If you’re looking for the most famous historical sites in Europe, you have come to the right place! From the Palace of Versailles in France to the Roman Forum in Italy and Stonehenge in England, this post features 21 places that history buffs will love.
Europe has an incredibly rich history and you will find thousands of ancient ruins, majestic palaces and medieval castles on this continent. Travelling here is a dream for history lovers, there’s just so much to discover.
As there is so much to see, it can be challenging to decide which sites to visit, and that’s exactly where this list comes in handy. I hope it will inspire you and that you will find exactly what you’re looking for here.
So, let’s dive right into it, here are the most important historical destinations in Europe. I’ve visited 10 of them so far, but the other ones are on my cultural travel bucket list!
Famous Historical Sites in Europe
1. Palace of Versailles, France
🕰 Period: 17th to 18th century | 📍 Type: Palace
UNESCO World Heritage site
The Palace of Versailles is, without a doubt, one of the most famous landmarks in Europe. Located 22 km (13.6 mi) from Paris, this enormous palace was the residence of the French kings during the 17th and 18th centuries. It’s from here that famous king Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, ruled France for 72 years.
Today, this palace is most famous for its beautiful Hall of Mirrors and majestic gardens, but there are plenty of other things to see here. The Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon, two other palaces, and the Queen’s hamlet, a small village, are just a few examples.
I visited the Palace of Versailles twice and loved both of my visits. The domain is actually so big that it’s nearly impossible to see everything in one day.
2. Mont Saint-Michel, France
🕰 Period: 8th century | 📍 Type: Monastery
UNESCO World Heritage site
Located in Normandy, the Mont Saint-Michel is a small island just off the French coast. It was founded by Saint-Aubert, the Bishop of Avranches, in 708. According to the story, the archangel Saint-Michel appeared in the bishop’s dreams three times, which is why he decided to have a chapel built in his name.
The abbey that you will find at the Mont Saint-Michel was only built two centuries later, though, when Benedictine monks moved to the islet.
Being 1,000 years old, this monastery is steeped in history. It’s one of the best places to visit in France if you’re a history lover and one I loved visiting during my trip to Normandy.
3. Caves of Lascaux, France
🕰 Period: c. 17,000 BCE to c. 15,000 BCE | 📍 Type: Prehistoric art
UNESCO World Heritage site
The Caves of Lascaux in Dordogne are famous for their Palaeolithic cave paintings estimated to be about 20,000 years old. These paintings mainly depict animals, human figures and abstract signs and there are over 600 of them in total.
Although it’s unknown why they were painted, experts believe these were part of ceremonies for a prosperous hunt. The paintings are located deep in the caves, which is why it’s believed their purpose is sacred.
Note that the original caves are closed to the public to preserve the site. You can visit the museum and a reproduction, though.
4. Waterloo Battlefield, Belgium
🕰 Period: 1815 | 📍 Type: Battlefield
The Battle of Waterloo, near Brussels, is one of the most important battlefields in Europe. This is the battle in which French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated. It was fought between the French and the English and would end a 23-year-long war.
Today, you will find a museum as well as a memorial on the battlefield’s grounds. This is the perfect place to learn more about the Battle of Waterloo and the Napoleonic Wars.
Although my hometown is just 20 minutes from here, I have to admit I’ve never visited the Waterloo 1815 museum or climbed up Lion’s Mound’s stairs. I went for walks in the neighbourhood and saw it from a distance plenty of times, though. The reason is that I’m not that interested in battlefields. If you are, however, the Waterloo Battlefield is one of the best day trips from Brussels for you!
5. Auschwitz Concentration Camp, Poland
🕰 Period: 1940 to 1945| 📍 Type: Concentration camp
UNESCO World Heritage site
I’m pretty sure this place doesn’t need an introduction but I will write one for the sake of this post.
Located in Poland, Auschwitz-Birkenau was the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp. This is where at least 1,1 million people were massacred between 1940 and 1945. The prisoners here were gassed, starved, worked to death or killed in medical experiments.
Today, the site was turned into a museum and memorial that educates people about what happened. It’s a dark reminder of what people are capable of and a place I will never forget visiting.
6. Wielicska Salt Mine, Poland
🕰 Period: 13th century | 📍 Type: Mine
UNESCO World Heritage site
A 30-minute drive from Krakow, Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of these places that really surprised me. I actually almost skipped it during my visit to Poland because touring a salt mine didn’t sound like my cup of tea. It ended up being one of my favourite places in the country, though.
What makes Wieliczka Salt Mine so special is that nearly everything is made of salt here, including an entire chapel called the Chapel of Saint Kinga. Here, you will find saline works of art, saline altarpieces and saline chandeliers.
But that’s not all – over 40 chapels and altars were created in this mine. This is where the miners used to pray.
Although the mine doesn’t operate anymore, it has a rich history of almost 700 years and you can learn everything about it during a tour.
7. Tower of London, U.K.
🕰 Period: 11th century| 📍 Type: Castle
UNESCO World Heritage site
The Tower of London is not only one of the most important historical sites in Europe but also the rest of the world. This iconic castle was built by William the Conqueror to defend London and it was the royal residence and a symbol of royal power at the same time.
This place’s history is incredibly rich and the castle was expanded multiple times over the centuries. It also housed many famous residents and visitors including Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Queen Elizabeth I and the Duke of Wellington.
I won’t dive into the Tower’s long history here, but you can learn everything about it during a visit. It was one of the highlights of my trip to London and one of the places you cannot miss when you’re visiting this city.
8. Roman Forum and Colosseum, Italy
🕰 Period: 8th century BCE to 608 CE | 📍 Type: Archaeological site
UNESCO World Heritage site
The Roman Forum and Colosseum are, by far, some of Europe’s most famous historical landmarks. I visited Rome ages ago and can still remember how impressed I was when I explored these places.
During the Roman Empire, the Forum was located in the centre of the ancient city of Rome. It was here that the most important buildings could be found, including religious, administrative and commercial ones.
The Colosseum, on the other hand, which is located right next to the Forum, was where gladiator fights and other big events were held.
Both of these sites are beautifully preserved and they’re dream destinations for history buffs.
9. Pompeii, Italy
🕰 Period: 7th to 6th century BCE | 📍 Type: Archaeological site
UNESCO World Heritage site
Pompeii is one of the most famous historical destinations in Europe. This used to be a bustling city, until one day in the summer of 79 CE, the nearby volcano Mount Vesuvius erupted and wiped it away overnight.
It’s interesting to note that lava never flew to Pompeii, but the city was destroyed by a pyroclastic flow (a hot mixture of rock fragments, gas and ash). Because of the volcanic ash that covered the city, it has been incredibly well preserved.
Today, Pompeii is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy, this is a place I’ve been dreaming of visiting since I was a child, but I haven’t made it there yet.
10. Vianden Castle, Luxembourg
🕰 Period: 11th to 16th century | 📍 Type: Castle
UNESCO World Heritage site
The medieval Vianden Castle was once home to the powerful Counts of Vianden. It’s one of the most beautiful castles in the Benelux and one that should be on any itinerary for Luxembourg.
Vianden Castle fell into disrepair when the counts abandoned it in the 16th century, but it was reconstructed and refurnished as authentic as possible in the 1960s. There are plenty of things to see here, from the Arms Hall to the chapel and Byzantine Gallery.
All in all, Vianden Castle is a place history buffs and castle lovers will adore. It will take you back to the Middle Ages and teach you more about Luxembourg’s history.
11. Anne Frank House, the Netherlands
🕰 Period: 1942 to 1944 | 📍 Type: Building
As its name predicts, the House of Anne Frank is dedicated to Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who kept a diary during WWII. It’s located in Amsterdam and this is where Anne and her family hid from the Nazis during the war.
The house was turned into a museum full of pictures, videos and items that belonged to the family, and you can visit the “Secret Annex” too, which was the hiding place.
After reading her book, I visited the House of Anne Frank, and it’s a place I would like to visit again. Just like Auschwitz, (#5 on this list), this is another dark reminder of what people are capable of.
12. Butrint, Albania
🕰 Period: 4th century BCE | 📍 Type: Archaeological site
UNESCO World Heritage site
Butrint is one of my favourite historical places in Europe and it should be on your itinerary for Albania if you’re a history buff.
This was one of the most important cities in the Roman Empire and today, the site it’s full of impressive ruins. There’s a lot to see from defensive walls and Roman theatres to chapels and fountains.
One of the things I love about Butrint is that it’s an archaeological park and nature park at the same time. It’s not only famous for its spectacular ruins but also for its beautiful flora and fauna, making it a great place for both nature and history lovers.
13. Stonehenge, England
🕰 Period: 3100 BCE to 1600 BCE | 📍 Type: Archaeological site
UNESCO World Heritage site
Stonehenge is one of the most famous historical sites in Europe. Located near Salisbury, England, this megalithic structure consists of about 100 massive stones placed in a circular form.
There’s a lot of mystery surrounding Stonehenge. While archaeologists believe it served as a burial ground, no one knows for sure what its purpose was. The structure dates back to before the wheel was invented and it’s unclear how it was built without modern technology.
Scientists have traced the bluestones that make up the inner circle to a site roughly 322 km(200 mi) from Stonehenge, which only adds to the mystery.
14. Acropolis, Greece
🕰 Period: 5th century BCE | 📍 Type: Archaeological site
UNESCO World Heritage site
The Acropolis is one of the most impressive ancient Greek complexes. This ancient site overlooks the city of Athens and this is where you will find the famous Parthenon.
Originally, the Acropolis served as a citadel, and later, temples dedicated to the goddess Athena were built here, turning it into a religious centre at the same time.
Today, the Acropolis is one of Athens’ most popular tourist attractions and it’s easy to understand why. The place is steeped in history and there’s a lot to see here.
15. Delphi, Greece
🕰 Period: 8th century BCE | 📍 Type: Archaeological site
UNESCO World Heritage site
Dedicated to the Greek god Apollo, the ancient town of Delphi is the place where the Oracle of Delphi could be found. It’s believed that this high priestess delivered prophesies from Apollo.
The ancient Greeks also believed that Delphi was the centre of the earth, making it one of the most important ancient Greek cities.
This is one of the historical places in Europe that you cannot miss if you would like to learn more about ancient Greece. You will find ancient temples here as well as an ancient stadium, an ancient theatre and many other monuments.
16. Berlin Wall, Germany
🕰 Period: 1961 – 1989 | 📍 Type: Wall
UNESCO World Heritage site
Built by the German Democratic Republic in 1961, the Berlin Wall was erected to prevent citizens from escaping Soviet-controlled East Berlin to West Berlin. It stood symbol of the Cold War and divided Berlin for nearly three decades.
The Berlin Wall actually consisted of two walls with a heavily guarded corridor in the middle, which was known as the “Death Strip”. Anyone trying to escape to West Germany was shot.
In 1989 the wall finally fell after the East German government was pressured to loosen some of its grip on West Germany.
Although most of the Berlin Wall was destroyed, you can still see remnants today. The longest section that’s left is 1,3 km (0.8 mi) long. It was turned into an open-air gallery full of paintings by artists from different countries.
🕰 Period: 8,000 BCE – 1500 CE| 📍 Type: Unexcavated archaeological site
UNESCO World Heritage site
The Kernavé archaeological site, in eastern Lithuania, is home to remains of a town, forts, settlements and burial sites. These date back to the late Palaeolithic Period to the Middle Ages.
What makes Kernavé different from most other historical sites in Europe is that it hasn’t been excavated. Here, you can climb the hills under which the ancient structures are located.
Apart from that, there’s also a museum where you can find the research of archaeologists and learn more about the place.
18. Alhambra Palace, Spain
🕰 Period: 13th century | 📍 Type: Palace
UNESCO World Heritage site
If you like visiting historical palaces, Alhambra Palace near Granada is a place you will love! Built by the Nasrid Dynasty, the last Muslim dynasty in Spain, this palace’s architecture is magnificent.
The complex has three main areas: a military base where the guards lived with their families, a palatial zone for the sultan and his family and the medina where court officials lived. It’s a gigantic compound that will take you back in time.
19. Prague Castle, Czech Republic
🕰 Period: 9th century | 📍 Type: Castle
UNESCO World Heritage site
Prague Castle is one of the world’s largest castle complexes and has been the seat of kings, emperors and later presidents for over a thousand years. With its palaces, churches, fortifications, courtyards and gardens, this is not a place where you will get bored easily as there’s so much to see.
This is a dream destination for both history as well as architecture lovers. It’s the most important landmark in Prague and one that cannot be missed during a visit to this city.
20. Roman Temple of Evora, Portugal
🕰 Period: 1st century | 📍 Type: Temple
UNESCO World Heritage site
As its name predicts, this temple is located in the Portuguese city of Evora. Being over 2,000 years old, this is one of the most important historical landmarks in Portugal.
The Roman Temple of Evora is also called Templo de Diana and it was built to celebrate Emperor Augustus, one of ancient Rome’s most successful leaders.
What’s striking today, is that the temple is surrounded by more modern buildings. You can really see the contrast and it’s not difficult to imagine how much Evora has changed.
21. Diocletian Palace, Croatia
🕰 Period: 3rd century | 📍 Type: Palace
UNESCO World Heritage site
Located in Split, Croatia, this ancient palace was built for the retirement of Roman emperor Diocletian at the end of the 3rd century and it’s huge. While about half of it was the emperor’s private estate, the other half was a military camp.
After Diocletian’s death, the palace remained in the Roman Empire’s hands until it collapsed in the 7th century, and today, this is Split’s most famous tourist attraction.
During a visit, you will be able to marvel at some of Europe’s best-preserved ruins, all while learning more about the Roman Empire’s fascinating history.
Map of the Most Important Historical Places in Europe
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