Choose from 4,530 Fun Things to Do in Europe
Alberta Iela
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Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos
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Alcantara Gorges
- Bring sturdy footwear, a sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and water, especially if you plan to hike down into the gorges.
- The Alcantara River Park entrance fee is not included in many group tours.
- Because of the rough terrain, hiking the gorges is not recommended for young children or those who are not in good physical condition.
- Along the top of the ravines, there are easy trails, suitable for all ages and physical conditions, that take you through the park’s botanical gardens and past a number of scenic viewpoints.
Alcobaça
Just to the left of the church doorway, the Hall of Kings is elaborately decorated with azulejo tiles depicting the history of the monastery up until the 18th century plus a cluster of royal statues in various states of repair. The massive Gothic church at the heart of the complex is an ocher-stone fantasia of flying buttresses, ornate roundels, lacy stone carving and statuary topped with two intricate bell towers.
The long wings that flank the church are much simpler in design, as is its barn-like interior, with unadorned pillars, a plain vaulted roof and bare walls. Simple it may be, but the nave is Portugal’s longest, at 330 feet (100 m). The pair of ornate tombs in the transept belong to King Pedro I and his murdered mistress Ines de Castro; other Portuguese monarchs buried here include kings Alfonso II and III, who are laid to rest in the Chapel of St Bernard, dedicated to the patron saint of the Cistercian order.
Access to the monastery from the church is through the vast three-tiered Cloister of Silence, which is planted with orange trees and contains an ancient fountain that once saw duty as washroom to the monks. It is one of three cloisters surrounded by the monks’ sparse refectory, dormitories and kitchens, which are decorated with traditional blue-and-white tiles.
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Alcoutim
Alcoutim is a hillside town of cobbled streets, small squares and a paved promenade, situated along the banks of the Guadina river, about 40 km (24 mi). This river promenade features a few cafes and restaurants that overlook the water. Here, the river narrows. If you need a breather in your vacation, watching the boats idle past this narrow point while sipping a coffee at a café is a great way to take a break from sightseeing; the backdrop of low, green hills is as good a substitute for historical points of interest as any. At the front of the river is a 16th century church bearing the coat of arms of the Marquises of Vila Real and the Counts of Alcoutim.
If your time is flexible enough to allow you a moment to watch the river go by, you may also want to explore the countryside. The hills are verdant and covered in wildflowers, providing a a pastoral landscape for Alcoutim’s neighboring towns (Pereiro, Martinlongo), as well the ruins of a 13th century castle and 12th century church in nearby Mértola, which is a mere 30 km (18 mi) drive away.
Another short drive to the south takes you to the town of Castro Marim. Of note here are the ruins of its Moorish castle, which offers a wide view of the surrounding salt pans and the Spanish countryside across the border. Castro Marim is also home to a nature preserve.
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This area of Portugal, particularly the eastern end near the Guadina River, is a little underdeveloped, which makes for scenic drives through rolling green hills and serene countryside. The hillside overlooking Acoutim bears the ruins of a 14th century castle, which is now a small archaeological museum.
Alcoutim is also about a 30 minute drive to the golden beaches of the coast.
Albrecht Durer House
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Alcázar of Seville
- The Alcazar is a must-see for first-time visitors to Andalucia.
- Remember to bring water and sunscreen, as some areas of the palace have very little shade.
- Wear comfortable shoes, and dress in layers, as conditions within the palace can vary.
- Give yourself two to three hours to explore the palace complex.
Alcoy
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Albi Cathedral
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Aldwych Theatre
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Alcaiceria
Despite it’s pared down size, the Alcaicería is still one of Granada’s most atmospheric areas, with a plethora of traditional craft and souvenir stores crammed with ceramics, silver jewelry, and alpaca knitwear, and stalls hawking an array of exotic spices, silks and incense. Wandering around the markets is an experience in itself, but with vendors happy to barter for goods, it’s also a great place to pick up some bargains. Look out for local specialties like fajalauza (hand painted ceramics), granadino farolas (stained-glass lamps) and taracea items (traditional wooden goods).
Cloth Hall
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Aletsch Glacier
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Clos de Vougeot
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Albufera Natural Park
- The Albufera Natural Park is a must-see for bird-watchers and nature lovers.
- Guided tours from Valencia can last anywhere from 90 minutes to six hours, depending on the option you choose.
- Don’t forget to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a sun hat, as La Albufera offers little in the way of shade.
- Come hungry, and don’t leave without trying traditional paella in the very region where the dish was born.
Albertina
The Albertina’s gigantic permanent collection is broken into 4 principal departments, most notably the aforementioned Graphic Art Collection, of which highlights include the world’s largest collection of Dürer drawings (totaling around 145) and a large number of works by Raphael, Rembrandt and Schiele. Equally impressive is the Rita und Herbert Batliner Collection, one of the largest private collections of classical modern art in Europe, which came to the Albertina on permanent loan from Liechtenstein in 2007 and features iconic pieces by Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Giacometti and Picasso, among many others. The Architecture Collection, which displays plans and models by architects like Francesco Borromini, Otto Wagner and Lois Welzenbacher, and the sizable Photography Collection, make up the remainder of the museum’s archive.
Alcalá Gate (Puerta de Alcalá)
The Puerta de Alcalá - or Alcalá Gate - stands in the center of the Plaza de la Independencia - Independence Square - and just outside of the Parque de Buen Retiro - Park of the Pleasant Retreat. This Neo-classical monument was commissioned by King Carlos III in the mid-18th century to replace the 16th century gate that served as the entrance to Madrid from what was then the eastern border.
Italian architect Francesco Sabatini was given the job and with help from two French and Spanish sculptors created what is now recognized as a symbol of Madrid. The Puerta de Alcalá is one of the city's most historic and beautiful landmarks.
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The Alcalá Gate is bisected by Calle de Alcalá and is at the northwest corner of the expansive Parque de Buen Retiro. Other nearby points of interest include the Museo Arqueologico Nacional - National Archaeological Museum - and Biblioteca Nacional de España - Spanish National Library. It is accessible via the Retiro metro stop.
Cluny
The two main tourist attractions in Cluny are the abbey’s remaining fortifications, mentioned above, as well as Blanot Cave. The former consists of three towers and the Porte des Jardins (Garden Gate). As for the abbey church itself, the south transept (the “cross-piece” of Gothic cathedrals) and the lower clock tower are all that remain of the abbey church. The Musée Lapidaire, housed in the old monastic granary, contains abbey artifacts such as third church’s figural capitals. Blanot Cave is a labyrinth of connected limestone galleries and huge rooms, 80 m (262 ft) below ground.