Europe enchants the tourists by its style, its vibration and, of course, its huge number of monuments and constructions. We selected some of the most visited places in Europe that are must stops for tourists from all over the world.
Sacre-Coeur Basilica, Paris, France
Apart of being a beautiful postcard of the city, the Sacre-Coeur Basilica has one of the best views of Paris. Built between 1875 and 1914, the church is on top of the Montmartre hill, one of the highest and charming spots of the capital.
Louvre Museum, Paris, France
Attracted by very famous works such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, among more than 35,000 works of art from around the world, tourists make the Louvre the most visited museum on the planet. Symbolized by its modern glass pyramids, the Louvre is a dream for any art, history and culture lover.
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican
Besides being one of the largest and most sacred Catholic sites, the Basilica of St. Peter is also one of the main tourist attractions in Europe. Marble columns, gold ornaments, paintings of angels, statues and works of important artists of the Renaissance, such as Michelangelo and Bernini, are some of the attractions of this beautiful basilica located in the city-state of Vatican.
Colosseum, Rome, Italy
When it was finished, in 80 AD, the Colosseum was an arena with seating for 50,000 spectators, where people came together to see plays, deadly fights between gladiators and even naval battles. Today, the monument is one of the most amazing traces of the Roman Empire and attracts tourists worldwide.
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
No monument on the planet symbolizes so much a city as the Eiffel Tower represents Paris. When the 324 meters high tower was erected in 1889, the inhabitants of the French capital did not like it to see this futuristic structure among the classical architecture of the city. Today, the work of Gustave Eiffel is inseparable from the City of Light and the view from its top is simply stunning.
Palace of Versailles, Versailles, France
King Louis XVI did not think small when it came to transform his hunting property in the center of the power of French royalty. Situated about 40 minutes by train from Paris, the Versailles Palace is a lavish building that shows from its many details and beautiful gardens the extravagance of the kings of that time.
St. Mark’s Basilica, Venice, Italy
Masterpiece with five domes and impressive mosaics and walls, arches, columns and floor with many golden details, the Basilica of St. Mark’s is a good example of Byzantine art. The beauty of the basilica makes it the most visited monument of Venice, one of the cities with more tourists from Europe.
Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey
Six minarets, domes and mosaics, with interior columns and arches are part of the beauty of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. Situated opposite the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque was built in the seventeenth century and is one of the main tourist landmarks of the Turkish city.
Natural History Museum, London, England
Situated in the South Kensington area, the Natural History Museum has more than 70 million items, including several specimens collected by Charles Darwin. Originally, the collection was part of the British Museum, but won its own space in 1881.
Sistine Chapel, Vatican
The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was painted by Michelangelo and is one of the greatest masterpieces of the artist, with the Creation, Adam and over three hundred other figures. Other Renaissance masters such as Botticelli, Perugino and Rosselli contributed to this wonderful chapel of the Vatican a single art gallery, much visited by tourists.
Hagia Sofia, Istanbul, Turkey
Initially erected in the year 537 as a basilica, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque in 1453, when the minarets were added. Today, the beautiful building is a museum, and impresses by its giant dome.
National Gallery, London, England
The rich collection of European art from the thirteenth to nineteenth centuries, the free entry and the privileged location (on Trafalgar Square), makes the National Gallery one of the most visited museums in London. Works by artists like Van Gogh, Gauguin and Botticelli are some examples that can be enjoyed by visitors.
Westminster Palace, London, England
The Palace of Westminster, better known today as the Houses of Parliament, is the oldest royal palace in London, a world heritage site and one of most recognized buildings in the world. Its most famous part is the Elizabeth Tower, place of the famous bell known as Big Ben.
