Tourist Attractions in Europe. The Most Popular Places to Visit in Europe Before You Die

There are many sights in Europe, wonderful places steeped in history that are worth visiting at least once in your life. Here's a list of Europe's best-known and most popular places to visit.

Whether you want to take a tour of Europe or take them one at a time, the most popular sights are sure to impress.

Europe's Most Visited Sights

Europe is a continent of beautiful landscapes and ancient buildings steeped in history. Here are some of the most popular tourist attractions on the old continent:

The Colosseum in Rome

One of the most visited sights in Europe is the Colosseum in Italy. Few historical sites in Europe are more appreciated than the Colosseum. Steeped in history, the Colosseum is a perfect place to take memorable photographs or feel the vibrant atmosphere of the gladiatorial battles fought here throughout the ages. Also here learn interesting facts about ancient Roman customs and life, as well as glimpses of history written in blood in the arena of the famous structure.

Sistine Chapel in the Vatican

Also among the most visited tourist attractions in Europe, the smallest country in the world, Vatican City occupies an area of 0.44 square kilometers and serves as a spiritual center for millions of Roman Catholic believers around the world. The Sistine Chapel is a must-see for tourists to this corner of the world.

Ruins of Pompeii

Located near Naples, Italy, it takes a full day to visit the Pompeii monument. Although the entire city was destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius Volcano, archaeologists have managed to unearth countless houses, frescoes and structures that provide information about how the ancient Romans lived. Among the most important structures within the monument are the Amphitheatre, the Garden of the Fugitives, the Forum, the Villa of the Mysteries and the Brothel. The public baths or "thermae" are another part of the monument to visit. In Roman times it was here that political issues were discussed and business was done. The public baths had separate areas for men and women.

Eiffel Tower in Paris

No list of the most popular places to visit in Europe could be complete without including the Eiffel Tower. Even if you don't have time to explore this famous landmark, you'll see the top of it from every corner of Paris. The structure was built between 1887 and 1889 as the entrance arch to the Universal Exhibition, which was held in celebration of the French Revolution of 1789. The Eiffel Tower is 324m high (about the height of an 81-storey building). It is the most visited monument in the world, with more than 200 million visitors since its construction in 1889.

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is a monument of early Gothic architecture in France, seat of the Archdiocese of Paris. Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is visited by around 13 million people annually, which means an average of 30,000 people a day. On busy days, due to holidays or major events, it can even reach 50,000 people.

Notre Dame has had an eventful history over the centuries. The Crusaders prayed there before setting off on their holy wars. Polyphonic music also appeared in this cathedral. Many of the cathedral's treasures were destroyed or stolen during the French Revolution.

In 2019 the cathedral was badly damaged by a fire, at which time many donations were collected for its restoration.

Louvre Museum in Paris

The Louvre Museum is one of the most popular sights in Paris and certainly in the top of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Europe. If you're an art enthusiast, you'll enjoy spending some time in the corridors or halls of the Louvre Museum in Paris, admiring the thousands of works of art on display here, such as Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting, the Mona Lisa (or Gioconda). The Louvre also offers a range of Egyptian antiquities and an impressive collection of coins and banknotes.

Tower Bridge in London

Tower Bridge is an important symbol for London and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Europe. Located next to the Tower of London, the bridge was officially opened on 30 June 1894. Because of its proximity to the harbour and because it was in the direction of ships heading out to sea, it was necessary to allow large ships to pass. For this reason, the idea was to create a bridge that could be opened to allow for ship traffic. Taking pictures of Tower Bridge is one of the favorite tourist activities, but you can also go inside the bridge, where you will discover a unique view of London.

Big Ben in London

The name Big Ben is often used to describe the tower, the clock and the bell, but the original name was Great Bell. It celebrated its 150th anniversary on 31 May 2009. Big Ben is world famous for its impeccable preservation over time. The clock tower has become one of England's most notable landmarks but is not open to the general public.

Stonehenge, Great Britain

Stonehenge is a Neolithic monument in England, one of the world's most famous historical attractions. The complex was built in 3100 BC from six-metre-high stones brought here from Salisbury Plain, according to historians. Stonehenge is believed to have astrological significance, but even today, scientists have not been able to pinpoint the exact reason the monument was built.

Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona

The Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona is without a doubt one of Spain's architectural wonders. It is the work of the famous architect Antonio Gaudi and has an original look, unique in world architecture. Although unfinished, the building has become a symbol of the city. A visit here guarantees a memorable memory, along with other more or less contemporary or modernist historical monuments nearby.

Lovrijenac Fort in Dubrovnik

Among the most beautiful sights in Europe is the Lovrijenac castle or fort in Dubrovnic, Croatia, very close to Romania. It is an extraordinary example of architecture, preserved in excellent condition, bordered by the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea.

Dubrovnik has become a very busy tourist destination, especially lately after the break-up of the former Yugoslav bloc. It would be best to schedule a visit here outside of the busy summer tourist season, ideally in May, late September and October. The Old Town can only be visited for a symbolic fee.

Basilica San Marco, Venice

St Mark's Basilica in Venice is also one of the most visited tourist attractions in Europe, with over five million tourists a year. This intricate work of art, with an elaborate roof, five domes and almost two acres of mosaics with gold backgrounds covering the walls, arches, domes and floors is considered to be the finest example of Byzantine art. Many of the sculptures and mosaics here were taken directly from Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire during the Crusades. It is a tourist attraction well worth a visit.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, also known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, is the most famous leaning building in the world and the landmark of Pisa in Italy.

The tower was planned as a bell tower for the Dome of Pisa. Twelve years after the foundation stone was laid, on 9 August 1173, when the building had reached the third floor, due to the poor quality of the soil, made up of clayey mud and sand, the tower began to lean in a south-easterly direction. For a hundred years construction was halted. The next four floors were built obliquely to compensate for the leaning part. After that, construction had to be stopped again until 1372, when the bell-tower was completed. Today the tower tilts 3.97 degrees from its vertical axis, which is about 4 metres.

Places to Visit in Europe - The Most Popular Tourist Attractions

Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

Istanbul's Grand Bazaar is also among the most visited sights in Europe. First appearing in the 15th century, the Bazaar has grown ever larger and more touristy, and today it is home to some 15 million bargain hunters. It's a place you must visit at least once and inevitably fall in love with. As a tip, if you're feeling overwhelmed by the crowds, take a kebab break and a cup of Turkish coffee. You'll catch even more love for Turkish shopping.

Disneyland Park - France

Visited by millions of tourists every year, Disneyland Park is located in Marne-la-Vallee, a new town in the eastern part of Paris, France. The complex is located 32 km from the center of Paris.

Disneyland Paris comprises two theme parks, a shopping center, dining and entertainment district and seven Disney-owned hotels. Since its opening on April 12, 1992, it was the second Disney park to open outside the United States (after Tokyo Disney Resort) and the first to be owned and operated by Disney.

Historic Center of Bruges, Belgium

Often referred to as the 'Venice of the North' because of the canals that surround and run through the city, Bruges has always been admired for its Gothic architecture. Once here, a visit to the Chocolate Museum and Diamond Museum is a must, as well as the Boudewijn Water Park.

Charles Bridge in Prague

The Charles Bridge in Prague is included in the top of the most beautiful sights in Europe because it is the symbol of a representative city in European medieval architecture. Prague is the center of many interesting activities, from the street performances of numerous but colorful artists to the street vendors of paintings and other works of art. The Charles Bridge is one of the most visited sights in the Czech capital.