Here are 15 of the most picturesque places in Europe that you should add to your bucket list
Europe is spoiled with beauty, with 51 independent countries, diverse landscapes, languages, and time zones. 15 spectacular places that will leave you speechless.
Here are some tips for first-time European visitors unsure where to begin. The first question you'll surely want to ask is: Where are the finest places in Europe to visit? This Europe bucket list contains the best of the best to help you plan your trip.
The Greek Island of Santorini
Santorini is a Greek island in the Cyclades group, located on the southern side of the Aegean Sea. After a massive volcano eruption in the 17th century B.C., the island was reshaped into this breathtaking caldera.
Stunning beaches with red sand and black pebbles. The iconic whitewashed buildings cling to rocks overlooking an underwater caldera. An Instagram Mecca with its blue domes. A legendary sunset can be seen from the town of Oia. Whether you're looking for romance or adventure, this crescent-shaped Aegean island is the one.
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Amalfi Coast, Italy
A few destinations in the world make it onto every traveler’s bucket list, and the Amalfi Coast is one of them. With its pastel-coloured towns cascading down to the Mediterranean, olive groves, and endless limoncello, Italy's most famous peninsula hasn't lost its glamour for centuries.
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The Faroe Islands
A collection of 18 treeless islands between Iceland and Norway dominated by nature and far from tourist attractions is being hailed as “the next Iceland.” The sea shapes much of the Faroe Islands' landscape: craggy cliffs carved from the North Atlantic's strong swells disappear into verdant meadows, where colourful cottages and churches emerge from the mist.
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The French Provence
There is no better image of Provence than the lavender fields stretching across the horizon. In addition to its sweet-smelling flowers, you'll also find many top Michelin-starred restaurants, art studios used by names like Matisse and Cézanne, and scenic roads lining sugar-white beaches, mountain passes, and sparkling blue Mediterranean waters.
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Venice, Italy
Despite the crowds, the romance of one of the world's most storied cities remains intact. There are few places in the world worth braving the masses to experience as this: gliding through the Adriatic lagoon by gondola, visiting its historic palazzi, or taking a picture in Piazza San Marco while enjoying some gelato.
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The Storr, Scotland
The Isle of Skye, in the far west Scottish Highlands, is home to countless fantasy movies due to its magical landscapes. This area is known as The Sanctuary.
A group of rocky pinnacles called the Storr, which jut out like spikes from the grassy hillside overlooking the island's rugged coastline, are particularly striking.
Several weirdly shaped rock pinnacles are visible here, remnants of ancient landslides. A hike is involved, but don't let the wet weather deter you: it only makes the place look more magical.
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Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
Millions of tourists are drawn to Western Ireland's Cliffs of Moher each year because of their sweeping vistas of the land meeting the sea. Explore its most remote corners, searching for puffin colonies and the distant Aran Islands.
As many as 20 different species of birds can be seen on the Cliffs of Moher. Numerous movies have featured the cliffs, including Harry Potter and The Princess Bride.
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Meteora, Greece
Meteora is a few kilometres northwest of Kalabaka. Only four of Meteora’s 24 original 11th-century monasteries, which were built on top of sandstone towers to protect them from pillagers during medieval times, survive. In the 13th and 14th centuries, twenty-four monasteries were built on the rocks. Meteora should definitely be on your bucket list.
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Bay of Kotor, Montenegro
The Bay of Kotor, called the Boka, is a winding bay within the Adriatic Sea southwest of Montenegro. During the past few years, Croatia has been all the rage, but now that Game of Thrones is ending, its Mediterranean neighbour is taking over.
One of the country's most popular destinations is Kotor, which boasts centuries-old palazzos and alleyways, excellent food, and primaeval forests. Add the Blue Cave Tour to your list: The Blue Cave is a prevalent natural sight outside the Bay of Kotor. The rock gets its name from the blue colour it emits when sunlight bounces off the water's bottom and back onto it.
It's only accessible by boat and is a fantastic swimming spot.
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Trolltunga, Norway
Trolltunga (meaning “the troll's tongue”), a rock formation jutting out over Lake Ringedalsvatnet, is one such challenging hike. The round-trip hike from Skjeggedal will take about 10–12 hours, including breaks, since the ascent is almost 800 metres. You will need to train for this hike since it is not an easy-peasy adventure.
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Sintra, Portugal
The cool hills of the Serra de Sintra surround this charming Portuguese town. There is no doubt that Sintra inspired fantasy novels. In this beautiful corner of Portugal outside Lisbon, you'll find a colourful palace and the ruins of a Moorish fortress.
Don't forget to take the time to stroll down its cobbled streets and admire the Gothic national palace. It's possible to see the highlights of Sintra in one day, but we recommend staying at least two days.
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Kirkjufell, Iceland
The natural beauty of one of Iceland's most iconic landmarks is enhanced by its remoteness. Kirkjufell is also known as Church Mountain. Snæfellsnes Peninsula's freestanding mountain is surrounded by beaches, waterfalls, and everything you'd imagine Iceland would have to offer.
The colours of the trees change dramatically with the seasons, making it an ideal photo opportunity throughout the year. A top 10 list of the world's most beautiful mountains, Kirkjufell is the most photographed mountain in Iceland.
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Bruges, Belgium
The city of Bruges is the capital and largest city of the Flemish Region of Belgium. Known as the “Venice of the North,” this city has canals that wind between secret gardens, quaint chocolate shops, and medieval architecture spared from WWII.
For many reasons, Bruges should be included in your Belgium trip. In addition to its striking beauty, rich history, and opportunities for watching people, drinking a Belgium beer, and visiting museums, Bruges is a delightful city.
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Lapland, Finland
In Finland, Lapland is the largest and most northern region. Inside the Arctic Circle, you'll find a winter wonderland, husky-led sleigh rides, reindeer herds and snow-covered log cabins. Lapland is the Arctic Circle's version of the North Pole, with igloo hotels to watch the Northern Lights. People have been captivated by the northern lights or the aurora borealis for millennia.
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Plitviče Lakes National Park, Croatia
Located in the Croatian Republic, Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the oldest and most prominent in the country. The Grand Canyon and the Serengeti are well known, but do you know about Plitvice Lakes? If not, that's a shame because Croatia's oldest national park deserves to be among the most prestigious.
Hundreds of waterfalls feed 16 emerald-green lakes formed by a river flowing through a mountain valley. Visitors can explore the wooden walkways individually as they hike through the surrounding forest. A visit to Plitvice Lakes National Park should last at least two days if you want to enjoy it fully.
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15 picturesque spots that should be on your bucket list ideas for Europe
We should not miss out on the chance to see the places that touch our hearts and experience the beauty of this planet.