The Best Travel Bucket List in Europe & Africa

Are you dreaming of traveling? Have you ever wanted to backpack through Europe? There are so many beautiful countries to see around Europe. Here I have put together a travel bucket list of places to visit around Europe and Africa. These are cities that I have been and knocked off my bucket list and places that I wish to visit.

In this bucket list I gathered is full of ideas of where to go while traveling throughout Europe. From the top of Northern Europe of Iceland. All the way down to South Africa. Learn some of the rich culture of these beautiful European cities.

Have you ever wanted to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World? Do you love the great outdoors? This may be the new wave of traveling, being out in nature. This post has plenty of outdoor adventures and sites to check off your bucket list.

Creating this travel bucket list helps me to plan on where I want to go when the world is open for travel again. I want to take full advantage of traveling through Europe while I’m living here.

Hopefully, my list will give you some inspiration to start making a bucket list of your own. We should be prepared for when we can travel again and turn our dreams into reality. Making plans now while we are sitting idle is the perfect use of time.

So if you are ready to start making travel plans and a bucket list, read further to see some of the top travel destinations to visit in Europe.

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1. The Pyramids of Giza

Visit one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. The Pyramids of Giza.  Take in the spectacular views of the ancient pyramids and get a chance to sightsee inside.  Explore and learn about its rich history.  The pyramids were built 4,000 years ago approximately between 2500 BC-2325 BC. See, the Pyramids of Giza were built as tombs for pharaohs and queens. 

Although there are 100’s of pyramids around Egypt, Giza is the most famous and oldest. The largest pyramid, The Great Pyramid also known as the Pyramid of Khufu is a part of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.  While there, don’t forget to give a kiss to the Sphinx. The Sphinx is the protector of the Pyramids and its stature is the body of a lion and the head of a human.  

2. Tower of London

There are so many things to see and do in London but one place that you should knock off your bucket list is visiting the Tower of London.  When my mother was in town, we took her to London.  We decided to navigate London by taking a Big Bus Tour. This allowed us to see the entire city, and its iconic sites without having to walk everywhere. So one of the stops was the Tower of London.  It was so spectacular.  Don’t get me wrong, the grounds of this fortress were huge and you have to do some walking around to see it. 

While there, go see the Crown Jewels of Queen Elizabeth II, kings and queens, and members of the royal family.  Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to see it because the queue was crazy long.  But I will definitely go again just to see the awe-inspiring crown jewels.  When you are outside take in the spectacular views of the River Thames and the Tower Bridge.   The Tower Bridge is often one the most photographed bridges in Europe, probably even the world. 

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3. Ride Dune Buggies

Gran Canaria is a beautiful island of Spain off the coast of Africa. It’s full of culture, sunshine, beautiful beaches and more.  One thing you should do while visiting is, ride dune buggies through the mountains!! We rode dune buggies and got a chance to see some amazing panoramic views from the top of the mountains. This is a great way to see the island and explore its beauty. 

Additionally, this excursion with the Buggy Pirates took us all the way to the top of the mountains, through its many winding roads, and all the way back down.  The scenery of driving through the mountains is just breathtaking. 

Read Next: How To Spend 3 Days in Gran Canaria

4. Cape Town, South Africa

Visiting South Africa is definitely a dream for me and at the top of my bucket list.  This will be one of the countries I will visit after COVID lockdown restrictions are lifted.  There are several cities in South Africa to visit.  One of the first must cities is Cape Town.

Cape Town is known as the “Mother City” and is one of the largest cities in South Africa. What better way to visit the Mother Land than by starting with Cape Town.  With a rich history and culture, there’s plenty to learn and explore. Try hiking up Table Mountain, chase some waterfalls, or wander through the neighborhood of brightly colored houses of old town Bo-Kaap. 

5. Go on a Safari

Speaking of South Africa, another popular city to visit is in Johannesburg.  Known for a great nightlife experience. Catch a vibe at one of the jazz lounges or comedy clubs.  See a show at one of the many theatres Johannesburg has, sounds like a good time. Watching African dancers on stage showcasing their cultural influence. And indulging in the food, I know it will be out of this world bursting with flavor and exotic spices. Yummy.

Ultimately, my favorite activity to check off my bucket list and something I’m sure everyone would want to do at least once. That is to experience going on a Safari to see Africa’s Big Five animals in Kruger National Park. It’ll take a quick flight from Capetown or Jo-Burg to experience these animals in action.

6. Visit Sagrada Familia 

Barcelona is a beautiful country with plenty of history, museums, gorgeous beaches, and decadent foods to eat.  When you visit Barcelona you must explore Sagrada Familia.  Sagrada Familia is one of the most famous neo-gothic inspired cathedrals.  The architecture of the basilica is just breathtaking. 

Not to mention, the artistic stained glass windows are uncanny, it’s something like I’ve never seen before.  It is fascinating seeing the sunlight shine through, revealing the beautiful bright colors.  The intricate details of the basilica are remarkable.  Antonio Gaudi constructed and designed this church along with numerous other astonishing buildings around the city. 

It’s always recommended to buy an advanced ticket because it gets very busy and crowded.  You can buy one here.  

7. Island hopping around Greece

Hop around the gorgeous islands of Greece. I was supposed to go island hopping for our honeymoon in the summer of 2019.  But with the pandemic, that had to be put on pause. It’s still a dream of mine to go island hopping around Greece.  It is still on the top of my bucket list.  From all the stories I’ve heard from friends and the stunning pictures I’ve seen, it’s a no-brainer to visit this beautiful country.

Now, Santorini is one of the islands to go to from the start. I think it’s the most popular island and most picturesque in all of Greece.  Stay in a luxury cave hotel that is carved in the cliffs and get incredible views of the sea. 

Next, visit Mykonos to see some of the most popular sites like the old 16th-century windmills. Layout on one of the beautiful beaches, and eat authentic Greek food. Certainly, it wouldn’t be a trip to Greece without visiting Athens, the capital of Greece.  Visit the iconic landmark Acropolis of Athens and learn of its mesmerizing history.

[UPDATE: I did make it to Greece]. You can see my posts about Greece here.

8. Eiffel Tower Viewpoint

Paris should be on EVERYONE’S bucket list, don’t you think?  It’s only one of the highest tourist destinations in the world. See the most iconic landmark in the world, The Eiffel Tower here.  Of course, you should see the Eiffel Tower up close and personal.  However, let me let you in on a little secret…The best way to get an awesome view of the tower in all its glory is from the TOP of the Arc De Triomphe.  Yes, The Arc de Triomphe is a famous piece of architecture that is in the middle of the city at Place Charles de Gaulle. Not only can you get stunning views of the city, but you will see the Eiffel Tower from 50 meters up. 

In fact, I recommend visiting at Golden Hour, which is when the sun is beginning to set and you get an amazing glow in the sky.  The Eiffel Tower will start to illuminate thousands of sparkling lights for 5 minutes every hour.  It’s the most incredible moment you will experience. Buy your tickets in advance to skip the line, this will tremendously cut your time in half from having to wait to enter. 

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Read Next: Best Things To Do in Paris

9. Visit Pena Palace

Pena Palace is the most visited landmark in Sintra, Portugal.  And for good reason.  It’s a magical castle that looks and feels like a fairytale come true.  It’s just a short 18 miles from Lisbon, Portugal which makes this a perfect day trip.  The charming small town of Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The gorgeous castle sits high above the city situated in the rolling hills.  One of the reasons why this place was on my bucket list is because of all the beautiful pictures I’ve seen of the bright-colored palace. 

While there explore the outside of the palace and purchase a ticket to explore the inside as well. We were unlucky to have visited on a cold and rainy weekend. Needless to say, this place was still majestic even with the overcast of clouds. 

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10. Trek thru the Sahara Desert

Take a trip to Morocco and wander through the Sahara Desert.  Ever since I saw Morocco on 90 Day Fiance’…LOL. I’ve wanted to visit here. I would have visited by now but of course, most travel plans have been put on hold. Regardless, I’ve always wanted to travel throughout Africa, and visiting the Sahara Desert is now at top of my bucket list. 

Surely, seeing the stunning landscapes and miles and miles of HUGE sand dunes are so appealing and a tip of a lifetime.  You just don’t see this every day.  Another plus for me would be that it’s a perfect destination to go during the wintertime while living in the UK.  There are several ways to explore the Moroccan Sahara Desert.  You can book a tour to ride camels or explore on Quad bikes.  Or spend the night here while gazing up at the stars.

11. Visit the Colosseum in Rome

View the most visited site in Rome, the Colosseum.  This extraordinary monument definitely has to be on top of everyone’s bucket list when visiting Rome.  The Colosseum was built around 70 AD and could house around 60,000 people that would watch the gladiators fight. 

Learn the history of the Colosseum from the special events that happened there and the Roman Empire.  It is incredible to have a chance to walk along the ancient ruins from thousands of years ago. And you have to take many pictures for the gram. Because if you don’t, then you were never there. LOL. 

12. Walk Along Charles Bridge in Prague

This beautiful bridge is a popular site that tourists love to visit.  The bridge was built in 1913 by King Charles III.  It is the oldest bridge in Prague and was constructed to connect Mala Strana and Prague Old Town. 

First, take a stroll down the bridge while crossing the Vltava River.  Get a spectacular view of the Prague Castle while on the bridge.  Finally, don’t forget to check out the Saint statues.

Read Next: The Best 9 Travel Planning Resources

13. Chase The Northern Lights

Be amazed by nature’s wonders of the northern lights AKA Aurora Borealis.  One of the best cities in Scandinavia to chase the Northern Lights is in Tromso. Tromso is located in Northern Norway, about 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle.  Tromso is the largest urban city in Northern Norway and is known as the “Paris of the North”. 

The best time to go is during the winter to experience the spectacular show of the northern lights.  Although it’s not guaranteed that you will see the flickering lights of green streaks dancing in the sky, it’ll still be worth a try.  It may be a good idea to book a tour for Aurora Borealis chasing.  The experts will take you to the locations to see the northern lights and at the best possible time, which will increase your chances of seeing the remarkable aurora cascading the sky. 

14. GoT in Dubrovnik, Croatia 

Are you a Game of Thrones fan? Well here in Dubrovnik is where the hit TV show was mainly filmed. Tourists flock to this city to see the King’s Landing and take the Game of Thrones tour. But that’s not all that Dubrovnik is all about.  It’s also known for its beautiful scenic views, mountains, beautiful turquoise water, and Old Town. 

Particularly, one of the most popular things to do is walk along the city walls of Old Town situated high above the city.  See sites along your journey through Old Town while overlooking the gorgeous water.  

15. Relax in the Blue Lagoon

Take a dip in one of the most famous hot springs in the world at Blue Lagoon.  This is a geothermal spa that sits within the volcanic earth.  This will truly be a day of relaxation while waving through the seawater. 

For one thing, you can take advantage of the other amenities such as the in-water spa, mask bar, or in-water bar.  Sounds like such a rejuvenating experience that I am ready to partake in. Doesn’t that sound amazing?!  The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is open for booking starting in Feb 2021.

16. Tulip Festival in Amsterdam

Walkthrough the fields of gorgeous brightly colored tulips.  There are tulips all around Amsterdam during springtime. The ultimate place I would like to end up is going to the Tulip Festival.  This is the time of the year where tulips can be found at several locations throughout the city like at museums, hotels, and public spaces, and significant buildings.

Riding a bike around the city to gaze at the aesthetically pleasing tulips would be a wonderful option too.  The creator of the festival (Saskia Albrecht) says they wanted a “A Tulip for every Citizen of Amsterdam”.  

17. Turkish Baths in Budapest

Visit the Turkish baths in Budapest. There are many baths in Budapest to visit. There are a few spa baths to visit. But Széchenyi Thermal Baths is one of the largest in Europe and is said to be the Best.  It was built in 1913 and is the most popular destination while in Budapest.  It consists of 15 indoor pools and 3 outdoor pools. 

The first thing to do is to definitely get your relaxation on at one of the baths.  Wade and relax to feel the warm healing powers of the hot spring waters.  Besides the pools, there are other amenities that are offered to partake in such as getting a massage, or facial treatments.

Click here for availability and ticket options for Széchenyi Thermal Baths

18. Adventures in Switzerland

I have yet to travel here, but taking a trip to Switzerland would be amazing.  It’ll be a new experience for me to be in the middle of Northern Europe surrounded by snow and mountains.  The scenery of this country is captivating.  Take in some spectacular views of the mountains all over Switzerland. 

In addition, if you want some adventure, go skiing or snowboarding at Mt. Titlis while enjoying panoramic views.  Go hiking up one of the popular mountains such as Mt. Rigi.  Visit some of the shimmering lakes scattered throughout the country like Lake Geneva and Lake Lucerne.  All in all, a trip like this may be worth staying at least 5 days.  And even then, it’ll still be so much more to see. 

19. Make chocolate in Belgium

Belgium is known for its waffles, beer, and CHOCOLATE.  So what better experience to have than to learn how they make this ooey-gooey goodness at a Chocolate Workshop? Learn from Master chocolatiers. And to have a chance to make chocolate too. I mean I love eating some decadent chocolate. Who doesn’t? Learning how to make chocolate in Belgium sounds like a great activity.  Why just buy the chocolate when you can make it on your own. 

Furthermore, this workshop would be a unique and fun experience for the entire family to enjoy. Not only can you make chocolate on this tour, but you can bring it home too. 

20. Visit the Christmas Markets of Germany

Christmas markets all around Europe are a tradition.  Germany has been known for being the top country for having some of the best Christmas markets.   I have yet to visit, but friends and colleagues have told me how awesome they are. 

At the top of this list of Christmas markets to visit would be in Trier.  Trier Christmas market has been on-going for over 40 years and has been named one of the best in Europe. Next, is the Christmas market located in Leipzig. Leipzig is the largest and oldest of all the Christmas markets in Germany.  A few things to do are to drink mulled wine, eat german sausages, and admire the gorgeous Christmas decorations.  Oh and buy a gift or two for loved ones. Just enjoy all of the Christmas festivities.  

Also, there are other notable cities in Germany that have several Christmas markets to choose from as well as Munich, Cologne, Rothenburg, Dresden, and Nuremberg are amongst the favorites.  

Overall, the Christmas markets in Germany usually begin in November around Thanksgiving and stay right through the top of the new year.  Check the dates as times get closer.  

21. Balloon Rides in Cappadocia, Turkey

Turkey is a beautiful country to visit.  It’s full of history, culture, and the locals are very  friendly.  Oh and the food is amazzzinngg.  Cappadocia has become a very popular destination over the past decade or so. 

During my military obligations, I’ve had the chance to live in Turkey twice for a few years.  The first time was a loooong time ago.  The second time was just over 2 years ago.  Anyway, when I visited Cappadocia it was amazing.  The fact that it was the first time I’ve ever been overseas it was more than I expected.  We saw so much history while climbing the rocks and seeing the caves where people used to live and worship. 

At the present time, one of the most popular things to experience in Cappadocia is the Hot Air Balloons.  I know taking one of these hot balloon rides will be amazing and will be a great chance to see the views of the city.  In addition, watching the hot air balloons on a nearby terrace would be a dream.  Next time I go back, this will surely be the first thing I do.   

That’s it, everyone. I hope you enjoyed my European Travel Bucket List. Let me know if you got any inspiration from this post by commenting below. Also, don’t forget to Pin this post so you can come back to it later.