10 of the best things to do in Europe
There are countless must-see places to visit in Europe, and we bring you to all of the bucket list spots! Read on for 10 of the best things to do in Europe as you explore Barcelona, Rome, and beyond.
From its architecture and culture to its landscapes and festivals, Europe offers magic around every corner. Here, ancient ruins meet Gothic spires, alpine meadows give way to sun-drenched coastlines, and centuries-old festivals fill the streets with life. Whether you’re stepping off the plane for the first time or returning for another European chapter, there’s always something new to discover on our Europe tours. Read on for 10 iconic experiences to have as you hop from Barcelona to Athens to Rome.
1. See the stained glass inside La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
Why it’s iconic
Amazing architecture is one of the things Spain is known for, and La Sagrada Familia is a gem that’ll stop you in your tracks. Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished basilica has been under construction since 1882 (the central tower was just completed in 2026!), and it’s become one of the most visited buildings in Europe. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is sitting pretty as the world’s tallest church, and is a mashup of Gothic architecture and nature-inspired symbolism—plus, it features some of the most stunning stained glass in Europe.
How to visit on tour
Barcelona is a bucket list stop on most of our Spain tours, and the cherry on top is stepping inside La Sagrada Familia with a local guide on trips like our A Week in Spain: Barcelona, Madrid & Seville tour and our Grand Tour of Spain. We handle tickets and timed entry as part of your guided city tour, which means no scrambling for you—peak season time slots often sell out weeks in advance, but we make sure you don’t miss this Gaudí gem.
Here’s everything you need to know about La Sagrada Familia & trips that’ll take you there →
2. Step inside the Colosseum, the arena of ancient Rome
Why it’s unmissable
There’s nothing quite like stepping inside the Colosseum for the first (or fifth!) time on our Rome tours. This beloved symbol of the Roman Empire has stood for almost 2,000 years, and has become one the most famous landmarks in Europe. Hearing stories of ancient gladiators, seeing the incredible engineering, and walking where the ancients once walked makes it endlessly fascinating.
How to visit on tour
Rome is a cornerstone of most of our Italy itineraries, and the Colosseum is always a highlight. On trips like our Grand Tour of Italy, guided entry is included, which means you skip the long lines and get the rich historical context that makes the whole experience click. It’s the easiest way to see one of the world’s greatest landmarks.
Read 8 Colosseum facts to know before visiting Rome →
3. Take a gondola ride down the canals of Venice
Why it’s a must-do
Venice is a city built on water, laced with bridges, and lined with grand palazzos—and it has an atmosphere that stops you in your tracks. Here, the canals are the streets. Whether you’re drifting along the Grand Canal (one of the top bucket list things to do in Europe) or wandering down a narrow alley called a calle, Venice has a way of making everything feel magical.
How to experience it on tour
Venice’s canals are the real star of the show, and on trips like our A Week in Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome tour, we handle all the water taxi logistics so you can just enjoy the ride (without puzzling over vaporetto schedules). If you’re looking for another iconic way to enjoy the canals on our Italy tours, add our Gondola Ride: Venice Canal Cruise excursion, and let a local gondolier show the sights from the water.
Dive into our Venice Travel Guide for what to do, see, and more →
4. Walk up to the Acropolis for panoramic views of Athens
Why it defines ancient Europe
Few places carry the weight of history quite like the Acropolis, which has earned its spot as one of the must-see places to visit in Europe. This ancient citadel is perched above Athens—where democracy was born—and is where the Parthenon has stood for more than 2,500 years. Walking those marble steps on a tour of Athens, you can’t help but feel the enormity of it all—visiting the Acropolis is truly one of the best things to do in Greece.
How to visit on tour
The Acropolis is a highlight on many of our Greece tours, and having a guide by your side makes all the difference. On trips like our A Week in Ancient Greece: Athens, Delphi & Olympia tour, we take you through the site with all the historical context that brings it to life. Traveler Brent captured the magic of seeing this site on our A Week in Greece: Athens, Mykonos & Santorini tour. “The tour of the Acropolis puts you at the highest point in Athens, mere feet away from the Parthenon,” he said.
Check out our top tips in the Athens Travel Guide →
5. Experience the festivities at Europe’s Christmas markets
Why these markets feel magical
Twinkling lights, the smell of mulled wine and gingerbread in the crisp winter air, wooden stalls filled with handmade gifts and treats—there are so many whimsical reasons why Christmas markets are some of the most famous tourist attractions in Europe. From the festive celebrations in Vienna and Prague to sparkling fetes in Munich and Strasbourg, every market has its own story rooted in centuries of tradition. This is the holiday season at its very best.
How to experience it on tour
Taking a Christmas Market Tour is one of the coziest ways to experience Europe in winter. On trips like our Christmas Markets of Germany, Switzerland & Austria tour, we whisk you to multiple glittering displays while handling all the logistics, like trains, timing, and transfers. (That way, you can simply focus on the mulled wine and strudel.) Guided walks bring the local traditions and regional flavors to life in the best way. Just show up and enjoy the magic!
Looking for the best Christmas markets in Europe? Visit these 10 cities to make the most of your holidays →
6. Watch the northern lights move across the sky in Iceland or Norway
Why it’s a bucket list moment
Looking for cool things to do in Europe? Few experiences rival watching the northern lights dance across a winter sky on our Scandinavia tours. Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city, and Tromso, a Norwegian city known as the Gateway to the Arctic, sit right in the heart of aurora country, where dark skies, minimal light pollution, and long winter nights create the perfect conditions. Touch down from November through March for the best chance to spot this otherworldly phenomenon during the off-peak season (which is one of the best times to visit Europe).
How to experience it on tour
Seeing the northern lights is so bucket list worthy that we’ve designed tours to seek them out. Cue: our Iceland: Reykjavik & the Northern Lights tour and our Northern Lights of Norway: Oslo to Tromso tour. On these expertly designed trips, local guides who know the best aurora-viewing times and places whisk you down dark, remote roads to give you the best chance of spotting the lights (without worrying about navigating backroads yourself).
The northern lights explained—and where to see them on tour →
7. Island‑hop along Greece’s sun‑drenched shores
Why it’s a must-do
Few travel experiences rival the magic of hopping between Greece’s legendary islands. Each crossing reveals something new: a whitewashed village clinging to a clifftop in Santorini, a hidden cove in Mykonos, or an ancient temple in Rhodes where mythology still feels alive. No single island tells the whole story, which is why island-hopping is the best way to experience Greece on tour.
How to experience it on tour
Figuring out ferry schedules and island transfers can quickly turn a dream trip into a logistical headache. Good news: We take care of it all on our Greek island tours! Seamless island connections are built right into itineraries like our The Greek Islands: Mykonos, Santorini & Crete tour (one of many Go Ahead tours that brings you to the best Greek islands to visit). So, you never have to worry about missing a boat or piecing together transport.
Get inspired: Your guide to the 4 most popular Greek islands →
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8. Cruise down the Seine for iconic Parisian views
Why it’s so iconic
The Seine doesn’t just run through Paris—it’s the backdrop for some of the city’s most iconic views. Its UNESCO-listed riverbanks stretch past Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower, and each of its 37 bridges tells its own story. Think: the love lock-covered Pont des Arts and the early 17th-century Pont Neuf, Paris’s oldest bridge. This river is also central to local life, and is where Parisians stroll on summer evenings and bouquinistes sell dog-eared novels.
How to visit on tour
There’s nothing quite like seeing the beauty of Paris from the Seine. A river cruise drifts you past Parisian icons like the Eiffel Tower and those picture-perfect bridges at an easy, unhurried pace. Many of our France tours include a cruise or offer one as an optional add-on, like the Dinner in Paris & Seine River Cruise excursion on our A Week in Paris tour and our A Week in France: The Riviera, Provence & Paris tour. Plus, we handle the details, so there’s no need to book your own boat or figure out which dock to find.
Check out our Paris Travel Guide for the best things to do, see, and eat →
9. Drive through the Ring of Kerry’s rugged coastal scenery in Ireland
Why it’s so stunning
Few roads reward you with gorgeous views the way the Ring of Kerry does. This 111-mile loop around the Iveragh Peninsula winds past dramatic coastal cliffs, glassy mountain lakes, and quiet villages. Every bend brings a new viewpoint—and a reason to stop. It’s one of Ireland’s most famous drives for good reason.
How to see it on tour
The Ring of Kerry’s narrow, winding roads are part of its charm—but we get it if they’re not something you want to navigate yourself! On our Ring of Kerry tours, your expert driver handles all the tight turns so that you can keep your eyes on the scenery instead of the road. Let our experts whisk you there on our Ireland: Traditions of the Emerald Isle tour.
See more of the best things to do in our Ireland Travel Guide →
10. Join Oktoberfest celebrations in Munich
Why it’s such a famous festival
Oktoberfest has been going strong since 1810—and it’s easy to see why. Every autumn, more than 6 million people make their way to Munich for two weeks of giant pretzels, foamy brews, lederhosen, and brass bands you can hear around the fairground. It’s a real celebration of Bavarian culture, and getting in on the action is one of the most fun things to do in Europe.
How to experience it on tour
Getting into the best Oktoberfest tents, navigating the grounds, and seeing all the highlights takes timing and know-how—the kind that comes from having been there before. On our Oktoberfest tours, we’ll handle the groundwork so that you spend less time waiting in line and more time with a stein in hand. See how easy it can be to celebrate the authentic way on our Oktoberfest: Germany, Switzerland & Austria tour and more.
Read 10 Oktoberfest tips to know before you go →
When is the best time to visit Europe?
Europe’s off-peak season is always a hit
If seasonal holidays make your traveling heart sing, then winter is the best time to visit Europe. This is when Christmas Market Tours kick off across sparkling European cities, and authentic local moments highlight the beauty of the off-season (November-March). Plus, darker winter skies make way for the northern lights, which you can often spot on off-season tours of Iceland and Norway.
Europe’s shoulder season is also top-notch
If spring (April-May) or fall (September-October) trips are more up your alley, prepare for even more wonder! The shoulder season is also an excellent time to visit Europe—after all, it’s when Oktoberfest celebrations spring to life on Munich’s fairgrounds in Germany.
Which of these 10 best things to do in Europe are on your bucket list? Whether you’re dreaming of boating down Venetian canals or hopping from one sunny Greek island to the next, we have a Europe tour for you →
FAQs
It was Jamie’s homestay in Germany that made her fall in love with travel (and her studies in Florence that really sealed the deal). When she’s not writing and sharing the magic of seeing the world with others, she’s usually on the lookout for her new favorite memoir, testing out recipes at home, or visiting her family on Cape Cod.
