Recommended sightseeing spots for your trip to Europe [World Heritage Sites] [Beautiful Landscapes]

ヨーロッパ旅行のおすすめ観光地【世界遺産の建造物】【美しい景観】編

First, we will introduce some popular tourist spots where you can see World Heritage buildings.

1. Florence, Italy

Florence

Florence is rich in historical architecture

Florence, located in the Tuscany region of Italy, is known as an important city in the history of art and architecture. Having flourished as a commercial city in the Middle Ages, historical buildings are scattered throughout the city. Among them, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Uffizi Gallery, and Palazzo Vecchio are famous, all of which are decorated with art, sculptures, and murals. The Historic Center of Florence is registered as a World Heritage Site, and the historical streetscape is extensive and intensively preserved. You can see the art and culture of the Renaissance right before your eyes.

Recommended sightseeing spots

  • Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore: Construction of this cathedral began in the late 13th century and took more than 140 years to complete. The dome, about 114 meters high, is the largest in the world built with the technology of the time, and the interior is decorated with beautiful frescoes.
  • Uffizi Gallery: A museum in the heart of Florence, it is home to many Renaissance artworks, including Botticelli's "Primavera" and "The Birth of Venus."
  • Palazzo Vecchio: A government building built in the 13th century that still serves as the city hall today.

2. Granada, Spain

Granada

Islamic Culture and the Alhambra

Granada, located in the Andalusia region of southern Spain, is a beautiful city that retains the culture and historical heritage of the medieval Islamic kingdom. The most famous of these is the Alhambra Palace. Construction of the Alhambra Palace began under Muhammad I and it is considered one of the finest examples of architecture from the Islamic dynasty period. Inside, sculptures, pottery, and geometric patterns considered Islamic art can be seen, and it attracts many tourists from all over the world. Despite its ups and downs, the Alhambra Palace has remained intact and is now one of Spain's leading World Heritage Sites, a popular destination visited by tourists from all over the world.

Recommended sightseeing spots

  • Alhambra Palace: A palace that incorporates Islamic architectural techniques, with beautiful courtyards, fountains, murals, etc., it is well worth seeing. The Alhambra Palace, lit up at night, is especially popular for its fantastical beauty.
  • Albaicin: A beautiful area of ​​the old town of Granada, with cobblestone streets and whitewashed houses. There are also ruins of a fortress and a church, giving you a sense of history.
  • Granada Cathedral: a 16th-century Catholic church that is considered one of the most important examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture and its interior is decorated with famous international artworks.

3. Mont Saint-Michel, France

Mont Saint-Michel

Mysterious floating monastery

Mont Saint-Michel, located in Brittany in northwestern France, is a floating monastery and is registered as a World Heritage Site. The monastery buildings are built on rocks and are surrounded by sandy beaches at low tide. Inside the monastery, Gothic architecture, stained glass, and everyday items from when the monks lived are on display.

Recommended sightseeing spots

  • Mont Saint-Michel Abbey: This world-famous monastery is built on rock, giving it a beautiful view of the sea. Inside, you can see historical architecture, artworks, and everyday items used by the monks.
  • Mont Saint-Michel Bay: The abbey is surrounded by a beautiful bay with a sandy beach at low tide and tidal flats, where you can enjoy walking and cycling activities.

4. Venice, Italy

Venice

Beautiful buildings floating in the water city

Venice, located in northeastern Italy, is a beautiful city surrounded by canals and is also known as the City of Water. Venice is a city that flourished from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, and many historical buildings remain. Among them, St. Mark's Basilica, facing St. Mark's Square, is a beautiful building decorated with gold leaf and mosaics, and is registered as a World Heritage Site.

Recommended sightseeing spots

  • St. Mark's Basilica: A beautiful structure built during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, decorated with gold leaf and mosaics, with works by famous painters such as Titian and Bernini on display.
  • Grand Canal: A canal that runs through the city of Venice, filled with beautiful architecture and bridges. It's also recommended to take a gondola ride to see the views from the water.
  • Rialto Bridge: a stone bridge spanning the Grand Canal and one of the most famous bridges in Venice, offering views of the Grand Canal and the surrounding beautiful monuments.

Next, we will introduce tourist spots where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery that is unique to Europe.

1. Swiss Alps

The Alps

Switzerland is a beautiful country surrounded by the Alps, and there are some places in the Alps where you can see some of the most beautiful scenery. One of these is Mount Jungfrau. Mount Jungfrau is a mountain 4,158 meters above sea level, and the view from the top is spectacular. There are also glaciers in the mountain, and you can see a beautiful blue lake. Switzerland also has many beautiful valleys. One of the most famous is the Lötschen Valley. This valley is part of the Canton of Valais, and has clear streams fed by glaciers and beautiful forests. You can enjoy hiking and cycling in the summer, and skiing in the winter.

 

2. Amalfi Coast, Italy

Amalfi

The Amalfi Coast is a coastline in the Campania region of southern Italy. This beautiful coastline stretches out and is registered as a World Heritage Site. The center of the Amalfi Coast is a small town called Amalfi, characterized by its narrow, winding alleys. There are many beautiful beaches on the Amalfi Coast. The most famous of these is the beach of Positano. Positano is located on a beautiful cliff and offers a panoramic view of the beautiful sea and mountains. There are also many restaurants here where you can eat fresh seafood.

3. Sintra, Portugal

Sintra

Sintra is a beautiful city located about 30 km northwest of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. Sintra has many beautiful castles. The most famous of these is the Pena Palace. This palace is a beautiful building built in the 19th century, and has a beautiful garden inside.

 

4. Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg

Salzburg is a beautiful city located in the center of Austria, and is also registered as a World Heritage Site. In the center of the city, there is a beautiful old town lined with Baroque buildings. The city is also famous as the birthplace of the musician Mozart. Salzburg is also home to many beautiful castles and palaces. The most famous of these is Hellbrunn Palace. This palace is a beautiful Baroque building with a beautiful garden inside. There is also a beautiful fountain in front of the palace, which is lit up at night, creating a fantastic atmosphere.

5. Palace of Versailles, France

Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is located about 30 minutes by car from Paris, the capital of France. This palace is a beautiful building built during the French absolute monarchy and is registered as a World Heritage Site. The interior of the palace is filled with beautiful decorations and paintings, and you can enjoy a luxurious and gorgeous atmosphere. The palace gardens are also beautiful. Beautiful fountains and gardens spread across the vast grounds. In the summer, fountain shows are held, and you can enjoy a fantastic sight. There is also a small lake in the garden, and you can take a boat ride around the lake.

summary

Europe has many beautiful landscapes and historical buildings with a worldview different from Japan. You can see and experience beautiful architecture and gardens, historical heritage and works of art, enjoy magnificent nature such as the Swiss Alps, and relax on the beaches of Amalfi in Italy, making it possible to have a variety of experiences during a long trip. There are many opportunities to travel around Europe, so we recommend that you consider VOYAGEE SIM for Europe, which supports 42 European countries, as a smart travel companion that allows you to seamlessly use local communication methods in each country.