Europe's Most Iconic Sights...???????
 

for the average traveler - I got to thinking 'what are Europe's top top must must see' sights average travelers want to see when first going to various countries.

* iNDICATES 'MAYBE MAYBE NOT'

I'd like to get your thoughts too! What do you consider to be such sights in Europe -not necessarily what you wanted to see first tjmes?

U.K.
STONEHENGE
*EDINBURGH CASTLE
LONDON:
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
TOWER OF LONDON
DOUBLE-DECKER BUSES
BIG BEN - THE TOWER NOT THE BELL
*BRITISH MUSEUM

PARIS:
EIFFEL TOWER
THE MONA LISA (AND LOUVRE TOO)
CHAMPS-ELYSEES
NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL
*VERSAILLES

FRANCE
*MONT-SAINT-MICHEL

BARCELONA
*FAMILY SAGRADA CHURCH

GERMANY
NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE

VENICE
SAINT MARK'S SQUARE
GONDOLAS

ROME:
COLOSSEUM-FORUM
VATICAN- ST PETERS
TREVI FOUNTAIN

SWITZERLAND
MATTERHORN

POLAND
AUSCHWITZ

ATHENS
PARTHENON-ACROPOLIS

THAT'S IT - 19 ABSOLUTE MUSTS - Couple of maybes

YOUR OPINION PLEASE?

My thought is that anyone can easily come up with "iconic" or (spare me) "must see". A far more interesting list for regular and occasional (average?) visitors alike would be the most interesting seldom-visited places. A slow post day, PQ?

Agree totally with MmePerdu. Why on earth do you want to add to the over supply of top ten and must see and UNESCO heritage lists? As far as I am concerned the only things those lists are good for are letting me know where I'm likely to find the worst crowds. And if you actually want such a list, any guidebook will provide one.

BTW, I grew up in England and lived in London for two years as a graduate student. I didn't bother with any of those sights (except the BM) until a number of years later when I was escorting Americans. Oh, and I rode the buses on occasion, but not because they were a 'sight'. They were transport.

Oops - made a mistake -I agree with you but wondered what folks consider the blockbuster sights that most people go to Europe to see. Curious about that.

Thread ended!

Cheers!

Well, you did ask for their thoughts.
I would add:
Norway - fjords;
Several museums including Musee D'Orsay; Rijksmuseum and van Gogh; Prado (and Sorolla and Thyssen- Bornemisza while in Madrid); National Gallery, Tate, V&A (London);
Keukenhof;

Threads like these, no matter how nonsensical they may be, are like avalanches. Say "avalanche ended" and see what happens.

dweislaw-Yes Tulips and flower fields is certainly one iconic sight many go to Holland to see, more than Amsterdam.

There is a good reason for such a list. Haven't you noticed that there are many people here who have a very short time in various places who ask what they should see. True, these places are crowded but so what ? Perhaps guidebooks are passe or perhaps people are just plain lazy but so what ? Such a list can help them. My list would include:-
Great Britain -
Tower of London
Westminster Abbey
British Museum

France -
Eiffel Tower
Notre Dame
Winged Victory at Louvre

Venice -
St. Marks
Grand Canal

Florence -
Duomo
Uffizi

Rome -
Colesseum
Forum
Vatican

Spain -
Alhambra
Mezquita
Prado

Moscow -
Red Square
Kremlin
R

Ah Grand Canal for sure - don't know how I missed that one and Alhambra too.

Makes 21 so far for my list.
23 if including Russia which I did not but Kremlin and Red Square are musts.

I guess Florence Duomo and Uffizi should also be on my list
now 25!

I was thinking Tivoli Gardens for Copenhagen???

Oops, forgot
Athens
Parthenon
National Archaeological Museum

Amsterdam -
Canals
Rijksmuseum
Tulips

"...guidebooks are passe..."

I didn't realize. Apparently replaced by websites catering to the clueless. Indescribably dull.

"Such a list can help them."

Click on the Fodor's destination links above and they're all listed right there. Pick up a hotel map and they're all marked. Our job is, I thought, to go beyond the obvious. But apparently not.

Well I am enjoying reading what people think are iconic, and must sees in different places.
It is a bit of fun, nothing more, nothing less.

Me? I avoid icons and must sees as much as possible. I hate cities and crowds.

Germany is a Little bit short.
Lorelei Brandebourg door.
Reducing Poland to auschwitz is hard too.
But I agree wit London and Paris.
You should have it into a quiz : name x iconic sights.

Bedar thanks for adding Spain, and to that I add Sagrada Familia, though def not my favorite.

PalenQ Although I know it's difficult to pick favorites, but I would find interesting the question, What is your personal top favorite site in Europe?

It's probably been done before though. I remember a thread, what do you personally consider the most beautiful piazza in Italy, or Europe? Can't remember, but it was interesting...

**Apparently replaced by websites catering to the clueless. Indescribably dull.**

Oh mmePerdu, maybe Pal is bored today...but maybe you are too?

"Oh mmePerdu, maybe Pal is bored today...but maybe you are too?"

No doubt.

adding to list off the top of my head:

Alcazar in Sevilla, Spain
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Melk Abbey, Austria
St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague
Palacio Real in Madrid, Spain
St Paul's Cathedral, London, England
Bayeux Tapestry, Bayeux, France

and, of course...

The Buza Bar in Dubrovnik, Croatia (The 8th Wonder of the World)

((H))

"What is your personal top favorite site in Europe?"

That is one of the silliest questions I have seen. ONE top sight? Out of hundreds? There are a number of sights I have enjoyed seeing. There are a number of sights I have not seen and would like to. There a number of sights I have seen and would like to see again. But ONE top sight? You have to be joking.

It is a bit of fun, nothing more, nothing less.>

That's what I thought and think.

One wonders why a Lost person keeps trying to rain on others' parades?

she has missed the obvious fun part of it and reduced it to something negative -this is not a guidebook list- even their lists are very subjective:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...efore-you-die/ (One wonders why the Telegraph would waste ink on that - something so boring and inane?

https://www.explorra.com/travel-guid...n-europe_25203

Here's a whole book on it: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Sights-.../dp/1569520135

http://travel.usnews.com/rankings/be...ope_vacations/

And even fodors.com decided to waste space and time on it
http://www.fodors.com/news/photos/th...pean-landmarks

and on and on

to me it is fun to compare what we as individuals think and others and 'experts'

but I think all is lost on some.

Bayeux Tapestry, Bayeux, France>

subjectively would not quite make my list for what first-time travelers would link but made me forget that the Normandy D-Day Beaches certainly would.

"What is your personal top favorite site in Europe?">

Great question as it is so hard to answer but if you HAD to chose one such sight what would it be?

I guess I would chose Venice's Grande Canale by boat at night when all the ancient palazzo facades -part crumbling - pass so sublimely and magically by!

Not a silly question at all but one that takes a lot of thinking and rationalizing to yourself.

Oh dear, now someone's feelings are hurt. I didn't say the obvious is a waste time, just that it's obvious. And readily available, as you've just proved. I acknowledge that we all have very different ideas of fun.

And readily available, as you've just proved.>

and all different too

What the heck posted on fodors is not readily available by Google.

>Oh dear, now someone's feelings are hurt.>

not at all but can't comprehend why you are making a fool out of yourself?

good show!

I think you can add Disneyland Paris lol. Maybe I just hang out in all the wrong places, but Paris lists always seem to be Versailles, Moulin Rouge, Eiffel Tower, ND, and Disney. Don't actually see Champs Elysses listed much outside guide books and now that I've been, I definitely don't see the attraction. Except the Louis Vuitton window display was fun.

Germany is really short. No love there, PalenQ? I'd say Nuremberg and Rothenburg come up frequently. Maybe Berlin and the Black Forest. And Munich for beer and Dachau.

Florence- the famous bridge and the Accademia I think both outweigh Uffizi. the only place I see Uffizi mentioned frequently is the forums where people who like museums hang out. Such as here. (But to be fair I'm using my relatives as my main samplin. Group and they're shoppers, not art lovers).

You left out Ireland entirely but maybe I just know an unusual number of Irish Americans who have the genealogy bug.


Venice...The lace and glass islands are almost always mentioned.

Is Matterhorn that big of draw? People always seem to talk about ski resorts or spas when it comes to Switzerland.

Lots of the crowded spots are crowded for good reason. Buckingham Palace may not be on my list, but St. Mark's was. Eiffel Tower wasn't really, but it's fun to see when it lights up every hour. And like a lot of "iconic sights" it's hard to miss if you're in the area. You'll see it eventually.

UK- afternoon tea, almost always. Harrods. Anything to do with royalty (Princess Diana, now there is a fascination I never understood).

I like the iconic sights but they are never what sticks. It's always some kind of thematic thread that fascinates me. In Rome, it's the water fountains. Trevi is definitely iconic, but my favorite is probably the one in Piazza Navona.

Those iconic lists interest me more in terms of what they tell you about how the city markets itself. Or the history that lays behind the cheesiness. For instance in Rome, that fascination with the ruins comes out of the 1800s, the Romantics, and well to do British on their grand tour. People talk about the horrors of selfies...but is it any less laughable that British aristocracy sat for busts or portraits? Often when I'm viewing an Asian antiquities exhibit I wonder if the seller in China or wherever was parting with priceless family antiquities or if they were selling off the 19th century equivalent of plastic swords and Eiffel Tower chains...and sniggering behind the buyers back.

Lots of these threads this winter. I think a lot of us are bored. And I'll take these over those endless troll wrangling feats any day:)

and, of course...

The Buza Bar in Dubrovnik, Croatia (The 8th Wonder of the World)


I don't drink and I'm with Tom on this.
_____________________________________
God, do I hate the modern abuse of icon and iconic.

I think we czn have ONE sight that is at the top.
It is like with women : all of them (well most) are beautiful, and it would be silly to say which one is the 'best' - even if some shows do just that.

However in the millions of beautiful women in Europe and out of the billions in the world, there is ONE I would put on top : my wife. Non mais.

So MY TOP sight in Europe (today, at 22 54 Paris time) is the cistern in Istanbul. I have been awed by this place. Why ? Don't know. Don't care. MY top 1 if I have to give one today.

But yes, between the bored, the judgmentals, the ones who didn't have sex yesterday, the ones who had... it is difficult to keep a thread fun without having to justify it.

PQ is a great creator of threads. This one may not be his most memorable, but why not just take it ligtly ?

PQ I love you ! (no I am sober...)

Apologies to everyone - I was aiming for discussion, not name calling. I'm still trying to conjure a feeling of "foolish" but have failed thus far. But I do promise to try to not interfere with the "fun" in future, I will truly try.

UK- afternoon tea, almost always. Harrods>

Was thinking of Harrods - Carnaby Streeet would have been on every young Americans lists years ago.

PQ I love you ! (no I am sober...)

As for Belgium I guess its most iconic icon is no doubt the statue of a little boy peeing... kind of fitting.

iconic vs icon -let me think about that a bit! (English Language major!)

If you do that I'll feel obliged to behave.
I think there must'nt be 2 people who don't like you here MmePerdu. Just stay as you are.

Well, my personal favorite is La Alhambra, and it's not just about the site but the day, the weather, the company, and the timing. Standing at the top of the garden at the Golden Hour, tourists mostly gone, and with the sun low in the sky, casting a glow on the garden and the palace, what a sight!

You left out Ireland entirely but maybe I just know an unusual number of Irish Americans who have the genealogy bug.>

I considered Blarney Castle!

I have thought about it, and there is no single thing in Europe I feel I must see.

Paris has never held the slightest appeal for me, and growing up on the edge of London I think I went in maybe four times in total.

Now in the US and Canada my list is a long one, but will never get completed.
I guess the sights are always better on the other side of the Atlantic ;).


PS you forgot windmills!

MadameLost: reciprocal wishes - and yes I am bored -broken foot and home bound by that and icy streets! Can't even walk the bit I should.

Cheers!

"Just stay as you are."

I didn't promise to change, Wo, just that I'd TRY to be good. I'm about to break into song here...

PS you forgot windmills!>

OMG

Yes windmills more than tulips even and wooden shoes.

Was considering the Red-Light District and should have put in the Anne Frank House - ah the list grows.

I didn't promise to change, Wo, just that I'd TRY to be good. I'm about to break into song here...>

I suggest an old classic "Sounds of Silence"?

"Now in the US and Canada my list is a long one, but will never get completed.
I guess the sights are always better on the other side of the Atlantic ;)."

Lol grass is greener...that took me by surprise the first time a European said to us, Why do you want to come here? We want to go to Canada!

Good question for the U.S. forum-

I'd say:

Statue of Liberty
WTC Memorial and site
Times Square
Central Park
U S Capitol building
Washington Monument
Disney World -Orlando parks
Grand Canyon
Yellowstone
Death Valley
Golden Gate Bridge
SF Cable cars
Fishermans' Wharf
Chinatown
Hollywood
Mississippi River
N'Orlens Bourbon Street
Chicago Skycrapers
Alamo
Niagara Falls (OK best part in Canada)
Waikiki Beach
Pearl Harbor
Independence Hall

just starters -would really be curious as to what Europeans or ferriners in general would list!

Sorry to hear about the foot, PQ - what did you do?

sundried, I can't visit the US any more, no money, but even if I could I admit I would be reluctant to do so while the orange one is in Washington.

I like Americans and most of what I have seen of America - but there is so much more to see there.

Sorry to hear about the foot, PQ - what did you do?>

just walked too much I guess! no trauma but a big pop one day on flat sidewalks- just got out of boot - was walking about 7 miles a day - and ortho doc said maybe just walked too much (with too much weight too - seems like a long way back and hope to - but winter in Michigan can be dicey at times.

Cheers!

I said that for many people, not me, guidebooks and anything in paper are passe. Seems that even for Michelin paper maps are being phased out. Sure, people can click on destinations and get lists of sights to see but unless the guidebook has categories like, What to See if you only have one day ( or three days or a week), these lists are fairly useless. I don't think of our comments on Fodors as a job but rather as a way to give info to people who are less informed than we are. I am a terrible snob in my personal life, but I was a teacher and as such am interested in enlightening people. So, if someone needs info because it's his first time in a place, I'm happy to give it. The requests that bore and annoy me are the ones that ask about places "off the beaten path". These people should be well enough informed that they can get such info for themselves. And, why would I give out such info on hidden places unless I wanted to spur tourism there.