From pasta-making in Bologna to cruising Norway's epic fjords, there's a lifetime of extraordinary experiences to be enjoyed in Europe. On a continent so diverse and so rich with history and culture, it can be hard to narrow down a shortlist of definitive must-sees, must-dos and must-gos. So here's a blow-by-blow ranking of Europe's 30 very best adventures and activities to add to your bucket list. Any such ranking is, of course, subjective, but we think you’ll agree with these picks.
Click through this gallery to find out which amazing experiences came out on top...
From the outside, Sedlec Ossuary appears indistinguishable from the many other medieval churches found in this corner of the continent. Set in the suburbs of the Czech town of Kutna Hora, the chapel holds a macabre secret – it’s decorated with the bones of at least 40,000 people. But its history is not as morbid as you might think. The 40,000-or-more humans whose remains adorn the interior all wanted to be buried here – it's just that there wasn't enough room in the cemetery. It’s one of Europe’s most unusual, yet surprisingly peaceful buildings to explore.
The Cotswolds, an idyllic region of southwest England known for its chocolate-box cottages and market towns, is a destination with depth. While the Insta-worthy aesthetic is what draws many travellers here, the area has an artistic tradition going back centuries. Acquaint yourself with this heritage at Kelmscott Manor, the former home of textile designer and pioneer William Morris, before strolling the high street of nearby Burford. Lined with delightfully wonky independent shops, galleries and pubs, it’s where historic charm and contemporary creativity converge.
Just outside the city of Krakow, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is said to be the longest active mine of its kind in the world. Dating back over 700 years, this subterranean labyrinth of glittering chambers, corridors and grottoes is so vast that the parts open to visitors comprise just 2% of the entire network. There are two routes you can take into the mine: the tourist route leads to amazing underground chapels and saline lakes, while the miners' route involves a foreboding journey down the shaft, where you’ll be put to work in search of rock salt.
Covering just 0.17 square miles (0.44sq km), Vatican City is the smallest country on Earth. Seat of the Roman Catholic Church and a tiny enclave in the Italian capital, the majesty of its palatial basilicas and papal buildings are enough to shake the convictions of even the staunchest non-believer. Gaze awestruck at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel; its creamy Renaissance frescoes were painstakingly painted by Michelangelo and his assistants and depict scenes from the Book of Genesis. The Vatican Museums' Gallery of Maps (pictured), though somewhat less famous, has a remarkable ceiling of its own.
It may surprise you to learn that Europe has rainforests at all. Though small compared to the jungles of South America, there are patches everywhere from England and Spain to the continent’s eastern frontier. The largest is Perucica, located in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Sutjeska National Park. One of Europe’s two surviving old-growth forests, Perucica is almost impenetrable in places, so guided hikes lead visitors through the heart of the park to the foot of the magical Skakavac Waterfall (pictured). Strolling between ancient trees and rugged cliffs, you’ll feel an overwhelming connection with nature.
Inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, klapa is a multi-part, a cappella style of folk singing that originated in 19th-century Dalmatia in southern Croatia. Created by the blended harmonies of four to 10 different voices, it will coat your ears like honey on the back of a spoon. Though klapa is traditionally performed by men, female and mixed groups are on the rise. One of the best-known places to catch an informal klapa concert is Diocletian’s Palace in Split (pictured), its ancient domed roof providing perfect acoustics.
Birthplace of the classic bolognese, this underrated Italian city is a foodie's paradise. According to The Telegraph, Bologna’s Chamber of Commerce has officially registered more than 30 recipes as originating from its flavour-filled streets, including beloved pasta dishes like lasagne and tortellini. If you’ve always fancied mastering the art of pasta-making, this is the place to do it. From cooking classes in professional kitchens, to practical lessons in the homes of local hosts like Grazia Azzaroni, Bologna will help you channel your inner 'nonna'.
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The spicy scents of lebkuchen, bratwurst and gluhwein have come to define the Weihnachtsmarkt – and nothing smacks of winter in Europe quite like a trip to one. These traditional Christmas markets have become commonplace across the north of the continent, from Birmingham to Stockholm, but Germany is their spiritual home. Nuremberg, Hamburg, Dortmund, Cologne, Dresden and Berlin (pictured) all boast famous markets – expect a maze of stalls peddling everything from handmade ceramics to fruitcake, plus choirs, fairgrounds and ice rinks.
The jubilant eruption of blooming tulips rings in the arrival of spring in the Netherlands. This seasonal surge of colour happens between March and May, and there is one spot near Amsterdam that crops up again and again as the country’s tulip capital. Keukenhof Gardens is the product of around seven million lovingly hand-planted bulbs, and dense carpets of flowers have sprung up here for public enjoyment for the past 75 years. As Keukenhof is open for just eight weeks each year, you’ll need to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Nothing quite encapsulates French elegance like the Loire Valley and its collection of chateaux – grand manors and estates strung along the banks of the country’s longest river like pearls in a necklace. While some remain off-limits to the public, many of these historic castles and palaces have thrown open their doors, preserved as landmarks and museums. Chateau de Chambord (pictured) was King Francis I’s private hunting lodge and is the oldest chateau in the Loire, while travellers of a romantic persuasion will love the secret gardens and Italianate staircases of island-dwelling Azay-le-Rideau.
Adorning volcanic beaches around the world, black sand contrasting against blue ocean is a spectacle that never ceases to amaze. One of the planet’s most dramatic stretches of ink-black coastline is Reynisfjara (pictured) in southern Iceland, where legends of cursed trolls and wrecked ships haunt the surrounding basalt rocks. Reynisfjara is a key stop on the Icelandic Ring Road, which laces together otherworldly sites such as the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and the thundering falls of Skogafoss. When wandering the beach, be wary of notorious 'sneaker' waves – known to drag people out into the Atlantic.
Known in Basque as Donostia, San Sebastian hugs the Bay of Biscay and is one of Spain’s best cities for gastronomy. Pintxos – bitesize morsels and small plates made with seasonal ingredients – are served in bars across Parte Vieja, San Sebastian’s old town, where it is customary to stand at the counter and sample a range of different dishes. Be prepared to queue, and don’t miss haunts like Ganbara, Txepetxa and La Vina, which have long helped keep the city’s culinary traditions alive.
Built atop a geological fault line, where gallons of thermal water fizz beneath the streets, Budapest has long claimed the title 'spa capital of the world'. The city’s hot springs drew the Romans here in the 1st century AD, and their legacy of therapeutic bathing has boomed into a cultural phenomenon. Immersing yourself in Budapest’s thermal pools, steam rooms and cold plunges offers remedial benefits for a tired body and for a weary mind. Szechenyi (pictured), Gellert, Lukacs and Rudas Bath are the spas we’d recommend (advance booking is advised).
Always falling on a Friday between 19 and 25 June, Midsummer Eve marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere – a time which, in parts of Sweden, is characterised by centuries-old traditions performed under a sun that doesn’t set. Midsummer is historically associated with fertility, flowers and love, and large groups often gather in the countryside to share feasts and dance around a maypole into the moonless night. Particularly vibrant festivities can be found in Dalarna County (pictured) and at Stockholm’s Skansen open-air museum.
Whether it’s in a room above a grimy Islington pub, in a disused warehouse in Deptford, on a crowded lane in Covent Garden or in a triple-tiered West End auditorium, London is home to some of the greatest shows on Earth. One of our favourite venues is Shakespeare’s Globe (pictured), a replica of the original 16th-century 'wooden O' where the Bard cut his teeth. It offers a limited number of £5 ($6.50) groundling (standing) tickets for those wanting to see some of the city’s best theatre without breaking the bank.
The UNESCO-recognised music of Portugal, fado is typically performed by a solo vocalist accompanied by an acoustic guitar and a traditional 'guitarra' (a pear-shaped Portuguese string instrument). Though sung today throughout Portugal, fado was born in 19th-century Lisbon, so the colourful capital is where you should hear it for the first time. There are a few traditional ‘fado houses’ still in operation, mostly in Lisbon’s Bairro Alto neighbourhood where they began in the 1930s. Learn more about this evocative genre at Alfama’s Museu do Fado.
Flanked by the silvery shards of the Julian Alps, energy-drink-blue Lake Bled is one of Europe’s top destinations for outdoorsy travellers. While hiking the hills around the water’s edge reaps its own rewards, getting out onto the lake allows for the most mindful appreciation of Bled’s superlative beauty. Wooden rowing boats are readily available to rent for use on the lake, with prices charged by the hour in most cases. You can also hop into a clear kayak for a guided tour, so you’ll feel like you're sitting directly on the water.
Camargue horses, whose ancestors galloped through prehistoric France, are among the oldest horse breeds in the world. Largely living semi-wild in the wetlands of the Camargue, they are the traditional steeds of Camarguaise cowboys, known as 'gardians', who work on local ranches. With their ivory coats, sturdy builds and free-spirited temperaments, they cut strong and elegant figures. Local farms offer rides on these horses, as do tour companies that lead peaceful trots through the park’s verdant fields and Mediterranean beaches.
The Camino de Santiago is a long-distance pilgrimage route leading from – according to tradition – your front door to the holy city of Santiago de Compostela and its captivating cathedral. There are several stages to this famous trail, winding through Spain, France and Portugal. From the short and relatively easy 'English Way' through Galicia to a five-week trek along Spain’s wild north coast, there’s a Camino for everyone. You don’t have to be religious to walk it: modern pilgrims can enjoy the scenery along a path signed by yellow scallop-shell waymarkers.
The Estonian smoke sauna recently gained widespread attention thanks to Smoke Sauna Sisterhood, an award-winning documentary about the UNESCO-listed practice rooted in the country’s south. Saunas are often associated with Finland and Sweden, and Estonia’s tradition differs somewhat in that smoke saunas have no chimney. Instead, wood smoke is left to swirl around the room while it warms, before the fire dies and its fumes are released. Visitors can embrace this ancient wellness practice at sites such as Mooska Farm and Sepa Farm (pictured).
Gondola rides are perhaps Venice's most iconic activity, but we think its ultimate bucket-list experience is found on land. Murano glass, crafted on the island of the same name since the 13th century, is revered in the art world for its boiled sweet-like colours. In factories across Murano, glassmakers work in stifling heat to mould and shape their wares, with some welcoming tourists to attempt the process of glass-blowing for themselves. Book a beginners' workshop to try your hand, or simply attend a demonstration.
The Rhine is Germany’s longest river, cleaving through the landscape between vine-speckled slopes and historic hills. The Upper Middle Rhine Valley is synonymous with storybook castles and formidable fortresses, once the domains of warriors, royals and Romans. Many of these medieval masterpieces have been preserved today as museums. Sooneck, Marksburg, Klopp, Rheinstein, Stolzenfels (pictured) and Pfalzgrafenstein should all be on your itinerary for a Rhine castle crawl, while Gutenfels has been repurposed as a hotel and is a fitting base.
The scarlet carriages of the Bernina Express have become emblematic of a trip through the Alps, their panoramic windows perfectly framing the mountain views. The train rattles through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges on its way from Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in northern Italy, including a spectacular crossing of the monumental Landwasser Viaduct (pictured). Taking around four and a half hours, the journey is widely regarded as one of the world’s most scenic rail rides, and is especially breathtaking on a snowy winter day.
It’s one of Mother Nature’s most anticipated displays. Every year between June and August, the lavender fields of Provence burst into an amethyst haze that smells just as good as it looks. Lavender is far from unique to this bucolic French region, but the flowerings on the Plateau de Valensole (pictured), the Luberon Valley and the Chemin des Lavandes represent some of the most picturesque sights you can see during a European summer. If you wish to take a bunch home, don’t attempt to pick the lavender yourself – head to a local farm shop.
There’s no shortage of 'blue lagoons' in Europe – Iceland, Wales, Paphos and Kos all claim to have one. But this sliver of sea, fanning out between the Maltese islands of Comino and Cominotto in peacock-feather colours, is the one you should put on your bucket list. Waves have chewed into the cliffs as if they were honeycomb, leaving behind a series of caves and coves that form a perfect playground for swimmers and snorkellers. Comino’s Blue Lagoon can be reached by boat tour from Malta’s main island or from Gozo.
Meandering from the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal to the Cork town of Kinsale, the Wild Atlantic Way is one of the most magnificent road trips you'll ever take. Offering untold opportunities to experience Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) culture, seafood suppers, bracing ocean dips and endless emerald landscape, this touring route passes more than 150 discovery points, including Malin Head, Benbulben (pictured) and the Cliffs of Moher. If time permits, we’d recommend driving the Way's whole length, but you can pick a shorter leg if you only have a few days.
Vilnius, Lithuania's capital, might be one of the most walkable cities in Europe – but it's also one of the most beguiling to see from the air. Hot air balloons are allowed to fly directly over the charming centre (a rare occurrence in cities), way above its terracotta roofs, turrets and church spires. Drifting along on the breeze, you'll feel a world away from the thrumming cafes, bars and attractions below. Elsewhere in the country's abundantly green interior, aerial tours also depart from Trakai, a medieval town on the shores of Lake Galve (pictured).
Sneaking into our top three, a cruise around the Norwegian fjords promises to be unforgettable. Stitched along Norway’s western coastline, the fjords are colossal saltwater expanses carved out by the Ice Age, unfathomably deep and dazzling. Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord (pictured), Hardangerfjord and Lysefjord are among the most impressive, and can be visited on smaller excursions as well as on large cruise ships. Travel in the summer to see the surrounding meadows and woodlands at their most lush, with the highest peaks still speckled by snow.
Europe has its fair share of over-hyped destinations, but Greece’s Cyclades Islands are – for the most part – deserving of their blockbuster reputation. Hopping around on their extensive ferry network, you’ll need at least 10 days to get the most out of this adventure, spending a minimum of three nights on each island so that you don’t feel rushed. Unless you’re a party-lover with a sizeable budget, we’d suggest skipping glitzy Mykonos in favour of Milos, Paros and Syros (pictured). Santorini, whose sunsets, whitewashed windmills and calderas you’ve likely seen on Instagram, is popular for good reason.
Nabbing the top spot in our ranking is a date with the aurora in Finnish Lapland. In the right conditions the Northern Lights can be seen across the hemisphere, but what could be more magical than glimpsing them in the home of Santa Claus himself? Sometimes called Europe’s last wilderness, Lapland has next-to-no light pollution and around 200 cloudless nights a year, boosting your chances of catching the dancing ribbons of green and purple. Aurora season tends to start at the end of August and continues all the way until the beginning of April.
Now check out our ranking of the USA's best bucket-list experiences