Great sites can be found all over Europe. You almost always turn a corner after seeing one. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum in Rome, and the Eiffel Tower are all famous landmarks in Europe that don’t need an introduction. The hardest part of your next big trip will be picking which of Europe’s many famous sights to see first. Europe’s famous landmarks will leave a mark on your heart and promise lasting memories.
8 Famous Landmarks in Europe
From 5,000-year-old monoliths to a strange basilica still being built, these places are full of history, buildings, and art. So what are some famous landmarks in Europe? Keep reading to know more. Here is a list of famous European landmarks you should visit on your next trip.
1. Eiffel Tower, Paris
The Eiffel Tower stands for Paris and all of Europe. This one of Europe’s famous landmarks is an iron lattice masterpiece and has captivated visitors worldwide since it was built in 1889. It looks beautiful from the Champ de Mars in the French city. The tower, named after its creator, Gustave Eiffel, was built as a brief show for the 1889 World’s Fair. Its unique design made it one of the most famous landmarks in Europe.
At 330 metres (1,083 feet), the Eiffel Tower was the world’s biggest artificial structure for more than 40 years. It is the biggest building in Paris. Only new skyscrapers are taller. Its complex lattice design, made of 2.5 million rivets that hold about 18,000 iron pieces together, shows how good architects were at the time. The Eiffel Tower, one of the famous landmarks in Europe, is not only beautiful but also a work of architectural genius. In the late 1800s, it changed the way iron buildings were made and inspired a new generation of engineers and architects.
Location: Champ de Mars, Paris
Best Time: Spring, early morning
Entry Fee: €10.70 – €26.80
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2. The Colosseum, Rome, Italy
The Colosseum is a lasting reminder of how great Roman architecture was. This one of the famous European landmarks stands for the city’s power and glory. One of the most famous places of Europe is this beautiful Roman amphitheatre in the Eternal City. Between 70 and 80 AD, the Flavian emperors built the Colosseum, which was a real feat of building. Its huge elliptical building, which stood tall over the countryside, was the site of gladiator fights, animal hunts, and stage performances for up to 80,000 people.
The Colosseum is a masterpiece of architecture thanks to its clever design and high level of artistry. The huge sandstone and concrete walls on the outside used to have marble fronts and huge figures, showing how rich and creative Rome was. The Colosseum is still standing strong after thousands of years of damage from earthquakes, carelessness, and theft. More than a million people visit the Colosseum every year to admire its beauty and learn about its past. It reminds us of Rome’s history and how power has changed over time.
Location: Piazza del Colosseo, Rome
Best Time: Spring, early morning
Entry Fee: €16 – €18
3. The Acropolis, Athens, Greece
The Acropolis is an ancient landmark that stands on a rocky outcrop above the busy city of Athens. These historic, famous places in Europe honour people’s creative spirit and the Athenians’ strength and wisdom. Travellers have been drawn to its towering beauty for hundreds of years, making it one of the most famous landmarks in Europe.
The Parthenon is one of the many beautiful buildings on the Acropolis, which is high above the city.
This beautiful Doric temple honours Athena, the goddess who protects Athens. Its huge columns and complicated friezes show how skilled the Greeks were at building things. The Parthenon is just one part of the Acropolis. The Propylaea, which is the entrance to the holy hill, and the Erechtheion, which has a Caryatid Porch, are two other impressive buildings. Every single one of these buildings has a story to tell about the religious and cultural history of ancient Greece.
Location: Acropolis Hill, Athens
Best Time: Spring, early morning
Entry Fee: €20 – €30
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4. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, stands for religion, creativity, and strength. The Basilica by Antoni Gaudí is a work of art that goes beyond its usual purpose as a church. It is one of the longest-running building projects; it began in 1882 and is still going on.
The Sagrada Familia’s Gothic-Art Nouveau style includes a complicated front, tall towers, and shapes that look like they came from nature. Every facade tells a Bible story by showing Christ’s birth, death, and glorification. Inside the church, the stained glass windows create a kaleidoscope of bright colours that represent the presence of God in heaven. The tall towers of the Sagrada Familia, which look like fingers reaching up to the sky, are one of its most noticeable features. The Four Evangelists, the Virgin Mary, the Twelve Apostles, and Jesus Christ, who was the tallest, were to be represented by the 18 towers that Gaudí planned. When these towers are finished, Gaudí’s original plan will come true, turning the Sagrada Familia into a truly amazing work of architecture.
Location: Carrer de Mallorca, Barcelona
Best Time: Spring, morning
Entry Fee: €20 – €26
5. Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England
Stonehenge is in Wiltshire, England, and is one of the most famous and mysterious sites in Europe. These famous buildings in Europe have fascinated people for hundreds of years because of the wonder and intrigue of their old stones. Stonehenge, a ring of huge stones called megaliths, shows how ambitious and smart our ancestors were.
Stonehenge was built around 3000 BCE, and scholars, archaeologists, and mystics have different ideas about what it means. It’s even more interesting to think about what Stonehenge was used for in the past, whether it was a holy burial ground or an observatory for astronomy.
Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire
Best Time: Spring, early morning
Entry Fee: £21.10 – £23.60
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6. The Louvre, Paris, France
The Louvre, which is in Paris, France, on the Seine River, stands for art and history. This one of Europe’s famous landmarks was first built as a fortress in the late 1200s, and it has been changed many times since then to become the beautiful castle and museum complex it is now. The Louvre is famous for its art collection from ancient times to today. It shows the history and culture of Europe.
The sheer beauty of the Louvre’s architecture amazes me. Well-known glass pyramid entry by Architect I. M. Pei mixes the old and the new by adding a modern façade to the main building’s traditional style. Visitors are greeted by a network of halls and rooms filled with rare artefacts from ancient times.
Location: Rue de Rivoli, Paris
Best Time: Spring, morning
Entry Fee: €17
7. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
Image Credit: Arne Müseler for Wikipedia Commons
People have been amazed by the Leaning Tower of Pisa for hundreds of years. It is a masterpiece of both human skill and human error. The structure in the middle of Pisa leans to one side because the ground was unstable, and the foundations weren’t strong enough when it was built in the 1100s.
Although the tower’s lean has been fixed several times, it still leans at a beautiful but impossible angle. People from all over the world come to enjoy its Romanesque-style marble front with arches and columns.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa has a long and interesting past. It was built as a bell tower for the nearby church, and now millions of tourists see it as a symbol of Italian art and engineering. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a famous landmark in Europe that shows how beautiful flaws and battles can be.
Location: Piazza del Duomo, Pisa
Best Time: Spring, morning
Entry Fee: €18 – €20
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8. The Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic:
The Charles Bridge sums up Prague’s beautiful architecture and long past. Hence, it is a must mention in the list of famous landmarks in Europe. Since the 1400s, this ancient stone bridge over the Vltava River has linked Prague’s Old Town to Lesser Town (Mala Strana). The 16 beautiful arches with 30 Baroque figures stand out against the red roof and skyline of Prague Castle. People who live in the area and tourists have told stories about the bridge named after King Charles IV. In one story, eggs were put into the foundation stone of a bridge to make it stronger, an amazing feat of ancient engineering. The Charles Bridge has seen Prague’s fortunes rise and fall. It has been through floods, wars, and just plain time.
It is now an important transport hub and a well-known symbol of Prague’s cultural history. A cobblestone promenade with street musicians, artists, and vendors draws a lot of tourists who come to enjoy the old-fashioned vibe and stunning beauty. When it gets dark, and the arches of the Charles Bridge light up, everyone who crosses them is mesmerised.
Location: Vltava River, Prague
Best Time: Spring, sunrise
Entry Fee: Free
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The most famous landmarks in Europe showcase its rich history and culture, from Paris’s elegance to Rome’s history. From Barcelona’s futuristic beauty to Prague’s cobblestone streets, these 8 places will take you through Europe’s past and present. Take your camera and bags with you because you’re about to see some of the most famous places of Europe. Plan a trip to Europe and immerse yourself in the impressive history, stunning views, and intriguing tales these extraordinary places offer.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Famous Landmarks in Europe
What are some famous landmarks in Europe?
Here’s a list of famous landmarks in Europe - Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome, the Tower Bridge in London, and the Acropolis in Athens.
What European icon stands for love?
The Eiffel Tower in Paris is often linked to love and romance. A lot of people come every year to enjoy the city's beauty and views.
Why is it important to visit the Colosseum in Rome?
The Colosseum, also called the Flavian Amphitheatre, is in the middle of Rome, Italy. The crowds saw animal hunts, fake sea battles, executions, and gladiator fights. It is an ode to Roman engineering and one of the most popular tourist spots in the world.
Why is the Acropolis of Athens one of the most famous landmarks in Europe?
Athens' Acropolis is a castle on a rocky point. The Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, and the Parthenon are some of the most famous buildings in Europe. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Acropolis represents ancient Greek culture.
What famous Europe landmarks have beautiful architecture?
The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is famous for its design. Antoni Gaudí, a Catalan builder, started building this church in 1882 and is still going strong today. It is one of the most famous buildings in Europe. It has intricate facades, tall towers, and a unique mix of Art Nouveau and Gothic styles.
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