The most beautiful places in Europe, by travel writers who’ve seen them all

Europe’s oldest natural lake straddles the border between two wildly underrated destinations (North Macedonia and Albania), but it is the stretch and surroundings on the North Macedonia side that set pulses racing. Lake Ohrid is backed by a sumptuous town packed with churches, and while it may no longer boast 365 churches as it once did, those that remain add an undeniable sense of beauty to it all. It doesn’t get much better than the view of the 13th-century Church of St. John at Kaneo backed by the cerulean grace of the lake. It is a truly spectacular sight.

Time Out tip: The earlier you make the short walk from the centre of town to the Church of St. John, the better. It can get crowded as the day progresses, but, more importantly, the early-morning stillness is medicine for the soul.

Reminiscent of Turkey’s famous Pamukkale, Italy’s answer to spectacular hot springs is Saturnia, located near the Tuscan town of Maremma. The springs cascade down a hillside and bubble away at a comfortable 37.5 degrees, and they’re rich in minerals that are said to improve everything from skin to joint health – the Romans even believed they held mythical healing powers. You can choose to revel in luxury at one of Saturnia's dedicated wellness centres, however, the springs also have two waterfalls: Cascate del Mulino and Cascate del Gorello, both of which are free and open to the public throughout the year.

Time Out tip: Although there are tours to the area, you’ll fare much better with a car. And don’t forget to pack flip flops or water shoes, as the ground around the springs and in the pools is full of slippery pebbles.

Legend and land combine in an awe-inspiring way at the Giant’s Causeway, a striking stretch of the Antrim coast where some 40,000 polygonal basalt pillars emerge from the cliffs and crumble into the Atlantic. As lore has it, it’s the handiwork of Irish hero Finn McCool, a giant who built a bridge to confront his Scottish rival across the water. A visit proves that it’s magnificent enough to be a feat of ancient engineering – just don’t mind those who say it’s the result of cooling, cracking lava 50 million years ago. The best part? Visitors can hop, skip and jump across the pillars freely. I prefer soaking in the scene from a height: the surrounding cliffs are etched with paths with great views of the causeway and beyond. 

Time Out tip: The Visitor Centre is entirely optional and you don’t need to a ticket to access the Giant’s Causeway – just walk around the side and follow the road (a public right of way) straight to the stones.

I don’t use ‘fairytale town’ liberally, but towns really don’t get much more whimsical than Alberobello. Creeping up the hills of this Puglian comune are thousands of traditional ‘trulli’, houses that look like they’d home hobbits rather than humans, made from white limestone and topped with a jaunty conical roof. You can only find trulli in this part of the world, so a trip to this protected heritage site is well worth the effort. Originally constructed as storage spaces and temporary shelters for livestock, the town’s trulli today have been converted into hotels, guesthouses, cafés, gift shops – and yes, actual homes. 

Time Out tip: For proper local souvenirs, Nice to Bì sells homemade orecchiette, dried seasoning mixes, excellent wines and liquours in adorable trulli-shaped bottles. This place has been owned by the same friendly family for generations – don’t be surprised when they ply you with free samples of booze.

Located just 4 miles from Čapljina and 20 miles from Mostar, Počitelj is unlike anywhere else in Bosnia and Herzegovina. What was once a village has become something of an open-air museum, a none-more-picturesque settlement frozen in time, an urban relic built into a hillside, punctuated by minarets, exquisite gardens, historic architecture, and some of the best views of the Neretva River you could ask for. First mentioned in the 15th century, the winding paths of UNESCO-approved Počitelj are Bosnia and Herzegovina at its most enchanting and addictive.

Time Out tip: If you’re travelling by car, start your tour from above the village as opposed to from down below. Leave your car by the old basketball court, and take in the views before exploring the narrow paths of Počitelj.

Fjords exist in only a handful of countries, and Norway is home to the longest, deepest and most spectacular. Unfurling from the Norwegian Sea, these cavernous inlets stretch the length of the country’s coast, harbouring the type of scenery that will make you audibly gasp. I was particularly smitten with the pastoral Nordang Valley, where near the village of Oie you’ll find fresh-out-the-sauna locals plunging into popsicle-blue water (no matter the weather). And if all those thundering waterfalls and forested mountains get a bit boring, the fjords are home to a couple of surprisingly buzzy little cities: Stavanger and Bergen make for ideal bases to explore the region. 

Time Out tip: Unesco-listed Geirgangerfjord’s incredible scenery is made all the more thrilling when bouncing along the water on a high-speed RIB boat. Book a local tour and your guide might well beguile you with troll stories. And if you head out early or late (before or after the cruises are in town), you’re in with a decent chance of having the entire site to yourself.

Over 50,000 different plant species make up London’s Kew Gardens, a 326-acre slice of horticultural heaven in the southwest borough of Richmond . Here, you can stroll through rows of blossoms, admire trees that are as tall (and as old) as some historic buildings, and wander through exotic plants within the Princess of Wales Conservatory. While there’s much to see here, the best way to do it is simply by wandering the paths. Let them take you to the bamboo and Carbon Garden, the greenhouses and the neck-breaking Great Pagoda – completed in 1762 with dragon figures guarding its rooftops from every angle. For the big finale, make way to the Treetop Walkway. Standing around 18 metres (and 118 steps) high, you’ll find yourself among the tallest trees in the gardens with stunning views of the greenhouse and Great Pagoda.

Time Out tip: Visit the Kew Gardens website for great cultural events hosted throughout the year.

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You might have seen it on countless postcards, desktop backgrounds and Instagram stories, but no over-exposure will ever take away the feeling of walking Amsterdam’s canals. And yes, I mean that even when things look a little sketchy, or inebriated tourists are clattering past and obstructing your view. My favourite moments there are in autumn and winter, when the trees lining the canal are strung with twinkly lights and the surrounding buildings are reflected in rippling water. And when a canal boat floats by, carrying a group of pals sipping wine out of plastic glasses? Pure romance, I tell you. 

Time Out tip: If you’re really lucky, and you catch Amsterdam when it’s cold enough, the canals will freeze over – and you can watch locals go ice skating. 

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Forget the wine regions in France and Italy, Germany’s Mosel Valley in North Rhine Westphalia is an equally impressive place to soak up rolling hills, fairytale castles and a wine bar or two along the country's prettiest river. Famed for its Riesling, the Mosel stretches from Koblenz to Trier, and is home to romantic, cobblestone towns and some of the world's steepest vineyards. Pick up a car and spend a few days hopping between them (with a designated driver), or if wine isn't on your agenda, simply explore the medieval streets on foot, enjoy hearty local cuisine in the bierkellers or make a trip out to famous Burg Eltz, one of Germany's most iconic castles.

Time Out tip: One of the easiest and most leisurely ways to explore a few different areas of the Mosel is on the water, with plenty of ferries and day cruises departing from major towns.

No, it’s not the new set of a live-action Disney movie. It’s Casa Batlló, one of Antoni Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces and a UNESCO World Heritage site in Barcelona. The 144-year construction of his Sagrada Família is set to finish this year to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his death. If there was ever a time to visit Casa Batlló, it’s now! With iridescent tiles redolent of dragon scales, bone-shaped window frames, and mosaics resembling an aerial view of a coral reef, Casa Batllò incorporates a blend of marine and fantasy themes. I won't give too much of the interior away, but looking down into the inner courtyard looks like the checkered vortex-like rabbit hole Alice in Wonderland tumbles into. It’s a great spot to marvel at the beautiful ceilings, pose for some Instagrammable photos or learn about the building’s history.

Time Out tip: Consider their night-time visits for fewer crowds, cheaper tickets, a free glass of wine and a peaceful moonlit ambience.