Are you dreaming of visiting Europe but aren’t sure where to go? Keep scrolling to check out my ultimate Europe bucket list with items worth checking off!
This ultimate Europe bucket list was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Traveling to Europe is a bucket list-worthy item on its own, but once you make it, choosing what to see and where to go can make things a whole lot trickier!
After all, the continent is made up of 44 entirely different countries, each one of which comes with its own unique charm, culture, and landscape.
Whether you’re visiting Europe for a week or have entire years to dedicate to your trip, you will never really run out of things to do here.
If you’re in the plotting stages of your itinerary, though, chances are you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with options.
So we decided to put together a pretty well-rounded Europe bucket list with every single thing you should do during your time in the Old Continent!
The Ultimate Europe Bucket List
1. Road trip through Provence in France
One of the most beautiful things you can do in Europe is to drive through Provence.
This gorgeous area in France is as stunning as it gets, offering a wide array of cultural and outdoor activities as well as landscapes you won’t be able to stop taking pictures of.
In fact, the views here are so stunning that they actually inspired plenty of Van Gogh’s paintings!
A typical route you can take is starting from the city of Marseille all the way to Aix-en-Provence.
The road will have you passing plenty of small villages and vineyards set on rolling fields. During the spring, you will also be able to see lots of lavender fields.
2. Taste wine in Tuscany, Italy
Set in northern Italy, Tuscany is one of the most iconic wine regions in Europe.
The entire area encompasses the Lugiran Coast, Marche, Umbria, Lazio, Liguria, and Emilia Romagna. Each of these is entirely different and worthy of being treated as a unique destination.
All throughout, you’ll be able to make stops at plenty of vineyards for a taste of world-class wine.
The wineries here produce plenty of famous names like Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile. But you will also be able to find lots of family-owned estates if a more local experience is what you’re after.
Aside from getting your fill of wine and learning all about Tuscan wine, the area is also dotted with charming villages, farmhouses in the middle of nowhere, and several castles.
3. Explore Lake Bled, Slovenia
Located in the heart of the Julian Alps in Slovenia, Lake Bled will very much make you feel like you’re in a setting from a storybook!
This gigantic lake features emerald-green waters, and while that should be enough to convince you to visit, the real magic of it lies in the fact that there’s a tiny island in the middle where you’ll find a striking church.
As if that weren’t enough, if you look up to the hills above, you’ll also be able to spot a castle built on the edge of a cliff. This castle dates back to the early 1000s, but even though it’s as old as time, it has still managed to retain its original beauty.
4. Wander through Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
It’s not exactly a secret that Europe is home to plenty of villages that look like fairytales, and Cesky Krumlov may just be the prettiest of them all.
Made up of cobblestone streets and colorful houses that now house museums, coffee shops, and boutique shops, this lovely village in the Czech Republic is an absolute gem.
Moreover, a humongous castle towers over the village. It was built during the Middle Ages and even though it’s undergone renovations ever since, it still retains its original beauty.
You can freely explore the castle in order to imagine what life was like here back in the day.
Make sure not to miss out on checking out the garden, which contains a tiny labyrinth where dwarfs are believed to live in under the mission of protecting the castle’s treasure!
5. Get your fairytale vibes on at Schloss Neuschwanstein, Germany
If seeing a real-life castle is part of your Europe bucket list, Schloss Neuschwanstein should be high up on your list of priorities.
Set amid mountains in the German Alps, Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most popular in Europe and once you’re there, you’ll see exactly why that is!
In fact, Neuschwanstein was the inspiration behind Walt Disney’s Magic Kindom.
You will want to spend a while outside to admire the castle’s facade backdropped by mighty mountains, but you can also go inside in order to explore its rooms.
Be sure to check out my Germany travel tips before you go!
6. Go skiing in St. Moritz, Switzerland
If you happen to be visiting Europe during the colder months, skiing in the Alps is worthy of being on your Europe bucket list.
While there are tons of ski resorts all over Europe, St. Moritz is the oldest one on the continent. It has also been the host of two Winter Olympics.
The trails here are designed mostly for experts and intermediate levels, but you will also find a few for beginners in case it’s your first time.
Aside from its slopes, part of the allure of visiting St. Moritz is its apres ski culture. High-end dining, incredible bars, shopping venues, spas, and luxury hotels are all available in town.
You may want to save up for this one, as this resort town is known for being quite expensive!
7. Visit a Christmas market in Germany
Visiting a Christmas market in Germany is something everyone needs to do at least once in their life.
After all, Germans sure know how to spread the holiday cheer, and Christmas markets are affairs as magical as they can get.
Beginning in late November, every single city, town, and village in the country hosts their very own Christmas market. There are twinkling lights, homemade treats, roasted chestnuts, and lots of mulled wine to get an idea of what the events are all about.
Some of the most popular Christmas markets to visit in Germany include the Dresdner Striezelmarkt, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, the Am Dom Market in Cologne, and the Rothenburg ob der Tauber Reiterlesmarkt.
But you should be able to find one no matter where you are in Germany!
8. Get lost in the Azores
If you’re all about not-so-popular destinations and you want to go somewhere in Europe that isn’t as obvious, the Azores in Portugal is a wonderful choice.
The Azores is an archipelago made up of 9 islands located on the Atlantic Ocean right between the American and European continents.
The geology of the island is quite unique. Once you land, you’ll find yourself inside a world of quirky volcanic formations, interesting flora and fauna, and landscapes as rugged as they can get.
9. Drive the Golden Circle in Iceland
The Golden Circle is a gorgeous scenic drive in Iceland that will have you discovering some of the best this stunning island country has to offer.
The route is pretty short at just 155 miles. But what it lacks in length, it makes up for with glorious landscapes and incredible stops to make.
There are three top sites to check out as you loop your way through the Golden Circle. The first is Thingvellir National Park to see the divide between the European and North American tectonic plates.
The second is Gullfoss to see one of the most emblematic waterfalls in Europe. And finally, the Geyser area to see geysers blasting from the ground in full force.
10. Enjoy the beaches of Krk in Croatia
Croatia is a country that is often overlooked by visitors to Europe, but it has plenty to offer and should be a must on everyone’s Europe bucket list.
One of the coolest destinations you’ll find in this country in the Baltics is Krk (yep, that’s how it’s spelled!).
This island on the northern Adriatic Coast offers gorgeous blue waters, beautiful beaches, and a wide array of cultural and foodie options.
11. Gawk at the architecture in Granada, Spain
Even though castles, mountains, and cities may be the first things that pop to mind when you think of Europe, because the continent is so old, it contains plenty of history.
A great example of this is Granada, a place that was once conquered by the Moors and was ruled by Arabs for centuries. This can be seen all over the city through its glorious Mudejar architecture.
The Alhambra is the most beautiful of them all. It was once a palace and fortress that today serves as one of the most iconic monuments of Islamic architecture not just in Europe, but the entire world!
During your visit, you can spend hours on end admiring its complex decoration, intricate patterns on walls, ensembles of pools, and lavish gardens.
12. Walk amid the colorful streets of Burano, Italy
Located on Venice’s canals, Burano is a city that brims with colors.
This incredibly picturesque village is made up of tiny fishermen’s villages, all of which are splattered in different shades as bright as they can get and create a kaleidoscope of colors.
Aside from taking a ridiculous amount of pictures, Burano is also a great place to sample Italian seafood, with plenty of local eateries serving freshly-caught dishes.
13. See the Eiffel Tower sparkle
If you’re planning a trip to Paris, make sure to set aside time at night to visit the Eiffel Tower. That’s when you can see it sparkle and it’s truly magical!
The Eiffel Tower light show takes place from sundown until 1:00 a.m. right on the hour. It sparkles for a full 5 minutes each time but the best show is the one right at 1:00 a.m.
You can see it from anywhere around the Eiffel Tower, but it’s also extra cool to be inside the Eiffel Tower as it sparkles!
14. Have afternoon tea in London
One of the most iconic things to do in London is to enjoy afternoon tea at one of the many establishments in the city.
One of the most famous places to have afternoon tea in London is Harrod’s. It’s a department store that has been around for ages and they have an incredible afternoon tea (including a children’s menu).
15. Visit the Park Guell in Barcelona
One of the coolest things to do in Barcelona with kids is to explore Park Guell. It was designed by Gaudi and it has a very fantastical feel to it.
Here, you’ll find tons of colorful mosaics that will captivate people of all ages.
It’s a really easy walk up to the scenic viewpoint where you can get a gorgeous view of Barcelona. Don’t miss my other Barcelona travel tips!
16. Walk in the steps of gladiators at the Colosseum in Rome
No trip to Rome would be complete without a visit to the Colosseum. It’s a massive structure that has been around for hundreds of years.
While you can easily take a selfie in front of it, you really should book a tour to go inside. I recommend doing a guided tour so you can learn what it was like to be a gladiator and a spectator.
Enviable Europe Bucket List Wrap Up
Of course, these are just some of the items to add to your Europe bucket list. There are too many incredible European attractions and activities to include in this post. But, I hope this helps you get started!
Looking for more Europe Travel Resources? Check out my kid-friendly London itinerary, kid-friendly Paris itinerary, how to visit Germany on a budget, Europe travel tips, how to plan a trip to Europe, Paris vs London, Italy or Spain, and tips for visiting Rome!
