As a travel enthusiast, I often find myself pondering the question: “What lies beyond the familiar landmarks of our continent?” While many associate Europe with ancient ruins and coffee shops in Paris, there are countless natural wonders waiting to be discovered. In this article, we’ll embark on a journey to explore 20 stunning natural landscapes that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.
1. Red Poppy Fields in Flanders, Belgium
The red poppy fields in Flanders are not only a picturesque sight but also hold significant symbolic meaning. After World War I, the flowers bloomed on what were once battlefields, serving as a poignant reminder of the bloodshed that took place there.
2. Bay of Dwejra, Malta
The word “dwejra” in Maltese translates to “a small house,” a fitting description for the enormous rocks that form a primitive habitation site. This area is also known as “the blue window” and is the result of geological forces that have shaped the island over time.
3. Lake Bled, Slovenia
Located between the highest peaks of the Julian Alps and the Caravanche, Lake Bled is one of Slovenia’s most famous tourist destinations. The lake offers stunning blue waters, while the Gola di Vintgar can be crossed on a wooden bridge, providing an unforgettable experience.
4. Fjords, Norway
The Norwegian fjords are majestic granitic valleys that meet the water almost frozen. Being in this place means appreciating not only the landscape but also the suggestive silence.
5. Faroe Islands, Denmark
An archipelago of eighteen islands in the North Atlantic, the Faroe Islands are home to around 50,000 inhabitants who live alongside storms of seagulls, storks, and other marine birds. The cliffs that drop straight into the sea are both enchanting and desolate.
6. Keukenhof Botanical Park, Netherlands
This psychedelic flower field is open only from March to May and is truly an unmissable spectacle of flowering. With over seven million tulips, daffodils, geraniums, and more, all contained within just 80 acres of space.
7. Neringa Peninsula, Lithuania – Russia
Forests, dunes of sand, and ocean come together to create an hypnotic and fascinating landscape. The locality, contested between Russia and Lithuania, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts a lagoon with the highest dunes of Europe.
8. Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves, Austria
Translated from German as “the world of ice giants,” this name fits perfectly for these caves that seem to be of another world. The largest ice caves in the world, they extend up to 400 meters beneath the earth’s surface and measure 42 kilometers in total.
9. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
In the Plitvice Lakes National Park, cascades and streams combine to form 16 lakes like precious jewels in a necklace. This series of lakes and waterfalls, located between the mountainous Carstic mountains of Croatia, is ideal for hiking.
10. Lake Region (Järvi-Suomi), Finland
Pictures of M28 30. Millions of years ago, glaciers moved, creating one of Europe’s most impressive natural masterpieces. The Järvi-Suomi region, also known as the Finnish lake region, is the largest lake district in the continent.
11. Santorini Red Beach, Greece
This enchanting place is enclosed and almost protected by cliffs of the same color as the sand, equipped for tourists, and close to an interesting archaeological site.
12. Melissani Cave, Greece
Hidden in the Greek island of Celafonia in the Ionian Sea, Melissani Cave offers waters so clear that boats seem to float in mid-air. This cave was once sacred to the god Pan, although it’s the name of a nymph who was rejected by him himself.
13. Natural Park of Cabo de Gata – Nìjar, Spain
Casa di fenicotteri, aironi rossi, aquile, and over 1,000 other bird species make up the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata-Níjar, one of the most important natural reserves in Western Europe.
- Featuring 120 new destinations, this best-selling inspirational travel guide reveals 500 celebrated...
- Completely revised and updated for its 10th anniversary
- Compiled from the favorite trips of National Geographic's legendary travel writers, this fully...
14. Douro Valley, Portugal
For at least 2,000 years, humans have used the fertile soil of the valley where the river Douro flows to cultivate vines that yield excellent wine. This lush valley indeed provides fertile ground for vineyards and olive groves.
15. Dolomites, Italy
The mountain chain of the Dolomites seems almost like a crown of stone for Italy. The landscape is both characteristic and majestic, giving the Dolomites their powerful charm.
16. Monte Cervino – Matterhorn, border between Switzerland and Italy
The Monte Cervino (in German, Matterhorn) extends towards the sky like a pyramid of 15,000 feet (4,572 meters) high. Known as the “mountain of mountains,” this peak is located at the border between Switzerland and Italy.
17. Chamonix, France
Located near the border with Switzerland and Italy, the towns of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc are situated right in the middle of the breathtaking peaks of the French Alps.
18. Verdon Gorges, France
The turquoise waters that flow through the Verdon Gorges create an atmosphere of a dream along the Provence region in southern France.
19. Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
Here’s the largest playground for adventurers! The Cairngorms National Park is home to mountains, forests, trails, rivers, lakes, and natural areas that are both suggestive and characteristic.
20. Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
The western edge of Ireland seems to plunge into the Atlantic Ocean like an overladen tent: these are the Cliffs of Moher. They’ve taken their name from a 18th-century fortress that once stood on the cliffs and have been around for 300 million years.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Europe is not just about ancient ruins and coffee shops in Paris; it’s also home to an array of breathtaking natural landscapes that will leave you breathless. From the red poppy fields of Flanders to the Cliffs of Moher, these hidden gems are waiting to be discovered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the most breathtaking natural landscape in Europe?
A: The Faroe Islands, Denmark, offer a unique and enchanting experience with their cliffs that drop straight into the sea and stormy weather.
Q: Which natural park is located on the border between Russia and Lithuania?
A: Neringa Peninsula, Lithuania – Russia, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting a lagoon with the highest dunes of Europe.
Q: What is the largest ice cave in the world?
A: Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves, Austria, are the largest ice caves in the world, extending up to 400 meters beneath the earth’s surface and measuring 42 kilometers in total.
Q: Which region in Finland is known for its impressive natural masterpieces?
A: The Järvi-Suomi region, also known as the Finnish lake region, is the largest lake district in the continent.
Q: What is unique about Santorini Red Beach in Greece?
A: This enchanting place is enclosed and almost protected by cliffs of the same color as the sand, equipped for tourists, and close to an interesting archaeological site.
Q: Who was the nymph that drowned herself in Melissani Cave, Greece?
A: The most characteristic feature of this place is an enormous opening towards the sky, where the rocky roof has collapsed for millions of years.
Q: What makes the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata – Nìjar, Spain, so important?
A: Casa di fenicotteri, aironi rossi, aquile, and over 1,000 other bird species make up this natural park, one of the most important natural reserves in Western Europe.
Q: What has been cultivated in the Douro Valley, Portugal, for at least 2,000 years?
A: Vines that yield excellent wine have been cultivated in the fertile soil of the valley where the river Douro flows.
