50 trips you need to take in Europe in your lifetime
- Europe is home to historic sites and gorgeous natural wonders.
- The ultimate bucket list of travel destinations in Europe includes the canals in Amsterdam, scuba diving in Cyprus, and the Colosseum in Rome.
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Europe is home to historic cities, world-famous museums, and phenomenal restaurants. But there are also gorgeous hidden beaches, world-class ski resorts, and stunning natural formations like canyons, waterfalls, and gorges.
We've come up with the ultimate bucket list of travel destinations in Europe.
From biking along the canals of Amsterdam to scuba diving in the clear Mediterranean waters off Cyprus, here are 50 things you need to do in Europe in your lifetime.
Eliza McKelvey and Megan Willett contributed to this story.
Lagos, Portugal
Lounge on the stunning beaches of Lagos, Portugal.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Ride alongside the canals in one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world.
Innsbruck, Austria
Hit the slopes at Innsbruck, a breathtaking ski resort in the mountains of Austria.
Tresor — Berlin, Germany
Dance to house music at the underground nightclub and record label Tresor in Berlin.
Santorini, Greece
Take in the stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea from the Greek island of Santorini.
Promenade des Anglais — Nice, France
Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice — or ride on skates, scooters or bikes.
Charles Bridge — Prague, Czech Republic
Walk across the Vltava River on the 617-year-old Charles Bridge.
Cyprus
Scuba dive in the clear Mediterranean waters off Cyprus.
The Shard — London, England
Get a drink at Aqua or Gong, located inside the Shard, the tallest building in London, and enjoy incredible views of the British capital city.
Ibiza, Spain
Stay up all night partying on the Spanish island of Ibiza.
Colosseum — Rome, Italy
Explore the ruins of the stately Colosseum in Rome, Italy, and imagine the gladiator fights that once packed the arena.
Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
Test your limits and peer out from the edge of the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.
Market Square — Krakow, Poland
Have a beer in the beautiful Market Square of Krakow, Poland.
Sistine Chapel — Vatican City
Marvel at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, which took Michelangelo four years to paint, in Vatican City.
Autobahn — Germany
Test your speed on Germany's famous autobahn, known for having no speed limit.
Tivoli Gardens — Copenhagen, Denmark
Pass a day in the beautiful Tivoli Gardens and amusement park in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival — Edinburgh, Scotland
Catch a show at Scotland's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the world's largest arts festival.
Plitvice Lakes National Park — Croatia
Explore the waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes National Park, the largest national park in Croatia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
Discover Český Krumlov, a historic town in the Czech Republic that dates back to the 13th century. The town is spectacular yet not overrun with tourists.
Casino de Monaco — Monte Carlo, Monaco
Play a hand of blackjack at the Casino de Monaco in Monte Carlo, one of the most luxurious casinos in the world.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Hug the cliffs while driving along the Amalfi Coast in Italy, and visit the charming towns of Positano, Ravello, and Salerno.
Alhambra palace — Granada, Spain
Marvel at the Moorish architecture and tranquil gardens of the Alhambra palace in Granada, Spain.
Oktoberfest — Munich, Germany
Cheers with an authentic German beer during Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.
Jägala Fall — Estonia
Hear the roar of Jägala Fall in Estonia, called "the Niagara Falls of the Baltics."
Venice, Italy
Take a gondola ride through the winding canals of Venice, Italy.
Fjord Norway — Norway
Cruise Norway's imposing fjords, created by eroding glaciers. The Norwegian fjord landscape is a UNESCO Heritage Site.
Interlaken, Switzerland
Go skiing, hiking, or canyoning in Interlaken, Switzerland, which is known for its outdoor adventure activities.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
"Game of Thrones" helped boost Dubrovnik's popularity, having appeared as King's Landing. A walk around the Old City walls dating back to the 600s provides panoramic views of the ocean and Mount Srd.
Provence, France
Stroll through fragrant lavender fields in Provence, France.
Budapest, Hungary
Take a dip in a thermal bath in Budapest, Hungary.
Brussels, Belgium
Indulge in fresh gaufres chaudes (hot waffles) topped with strawberries, whipped cream, Nutella, and more in Belgium.
Lapland, Finland
Gaze at the aurora borealis from Lapland, in northern Finland.
Musée d'Orsay — Paris, France
See what is arguably the world's greatest collection of Impressionist art at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, France.
Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood — St. Petersburg, Russia
Marvel at the ornate interior of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, which is covered in colorful mosaics.
Scottish Highlands — Scotland
Drive through the Scottish Highlands and admire the gorgeous hilly terrain.
Pamplona, Spain
Run with the bulls in Pamplona, a tradition that dates back to 1591.
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Explore Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A blend of east and west and heavily influenced by the Ottoman Empire, the city offers museums, mosques, and cathedrals.
Istanbul, Turkey
Straddle two continents on a boat tour along the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey.
Étretat — Normandy, France
Walk through the chalk cliffs and natural arches of Étretat along the region's famous white pebble beach.
Vienna, Austria
Linger over a strong cup of coffee and a rich, chocolatey Sachertorte at a cafe in Vienna, Austria.
Sighisoara, Romania
Recount the tale of Dracula in Sighisoara, the Romanian town where real-life inspiration Vlad the Impaler was born.
Icehotel — Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
Opened in 1989, Sweden's Icehotel is built anew every year with ice from the Torne River.
Uffizi Gallery — Florence, Italy
Seek out Botticelli's masterpieces "The Birth of Venus" and "Primavera" inside the Uffizi Gallery.
Carcassone, France
Stroll the ramparts of the medieval fortified town of Carcassone, complete with a castle and Gothic cathedral.
Stonehenge, England
Watch the sun set at Stonehenge, one of the most recognizable prehistoric monuments in Europe.
Rila Monastery — Rila, Bulgaria
Find solace at the Rila Monastery, an Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria's Rila Mountains.
Sagrada Família — Barcelona, Spain
Admire the incredibly detailed facade of the Sagrada Família, a church in Barcelona, Spain, which was designed by famed architect Antoni Gaudí and has been under construction since 1882.
Cinque Terre, Italy
Hike through Italy's gorgeous Cinque Terre region, which is made up of five small fishing villages, all of which boast narrow winding roads, pastel-colored buildings, and amazing views of the Italian Riviera.
Ballybunion Golf Club — Ballybunion, Ireland
Play a round at Ballybunion, one of the most iconic golf courses in Ireland.
Reynisfjara Beach — Vík í Mýrdal, Iceland
Reynisfjara Beach is known for its black sands and basalt columns. It's located next to Vík í Mýrdal, Iceland's southernmost city.
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