With the arrival of spring, we dream more and more about vacations and new destinations that we want to visit. If you have enough of the highly visited tourist spots, why not travel somewhere else? Here are 5 European tourist gems.
As the spring sunshine shines through Europe, many of us are already starting to wonder where to go on our next holiday. We have prepared for you a selection of European destinations where spring is the most beautiful, as there are fewer tourists than at the peak of the summer season. Let's take a look at these 5 European tourist gems.
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1. Helsinki (Finland)
Helsinki is a city known for its cold winters. As the last Scandinavian capital, the city has become attractive to design-obsessed travelers. Although it has not yet reached the level of Copenhagen, it is home to outstanding restaurants and cafes. Many of these restaurants and cafes are clustered in the elegant Kallio district, designed by Studio Joanna Laajisto.
Helsinki has also firmly placed itself on the world art map with the Helsinki Biennale, while the St George Hotel is a treasure trove of Finnish art with over 400 original works of art.
Trivia:
- Helsinki Cathedral – an impressive Lutheran cathedral with its characteristic green dome.
- Senate Square – Helsinki's main square, surrounded by important buildings such as the State Council and the University.
- Esplanade Park – a popular public park area in the center of Helsinki, surrounded by fashion boutiques, cafes and restaurants.
- Suomenlinna fortress – UNESCO world cultural heritage, the 18th-century fortress on the archipelago, which guards the entrance to the Helsinki harbour.
- Helsinki Art Museum – a museum of contemporary art that displays a collection of Finnish art from the 1960s onwards.
- Ateneum National Gallery – a museum with a collection of Finnish art from the 19th and 20th centuries.
2. Alentejo (Portugal)
The Alentejo region is located just two hours' drive from Lisbon and is about the size of Belgium. This is an area where timeless rhythms reign, where cities rise on hilltops amid meadows covered in wildflowers, and where locals enjoy seafood specialties along the pristine Atlantic coast.
For wine lovers, the interior of the region is a real treasure, as they can taste the rich red wines produced in vineyards that combine innovative techniques with a tradition of viticulture dating back to Roman times. Restaurants based on local ingredients, however, offer many delicacies that are grown on the soil of the Alentejo region.
Trivia:
- Evora – one of the most historic cities in the Alentejo, founded more than 2,000 years ago and today listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Monsaraz – a picturesque medieval village located on a hill and offering a wonderful view of the surrounding landscape.
- Villa Viçosa – a city that was once home to Portuguese kings and has a rich cultural heritage and beautiful architectural landmarks such as palaces and churches.
- Parque Natural do Vale do Guadiana – a national park that stretches along the Guadiana River and offers excellent opportunities for walking, cycling and bird watching.
- Monserrate Palace – a beautiful palace complex that combines different architectural styles, from Moorish to Renaissance and Gothic.
- Costa Vicentina – a wild and unspoiled Atlantic coast with golden sandy beaches and crystal clear water where you can enjoy various water sports such as surfing, kitesurfing and windsurfing.
3. Mallorca (Spain)
This one Balearic island, which was the birthplace of mass tourism in the 1960s, is now increasingly established as a haven for creatives, attracted by the tradition of craftsmanship and dramatic architecture. In addition, it also offers many attractions that fascinate visitors.
The island also has beautiful beaches, historical sites such as medieval castles and monasteries, and picturesque villages with excellent cuisine, such as Deià.
Trivia:
- Palma de Mallorca: the capital of the island, which has a rich history and offers an abundance of interesting sights such as La Seu Cathedral, Almudaina Palace, Plaza Mayor and more.
- Tramuntana Mountains: a spectacular mountain range stretching along the west coast of the island, with many hiking trails, picturesque villages and panoramic views.
- Beaches: Mallorca has some of the best beaches in Spain, including Cala Mesquida, Es Trenc, Cala Agulla, Cala Mondragó and others.
- Valldemossa: a picturesque village that was home to Chopin and George Sand and is famous for its stone houses and beautiful gardens.
- Medieval castles: the island has many medieval castles such as Castillo de Bellver in Palma, Castillo de Alaró in the Tramuntana Mountains, Castillo de Capdepera in the northeast and others.
4. Azores Islands (Portugal)
The nine Portuguese islands that make up the Azores lie in the middle of the Atlantic and can be described as the Hawaii of Europe. As a result of volcanic eruptions, the landscapes on these islands are spectacular. Whales migrate around the island and you can occasionally watch them.
Hiking trails on São Miguel Island will take you to waterfalls, crater lakes, and dense cedar forests, and after your activities, you can enjoy a hearty cozida, a stew cooked underground in the heat.
Wine lovers will head to Pico Island for stunning vineyards, and Terceira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Trivia:
- Sete Cidades Lakes: spectacular crater lakes on the island of São Miguel, formed by volcanic activity and geological processes.
- Caldeira Velha National Park: a park with thermal springs and waterfalls, located on the island of São Miguel.
- Montanha to Pico: the highest peak on the island of Pico, which is also the highest peak in the entire Portuguese territory.
- Pineapple Plantation: on the island of São Miguel there is a pineapple plantation known for its special growing techniques.
- Algar do Carvão Volcano: an interesting volcanic crater on the island of Terceira that you can visit.
5. Vienna (Austria)
Vienna, the Austrian capital with a rich history, musical pedigree and legendary Christmas markets, is always a great choice to visit. Recently opened hotels such as the Rosewood Vienna, which was renovated from a former bank and offers clean, classic decor, are raising the bar for luxury vacations.
Hotel Josefine celebrates Art Deco style with a touch of kitsch, while Hotel Gilbert boasts Scandinavian decor. In addition, the 150th anniversary of the World Exhibition in Vienna is approaching, accompanied by a series of cultural events, while the masterpieces of the great Gustav Klimt will be exhibited as part of the 300th anniversary of the Belvedere Museum.
Trivia:
- Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace – one of the most famous sights of Vienna, the former summer residence of the Habsburg court
- Cathedral of St. Stefan – symbol of Vienna, one of the most important churches in Austria and the highest church in the city
- Vienna State Opera – one of the most famous opera houses in the world and one of the most important cultural institutions in Vienna
- Albertina Museum – home to one of the largest and most important collections of prints and drawings in the world, including works by Gustav Klimt
- National Gallery in Belvedere – a museum that houses one of the largest collections of Austrian art, including works by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschke.
