Best Things To Do In Europe
Wine, museums and Northern Lights in Europe
Europe remains one of the most enticing regions on Earth for a vacation thanks to its centuries of history, numerous stunning landscapes and a huge variety of cultural activities.
You can tour Imperial cities teeming with opera houses and other ornate buildings, or make the most of mild Mediterranean climates and flavorful food on a more relaxing getaway to a laid-back island. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or you’ve been countless times before, it is not an overstatement to say Europe has something – and somewhere – to suit everyone.
Not sure which of its dreamy destinations should be top of your list to visit next? Our roundup of the best things to do in Europe is full of inspiring ideas and locations. Once you have read this guide, you can also have a look at our list of the best places to visit Europe in December.
1 Go island-hopping in the Aegean Sea around Greece
In addition to mouth-watering cuisine and heaps of intriguing history, Greece is famed for its gorgeous collection of islands. You’ll find several idyllic options in the Aegean Sea that’s located just east of the Greek mainland. If you can’t choose between the white-washed villages of Santorini, the beautiful beaches of Rhodes or the ancient ruins of Samos, why not explore all three and more on an exciting island-hopping tour?
2 Relax on the idyllic shores of Lake Bled in Slovenia
Italy and Croatia’s lesser-known neighbor is a wonderful location to enjoy a little R&R. Arrive into Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana and then make your way to the shores of Lake Bled – the country’s most famous body of water. It is located within the picturesque Julian Alps and features a stunning island at its center that is home to a 15th-century church. Soak up its enchanting views from the shoreline or book a relaxing boat tour around the lake.
3 Go off-road in a Jeep in Iceland to experience the Northern Lights
For those of you who have always wanted to view the Northern Lights in person, few countries are better positioned than Iceland. The Atlantic Ocean island is one of the most popular places to go in Europe thanks to its rugged landscapes and incredible thermal pools. In addition to experiencing the magical Aurora Borealis from the warm waters of the Blue Lagoon, you could also hop in a Super Jeep from Reykjavik and head to a more remote spot for completely unspoiled views of the night sky.
4 Sample traditional Spanish jamon and sherry in Andalucia
If you’re wondering where to go in Europe for some sensational cuisine, Spain will not disappoint – especially its southern coastal area of Andalucia. In addition to getting your fill of tasty tapas, fresh seafood, and flavorful paella, you’ll have the chance to taste-test some of the best jamon (dry-cured ham) in Spain, which is sourced from the region’s famous iberico pigs. Andalucia, particularly the port city of Cadiz, is additionally known for its sweet sherry. Traditionally drunk as a pre-meal aperitif, it is a must-try for those planning a culinary tour around this sunny Spanish region.
5 Admire the lush landscapes of Russia’s Lake Baikal on a Jeep safari
Another lake worthy of a visit in Europe is Russia’s Lake Baikal. Found in the heart of Siberia, it is thought to be the deepest lake in the world and is a hotspot for hikers thanks to the miles of pretty trails leading off from its shores. Baikal is best accessed from nearby Irkutsk, which you can reach by plane from the Russian capital or as part of one of the most stunning train routes on the planet – the Trans-Siberian Railway. Visit in the summer to admire impossibly clear waters or stay out of the cold on a Jeep safari tour in winter, when the surrounding mountains are blanketed in snow.
6 Watch the sunrise from Pico do Arieiro on Portugal’s Madeira Island
Portugal is undeniably packed with incredibly beautiful and cultural cities. If you are keen to see a lesser-known side of this balmy, beach-strewn nation, how about a visit to one of its magnificent islands instead? Madeira Island is the largest isle in the Madeira archipelago and boasts plenty of attractions to keep you busy, from pretty pebbled beaches to historic vineyards. One of the best things to do, though, is to journey to the top of the Pico do Arieiro just before dawn to watch the sun rise dramatically above the low-lying clouds.
7 Discover a magical Christmas market in Germany
If the festive season is your favorite time of the year to travel, Germany will hands-down be one of the best places to visit in Europe. Its cosmopolitan cities come alive with Christmas markets and plenty of cheer from late November until Christmas Eve. While you will spot stalls selling hot spiced wine and other traditional treats in Berlin, Munich and Stuttgart, many smaller towns such as Rothenburg ob der Tauber also host markets to help both locals and visitors get into the Christmas spirit.
8 See the châteauxs and vineyards of France’s Loire Valley in a hot air balloon
Ask anyone where to go in Europe for romance and most people will say France. The Central European country is blessed with dozens of dreamy locations perfect for a couple’s vacation, from the elegant streets of Paris to the fragrant flower fields of Provence. Another fantastic place to take your other half is the lush Loire Valley. As well as exploring its handsome châteauxs and world-class vineyards on foot, why not go one step further and see them from above during a hot air balloon ride?
9 Dance the night away on a musical pub crawl around Dublin
If you are up for some late-night fun on your next vacation, a pitstop in Ireland’s colorful capital is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Europe. Dublin is well-known for its friendly locals, heady local liquor and lively folk music, all of which you can experience first-hand during a guided pub crawl around the best traditional drinking holes in Temple Bar, the city’s cultural quarter.
10 Go walking and wine tasting in the Cinque Terre
Renowned for its cuisine, Italy is another one of the top places to visit in Europe for fantastic food. While you will find plenty of mouth-watering gelato in Rome and all the pizza you’ll ever need in Naples, you won’t regret making your way to Italy’s northwest coast to try some of the country’s crispest and most aromatic white wines. Just 55 miles from Genoa, the Cinque Terre region is made up of five picture-perfect villages fringed by vineyards ripe with Bosco, Vermentino and Albarola grapes. Explore them during a walking and wine-tasting tour which allows you to sample delicious wines while soaking up stunning coastal and rural vistas.
Discover the best things to do in Europe when you book the vacation of a lifetime with Enchanting Travels. Speak to our travel experts today for more Europe travel tips on where to go and what to see in this popular region
Popular Trips to Europe
Best Places To Visit
Best Time To Visit
From the romance of Paris, the heat and the history of Rome, to the culture of London and the fine vintage of Bordeaux and Tuscany, discover when to visit the best loved sights on your luxury European tours.
Travel Guide
From which currency you’ll need, to health information, vaccines and visas, our Europe travel guide is packed full of useful information to help you prepare for your European tours.
From the Blog
What Our Guests Say
What Our Guests Say
“Our trip to Ireland was incredible and seamless thanks to Enchanting Travels! Every detail was perfectly planned, balancing culture, adventure, and relaxation. Highlights included a Dublin food tour, Cliffs of Moher cruise, and kayaking by Ross Castle. The accommodations were excellent and our private driver-guides were professional, warm, and flexible. Everything felt effortless and luxurious without being rigid. We highly recommend them to anyone planning a trip to Ireland!”
April 2026 Rating 5/5
“A three-week trip to various parts of the UK seemed too much for us to plan and execute, so I was glad when a friend told me about her magical UK trip. She had relied on the expertise of Cherisse Liptzin and ET. From the first meeting, we were impressed. Cherisse asked great questions to figure out our expectations, preferences, and wishes. She offered suggestions based on her time traveling throughout the UK. She was flexible when we made changes to our initial plan and when we added further edits and additional days. Her guidance was superb! Then, she handed us over to our trip coordinator, Namrata Gupta who worked with us before and throughout our time in the UK. Namrata, in her intro message, assured us that we wouldn’t need to worry about a thing – that she would take care of everything. That big promise was proven to be 100% genuine and true. We had several unforeseen issues arise, and she helped us resolve everything. We didn’t miss a bit of the fun and enjoyment of the trip thanks to this dear, responsive, smart trip coordinator who answered the call, going above and beyond every time we needed her help. ET has a process that ensures your travel will be enjoyable, safe, and easy. We give them our highest recommendation. In fact, we’re already planning our next journeys with their wise guidance and help. We’re thrilled to travel with ET!”
May 2025 Rating 5/5
“Enchanting Travels made planning my trip to Ireland very easy and stress free. The experience with Enchanting Travels and finally getting to visit Ireland was a dream come true. I am so glad I did it! I had to go to Ireland by myself, but I didn’t feel like I was alone. My travel guide checked in with me everyday to make sure things were going well. I had my personal chauffeur/tour guide who was with me at least 8 hours a day so I wasn’t completely by myself. I felt very safe and well taken care of. Don’t hesitate to use Enchanting Travels for your next trip. They are the best!”
May 2025 Rating 5/5
“Enchanting Travels is a wonderful agency that we have now used twice for two long trips, one to Peru and one to Spain and Portugal. Their guidance in planning our trip was outstanding, always with an eye toward accommodating our desires and needs but also with wonderful suggestions made to enhance our experience. All of the staff that we have interacted with at Enchanting Travels have been friendly, professional, and very knowledgeable. During our trips, the transfers have been seamless, the accommodations very much to our liking, and the guides outstanding. The 24/7 support that they provide during our trip takes all the stress out of our travel. We will definitely be using Enchanting Travels again for our next trip abroad.”
October 2025 Rating 5/5
“This was our first start to finish planned tour by an agency like Enchanting Travel. We opted to go with them rather than a Duro Valley boat cruise and are so glad be did. The breadth of experiences in 10 days was simply excellent – we feel we now know so much more about Portugal’s rich history and fantastic tourism offerings.”
September 2025 Rating 5/5
“Lauren Bukowski tailored the Italian trip spot on for our small travel group of 4. She listened well to our goals of the trip and was able to provide excellent accommodations in Rome and Florence, with well curated tours of Rome such as the Roman ruins, Vatican and Panthenon.. Florence was equally done very well with trips to Chianti region, Cinque Terre and the museums in Florence. In addition to the delightful trip the travel connections were seamless. This was certainly appreciated. We would definitely use Lauren and Enchanting Travels again. Thanks for the wonderful trip to Italy 🇮🇹 Sheila, Carol, Carolyn and Brent”
September 2025 Rating 5/5