Back to grid

Best adventure destinations in Europe

Back to grid
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Alpine thrills beneath Mont Blanc
8.9
Skiers descend the Vallée Blanche, a glacier run of about 20 kilometres, from the Aiguille du Midi. The route needs a mountain guide because of hidden crevasses. Climbers, paragliders and trail runners also base themselves in the valley. The town hosted the Winter Olympics in 1924.
Highlights:
  • ❄️ Explore the Mer de Glace glacier and its ice cave
  • 🏔️ Hike or ski around the majestic Mont Blanc massif
  • 🚠 Take the cable car to Aiguille du Midi for breathtaking alpine views
Interlaken
Adventure, Lakes and Alpine Magic
9.1
Skydivers over Interlaken fall towards Lake Thun and Lake Brienz with the Alps all around. Tandem jumps suit first timers and last about a minute in free fall. Canyoners rappel down waterfalls in the Saxeten gorge nearby. Paragliders launch from Beatenberg and land close to the town.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Hike around Lake Thun and enjoy the stunning mountain scenery
  • 🌸 Explore the botanical gardens and alpine trails at Schynige Platte
  • 🚡 Take a scenic cable car ride to Harder Kulm for panoramic views
Grindelwald
A Majestic Swiss Mountain Village
8.6
A zip line called First Flyer runs about 800 metres down the slope from First. Riders reach speeds of around 80 kilometres per hour above the meadows. Trottibike scooters roll downhill on mountain roads for those who want a gentler ride. The Eiger Trail follows the foot of the famous north face.
Highlights:
  • 🪂 Ride the First Flyer zip line over the valley
  • 🏞️ Hike to Bachalpsee Lake for stunning alpine reflections
  • 🌄 Experience the thrill of the First Cliff Walk by Tissot
Dolomites National Park
Towering peaks and pristine wilderness
8.4
The Alta Via 1 trek ends in the park after about 120 kilometres from Lago di Braies. Via ferrata routes use steel cables and ladders to scale the rock walls. Hikers stay in mountain huts called rifugi along the way. Rafting on the Piave River runs near Belluno.
Highlights:
  • ⛰️ Climb Seceda mountain for panoramic Dolomites views
  • 🌊 Visit the stunning turquoise Lago di Braies lake
  • 🥾 Hike the breathtaking Tre Cime di Lavaredo trail
Nazaré
Giant Waves and Coastal Charm
8.1
Surfer Garrett McNamara rode a wave of about 24 metres at Praia do Norte in 2011. An underwater canyon focuses Atlantic swells into giant walls of water. Spectators gather at the lighthouse fort to watch on winter days. Big wave season runs from October to February.
Highlights:
  • 🐟 Sample fresh grilled sardines at a seaside restaurant
  • 🚠 Ride the funicular to Sítio for panoramic coastal views
  • 🏄‍♂️ Surf on the world's biggest surfable waves
Bovec
Slovenia’s Adventure Capital
7.8
The emerald Soča River runs through the Bovec valley beneath the Julian Alps. Rafting and kayaking trips run from spring to autumn. Adventure companies also run canyoning trips and paragliding flights from Mount Kanin. Cyclists and hikers follow old World War One routes through the valley.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Explore Virje Waterfall, perfect for a refreshing dip
  • 💦 Visit the breathtaking Boka Waterfall, Slovenia’s tallest
  • 🚣 Raft the emerald green Soca River’s thrilling rapids
Swiss National Park
Majestic alpine wilderness, untouched and serene
8.4
Hikers walk about 80 kilometres of marked trails and may not leave them. Ibex, chamois and marmots roam freely across the slopes and meadows. Longer routes climb to passes above 2,500 metres. The Chamanna Cluozza hut offers beds inside the park for multi day trips.
Highlights:
  • 🦌 Photograph chamois at sunrise over mountains
  • 🐐 Spot ibex roaming near Gletsch Valley
  • 🥾 Hike Panorama Trail, view alpine vistas
Alquezar
A Medieval Gem in the Mountains
7.0
Canyoning routes in the Sierra de Guara start close to this medieval village. The Vero River cuts a narrow gorge below the village walls. Walkers can cross the Pasarelas del Vero, a set of catwalks bolted to the rock. Wetsuits, helmets and guides are usually included in canyon tours.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Explore prehistoric cave paintings in Rio Vero Canyon
  • ⛪ Visit the historic Colegiata Santa Maria la Mayor
  • 🌉 Walk the Pasarelas del Vero cliffside walkways
Riksgränsen
Arctic skiing under midnight sun
7.7
Skiers here can ride under the midnight sun from mid May until midsummer. The resort sits in Swedish Lapland close to the Norwegian border. Most terrain is off piste and reached with guides rather than groomed runs. A railway station sits right beside the slopes.
Highlights:
  • ⛷️ Explore off-piste slopes like Uffe’s Wall and Rimfors
  • 🚁 Take a heli-skiing adventure on untouched powder
  • 🎿 Ski or snowboard under the midnight sun in spring
Azores
Volcanic Isles of Atlantic Wonders
8.5
Mount Pico rises 2,351 metres and is the highest peak in Portugal. Hikers usually climb it in about six hours round trip with a required permit. Boat trips from Pico and Faial spot sperm whales and dolphins. Hot springs on the nearby islands soothe tired legs afterwards.
Highlights:
  • 🍵 Visit Europe’s oldest tea plantation at Gorreana
  • ♨️ Relax in the thermal waters of Caldeira Velha
  • 🥾 Hike through the volcanic landscapes of Sete Cidades
Svalbard
Arctic wilderness at Earth's edge
8.3
Snowmobile trips cross frozen valleys and glaciers around the town of Longyearbyen. The islands lie about 1,300 kilometres from the North Pole. Visitors can also kayak past glacier fronts and hike with armed guides in the summer months. The midnight sun lasts from mid April to late August.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike across the dramatic tundra and rugged landscapes
  • 🛥️ Explore glaciers and fjords on guided boat tours
  • 🐻‍❄️ Observe Arctic wildlife including elusive polar bears safely
Feedback