Europe Travel Bucket List: 111 Must-See Places in Europe Right Now

If you’re dreaming of exploring the diverse and enchanting landscapes of Europe, or simply yearning to add more awe-inspiring destinations to your travel bucket list, then you’ve landed in the perfect spot. 

Forget the generic travel guides and the often-repeated top ten lists. Here, we delve into the heart of what makes European travel truly unforgettable.

I’m not just talking about ticking off a few famous landmarks or savouring the popular local dishes. 

Travel, in its essence, is about immersing yourself in the vibrant tapestry of cultures, embracing the unseen nuances of each place, and experiencing the soul of each destination. It’s about the hidden gems that only a local would know, the breathtaking moments that leave you speechless, and the experiences that transform you.

Europe, with its rich history, stunning natural beauty, and diverse cultures, offers an abundance of such transformative experiences. 

From the majestic fjords of Norway to the sun-kissed shores of Greece, each site on this extensive travel bucket list is a story waiting to be lived.

As someone who’s not just a traveller but a passionate storyteller, I’m here to guide you through these must-visit European destinations, sharing insights that go beyond the surface.

So, let’s embark on this journey together and discover the true spirit of Europe, one incredible destination at a time.

Tips for seeing your bucket list travel Europe

I’ve created this list of must-see places in Europe to help you start planning your trip to Europe.

I know many first-time travellers to Europe will go to the same top best cities of Europe, but if you’re a real traveller, on your following trips to Europe, you’ll want to go deeper and start checking the top European tourist attractions.

And most of these things to do in Europe are off-the-beaten-path, meaning that you will most likely have the place to yourself. Sure, I had to include the most popular attractions in Europe as well, but for the most part, you will discover a part of Europe you never knew existed.

To make the most out of your European travel bucket list, here are my best Europe travel tips:

• Plan your Europe itinerary according to your personal must-see attractions in Europe.
• Consider travelling off-season or at least during shoulder season if you want to spend less and avoid crowds.
• Some places in Europe require careful planning and booking hotels and entrances in advance. Make sure to do your research.
• Use public transport whenever possible. It’s often cheaper and maybe faster than taxis. Also, you learn so much about the local lifestyle when you try to blend in with the locals.
• Don’t overplan your trip. Leave some free days in between travel destinations so you can be flexible enough to say “Yes” to whatever Europe throws at you.
• Try to embrace a little of the local language and customs. While Europe isn’t as big as other continents, it’s surely diverse and cultural differences exist.

111 Places to put on your bucket list travel Europe

1. Hallstatt, Austria
2. The Dachstein Ice Cave, Austria
3. Hallerbos Forest, Belgium
4. The Ardennes, Belgium/Luxembourg/France
5. Rila Monastery, Bulgaria
6. Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
7. Nessebar Old Town, Bulgaria
8. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
9. Krka National Park, Croatia
10. The Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
11. Dubrovnik, Croatia
12. Krkonoše National Park, Czech Republic
13. Wadden Sea, Netherlands/Germany/Denmark
14. Stonehenge, England
15. The Roman Baths, Bath, England
16. The White Cliffs of Dover, England
17. Isle of Wight, England
18. The Baltic Sea Coast, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia
19. Lapland, Finland
20. Eiffel Tower, France
21. Mont Saint-Michel, France. I recommend continuing the road trip from Normandy into Brittany. I didn’t expect much from Brittany, but it became one of my favourite places in Europe. Here’s my honest take on whether Brittany is worth visiting.
22. Versailles Palace, France
23. Lavender Fields of Provence, France
24. Mont Blanc, France/Italy/Switzerland
25. Lake Geneva, Switzerland/France
26. The Camargue, France
27. The Ardèche Gorge, France
28. Côte d’Azur, France
29. Gorges du Verdon, France
30. Normandy Beaches, France
31. Rocamadour, France
32. Corsica, France
33. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
34. The Black Forest, Germany
35. Berlin Wall, Germany
36. Saxon Switzerland National Park, Germany
37. Acropolis of Athens, Greece
38. Santorini Caldera, Greece
39. Blue Caves, Zakynthos, Greece
40. Melissani Cave, Kefalonia, Greece
41. Meteora Monasteries, Greece
42. Mount Olympus, Greece
43. Glacier Lagoon, Iceland
44. The Northern Lights, Various Locations (Northern Norway is one of the best spots)
45. Dentifoss Waterfall, Iceland
46. Hot Springs of Iceland
47. Skaftafell (Blue) Ice Cave, Iceland
48. 45. Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
49. The Ring of Kerry, Ireland
50. Aran Islands, Ireland
51. Colosseum, Italy
52. Pompeii, Italy
53. Lake Como, Italy
54. The Cinque Terre, Italy
55. Amalfi Coast, Italy
56. The Dolomites, Italy
57. Mount Etna, Italy
58. Val d’Orcia, Tuscany, Italy
59. St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
60. Sistine Chapel, Vatican City
61. Lofoten islands, Norway
62. The Curonian Spit, Lithuania/Russia
63. Trakai Castle, Lithuania
64. The Ardennes, Belgium/Luxembourg/France
65. Kotor Bay, Montenegro
66. Keukenhof Gardens, Netherlands
67. Zaanse Schans, The Netherlands
68. Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
69. Trolltunga, Norway
70. Fjords of Norway (Nærøyfjord and Geiranger, the two UNESCO fjords of Norway)
71. The Northern Lights, Various Locations (Northern Norway is one of the best spots)
72. Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), Norway
73. The North Cape, Norway
74. Lapland, Finland
75. Svalbard, Norway
76. Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland
77. The Bialowieza Forest, Poland/Belarus
78. Masurian Lakes, Poland
79. The Tatras, Poland/Slovakia
80. Douro Valley, Portugal
81. Palace of Pena, Portugal
82. The Azores, Portugal
83. Algarve Coast, Portugal
84. Pico Areeiro, Madeira, Portugal
85. Cabo da Roca, Portugal
86. Porto Katsiki, Lefkada, Greece
87. The Carpathian Mountains, Romania
88. The Danube Delta, Romania
89. Transfăgărășan road, Romania
90. Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle), Romania
91. The Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia
92. Loch Ness, Scotland
93. The Scottish Highlands, Scotland
94. Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye, Scotland
95. Orkney Islands, Scotland
96. Scottish Isles, Scotland
97. High Tatras, Slovakia
98. Lake Bled, Slovenia
99. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
100. Alhambra, Spain
101. Diocletian’s Palace, Split, Croatia
102. The Camino de Santiago, Spain
103. El Caminito del Rey, Spain
104. Picos de Europa, Spain
105. Tarifa, Spain
106. Icehotel, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden 
107.  Matterhorn, Switzerland
108. Jungfrau Region, Switzerland
109. Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey
110. Baku Promenade, Azerbaijan
111. Stari Most Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Europe travel bucket list: where do you start?

I have created this Europe travel bucket list for myself, and I have already ticked off about half of these places to see before you die. 

As you can see, this isn’t a list of the best cities in Europe; it is a list of simple places that are worth having as destinations. I’d dare to call it your list of must-see spots in Europe.

The best thing about having these on your map is that even the road trip you’ll take to get to some of these places will turn out to be gorgeous, and you will get to discover landscapes and cities you would not have known about otherwise. 

I honestly believe Europe is full of great cities with a tremendous history. But if you’re not into cities and really want to see some of the most gorgeous places in Europe, then follow this Europe travel bucket list, and you’re on the right track. 

If you already have your personal travel bucket list and are simply looking for a more general bucket list with all the things to try in a lifetime, then check out my “things to do before you die” list.