Europe is full of amazing castles, palaces and historic buildings of all kinds. We've seen quite a few during our travels and some places have naturally impressed us more than others. Today we present ten fascinating sights in Europe, in no particular order. Please note that we are saving churches and museums for two more posts... Have you seen any fascinating sights in Europe that you would like to share?
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1. Mont St Michel, France
Mont St Michel is a mighty monastery, with streets and shops, rising out of the sea on the west coast of France, originally built so that it could only be reached from land during low tide.
2. eagle's nest, Germany
Hitler received the Eagle's Nest as a 50th birthday present. Today it is possible to visit this fascinating structure located at a dizzying 1800 metres in southern Germany, near the Austrian border. Salzburg.
3. Wielizcka Salt Mine, Poland
When you visit the salt mine, just outside Krakow, you get to go 135 metres underground. What you find down here is impressive: huge halls and statues, all carved in salt.
4. Doge's Palace in Venice, Italy
The Doge's Palace is built in Gothic style and was the residence of the Doge (the person holding the highest office) in Venice. The architecture inside is impressive, and of course you can see the rest of Venice at the same time.
5. amphitheatre in Pula, Croatia
In Pula there is a large and well-preserved amphitheatre from the first century. Of course, the most fascinating thing about places like this is trying to imagine what it was once like ...
6. Plaza de Espana in Seville, Spain
The Plaza de Espana is a huge building used for the 1929 World Fair. The setting is reminiscent of the fairy tale world, which is probably why scenes from Starwars were filmed here.
7. Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest, Hungary
The Fisherman's Bastion is located on a hill and has a very special architecture. A total of seven towers stand out, said to represent the original seven tribes of Hungarians.
8. Carcassonne, France
Carcassonne is not only a game, but also a well-preserved (and renovated) medieval city. Strolling around the narrow alleys, shops and restaurants is like travelling back in time.
9: Malbork Castle, Poland
Malbork is home to Poland's largest and most famous castle. The building seems totally impregnable and it is fascinating to see the heating technology, kitchens and bathrooms from the Middle Ages.
10. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
The fairytale castle of Nesuchanstein, built by Louis II in the 19th century, is fantastically situated on a high hill. To see the beautifully decorated interior, you can book a guided tour.
Previous posts in this series:
- 10 cosy campsites in Europe
- 10 great boat trips in Europe
- 10 tasty dishes in Europe
- 10 beautiful beaches in Europe
- 10 cool big cities in Europe
- 10 magical nature experiences in Europe
You might also like:
Unesco World Heritage in Croatia - 10 natural and cultural heritage sites
Culture in Lund - an open-air museum in the city centre
Things to do in Dessau - 14 tips for the Bauhaus city
Visiting Hälsingland Farms - 7 Unesco World Heritage Farms
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Ama de casa says:
Wow what a lot of nice things there are to see! Here in Spain, it is full of wonderful sights, such as the aqueduct in Segovia 🙂.
29 March 2016 - 9:18
Åsa says:
Palácio da Pena and the Fortress of the Moors in Sintra here in Portugal would definitely be on the list, Next time you come here we'll take them! /Åsa
29 March 2016 - 9:31
Krister in Beijing says:
Very nice list. I haven't visited many of these places, which I hope to change.
Mont SaintMichel and Neuschwanstein are quite high on my 'to visit' list.
Regards
29 March 2016 - 9:58
Goatfish says:
Great places to visit! Glad I've visited a couple of them.
Poland is high on my wish list, completely unexplored for me 😀.
/Gerd
29 March 2016 - 10:00
Ditte says:
There is so much to see and experience in many places and five of the places I have visited. Poland is fairly unexplored for me and I have only been there briefly.
Thank you for your list.
Another addition to the list is Rome, which includes St Peter's Basilica, the Colloseum, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon.
Athens with the Acropolis Rock is also on my list, as is Prague with Charles Castle.
29 March 2016 - 10:33
Comsi Comsa says:
There were 10 great sights that appeared, thanks for good tips. 🙂
Hugs ♥
29 March 2016 - 11:14
Veiken says:
I must admit that I have only visited the Doge's Palace! There is a lot I have missed I see! 🙁
29 March 2016 - 11:22
Birgitta in Umeå says:
We like to experience nature.
Cappadocia in Turkey is the coolest thing we have ever experienced.
If you think Cappadocia belongs to Europe.
In any case, Turkey is part of that continent,,,,
The Acropolis in Athens is also a nature experience. Sitting on the terrace of a small hotel in Plaka in the evening is an experience!
29 March 2016 - 13:00
Mr Frank Olsen says:
Fantastic!
Of these, only two I have visited, the salt mine at Krakow and Venice.
So then I have some new sights to add to the "to visit list" on our long trip that starts in a month's time 🙂.
29 March 2016 - 14:42
admin says:
Ama de casa, yes, there really is a lot to see around Europe, and of course in Spain too!
Åsa, we definitely want to see that next time we visit! 🙂
Krister in Beijing, it is so nice to see you here again! 🙂 The two places are well worth a visit! Try to avoid the high season 😉
Geddfish, glad you've been to three of the places! Poland has a lot to offer, relatively close and affordable!
Ditte, I understand that the places in Rome are worth visiting! We haven't been there (yet).
Veiken, there is so much to see in Europe...! But it's nice to have something to look forward to as well ðŸ™'
Birgitta in Umeå, nature experiences can be fantastic! I have seen pictures from Cappadocia and it looks absolutely magical! If you look at the bottom of the post, by the way, there is a link there to 10 magical nature experiences in Europe 🙂 ).
Frank Olsen, oh only one month left! It will be so fun to follow! 🙂
29 March 2016 - 15:27
Days by Johanna says:
Thanks for the tips 🙂
29 March 2016 - 15:32
Renate's travels says:
Oh, I LOVE Carcassonne! The Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest is also amazing. I would love to visit Mont St Michel.
Other favourite sights in Europe are the monasteries of Meteora in Greece, the castle in Berat, Albania and the church and castle in Bled, Slovenia. There are so many great places to visit around Europe! Talk about a diverse continent we live in 😀.
29 March 2016 - 15:50
Emilia says:
Hi Helena! Only now have I had time to look at your fantastic blog - what work you do. And thank you for your comments - that's right, it first ended up under spam, but now it should be possible to comment with your blog address.
In response to this post, the Polish Riviera is a place I return to often, especially northern Poland, Jastarnia. I have travelled there almost every year since the age of sixteen.
All good!
Emilia
29 March 2016 - 16:48
Marina says:
There were several good tips, thanks for that! I've only visited the Eagle's Nest and the amphitheatre in Pula, so there are still some left...
29 March 2016 - 16:51
Ida says:
Wow, so many nice things! Not seen a single one? Really have a lot left to do in Europe!!!
29 March 2016 - 17:33
Alexandra says:
There are many in Europe! Of these, I have only seen numbers 4 and 7. 10, however, is high on the wish list! Think the daughter here at home would love that castle, she is a bit obsessed with the Disney castle since we were in Disneyland Paris last winter hehe.
The amphitheatre in Pula looked like more to see than the Coloseum, it's a bit overrated I think!
29 March 2016 - 18:17
admin says:
Renate's Reiser, Europe really offers a lot! Thanks for your tips too! We haven't visited any of those places, so that gives us something to look forward to 🙂.
Emilia, oh thank you for your nice comment about our blog! 🙂 Yes, I don't know why my comments get spam sometimes, but thanks for fixing! Fun that you have been so much in Poland! Maybe you have relatives or something there? We like Poland and spent several holidays around Gdansk, Sopot and Hel. Very nice!
Marina, it's a good thing that you haven't seen everything in this world, so you still have something to look forward to 😉.
Ida, I say that to Marina then, luckily you have some left to look forward to 😉 .
Alexandra, the German castle is super nice, but I recommend avoiding the high season. There are a lot of people even in the low season if you say so 😉 We have not been to the Colosseum, so I can't compare... Amphitheatres are always a bit tarnished, but this one was quite powerful we thought!
29 March 2016 - 18:31
Cathinka says:
Alhambra is high on my wish list, feels like it's a place that could fit on your nice list, but I haven't been there....yet?
29 March 2016 - 18:32
admin says:
Cathinka, we have actually been to the Alhambra and I considered including it on the list, but we (or especially Peter) were a bit disappointed with that visit so I chose not to include it anyway. Above all, it was probably the endless queues that affected our mood, so a tip is to buy a ticket in advance!
29 March 2016 - 18:39
Deciree says:
Some of these tips we have booked to visit on our holiday:)). Hugs
29 March 2016 - 20:32
Snows says:
I have seen a couple of them and can only agree! Something that I thought was very interesting was the Roman Forum in Rome so we went there for a long time....
29 March 2016 - 21:03
Berit says:
Many good tips here, thanks! Going to Krakow for the 1st time, the salt mines seem amazing, but do not know if I can handle it due to claustrophobia....
The "Sleeping Beauty Castle" Pena at Sintra is missing from the list, I also think ...http://www.desires.se/#post185
29 March 2016 - 21:22
Matts Torebring says:
Thanks for all the great travel tips!
29 March 2016 - 21:42
petra says:
Thanks for the tips:-)
29 March 2016 - 21:42
admin says:
Deciree, what fun! 🙂
Znogge, the Roman Forum sounds interesting! We have not been to Rome...
Berit, once you get down into the salt mine, the halls are enormous. But I wouldn't recommend going there in high season or on a Saturday or so, because there are a lot of people going up and down at the same time... We would like to visit the castles in Sintra at some point!
29 March 2016 - 22:03
BP says:
See that you have chosen old sights. Some I have seen and agree with. Good mix there!
Since I'm in Benidorm right now, which has an old neighbourhood, but is otherwise known as Europe's Little Manhattan, I'm contributing something modern here that I've shown on the blog as well: Torre Lugano, Gan Hotel Bali and the shameful and at the same time boastful building that will probably never be finished - Intempo.
29 March 2016 - 23:01
Only British says:
Yes, I think most things in Venice are fantastic. The Fisherman's Bastion gives me memories of an old school trip. 😀 Mont St Michel has its little sister in the form of St Michael's Mount in Cornwall. No town but "just" the monastery/castle itself on its island with tidal path well worth seeing. On my list are:
The amphitheatre in Verona
The Postojna Caves in Slovenia with its ancient animal and small trains
Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris with all the weird messages for the dead
The ice hotel in Jukkasjärvi
York. Amazingly historic with Romans, Vikings, medieval...
Landschaftspark Duisburg Nord - walking and climbing in the industrial landscape
Conwy in Wales with railway through a medieval castle
Frederiksborg Castle in Denmark. Beautiful with unusual defences.
The residence in Munich. Magnificent.
29 March 2016 - 23:20
Marianne - Glimpses of the world says:
I have been close to the Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest, but didn't have time to go all the way there. I have visited the salt mine twice and it is really impressive! I actually visited Malbork three days ago, when I was on a road trip in Poland. We drove the route Gdansk - Słowiński National Park - Hel - Malbork - Gdansk, so the trip to Malbork was very short. It was evening when we arrived, and we just took a quick look at the castle before finding some food and driving in the dark through dense fog back towards Gdansk. The castle probably deserved a longer visit, but that will be on the list for another time.
There are so many great sights, it's hard to pick just one. Of the lesser-known ones, I can mention the ruins of Gjirokastër in Albania and the monastery of Sveti Naum on Lake Ohrid in Macedonia, which are both in great locations, and Kryžių kalnas in Lithuania, which is an extraordinary sight.
29 March 2016 - 23:59
Ulrika says:
We also loved the Salt Mine outside Krakow! Extremely cool place 🙂
30 March 2016 - 3:18
Anette says:
There is so much left to see, wondering how to keep up.
Some of your tips I have visited, some others will be added to the list.
I also think Rome is a must. You can walk around for days and always see something interesting.
Or just sit and sip a glass of wine at Piazza Navona, expensive but wonderful.
30 March 2016 - 3:27
Linda, 155cm.se says:
What is this? I haven't seen a single one, and I thought I was relatively well-travelled, but I may have to reconsider. Or travel more.
30 March 2016 - 3:28
Across the board says:
There is so much more to see, even though we have visited some of the things you list. A visit to Italy and the hot springs in Saturnia is a cool alternative to the big city. I would like to go back there in early spring or autumn. When we were there it was 30 in the shade and 32 in the water .....
30 March 2016 - 6:56
admin says:
BP, yes there are so many old interesting sights in Europe. But it's great that you contribute with some newer things 🙂 .
Just British, I like your list! We have seen the amphitheatre in Verona, the Postoina cave and La Sagrada familia (thinking of making a separate post with churches ;)). Fantastic sights! Thanks for the other tips! Hopefully you have time for those places too at some point in your life 😉.
Marianne, how nice that you have just been to Malbork! We went on a tour inside the castle when we were there (with a guide in headphones) and it was interesting. The sights you mention in Albania and Macedonia we actually missed, so it was a bit of a shame. Maybe another time! Thanks also for the tip about the sights in Lithuania!
Ulrika, glad that you also liked the salt mine 🙂 .
Anette, yes, there is a lot to see! We have not been to Rome, so it may be a trip there in the future!
Linda, 155 cm, haha oh interesting that we managed to find places where you haven't been 😉 There are so many interesting sights in Europe...
Criss-cross, what an interesting tip! We haven't seen or heard of those sources.
30 March 2016 - 7:59
Steel City Anna says:
Fantastic pictures! I can't believe you got to experience all these places. Sleeping Beauty Castle is my favourite!
31 March 2016 - 0:18
admin says:
Steel city Anna, yes we are very grateful that we had the opportunity to visit these places!
31 March 2016 - 7:48
Maria says:
Of these, I've seen the salt mine in Poland and Neuschwanstein in Germany 🙂 Other fascinating sights in Europe that I've seen are e.g. the Rock of Gibraltar, Alcazaban in Málaga and the almost bizarre Kuchlbauerturm in Abensberg (Germany) - (I'm not going to go on about sights in Tenerife this time, hehe ;)) Actually, I think I'll put together a similar post myself with my own tips on sights, if you don't mind 😉 I'll of course link back to this post! 🙂
31 March 2016 - 21:13
admin says:
Maria, we strangely missed Gibraltar during our trip. I think we were a bit full of impressions at the time and just wanted to take it easy somewhere... I googled Kuchlbauerturm and it was really a fascinating building!!!! Great fun if you make a similar post! It would be interesting to see which sights you choose! 🙂
01 April 2016 - 8:02
Anna, New York - My Bite of the Big Apple says:
Exciting and inspiring tips! I have been to Venice but not inside that palace. I visited Neuschwanstein Castle during a train trip just after high school. Remember the fabulous view!
What tips can I give you? Well, there is a lot in Barcelona: all of Gaudi's works and especially Parc Güell.
I was also impressed by Prague Castle, said to be the largest castle in history.
01 April 2016 - 11:19
admin says:
Anna, I agree that Gaudi's works are amazing! We unfortunately missed the park, but saw the church and the house in the centre of town (whatever it's called). We also missed Prague Castle despite being in Prague, so we'll have to do that in the future. Thanks for the tips!
02 April 2016 - 6:49
Elisabeth says:
We still have the amphitheatre in Pula. Can agree that the others are nice sights!
05 April 2016 - 14:07
admin says:
Elisabeth, you've dotted many of these places, but I can almost understand that given how much you've travelled around!
05 April 2016 - 21:02
Maria says:
Now I have also blogged about fascinating/interesting sights in Europe, part 1 is up now! 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration 🙂 -> http://mariasmemoarer.com/2016/april/10-intressanta-sevardheter-i-europa-del-1.html
23 April 2016 - 9:13