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1

Var, Provence (France)

From the greenish-blue waters of the Gorges du Verdon to the endless lilac lavender fields, the Var is considered the most beautiful part of Provence. Stone houses form tiny villages tucked between winding roads. There you won't be bothered by crowds of tourists. You will be able to stop and eat deliciously, see the best views of Provence, and get that real taste of life in this region, which is described in Peter Mayle’s book “A Year in Provence.”

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2

Barcelona, ​​Spain)

You definitely need to see with your own eyes the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, the construction of which began at the end of the 19th century and still remains unfinished, but in the scaffolding this grandiose structure seems even more spectacular. The architecture of Antoni Gaudi fills the streets and boulevards of the Catalan capital, his humorous and surreal works are recognizable in every corner of the city. Inspired by the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel, the architect created Park Güell in accordance with the English idea of ​​a “garden city”. It’s also worth seeing it and taking a photo on the famous winding snake bench. Entrance to the park costs €8, but if you want to see Gaudí's creations without spending money, wander the streets of the city and find the houses of La Pedrera, Casa Vicens and Casa Batlló, which can be admired from the street absolutely free.

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3

Sistine Chapel, Italy

The masterpiece of all Michelangelo's masterpieces is located in the Apostolic Palace in Rome. The Last Judgment fresco occupies the entire wall behind the altar and part of the ceiling. Its length is 40 m, width 13 m, and includes nine biblical stories. Take a closer look at the work of the great master, and imagine that you yourself are painting this wall. By the way, keep in mind that it is often closed by scaffolding, so choose the time to visit the chapel carefully.

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4

Acropolis, Greece

About three million tourists visit the Acropolis in Athens every year. This is a good reason to join them. These "sacred stones" date back to the 5th century BC, and the Parthenon, the most famous temple of the Acropolis, with 46 Doric columns, is considered the most famous building in classical architecture. It is recommended to look at the Acropolis at night; you will have a magnificent view of the old temples, bathed in the golden light of spotlights.

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5

Pamukkale, Türkiye

This fossilized cascade of a powerful waterfall is located on the side of a valley in the picturesque southwestern region of Turkey. Surreal travertine steps on the edge of the Anatolian plateau are located next to the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis. It is easy to get here and therefore there are a lot of tourists here every day. Pamukkale is considered the most visited attraction in Turkey and is worth seeing with your own eyes.

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6

Semana Santa, Spain

This is not a place, but a time. During Holy Week - 7 days before Easter - costumed processions begin to move from church to church in all cities of Spain, depicting the last days of the life of Christ. This is especially impressive in Seville. Spanish pride is La Madruga, the early morning of Good Friday, when Seville's two beloved Virgins, Triana and Macarena, appear.

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7

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Türkiye

The structure was first used as a Byzantine church, then as a mosque during Ottoman times, and is now a museum (though you can still hear the call to prayer from its minarets several times a day). It's really great. Inside, Byzantine mosaics shimmer, verses of the Koran are written on special black shields in elegant Arabic calligraphy, and the minbar and prayer niches - typical places of worship in Islam - have been preserved. Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest architectural achievements in world history. Visiting it will not leave you indifferent, and you should definitely do it at least once in your life.

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8

Matterhorn, Switzerland

We do not suggest that you conquer this Alpine mountain peak. This is possible, but only for very experienced climbers. We meant that it is worth admiring its view while in the resort of Zermatt in the Swiss Alps. The Matterhorn has a special pyramidal shape, its height is 4478 meters. It was first climbed by climbers just over 150 years ago. It was a group led by Edward Whymper, but due to an accident on the descent, four of this group never made it down from the summit.

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9

Chenonceau Castle, Loire Valley, France

Chenonceau will remind you why France is worth admiring. Standing on the arches on the Cher River, this castle is so devilishly and harmoniously perfect that, looking at it, you can’t help but think about whether the Universe has its own aesthetic laws. Even children will not mind visiting this magnificent palace, bought by Henri II for his mistress Diane de Poitiers. In addition to the palace, the nearby garden also deserves attention.

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10

Atlantic Road, Norway

This spectacular Norwegian route passes over seven small bridges that link several beautiful rocky islands between Molde and Kristiansund in the western fjords. All the crossings themselves are very beautiful, especially the Storsesandet Bridge, but the surrounding scenery will take your breath away: dramatic mountains, inky water and, if you're lucky, whales and dolphins at play.

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11

Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Türkiye

The Sultanahmed Camii or Blue Mosque was built during the reign of Sultan Ahmed I in the early 17th century. It has a dome with a diameter of 23.50 m and six minarets with a height of 64 m. More than 20,000 pieces of the famous Iznik tiles are used in the interior, and there are 200 stained glass windows in the openings of the upper levels. The mosque is active, and non-Muslims are only allowed into a specially designated part of the building. But this is enough to appreciate the scale and significance of this magnificent building.

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12

Northern Lights, Scandinavia or Iceland

It is cold. It can be expensive. But there is no doubt that a trip to the northern regions of Europe to see the Northern Lights with your own eyes is worth it. If possible, choose a deserted, remote location - light noise makes the green and blue flashes less noticeable - check online forecasts for the northern lights and cross your fingers and watch. Even if green streaks don't cut the sky, take advantage of the opportunity to go dog sledding, sledding and snowshoeing, or simply savor the deep silence of the frozen landscapes.

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13

Sainte-Chapelle, Paris, France

This Gothic chapel in the heart of Paris, consecrated back in 1248, was damaged during the French Revolution, but has the finest examples of stained glass. Even those who are not particularly fond of church architecture will not remain indifferent to contemplating the kaleidoscopic shards of purple, pink, emerald green and royal blue, the reflections of which dance along the walls of the Sainte-Chapelle chapel.

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14

Red Square, Moscow, Russia

It was once a place for executions, then Soviet military parades were held here. Two cathedrals were demolished to make way for passing military vehicles. Then, after the collapse of the Union, it was rebuilt, and to this day Lenin’s mausoleum is located here. Red Square is the focal point of Moscow with the fancy domes of St. Basil's Cathedral, GUM, and, further south, the huge Kremlin complex.

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15

Ignore the people posing for photos as if holding the building from falling. Instead, admire this amazing small free-standing bell tower of the nearby Pisa Cathedral. It tilts at an angle of about 3.99 degrees - which is better than it was before the restoration - 5.5 degrees. The building was built from shiny white marble. Be prepared for a confusing ticketing system and a lot of pointless souvenirs - both are worth seeing this tower with your own eyes.

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16

Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic

Since 1357, this stone bridge over the Vltava River has beautifully framed the view of Prague Castle and connected the Lesser Town and Stare Mesto districts. You should walk these 520 meters under the supervision of 30 medieval sculptures at least once in your life.

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17

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany

This neoclassical arch was built as a symbol of peace at the end of the 18th century, but it was badly damaged during the Second World War and also had a grim location in close proximity to the Berlin Wall, which then divided the country. In the early 2000s, the gate underwent a large-scale reconstruction and currently harmonizes perfectly with the more modern buildings of the German capital. They deserve your look!

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18

Renaissance art, hilltop towns, graceful lines of manicured pastures and cypress trees rhythmically swaying in the wind... there are reasons for Tuscany's popularity after all. The landscape of Val d'Orcia has saved thousands of editors who needed vibrant images to illustrate European holidays: its hills and villages look absolutely idyllic.

Siena hosts the Palio horse race twice a year, which has been held in the central Piazza del Campo almost without interruption since 1644. The capital of Tuscany, Florence, the most sophisticated city in Italy, is worth visiting at least once. There are so many attractions here that you will be impressed for a very long time.

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19

Lake Bled, Slovenia

In the north-west of Slovenia there is Lake Bled, and it and its surroundings are ideal for active recreation. Here you can go rafting, trekking, mountaineering, rock climbing, go skiing or mountain biking. The lake itself is much larger than it appears in the popular images of the chapel in the center of the island.

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20

Colosseum, Italy

Be sure to include a visit to the Colosseum in your plans, especially now that visitors can pass through the same passages through which gladiators and wild animals entered the arena. You'll see an ancient arena built for 50,000 people, as well as a restored wooden elevator that carried lions and other wild animals to their death. A wolf is placed there, but instead of a subsequent battle with a gladiator, he is now rewarded with goodies.

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21

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these are the ruins of an ancient city that was built over 2,000 years ago, located in western Turkey. It was once home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - the Temple of Artemis, but, like the city itself, it was destroyed by the Goths during the invasion. Ephesus was then restored during the Byzantine era, but it was finally abandoned in the 15th century with the advent of Ottoman rule in the lands that now belong to Turkey.

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22

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

It is worth visiting the famous building of Gustave Eiffel in Paris at least once in your life. Yes, it is always full of tourists, you must always be aware of the pickpockets who trade here, but the view of one of the most beautiful cities in the world from above is incredible - better from the second level than from the third or last, where a glass screen blocks the panorama.

If you take the stairs rather than the elevator, you can get a close-up view of the huge web of steel bars that make up the tower. Stop to look down through the glass floor that opened in 2014 on the first level.

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23

The fortress and palace complex, whose name means "red" in Arabic, is a reminder that these lands were once ruled by Islamic dynasties. Built and reconstructed between the 9th and 11th centuries in Granada. The Hall of the Abencerraches, the Royal Complex and the Palace of the Lions are considered among the finest examples of Moorish architecture, the interior decoration being so neatly executed that the seams in the decoration can only be seen through a magnifying glass. The number of visitors is strictly limited, but the most popular halls and palaces are always crowded with tourists.

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24

La Serenissima receives tens of thousands of visitors every day, and you will never be alone here. But even the most seasoned haters of popular and top tourist destinations should spend at least one day of their lives in Venice, a city on the water with a winding network of canals.

Don't try to follow the map: just get lost among the narrow alleys with many souvenir shops with masks, shops with Italian leather goods and houses of local residents, crawling on top of each other. This way you can accidentally stumble upon the famous Piazza San Marco. Tourists on a budget can simply sit all day with their feet dangling by the canal and eat peaches and chocolate gelato.

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25

Crisp, white, almost arctic waves washing the black basalt beaches of the southern coast of Iceland - you have to see it to believe it with your own eyes. The most famous of the country's black beaches is Vik. Here, pitch-black, unblemished volcanic sand stretches into the distance, and three basalt columns (according to legend, these are trolls petrified in the rays of the rising sun) rise from the ocean not far from the shore. The best views of this beach are from the Dyrholaey cliff.

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26

Pantheon, Rome, Italy

Just imagine that 2,000 years ago the Romans were able to build buildings like the Pantheon - a domed masterpiece with a portico of 12 granite Corinthian columns that remains one of the best preserved legacies of the Roman Empire. Looking at its amazing ceiling, the sense of space is truly breathtaking.

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27

A church stood on this site in the southern Spanish city of Cordoba until 784, when it was destroyed and rebuilt by Emir Abd al-Rahman I into a large mosque. The prayer hall, supported by 400 horseshoe-shaped arches in cream and pink, is the main attraction. Additions were made by all the Umayyad rulers, and currently there are 856 columns made of jasper, onyx, marble, and granite.

The chapel and transept were built in 1523, after the Reconquista converted the mosque into a Christian place of worship. Currently, only Christians can pray in the building. Definitely, even non-religious visitors will admire the architectural subtleties of the various halls, decorative doors, as well as the courtyards and dome of this structure.

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28

Versailles, France

The former residence of French monarchs, the colossal white and gold palace and park complex surrounded by amazing fountains will make you understand why the peasants who were involved in the construction of Versailles rebelled in a sophisticated suburb of Paris. The main attractions are the Hall of Mirrors, the park designed by André Le Nôtre and Marie Antoinette's farm, the Hameau de la Reine, where she privately met with friends and relaxed.

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29

Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia

Officials at this huge art gallery say it would take 11 years to view every piece in the collection. The main value is represented by the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Picasso and Rembrandt. Before or after your visit to the Hermitage, take a walk around the palace square, located next to the museum complex.

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30

Pompeii and Herculaneum, Italy

The remains of these cities, destroyed in 79 AD. the eruption of Vesuvius, which is nearby, will help you better imagine the fascinating and complex world that the Romans created. This is the only place in the world where you will come face to face with life of the Romans in the first century AD, from brothels and toilets to luxurious dining and bathing establishments (a modern spa, health club and gym all rolled into one). It is believed that Herculaneum is better preserved than Pompeii. Its relatively smaller size makes it more attractive to visit. But still, one day you need to visit both ancient cities.

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Conclusion

This was an article about 30 Amazing Places in Europe You Must See Before You Die. Thank you for your attention!

Covadonga, Mdina, Pag, Kashubia or Salzkammergut - have you ever heard of these places?
Surely not. Meanwhile, these places are impressive and are located... in Europe, traveled far and wide!

Travelers all over the world love Europe. The Old World has something to offer even the most fastidious tourist, for example, in terms of architecture - so many medieval streets have not been preserved anywhere else. But Europe is especially good in terms of nature, it has everything - from snowy mountain peaks and smoking volcanoes to blue lakes and deep caves. Many of them are well-trodden by curious tourists, but there are some preserved that few people know about. They are not very popular, but believe me, they are really worth visiting, and for very little money.

The TOP of little-known attractions in Europe presented below is also interesting because these places are also suitable for a budget holiday. It is compiled on the basis of a number of criteria, including the beauty of the area, popularity among tourists, the ability to pay cashless, cost of living and the level of infrastructure development.

ASTURIA AND COVADONGA MONASTERY, SPAIN
Asturias (Principality of Asturias) is a small mountainous autonomous region in northern Spain, located off the coast of the Bay of Biscay. Empty and amazingly beautiful beaches with crystal clear water, almost a third of the region is nature reserves, most of which are under UNESCO protection.

Attractions
Among the main ones: Peaks of Europe National Park, Lakes Covadonga and Enol, and the Monastery of St. Vincent. The most visited place, however, is the sacred altar of the Virgin of Covadonga and the chapel with the image of the Virgin and the remains of Pelayo, the first king of Asturias. After his death, Pelayo was buried in a cave, and there is also a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Covadonga. The holy cave quickly became a place of pilgrimage.

Accommodation approx. €25 (approximate price of a double room in a 3-star hotel or guesthouse per night for one person), dinner approx. € 18 (average price for a dish in a restaurant).

How to get there
There are 16 different flights to Asturias Airport: the easiest ways to get here are from London, Barcelona and Madrid.

MDINA AND ZEBBUG, MALTA
The city of Mdina is one of the most mysterious cities in Malta. The Maltese themselves call this place the “Silent City” - its population is now only about 300 people.

Attractions
Tourists usually come here to see Mdina's ancient main and Greek gates, St. Paul's Cathedral, built in the 17th century, and Mdina's dungeon, which is now a torture device museum.

Accommodation in a guest house can be found for approx. €25

How to get there
By bus from Valletta Central Bus Station.
As for Zebbug, one of the oldest towns in Malta, the most interesting attraction here is the Church of St. Peter in Chains. The easiest way for tourists to reach the city is by car or bus - the city is only 6 km from Malta International Airport.

SALZKAMMERGUT, AUSTRIA
Historical region in Austria east of Salzburg. A truly picturesque lake district.

Attractions
In addition to the numerous crystal clear lakes (more than 70), tourists also visit this place for the tiny town of Hallstatt. The city, together with Lake Hallstättersee, the salt mines and the immediate surroundings, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The tourist walking route should also include the famous natural caves of Dachstein and the cozy Ehernthal valley with its “glacier garden”.

Accommodation approx. €35, dinner approx. €25.

How to get there
Short trips around the Salzkammergut are best done from Salzburg or Linz.

AZORES, PORTUGAL
An archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean consisting of 9 islands of volcanic origin. The active volcano Pico (2351 m) is also located here.

Attractions
San Miguel is the largest and most visited island of the archipelago. From the island's capital, Ponta Delgada, day trips to lakes, craters, hot springs and rocky shores are convenient. To the west is the largest volcanic crater in the Azores, Caldeira das Sete Cidades. Also on the island of San Miguel there are hot springs, and, accordingly, thermal hospitals are equipped. Sulfur caves can be seen on the island of Theseira.

How to get there
International airports in the Azores are located on three islands: Sao Miguel, Santa Maria and Faial. The most convenient flight option from Russia is a flight with a transfer at Lisbon airport at Joao Paulo II airport in Sao Miguel.

PERAST, MONTENEGRO
An ancient tiny town on the shores of the Bay of Kotor on the Adriatic Sea. About 300 people live in Perast permanently. You can explore this place in just a few hours.

Attractions
Directly from the city embankment there is a picturesque view of the Bay of Kotor, the Church of Our Lady on the Cliff and the island of St. George. Tourists should also definitely climb the St. Nicholas Tower.

Accommodation approx. €15, dinner approx. €15

How to get there
For travelers, it will be most profitable to visit Perast and Kotor in one day by purchasing a group excursion around the Bay of Kotor for €25 per person. Or get here yourself by car or bus from Budva.

LEDNICE-VALTICE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Landscape complex in the Czech Republic (Moravia), included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is located 50 kilometers southeast of Brno, in a triangle where the borders of three neighboring countries meet - Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Attractions
People come here for the grandiose medieval Gothic castle of Lednice, which is part of the entire castle and park complex. The castles of Valtice and Lednice, in turn, are connected by luxurious seven-kilometer alleys, called the “Garden of Europe”. Wine tourism is also very developed in this region of the Czech Republic - there is a chance to bring real Moravian wine from here, little known in Russia, but very tasty and appreciated by gourmets.

Accommodation approx. €20, dinner approx. €10.

How to get there
The Lednice-Valtice complex can easily be explored on a day trip from Prague, Brno, Bratislava or Vienna.

ISLAND OF PAG, CROATIA
A picturesque island stretching 60 km along the Adriatic coast. It is famous for its delicious page cheese and skillful lace, but not only for them.

Attractions
The city of Pag, with its episcopal and princely palaces as examples of medieval town planning, and the ancient small town of Novalja, now called the “Croatian Ibiza” because of its beaches and noisy discos. There are also unique places of unexplored origin, for example, the Pag Triangle - a large area of ​​scorched earth, along which there are very clear and orderly markings.

Accommodation approx. €30, dinner approx. €13.

How to get there
The easiest way is to arrive here by ferry Prizna-Žiglen or by car. In the southwest of the island there is a road bridge connecting the island with the mainland.

SAAREMAA ISLAND, ESTONIA
The fourth largest island in the Baltic Sea after the islands of Zealand, Funen and Gotland. The former name is Kuressaare, which means “land of storks”.

Attractions
The Kaali meteorite crater, formed about 3,500 years ago, the ruins of Maasi Castle, built by a master of the Livonian Order in 1345, windmills (the island's calling card!) and a national park with 30 species of mammals (including gray seals) and more than 200 species of birds. The island can be called a real lake district - there are more than 80 lakes, most of which are located in the northwestern part of the island.

Accommodation approx. €23, dinner approx. €18.

How to get there
The easiest way to get to Saaremaa from Tallinn is by bus. The ferry crossing is included in the ticket price.

VOLOS AND PELION, GREECE
Volos is a small, quiet town by the sea that turns into a popular ski resort in winter.

Attractions
One of the most interesting places in Volos is Mount Pelion (Pelion) with traditional villages, serpentine roads and picturesque nature. According to legend, centaurs lived on Mount Pelion. The wisest of them, Chiron, was the teacher of Achilles and the famous Asclepius, who was engaged in healing and made the snake a symbol of medicine.
There is also a theater with a symphony orchestra, a promenade, a university and the Archaeological Museum of Volos, one of the ten best in Greece.

Accommodation approx. €25, dinner approx. €15.

How to get there
The most convenient way to get here is by bus or train from Athens or Thessaloniki.

VELIKA PLANINA, SLOVENIA
An extremely popular destination with picturesque alpine grasses and flowers for weekend hikes, as well as a world famous ski resort.

Attractions
Magnificent view from the mountains to the valley, the city of Kamnik and its surroundings. All lovers of active and family recreation are given the opportunity for hiking and cycling, individual and group excursions to the mountains. The most popular attraction here is the shepherd's settlement, one of the few remaining settlements of its size and character in Europe.

Accommodation approx. €40, dinner approx. €15.

How to get there
The easiest way is by plane or train - Velika Planina is 44 kilometers from Ljubljana.

KASHUBIA, POLAND
West Slavic ethnic territory of the Kashubians in northwestern Poland. There are no major tourist centers and no crowded events. But, nevertheless, among travelers with small children, lovers of active recreation and hiking, this place can be considered one of the most popular.

Attractions
It’s worth coming here for picturesque lakes and rivers, folded hills, valleys and gorges. Due to its unusual geological structure, part of the region is called Kashubian Switzerland. In summer you can swim in the lakes, admire flocks of cranes, and in winter you can go skiing. The best tourist centers in the region for traveling around the Kashubian lakes are the city of Kartuzy and the Chmielno resort.

Accommodation approx. €20, dinner approx. €12.

How to get there
The fastest way to get here is by bus or car from Gdansk.

NAARDEN, NETHERLANDS
The star-shaped walled city is one of the few surviving Dutch bastions and the only fortress in Europe with unique double walls and moats.

Attractions
In fact, the entire city can be considered the main attraction. But tourists here should also look at the bell tower of the Great Church, the “Spanish House” and the fortress museum, where they will be curious to learn about the city’s past and defensive structures.

Accommodation approx. €60, dinner approx. €30.

How to get there
There are several options: by train from Amsterdam in 20 minutes, by bike from Vespa or by bus 101 from Amstel station in Amsterdam.

CAPE KOLKA, LATVIA
Kolka (Kolkasrags) is the most pronounced cape on the Latvian coast, separating the open Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga.

Attractions.
During the bird migration period, you can see tens of thousands of birds here. Tourists here should visit the village of Kolka, where there is a Liv culture center and churches of three different denominations: the Kolka Lutheran Church, the Orthodox Church of the Nativity and the Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Star of the Sea. Also at the cape, a journey through the Slitere National Park begins.

Accommodation approx. €20, dinner approx. €14.

How to get there
A bus runs from Riga to Kolka four to five times a day. The cost of a one-way ticket is about €7.

DANUBE DELTA, ROMANIA
One of the largest and best preserved river deltas in Europe.

Attractions
The Danube Delta includes numerous ecosystems, which are home to a significant number of flora and fauna (93 species of fish, 350 species of birds). In 1998, the Danube Biosphere Reserve, under the patronage of UNESCO, was established in the delta region of Romania and neighboring Ukraine. It is for this reason that many tourists come here. Also worth visiting here is the city of Tulcea, where there is the Agessus Fortress, the Historical and Archaeological Museum, the Danube Delta Natural History Museum and the Museum of Folk Art and Ethnography.

Accommodation approx. €15, dinner approx. €10.

How to get there
The easiest way to get to Tulcea is by plane from Constanta Airport. Or take a direct train from Bucharest to Tulcea station.

BALATON UPLANDS, HUNGARY
Balaton itself can be considered the most important resort center in Hungary. People come here for beach and active recreation, as well as for treatment and wellness: there are many thermal and mineral healing springs around the lake.

Attractions
The key tourist destination here is the Balaton Uplands National Park at the northern edge of Lake Balaton. People move through this territory with a volcanic landscape only along hiking trails. Famous places in the park are the Tihany Peninsula, the Kali and Tapolca river basins, the Tapolca Caves, the South Bakony Mountains and Kis-Balaton.

Accommodation approx. €20, dinner approx. €13.

How to get there
Lake Balaton is conveniently accessible from Budapest via a modern 115-kilometer highway (the journey takes about an hour and a half) or by rail.

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Absolutely every country in the world is beautiful in its own way, full of attractions and popular tourist spots. Europe is especially rich in these “tourist joys,” since in each state there are architectural masterpieces with a thousand-year history, whose mysterious appearance on earth has not yet been solved. When we talk about monuments of the history and culture of Europe, we first of all mean the symbols of a certain country or city. Interesting information about popular tourist destinations will help you get to know Europe better and get a clear picture of it. Belgium, England, France, Germany, Switzerland - here you will find the best tourist routes in Europe.

Great Britain. The best traditions of Europe

Great Britain is a magnificent country with ancient sights and amazing culture. Luxurious medieval castles, fortresses, ancient museums and galleries - this is all Great Britain. Each city here has its own unique atmosphere and unique architecture. Historically, the most famous and popular tourist places are located in the capital -. The capital of Great Britain is the largest metropolis in Europe with the best English parks, residences, historical and cultural buildings. Well, the hallmark of London is the world famous Big Ben, which is named after the ancient bell inside the tower. This is a must-see attraction on any UK tour.

Belgium - painting and architecture

Belgium can boast a huge arsenal of attractions, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s rich Brussels or a small village. It is famous all over the world for its sculpture of a pissing boy, the amazing taste of beer, dark Brussels chocolate and women's tennis. It is these attributes and associations that everyone remembers when mentioning this pearl of Europe. A typical city in Belgium must have its own long history, and this is always a lot of Gothic buildings, Romanesque churches, wonderful cathedrals, squares, monuments... Together with all this, modernity coexists comfortably: huge skyscrapers, supermarkets, residential buildings and cafes.

The attractions of this European country include the central square of Brussels - the chic Grand Place. It has an atypical triangular shape, which gives rise to several speculations: to preserve the Gallo-Roman necropolis, where the Caroline funerary complex was later built, or is this a banal intersection of two roads? The history of the square goes back centuries, but no one has yet solved this mystery. The main decoration of this chic place is the bronze statue of Christina de Lalain, who led the defense of the city in 1581 during the siege by Spanish troops.

Hungary – the pearl of Eastern Europe

Hungary is one of the most interesting tourist destinations in Eastern Europe. First of all, the country attracts the attention of tourists with its unique architecture and stunning views of the Danube and the so-called “Hungarian Sea” (Lake Balaton). There are also healing thermal springs and everyone’s favorite national cuisine of Hungary. An important factor is the high quality of services and relatively low prices. All this makes this country one of the most desirable tourist destinations in Europe. Millions of tourists annually confirm these words.

Italy - Old World sophistication

There are so many attractions in Europe that there are not enough pages to describe each of them in all its glory. is one of those countries where in every city you can find hundreds of historical and cultural monuments. What can we say only about Rome or Milan? It is in Milan that the world famous La Scala theater is located. It was built with the support of Empress Maria Theresa on the site of the Royal Ducal Opera House, which burned down during the sad carnival of 1717.

A landmark of Europe, La Scala Theater was built according to the design of the great neoclassical architect Giuseppe Piermarini on August 3, 1778. On the opening day, there was a production of Antonio Salieri's opera “Europe Recognized” with a libretto by Mattia Verazi. The front facade of the theater was not designed too luxuriously, since the architect considered it unnecessary to rebuild it on the narrow streets surrounding the building. At the opening of the season, all tickets cost from 2000 euros, and this day is December 7th.

France - romantic attractions in Europe

Enthusiasts have calculated that it is the country with the largest number of attractions in Europe. And it’s not hard to believe: the Eiffel Tower, Disneyland, the Louvre are just a few of the most popular places. The Louvre is one of the most visited museums in the world! It houses a rich collection of exhibits from more than 800 years of history. During the Middle Ages, the Louvre was a medieval fortress that later became a palace and was built by Philip Augustus in the 12th century. This landmark of Europe was restored and rebuilt many times, but still came to us in perfect condition.

In 1750, they wanted to demolish the building, since the royal court moved to Versailles, and the Louvre was in a state of decline. But after the turbulent years of the revolution, this landmark of Europe began to be rebuilt again, not without the participation of Napoleon himself. The Louvre acquired its present form in 1871. The palace became a museum on August 10, 1793, when Napoleon I expanded the existing collection of paintings. Today, the Louvre has 400 thousand exhibits.

The name “Europe” goes back to the Assyrian “ereb” - “west”, which in Greek sounds like “Europe”. This is how the lands lying to the west of the Aegean Sea were called in Ancient Greece. According to myth, Europa was the name of the daughter of the Phoenician king.

Enchanted by her beauty, Zeus the Thunderer turned into a quiet bull and bowed before the girl, offering her a ride. Europa climbed onto the back of the affectionate animal, but suddenly the bull rushed to the sea. He sailed to the island of Crete, where he took on the image of a beautiful young man and became the husband of Europe. “The Father of History” Herodotus connects this legend with the daughter of a Phoenician king, who was kidnapped by Cretan merchants. The name of Europe was given to part of the Western Mediterranean, and then to the western part of the largest continent on the planet - Eurasia.

Today Europe is the common home of 50 independent states. The area of ​​Europe (10.5 million km²) covers only 2% of the globe and about 6.8% of its land, but 830 million people live in this small territory, and 70 different peoples develop their cultures. Europe is washed by the waters of the Atlantic and Arctic oceans and their seas. Climatic zones create a stunning variety of natural landscapes: the silence of the Arctic deserts, the harsh beauty of the fjords, the grandeur of the mountains and the radiance of the glaciers of the Alps, the fabulous wilds of forests, the azure of warm seas and endless steppes strewn with flowers.

The great rivers sung by poets - the Volga, Danube, Dnieper, Rhine, Elbe - add unique picturesqueness to the landscapes. The mineral springs of Europe, recreation and treatment “on the waters”, be it the bourgeois resort of Baden-Baden, respectable Karlovy Vary or the sanatoriums of Kavminvod, are popular among people.

Europe is the center of centuries-old traditions

Europe is a single, but contradictory space, where the most important stages of world history were imprinted - from the emergence of Roman and Hellenic (Greek) civilizations to the fall of Nazi Germany.

European powers conquered the entire world, creating colonial empires. Europe is rightfully considered the “hotbed of high culture”: democracy, Western Christianity, the Italian Renaissance and humanism were born here. It is no coincidence that the European part of the Eurasian continent was called the “Old World”; this name has a deep meaning. Having survived all the horrors of the Inquisition, executions, murders of monarchs, epidemics and terrible wars, Europe still remained beautiful. The rich historical past is reflected in the architecture of European countries, where Roman ruins, medieval castles and Gothic cathedrals peacefully coexist with luxurious Baroque palaces and steel skyscrapers.

Russia is a country of majestic nature and ancient Russian architecture

The expanses of Russia stretch from the Arctic steppes in the north to the Black Sea subtropics. Being the largest country in the world, the Russian Federation occupies 12.65% of the land inhabited by humans.

Italy is a country of Mediterranean beauty and cultural masterpieces

“Whoever has been to Italy will say goodbye to other lands. Whoever was in heaven will not want to come to earth,” N.V. Gogol wrote about his beloved country, in which he lived for many years.

Spain is a country of eternal celebration, bullfighting and flamenco

There is an atmosphere of eternal celebration in Spain. Incendiary flamenco dances, bullfights with formidable bulls and fearless bullfighters, the midday bliss of the siesta, aromatic paella and sparkling sangria made from wine and fruit create a unique palette of Spanish reality.

Germany - an Alpine fairy tale

The nature of Germany is very diverse: the sandy wastelands of Pomerania and Schleswig are adjacent to the coasts of the North and Baltic seas, and the snow-capped Alps are adjacent to the sunny Rhine Valley, famous for its wines.

France is a country of contrasts, ancient castles and vineyards

France boasts access to both the North and Mediterranean seas, and most importantly, geographical compactness. Just a 2-hour drive from Paris and a tourist can swim on the beaches of Normandy, enjoy fresh oysters and apple cider.

Great Britain - the charm of Foggy Albion

The ancient Romans, conquering overseas lands, reached distant England (in the area of ​​modern Dover) and were amazed by its dazzling white cliffs. Based on the color of the rocks, the Romans named the country “Albion,” which means “white.”

The Republic of Belarus is an ancient Slavic country with protected forests and picturesque lakes

Just 1 hour 20 minutes by plane from Moscow, and the tourist arrives in Belarus. For such a trip you do not need to apply for a visa or learn foreign languages, while in the Republic of Belarus you can have a pleasant time in nature, visit the sights and improve your health in sanatoriums.

Poland - a country of Baltic beaches, picturesque lakes and ancient cities

Tourist Poland, which has become fashionable among Germans, remains little explored by guests from Russia. As part of an excursion tour to Poland, Russians visit only Krakow and Warsaw, although this country can offer many interesting routes.

Ukraine is a close, hospitable, sunny and inexpensive country

More than 50 sanatoriums, boarding houses and hotels in Ukrainian Truskavets offer effective treatment. Truskavets “Barbara” salt, extracted from highly mineralized brine, is a worthy analogue of the famous Karlo-Vary salt.

Türkiye - an eastern fairy tale country

At the end of the 20th century, the Mediterranean resorts of Turkey turned into an “all-Russian health resort.” The Turkish Riviera in the minds of tourists is associated with endless beaches, a kaleidoscope of entertainment and inexpensive all-inclusive holidays.

Portugal - the sunny embankment of the European region

Portugal is not a large country in area, but nevertheless unites on its territory a rich historical heritage and a large number of attractions.

Ireland - the emerald island on the edge of Europe

If a tourist has ever dreamed of visiting a fairy tale, then he has a direct route to Ireland. It’s not for nothing that this country is called the “Emerald Isle”; all shades of green are present here: green pastures, green trees entwined with ivy, and the same green ivy on the walls of medieval castles, lost in the thick of forests, where, according to legend, fairy-tale elves and trolls live.

Norway - the land of the midnight sun

Norway's main wealth is its nature. Fruit trees grow in the south of the country, moss and dwarf shrubs grow in the north, and picturesque fjords surround the coast. Mountains covered with forests and valleys carved by glaciers create the unique flavor of the northern kingdom.

Estonia - a small Baltic country for a grand holiday

In search of medieval castles, paradise islands and SPA holidays, you don’t have to go to distant countries. Just 1 hour 45 minutes by plane from Moscow or a little less than 8 hours by bus from St. Petersburg, and the traveler arrives in Estonia.

Croatia - a necklace of 1000 green islands

The thousand-kilometer coastline of Croatia is replete with coves, cliffs and pine trees approaching the very edge of the water. It is no coincidence that since ancient times, Roman patricians built villas in Croatia, and in the 20th century, Yugoslav politicians chose the local resorts.

Belgium is a small country and a big treasure

Belgium is a small country in Western Europe, which can be crossed in any direction in just a couple of hours. The more surprising is the fact how many interesting things this miniature country can offer to its guests.

If the topic “historical monuments of Europe” is really interesting for you, then before you go on one or another trip to this ancient continent, you should probably immerse yourself a little in the mass of guidebooks. In them, of course, you will find a lot of educational information dedicated specifically to European culture. But we would advise you to take a slightly different path. Look at the information on our website, I am sure you will find a lot of useful information for yourself.

Monuments of Europe and its artifacts – what to choose

By and large, if you really prefer to wander among the silence of museums or masterpieces of architecture, and not just bask on the sandy beach of the French Riviera or Spain, then in this case you have quite a wide choice, because the monuments of Europe are Europe itself with its diversity of cultures and national characteristics.

Take, for example, those cultural monuments of Europe that are located in Greece or Italy, then not only your short vacation, but also, perhaps, half of the conscious part of your life, is simply not enough for even a cursory inspection of everything that is located in Rome. After all, for example, you can look at the ruins of the Colosseum or the Athenian Acropolis for hours. And if you are lucky and you get a fairly advanced Russian-speaking guide who thoroughly knows the history of the countries and these architectural monuments of Europe, then this simply cannot be commented on.

And if you take advantage of the Schengen visa and take a comfortable bus, then in a few hours you can find yourself practically in the very heart of the continent - Paris. And believe me, your celebration simply will not have enough emotions to express the surging feelings. After all, having climbed for just a few tens of euros to the very top of the Eiffel Tower, you will see not only the whole of Paris, but also... somewhere around the whole of Europe.

Be careful with emotions

However, according to many travelers who are, to one degree or another, interested in such a topic as European cultural monuments, it is worth remembering that excessive emotionality in the perception of everything seen can also have somewhat negative consequences. This mainly applies to the part of any trip when you have to return. And here, behind the closing doors of a train or the same plane, the “fairy tale” ends and after a while those same gray everyday life begins from which we tried to escape with such selflessness. And here is the familiar door of our home entrance, the elevator and we are already home. But one thing is good - you already know exactly where you will spend your next vacation...