Europe’s 25 new must-do highlights

Beloved cities and regions have new stories to tell and fresh attractions to see. The second-smallest continent is not just about castles, cathedrals and baroque palaces. It’s time to discover the other hidden Europe.

The lowdown

The world’s second-smallest continent has had a vastly outsized influence on the world. Its political systems, philosophies, arts and architecture affect us all, for good and bad.

Europe is culture with the comfort and joy: great cafes, beer halls, sunny alpine terraces, live music, good trains, organisation, Aperol spritzes and apple strudels. Why wouldn’t you want to explore all that, and have a good time too?

Europe is packed with history, culture, ethnicities, languages, distinctive regional identities and varied environments that would take a lifetime to discover. If you think it’s all about castles and cathedrals, France and Italy, leaning towers and baroque palaces, then reconsider.

Beyond the cliches and tourist crowds you’ll find much that will take you away from the obvious and lead you to discover cities, towns, countryside and entire regions that retain local atmosphere and a more laid-back tourist presence.

Why go again? Because there’s always something new. Guidebooks may tell you Europe is all about kings and kitsch, while sections of the media hint at the Continent’s decline and decay. Meanwhile, however, Europeans just get on with their sustainability initiatives, contemporary architecture projects and the revitalisation of neighbourhoods.

When the Economist Intelligence Unit drew up a list of the top 20 best cities to live in the world in 2024, eight were in Europe and three (Vienna, Copenhagen and Zurich) came out on top. Who wouldn’t want a holiday slice of that?

What’s hot

Don’t assume Europe is about unchanging old towns and traditional culture. Among current trends are astro-tourism, soft-adventure activities (particularly cycling), and culinary experiences such as cooking classes and food-focused tours.

Many visitors put off by heatwaves and overcrowding in the Mediterranean are heading to destinations in northern Europe, or choosing visits during winter. More people want eco-friendly options, with the Azores, Faroe Islands, Switzerland, Scandinavian cities and Vienna among destinations ranked highly for sustainability practices.

Train travel goes from strength to strength, with more choice of high-speed trains and overnight sleepers, and better connections. Unless you’re hopping long distances, train is the way to go in most parts of the continent.

Luxury trains are making a comeback. This year, Belmond launches luxe sleeper Britannic Explorer on journeys from London to scenic destinations such as the Lake District, Cornwall and Wales, and Orient Express La Dolce Vita rolls out of Rome on Italian itineraries, and to Paris, Istanbul and Split.

The two biggest events of the year? The Vatican celebrates the Jubilee, an event that only comes around once every 25 years and is expected to draw millions of pilgrims to Rome for special celebrations and visits to churches and shrines. Amsterdam marks its 750th anniversary on October 27 and has launched a whole year’s lead-up of parties, exhibitions and cultural and sporting events.

Of three new Amsterdam museums, the most impressive will likely be the Zaanstad Amsterdam Museum (ZAMU) devoted to large-format contemporary sculpture across 16 buildings. Its opening is scheduled for the northern autumn 2025.

Finally, 2025 is a big year for women’s sport in Europe, with Switzerland hosting the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 in July, and England hosting the  Women’s Rugby World Cup in August and September.

What’s not

Smart Traveller has “do not travel” warnings in place for Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, but no further countries are listed in the “reconsider your need to travel” warning level, apart from some regions of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The rise of the far right and immigration issues in Europe have, however, resulted in violent demonstrations and possible terrorist attacks, with France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom considered particularly at risk of political unrest in 2025. There’s no need to be alarmed, but be alert to the latest news, and avoid large public gatherings and certain urban neighbourhoods.

Overtourism is increasingly agitating locals in destinations such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Lisbon, Majorca, Santorini and Venice. Be understanding of community tensions and perhaps even consider alternative destinations.

From late 2026 Australians will need to apply for a visa waiver via the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) to visit the Schengen Area, which is all the European Union countries except Ireland, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Don’t be caught out. However, ETIAS promises to be a simple online process at a cost of €7 ($12), or free for under-18s and over-70s.

Five must-visit countries

Albania

In the past Albania has faced derision for its poverty and problems with petty crime, but this Balkan nation is finally getting deserved attention. It has mountains, lovely villages, castles, two World Heritage sites and a quintessential Mediterranean coastline at knockdown prices. Best get there soon, though: annual tourist numbers have already soared past 10 million. See albania.al

Switzerland
This modest nation pioneered alpine and winter tourism and has wowed visitors ever since with stunning scenery, ski resorts, efficient transport systems and flower-decorated old towns. It’s a classic and for sheer beauty has no better, but Switzerland isn’t resting on its laurels, and is committed to climate neutrality by 2050. See myswitzerland.com

Montenegro

Montenegro remains largely under the radar but for walled medieval city Kotor. Things are changing, with sunseekers now hitting Budva, and Ulcinj tipped as the next international hotspot. Head inland for more treats amid rugged mountains, national parks and Tara Canyon. See montenegro.travel

Spain
Of all Europe’s mainstream destinations, Spain offers the most opportunity to get off tramped trails, with entire regions such as Extremadura and Aragon little visited, and national parks scarcely known. Crowds or none, Spain has a ravishing combination of incredible culture, laid-back lifestyle and wonderful food. See spain.info

Lithuania
With alternative, eco-conscious destinations trending, this small Baltic state is stepping into the spotlight as Vilnius becomes European Green Capital of 2025. The city has just opened the renovated Sapieha Palace and has a growing foodie reputation. Beyond, you’ll find forest, lakes and plenty of medieval and Cold War sights. See lithuania.travel

Five must-see cities

Plovdiv, Bulgaria
All Bulgaria is underrated, and so is its second city despite being one of Europe’s oldest cities, crammed with historical attractions, lively with street life and offering a great food and bar scene. Rock concert in a Roman stadium, anyone? Renovated, pedestrianised bohemian quarter Kapana is delightful. See visitplovdiv.com

Tartu, Estonia
Congratulations if you’ve heard of any Estonian city beyond capital Tallinn. Tartu is a buzzing, creative university town with some eye-popping modern architecture, packed cafes, good museums (including the Estonian National Museum) and endless summer festivals: a quintessentially delightful and stylish small European city. See visittartu.com

Toulouse, France

A pink-hued old town, riverside promenades, a lively music and festival scene thanks to its many university students, good food and Beaujolais wine: what’s not to like? The city has art galleries galore, and this year is reopening the fine-arts Musee des Augustins in a medieval convent building. See toulouse-tourisme.com

Warsaw, Poland
Although overshadowed by Gdansk and Krakow, you’ve good reason to linger in Poland’s capital, not least for its Chopin connections, leafy parks, clubbing scene and sheer energy. The Museum of Modern Art opens this year. Although it has a (recreated) old town, Warsaw proves Europe offers stylish and happening new towns, too. See go2warsaw.pl

Chemnitz, Germany
This year’s European Capital of Culture (along with Nova Gorica in Slovenia) already has great architecture, several excellent museums, lovely green spaces and a reputation for creative arts. Now it’s gearing up for a year of festivals, exhibitions and other events. See germany.travel

Five must-see sights

Notre-Dame, Paris, France
Reopened in December following a devastating 2019 fire, Notre-Dame provides a unique opportunity to see a cathedral as it might have looked 860 years ago in all its newness. It’s clean, bright and has superb lighting, which shows off its stunning French Gothic architecture. See notredamedeparis.fr

V&A East Storehouse, London, UK
On May 31 the former Olympic Media Centre opens as an outpost of the V&A, one of the world’s best applied arts and design museums. It won’t only show objects from the vast collection but provide insight into how they’re conserved and curated. See vam.ac.uk

The stars, Canary Islands, Spain

Europe has several Dark Sky sites, but nowhere better for stargazing than these Atlantic islands, where you can see both the northern and much of the southern hemisphere. The islands are well geared to astro-tourism, offering observatories, telescopes, tours and courses with experts. See hellocanaryislands.com

Dive park, Ombros Gialos, Greece
Underwater Europe doesn’t get much press, but this diving park in Crete, opening for the 2025 summer season, might change that. It features a huge artificial reef and two sunken warships at depths to suit divers with a range of experience levels. See incrediblecrete.gr

Cezanne exhibition, Aix-en-Provence, France
The hometown of post-impressionist painter Paul Cezanne is going all-out to celebrate its famous son this year. Cezanne’s home and studio have been renovated, but the main event is an unprecedented exhibition of his paintings, gathered from around the world, at Musee Granet. See cezanne2025.com

Five must-do experiences

Dine out in Monte-Carlo, Monaco
Glamorous dining is part of the European experience and nowhere does it better than the “capital” of this princely mini-state. Try the newly renovated Cafe de Paris Monte-Carlo, the entirely new Amazonico and the Michelin three-star Louis XV – just for starters. See visitmonaco.com

Hike the Tatras Mountains, Slovakia
One of the keys to enjoying Europe is to experiences the attractions that make it famous, but in alternative destinations. Exhibit A? The Tatras Mountains, which have alpine landscapes – ragged peaks, lakes, castles – without the alpine queues and high prices. Oh, and you can ski in winter, too. See slovakia.com

Sightsee in the newer towns
Time to get over our obsession with old towns. Cities such as Basel, Hamburg, Rotterdam and Valencia offer startling contemporary architecture by leading architects. The latest addition is Reinhard Ernst Museum in Wiesbaden in Germany for abstract art in a wonderful building by Fumihiko Maki. See museum-re.de

Visit in winter
Unless you’re a skier you probably haven’t considered Europe in winter, but you should. Smaller crowds and lower prices (except over Christmas) are a boon to urban culture vultures and gastronomes, and active types can get physical in winter landscapes in destinations such as Austria. See austria.info

Hit the food trail in Emilia-Romagna, Italy
We know Italy has great food, so why not head to farm and factory doors in the region that produces its most famous produce, such as Parma ham, parmesan and balsamic vinegar? As a bonus, you get sumptuous small cities such as Ferrara and Modena, too. See emiliaromagnaturismo.it

Five must-do journeys

Island hopping, Greece
Seriously? Yes. For every tourist-swamped Mykonos, Rhodes and Santorini you’ll find islands less well known yet still gorgeous. Try Milos, Kea, Tinos and Serifos, or hit the greener Ionian islands south of Corfu. Even Poros near Athens is a low-key delight. See visitgreece.gr

Alentejo, Portugal
This southern-central region proves even the most popular nations in Europe have untapped potential. Get behind the wheel and explore whitewashed villages, Roman ruins, castles, vineyards and World Heritage-listed Evora. The landscape is arid and dusty, but you’ll be refreshed by the lack of tourist hordes. See visitalentejo.pt

E-Grand Tour, Switzerland

Can you tour an entire country in an e-vehicle? Yes, on this 1643-kilometre journey that connects a significant network of charging stations located at hotels, restaurants and public parking areas. The route takes you to the nation’s most beautiful towns and landscapes and over five alpine passes. See myswitzerland.com

Greenland, Denmark
With a newly opened international airport in Nuuk and a government eager to boost tourism, this autonomous territory is Europe’s most unusual outposts, though Donald Trump may think otherwise. Ice camping, rock climbing, wildlife watching and expedition cruising are part of its adventure-tourism focus. See visitgreenland.com

Trans-Dinarica Cycle Route
This cycleway across eight countries of the western Balkans links 2400 points of interest. You aren’t likely to do the whole 5500 kilometres, so pick a section. The challenging section through Durmitor National Park in Montenegro has staggering alpine scenery. See transdinarica.com

Did you know?

• Europe has the world’s smallest country in the Vatican City, entirely surrounded by Italy’s capital, Rome.
• Europe has the world’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, Sobrino de Botin in Madrid, which opened its doors in 1725 and has been serving its specialty, roast suckling pig, from its wood-fired ovens ever since.
• Europe’s Finland has more saunas than cars, with about 3 million saunas for a population of 5.5 million people, installed in homes, workplaces and even the occasional restaurant.
• Europe has a number of “language islands” where communities speak languages completely unrelated to those around them, like Basque in northern Spain and south-west France, Sorbian in eastern Germany, and Arvanitika in central Greece.
• Europe has lost more people from the small country of Montenegro to Australia than live in many of its villages – many fortune-seekers came to settle in Coober Pedy to mine for opals.