine without an archaeological museum.
Sights everyone has heard of
There are some sights of European countries that every person on Earth knows about. These include the English Stonehenge. This monument was built in prehistoric times, and is located in Wiltshire. This is one of the most mystical and mysterious structures. Stonehenge dates back to the Bronze and Neolithic Ages and contains hundreds of burial mounds.
In Belgium, the most visited attraction is the Atomium. At the end of the 1950s, the World Exhibition took place in the capital of the country. In honor of this event, the Belgians built a huge monument resembling nine atoms, which are combined into a crystalline lattice of iron. It is magnified 165 billion times.
Eiffel Tower
Well, how can you describe the sights without mentioning one of the symbols of Paris - the Eiffel Tower? It is simply impossible not to recognize this design, unless you were frozen several thousand years ago and have just woken up. The author of the object was Gustav Eiffel. He created his masterpiece in honor of the centenary of the French Revolution in 1789. It was decided to celebrate this date by holding the Paris World Exhibition. And the 360-meter metal tower became its main exhibit in the category of the newest technical achievements.
There are several curious cases associated with the Eiffel Tower. And here is one of them: Franz Reichel, a tailor, in order to check how his own parachute cape works, jumped from a 60-meter height of the first tier of the tower. Naturally, the unfortunate fell to his death.
Holidays in Europe have long established themselves on the positive side and are associated with excellent, interesting holidays and high tourist services. And millions of tourists from all over the world strive to visit many of the sights of Europe, which have become famous throughout the world for their unique beauty and chic.
Sights of Europe that everyone wants to see
For centuries, European countries came into close contact with each other, thereby becoming closely linked economically and historically. However, each state carefully preserves its traditions and characteristics. Looking and comparing sights of Europe, you can easily discern the differences in the culture of these countries.
However, some sights of foreign Europe turned into legends that many travelers dream about. Such famous places include the Colosseum and Pantheon in Rome, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, London's Big Ben, the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Each European capital has its own unique and historically significant places.
Architectural monuments of Europe
As you know, European countries are famous for their luxurious palaces. The walls of many of them remember the times of the real kings and knights who lived there. And these days, visiting these places is a great way to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of that distant time. Looking at these sights of European countries, willy-nilly you will believe in fairy tales about dragons and brave princes.
To do this, it is worth traveling to the south of Germany to visit Hohenschwangau Castle, where the German king used to live. This majestic castle stands on the border with Austria, where another crown of German architecture, Neuschwanstein, is located nearby. French palaces also look very impressive, and a prime example of this is Brissac Castle. And when visiting Rome, don’t forget to admire the Castel Sant’Angelo, which houses a large collection of paintings.
As is known, the most interesting places in Europe are the most visited among tourists. One of these places is the Ferris wheel, which is installed in London on the banks of the Thames. From the top you'll be able to see classic London at its best, with a bird's eye view of all the sights. Having visited Venice, you should not deny yourself the pleasure of riding gondolas through the narrow streets.
Lovers of mysticism will love a trip to Romania, because this is where the famous Dracula lived. Writer Bram Stoker settled his character in Bran Castle, which is now the main stronghold of vampires. In general, Europe is a single territory with the most interesting features, the study of which will take a huge amount of time and give strong, unforgettable emotions.
Today, the phrase spoken by the writer and photographer Ilya Ehrenburg has become a catchphrase: “To see and to die.” But in fact, in Europe, besides Paris (as well as Rome and Naples, where this saying “grows from”), there are so many beautiful places that half a lifetime is not enough to see and explore them. We at TravelAsk decided to make our selection of the most fascinating places in Europe that you need to see before you die. And they are so beautiful that you will definitely want to pack your bags for a trip!
Galesnjak Island, Croatia
Welcome to the Island of Love! A few kilometers from Zadar there is an amazing heart-shaped island called Galeshnjak. The island is very small (only 130 square meters) and completely uninhabited. Imagine what a wonderful trip you can take here, or fly over the island in a hot air balloon!
Village of Hallstatt, Austria
This wonderful Austrian village, home to just 800 people, is so beautiful that an exact replica of it has been reproduced in China. It is located near Salzburg, and has been known since the beginning of the 14th century.
Mont Saint Michel, France
One of the most visited places in France, perhaps only surpassed by the Eiffel Tower. This is another symbol of the country that is photographed by travelers from all over the world.
This island-fortress is located in Normandy; the city appeared here in 709! No more than 40 people live here, and the number of guests every year is about two million!
Faroe Islands, Denmark
The Faroe Islands are located between Scotland and Iceland and are autonomous within Denmark. Serenity, green roofs and beautiful landscapes, it seems that here nature has been preserved in its original form. However, not everything here is as calm as it might seem. The locals have a bloody tradition called Grindadrap: they hunt black dolphins. They are driven on boats to the shore and killed with knives and axes.
About a thousand pilot whales are slaughtered here every year. And during the hunt, even the sea turns red.
Meteora, Greece
You've probably seen these majestic monasteries of Greece, famous throughout the world. But you can feel all the harmony of nature, the strength of the human spirit and incredible architecture only here. Monasteries seem to hang in the sky!
Until the beginning of the twentieth century, it was possible to climb to the peaks only using a rope ladder or in special baskets carried by monks. Now there is a permanent staircase, so tourists have much more opportunities to see this miracle.
Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Iceland
The Seljalandsfoss waterfall is an incredible sight, especially during sunset. Well, its main feature is that you can go behind the waterfall and see it from all sides.
Bled, Slovenia
This wonderful resort town with a population of 5 thousand people has established itself as one of the most beautiful in Europe. The city is located on the shores of Lake Bled and there is definitely something to see.
Bled Castle, built at the beginning of the 10th century on the top of a steep cliff.
Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, located on a small island in the middle of Lake Bled.
Oludeniz, Türkiye
Do you think Turkey can no longer surprise you? Check out this beach, considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. It is located, surrounded by mountains, on the territory of a nature reserve, and the hotels here are only first-class. One of the best places to enjoy the turquoise water and peace under the blue flag.
St Kilda, Scotland
St Kilda is a Scottish archipelago located inland from the United Kingdom. And this place is of particular value: marine, natural and cultural; there are very few such places on the planet. The thing is that no one lives here, and in the most densely populated times there were hardly more than 200 people living here. The people here have left stone houses, giving the islands a special flavor.
However, it has its own inhabitants: birds and animals, you can observe them in the wild.
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
You will surely fall in love with Plitvice Lakes: it is one of the most beautiful parks in Europe. 16 large lakes with sky-colored water, which are connected to each other by waterfalls. There are about a hundred of them here. The most interesting thing is that waterfalls appear constantly: the fact is that the mountains here are limestone, they are constantly eroded, and tree trunks that have fallen into the water form natural barriers over time.
Lavender fields, France
These incredible landscapes seem like a fairy tale, but they really exist! To capture this enchanting beauty, millions of travelers travel to Provence. Fluffy lavender fields stretch for several kilometers to the horizon and look more like a soft carpet on which you want to lie down and fall asleep to see even more fantastic dreams, isn’t it?
Dark Hedges Alley, UK
If you think that this fabulous and slightly scary forest is a prop from a science fiction film, you are mistaken. See how amazing nature can be.
These beech trees are about three hundred years old and grow near the village of Armoy in Northern Ireland. Thousands of photographers come here to capture this beautiful alley.
Zaanse Schans, Netherlands
These mills, surrounded by tulip fields, are famous all over the world. - this is not just a village, it is an open-air museum where the best examples of Dutch wooden architecture are presented.
Etna, Italy
By far, Etna is the most famous volcano in Europe. But it is also one of the most active volcanoes in the world: it has more than 100 eruptions in one century. All this power and strength is definitely worth seeing with your own eyes.
Fjords, Norway
This is one of the best places for meditation: rocks and mountains rising from the water, covered with dense greenery and snow caps. You simply must visit here at least once in your life.
In this collection you will learn about the most popular attractions in Europe. The list is based on the number of tourists visiting a particular place in Europe each year. Most of the places included in this rating are probably already known to you from stories on LifeGlobe, and you have already visited some on your own.
Pleasure Beach Park
This theme park is visited by approximately 5 million guests annually. Pleasure Beach in Blackpool is the UK's most famous Theme Park. It is the most visited attraction in the United Kingdom and one of the twenty most visited amusement parks in the world. Pleasure Beach is located along the coast of Blackpool, Lancashire. On an area of 170,000 square meters there are 38 roller coasters and many other attractions. 
Palace of Versailles in Paris
Parisian Versailles is visited by 5.9 million tourists annually. The palace has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List for 30 years. This is one of the most beautiful achievements of French art of the 18th century, as well as one of the largest and richest castles in the world. The Palace of Versailles is located approximately 20 kilometers southwest of the French capital, Paris. His garden is considered the largest in Europe. Laid out in the 17th century, the gardens of Versailles are famous for their geometric patterns of shrubs, flower beds and trees. 
British museum
According to statistics, the British Museum is visited by 6.7 million tourists annually. It is the 2nd most visited art museum in the world and 1st in the UK. The museum is famous for its extensive collection of world art and artifacts, as well as free entry for everyone. Its permanent collection includes approximately 8 million works - one of the most extensive exhibitions in the world. The British Museum was founded in 1753 but first opened to the public on 15 January 1759. 
Eiffel Tower
One of Europe's most popular attractions, the Eiffel Tower attracts 6.93 million visitors annually. This miracle is located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. The tower was the tallest man-made structure in the world for 41 years until the Chrysler Building in New York was built in 1930. The height of the tower is 300.65 meters. In 2010, the Eiffel Tower received its 250 millionth visitor. 
Louvre Museum
This museum is visited annually by almost 10 million people (9.7 million). Thus, it is the most visited museum in the world. With an area of 60,600 square meters, the Louvre is one of the largest museums in the world. About 35,000 exhibits, from prehistoric times to modern times, are presented in the museum's halls. The Louvre opened on August 10, 1793 with an exhibition of 537 paintings. 
Basilica of Sacre Coeur
And again Paris... It is not surprising that most of the most popular attractions in Europe are located in this city. The Sacre Coeur Basilica is visited by 10.5 million guests annually. This Roman Catholic church is the heart of Paris. The majestic structure was designed by Paul Adabi, construction began in 1875 and was completed by 1914. 
Notre Dame de Paris
This attraction is visited by at least 13 million people every year. Notre-Dame de Paris, a historic Catholic cathedral in the fourth arrondissement of Paris. The cathedral is one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture and is among the largest and most famous churches in the world. Its construction was completed by 1345. 
Disneyland Paris
This popular theme park is visited by about 15 million people annually. Disneyland Paris was originally called Euro Disney, but was later renamed. The amusement park is located in Marne-la-Vallée, a new town 32 kilometers east of the center of Paris. Disneyland has been the most visited attraction in Europe since 2009. Covering an area of 19 square kilometers, Disneyland includes two theme parks, several resort hotels, shops, restaurants, an entertainment complex and a golf course, in addition to several additional entertainment venues. With 14.9 million visits in 2013, Disneyland is the most visited tourist destination in Europe.
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is somewhat inferior to Disneyland ("only" 15 million visitors), but it is no less popular attraction in Europe. Trafalgar Square is a public space and landmark in central London, with many statues and beautiful sculptures. It is here that the National Gallery, the Church of St. Martin, and a number of other popular places. 
Grand Bazaar of Istanbul
The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul is visited by about 15 million people a year. It is one of the largest and oldest Covered Markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and 5,000 shops that attract thousands of visitors every day. The Grand Bazaar is located in the Fatih district of Istanbul. Its core was laid back in 1455, and since then the Bazaar has developed into one of the largest markets in the world.
