the most beautiful places in Europe - Part 2
From Italian Islands to The Arctic Circle
Caitlin Morton - August 30, 2021
Conde Naste Traveler
It may be one of the smaller continents, but what Europe lacks in size, it makes up for in variety: The most beautiful places in Europe range from luxurious beaches, fields of bluebells, and limestone cliffs, to some of the best mountain views on the planet.
The options are seemingly endless—which is what makes planning a trip a challenge. We know it isn't easy to choose between chasing waterfalls in Bosnia and Herzegovina, staying awake for the midnight sun in Finland, and hiking your way through the dramatic Dolomites. So, to help you start narrowing things down, we've rounded up just 27 of the most beautiful places in Europe - here is Part 1 of 3. We know that an international jaunt might be off the table at the moment, but hey—that'll just give you more time to plot out your next trip.
Conde Naste Traveler
It may be one of the smaller continents, but what Europe lacks in size, it makes up for in variety: The most beautiful places in Europe range from luxurious beaches, fields of bluebells, and limestone cliffs, to some of the best mountain views on the planet.
The options are seemingly endless—which is what makes planning a trip a challenge. We know it isn't easy to choose between chasing waterfalls in Bosnia and Herzegovina, staying awake for the midnight sun in Finland, and hiking your way through the dramatic Dolomites. So, to help you start narrowing things down, we've rounded up just 27 of the most beautiful places in Europe - here is Part 1 of 3. We know that an international jaunt might be off the table at the moment, but hey—that'll just give you more time to plot out your next trip.
Kirkjufell, Iceland
This dazzling "Church Mountain" near the town of Grundarfjörður is one of Iceland's most photographed sites, and for good reason—it's among the best places to see the Northern Lights in the country. It also offers an added bonus for Game of Thrones fans: The landmark served as a very important filming location in Season 7.
Lapland, Finland
With its stark white landscapes, frequent Northern Lights displays, and a reindeer population that outnumbers its human residents, Finnish Lapland feels like something out of a fairytale. We suggest cozying up at the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, where you'll be welcomed with a hot mug of glogg (mulled wine) and can spend hours gazing through the northern facing, floor-to-ceiling windows. Visit in the summer to catch a glimpse of the midnight sun as well.
Las Médulas, Spain
You can attribute the unusual landscape of Las Médulas—which is about a four-hour ride from Madrid in northwest Spain—to the ancient Romans, who essentially devastated the mountains here while extracting gold during the 1st century A.D. The miners built a complicated system of aqueducts and channels to force running water through the area, leaving the scattered, reddish peaks you see today.
Lofoten Islands, Norway
Just off of Norway's northwestern coast, you'll find the Lofoten Islands, a majestical untamed area well known for its surfing beaches and viewing of the Northern Lights. The archipelago is made up of many islands, but no matter which you head to, you'll find clear blue waters that rival the Mediterranean and craggy mountains that are reminiscent of Iceland—right beside unparalleled fjords and beaches.
Micheldever Wood, England
Located about five miles from Winchester in Hampshire, Micheldever Wood is a lovely forest with beech trees, woodland birds, and wandering deer. Come springtime, the place becomes even more sensational, thanks to bluebells that blanket the forest floor.
Vatnajökull, Iceland
Home to one of the largest glaciers in the world, Vatnajökull National Park is one of our favorite places to explore ice caves. But there's more than just frozen ice rivers to see at Vatnajökull, which covers much of Iceland's eastern half. It holds two of the island's most active volcanoes, herds of reindeer around Mt. Snæfell, and a number of breathtaking waterfalls, including Svartifoss, Dettifoss, and Selfoss.
Moravian Fields, Czech Republic
The Moravian Fields look like an oil painting, but these pastel-colored hills are as real as it gets. The Czech Republic's easternmost region is often referred to as Moravian Tuscany, due to its uncanny resemblance to the eponymous rolling hills in Italy. Even better? The area is an easy day trip from Prague.
Meteora, Greece
As if still-standing monasteries from the 15th century weren't impressive enough, the buildings of Meteora are famously situated on almost inaccessible sandstone peaks in central Greece. Brave travelers can pay a visit to the Monastery of the Holy Trinity—one of six monasteries that are still standing—via a 140-step staircase cut into the side of the cliff.
Swiss Alps, Switzerland
Switzerland is easily one of the most beautiful countries in the world—particularly if you visit during the winter, when the Swiss Alps become a luxury skiing playground and thick snow turns the mountain range into a true wonderland. There's also something about spotting the iconic Matterhorn peak that stops us dead in our ski tracks every time.
