20 European Bucket List items
If you plan on visiting Europe for the first time, or are just looking to add some unique experiences to your bucket list, this is the perfect post for you. These 20 experiences are must do activities when visiting Europe (as a first timer). Since Europe is huge, there are adventures from a lot of different countries and spread out all over the continent. From the super basic things like seeing the Eiffel tower at night to undiscovered gems in the mountains of Bulgaria.
Oktoberfest in Munich
Oktoberfest takes place every year during the last weeks of September and the first week of October. Ending on the first Sunday of the month October. The celebrations originate from celebrating the king & queens marriage. However, nowadays the biggest tradition is to drink a lot of beer, and walk around in lederhosen and dirndls.
Sailing the Greek Islands / Adriatic SeA
If it is your goal to swim around in some of the clearest water, head out to the Mediterranean or Adriatic Sea. Nothing goes above this and it the perfect way to see some bits of summer in Europe. Either join a sailing trip from one of the larger providers or grab yourself a luxury private tour.
London at Christmas time
Another must see is the capital of Great Britain, London. This place is especially magical during the winter & around Christmas time. The city completely lights up and gets a magical feel. Be prepared for a lot of crowds, but this is definitely one of the places you need to see during winter in Europe.
7 Rilas Lake in Bulgaria
This hike might be one of the more hidden gems in Europe still. But if you want to explore more of Eastern Europe, then Bulgaria is a good place to start. 7 Rilas Lake are 7 glacier lakes situated in Northwestern Bulgaria. And although famous for the Bulgarians, not many tourists who are coming to Europe have heard of this place.
Tulip Fields in Keukenhof
During spring time, you have to visit the Netherlands. The tulip fields which are spread throughout the country are magnificent. Always make sure to be respectful of the farmers & the flowers, because it is not more important to get your IG picture, than it is to preserve the tulips. Some areas such as in Keukenhof are designed for walking, and please keep to the walking lanes only.
Blue Lagoon Iceland
The blue lagoon is most likely one of the most known hot springs in Europe. It is a must do experience and although not the cheapest, definitely worth it. There are quite a few alternatives to the blue lagoon, but non quite as beautiful.
Drink Beer in Belgium
Many European countries pride themselves in making (and drinking) the best beers. Belgium is one of these countries. As I am from Belgium I will obviously recommend trying the Belgian beers as these are the best in my opinion. Head to a local cafe & pick one of the menu. Don’t waste your money by going to a “special beer cafe” as these oftentimes just ask twice as much as the beers you can get at another cafe. Or just head to the grocery market & pick them out yourself.
Party on Ibiza
Another thing Europeans are known for are their parties. All over Europe “party culture” is engraved from a young age into the community. DJ’s find Ibiza to be one of the dream places to go to and party. It is definitely something you should experience at least once in your life.
Trace the Steps of Game of Trones (Spain, Croatia, Malta)
If you have seen Game of Thrones, you might have felt like going back in time. The ruins, the history… a lot of the serie was filmed in “ancient Europe”. Meaning that it was filmed in historic sites across the countries. Some of the more known filming places are: Croatia, Malta and Spain.
See the Eiffel Tower at Night
Okay, I know this one is suuuper basic. Let’s be honest, seeing the Eiffel tower is kind of the poster picture for people to say “they’ve been to Europe”.
Nevertheless Paris is still a beautiful must see city, and seeing the Eiffel Tower at night is the cherry on top.
Get Enchanted by the Northern Lights
There are a lot of places in Europe where you can feel the magic of the Aurora Borealis. Some of the best places include: Tromso Norway, Reykjavik Iceland, Rovaniemi Finland, Abisko Sweden & Isle of Skye in Scotland.
Eat Pizza in Italy
Another classic one is eating Pizza in Italy. More specifically in Napels Italy, which is known as the birthplace of Pizza. All Neapolitans will tell you with proud about the history of the oven-made pizzas. Make sure to order the traditional Napolitana or Margherita to get a real taste.
Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia Turkey
If you searched “travel” on Instagram in the past 5 years, I bet you you have seen a picture of this place. Sunrise over the mountains of Cappadocia in a hot air balloon is a MUST when visiting this beautiful country. There truly is no place like it anywhere else.
Thermal Baths in Budapest
Roman settlers were the first to discover that the waters below the city were filled with dissolved minerals and was the perfect place to enjoy a thermal bath. With the choice of 9 different mineral bath places, there is a little bit for every traveler to enjoy!
Interrail Central Europe
Train travel has become more and more popular over the past 10 years in Europe. It has become easier for tourists to cross borders & enjoy a cross-countries train trip. The best region to discover using this transport: Central Europe!! A popular route is Berlin-Prague-Budapest-Ljubljana, however you can personalize this to your own preference.
Visit the Fjords in Norway
If you enjoy cruises, I would 100% recommend making a cruise along the Fjords in Norway. There are 1,190 fjords in Norway, all just as beautiful. Enjoy them whilst on a cruise so that you can see the most of it, in the least amount of time.
the Cliffs of Moher Ireland
Another incredible sight of Mother Nature is the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. Not many places have this vertical of a drop-off like the coastlines of Ireland. Their location allows you to see a different side of Ireland by passing through small local villages & have beautiful views all around.
Go Skiing in the ALPS
Maybe the most expensive one on this list is skiing in the Alps. Are there cheaper places to do this in? Yes (like Bulgaria!). However there is something so magical about going down the slopes in the Alps. Plus, it just sounds a whole lot cooler. Enjoy a hot chocolate or head over to an apres-ski in the evening to finish of the perfect day.
Surf in Portugal
One of the best places to surf in Europe is in Southern Portugal. Nazare is known for the largest waves in the world. Definitely not a beginner’s spot, but worthwhile visiting. Even if it is just to see others shred the gnar.
Drive on the German Autobahn
Lastly, get your seatbelts fastened as you drive on the German Autobahn. The highways in Germany are some of the best in the world making it the perfect place for a road trip. You can enjoy some speed, but make sure to stay safe and drive responsibly.
