Europe For History Buffs: The Best Historical Places In Europe
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EVEN BEFORE MY FIRST VISIT TO EUROPE, I WAS ROMANTICIZED BY THE AMOUNT OF HISTORY THAT IT HELD.
With its cobblestone streets and grand museums, the historical wealth of the continent remains one of the best reasons to visit Europe.
If you’re a history buff trying to decide which European destinations are best for learning about and understanding the past, then read on.
Here, I’ve collected the ten best historical places in Europe.
SURE, THESE CITIES HAVE FASCINATING STORIES TO TELL.
But they also contain plenty of experiences that bring you closer to the people, events, and cultures that shaped the continent’s past.
Europe for History Buffs: The Best Historical Places in Europe
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Athens
Athens is a must-visit for history buffs, with its oldest artifacts dating back to the 5th century BCE, when it was the capital of Ancient Greece.
The Acropolis, home to the Parthenon, is the city’s most famous landmark, attracting travelers hoping to walk in the footsteps of ancient philosophers and statesmen.
DON’T MISS THE ERECHTHEION, OR TEMPLE OF ATHENA POLIAS, WITH ITS PORCH OF THE MAIDENS, WEATHERED STATUES OF WOMEN HOLDING UP THE TEMPLE LIKE COLUMNS THEMSELVES.
The Parthenon, the most famous landmark in Athens.
The Porch of the Maidens on the Erechtheion in Athens.
Beyond the Acropolis, sites like the Ancient Agora and Kerameikos cemetery offer a deeper look into daily life in the ancient Athenians.
A guided mythology walking tour through the city explores its ancient ruins through the myths that shaped both the structures and Greek civilization.
These are the top historical experiences in Athens:
Prague
PRAGUE’S HISTORY AS A CENTER OF SCIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE IS REFLECTED IN ITS REMARKABLE LANDMARKS.
The Astronomical Clock, first installed in 1410, is one of the world’s oldest functioning clocks and showcases the city’s medieval advancements.
The Astronomical Clock of Prague.
The extraordinary Klementinum Library.
The Klementinum Library, a Baroque masterpiece, once housed some of Europe’s most important scientific texts.
It remains a stunning symbol of Prague’s intellectual past.
Beyond these famous sites, visitors can explore the lesser-known Speculum Alchemiae, a hidden alchemy laboratory from the time of Emperor Rudolf II.
These are the top historical experiences in Prague:
Vatican City
AS THE CENTER OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH FOR OVER 1,500 YEARS, VATICAN CITY IS OVERFLOWING WITH RELIGIOUS AND ARTISTIC HISTORY.
St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, home to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, are must-visit landmarks showcasing the Renaissance grandeur of the Catholic Church.
Hidden gems include the Necropolis beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, or climbing to the top of the basilica’s dome for an unmatched view of the entire microstate.
A view of Vatican City, with Rome in the background, from the Dome of St. Peter's Basilica.
St. Peter's Baldachin, a bronze canopy over the alter at St. Peter's Basilica.
But bear in mind that the Jubilee 2025 is underway in Rome and Vatican City, and crowds are expected to be even greater than in normal years.
BOOKING AN EARLY-ACCESS TOUR ALLOWS YOU TO EXPERIENCE THE VAST TREASURES OF THE VATICAN WITHOUT THE LONG WAIT IN LINE.
These are the top historical experiences in Vatican City:
Dublin
Dublin’s long history spans Viking settlements, medieval rule, and its fight for independence.
Trinity College’s Long Room Library and the Book of Kells are top attractions that highlight the city’s literary and monastic past.
The Long Room Library at Trinity College.
Kilmainham Gaol is now a museum.
Kilmainham Gaol, where leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were imprisoned, offers a deeper understanding of Ireland’s struggle for independence from the British.
A 1916 Rebellion walking tour offers an even deeper look at the country’s fight for independence.
Don’t miss a stroll through St. Stephen’s Green, either, a site that saw heavy fighting during the Easter Rising.
These are the top historical experiences in Dublin:
Istanbul
Istanbul bridges Europe and Asia, and its history was shaped by Byzantine, Ottoman, and Roman influences for centuries.
The Hagia Sophia showcases Istanbul’s significance as the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, with its stunning architecture and layered history.
TOPKAPI PALACE OFFERS A GLIMPSE INTO THE OPULENT LIFE OF OTTOMAN SULTANS, FEATURING GRAND COURTYARDS AND INTRICATE TILEWORK.
The Hagia Sofia in Istanbul.
A view of Topkapi Palace from its gardens.
The Basilica Cistern, a vast underground water reservoir from the 6th century, is a lesser-known but fascinating site.
It’s also a fantastic place to take dramatic, atmospheric photos 📸.
These are the top historical experiences in Istanbul:
Kraków
KRAKÓW’S WELL-PRESERVED OLD TOWN AND JEWISH QUARTER MAKE IT ONE OF POLAND’S MOST HISTORIC CITIES.
Wawel Castle, a former royal residence, and St. Mary’s Basilica are key landmarks reflecting Poland’s medieval and Renaissance heritage.
Oskar Schindler’s Factory, now a museum, offers a powerful look at Kraków during World War II and the lives saved under Nazi occupation.
Wawel Castle, a former royal residence, in Kraków.
The ornate interior of St. Mary's Basilica in Kraków.
The Nowa Huta district, built as a model socialist city under communist rule, provides a lesser-known perspective on Kraków’s 20th-century history.
Be sure to take a guided tour of the city’s Old Town for deeper insights into Kraków’s medieval trade and daily life.
These are the top historical experiences in Kraków:
Budapest
BUDAPEST’S HISTORY WAS SHAPED BY ROMAN, OTTOMAN, AND AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN INFLUENCES.
Buda Castle and Matthias Church are top historical attractions, offering panoramic views and insight into the city’s royal past.
The Hospital in the Rock, a Cold War-era bunker and World War II emergency hospital, is a lesser-known site revealing Budapest’s wartime history.
The Buda Castle complex in Budapest.
Matthias Church, with its decorated roof and tall spire.
A guided tour of Budapest’s Jewish heritage explores the historic Jewish Quarter.
It includes the Dohány Street Synagogue, the largest synagogue in Europe, as well as memorial sites that tell stories of resilience through the centuries.
These are the top historical experiences in Budapest:
London
LONDON’S LONG AND STORIED HISTORY SPANS THE AGES, FROM ROMAN SETTLEMENTS TO MEDIEVAL MONARCHY AND MODERN EMPIRE-BUILDING.
The Tower of London is an artifact of the city's medieval past, from its origins as a fortress to its role as a royal prison.
Buckingham Palace, the official residence of Britain’s constitutional monarchy, is a favorite attraction for visitors.
The Tower of London, with its wood staircase.
The gates outside Buckingham Palace.
Centuries of British state ceremonies, like royal coronations and burials, have taken place at Westminster Abbey.
LESSER-KNOWN LOCATIONS LIKE THE CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS OFFER A DETAILED LOOK INTO BRITAIN’S ROLE IN WORLD WAR II.
A guided tour of London’s historic pubs provides insight into the city’s political and literary past while visiting centuries-old establishments.
These are the top historical experiences in London:
Dubrovnik
DUBROVNIK’S MEDIEVAL WALLS AND ADRIATIC SETTING MAKE IT A STANDOUT HISTORICAL DESTINATION.
The city walls and Rector’s Palace provide a glimpse into its time as a wealthy maritime republic.
Pile Gate in Dubrovnik, the main entrance to the Old Town.
Fort Lovrijenac, an historic defense for the city.
Beyond the Old Town, Fort Lovrijenac, known as "Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar," played a crucial role in defending the city.
A walking tour with a historian delves into the city’s role in the Ottoman and Venetian conflicts, along with its 20th-century history.
These are the top historical experiences in Dubrovnik:
Córdoba
CÓRDOBA’S HISTORY IS DEFINED BY ITS BLEND OF ISLAMIC, JEWISH, AND CHRISTIAN INFLUENCES FROM THE MOORISH ERA TO THE SPANISH RECONQUISTA.
The Mezquita, also known as the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, is a former mosque turned cathedral and the city’s most iconic landmark.
Roman Bridge of Córdoba was originally built in the 1st century BC.
The colorful arches at Córdoba’s Mezquita.
The medieval Jewish Quarter offers a glimpse into Córdoba’s rich Jewish heritage, with the 14th-century Córdoba Synagogue as a key landmark.
The lesser-visited Palacio de Viana, a Renaissance mansion, showcases stunning courtyards and provides insight into the city's aristocratic past.
A guided tour of Medina Azahara, the ruins of a 10th-century palace city just outside Córdoba, immerses visitors into the splendor of Moorish Spain.
These are the top historical experiences in Córdoba:
Conclusion
HISTORY ISN’T JUST SOMETHING YOU READ ABOUT—IT’S SOMETHING YOU CAN EXPERIENCE, TOO.
The cities on this list of the best historical places in Europe offer more than just landmarks; instead, they bring the past to life.
In these destinations, you’re able to stand in the places and structures where history was made.
If you love discovering the past, these destinations belong on your Europe bucket list.
Until next time,
Angela 🏛️
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