In need of some wanderlust? Worry not – we’ve got you covered with a round-up of Europe’s most jaw-dropping natural wonders. From spine-chillingly beautiful peaks to pink-hued salt lakes, magical snow-capped landscapes and more, these spectacular scenes show just how beautiful the continent truly is. As always, be sure to check COVID-19 restrictions before making any travel plans.

Mountains don’t get much more legendary than this. Located on the Swiss-Italian border, the Matterhorn’s recognisable horn-shaped silhouette has towered over this region for millennia, though it wasn’t until 1865 that it was first successfully climbed. Since then, the 14,692-foot (4,478m) peak has become a permanent fixture on the bucket lists of keen mountaineers, as well as a must-visit spot for hikers, skiers and sightseers.

The vertiginous stone pillars of Bastei, in Germany’s Saxon Switzerland National Park, look almost as if they were custom-made to support this sandstone bridge. It’s all pure coincidence, of course, as the bridge was built in 1851 while the rocks have stood proud for thousands of years. Regardless, the enchanting rocky landscape, surrounded by dense forests and overlooking the River Elbe, is a sight to behold.

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Illuminated by a shaft of sunlight, the water in Melissani Cave turns turquoise and radiant. Found on the Greek island of Kefalonia, the secluded lake here was in fact only revealed in 1951, when the roof of the existing cave fell in. You can still see spiky stalactites hanging up above. Today, those wishing to see it up close can hire a rowing boat to explore.

The tiny Umbrian village of Castelluccio di Norcia, with a population of less than 100, wouldn’t appear on most tourists’ radars. But once a year (between May and July) it’s painted with a magical array of colours by a natural event, known as “Fiorita” or “Fioritura” (meaning “flowering”). It’d be easy to assume this is a man-made affair. In fact, the wildflowers grow naturally alongside the region’s world-renowned Castelluccio lentils, and they continue to thrive thanks to the absence of pesticides. 

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Straddling the Hungarian-Slovakian border is the largest stalactite cave system in Europe: the UNESCO-recognised Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst. As you’d expect, they’re filled with a mind-numbing array of stalactites (icicle-like formations hanging from the ceiling), as well as stalagmites (pillar-like formations emanating from the floor). Composed of 712 identified caves connected by narrow chambers, this subterranean kingdom is nothing short of spectacular.

Shaped by the ethereally turquoise Verdon River – whose colour comes from glacial minerals in the water – the Verdon Gorge is Europe’s largest canyon with cliffs as high as 2,297 feet (700m). The southern French gem, snuggled between Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, is a playground for thrill-seekers. White-water rafting, canoeing and climbing are all popular here, while daring souls can bungee jump off the Artuby Bridge, the highest bridge in Europe.

Dramatic Arctic landscapes abound in Norway’s Lofoten Islands. A far-flung archipelago in the Norwegian Sea, the most recognisable place on the islands is probably the fishing village of Hamnøy, pictured, whose red-painted houses perch daintily on the rocks. Yet there’s stunning scenery to be found at every turn, from steep fjords to rugged beaches. It’s also one of the best places in the world to catch the Northern Lights. 

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Ireland’s famous Wild Atlantic Way ribbons its way along a seemingly endless stretch of beautiful coastline. But it saves its best until last: the Cliffs of Moher. Located in County Clare, this five-mile (8km) sweep of coastline towers over the thrashing North Atlantic Ocean, reaching 70 feet (214m) at its highest point. The cliffs’ beauty is only enhanced by the plethora of wildlife, from circling peregrine falcons and razorbills up above to basking sharks and dolphins down below.

Tucked deep inside the Arctic Circle, Lapland’s otherworldly landscape is filled with snow-covered trees, which almost resemble soft-serve ice cream. It looks even better when illuminated in cotton-candy hues by sunset. For a brief period in the summertime, Lapland stays light 24/7 and the light takes on an incredible reddish hue, meaning it almost looks like sunset the whole time. The Midnight Sun Film Festival, which takes place in June, is a beautiful way to experience it.

The name “durdle” is derived from the Old English word “thirl”, which means drill or bore a hole in something. And it’s a fitting moniker for this natural wonder. Found along Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, the limestone arch was formed by crashing waves over thousands of years and borders a crescent-shaped shingle beach. One day, nature will take its course and Durdle Door will collapse, but until then the sea arch will remain one of the most spectacular in the world.

A patchwork of 16 jewel-toned lakes linked by gushing waterfalls and surrounded by forest, there’s a lot to take in at Plitvice Lakes National Park. Located in central Croatia, roughly halfway between Zagreb and Zadar, the 30,000-hectare national park is a haven for wildlife: bears, wolves, deer and many rare bird species can be seen here. 

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Resembling a window onto the panoramic Salzburg countryside, the entrance to Eisriesenwelt caves is as beautiful as what lies inside. Magically preserved in limestone cliffs, you’ll find some of the world’s largest ice caves, a veritable frozen kingdom encompassing some 323,000 square feet (3,000sqm). Travelling into them is like entering another world: you’ll have to ascend 700 steps in near-darkness, save for a few magnesium lamps, while tolerating freezing temperatures.

Nowhere on Earth is quite like the Giant’s Causeway. With 40,000 interlocking, polygonal columns of black basalt rock which look like stepping stones, this unique natural wonder was created by volcanic activity some 60 million years ago. Or, if you’re privy to legends, the Irish giant Finn McCool built the causeway to flee his enemy, Scottish giant Benandonner. Today, the UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts visitors from all over the world, looking to tread in the footsteps of giants and take in the beauty of Northern Ireland’s Antrim Coast.

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The scenery in Montenegro’s Durmitor National Park looks like something out of a fantasy movie: think hulking mountains, carpets of lush greenery and jewel-like glacier lakes. The region, located in the north of the country, is home to 50 peaks that top 6,562 feet (2,000m) apiece, making it a playground for hikers, skiers and adventurers. Yet despite its popularity, it remains relatively unspoiled and fosters a plethora of plant and animal species.

Southern Sicily’s white striated cliffs resemble a magnificent staircase from the land to the sea. They’re made of marl, a blend of clay and limestone rock with a dazzling white hue, which has been eroded over time to create the unique stair-like formation. Naturally, visitors flock to stand and take pictures on the steps – climbing to the top to watch the sunset comes highly recommended.

France’s Atlantic Coast is home to the largest sand dune in Europe, the Dune of Pilat. At more than 328 feet (100m) high and 9,500 feet (2,900m) long, the enormous mound also offers an ideal location for gazing out at stunning views. On one side, you’ll find a thick pine forest while on the other, the Atlantic Ocean and the glimmering headland of Le Cap-Ferret meet the eye. However, it’s shrinking: between 2017 and 2020, the dune retreated by 13 feet (3.9m) due to heavy winds. 

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With some 85% of the country covered by mountains, Georgia is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The Greater Caucasus range, stretching along its northern border, is the jewel in the crown of its hiking scene. This awe-inspiring region is characterised by dizzyingly high, snow-capped peaks – including one of the tallest in Europe, the 16,627-feet (5,068m) tall Shkhara.

It’s the stuff of fairy tales for good reason. Situated in the Baden-Württemberg mountains of southwestern Germany, the Black Forest is as dark, deep and mysterious as you’d imagine, with thick canopies of evergreens lining hilltops and spilling into valleys. Plunge into its mysterious depths and you’ll be greeted by an enchanting soundscape: gushing waterfalls, cooing cuckoos, the breeze rushing through the leaves. There are plenty of dainty villages breaking up all the forest cover, too.

You could be forgiven for thinking that these cotton-candy hued waters were the result of some serious photo editing. But we promise you they’re 100% real. Situated in Valencia, Las Salinas de Torrevieja gets its rosy colour from a combination of bacteria and algae, which flourish in the lake’s salty water. As well as looking pretty, the lake has served as the hub for Spanish salt production since the 19th century.

By summer, the Jägala Waterfall drapes itself across the rocks like a fine, sheer curtain. By winter, its flowing waters freeze into pillar-like structures and otherworldly forms. But whatever the season they’re spectacular. Located in the Jägala River’s lower course near Tallinn, the natural wonder is surrounded by several other points of interest, including Estonia’s oldest medieval chapel and the country’s largest karst area.

Germany has plenty of stunning lakes but Eibsee is easily the most majestic. Situated near Zugspitze in Bavaria, its glimmering, crystal-clear waters only amplify the surrounding Wetterstein Mountains – needless to say, it takes a while to let all this beauty sink in. Many visitors choose to do so by kayaking or swimming through its tranquil waters, or by hiking the roughly 4.7-mile (7.5km) trail around it.

The striking red clay slopes of Las Médulas in northern Spain owe their formation, at least in part, to ancient mining techniques. More than 2,000 years ago, Romans discovered gold at the site and began to extract it using an unusual method, whereby water was used to force the rocks to crumble and draw out the gold. Mined over the course of two centuries, the technique helped create the sheer cliffs, gullies and caves we see today.

It’s hard not to be struck by the emerald-toned Soča River as it shimmies its way through narrow gorges, gushes down waterfalls and spills into rock pools. Starting at the foot of the Julian Alps and weaving through western Slovenia before crossing into Italy, the natural wonder is a hotspot for watersports including kayaking and white-water rafting, while there are exceptional walking trails in the surrounding valley.

Near the Dorset town of Studland is a stunning collection of rock formations known as Old Harry Rocks. Who is Old Harry? You might ask. The origin of the name, which actually only refers to the single stack furthest from the coast, has attracted a number of theories. Some say it comes from a notorious local pirate, while others suggest it comes from a nickname for the devil. Either way, this storied shoreline has earned its place as one of Europe’s best natural wonders.

From the vantage point of Preikestolen, a 1,982-foot (604m) rock plinth over the Lysefjord, the word “views” doesn't really do justice to all you can see. It’d be easy to spend hours here, gazing out at hulking mountains in the distance and the tranquil fjord below. Located in Ryfylke in western Norway, the striking natural platform is usually reached via a four- to five-hour round trip hike, with an elevation gain of 1,148 feet (350m).

You get seven natural wonders for the price of one at Bulgaria’s gorgeous Seven Rila Lakes. Tucked in the northwestern Rila mountains, the glacial lakes each have their own distinct personalities. There’s Tear Lake, famed for its ultra-clear waters and high elevation; the ellipse-shaped Eye Lake, which turns electric blue in the sunlight; and the Twins, an hourglass-shaped pair of adjoining lakes.

Many hikers and mountaineers long to trek up Snowdonia, the tallest mountain in Wales at 3,560 feet (1,085m). Offering remarkable panoramic views as far as the Lake District, Pembrokeshire and even Ireland on clear days, it’s certainly worth the challenging hike. But there are plenty of gorgeous sights all around the national park, including the dramatic landscapes of Cwm Idwal and plenty of cutesy villages around: Betws y Coed, Portmeirion, Dolgellau, Barmouth, Beddgelert. 

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Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull covers a large part of Iceland’s southeastern coast. The frozen landscape is a world of its own, encompassing deep blue caves, canyons, glacial rivers and lagoons filled with icebergs. There’s even Iceland’s tallest peak, the 7,218-foot (2,200m) Hvannadalshnjúkur, as well as myriad active volcanoes, concealed beneath the ice.

The jagged fingers of rock in the Dolomites look like they were hewn out of the earth with an axe. Situated in the eastern part of the Northern Italian Alps, the dolomitic limestone peaks were actually carved into their dramatic shapes by erosion, which continues to shape the region today – landslides, avalanches and floods are all common here. With 18 peaks reaching more than 10,000 feet (3,050m), the mountain range continues to inspire.

Beyond the bustling resorts there’s plenty of natural beauty to be found in the Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost stretch of coastline. Several natural parks provide a welcome retreat from the busy cities – the Ria de Alvor Nature Reserve is a particular highlight, with its secluded coves thronging with flocks of migrating birds and colourful wild flowers.