Travelling to Europe and you want to see the most famous landmarks? Check out this list of the 20 most famous landmarks in Europe. It’s up to you where you want to go, but don’t skip these!
We’ve gathered a list of twenty famous European landmarks for your perusing pleasure. Whether you’re going for a short vacation or a long-term stay on the continent, it’s worth seeing at least one of these magnificent structures.
Table of Contents
1. The Colosseum – Rome, Italy
The Colosseum is one of the most significant monuments in Rome. It was initially used as an amphitheatre for gladiator fights and public spectacles such as mock sea battles and animal hunts. You won’t be able to get in unless you have a ticket, but it’s still worth a look at the outside!
2. Tower Bridge -London, England
Tower Bridge is an iconic symbol of London and appears in several movies set in the city. Crossing the bridge is free; you can buy tickets up to the top. A spectacular panorama of London opens up, which you shouldn’t miss out on. Book your Attraction Tours in advance, And don’t miss out on visiting one of the underground rooms with its beauty!
3. Buckingham Palace – London, England
A royal residence is a must-see for all visitors to London, whether you’re a big fan or not! The building is open for visitors during summer, but an appointment is required. You can visit the gardens of Buckingham Palace for free, though!
4. Sacré-Coeur – Paris, France
If you want to see the Eiffel Tower, go to Paris! The city is full of beautiful landmarks. We suggest that you visit Sacré-Coeur as well, though. This beautiful basilica is on top of Montmartre hill and offers a fantastic view of the entire city.
5. The Eiffel Tower – Paris, France
Next to London and Berlin, Paris is also one of Europe’s most popular tourist cities. Famous landmarks in Paris include the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Sacré-Coeur basilica.
6. Notre Dame – Paris, France
Notre Dame was built between 1163 and 1345 by the same architect as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. You’ll find it hard to beat Notre Dame’s architecture or the value of its history described by poet Victor Hugo.
7. Disneyland – Paris
Disneyland Paris is the best place for tots in the city. It opened in 1992, and since then, almost 80 million people have visited this amusement park, making it one of Europe’s most visited tourist attractions. If you are planning to visit with family, book your Disneyland Paris Ticket in advance.
8. Louvre Museum
Built as a fortress, the palace houses the world’s most famous museum. The Louvre features paintings from all of history, which include works by Rembrandt and Caravaggio. Book your Louvre Museum Tour in advance, And don’t miss out on visiting one of the underground rooms with its beauty!
9. The Shard – London
The newest landmark in London has become one of the city’s most popular attractions. You can see Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Thames River from the Shard. You can see from specific viewing points (not from inside, of course) as far as Windsor Castle or Heathrow Airport!
10. Sistine Chapel – Vatican City, Italy
This might be one of the most famous monuments in Italy: The Sistine Chapel in Vatican City was built in 1473 and was decorated with works by Michelangelo himself. You can’t visit the chapel inside unless you get a ticket, but it’s worth it if you’re a fan!
11. Leaning Tower of Pisa – Pisa
We’d be remiss if we didn’t include this famous landmark on our list of famous landmarks in Europe. The Leaning Tower of Pisa was built between 1173 and 1372, and its tilt attracts millions of tourists each year.
12. Sagrada Familia – Barcelona, Spain
Another European building made by the famous architect Antonio Gaudí is the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona which was started in 1882 and is still under construction today. Despite this, it’s still one of the most visited landmarks in Barcelona.
13. The Alhambra – Granada, Spain
Another Spanish sight of interest is the Islamic palaces and gardens at the Alhambra in Granada. Moorish kings built this stunning palace, and it has been used as an inspiration for architects until today (many say that Walt Disney took his inspiration from here).
14. St. Peter’s Basilica – Vatican City
While you might not be able to get into St. Peter’s Basilica, its stunning architecture is well worth seeing. The basilica was built as a fortress and has been used for public events such as Royal Weddings and Holy Masses for almost a thousand years.
15. Beaches of Europe
The European beaches will set you back a pretty penny, but if you spend your summer on the continent, it’s probably worth it. The beaches are gorgeous, and plenty of places to choose from. Some of the best beaches in Europe include the ones on Crete and the island of Santorini!
16. Chartres Cathedral – Chartres, France
You can’t talk about famous European towns without mentioning Chartres in France. This French town is famous for its cathedral built by Saint Fulcrum. The cathedral is an ancient Christian church made so that one of its sides faces the rising sun on Easter. If you want to visit Chartres, we suggest you come inbetween May and September when the church is open!
17. Plitvice Lakes – Croatia
If you love nature, then Plitvice Lakes National Park should be on your bucket list. This park in Croatia is known for its unique lakes, waterfalls, and lush forests. The reason why it’s also on our list of famous sightseeing landmarks in Europe because it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
18. Munich Oktoberfest – Munich, Germany
If you visit Germany, Oktoberfest is one of the best things to do. The festivity of beer and food has been taking place since 1810 and lasts for 16 days starting in September. You’ll find typical Bavarian funfair games and delicious traditional food here – make sure to leave room for some strudel!
19. City of Gold – Vienna, Austria
Vienna is famous for its architecture and history of the city, but one of its most famous sights is that of the City of Gold. This place was used as a fortress in places where the Ottoman Empire and Austria fought against each other. Today, you can still see remains from this war and beautiful architecture from different eras.
20. The Grand Canal – Venice, Italy
Do you like canals? If so, you might enjoy seeing the Grand Canal in Venice, which was built by the Venetian Romans a thousand years ago. The canal is more than 100 miles long and connects various parts of the city. It’s also one of Europe’s biggest tourist attractions!
We hope that you enjoyed reading about Europe’s famous buildings. If we missed one of your favourite monuments, please comment below!
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