17 Popular European Sites You’ll Need to Plan For Before Visiting
Are you visiting some of the more popular european sites on your next trip to Europe? If so, you'll need to plan well ahead of time before you do. In this article, travel enthusiast Emma Braby takes a look at the most popular European sites you'll want to plan well in advance for.
Last updated: April 11, 2024
15 min read
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As you might expect, as a travel writer, I am very organized when it comes to my travel plans. But I haven’t always been this way. In fact, I learned the hard way, and not just the hard way, but the devastatingly heartbreaking way. Let me tell you, there is nothing worse than finally arriving at a bucket list destination only to find out you cannot see an attraction that you’ve always dreamed of seeing.
I have compiled a list of the European sights you must plan before visiting. If you don’t pre-book tickets to these attractions, you can expect to wait hours in the queue. Or, in some cases, you might as well forget about them altogether.
Thankfully, I have been to most of these sights, either through spending hours queuing, sheer luck, or as a result of a return trip. But sadly, I missed out on some of them. And I don’t want any fellow traveler to miss out on them. So, with many tips and tricks along the way, let’s take a closer look at the most famous European sights you must plan for.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, located on the northwestern shore of Europe. It is known for its elaborate canal system, which is why it is called the “Venice of the North.” Combining the pretty waterways with its artistic heritage and liberalness and tolerance, it’s a popular European city.
I have been to Amsterdam four times, and it is one of my favorite European cities. There are many attractions to visit, most of which you should pre-book to avoid disappointment. But here are the two must-see attractions that you need to plan.
Anne Frank House
Peak Season
Year-Round
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History Enthusiasts, Human Rights Advocates, Cultural Explorers, Museum-Goers, Educators
Anne Frank was a Jewish girl who became posthumously famous when her father published her secret diary in 1947. She documented her life in hiding for two years under Nazi persecution while in Amsterdam.
The Anne Frank Museum is located in this very house, and it is an extremely moving visit. Nothing has changed since her father, the only family survivor, returned. Even the steep staircase leading to the annex behind the bookcase remains in situ.
As one of the most discussed Jewish victims of the Holocaust, the Anne Frank Museum is extremely popular. Tickets are only available via the Anne Frank House website and are released every Tuesday at 10 am (CEST) for a visit six weeks later. So you must plan six weeks in advance and know when to book them. It’s a highly organized setup with many participants in the race!
Entrance is only permitted for a specific timeslot, which cannot be changed. A minimal number of tickets can be purchased on the day, but visitors queue very early in the morning for these. Waiting around eats up into your rest or breakfast time, and many hopeful visitors are turned away.
Van Gogh Museum
Peak Season
Year-Round
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Art Lovers, Cultural Enthusiasts, History Buffs, Admirers of Vincent van Gogh’s Work
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is one of the most popular museums in the city, and in 2022, it welcomed 1.3 million visitors. People worldwide flock to the Van Gogh Museum, home to the most extensive Van Gogh collection in the world. It houses over 1,000 pieces by the artist, including some of the most recognized, such as “Self-Portrait,” “Sunflowers,” and “Almond Blossom.”
Although you can buy tickets online a few days in advance, last-minute tickets are minimal and never guaranteed. You can rearrange your ticket with 48 hours’ notice, subject to availability, which makes it slightly easier for last-minute bookings than for some museums.
To make it slightly trickier, the museum uses a time slot ticketing system, too. You cannot enter before the timeslot, and you only have 30 minutes to arrive after your booked space. Staff are very strict and will not allow you in no matter the reason for being late. If you’re an avid Van Gogh fan, planning your museum visit is best.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is the capital of the autonomous Catalonian community and Spain’s second-most populated metropolis. It is located on the northeastern coast of Spain and offers visitors a wonderful blend of city experiences and relaxing beach opportunities. I have only been to Barcelona once, and I packed a lot into two days, so it’s on my list to visit again. It’s vibrant, beautiful, and rich in culture.
Sagrada Familia
Peak Season
Spring and Summer (April to September)
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Architecture Enthusiasts, Religious Pilgrims, Cultural Explorers, History Buffs
The Sagrada Familia is a Roman Catholic basilica and one of Spain’s most recognized landmarks. It was designed by the famous architect and designer Antoni Gaudi.
The building began in 1882 and is still unfinished, but it is hoped to be completed in 2026. This building is famous for its unusual tactile and organic form, with an incredible kaleidoscope of colors and looks like something from a futuristic movie.
Like the Van Gogh Museum, a limited number of tickets are available to purchase at the last minute on the Sagrada Familia website. I was gutted when I arrived here, only to find they were fully booked.
Thankfully, I was lucky enough to stay an extra day in the city and purchase two last-minute tickets for the following day. But this was extremely lucky, so I wouldn’t count on it. Tickets are timed, and you must arrive during your time slot. So, planning your visit is crucial.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin is the capital city of Germany, and it sits in the northeastern area and is rich in history. The city’s skyline is eclectic, with different architectural styles shaped by the country’s role in the 20th century and various governments. The Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, and Charlottenburg Palace are some of the few iconic landmarks you must see.
I have been to Berlin twice. The Reichstag was the highlight of my trip on both occasions for the informative guided tour, the incredible glass dome, and the views. But it requires planning, and there’s more to it than just pre-booking your ticket.
Reichstag
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Spring and Summer Months (April to September)
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History Enthusiasts, Architecture Admirers, Cultural Explorers, Political History Buffs
The Reichstag is the legislative governmental building and the seat of the German Bundestag. The Nazi regime used the building, but following a huge fire in 1933 and targeted bombing during the World Wars, it became derelict. Following an extensive redesign and a new glass-top dome in 1999, the Reichstag is more than just a governmental building. The architecturally magnificent dome and spiral walkway provide some of the best views over the city.
Entry to the Reichstag is free. But, there are two catches, and many hopeful visitors only realize them after it is too late. First, you must pre-register to visit using an online registration form.
Once you have confirmation of your registration, you must book timed tickets up to two months in advance. Even with a ticket, you must queue, as security and identification checks are required. Please bring a photo ID, or you will be refused entry.
You can register at the ticket office opposite, but tickets are not always available. It’s popular and free, so you can bet last-minute booking is always busy. Bear in mind this is an operational governmental building, and they can cancel bookings at the last minute depending on parliamentary business, weather conditions, or security situations.
Florence, Italy
I haven’t been to Florence, but it’s at the top of my bucket list. Sitting in central Italy, it has fantastic connections to Milan and Rome, the capital of Italy. Florence is renowned for its collection of Renaissance art and magnificent architecture. This romantic city is a popular getaway for couples, families, and solo travelers alike.
Some of the main attractions in Florence include the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Galleria dell’Accademia, and both are surprisingly simple to purchase tickets at the last minute. Still, we wouldn’t recommend it. But there is one museum that you must plan for.
Uffizi Gallery
Peak Season
Spring and Summer (April to September)
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Art Aficionados, History Enthusiasts, Cultural Explorers, Renaissance Admirers
The Uffizi Gallery is the most popular museum in Italy, aside from those inside the walls of the Vatican City. Uffizi is home to an outstanding collection of artwork from the 14th century and beyond. Some of their masterpieces include works by Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo, Raffaello, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio. The “Birth of Venus” is possibly the most famous piece in the Uffizi collection.
In 2022, it was the 16th most visited museum in the world, with over 2.2 million visitors walking through its doors. For such a famous art gallery, there needs to be some planning involved. It’s best to book your ticket in advance and set aside time for this visit, which will take around three hours.
Last-minute tickets are limited, but not as limited as the other museums on this list. Even with a pre-booked ticket, queues are possible. Time slots are given, so be sure to adhere to them, and refunds are not offered.
Granada, Spain
Granada is in southern Spain, just over an hour’s drive north of the Costa Granadina coast. It is a city in the Andalusia region of Spain. Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Although it is a popular place, it isn’t as busy as most cities on this list. However, one sight here commands a lot of attention and visitors.
Alhambra
Peak Season
Spring (April to June), Summer (July to August)
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History Enthusiasts, Architecture Admirers, Cultural Explorers, Photography Aficionados
The Alhambra is a fortified palace, one of the best preserved and famous palaces in the Islamic world. Building began in the 13th century, and it is now one of Spain’s most iconic attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This majestic sprawling temple draws crowds in from all over the world and can get very crowded.
Although parts of the palace and gardens are free to enter, most of the attraction requires a fee. Although you can buy tickets on the day, this is never guaranteed. And unlike a city, you can’t just peddle off and see another must-see sight, as Alhambra is the star of the show. If you’ve taken the time to get to Granada to see the Alhambra, it’s best to book in advance.
Lisse, Netherlands
Keukenhof Gardens is a famous flower garden in the Netherlands. However, few travelers know that the world-famous flowers stretch beyond these iconic gardens. “Bollenstreek” is the name for the entire flower region, which spans from Amsterdam to The Hague.
Thanks to the perfect growing conditions, this area is full of more flower fields than you could ever dream of! As the flowering bulbs season only runs from March to May, your flower trip requires meticulous planning.
Keukenhof Gardens
Peak Season
Late March to Mid-May
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Flower Enthusiasts, Nature Lovers, Photography Aficionados, Garden Admirers, Cultural Explorers
The Keukenhof Gardens is a world-renowned, vibrant attraction in Lisse. As the gardens are only open to the public over two or three months during bloom time, there are a limited number of spaces for a huge number of nature lovers. This destination is fabulous for the young and old, which is another reason for attracting a vast audience.
You must book tickets on the Keukenhof website a few months in advance as they sell out before the season begins. Tickets for the popular Flower Parade are usually the first to book up, and bear in mind the roads close for half of this day. Tickets cannot be refunded, and you must arrive in the tightly allocated timeslot.
For those looking to turn up on the day, you risk waiting for hours in the hope of space. Unfortunately, this is what I did, and we were turned away as the queue was three hours long and closing time was less than three hours away.
Sadly, I was visiting Anne Franks’s house the following day, which was my last, so I had no opportunity to see the flowers. To say I was immensely sad is an understatement. Visiting the tulip fields is still high on my bucket list.
London, United Kingdom
London is England’s capital and largest city and is a very popular place to visit. It sits on the River Thames in the southeast of England. I grew up 30 minutes away from the city and spent much of my childhood visiting London on the weekend. I have seen most of what London has to offer, but there are three sights that you can’t just show up for. Planning is crucial if you want to see them.
Buckingham Palace
Peak Season
Summer Months (July to September)
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History Enthusiasts, Royal Watchers, Cultural Explorers, Architecture Admirers
Buckingham Palace is the royal residence of the monarch, and it is located in the City of Westminster. Visitors come here to see the palace, the Changing of the Guard ceremony, and to join in with any major UK celebrations. Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms, many of which you can explore.
The palace usually opens from July through September for general admission tickets. Booking in advance ensures entry, and tickets are cheaper, too. You can buy tickets on the day but queue times can be well over an hour, which eats into your traveling time to discover the rest of London. For guided tours, tickets are available on specific dates throughout the year, and these must be pre-booked.
Harry Potter Studios
Peak Season
School Holidays, Weekends, Special Events and Film Releases
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Harry Potter Fans, Movie Enthusiasts, Families With Children, Wizardry Aficionados
Who wouldn’t want to visit the Harry Potter Studios, walk in his footsteps, and discover the secrets of the Wizarding World? The studios aren’t technically in London but in Watford, an hour and a half drive northwest of central London.
This is reason enough to book a ticket in advance because a round trip takes at least three hours. You will likely be sent away if you turn up on the day.
You can get there by train or coach or purchase a transfer ticket where a double-decker bus will pick you up from central London. The website states you must pre-book tickets online, as most tickets are sold out daily, even during non-peak times. You can’t get a refund, but you can change the date of your ticket for an admin fee, subject to availability.
Houses Of Parliament
Peak Season
Year-Round
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History Enthusiasts, Architecture Admirers, Political Buffs, Cultural Explorers, Riverfront Strollers
The Houses Of Parliament is one of the most famous buildings in the world, and it offers several different tours. The various tours run on different days, so it’s essential to pick the tour you’d like to take and book a ticket in advance. You can book tickets online via the Houses of Parliament website, telephone, or at the desk, but the latter is risky.
One of the tours includes going up the tower of Big Ben, but you need to plan for this option. Tickets go on sale on the second Wednesday of every month at 10 am (CEST) for tours in three months.
They sell out super quickly. If you can book this tour, I highly recommend it. Seeing the clock from the inside, climbing the tower, and hearing all the mechanisms and chimes was a tremendous experience.
Milan, Italy
Milan is a city in central northern Italy and the country’s economic hub. This famous Italian city is known worldwide for its focus on fashion and design and is one of the four fashion capitals in the world. The others are New York, London, and Paris.
Milan is full of beautiful buildings and intricate architecture. And as a lover of design, this city is packed to the brim with artwork, too, including one of the most famous paintings in the world. And this is where you need to plan.
Santa Maria delle Grazie
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Year-Round
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Art Enthusiasts, History Buffs, Religious Pilgrims, Cultural Explorers, Architecture Admirers
You may never have heard of Santa Maria delle Grazie, but I bet you’ve heard of “The Last Supper.” This famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci, depicting Christ’s last meal with his apostles, is considered one of the most important masterpieces ever made. This is why many travelers flock to see it at Santa Maria delle Grazie.
Tickets go on sale on the website months in advance at a specific date and time. So, you need to do a little investigation and planning if you want to visit. There are strict requirements to enter too, so you have to take care on the day.
You must be at the desk at least 30 minutes before your ticket. Otherwise, you automatically lose your reservation. For conservation reasons relating to air control, you are only allowed 15 minutes to see “The Last Supper,” where you’ll be escorted out to enjoy the rest of the building.
Paris, France
Paris is one of the most popular cities on the planet, not to mention one of the busiest. Whether you’re an artist or fashionista or love striking architecture or tasty food, there’s something here for everyone.
Paris is the capital city of France and lies in the northern central area, making it a top destination no matter where you are in Europe. I have been to Paris three times, and here are the attractions you must pre-book for.
Catacombs
Peak Season
Year-Round
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History Enthusiasts, Macabre Curiosities Seekers, Cultural Explorers
The Catacombs might sound like an eerie place to visit that many people would want to avoid. But you might be surprised to learn it is one of the most popular attractions in the city. The average wait time to see the underworld is three hours during busy periods.
But with a pre-booked timeslot, you can skip the queue. Tickets are only available to book on their website up to seven days in advance, so be sure to add this to your vacation to-do list. They do not allow exchanges or refunds, and if you’re late, entry is not guaranteed.
Eiffel Tower
Peak Season
Summer Months (June to August)
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Romantic Couples, Photography Aficionados, Architecture Enthusiasts, Cultural Explorers
The Eiffel Tower is the icon of Paris, and you must visit it once in your life. As you might expect, the queues for those who haven’t planned their trip are incredibly long. Please, don’t waste your precious time in Paris.
Instead, pre-book your ticket on the official Eiffel Tower website. Tickets are usually on sale months in advance and are booked quickly. If you buy your tickets at the office on the day, you aren’t always guaranteed to make it to the top floor, as guest numbers are limited for safety reasons.
Louvre Museum
Peak Season
Year-Round
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Art Enthusiasts, History Buffs, Culture Seekers, Museum Aficionados, Family Visitors
The Louvre Museum is the most famous art museum in the world. In 2022, 7.7 million visitors passed through their doors. So, it goes without saying that you must pre-book your ticket to avoid lengthy queues and disappointment.
When I visited Paris the second time, the queues were already several hours long by 9 am. Remember that, like most museums in Paris, the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.
Rome, Italy
Rome is the capital city of Italy and is located on the central western side of the peninsula. This magnificent city is brimming with history and is one of the most romantic cities in the world. It is rich in archeological and artistic treasures, as well as stunning views and majestic villas.
I have been to Rome once, but I would love to go again to explore all the attractions I couldn’t pack into my visit. Here are the three attractions you must plan if you want to see them.
Roman Colosseum
Peak Season
Spring and Early Fall (April to June, September to October)
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History Enthusiasts, Architecture Admirers, Cultural Explorers, Photography Aficionados
The Colosseum is to Rome as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. As the city’s number one attraction, it can get very crowded. So, pre-planning a visit here is crucial. In 2023, the Colosseum opened a second ticket office to cope with the demand, and queues are still very long. Tickets can be bought a month in advance via the official Colosseum website.
Different types of tickets are available, giving access to various aspects of the structure. Some tickets do not permit entry into the Roman Forum or the Attic, so you must plan what you want to see. You cannot change your ticket once it is purchased.
Unlike other attractions, at the time of writing, you can visit the Colosseum any time during the day of your pass, making your visit less strict.
Pantheon
Peak Season
April to October
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History Buffs, Architectural Enthusiasts, Cultural Enthusiasts, Art and History Students
The Pantheon is a former Roman temple and one of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings in the world. Its historical importance, grand structure, and exquisite decoration make it a top attraction for anyone visiting this beautiful city.
The queues were shorter than others on this list, but they can be longer than an hour in peak times. Pre-book your ticket on the Pantheon website up to a year in advance. You are required to choose a time slot that you must stick to. Otherwise, you are not guaranteed entry.
Vatican City, Italy
A trip to Rome is only complete with visiting the Vatican City. The Vatican City is technically a country in its own right, even though it is located inside Rome.
It is the smallest country in the world, but it is one of the most visited places in Europe. It is where the Roman Catholic Church has its headquarters and is a prominent site for pilgrimages and anyone excited by history or art.
I have visited the Vatican City once, but I would love to return as it was immensely beautiful. There are two entrances to the city, and you don’t need photo identification to get in. To see the city is free, but to get into the most popular reason people visit, you should pre-book your tickets.
Vatican Museums
Peak Season
April to October
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Art Lovers, Cultural Enthusiasts, History Buffs, Museum-Goers, Families, Photography Aficionados
After the Louvre, the Vatican Museum was the world’s second most-visited art museum in 2022. The museums were established in the 16th century and now boast a collection of 70,000 pieces of art. The Sistine Chapel, adorned with Michelangelo’s famous fresco ceiling, is just one of the amazing masterpieces you must see to believe and feel its magic.
There are different types of tickets to choose from. The Sistine Chapel is part of the museum’s collection. Entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica is free, but you must pay to see its unique features, such as the dome and rooftop.
If you can, a climb of the dome and onto the rooftop is a must, as the views are spectacular. But expect lengthy queues if you don’t pre-book tickets.
Key Takeaways
So, there you have it, the most popular European sights you must plan for before you visit. There is nothing worse than being excited to see an attraction you’ve waited so long for or traveled so far to see to be told there are no tickets left. It’s happened to me several times, and I would hate for anyone to miss out on something like I did with the Keukenhof Gardens. Even if it does give you an excuse to return!
Remember, planning isn’t just about pre-booking tickets. Most attractions now require you to be there at a specific time, and you cannot be early or too late.
Although many of these sights have free entry on certain days, such as the first Sunday of every month, you still have to reserve a ticket. As you can see, planning an itinerary for your trip is more important than ever before. But by planning your journey, you can be sure you won’t waste time queuing or, more importantly, miss a thing!
