From cuisine and nightlife to breathtaking natural scenery, Europe has something for everyone. But it is in its historical achievements that Europe truly shines. The Greeks, Romans, Ancient Britons, and Moors, as well as ancient sites, medieval architecture, and the World Wars of the 20th century, all left behind some of the most notable historical monuments in the world on the Old Continent.
Many historical sites have been created due to this extensive past, and in this post, we’ll list 45 significant historical places in Europe (one from each country) that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime.
1. Stonehenge, Wiltshire, UK
One of the most visited and enigmatic historical sites in Europe is Stonehenge. The reasons and methods used by the ancient British Druids to erect these stones more than 4,000 years ago are a mystery to this day. There is speculation that this was a holy prayer site or a burial mound, although no one is certain.
Nevertheless, we know these enormous sarsen stones were moved from a quarry more than 40 kilometers distant and placed in just the right place to catch the sun’s rays in the summer and winter solstices.
Today, you may visit the location in Wiltshire, UK, and be inspired by these enormous, unique stones while you speculate about the individuals who constructed them and their motivations.
2. Newgrange, County Meath, Ireland
Newgrange, a prehistoric monument and one of the oldest historical sites in Europe, is situated 8 kilometers west of Drogheda. Newgrange is a passage tomb that, in the opinion of many researchers, goes back to 3200 B.C., making it older than Stonehenge and even the Egyptian pyramids. The central mound at Newgrange is a sizable circle, and a stone passageway inside connects it to the interior chambers.
3. Kronborg Castle, Helsingor, Denmark
One of the oldest structures in Denmark is the Kronborg Castle, built in the early 1420s. The castle was built during King Eric VII’s reign, but Frederik II gave it a Renaissance makeover.
After being destroyed by fire in 1629, Kronborg Castle was rebuilt, only to be destroyed by the Swedish in the 1650s. One of the most well-known castles in Northern Europe, the castle has been renovated and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also known as “Elsinore,” the setting for William Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
4. Althing, Reykjavik, Iceland
One of Iceland’s oldest buildings is Althing, the world’s oldest surviving parliament building. Since 930 A.D., the Althing has been the venue for meetings amongst the nation’s top officials. The structure was once situated some 30 kilometers outside Reykjavik, but in 1844 it was moved there.
A most popular place in Europe
The number of travelers worldwide has increased significantly. According to the most recent data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the number of foreign visitors increased by 6% in 2018, reaching 1.4 billion, a figure that was only expected to be reached in 2020.
Over 710 million, or about half of the total number, foreign visitors arrived in Europe alone in 2017. Southern and Mediterranean Europe primarily drove the growth. At the same time, Western and Central Europe continue to rank among the top tourist destinations worldwide and are the most visited in Europe.
1. France
France is not about the Eiffel Tower, museums, and wine—despite being the most visited country in the world. The nation has drawn more tourists than any other nation in Europe or the entire world for over a decade. There are several causes for this. A year would not be enough to see and experience everything the nation has to offer regarding tourist attractions.
The various magnificent and colossal palaces, castles, and cathedrals everywhere around France are widely known. The most well-known is the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Castle of Chambord, and the Palace of Versailles.
2. Spain
Spain is the second most visited nation in Europe and is primarily on the Iberian Peninsula. Approximately 82.7 million tourists entered Spain in 2018 alone, an increase of 1 million over 2017.
Numerous beaches on the Atlantic and Mediterranean, 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and several international events are all found in Spain. The Spanish coast has frequently been compared to warm-weather islands.
The variety of cuisine, especially the Tortilla Espanola, Pisto, Paella, and other traditional dishes, has increased the value of a journey to Spain.
3. Italy
Italy is the third most visited nation on the old continent of Europe and is home to some of the most well-known structures worldwide, including the Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. 52.4 million tourists entered the nation in 2016, 58.3 million in 2017, and 62.1 million in 2021.
The nation is famous for its influential art, architecture, and culture and is home to many castles, palaces, cathedrals, wineries, and beaches. Another famous sight is the Vatican Museums, situated in the center of Rome. Rome is the third most visited city in Europe, behind Paris and London. Italy’s most popular tourist destinations are Florence, Venice, Milan, and Naples.
4. Turkey
Most tourists’ ultimate fantasy destination is Istanbul. Istanbul, the nexus of western and eastern cultures, was founded in 660 BCE and was previously known as Constantinople before being overrun by the Ottomans.
No visitor to Turkey will omit to visit Istanbul. The city offers a blend of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture, delicious Middle Eastern cuisine, pleasant weather, and many amiable cats and dogs roaming freely around the city.
Turkey welcomed 45.7 million visitors in 2018, compared to 37.6 million in 2017. The ancient Greek city of Ephesus, the Cappadocia rock gorges, the snow-white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, the former Armenian capital Ani ruins, and more popular destinations for tourists who are interested in history.
Conclusion
Europe is the best place to visit with your family because of its pleasant weather and fantastic night so that you can add Europe to your dream destination.