Discover Europe’s Most Breathtaking Destinations
From Scandinavia’s striking snow-coated scenery to the charming coastlines of the Mediterranean, Europe is full of diverse and dreamy landscapes that belie its relatively small size. While its world-class capitals of London, Paris, and Rome attract the most visitors, the continent’s 44 countries each have delightfully different cities and attractions to explore. With so many sublime sights and sensational scenery to see, visiting all of Europe’s most beautiful destinations could take a lifetime.
Top 25 Spectacular European Destinations 🌍
Picos de Europa, Spain 🇪🇸
The Picos de Europa, composed of three majestic massifs, is a stunning mountain range in northern Spain. The “Peaks of Europe” and the surrounding national park boast astonishing scenery with phenomenal panoramas wherever you go. Highlights include:
Deep ravines and high mountains for hiking enthusiasts
Forests and oak groves
Several rivers and a mile-high cable car ride for breathtaking views
Seljalandsfoss, Iceland 🇮🇸
One of Iceland’s most beautiful and popular waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss offers the unique opportunity to walk behind its cascading curtain of water. The falls are marvelous to view from all angles as they fall from a 60-meter-high cliff, making it a must-see on Iceland’s renowned Ring Road.
Seven Rila Lakes, Bulgaria 🇧🇬
Nestled among the Rila mountain range in southwest Bulgaria, the Seven Rila Lakes are a picturesque destination. Each lake is connected by a small series of streams, cascades, and waterfalls, creating a sparkling wonderland. Some of the highlights include:
‘The Tear’ and ‘The Eye’ lakes
Magnificent mountain surroundings
Fantastic viewpoints throughout the region
Venice, Italy 🇮🇹
Venice, the “Floating City”, is one of the world’s most romantic and resplendent cities, set across 118 small islands linked by canals and old bridges. Must-see elements include:
Charming canals and beautiful old bridges
Magnificent marble-coated palaces and centuries-old churches
Atmospheric alleys, pretty piazzas, and idyllic islands
Scottish Highlands, Scotland 🏴
The Scottish Highlands offer a rugged, mountainous region of Northern Scotland with many activities to explore the dramatic scenery, such as:
Glencoe Valley for its red deer and hidden waterfalls
Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the United Kingdom
Loch Ness for a serene stroll or a glimpse of the legendary Loch Ness Monster
Inverness, the largest city in the region
Transfagarasan Highway, Romania 🇷🇴
The Transfagarasan Highway winds through the Carpathian Mountains and is considered one of the most spectacular and scenic drives in the world. Highlights include:
Built as a strategic military route from 1970 to 1974
Extensive hairpin turns, steep descents, and stunning scenery
Popular for cycling and driving adventures
Madeira, Portugal 🇵🇹
The spectacular sub-tropical archipelago of Madeira is located over a thousand kilometers off mainland Portugal. Often called the “Garden Island,” Madeira features:
Breathtaking scenery with mighty mountains and coastal cliffs
Popular activities like sailing, surfing, and scuba diving
Great beaches, towns, and excellent hiking trails
Lapland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Russia 🇫🇮🇸🇪🇳🇴🇷🇺
The winter wonderland of Lapland straddles the Arctic Circle and is full of endless forests, glacial lakes, and glinting ice fields. Popular activities include:
Hiking, skiing, and dog-sledding
Staying in cozy cabins or snow-covered towns
Catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights
Visiting Santa Claus’s homeland
Pulpit Rock, Norway 🇳🇴
One of Norway’s most famous and phenomenal sights, Pulpit Rock towers 604 meters above the surroundings, offering staggering views of Lysefjorden and attracting hordes of tourists with its outstanding beauty.
The Dolomites, Italy 🇮🇹
The majestic Dolomites in northeastern Italy are home to:
Sweeping valleys, alpine meadows, and jaw-dropping peaks
Popular hiking paths and skiing pistes
Marmalada, the highest peak at 3,343 meters
Delightful summer and winter activities
Korcula Town, Croatia 🇭🇷
Korcula Town on the island of Korcula offers an attractive Old Town with:
Exquisite Renaissance and Gothic architecture
Centuries-old churches and Venetian palaces
Brilliant beaches and inviting Adriatic waters
Kravica Waterfalls, Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦
The Kravica Waterfalls are a hidden gem in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Highlights include:
Gorgeous 25-meter-high cascades spanning 120 meters
Breathtaking beauty and peaceful nature
Popular for swimming and picnicking during summer
Faroe Islands, Denmark 🇩🇰
The Faroe Islands, an archipelago associated with Denmark, offer:
Underrated and untouristy experiences
Majestic valleys, remote villages, and stunning waterfalls
Clifftop puffin colonies and thousands of coastal birds
Northern Lights from November to February
Bay of Kotor, Montenegro 🇲🇪
The Bay of Kotor in southwestern Montenegro is a beautiful spot ringed by jagged green hills and medieval towns. Discoveries include:
Old citadels and monastery-topped islands
Scenic seafood dinners by the sea
Kotor old town with its Venetian architecture and walls
Tulip Fields in Holland 🇳🇱
Holland’s colorful tulip fields are one of Europe’s most evocative sights. Highlights include:
Seven million tulips, daffodils, and roses at Keukenhof
Delightful cycling around flowerbeds
Waving flowers in the wind providing picture-perfect moments
Verdon Gorge, France 🇫🇷
Verdon Gorge, located in southeast France, offers a beautiful spectacle with its white limestone walls and turquoise waters. Activities include:
Hiking and kayaking
Exploring the 25-kilometer-long ravine
Admiring landscapes sometimes billed as the “Grand Canyon of Europe”
Meteora, Greece 🇬🇷
Meteora in Northern Greece is famous for its jutting rock formations and monasteries precariously clinging to the rocks. Key highlights include:
15th-century religious sites
The Holy Trinity Monastery perched 400 meters atop a natural rock tower
Lake Bled, Slovenia 🇸🇮
Lake Bled in northwest Slovenia is surrounded by stunning verdant hills and offers:
Emerald waters and the picturesque Bled Island
The Church of the Assumption of Mary
Strolling around the lake and swimming in its calm waters
Sintra, Portugal 🇵🇹
Sintra, located 30 kilometers northwest of Lisbon, offers:
Grand castles, palaces, and historic villas
Lovely landscaped gardens and estates
Spectacular scenery with romantic architecture
Hallstatt, Austria 🇦🇹
Often called the “Pearl of Austria,” Hallstatt offers:
A fairytale town setting with majestic mountains and a looking-glass lake
Pastel-colored town houses
Various salt caves and mines to visit
Santorini, Greece 🇬🇷
Santorini, a volcanic island, is known for:
Whitewashed and blue-domed Cycladic towns
World-famous sunsets
Volcanic beaches, gourmet tavernas, and glamorous catamaran cruises
Lofoten Islands, Norway 🇳🇴
The Lofoten Islands offer:
Rugged peaks, fjords, and scenic beaches
Untouched landscapes with sheep-filled fields
Photogenic experiences with hiking, cycling, and sailing
The Aurora Borealis
Fussen, Germany 🇩🇪
Fussen, located in southern Bavaria, offers:
A lovely spot at the foot of the Alps
Three fabulous fairytale castles
Excellent hiking trails and superb views
Amalfi Coast, Italy 🇮🇹
The Amalfi Coast features:
Rugged cliffs and stunning mountains
Beautiful Mediterranean scenery
Pastel-colored towns like Positano and Ravello
Beach lounging, hill hiking, and sailing
Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland 🇨🇭
Lauterbrunnen Valley offers:
Magnificent mountains and 72 waterfalls
Cosy chalets and charming mountain villages
Hiking trails, mountain bike paths, and rock climbing routes
Outstanding beauty and spectacular scenery
