25 Bucket List Experiences You Need to See!
Have you ever dreamed of exploring Ancient Roman ruins in Italy, witnessing the stunning natural phenomenon known as the Northern Lights in Iceland, or admiring the Mona Lisa in the world’s largest Museum? Look no further – we’ve compiled a list of the top 25 must-see experiences in Europe. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, let us be your guide of the most unforgettable bucket list destinations in Europe. So grab your passport and get ready to add these amazing experiences to your travel plans – because the best of Europe is waiting to be discovered.
1. Colosseum in Rome, Italy
The Colosseum is synonymous with the Eternal City, every years millions of visitors flock to see the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built. Here visitors can get a glimpse into Ancient Rome’s illustrious past.
Address : Piazza del Colosseo, 1 00184 Rome, Italy
2. Acropolis in Athens, Greece
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Perched high above the city of Athens sits the Ancient Greek Acropolis. Here visitors can explore the ruins of several important historical buildings, such as the iconic Parthenon – a immense temple dedicated to the Goddess Athena. Many artifacts can still be seen at the Acropolis Museum.
Address: Athens 105 58, Greece
3. Tower Bridge in London, Uk
Walk along the iconic suspension bridge that showcases the beauty of London’s Victorian Architecture. Visitors can walks across the glass walk way, enjoy picture perfect views of London and discover the historic importance of the bridge with exhibits housed in the tower.
Address: Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP, United Kingdom
4. Louvre Museum in Paris, France
No trip to Paris is complete without visiting the Louvre, the largest museum in the world. Here you will find some of the worlds most influential art works, sculptures and antiquities. See amazing works up close and personal such as the Mona Lisa, the sculpture of Venus de Milo, an Egyptian Sphinx and the Winged Bulls of Khorsabad.
Address: 75001 Paris, France
5. Eiffel Tower in Paris, France
A view of the Eiffel Tower is the most sought after view for millions of tourists that visit Paris each year. This impressive wrought-iron tower has become synonymous with the city of light since it was erected in 1889 for the World’s Fair.
Many visitors make the climb to the top to see Paris from on high, but simply enjoying a picnic in the park and admiring the structure up close is a perfectly acceptable alternative – especially at night when the tower dazzles with a light show.
Address: Av. Gustave Eiffel, 75007 Paris, France
6. Sistine Chapel in Vatican City
Located in the Pope’s Official Residence in Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel is a world famous destination, especially for art lovers. Here you can gaze up in wonder at the intricate detail of Michelangelo’s ceiling frescos and paintings. It is hard to imagine the painter only took 4 years to complete this work of art as you appreciate his fine attention to detail and the shear size of the ceiling.
Address: 00120 Vatican City
7. Sangrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Although construction of the Sangrada Familia began in 1882, it still remains unfinished to this day. The proud work of Antoni Gaudi, this Catholic Church combines the architectural styles of Gothic Revival, Art Nouveau and Modernism to create a structure like no other. Although still not complete, visitors can still tour Sangrada Familia and gain an appreciation for the architect that contributed to the one of a kind architecture found in Barcelona.
Address: C/ de Mallorca, 401, L’Eixample, 08013 Barcelona, Spain
8. Royal Alcazar in Seville, Spain
This beautiful historic palace is a tribute to Spain’s unique Islamic Architecture style. Here you can wander through the beautifully designed rooms and gardens that was once home to noble families. Although extremely opulent, the Royal Alcazar was originally built as a Citadel known as Al-Qasr.
Address: Patio de Banderas, s/n, Casco Antiguo, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
9. Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin, Germany
Berlin is a city steeped in immense history, especially recent history, such as the decades long Cold War. Checkpoint Charlie is the most famous Cold War border crossing. Here the city was seperated into East and West Berlin. American and Soviet soldiers once guarded their respective sides, but now visitors can travel freely through East and West Berlin and learn more about the city’s divided past.
Address: Friedrichstraße 43-45, 10117 Berlin, Germany
10. Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy
The Uffizi Gallery is a must see attraction home to some of Italy’s greatest artist’s works. Here you will find incredible works of art such as Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Medusa by Caravaggio and Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci. For other amazing attractions in Florence, be sure to read our Ultimate Florence Guide.
Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
11. Anne Frank’s House in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
The Anne Frank House is a museum dedicated to the memory of the Frank Family, who hid with the help of their courageous Dutch neighbours in this home during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Although tragically only Anne’s Father, Otto Frank, survived the war, the museum keeps the family’s legacy alive with its heart wrenching exhibits and displays. Due to the popularity of this museum, it is advised to pre-purchase a ticket ahead of time.
Address: Westermarkt 20, 1016 GV Amsterdam, Netherlands
12. The Amalfi Coast, Italy
Picture the glitz and romance of Italy, and most likely scenes of the Amalfi Coast come to mind. Located approximately an hour from Naples, the Amalfi Coast is a beautiful 50 km coastline dotted with charming pastel colored villages, gorgeous beaches and amazing hilltop vistas. Once home to sleepy fishing villages, the Amalfi has been redefined as the ultimate summer vacation destination, with millions visiting each year.
Looking for a quieter option to the Amalfi Coast? Check out these alternatives tourists haven’t discovered yet!
13. Touring Wineries in Chianti, Italy
A short drive from Florence is met with incredible rolling green hills dotted with historic farmhouses and wineries. This is Chianti – Tuscany’s most famous wine producing region. Rent a car and enjoy the most amazing scenery as you tour various wineries, or consider booking a wine bus tour. Here you will learn how art and science are combined to make incredible wines in the heart of Tuscany.
14. Blue Lagoon in Iceland
What better way to end a day exploring the natural beauty Iceland has to offer, than at a spa! Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa offering tranquil waters that provide unique skin benefits thanks to its high concentration of minerals.
Address: Norðurljósavegur 9, 240 Grindavík, Iceland
15. Cliffs of Moher in Ireland
The stunning Cliffs of Moher are considered by many to be the best place to visit in the Emerald Isles. The cliffs offer dramatic views of the Atlantic Ocean below, and the rugged limestone cliffs are home to some 30,000 birds. Bring your camera and of course dress for the unpredictable Irish weather, you will not want to miss this spectacular area!
16. Stonehenge in the United Kingdom
The subject of legends and intrigue for thousands of years, Stonehenge is a marvel of ancient engineering. Built 5000 years ago, it is an impressive megalithic structure. Visitors today come to visit to learn more about those who came before us, and the history they left behind. Many theories exist as to why and how it was built, which have enamoured generations of traveler to this very day.
Address: Salisbury SP4 7DE, United Kingdom
17. Astronomical Clock in Prague, Czechia
Prague is the perfect romantic city getaway, and no trip would be complete without a visit to the famous Astronomical Clock. Built into the front of the Old Town Hall Tower, the clock features an intricate “show” that reveals the many incredible moving parts and intricate craftsmanship. You can watch every hour from 9:00am – 11:00 pm.
Address: Staroměstské nám. 1, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
18. Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
This annual festival is a celebration of Bavarian culture, food and of course beer. Held in the city of Munich, Oktoberfest starts in late September and runs until the first Sunday in October. In addition to incredible cuisine, Oktoberfest offers parades, concerts, family activities and even a crossbow shooting competition. The schedule may vary from year to year, so be sure to check out the official Oktoberfest schedule before your trip!
Oktoberfest Event Official Website
19. Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey
No trip to Istanbul would be complete without a visit to the Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. Inside the mosque visitors will appreciate the beauty of the 20,000 hand painted blue tiles that decorate the interior – giving it the name the Blue Mosque. The mosque is also home to over 200 stained glass windows, incredible chandeliers and intricately designed minarets.
Address: Binbirdirek, At Meydanı Cd No:10, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
20. Lake Bled in Slovenia
A gorgeous, clear lake nestled in Slovenia’s Julian Alps, Lake Bled is appreciated by millions of visitors each year. The famous island in the middle of the lake is home to the ‘Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary’. Visitors can take a ferry to visit the island from the lake’s shore. Lake Bled offers other outdoor activities such as swimming in the summer months, walking trails around the lake and the Mala Osojnica hike. Lake Bled is a beautiful bucket list destination year round.
21. Thermal Baths in Budapest, Hungary
While there are many thermal baths to choose from in Budapest, the most well known is the Széchenyi Thermal Bath. The largest medicinal thermal bath in Europe, Széchenyi offers a variety of treatments such as massages, facials and even a private beer spa. There are a variety of indoor and outdoor pools to choose from making Széchenyi the perfect relaxing bucket list destination!
Address: Budapest, Állatkerti krt. 9-11, 1146 Hungary
22. Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany
The beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle is one of Europe’s most famous castles, attracting millions of visitors each year. If the castle looks familiar, it was the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Castle in the movie “Cinderella” as well as the castle constructed in Disneyland. The castle is beautiful to see throughout the year, due to its picturesque location in the Bavarian Alps.
For other amazing castles you need to visit in Europe, be sure to check out these 12 underrated castles.
Address: Neuschwansteinstraße 20, 87645 Schwangau, Germany
23. Duomo in Florence, Italy
The famous Florence Cathedral actually consists of 6 sights. While a visit to the interior of the cathedral is free, the other 5 sights require tickets to see. Visitors can climb the 463 steps to see the beautiful artwork that adorns Brunelleschi’s Dome. It also offers exceptional views of the city from the top of the dome’s roof. Other attractions include the Baptistery with the intricately designed Paradise Gate and the church’s Bell Tower.
Address: Piazza del Duomo, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
24. The Fjords in Norway
Norway offers exceptional natural beauty and outdoor activities, but perhaps its most well known landscapes are the over 1000 fjords that are found in the country. Here visitors can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking and kayaking through the dramatic coastlines. The most famous fjords to see include Geirangerfjord, the Aurlandsfjord, the Nærøyfjord, and the Lysefjord.
25. Northern Lights in Iceland
Planning a trip to Europe in the winter? Iceland is the perfect destination to witness the gorgeous natural phenomenon – the Northern Lights. The best time to see the Northern Light’s is between the month of September to April, with many tour operators offering excursions in the dead of night to see the auroras light up the pitch black skies.
For 9 other magical winter trip destinations, click here.
Conclusion : 25 Europe Bucket List Destinations.
From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Europe offers amazing places to see and visit. Be sure to add these amazing experiences to your travel plans – because the best of Europe is waiting to be discovered.
One Response