All travellers have a bucket list that we want to tick off! There are just so many destinations to see and so many things to do, taste and experience in Europe. At Expat Explore, we often get asked, “what is that one thing I absolutely MUST DO when in [insert destination]?” Of all the gorgeous and iconic things there are to see and experience in Europe, some do tend to stand out above the rest. Below, we’ve listed some of the top, affordable things you absolutely must do when setting foot on this magnificent continent!

Did you know? The term ‘bucket list’ was made famous by the 2007 movie of the same name, starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, in which two unlikely companions draw up a list of things they want to do before they “kick the bucket” and then actually set out to do these things. It inspired people around the world to do the same!

Here are 37 Bucket List things to do in Europe this year:

1. Have high tea in London, United Kingdom

Afternoon tea is about as British as the Union Jack and the Queen. You can opt for a plain spot of tea and a biscuit, or take it to the next level and have high tea at one of the many wonderful venues throughout the city. Have your tea on a vintage double-decker tour bus and see a few of London’s best-loved sights while you’re at it. Or, sip your tea inside Cutty Sark, a historic British Ship!

Related: Explore London on our Best of Europe and Classic Europe tours!

2. Scale the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France

The Eiffel Tower is a huge highlight of France and a feature on most travellers’ bucket lists. A visit to this icon and the most-visited paid monument in Europe is a quintessential Paris experience. Keep an eye out for the tiny apartment the architect, Gustave Eiffel, designed for himself at the top of this iconic landmark. If you can, try to scale the tower after sunset. The view over nighttime Paris is truly remarkable! The tower is open until 11pm and you can drink a toast to the view at the champagne bar on the top floor until 10pm.

3. Explore the Design District of Helsinki, Finland

For the Finns, art and design are a way of life. The renowned design district is a condensed constellation of creativity at the core of the city centre itself. It comprises 25+ city blocks and 200+ buildings that offer all sorts of wonderful activities and points of interest. Discover the 140-year-old Design Museum and admire the Marimekko clothing lines and textiles made famous by Jackie Kennedy in the 1950s. Shop at stores selling hand-crafted ceramics, wooden furniture and art installations. Dine at exceptional eateries offering fresh, contemporary cuisine with Nordic twists. Visit the Museum of Finnish Architecture and browse Bukowskis Market – one of the oldest auction houses of fine art in all of Scandinavia!

Related: Need more ideas for what to do in Helsinki? Read our 24 hour guide to Finland’s vibrant capital!

4. Eat a Belgian waffle in Bruges, Belgium

Belgium is waffle country and you can find this warming treat on nearly every street corner in cities like Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp and Bruges. Eat them in the traditional way with whipped cream and strawberries or chocolate syrup or opt for a creative topping like Biscoff, banana or kiwi! If time allows, be sure to sample some Belgian beer, chocolate or moules et frites too.

Related: For more fun things to do in Belgium, look no further than this list!

5. Take a train to Jungfraujoch in Switzerland

Visit Europe’s highest train station and play in the snow all year round! Switzerland’s Jungfraujoch is renowned for its scenic beauty and epic location. It takes almost a full day to get all the way to the top and back down, but the journey is certainly worth every second. Once you step off the train into the pure, Swiss Alpine air, gaze over the valley below in wonderment!

Related: Our highest-rated optional excursion is a trip to Jungfraujoch! Don’t miss out on this experience when you join one of our tours that visit Switzerland.

6. Visit Drottningholm Palace in Sweden

Explore the permanent residence of the Swedish royal family! Drottningholm Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most well-preserved royal palace built in the 1600s in Sweden. A visit here will reveal exceptional architecture and design from a range of European styles from that time. Be sure to spend some time wandering through the palace’s impeccable gardens and admire the Chinese Pavilion!

Related: Opt to visit this majestic palace when you join our Scandinavian Escape tour!

7. Taste authentic German beer in Bavaria, Germany

German monks started brewing beer as far back as 800 BC and by the 15th century there were over 600 breweries in Germany! They began exporting to countries like Holland, England and Scandinavia. The Reinheitsgebot (Purity Law) was enacted in 1516 to ensure that German beer will only ever be brewed with barley, hops and water, without the use of any other additives. To this day it remains the oldest food regulation in the world! These beers are best enjoyed outdoors in the summer at a beer garden or in a historic beer hall in the winter.

Related: The best place to taste German beer is certainly at Munich’s iconic Oktoberfest!

8. Watch a live flamenco performance in Seville, Spain

It’s colourful, upbeat and quintessentially Spanish! Native to the Andalusia, Extremadura and Murcia, this rhythmic and vigorous form of dance involves cante (singing), toque (guitar), baile (dance) and palmas (clapping of hands). Flamenco evokes the fiery passion of the Romani gypsies who developed the first versions thereof. Do yourself a favour and add “go see a proper flamenco show in its birthplace, Seville” to your bucket list. It truly is poetry in motion.

Related: Our Spain & Portugal Explorer and our Highlights of Spain & Portugal tours offer travellers the opportunity to watch an authentic Flamenco show in Seville!

9. Walk the halls of the Vatican City and visit the Sistine Chapel in Italy

Nestled in the heart of Rome, Vatican City is the smallest country in Europe. It is the Roman Catholic headquarters of Europe and home to St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, the Apostolic Palace, Vatican Museums and, of course, the majestic Sistine Chapel. The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is one of Michelangelo’s most famous works and is still intact since he finished in 1512!

Related: You could visit the Vatican Museums during your free day in Rome on one of our many tours that visit Rome in Italy!

10. Visit Northern Europe’s Art Nouveau capital, Riga in Latvia

Inspired by natural forms and structures, particularly the curved lines of plants and flowers, Art Nouveau is an internationally recognised style of art and architecture that arose between 1890 and 1910 as a reaction against the stoic academic art that typified the 19th century. Riga was one of the cities at the forefront of the style’s active use, and the remaining examples thereof are truly bold and vibrant. Visitors can follow in the footsteps of Riga’s revolutionary 19th-century artists by visiting the Art Nouveau Museum or exploring the eponymous architectural district that enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status.

11. Visit a temple that dates back to 447 BC in Greece

Visiting the Acropolis in Greece is like taking a trip back in time! This ancient citadel comprises the remains of several historically and architecturally significant buildings, including the Parthenon, which dates back all the way to the 5th century BC. Built as a monument to the cultural and political achievements of the inhabitants of Athens by Pericles, the Parthenon and other main buildings on the Acropolis are renowned as the most perfect buildings created by the world’s most advanced civilisation. Even though humankind has been studying it for centuries, we are still not sure how they did it! The Acropolis is without a doubt one of the must-see, bucket-list sites in Greece.

Related: Explore Athens and the Greek mainland as well as the gorgeous Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini on our Best of Greece tour!

12. Drink an Einspänner coffee in Vienna, Austria

Europe’s coffee culture is certainly something to be explored! One of the best places to experience this is Vienna, Austria’s imperial capital city. The elegant Viennese kaffeehäuser (coffee houses) have been deemed an Intangible Cultural Heritage element by UNESCO. Enjoy an einspänner (strong, black coffee with a dollop of whipped cream) or Großer Brauner (rich black coffee) at one of these culture hotspots that have been described by local coffee connoisseurs as ‘places where time and space are consumed, but only coffee is found on the bill’!

Related: Get to know Vienna in one day with this 24-hour guide.

13. Follow in the footsteps of Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona, Spain

Renowned as one of the most prolific practitioners of Catalan Modernism, Antoni Gaudí shook up the architectural status quo during the late-1800s with his unprecedented juxtapositions of geometric masses. His work was so pivotal that no less than seven properties around Barcelona have been declared UNESCO World Heritage sites. The most famous is, of course, the Sagrada Família, which is still under construction and a must-see for art lovers. Any exhibit celebrating Gaudi’s work and life is worth a visit!

Related: Marvel at the Sagrada Família on our Highlights of Barcelona optional excursion!

14. Get your Hygge on in Copenhagen, Denmark

Hygge is the hip new lifestyle philosophy that is on everyone’s lips and has been a Danish way of life since time immemorial. The Danish are known as one of the happiest nations on earth, despite the fact that they live in one of the most inhospitable regions on the planet! This is largely ascribed to the fact that they indulge in cosy, loving self-care called Hygge. This notion of nurturing innate happiness by taking pleasure in small, everyday comforts can be enjoyed wherever you are. However, this is especially tangible in Copenhagen over the festive season, when the entire city is lit with candles and smells of aromatic gløgg.

Related: Experience the festive season in Denmark when you join our Northern Explorer Christmas and New Year tour!

15. Savour Neapolitan Pizza in Naples, Italy

If you think a simple pizza with tomato, mozzarella and basil is boring, think again! Pizza in Naples, the birthplace of pizza, is an art. Neapolitan pizza is actually included on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. The Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN) was founded in 1984 in Naples to ensure quality and to preserve the traditional cooking methods of Neapolitan pizza. Neapolitan dough is thin in the middle and features a puffier crust. Once you’ve had one bite, no other pizza will ever be the same again!

Related: This is what pizza looks like around the world.

16. Eat Trdelnik (and learn how to pronounce it!) in Prague, Czech Republic

Sweet, cinnamon-y and quintessentially Czech, a freshly baked Trdelnik makes the chilly weather in Prague more bearable. Made from rolled dough that is wrapped around a stick, then grilled and topped with sugar and walnut mix, this tasty treat is often filled with ice cream. It’s simply delicious with a warming shot of espresso.

Related: A Trdelnik is best enjoyed on Christmas Day while on our Europe Jewel Christmas & New Year tour!

17. Walk along the Dragon Bridge in Ljubljana, Slovenia

One of the most recognisable images of Ljubljana, the Dragon Bridge was originally named The Jubilee Bridge of Emperor Franz Josef I. It’s known for the epic dragon statues that hold sway at either end. Walk the bridge and take the time to learn more about the sweeping legend of Ljubljana’s Dragon and how it became the city’s emblem.

Related: Discover more top things to do in Ljubljana!

18. Feel a little melancholic over Fado music in Lisbon, Portugal

An exceptional branch of expressive Portuguese folk music, Fado has been synonymous with Portugal since the early 1800s. It is characterised by mournful tunes and lyrics imbued with saudade – a feeling of permanent, irreparable loss. Sounds super depressing, we know, but it is actually incredibly soulful and beautiful. Fado players are known as ‘Fadistas’ and they normally perform in restaurants.

Related: Here are some more reasons to add Portugal to your bucket list!

19. Hike Dubrovnik’s famous city walls in Croatia

Constructed mainly from the 12th to 17th Century, Dubrovnik’s famous city walls run an uninterrupted course of approximately 1900+ metres (6000+ ft) in length, encircling most of the old city. A two-hour hike takes you along the entire circumference and you’ll enjoy unparalleled views over this ancient city!

Related: Explore Croatia and other beautiful Balkan destinations on our Balkan Explorer tour.

20. Climb a hill with 100,000 crosses in Lithuania

The Hill of Crosses is situated about 12 kilometres north of Šiauliai in Lithuania. It started as a place for the next-of-kin of fallen rebels to place effigies in honour of their family members after the 1831 rebellion. It has since become a major visitors attraction with more than 100, 000 crucifixes, religious statues and effigies of all shapes and sizes. The hill is not any under form of jurisdiction, which means anyone can come here to erect their own cross or statue. And that is just what they do! On any given day you’ll run into someone adding to the majestic attraction in their own way.

Related: Visit the Hill of Crosses and more incredible attractions in Lithuania on our Best of Scandinavia & the Baltics tour.

21. Spot the quirky statues in Old Town Bratislava, Slovakia

The Old Town in Bratislava is well-known for its superb array of quirky statues, including Čumil (The Watcher). This watchful bronze communist-era worker peers out from a manhole (and up women’s skirts according to certain saucy factions!). Rumour has it that if you make a wish while touching his head it will come true, provided you keep the wish a secret forever. Čumil is one of a variety of bronze monuments that were added in an attempt to inject some humour and life into the communist-era architecture; others include a photographer, Hans Christian Andersen and Napoleon!

22. Play chess in a thermal bath in Budapest, Hungary

Budapest, known as the City of Spas, is home to the largest thermal baths in Europe. As such, you can’t really say you’ve been to Budapest if you haven’t taken a soak in one of its many thermal baths. We recommend combining this revitalising experience with a spot of chess with the locals that frequent the healing waters. Most baths that are open to the public offer a variety of pools at different temperatures so you can switch things up with a dip in an ice pool if you get a bit balmy in the warmer ones.

Related: Read our guide to Budapest’s best thermal baths and spas.

23. Taste wine at the Princely Wine Cellars of the Prince of Liechtenstein

With only 37,000 inhabitants, Liechtenstein is one of the smallest countries in the world. Prince Hans-Adam II’s family has owned the principality since 1712 when they combined two smaller statelets into one of the 350 principalities of the Holy Roman Empire. His winery, the Hofkellerei des Fürsten von Liechtenstein, is situated on the outskirts of Vaduz in a 400-year-old building. Try the pinot noir – a smokey, chocolatey vintage prepared from grapes that were exclusively grown in the Vaduz area. Some of the other varietals are made from grapes harvested from vineyards in bordering Austria.

24. Visit Anne Frank House and learn her story in Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Diary of a Young Girl, a first-person diary account, tells the story of Anne Frank and her family as they hid from Nazi persecution in wartime Netherlands. This touching tale is brought to life at Anne Frank House – a writer’s house and biographical museum dedicated to the Jewish wartime diarist. Preserving the canal house in which the family hid, this museum showcases a permanent exhibition on the life and times of Anne Frank.

Related: Discover more top sights in the Netherlands!

25. Take a selfie at the beautiful Stari Most in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Stari Most (Old Bridge) is an iconic landmark in Mostar! Take a walk across the historic cobblestones and admire the views over the Neretva River. The riversides below offer the perfect selfie and photo opportunities! The bridge was reconstructed between 2001 and 2004 following the bombing by Croat forces in 1994 during the Croat–Bosniak War. Just around the corner from Stari Most, you’ll find the ancient Kriva Cuprija (or Crooked Bridge) which crosses the Radobolja creek, a right-bank affluent of the Neretva River. This stone one-arch structure was reportedly built as a miniature test run for Stari Most, its much larger 16th-century Ottoman sister bridge.

26. Do some people-watching in Kotor’s Old Town while sipping some Nikšićko in Montenegro

A fortified town on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast, Kotor’s Old Town is characterised by winding streets and squares, and medieval structures including several Romanesque churches and the stunning Kotor Cathedral. Find a small cafe, order a locally brewed Nikšićko beer and watch the world go by in this wondrous location!

27. Visit St Olav’s church, which has been hit by lightning ten times, in Tallinn, Estonia

St. Olav’s Church has a long and illustrious history. Built in the 12th century as the centre for old Tallinn’s Scandinavian community before the country was conquered by Denmark, it has been hit by lightning ten times, burnt to the ground no less than three times and was used as a radio tower and surveillance point by the Soviet KGB throughout the 1900s!

28. Explore the world’s largest castle in Poland

Live your best princess life while exploring Malbork Castle, officially the largest castle in the world! Located in the Polish town of Malbork, this 13th-century Teutonic castle and fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take some time to explore the castle’s monastery, palace and massive museum featuring weapons and armoury from the Teutonic knights.

Related: Travel from Helsinki to Warsaw and enjoy a stop at Malbork Castle on the way!

29. Experience the many contrasts of Berlin, Germany

Germany’s capital city is known for its turbulent past as well as its vibrant, modern city life. In one day, you can see the last remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall, learn about Berlin’s history in one of its museums, visit one of its buzzing public squares or markets and dance the night away at a top nightclub!

Related: Join our epic Ultimate Europe tour and experience many of Berlin’s highlights with our Berlin + optional excursion!

30. Sunbathe on the French Riviera in France

The French Riviera, also known as Côte d’Azur, is renowned for its incredibly scenic coastline that stretches from Marseilles in the west, to the town of Menton in the east. Sunbathing on one of these iconic beaches can be as cheap or expensive as you want. Simply throw down a towel and watch the glamorous citizens do their thing or push out the boat and rent a swanky lounge chair, umbrella and the assistance of a beach waiter!

31.  Marvel at the impressive cars outside the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco

Monaco is home to one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in Europe and the world – the Monaco Grand Prix. Evidently, Monaco is the best place for car enthusiasts to put on their bucket list. You can see exclusive and expensive vehicles in Monaco year-round.

Top Tip: H.S.H. Prince Rainier III’s private collection of antique cars is located on the Terraces de Fontvieille and includes 100+ classic vehicles of all makes and models – a true treat for automobile enthusiasts. Open daily from 10am – 6pm.

32. Take the cable car to the Millennium Cross in Skopje, North Macedonia

At 66 meters tall, the Millennium Cross built on top OF Vodno Mountain near Skopje is as tall as a 20-storey building! The cross was built in 2002 to commemorate 2000 years of Christianity in North Macedonia, on the highest point of the Vodno mountain in a place known since the time of the Ottoman Empire as “Krstova”, which means “place of the cross”. Ride the elevator to the top of the structure to enjoy unparalleled views over Skopje or work up a sweat along the 4 km-long Millennium Cross ropeway.

33. Let the fjords take your breath away in Norway

There are few natural sights as awe-inspiring as the Norwegian fjords! A fjord is a long, narrow inlet surrounded by dramatic cliffs formed by glaciers. The west Norwegian Fjords of Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are sure to take your breath away. In fact, Nærøyfjord was the inspiration for Arandalle in Disney’s Frozen. Take a boat from Bergen, a charming UNESCO World Heritage city, and get ready to be wowed by the natural scenery!

Related: Choose to embark on a Norwegian fjord cruise on our Scandinavian Escape tour!

34. Visit the most famous castle in all of Wales

The medieval Cardiff Castle (Castell Caerdydd in Welsh) is located in the city centre of Wales’ capital city. Norman invaders built the original motte and bailey castle in the late 11th century on top of a 3rd Century Roman fort. Aside from being absolutely beautiful and concealing over 2,000 years of history, the castle grounds have also been used for concerts and other big events.

Related: Spend a night in Cardiff on our Great Britain tour!

35. Hunt down the Loch Ness monster in Scotland

Loch Ness is the second-largest freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands – one of the most beautiful regions in all of the United Kingdom. Legend has it, Nessie, or the Loch Ness monster, is a lake monster that was first seen by a surgeon from London in 1993. There have been many Loch Ness monster sightings since and over 1,000 recorded sightings of the monster!

Related: Why not visit Loch Ness while travelling through Great Britain?

36. Visit a true Irish pub in Ireland

There is no better place to enjoy Irish beer, Irish cuisine and Irish music than in a true Irish pub! Ireland is world-renowned for its friendly people, humour and, of course, Guinness beer. Dublin is home to more than 600 pubs. Most of them are named after the owners of the pub. It was a legal requirement to display the owner’s name on or over the front door of the premises in 1872.

37. Walk in the footsteps of giants in Northern Ireland

Giant’s Causeway is a geological site of stepping stone-like rocks along the northeast coast of Northern Ireland. These rocks have been scientifically proven to be basalt columns (towered rocks) that formed due to volcanic activity.  By folklore, it was created by an Irish Giant, Finn MacCool, a mythical Irish warrior who was challenged to a test of strength by another giant, Benandonner. Either way, this World Heritage site is most definitely worth a visit!

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From France to Italy, Croatia to Slovenia, if you have a bucket list item you’re dying to tick off – Expat Explore can take you there. Take a look at our multi-country tours to Europe, here!