You can hardly turn a corner in Europe without stumbling upon a majestic monument—indeed, the continent is home to an embarrassment of riches when it comes to incredible landmarks. Whether it’s the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome, or the Leaning Tower of Pisa, many of the most famous landmarks in Europe require no introduction.
Of course, with so many famous monuments in Europe, you certainly won’t lack choice on your next big European adventure—the only hard part will be prioritizing which one to see first. From mysterious 5,000-year-old monoliths to a whimsical work-in-progress basilica, each of these sites comes loaded with spectacular architecture, artwork, and history. Just bear in mind that these historical treasures are popular and to visit most of them, you’ll need to plan well ahead.
Here, we’ve rounded up 12 of the most famous landmarks in Europe, each well deserving of a spot on your bucket list.
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
Eiffel Tower in Paris, France
A beacon over the City of Lights, the 1,063-foot-high Eiffel Tower—soaring over the southwest side of the city, from its base in the 7th arrondissement—has become a symbol synonymous not just with Paris, but France as a whole.
Conceptualized by French engineer Gustave Eiffel as a temporary yet revolutionary structure for the 1889 World’s Fair, it’s hard to imagine that the open-lattice, wrought-iron tower was destined to be demolished after just 20 years.
Indeed, the tower’s unusual aesthetic was a matter of great public controversy, but, ultimately, it was spared from demolition, thanks largely to its utilitarian potential as a telecommunications tower. Today, the city’s signature spire is a firm fixture on the Parisian cityscape, marking one of the most famous landmarks in Europe—and the world.
Paris, France
Any visit to Paris is defined by the backdrop of the colossal tower’s thin frame, looming in the distance (bonus: it provides a reliable orientation point for visitors). And, of course, the city views from atop are unsurpassed—a combination of elevators and stairs will whisk you up to three tower levels and viewing platforms, with varying attractions like a Champagne bar, Michelin-starred restaurant, and transparent glass floor.
The tower is arguably even more breathtaking at night, when it sparkles in the intermittent illumination of thousands of twinkling lights. France is known for its Eiffel Tower views, so soak up some of the most dramatic from the Palais de Chaillot esplanade, just across the Seine River.
Read: One Day in Paris: The Ultimate Itinerary
Colosseum, Rome, Italy
Colosseum in Rome, Italy
Not only is it one of the most famous landmarks in Europe, but Rome’s Colosseum is also an enduring symbol of the ancient world. Indeed, the enormity of the Colosseum is as much a thing to behold today as it was when it was constructed nearly two thousand years ago, on order of emperor Vespasian in AD 72. The Roman landmark was ultimately completed by his son and successor Titus in AD 80 and was then known as the Flavian Amphitheatre.
Located just east of relic-littered Palatine Hill in Rome, the massive stone and concrete structure measures 160 feet tall with a circumference of 1,788 feet—a mind-boggling scale for the times. Contemplate it while walking its perimeters, taking note of the travertine-clad walls and trio of tiered seating levels, with arches capped by differing column styles (Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian). Note that above, a massive retractable velarium, or awning once shielded spectators from the elements.
Inside the engineering feat of its elliptical bowl, you can imagine ancient scenes from the gladiators and wild beasts that once battled here at the height of the Roman Empire, where some 50,000 spectators took in brutal and gory scenes of combat.
Parthenon, Athens, Greece
Parthenon in Athens, Greece
Another icon of European antiquity, the cream-colored, marbled Parthenon temple is the crowning glory of Athens’s rocky Acropolis hilltop (the sacred heart of the ancient city). The picture-perfect shrine features a harmonious colonnade of Doric columns and belvedere overlooking Athens.
One of the most important Greece landmarks, the monument was commissioned by the Athenian statesmen Pericles in dedication to Athena Parthenos, the patron goddess of Athens (a massive gold-and-ivory statue depicting her likeness was once contained within) as well as to serve as the city’s treasury. Much of what remains of the temple today dates back to the mid-5th century BC.
Acropolis in Athens, Greece
A steep ascent on foot atop the Acropolis marks a journey back in time to the cradle of Western Civilization. Here, among the scattered Greek ruins of ancient days, the 2,500-year-old Parthenon, set at the crest of the Acropolis, remains supreme.
As a matter of conservation, visitors are not allowed inside the monument. However, taking in the exterior does not disappoint, with its 46 graceful columns and perch for sweeping city views.
To better imagine what the interior of the temple was once like, you can see numerous statues and artifacts that were once temple adornments in the nearby Acropolis Museum, one of the best museums in Europe. There, too, you’ll see a reproduction of the temple’s missing friezes, including of the so-called Elgin Marbles, which are currently displayed at London’s British Museum, to ongoing controversy.
La Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain
Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
The unparalleled achievement and obsession of celebrated Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, La Sagrada Família in Barcelona is among the most famous landmarks in Europe—not to mention one of the grandest churches to ever grace planet Earth. One of a kind and constructed on a larger-than-life scale, the neo-Gothic/Art Nouveau basilica remains a work in progress for more than a century after its construction began in 1882.
One of the most beautiful places in Spain, the exterior is a wild display of intricate spires, towers, carvings, and sculptures that stretch skyward, to heights of 566 feet. Zoom in to pick out fine and fantastical details carved in stone—flora and fauna, nativity scenes and biblical stories, and gargoyles and dragons abound.
Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Contemplating the structure’s soaring interior, with massive, twisting pillars reaching toward the central nave in a scene reminiscent of a forest canopy, might just make a believer out of the faithless (there’s room for 13,000 seated congregants to sit down and ponder).
Finally, the long-awaited target date for the completion of this unique building is within reach: 2026, which will mark a century after Gaudí’s death (he’s buried in the crypt underneath).
Read: Three Days in Barcelona
Stonehenge, UK
Stonehenge, UK
Mammoth and mysterious, this ancient circle of megalithic pillars in the English countryside, on Salisbury Plain, has fascinated generations of curious spectators. Widely touted as the most important prehistoric monument in Britain, with roots stretching as far back as 3000 BC, questions surrounding the significance of the site and its construction remain today.
Some historians say it was an astronomical observatory (the stones are perfectly aligned to the solstice sunrise/sunset). Others believe it was a ceremonial burial site. For engineers, the most peculiar aspect of the site is the heavy bluestone and sarsen stones themselves (weighing as much as 45 tons), some of which were moved great distances from as far away as neighboring Wales.
See what echoes of the past are revealed to you on a visit to the storied archaeological site—just keep in mind that you’ll have to ponder the mysterious monoliths from a distance, as it’s not permitted to touch the stones.
Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
Dating to 1173, this curious bell tower for the Pisa Cathedral in Pisa, Italy, was lopsided almost from the start, owed to the uneven settling of its foundation in the soft ground below. Architects over the centuries have tried (in vain) to compensate for the lean, but some 850 years later, the 185-foot-high Leaning Tower of Pisa leans (to some 4 degrees off the vertical) indeed.
But, alas, that’s what has made it one of Italy’s signature sights and one of the most famous monuments in Europe. Happily, attempts to stabilize the eight-story medieval tower, with its white-marble arcades, have helped ensure that it’s still stable and safe to climb the 251 interior steps for visitors today. You’ll get some nice views of the cathedral complex and surrounding Tuscan scenery from the top.
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Italy
St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Italy
St. Peter’s Basilica, in the Vatican City (an enclave in Rome), is a principal shrine for the Catholic faith and the largest Christian church in Europe, marking a point of pilgrimage for Catholics the world over. But you needn’t be devout to appreciate the history and grandeur of the site.
Built atop St. Peter’s tomb, the Renaissance-style basilica was crafted in reverence to Jesus’s most prominent apostle, who became the first pope (and who is believed to have been crucified on an adjacent site during Roman times). The original foundations of this Roman church date to the 4th century AD (which was commissioned by Emperor Constantine), with a newer basilica built on top and further embellished by Italian masters throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.
St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Italy
In the cavernous interior, a veritable treasure trove awaits, where marble and gilt meet a skyward dome and rich Renaissance and Baroque artwork from masters like Raphael, Michelangelo, and Bernini. Showstoppers include Michelangelo’s graceful Pietà, Bernini’s bronze baldachin over the papal altar, and Michelangelo’s 448-foot-high dome. Climb (or take an elevator ride) up for a closer look at the massive dome’s detailing—with bonus Vatican City views. Visits to the papal tombs in the Vatican grottoes and to the tomb of St. Peter can also be arranged.
Out front, the elliptical, colonnaded, Bernini-designed piazza stands in the shadow of St. Peter’s façade—this is also the setting for regular papal audiences, filled in with pilgrims who gather here for blessings from the head of the Roman Catholic church.
Pantheon, Rome, Italy
Pantheon in Rome, Italy
Ancient Roman temple turned Catholic church, Rome’s well-preserved Pantheon—derived from the Greek words pan (all) and theos (gods)—has been wowing mortal (and perhaps immortal) crowds for over two millennia. Originally built in 27 BC by the statesman Agrippa before being reconstructed in the early 2nd century AD, under order of Emperor Hadrian, this glorious relic of ancient Rome remains remarkably intact.
Step inside the oversized bronze double doors and beyond the imposing 16 Corinthian columns standing guard outside to really grapple with the massive scope of this architectural marvel. Measuring a perfect 142 feet wide by 142 feet high, its harmonious dimensions incorporate a soaring concrete dome punctuated by a 27-foot-wide oculus (which was meant to bring in light and represent a connection between the temple and the gods).
Once you stop craning your neck, do seek out the tombs of Italian kings Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I and of Renaissance artist Raphael that lay inside—not a bad final resting place.
Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain
Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain
The Alhambra, overlooking the city of Granada against a backdrop of the craggy Sierra Nevada mountains, is regarded as the world’s most exquisite example of Moorish architecture.
The Moors inhabited much of Southern Spain and Portugal from 711 AD to 1492 AD. They were Muslim tribes from North Africa who brought with them a rich culture, evidence of which remains all over Southern Spain today.
Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain
The Alhambra, named after its dusky pink hue, was once a walled citadel. Much of what you see today dates from the 13th and 14th centuries, when the castle was transformed into an opulent palace, the home of the Nasrid emirs.
Other parts are more recent; the Renaissance Palacio de Carlos V was built in the 15th century by the emperor Carlos V, who ordered a palace to be constructed here once the Moors had been expelled. Check out the Museo de la Alhambra inside the palace, which is packed with beautiful artifacts from the time of the Moors.
Arguably the most striking section of the Alhambra is the Palacios Nazaries, with intricately carved ceilings and jaw-droppingly gorgeous mosaics. But there are so many details to admire; the fragrant Patio de los Arrayanes, or Courtyard of the Myrtles, with myrtle hedges framing a shimmering pool, and the elaborate cedarwood ceiling of the Salon de los Embajadores.
Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain
On the Patio de los Leones, the Lion Courtyard, 12 marble lions dating to the 11th century circle a fountain. The whole space is surrounded by delicate columns.
While you’re here, don’t miss the Generalife, a magnificent 14th-century garden laid out with trees, reflecting pools, and splashing fountains. If anything sends you home with a desire to add a little Moorish style to your own backyard, it will be this.
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey
Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey
The delicate minarets of Hagia Sophia pierce the distinctive Istanbul skyline, while its vast dome is a symbol of the city’s spectacular Byzantine heritage. If you’ve visited Istanbul in the past, you could be forgiven for being confused about the status of this magnificent building, which has changed several times over the years.
Its first iteration was built in 537 AD as a church named Hagia Sophia. The construction of the vast dome alone involved 10,000 workers. Hagia Sophia remained the largest enclosed space in the world for nearly 1,000 years.
Mehmet the Conqueror changed the building to a mosque in 1453, and it stayed as such until 1935, when it became a museum under the reign of President Atatürk.
In 2020, the building was once again converted into a mosque; you’ll also see it named Aya Sofia, which is the Turkish spelling. These different uses mean there’s both Christian and Muslim symbolism decorating the building.
Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey
The attention to detail and the astonishing engineering are mind-blowing. Marble was brought from Syria, Marmara, North Africa, and further parts of Turkey in shades of green, pink, yellow, and white. Columns were imported from the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus. The walls are covered with dazzling mosaics in gold, silver, jewel-like stones, and terracotta.
As Hagia Sophia is now a working mosque, there are some areas on the ground floor inaccessible to non-Muslims. But you can visit the Upper Galleries, rich in shimmering mosaics, and you’ll have an excellent perspective of the vastness of the dome.
You’ll need to dress modestly, and women are required to wear a headscarf to enter. But a visit to what’s widely regarded as the eighth wonder of the world is an absolute essential when in Istanbul.
Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark
Nyhavn in Copenhagen, Denmark
The colorful, gabled facades of Nyhavn’s waterfront, the buzz of the beer gardens, and the boats bobbing on the water is one of the most iconic visions of Copenhagen. Visitors love the jaunty red, yellow, blue, and green facades, while locals see the canal as a favorite spot for cold beers on a hot summer’s day.
Nyhavn, which translates as “New Harbor”, dates back to the 17th century. It’s actually a canal, built to connect Kongens Nytorv, a public square, to the city’s main harbor. Then, Nyhavn was a commercial port—and with commercial ports in those days came pubs, boozing, and houses of ill repute.
Nyhavn in Copenhagen, Denmark
Today, of course, Nyhavn has cleaned up its act. You won’t see commercial ships here, just wooden sailboats and canal tour boats. The facades of the houses have been beautifully renovated, and the waterfront is lined with restaurants, bars, and sidewalk cafés.
As you stroll around, turn your thoughts to Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark’s famed fairytale writer. He lived at no. 20, and then later at no. 67 and no. 18, writing stories including The Princess and the Pea and The Tinderbox. Take a look, too, at no. 9, the oldest building on Nyhavn, built in 1681.
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
Clinging to a volcanic plug, its impenetrable walls snaking around the brooding Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle is one of the most famous landmarks in Scotland. A former royal residence, today it’s an active military base and the home of Scotland’s priceless Crown Jewels, called the Honours of Scotland.
A fortification has stood on Castle Rock since the Iron Age, but parts of the castle as you see it today date back to the 11th century. Queen Margaret died here in 1093. Her son, King David I, built a chapel in her honor in the Romanesque style. It’s now Edinburgh’s oldest building and a popular wedding venue.
Great Hall in Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
Later additions include the Great Hall, built in the early 16th century by James IV, and the Half Moon Battery, also added in the 16th century. The Scottish National War Memorial dates back to just after the First World War.
A visit typically includes the Honours of Scotland, the oldest crown jewels in the United Kingdom, dating back to the coronation of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1543. Another popular attraction is Mons Meg, a massive siege gun from the 15th century that could hit a target two miles away.
The Royal Apartments are packed with historic interest, including portraits of kings and queens and the closet where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI of Scotland, also James I of England. Visit the Great Hall, completed in 1511, and the elaborate Scottish War Memorial.
Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, Scotland
The Esplanade parade ground is relatively modern, having been established in 1820, while the National War Museum, inside the castle walls, charts 400 years of Scotland’s complex military history.
Read: Best Places for Solo Travel in Europe
Colosseum in Rome, Italy
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