The 11 Top European Landmarks

April 12, 2012 12:00:00 AM EDT Post a comment

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Photo Credit: Austrian Tourist Office

Photo Credit: Austrian Tourist Office

From fairy-tale castles to unfinished cathedrals, Europe's most well-known landmarks are easy to identify. Let these classic images inspire you to start planning a Europe trip today—just don't forget your camera!

Do you agree with our top picks? Submit your favorite European landmark in the comments below.
Acropolis, Athens, Greece

Photo Credit: Chris Christensen / Fodors.com member

Acropolis, Athens, Greece

The great emblem of classical Greece has loomed above Athens for 2,500 years. Even from afar, the sight of the Parthenon—the great marble temple that crowns the Acropolis site—stirs strong feelings about the achievements and failings of Western Civilization. See Fodor's full review.
The Alhambra, Grenada, Spain

Photo Credit: sharontav184 / Fodors.com member

The Alhambra, Grenada, Spain

Nothing can prepare you for the Moorish grandeur of Andalusia’s greatest monument, The Alhambra. The ornamental palace is set around sumptuous courtyards and gardens complete with bubbling fountains, magnificent statues, and brilliantly colored flower beds. See Fodor's full review.
The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

Photo Credit: Chris Marlow / Fodors.com member

The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

One of the seven wonders of the world, this mammoth amphitheater was begun by Emperor Vespasian and inaugurated by Titus in the year 80. For "the grandeur that was Rome," the Colosseum can't be topped. See Fodor's full review.
Duomo, Florence, Italy

Photo Credit: Charlottec1 / Fodors.com member

Duomo, Florence, Italy

The massive dome of Florence’s Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (aka the Duomo) is one of the world’s great feats of engineering. See Fodor's full review.
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

Photo Credit: schlegal1 / Fodors.com member

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

There's no monument that better symbolizes Paris than Gustav Eiffel's Iron Lady. It's breathtaking whether you see Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower) from afar or take the ride to the top in the glass-bottomed elevator. See Fodor's full review.
Grand'Place, Brussels, Belgium

Photo Credit: Courtesy Joseph Jeanmart / Visit Belgium

Grand'Place, Brussels, Belgium

In Brussels's main square the spectacular 15th-century town hall is a stunning example of medieval Flemish architecture, and the surrounding guild houses complement it beautifully. See Fodor's full review.
Mont-St-Michel, Normandy, France

Photo Credit: Atour France/CRT Normandie/J-C Demais

Mont-St-Michel, Normandy, France

From its silhouette against the horizon to its magnificent church, you'll never forget this awe-inspiring abbey. Mont-St-Michel is undeniably the crowning glory of medieval France. See Fodor's full review.
Neuschwanstein Castle, The Romantic Road, Germany

Photo Credit: Germany Tourism Board

Neuschwanstein Castle, The Romantic Road, Germany

Walt Disney modeled the castle in Sleeping Beauty and later the Disneyland castle itself on Neuschwanstein. "Mad" King Ludwig II’s creation is best admired from the heights of the Marienbrücke, a delicate-looking bridge over a deep, narrow gorge. See Fodor's full review.
Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria

Photo Credit: Austrian Tourist Office

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria

You could spend an entire day at Schönbrunn Palace (and still not see all the rooms in the palace), or choose from several shorter tours of one of Austria's premier attractions, the palace built by Empress Maria Theresa. See Fodor's full review.
La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

Photo Credit: LeighS11 / A Fodors.com member

La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

The symbol of Barcelona, Gaudí’s extraordinary unfinished cathedral should be included on everyone's must-see list. The pointed spires of La Sagrada Familia, with organic shapes that resemble a honeycombed stalagmite, give the whole city a fairy-tale quality. See Fodor's full review.
Tower of London, Great Britain

Photo Credit: Courtesy Visit London

Tower of London, Great Britain

This extraordinary minicity of 20 towers has been the scene of much blood and gore since the 11th century. The Yeoman Wardens, known as Beefeaters, give magnificent tours. All this, and the Crown Jewels are here, too. See Fodor's full review.

Photo Credit: Austrian Tourist Office

From fairy-tale castles to unfinished cathedrals, Europe's most well-known landmarks are easy to identify. Let these classic images inspire you to start planning a Europe trip today—just don't forget your camera!

Do you agree with our top picks? Submit your favorite European landmark in the comments below.
Acropolis, Athens, Greece

Photo Credit: Chris Christensen / Fodors.com member

Acropolis, Athens, Greece

The great emblem of classical Greece has loomed above Athens for 2,500 years. Even from afar, the sight of the Parthenon—the great marble temple that crowns the Acropolis site—stirs strong feelings about the achievements and failings of Western Civilization. See Fodor's full review.
The Alhambra, Grenada, Spain

Photo Credit: sharontav184 / Fodors.com member

The Alhambra, Grenada, Spain

Nothing can prepare you for the Moorish grandeur of Andalusia’s greatest monument, The Alhambra. The ornamental palace is set around sumptuous courtyards and gardens complete with bubbling fountains, magnificent statues, and brilliantly colored flower beds. See Fodor's full review.
The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

Photo Credit: Chris Marlow / Fodors.com member

The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

One of the seven wonders of the world, this mammoth amphitheater was begun by Emperor Vespasian and inaugurated by Titus in the year 80. For "the grandeur that was Rome," the Colosseum can't be topped. See Fodor's full review.
Duomo, Florence, Italy

Photo Credit: Charlottec1 / Fodors.com member

Duomo, Florence, Italy

The massive dome of Florence’s Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (aka the Duomo) is one of the world’s great feats of engineering. See Fodor's full review.
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

Photo Credit: schlegal1 / Fodors.com member

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

There's no monument that better symbolizes Paris than Gustav Eiffel's Iron Lady. It's breathtaking whether you see Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower) from afar or take the ride to the top in the glass-bottomed elevator. See Fodor's full review.
Grand'Place, Brussels, Belgium

Photo Credit: Courtesy Joseph Jeanmart / Visit Belgium

Grand'Place, Brussels, Belgium

In Brussels's main square the spectacular 15th-century town hall is a stunning example of medieval Flemish architecture, and the surrounding guild houses complement it beautifully. See Fodor's full review.
Mont-St-Michel, Normandy, France

Photo Credit: Atour France/CRT Normandie/J-C Demais

Mont-St-Michel, Normandy, France

From its silhouette against the horizon to its magnificent church, you'll never forget this awe-inspiring abbey. Mont-St-Michel is undeniably the crowning glory of medieval France. See Fodor's full review.
Neuschwanstein Castle, The Romantic Road, Germany

Photo Credit: Germany Tourism Board

Neuschwanstein Castle, The Romantic Road, Germany

Walt Disney modeled the castle in Sleeping Beauty and later the Disneyland castle itself on Neuschwanstein. "Mad" King Ludwig II’s creation is best admired from the heights of the Marienbrücke, a delicate-looking bridge over a deep, narrow gorge. See Fodor's full review.
Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria

Photo Credit: Austrian Tourist Office

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria

You could spend an entire day at Schönbrunn Palace (and still not see all the rooms in the palace), or choose from several shorter tours of one of Austria's premier attractions, the palace built by Empress Maria Theresa. See Fodor's full review.
La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

Photo Credit: LeighS11 / A Fodors.com member

La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

The symbol of Barcelona, Gaudí’s extraordinary unfinished cathedral should be included on everyone's must-see list. The pointed spires of La Sagrada Familia, with organic shapes that resemble a honeycombed stalagmite, give the whole city a fairy-tale quality. See Fodor's full review.
Tower of London, Great Britain

Photo Credit: Courtesy Visit London

Tower of London, Great Britain

This extraordinary minicity of 20 towers has been the scene of much blood and gore since the 11th century. The Yeoman Wardens, known as Beefeaters, give magnificent tours. All this, and the Crown Jewels are here, too. See Fodor's full review.

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