12 Unmissable Trips in Europe for Your Bucket List
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If you’re planning your first trip to Europe and don’t know what to do or looking for some European vacation inspiration, you’ve come to the right place. Europe is a breathtaking continent famed for its bustling cities, picturesque landscapes, historic landmarks, and epic cuisine.
From exploring ancient monuments in Rome and exploring scenic landscapes in Iceland to riding a hot air balloon in Turkey and island hopping in Greece, Europe has everything. To learn more, here are 12 trips in Europe for your bucket list. These entries are selected because they are the crème de la crème of European travel and adventure.
Drive Along the Iceland Ring Road
Europe is one of the world’s best road-tripping destinations. Almost every country on the continent offers hundreds of miles of scenic roads to explore. However, European road trips don’t get more iconic than the Iceland Ring Road. This famous drive is famed for its impressive natural landscape, unique natural attractions, and well-maintained roads.
Also known as Route 1, the Iceland Ring Road is 828 miles (1,333 kilometers) long. It’s a national road that circles the entire country, connecting most of Iceland’s major towns and tourist attractions. Along the road, you’ll encounter waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, and black-sand beaches. You might even spot the Northern Lights. Notable attractions include Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Gullfoss, and Reykjavik.
Read also: European Experiences to Check Off Your Bucket List
Enjoy an Island Hopping Adventure in Greece
The mainland of Greece is home to the world-famous Acropolis of Athens, where you’ll find significant historical sites such as the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Old Temple of Athena. However, many people love Greece more for its beautiful islands, of which there are more than 200 inhabited islands. These islands are Europe’s answer to a Caribbean island-hopping vacation.
You’ll likely find yourself sipping a cocktail by the sea or tucking into tasty Greek cuisine when you’re not soaking up the sun on one of the many white sand beaches or swimming in the crystal-clear turquoise waters. You can easily hop between the Greek islands by plane or ferry. Famous islands include Hydra, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini, and Rhodes.
Read also: Amazing Schengen Countries To Visit
Ride a Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia, Turkey
As far as magical experiences in Europe go, a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia is hard to beat unless you’re terrified of heights. There’s a good chance you’ll recognize dreamy Cappadocian scenery from the countless photographs we see on Instagram. Nevertheless, no photo can give this destination the credit it deserves.
Cappadocia is a semi-arid region in Central Turkey famed for its unique cave dwellings, rock formations, and ‘fairy chimneys. You can enjoy the scenery on a stroll through the landscape or a rooftop sunrise breakfast. However, the view from a hot air balloon is most spectacular. You’ll fly with hundreds of other hot-air balloons, glimpsing truly one-of-a-kind views of the ancient rock formations and cave dwellings.
Read also: Sunny Destinations in Europe in September
Get Lost in Sintra, Portugal
Just a 30-minute drive from Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, Sintra is one of Europe’s most underrated tourist destinations. Straight out of your favorite Disney fairytale, this magical town in the pine-covered hills of the Serra de Sintra Mountains is a mesmerizing historical location famed for its pristine scenery, quirky landmarks, and vibrant ancient castles. You won’t tire of getting lost exploring.
Loved by history buffs and storybook lovers, the main highlight of a visit to Sintra is the fabulous National Palace of Pena. A gorgeous Romanticist palace, it stands proudly above the town, offering incredible panoramic views. Other must-see landmarks in Sintra include Quinta da Regaleira, the Moorish Castle, and the Sintra National Palace.
Read also: Things To Do in Portugal To Tick Off Your Bucket List
Explore Ancient Rome, Italy
History buffs looking for their next adventure will be spoiled for choice in Europe. You’ll discover ancient cities brimming with historical wonders at almost every corner of the continent. However, Rome has to be the best. Put on the map by the Romans, this ancient city is jam-packed with fascinating architecture, historic sites, and delicious Italian cuisine.
Regarding things to see and do, you’ll likely spend most of your time in Rome exploring the most iconic sites, including the world-famous Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and the Roman Forum. After that, visit Vatican City, the world’s smallest country, and admire the beauty of the Sistine Chapel. Oh, and make sure you have a pizza and an Aperol spritz in Piazza Navona.
Read also: Unmissable Things To Do in Italy
Walk Around Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen, Denmark’s luxurious capital city, is a breathtaking tourist destination loved for its vibrant architecture, picturesque scenery, and historical landmarks. The city is also known for being one of Europe’s most walkable cities, making it a fantastic city break for travelers who enjoy exploring the main sights on foot.
Many of Copenhagen’s most famous attractions are within walking distance of each other. For example, you can easily walk from the Little Mermaid Statue to Nyhavn Waterfront in one hour while passing Kastellet, Sankt Albans Kirke, Frederik’s Kirke, and Amalienborg Palace. We strongly recommend grabbing an ice cream from one of the ice cream parlors near Nyhavn during your walk.
Read also: Must-Visit Cities in Europe
Explore the Amalfi Coast on a Vespa, Italy
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Italy makes our list for a second time, with its stunning coastline. The Amalfi Coast is a gorgeous 31-mile (50-kilometer) stretch along the Sorrentine Peninsula in Southern Italy. This idyllic stretch of road offers postcard-perfect seaside towns, beautiful beaches, pastel-colored fishing villages, and classic Italian charm.
While a relaxed vacation along the Amalfi Coast is perfect for beachgoers, outdoor enthusiasts looking for more excitement should explore the coastline by Vespa, an iconic Italian brand of scooters and mopeds. On a Vespa, you can quickly reach the coastlines’ most famous locations while also being treated to spectacular coastal viewpoints. Make sure you don’t miss Positano, Amalfi, Sorrento, and Ravello.
Read also: Must-Visit UNESCO Heritage Sites in Italy
Cruise Through the Norwegian Fjords, Norway
If you want to explore Norway’s impressive landscape in luxury, we strongly recommend visiting the Norwegian Fjords on a cruise. Cruising through the deep-blue waters of Norway’s UNESCO-protected fjords is an unforgettable experience you won’t soon forget, as the Norwegian Fjords are one of the world’s most impressive regions.
On a Norwegian Fjord cruise, you can expect to see immense glaciers, verdant hills, vibrant Norwegian towns, and impressive wildlife, including humpback whales. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the Aurora Borealis. Norwegian Fjord cruises leave from many ports across Europe, such as Southampton, Liverpool, Dublin, Stockholm, and Copenhagen. Maybe you could tie a visit to Copenhagen into your Norwegian Fjord itinerary.
Read also: Best Countries To Visit With a Schengen Visa
Watch a Soccer Match at Camp Nou, Spain
Soccer, or football, is a massive success in Spain. In fact, Spain’s biggest clubs, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF, are two of the sport’s most successful clubs. Therefore, watching one of the two teams play is high on the bucket list for many of the sport’s fans.
While both grounds offer world-class match-day experiences, I recommend watching FC Barcelona play at Camp Nou. Opened in 1957, this iconic football ground holds almost 100,000 people. On match day, the atmosphere is electric, and the football on display is magnificent. Better yet, the ground has recently undergone reconstruction, so it looks even more impressive.
Read also: Must-Do Adventures in Spain
Go Skiing in Chamonix, France
Chamonix is a scenic town and skiing resort at the base of Mont Blanc, at the border of France, Italy, and Switzerland. Aside from its obvious beauty, this beautiful resort is famous worldwide for its challenging skiing slopes, off-piste terrain, and vast alpine landscape. It’s a fantastic place to visit if you want to ski.
The resort has five ski areas: Brévent-Flégère, Grands Montets, Domaine de Balme, Le Brevent, and Les Houches. These resorts offer limitless skiing slopes and off-piste terrain. Meanwhile, beginner skiers are better suited to the low-altitude nursery ski areas, Le Savoy being one of the best. Make sure you take the Aiguille du Midi cable car during your visit to Chamonix, too.
Read also: Ultimate French Bucket List
Visit the Old Town of Tallinn, Estonia
Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, is a fabulous city known for its beautiful architecture. If there’s one place you’ll fall in love with in the city, it’s the Old Town. The Old Town of Tallinn is a stunning area featuring imposing fortress walls, winding cobblestone streets, and medieval architecture dating back to the 13th century.
This Old Town is so special that it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside the tall fortress walls, get lost in discovering the beautifully preserved architecture, Town Hall Square, quaint cafes, and traditional bakeries. Notable points of interest to keep your eyes peeled for in the Old Town include Raeapteek, one of Europe’s oldest pharmacies, Viru Gate, Masters’ Courtyard, and Maiasmokk, Tallinn’s oldest cafe.
Read also: Stunning European Cities
Experience a Christmas Market in Germany
If you love the festive season, consider spending a Christmas in Germany. From November onwards, most towns and cities across Germany turn into a winter wonderland, offering tourists the opportunity to indulge in delicious food, arts and crafts, festive events, and vibrant light displays.
You’ll spend your time at Germany’s Christmas markets exploring the charming wooden market stalls, admiring the traditional Bavarian architecture, sipping mulled wine, and listening to Christmas carols. Generally, most German Christmas markets are excellent. However, some are better and more historic than others. For example, the Dresden Christmas Market can trace its roots back to the 15th century. Other popular Christmas Market locations include Cologne, Berlin, and Munich.
Read also: Famous Landmarks in Europe
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