15 Iconic Landmarks in Europe to Add to your Europe Bucket List

You can scarcely turn a corner in Europe without coming across a magnificent monument. In fact, the continent is brimming with amazing structures. Many of Europe’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, need no introduction. Of all, with so many iconic landmarks in Europe, the only difficult part will be to choose which one to see first. We’ve compiled a list of 15 of Europe’s most iconic sites, each deserving of a position on your Europe bucket list.

15 Iconic Landmarks in Europe:

1. Eiffel Tower, Paris
2. Colosseum, Rome
3. La Sagrada Família, Barcelona
4. The Louvre, Paris
5. Acropolis & Parthenon, Greece
6. Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
7. The Sistine Chapel, Vatican City
8. Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, France
9. Charles Bridge, Prague
10. Stonehenge, UK
11. Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, Spain
12. Chateau de Chillon, Switzerland
13. Brandenburg Gate, Berlin
14. Pena Palace, Portugal
15. The Atomium, Belgium

1. Eiffel Tower, Paris

The 1,063-foot-high Eiffel Tower, which towering over the southwest side of the city from its base in the 7th arrondissement, has become a symbol synonymous not just with Paris, but France as a nation. The backdrop of the gigantic tower’s slender frame, looming in the distance, defines each visit to Paris.

The city views from high, of course, are unrivalled, However, a mix of elevators and steps will take you up to three tower floors and observation platforms, with various attractions such as a Champagne bar, Michelin-starred restaurant, and clear glass floor. The tower is probably even more stunning at night, when hundreds of sparkling lights illuminate it intermittently.

2. Colosseum, Rome

Half circus, half sports arena, Rome’s most renowned structure is unmistakable; especially now that the underground tunnels where gladiators and wild creatures formerly roamed have been exposed to tourists. Standing within the amphitheatre, you can’t help but ponder about the courageous men who participated in bloody bullfights here making it one of the iconic landmarks of Europe.

3. La Sagrada Família, Barcelona

La Sagrada Famlia in Barcelona is one of Europe’s most recognised structures, not to mention one of the most magnificent cathedrals ever built. The neo-Gothic/Art Nouveau basilica, one of a kind and built on a larger-than-life scale, has remained a work in progress for more than a century since construction began in 1882.

The wild display of carvings, sculptures, towers and spires in the exteriors offers an ever enchanting experience thus making this a classic iconic landmarks of Europe.

4. The Louvre, Paris

Millions of people visit each year only to see the modern glass Louvre Pyramid, which is only the entryway. The Louvre, a historic castle and royal palace, is one of the world’s best museums. The Louvre museum in Paris, well known for Leonardo Da Vinci’s renowned Mona Lisa, is a treasure trove of 35,000 paintings and sculptures dating from the seventh century B.C. to the mid-nineteenth century. It will take three days to see every room in the museum, so make a list of the exhibits you’re most interested in.

5. Acropolis & Parthenon, Greece

The Acropolis is the world’s most famous and visited monument, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Acropolis of Athens and its temples are global emblems of ancient Greece’s classical ethos and culture. Among its structures, the Parthenon is the most spectacular.

The Temple of Parthenon was built in honour of the goddess Athena, guardian of the Ancient City of Athens, and is a sight to behold. Its distinctive design has influenced numerous colleges, public buildings, palaces, legislatures, and libraries throughout the Western world.

6. Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, with its equal parts of beauty and folly, is one of the world’s most famous iconic structures. It’s worth noting that the tower was erected with looted riches on a swampy subsoil with obvious engineering flaws. Over the years, the tower has infamously slanted up to 10 degrees in various directions.

The tilt has now been decreased to 3.99 degrees as a result of continuing repair operations. It is a marvel, however, that despite its reputation for being structurally unstable, it is available to the public and you may climb all the way to the top of the tower to enjoy a panoramic view of the city!

7. The Sistine Chapel, Vatican City

The Sistine Chapel is most known for Michelangelo’s paintings, although Sisto commissioned painters such as Botticelli to fresco the two long walls on either side of the chapel long before Michelangelo. The narrative of Moses was told on one side, and the storey of Christ was told on the other. The Sistine Chapel now houses the world’s greatest frescoes.

8. Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, France

This UNESCO-protected abbey, off the coast of Normandy in northern France, is the crowning feature of Mont Saint-Michel. It is a rocky fortified islet that rises abruptly out of the surrounding water and is one of Europe’s most distinctive locations to visit. When the tides are high, the abbey’s pointed spire is set against a landscape of shimmering sand flats. When the tides are low, the abbey’s pointed spire is set against a landscape of dazzling sand flats.

A visit to the circular isle, connected to the mainland by a bridge, offers a time-travel escape. One gets to also witness the tiny alleyways lined with 15th- and 16th-century homes-cum-souvenir stores lining the rise to the famed monastery.

9. Charles Bridge, Prague

Charles Bridge, Prague’s most beautiful landmark, is a gothic stone bridge spanning 16 arches and adorned with 30 baroque sculptures of holy figures. It is also a favourite gathering place for Czech artists, musicians, and souvenir merchants.

Take a walk across the cobblestone bridge to be transported to another period, but don’t forget to admire the architecture and the spectacular views of the Vtlava River from the bridge towers. Visit the bridge after dark for a stunning view of the fully-lit Prague Castle against the twilight sky, or early in the morning to beat the crowds and enjoy a spectacular sunrise.

10. Stonehenge, UK

This ancient circle of megalithic pillars in the English countryside, on Salisbury Plain, has captivated generations of interested observers and regarded as the most important prehistoric iconic landmarks in Europe since 3000 BC. However, doubts about the significance of the site and its construction continue today.

See what echoes of the past are revealed to you on a visit to the renowned archaeological site—just bear in mind that you’ll have to contemplate the strange monoliths from afar, since touching the stones is prohibited.

11. Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, Spain

This is where faiths literally meet in the middle! The mosque of Cordoba represents the numerous theological transformations that have occurred in Spain throughout the ages.

When Muslims invaded Spain in 711, they split the church into Muslim and Christian parts. It rises tall now, like a phoenix, with columns of jasper, onyx, marble, and granite salvaged from the Roman temple that formerly stood in its place and other demolished Roman structures in Spain.

12. Chateau de Chillon, Switzerland

For ages, the Chateau de Chillon (Chillon Castle) on the banks of Lake Geneva has inspired painters and authors. Among the luminaries who adopted her as a muse were Lord Byron, Jean Jacques Rousseau, and Victor Hugo. Take your time admiring the Great Halls, the Gothic underground chambers, the church with 14th-century frescoes, and the breathtaking views of Lake Geneva.

13. Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

The Brandenburg Gate, one of the most well-known monuments in today’s bustling Berlin, is more than just a city gate. This monument depicts the Berlin split between East and West during the Cold War, as well as a reunified Germany following the fall of the Berlin Wall.

It’s open all year, but if you truly want to experience it in all its grandeur, come here on New Year’s Eve with the locals or to watch the FIFA World Cup or UEFA EURO Championships, screened for everyone!

14. Pena Palace, Portugal

The Pena National Palace is a Romanticist palace located in So Pedro de Penaferrim, Sintra, Portugal. The palace is located on a hill above the town of Sintra and can be seen from Lisbon and other parts of the metropolitan area on a clear day.

It is a national monument and one of the world’s major manifestations of 19th-century Romanticism.

15. The Atomium, Belgium

The narrative of the Atomium is, above all, one of love, the love that Belgians have for an amazing edifice that wittily blends artistic boldness with technological expertise. The Atomium’s look is unique and memorable. It has the unusual ability to boost everyone’s emotions while also igniting their ideas.

Now that you’re familiar with Europe’s prominent monuments, you can book wonderful Europe Tour Packages to the land of wonders with Pickyourtrail and explore them. So why study about Europe on the internet when you can live in areas that are historically significant to humanity? Begin planning now, and have a wonderful trip!