Choose from 4,530 Fun Things to Do in Europe
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Christmas Market (Christkindelsmarik)
Held in the city’s Old Town since 1570, the Strasbourg Christmas Market (Christkindelsmarik) is France’s oldest one and among the oldest in Europe, drawing up to 2 million annual visitors over the festive season. Strasbourg is renowned as one of the most atmospheric holiday destinations in France, as the Grande Île is adorned with dazzling illuminations, a giant Christmas tree is erected on Place Kléber and an open-air ice-skating rink opens on Place du Château. The historic market, however, is the focal point of the city’s seasonal entertainment.
Kicking off at the end of November each year, more than 300 traditional wooden chalets take over Place Broglie, selling an array of handcrafted gifts, Christmas decorations and seasonal produce. Enjoy live carolers, street bands and festive lightshows while sipping a steaming cup of Vin chaud (mulled wine), then take a break from Christmas shopping to tuck into local specialties like baeckeoffe stew.
Practical Info
The Strasbourg Christmas Market is located on Place Broglie on Strasbourg’s Grande Île and is held annually from the end of November until the end of the year. The market is typically open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day except Christmas Day.
Address: Place Broglie, Strasbourg, France
Hours: Held annually from the end of November until the end of the year. The market is typically open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day except Christmas Day.
From $ 46
Choral Temple (Templul Coral)
One of the first synagogues in Bucharest was the Choral Temple, which was completed in 1857 by architects Enderle and Freiwald; it is a copy of the Leopoldstadt-Tempelgasse Great Synagogue in Vienna and has a façade decorated in Moorish style with yellow-and-red patterned brickwork. A wealthy Jewish community was established in the city by the mid-16th century but never lived in complete harmony with its Romanian neighbors. In 1593, many were killed during a rebellion against the city’s Ottoman overlords and unrest continued to rumble for several centuries.
Several years after the Choral Temple was built, it was destroyed in a pogrom and rebuilt in 1866. Even with the destruction, the city’s Jewish population continued to grow. By 1930, it numbered 74,480 while the pogroms and indiscriminate killings continued. During World War II, all Bucharest’s synagogues were closed down and many thousands of Romanian Jews were sent to their deaths in Transnistria and Bessarabia. Following the war, Jewish numbers in the city swelled with refugees from other eastern European countries but uncertainty under the autocratic rule of Nicolae Ceaușescu led to mass immigration to Israel.
With the collapse of Communism, a memorial was erected outside the synagogue in 1991 to commemorate the thousands of Romanian Jews who died in the Holocaust, and in 2006, a painstaking restoration of its interior was undertaken; the synagogue finally reopened in December 2014 with its Moorish tiles, carved wooden balconies and heavy chandeliers gleaming once more.
Practical Info
Strada Sfânta Vineri 9. Open for services Sun–Fri 8am & 7pm; Sat 8.30am & 7pm; admission free. Take the metro to Piata Unirii.
Address: Strada Sfânta Vineri 9, Bucharest, Bucharest Municipality 30202, Romania
Hours: Daily 7am–8pm
From $ 22
Christiansborg Palace (Christiansborg Slot)
Once the principal residence of Danish monarchs, Christiansborg Palace is now the beating heart of Denmark’s government—home to the country’s parliament, prime minister’s office, and supreme court. Christiansborg is one of Copenhagen’s most iconic landmarks, holding over 800 years of Danish history.
The Basics
The Christiansborg Palace (Christiansborg Slot) welcomes visitors by guided tour, allowing you to stroll through the Throne Room, where Danish monarchs are crowned; the richly decorated Queen’s Library; the grand Royal Banqueting Hall; and the Great Hall, where a series of tapestries chronicle Denmark’s past. You can also tour the Royal Stables, Palace Chapel, parliament buildings, and on-site Theatre Museum. Beneath the palace foundations, you can explore a series of ancient ruins that date back to the Middle Ages.
Most Copenhagen city tours include a stop at the iconic palace, whether you want to explore the city on foot, Segway, or bus. Entrance to the palace is by guided tour only. Admission is free with a Copenhagen Card, though you must purchase separate tickets for the Royal Reception Rooms, Royal Stables, Royal Kitchen, and ruins.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Christiansborg Palace is a must for first-time visitors to Copenhagen, especially those who love history, architecture, and all things royal.
- Large bags, strollers, and umbrellas are not allowed in the Royal Reception Rooms. Cloakrooms and lockers are located next to the ticket office.
- There is free Wi-Fi at the palace tower’s viewing platform and upscale restaurant.
- The palace is accessible to wheelchair users. Visitors should call in advance to reserve the use of wheelchairs and walkers.
How to Get There
Christiansborg Palace is located on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen. There is very limited parking in the area around Christiansborg, so it’s best to arrive on foot or via public transportation. Multiple city buses stop at the palace, and the nearest metro station is Kongens Nytorv, located within a 10-minute walk of the palace.
When to Get There
Christiansborg Palace is open year-round but occasionally closes for official political and royal functions. Opt for an early-morning visit to avoid crowds, especially during July and August.
Copenhagen’s Royal Abodes
Although Amalienborg Palace is now the official royal residence, the Danish royal family was based in Christiansborg Palace until 1794. Rosenborg Palace in Copenhagen and Frederiksborg Palace in Hillerød—both built by King Christian IV in the early 17th century—are also former royal residences.
Address: Christiansborg Slotsplads, Copenhagen, Denmark
Admission: DKK 150
From $ 21
Chiesa San Giuseppe
Experience some of the best of Sicilian Baroque architecture by heading to Ragusa’s old town, called Ragusa Ibla, where you’ll find Chiesa San Giuseppe, or San Giuseppe Church. Dating back to the 1700s, it was constructed atop an earlier church, which was destroyed by the earthquake of 1693.
Its impressive façade, featuring an elaborate Baroque bell town, is very much the star of Piazza Pola. The oval-shaped interior dazzles too, complete with a frescoed cupola, and — take note — high-up wooden grate-covered lookouts from which the nuns can participate in services. If you like what you see here, head to nearby Chiesa San Giorgio, which features a similarly extravagant façade — so similar in fact, that it is believed that the church’s designer, Gagliardi, also designed Chiesa San Giuseppe.
Practical Info
Chiesa San Giuseppe is located in Ragusa’s old town, called Ragusa Ibla. Regular buses make their way to Ragusa from Catania, Syracuse and Modica.
Address: Piazza Pola, Ragusa 97100, Italy
From $ 60
Christ Church Cathedral
One of the oldest buildings in Dublin, Christ Church Cathedral is located in the former medieval heart of the city. Founded in 1030 by Sitric, King of the Dublin Norsemen, the grand cathedral (also known as The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity) has long been a place of pilgrimage for Ireland's devout. Incorporated into the Irish Church in 1152, today it's the seat of both the Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic archbishops of Dublin.
Renowned for its design, on a one-hour tour you'll get to explore the interior, keeping a look out for its famous stained glass windows, the smaller chapels behind the main altar, and the secret underground floor. You'll get an insight into the history of the cathedral, and hear the strange tale of the mummified cat and rat. You'll visit the crypt — one of the largest and oldest in Britain and Ireland, and also get to have a go at ringing the bells of Christ Church Cathedral in the belfry.
Practical Info
Fifteen minutes' walk from Heuston rail station, Christ Church Cathedral is open 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday (till 7pm in summer), and from 12:30-2pm on Sunday (with extended hours in spring and summer). Last admission is 45 minutes before closing. Adult tickets cost €6; family tickets are available. Guided tours take place Monday-Friday every hour on the hour from 11am-4pm, and every hour on the hour from 2-4pm on Saturday.
Address: Christchurch Place, Dublin, Ireland
Hours: Vary
Admission: Adults: €6
From $ 8
Christ Church College
The largest and arguably most renowned of Oxford’s many colleges, the hallowed halls and exquisite cathedral of Christ Church College have a long and illustrious history. Founded by Cardinal Thomas Woolsey in 1524, the grandiose complex includes architectural highlights like Sir Christopher Wren’s Great Tom bell tower and the Great Hall, where King Charles I held court during the English Civil War. Despite being just one of 38 colleges, for many visitors to Oxford, Christ Church is synonymous with Oxford University. Today, the legendary buildings see almost as many tourists as they do students.
Christ Church’s esteemed alumni include philosopher John Locke, Albert Einstein, architects John Ruskin and Sir Christopher Wren and former Prime Minister William Gladstone. But its academic resume isn’t the only string to its bow. The prestigious college has also made its mark in popular culture, starring as the now-iconic Great Hall of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies and housing the world’s largest collection of work by alumnus Lewis Carroll. Incidentally, Carroll's classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was written for Alice Liddell, daughter of the then-Dean of Christ Church.
Practical Info
Christ Church College is located just south of Oxford city center, and the college grounds, main hall and cathedral are all open to the public, with first admission at 10:30 a.m. and last admission at 4:15 p.m. (The hall and cathedral are typically closed over lunchtime). Adult admission costs £7 during the winter months and £9 in the summer months. Discounted entry is offered if the hall or cathedral is closed at the time of visiting.
Address: St Aldate's, Oxford OX1 1DP, England
Hours: Opens daily at 10:30 a.m.; last entry at 4:15 p.m.
Admission: £7 in winter; £9 insummer
From $ 16
Christian's Harbor (Christianshavn)
With its colorful painted buildings and boats passing by, Christian’s Harbor (Christianshavn) is one of Copenhagen’s most picturesque areas. Laid out as a town for the merchants that traded goods with other European cities, the area is now a thriving hub with homes, businesses, trendy cafes, and restaurants.
The Basics
With tall, thin houses running alongside canals, Christian’s Harbor reminds many visitors of Amsterdam, and city planners were, in fact, inspired by the Dutch city. The neighborhood is popular with tourists who come to stroll the streets on a city tour or take a boat cruise along the canals. Several popular landmarks, including the famous Church of Our Savior with its twisting spire, the Royal Danish Opera House, and the Overgaden Institute for Contemporary Art, are nearby.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Christian’s Harbor can be reached by walking over the Knippelsbro bridge or cycling along the Inderhavnsbro bridge.
- Bring your camera—the colorful houses make great photo subjects.
- Climbing the 400 steps to the top of the church tower is a popular activity.
- The area is wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
Christian’s Harbor is located in central Copenhagen and is easy to access from other major points downtown on foot or by bike. The nearest metro stop is Christianshavn. Guided tours also visit the area with transport provided.
When to Get There
A city neighborhood, Christianshavn is open to the public 24 hours a day year-round. The various museums, concert venues, cafés, and restaurants in the area have varying opening times.
Visit the Freetown of Christiania
Christianshavn is also home to Christiania, the partly self-governing Freetown famous for its anarchistic history and famously relaxed attitude to cannabis use. The village is home to around 1,000 residents who reclaimed the land from a military barracks in the 1970s and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors per year. Residents themselves built the many homes, with eco-friendly credentials as an important focus.
Address: Copenhagen 1420, Denmark
Admission: Free
From $ 141
Christ the Savior Cathedral
The Christ the Savior Cathedral was originally commissioned by Tsar Alexander I after Russia’s defeat of Napoleon, but work did not begin on it until 1839. Designed by a famed St Petersburg architect, it was modeled on the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
The cathedral was eventually consecrated in 1883, but its tenure was short-lived as the Soviets destroyed it in 1931 to make way for what would have been a Grand Palace of Soviets. However, the palace was never built and instead a swimming pool stood in its place for several decades. In the mid-1990s, Moscow’s mayor joined with the Russian Orthodox Church to rebuild the cathedral and construction began in 1994.
With donations from more than a million Moscow residents, the new church followed the original design, but with modern day improvements. At 103 meters tall, it is the tallest Orthodox church in the world and can accommodate nearly 10,000 church-goers. A highlight for visitors is undoubtedly the panoramic view from a 40-meter-high observation platform inside the bell tower.
Practical Info
The Christ the Savior Cathedral is located at Volkhonka ulitsa 15, on the north bank of the Moscow River and just a short walk from the Kropotkinskaya Metro station. It is open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Monday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Address: ulitsa Volkhonka, 15, Moscow, Russia
Hours: Mondays 1pm-5pm; Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm
From $ 27
Chocholów
Chocolow is a tiny village sitting on the border with Slovakia in southern Poland with a great view of the surrounding Tatras Mountains. Dating back to the 16th century, the village has long been home to the indigenous Goral people and today represents the most complete survival of a traditional Goral village. As such, it has the feeling of an open air museum, with one main street lined with traditional wooden houses. The houses are protected by the Tatra Museum in nearby Zakopane and cannot be altered. They are also kept in pristine condition, with annual cleaning and polishes. The home at #24 is said to have been made entirely from a single tree, and the home at #75 features a small museum about the 1846 uprising in Chocholow against Austrian rule.
The only non-wooden building in town is St. Hyacinth’s Church, a stone Gothic church that was built to replace a wooden one in the 19th century. Next to the church is a monument to the Chocholow insurgents from the 1846 uprising, from where a hiking trail begins leading up to Mount Gubalowka.
Practical Info
Chocholow is a main border crossing point with Slovakia. It can be visited as part of a day tour from Zakopane or Krakow and can be reached by regular bus connections from Krakow.
Address: Chocholów, Poland
From $ 44
Chillon Castle (Château de Chillon)
Chillon Castle (Chateau de Chillon), a medieval castle on the banks of Lake Geneva, is one of Switzerland’s most visited attractions. Travelers come to find out more about its fascinating history—it was used as a defensive outpost, a summer home for the dukes of Savoy, and a state-run prison.
The Basics
The castle, which has watched over Lake Geneva for more than 1,000 years, started out as a Roman outpost guarding a strategic pass through the Alps. The fortified castle with its steep roofs and stone turrets is surrounded by water and is only accessible via a drawbridge walkway.
Tour the state rooms and secret passages, explore the gloomy dungeons, and get a sense of what life would have been like for residents many hundreds of years ago. Panoramic views of the surrounding lake and the Swiss Alps top off the experience on this historic day out. A visit to Chillon Castle can also be combined with a trip to the towns of Montreux or Lausanne as part of a daylong tour. If you’re touring independently, prebook admission so you can skip the line upon arrival.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Swiss Travel Pass or Museum Pass holders receive free entry into the castle.
- Discounted tickets are available for students, seniors, and children.
- Baggage storage lockers can be found on-site.
- There is a snack bar selling food and drinks on-site, plus two restaurants within easy walking distance.
- The castle is not suitable for people with limited mobility, as there are steep steps and uneven floors.
- To see more of Lake Geneva, book a boat cruise that visits the castle along with other lakeside attractions.
How to Get There
Chillon Castle, on the banks of Lake Geneva, is a short distance outside the town of Lausanne. Free car parking is available on-site. Trains run regularly from Montreux to neighboring Veytaux-Chillon, and buses also stop nearby. Guided tours with round-trip transfers are also available.
When to Get There
The castle is open every day, except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Opening hours are 9am–7pm in the summer, with reduced hours in the winter months.
Walk in Poet Lord Byron’s Footsteps
English poet Lord Byron was so inspired by his visit to Chillon Castle that he wrote one of his most famous works about the castle’s dungeon—The Prisoner of Chillon. Keep an eye out for Byron’s name carved into the dungeon wall and the deep groove in the floor caused by the constant pacing of dukes of Savoy enemy François Bonivard, who was imprisoned here for six years.
Address: 21 Avenue de Chillon, Veytaux, Lake Geneva 1820, Switzerland
Admission: Varies
From $ 19
Choco Story
A visit to the museum of chocolate, Choco Story is best reserved for only the most serious of cocoa bean aficionados. The museum’s exhibits run through centuries of the history of chocolate, from the Mayans to the present, and cover every step of the chocolate-making process, from the field to the grocery store shelf, in such painstaking detail that you might find yourself skipping the history lesson and heading straight for the museum shop to stock up on sweets.
If you stick with the tour, however, you will find that weighty historical detail is livened up with displays of antique chocolate-related equipment; a fun cartoon character that explains the virtues and purported health benefits of chocolate, and demonstrations of chocolatiers at work. Best of all, visitors get a sample of the freshly made pralines at the end.
The museum is located in Bruges’ city center, not far from The Burg and the market square, and tours are offered every day. If you have some extra time, you can join a chocolate-making workshop at the museum and learn how to make your very own pralines and truffles.
If you stick with the tour, however, you will find that weighty historical detail is livened up with displays of antique chocolate-related equipment; a fun cartoon character that explains the virtues and purported health benefits of chocolate, and demonstrations of chocolatiers at work. Best of all, visitors get a sample of the freshly made pralines at the end.
The museum is located in Bruges’ city center, not far from The Burg and the market square, and tours are offered every day. If you have some extra time, you can join a chocolate-making workshop at the museum and learn how to make your very own pralines and truffles.
Address: Wijnzakstraat 2 (Sint-Jansplein) 8000, Bruges, Belgium
Hours: Open from 10am- 5pm every day
Admission: Adults: €7 Groups, 65+, Student: €6 Children (6-11 year): €4 Children < 6 year: Free
From $ 9
Church of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk)
The soaring 400-foot (122-meter) spire-topped brick steeple of the Church of Our Lady – the city’s tallest structure – lends itself to commanding views of Bruges. The spire dominates the Bruges skyline and can be seen from all over the city, while from inside the tower, on a clear day, you can see across Belgium as far as the Netherlands.
The church was built over two centuries (13th-15th) and houses a substantial collection of artworks. The most celebrated of the church’s art collection is a white marble sculpture of the Madonna and Child, created by Michaelangelo in the early 16th century – it is one of the very few Michaelangelo pieces that can be seen outside of Italy. The Church of Our Lady also holds an oil painting depiction of the crucifixion by the Flemish Baroque artist Anthony van Dyck, and a rococo pulpit by Bruges artist Jan Antoon Garemijn.
Behind the altar, in the choir space, you will find the twin gilded bronze tomb sculptures of the duke of Burgundy, Charles the Bold and his daughter, Mary of Burgundy. A windowpane underneath the tombs offers a view of the 13th- and 14th-century graves of priests.
The church was built over two centuries (13th-15th) and houses a substantial collection of artworks. The most celebrated of the church’s art collection is a white marble sculpture of the Madonna and Child, created by Michaelangelo in the early 16th century – it is one of the very few Michaelangelo pieces that can be seen outside of Italy. The Church of Our Lady also holds an oil painting depiction of the crucifixion by the Flemish Baroque artist Anthony van Dyck, and a rococo pulpit by Bruges artist Jan Antoon Garemijn.
Behind the altar, in the choir space, you will find the twin gilded bronze tomb sculptures of the duke of Burgundy, Charles the Bold and his daughter, Mary of Burgundy. A windowpane underneath the tombs offers a view of the 13th- and 14th-century graves of priests.
The church is centrally located, close to the Memling Museum, and is open to visitors for limited hours, seven days a week. There is a small fee to enter and see the tombs and artworks.
Address: Mariastraat 8000, Bruges, Belgium
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-12:30pm, 1:30pm-5pm; Sat 9am-12:30pm, 1:30pm-4pm; Sun 1:30pm-4pm
Admission: €2.50 adults, €1.50 children
From $ 21
Church and Crypt of Ayios Dimitrios
Thessaloniki is home to one of the world’s largest caches of Byzantine architectural treasures, thanks to the city being ruled by Constantinople from the fifth century AD to the 13th. The empire’s legacy can be seen in what’s left of the city walls; in the many Byzantine churches; in Latomou Monastery and, most importantly, in the church and crypt of Ayios Dimitrios. Named after the city’s patron saint, the Christian martyr Dimitrios, the church started life as a small temple – itself built over the
remains of a Roman baths complex – in the fourth century and under Byzantine rule it took its present shape as a five-aisled basilica, built of stone with layers of arcaded windows and two stumpy towers. In the Middle Ages Thessaloniki became part of the Ottoman Empire; in 1493 Ayios Dimitrios was transformed into a mosque and its original Christian frescoes and mosaics were plastered over. It remained a mosque until the liberation of the city in 1912, but burnt down five years later. Restoration
took several decades and the church finally reopened in 1949, with only a few surviving relics of its original decoration, including the glittering seventh-century mosaics around the altar. The subterranean crypt was rediscovered after the 1917 fire and houses the silver reliquary of St Dimitrios as well as a museum showcasing early Christian and Byzantine sculptures, coins and fragments of pottery rescued from the blaze.
Practical Info
Agiou Dimitriou Street 97, Thessaloniki. Open: basilica daily
8am–10pm; crypt Mon 1.30pm–7.30pm; Tue–Thur, Sun 8am–7.30pm; Fri 9am–11pm. Admission free. No shorts or sleeveless shirts. Best reached on foot in about five minutes from the railway station.
Address: Agiou Dimitriou Street 97, Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia 54631, Greece
Hours: Basilica: Daily 8am–10pm; Crypt: Mon 1.30pm–7.30pm; Tue–Thur, Sun 8am–7.30pm; Fri 9am–11pm
From $ 29
Chrissi Island
Measuring just 4.35 miles (7 kilometers) long and 1.25 miles (2 kilometers) at its widest point, Chrissi Island, also known as Gaidouronisi, is small but undoubtedly lovely. This protected nature reserve off Crete’s south coast is blessed with pristine beaches, shallow snorkel-friendly waters, and swaths of old cedar forest.
The Basics
Chrissi Island is a popular day trip from Crete, with visitors coming here to relax amid unspoiled surroundings. Departing from Heraklion and Ierapetra, day tours typically include boat transport to and from Chrissi Island, and free time on the island to do as you wish. Lounge on the pink-tinged sands—the result of crushed shells—or explore the island’s scant Minoan ruins and a 13th-century chapel. The island’s calm shallow waters also lend themselves well to snorkeling.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Chrissi Island is a must for beach lovers.
- A small tavern is located on the island, but prices can be high so you may want to bring your own food and snacks.
- Bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
How to Get There
Chrissi island is situated about 9 miles (14.50 kilometers) south of Ierapetra, on the Greek island of Crete. Boats run from the quay in Ierapetra.
When to Get There
Boats depart from around mid-May through October. If you’re coming here for beach time, the best weather is usually between June and September. The island sees the most tourists arrive in July and August. During these months, arrive early in the day to get in ahead of the crowds.
The Beaches of Chrissi Island
Most boats pull into a small harbor near Chrissi Island’s South Beach, where you’ll find umbrellas, cedars, and shallow waters for swimming. Just a short walk from the harbor is Belegrina Beach, where gorgeous pink-tinged sands (caused by the many shell fragments broken up into them), are met by translucent waters. Walking west from here, you’ll reach the secluded beach of Hatzivolakas; swim shoes are advised here as the seabed is rocky.
Address: Chrysi Island, Greece, Greece
From $ 64
Chocolate Museum (Museu de la Xocolata)
This delicious museum tells the story of chocolate across Europe, including its history, trade, manufacturing, and various uses. It traces the origins back to South America, when cacao beans were first brought to Europe by Spanish conquistadores. Since the 15th century chocolate played an important role in Barcelona’s economy, with the import and export through its port. Historically the city soldiers were even given pieces of chocolate with bread for breakfast.
It is one of the city’s smaller museums, but is in the top ten in terms of visitors. Fun chocolate experiences, from sculpting or painting with chocolate, are on display. Many of the sculptures are famous Barcelona landmarks made of chocolate. Those who visit do indeed receive a piece of chocolate upon entering, but the smell of chocolate permeates long before then. Tastings are very much part of the experience, so be sure to come hungry.
Practical Info
The Chocolate Museum is open daily at Carrer de Comerc 36, from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm and from 10 am to 3 pm on Sundays, with extended hours in the summer. The closest metro stop is Arc de Triomf. Admission is 5 euro.
Address: Carrer de Comerc 36, Barcelona, Spain
Hours: Vary
Admission: 5 euro
From $ 7
Chiesa Nuova (Santa Maria in Vallicella)
Chiesa Nuova, considered one of the great baroque churches of Rome, houses important paintings like Pietro da Cortona's Trinity in Glory and Assumption of the Virgin, along with altarpieces by Peter Paul Rubens and Barocci.
The Basics
Dubbed the “New Church” after being rebuilt in 1575 by St. Philip Neri, Chiesa Nuova—also known as the Church of Santa Maria in Vallicella—has a counter-reformation design with a single nave decorated by Pietro da Cortona's Miracle of the Madonna della Vallicella. Adjacent to the church is the Casa dei Filippini, home to an oratory designed by the Baroque architect Francesco Borromini.
Chiesa Nuova is a highlight of any walking tour of Rome's baroque churches, which also include the Church of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini and the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, in addition to Bernini's statues along Ponte Sant'Angelo.
Things to Know Before You Go
- To enter the church, visitors must wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees.
- Walking tours of Rome's baroque churches require a significant amount of time on your feet, so wear comfortable shoes, a hat, and sunscreen.
- The church is not accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
- Photography without flash is permitted inside the church.
How to Get There
The church is located on the Piazza Chiesa Nuova along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, a short walk down Via del Governo Vecchio from Piazza Navona and midway between St. Peter's Basilica and Piazza Venezia. A number of city busses stop just outside Chiesa Nuova.
When to Get There
Saint Filippo Neri is one of the patron saints of Italy's capital city. On and May 26, his feast day, Chiesa Nuova holds several masses and celebrations in his honor.
Caravaggio and Chiesa Nuova
An altarpiece Caravaggio originally created for Chiesa Nuova only remained in the church for a short time before a Pope took a liking to it and brought it to the Vatican, where it continues to live today at the Vatican’s art museum.
Address: Via del Governo Vecchio, 134, Rome, Italy
From $ 72
Chinese and Japanese Towers
King Leopold II wanted famous structures from around the world represented on his royal estate at Laeken, and architect Alexandre Marcel undertook the project with these two towers representing Japan and China. It is said that King Leopold was inspired by his visit to the 1900 Exhibition in Paris. The towers were completed in 1904, built entirely of wood, and connected by tunnel. The woodwork was completed by specialists from Shanghai and Yokohama, and on display are both Chinese and Japanese arts and artifacts dating back to the 17th century.
The area around both structures is surrounded by a lush garden, fit for picnics. The distinct cultural styles of both the Chinese pavilion and the Japanese pagoda makes them stand out amongst the rest of the city’s architecture. Standing tall in red and with adjacent wooden pavilions, the towers are unique parts of Brussels that are not to be missed.
Practical Info
The Chinese Pavilion and Japanese Tower is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, closed on Mondays and public holidays. The site is located at Avenue Van Praetlaan 44. Take tram 3 or 23 there, or the closest metro station is Heysel.
Address: Avenue Van Praetlaan 44, Brussels, Belgium
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, closed on Mondays and public holidays.
From $ 34
Church of Immaculate Conception
The Church of Immaculate Conception is a unique church in Rome, Italy. The church's full name is Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini, and it was commissioned in the early 1600s by Pope Urban VIII whose brother was a Capuchin friar. When the church was completed, the monks who moved here took with them the exhumed bodies from their old church. The monks then began transforming bones of these deceased monks, as well as the bones of poor Romans and other deceased, into works of art. The church attracts visitors because of this interesting crypt underneath the church where you can see entire walls covered in bones.
In some places you will also see entire skeletons of monks that were left intact and dressed in Franciscan robes. In other sections of the crypt, you'll see picture frames made of bones, walls covered in skulls, and other elaborate designs. Inside the chapel you will see several works of art including St. Michael the Archangel, Christ Mocked, Transfiguration, Nativity, St. Francis in Meditation, and several paintings of saints. The church also has a small museum.
Practical Info
The Church of Immaculate Conception is located at Via Veneto 27. Opening hours are 9am to 7pm daily except December 25th, January 1st, and Easter Sunday. Admission is 8 euros.
Address: Via Veneto 27, Rome, Italy
Hours: Open 9am to 7pm daily except December 25th, January 1st, and Easter Sunday
Admission: 8 euros
From $ 52
Christiania
Since being taken over by squatters in 1971, Copenhagen’s Christiania neighborhood has become the city’s most infamous district, a self-proclaimed independent state, home to around 1000 permanent residents and notorious for its legal cannabis trade. The unique community was founded by a group of freethinkers, who have run the tax-free, self-governed commune for over 40 years.
Located in an abandoned military barracks, many of the free city’s houses were built by the residents and decorated with colorful murals and sculptures, making the district a vibrant cultural hub and a popular attraction for tourists. Visitors are welcome to stroll the streets of Christiania, take a guided tour led by local residents or relax at the area’s cafés, bars and live music venues, but be careful to follow the self-dictated rules of the area, which include not taking photographs or videos, refraining from using mobile phones, and strict enforcements of anti-violence and hard drug policies.
Despite a long-standing dispute between inhabitants and the government, a deal was stuck in 2012 granting residents legal ownership of part of their land, but while the social experiment might have finally caved to the pressures of Danish law enforcers, the unique, self-sufficient community looks set to survive another 40 years.
Address: Copenhagen, Denmark
From $ 23
Chinese Garden Zurich
Surrounded by a white wall topped with the golden East Asian roofs and interspersed with bright red gates, the Chinese Garden is about as far removed from the traditional Swiss houses neighboring it as possible. The garden is a quiet oasis of little ponds, lush vegetation and intricately decorated buildings with tiered roofs, red pillars and bright green railings, a place where strolls on perfectly planned paths and meditation sessions are possible. Paintings and ornaments feature the unique culture of Yunnan Province and a big focus is set on the three friends of winter: pine, bamboo and plum. The plants are a big theme in Confucianism and since they don’t wither in winter and instead flourish, they represent perseverance.
The Chinese Garden was a gift from Zürich’s sister city Kunming, as thanks for the help it received in the construction of a drinking water and drainage system. Now the garden is not only seen as one of the most beautiful Chinese gardens in the world, but is also considered to be the highest ranking temple garden outside of China. Apart from the pavilions and bridges, there is also a Chinese take away next to the main entrance, where one can enjoy the fresh spring rolls with a fitting view.
Practical Info
The Chinese Garden can be found between Bellerivestrasse and Blatterwiese on the eastern lakeshore. It is only open in the summer months from the 20th of March until the 20th of October. The opening hours are from 11am to 7pm.
Address: Bellerivestrasse 138, Zurich, Switzerland
Hours: 11am-7pm
From $ 60