From the Eiffel Tower in Paris to Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and the Colosseum in Rome, there are some incredible European landmarks. While many of these famous monuments are historical attractions, there are also some contemporary gems like the Guggenheim in Bilboa, Spain.
The Best European Landmarks
These landmarks in Europe have extremely distinctive appearances. However, they all share great design that has stood the test of time in common.
Check out these beautiful places that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
1. Eiffel Tower
No list of the most famous European landmarks would be complete without the Eiffel Tower. Designed by Gustave Eiffel, this grande dame of architectural design was completed in 1889.
Towering above the Paris skyline, the Eiffel Tower can be seen from miles around. Built for the World’s Fair, the iron tower is 320 meters high.
It was the tallest building in the world until the Chrysler building surpassed it. Now of course, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the world’s tallest building.
On the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, there’s the luxurious Jules Verne restaurant. This is a lovely place to admire panoramic views of Paris by day or night.
Surprisingly, it’s illegal to photograph the Eiffel Tower’s light display. That’s because it’s considered to be an artwork and subject to prior authorization by the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel. In practice, holidaymakers shouldn’t have a problem.
2. The Colosseum
Rome is blessed with some of the most spectacular historical attractions in the world. The Colosseum is an enormous ampitheater which used to hold gladitorial battles in ancient Rome.
Constructed during the reign of the Flavian emperors as a gift to the people of Rome, it’s also known as the Flavian Ampitheatre. At 50 meters tall and 189 meters long, this is the largest ampitheater in the world.
Built between 72 AD and 80 AD, the Colosseum could hold over 50,000 spectators. They would watch the gruesome gladiator fights where animals including lions, bears and leopards were also pitted against men.
3. Buckingham Palace
The London residence of Queen Elizabeth II, Buckingham Palace is located next to Green Park and St James’s Park.
Built in 1703, Buckingham Palace is an example of neoclassical architecture. One of the most famous London landmarks, the palace has 775 rooms including 19 State Rooms.
The State Rooms are usually open to the public from late July to late September, when the Queen is not in residence. Buckingham Palace grounds are part of the tour. They are the largest private gardens in London, with a lake, tennis courts and helipad.
Although extensively featured in the Netflix series The Crown, filming didn’t actually take place at the palace itself. Stand ins such as Lancaster House in London and Wilton House in Wiltshire were used for many scenes.
4. Neuschwanstein Castle
Germany is famous for its fairytale castles, particularly in the region of Bavaria. Neuschwanstein Castle is perched on a hill above the village of Hohenschwangau.
Originally commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in honor of the composer Richard Wagner, it is one of the largest castles and most visited tourist attractions in Europe. If Neuschwanstein Castle looks familiar, that’s because Walt Disney based Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland on it.
Designed in the Romanesque Revival style, Neuschwanstein translates as New Swan Stone. This comes from the Richard Wagner opera character, the Swan Knight.
5. Belem Tower
When visiting Portugal, a trip to Lisbon is a must. Belem Tower is a 16th century fortification, from where Portugese explorers set sail.
Known alternatively as the Tower of Saint Vincent and also as the Torre de Belem, it was added as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
Dating from 1514, Belem Tower is surrounded by the Tagus River at high tide. The tower is decorated with elaborate ornaments, balconies and turrets in a Moorish style.
6. Hungarian Parliament Building
Located on the banks of the Danube river in Budapest, the Hungarian Parliament is the most expensive building in the country. It is also one of the two tallest monuments, together with Saint Stephen’s Basilica.
The parliament has 691 rooms, 29 staircases and 10 courtyards. Over 700,000 people visit the Hungarian Parliament each year.
Completed in 1904, the Parliament of Budapest was designed by the architect Imre Steindl. He sadly became blind before the building was finished.
7. Sagrada Familia
Possibly the most distinctive European landmark, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain was designed by world famous architect Antoni Gaudi. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is surprisingly still unfinished, despite construction starting in 1882!
Work on the Roman Catholic basilica is estimated to be completed in 2026. Gaudi was inspired by nature and you can spot various stone animals on the facade, including a dove, pelican, snail and chameleon.
There will be 18 spires once La Sagrada Familia is complete, with the tallest representing Jesus Christ. Gaudi is buried under the basilica and his tomb can be visited by the public.
8. Mont Saint-Michel
Nestled one kilometer off the North West coast of France, Mont Saint-Michel is a charming medieval village. One of the most famous historical sites in France, this incredible European landmark is spread over 240 acres.
Perched on the highest point, there’s an impressive Gothic Benedictine abbey. During the Middle Ages, Mont Saint-Michel was an important place for pilgrimage.
Reaching the island had its challenges, as the tide comes in very quickly. In 2014, the 2,500 foot long Mont Saint-Michel bridge was opened, connecting the island permanently with the mainland.
Although only 50 people live on the island, over 3 million people visit each year. It can get extremely busy in Summer.
9. Brandenburg Gate
One of the most famous landmarks in Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate was built by King Frederick William II as a city entry point. The gate was modelled on the Propylaeum in the Acropolis, Athens.
Inaugurated in 1791, this military monument was designed by Carl Gotthard Langhans. The sculpture of a horse-drawn chariot on top of the gate was removed by Napoleon’s soldiers in 1806. Known as the Quadriga, it was returned to the gate after Napoleon’s defeat.
On this spot, hundreds of thousand of people celebrated the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Today, the Brandenburg Gate is a powerful symbol of unity and peace.
10. Leaning Tower of Pisa
Famous for its unique tilt, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is actually the result of a design flaw. Built on soft soil and shallow foundations, the tower began to lean as soon as a second story was added.
Originally meant to be a bell tower, this iconic Italian landmark became a German military base during World War II. In 1944, the advancing US Army were instructed to destroy all enemy buildings. However, they spared the Leaning Tower of Pisa due to its beauty.
Over the course of its history, several attempts have been made to straighten the leaning tower. Mussolini hated the tilt and ordered holes to be drilled in the base then filled with mortar. However, this made the tower lean even more.
There are actually several leaning buildings in Pisa, including the churches of San Nicola and San Michele degli Scalzi.
11. The Alhambra
Known for its Moorish architecture, The Alhambra is a stunning fortress and palace in Granada, Spain. Built on a plateau overlooking the town, it was the royal residence during the reign of the Nasrid Kingdom.
The name alhambra comes from the Arabic word for red castle. That’s appropriate as the building has a reddish glow at certain times of the day.
The building complex is a fine example of the Mudejar architectural style. This is the combination of Western decorative elements with Islamic art.
The Alhambra interiors are highly ornate, with intricate stucco and wood carvings. Don’t miss the Court of the Lions, with its white marble fountain adorned with 12 lions.
12. Palace of Versailles
The extravagant former home of the Sun King, the Palace of Versailles is one of the most famous European landmarks. Originally a hunting lodge, the Chateau de Versailles was later rebuilt as a palace.
King Louis XIV made the palace his permanent residence and set about creating opulent interiors and stunning gardens. Designed by André Le Nôtre, the formal French gardens feature arabesque lawns and the Grand Canal, a symmetrical basin.
Inside Versailles palace, the Hall of Mirrors is particularly impressive. With 357 mirrors of Venetian glass, it was completed in 1684.
The Palace of Versailles is the second most visited monument in France, after the Louvre museum and ahead of the Eiffel Tower.
13. The Acropolis of Athens
Greece is not short of impressive landmarks, but The Acropolis is definitely one of the finest examples. Dating from the 5th century BCE, this ancient site is extremely well preserved.
Standing around 150 meters above sea level, the word acropolis means highest point or extremity in Greek. The Acropolis itself is the hill that the Parthenon stands on.
The Parthenon is a temple built between 447 and 432 B.C. Dedicated to Greek goddess Athena, The Parthenon is made of marble.
14. Hagia Sophia
The full name of this famous monument in Turkey is the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. Formerly the Church of Hagia Sophia, this Turkish landmark became a museum in 1934, following a decree by Ataturk’s cabinet.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a mosque again since July 2020. Built in the 6th century BC, contains 8 columns from the abandoned Temple of Artemis in Ephesus. This was one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
There are 104 columns in all, and a central dome that is 108 feet in diameter. This masterpiece of Byzantine architecture is supported by four pendentives which were unique at the time of construction.
15. St Basil’s Cathedral
Famous for its onion shaped domes, St Basil’s Cathedral is also known as the Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed. Commissioned by Ivan Vasilyevich, the first Tsar of Russia to celebrate his military victories, it was originally painted white with gold domes.
The exuberant colors that you see today were added from the 17th century onwards. With a prime location on Red Square in Moscow, St Basil’s has been a museum since 1929.
Weekly Christian Orthodox services to Saint Basil are held in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cathedral is made up of 9 individual chapels.
16. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, this unique building is located in Bilbao, Spain. Opened by King Juan Carlos I in October 1997, the Guggenheim Museum showcases contemporary art.
Located on the banks of the Nervion river, the Guggenheim Bilbao attracts 20 million visitors each year. Made from glass, limestone and titanium, the building is considered by the World Architecture Survey to be one of the most important designs in the world.
Housing 250 modern artworks, the Guggenheim boasts 19 galleries and 11,000 square meters of exhibition space. It has contributed significantly to the regeneration of the surrounding Bilbao port area.
17. Pena Palace
Perched on a hilltop in the Sintra Mountains, Pena Palace is a colorful 19th century castle. Designed in the Romanticist style, Pena Palace was built by German architect Baron Wilhelm Ludwig von Schewge.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most visited landmarks in Portugal. Originally built as a Summer residence for King Ferdinand II and the Portugese royal family, it is now a museum.
Over time, the original bright colors of Pena Palace faded to grey. However, this national monument was repainted in 1996 and restored to its former glory.
Which of these European landmarks is your favorite?
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