Distinct architecture, unique landscapes and native wildlife usually make European destinations easy to identify. However, we’ve found some locations that might make you second-guess where you are. Think Middle Eastern and Asian-inspired buildings, American species and Australian terrain – they might not be in their native continent but they're certainly worth a visit.
The peak of Ben Nevis may look like the top of the Himalayas, but it’s actually located at the western end of the Grampian Mountains in Scotland. As the highest mountain in the British Isles, Ben Nevis attracts many visitors who can tread the well-constructed walking path or take a rockier route for mountaineers. Ben Nevis is also a popular location for ice climbing – if you’re interested in trying a new hobby.
Bison are considered more of an American animal, having become extinct across Europe in the early 20th century due to hunting and dwindling habitat. However, conservation programmes have once again made the sight of bison in Europe possible by reintroducing the species. Travellers are most likely to see these creatures in eastern Poland, however, you may also have some luck in Germany’s Rothaar mountain range.
The Royal Pavilion’s Indo-Saracenic design represents a popular architectural style in the 19th century, however, the building stands on British terrain in the seaside city of Brighton. Architect John Nash originally built the building for King George IV, but when Queen Victoria inherited the pavilion, she decided to sell it. Visitors are welcome to look around and the pavilion regularly holds exhibitions, as well as ice skating in the gardens during winter.
Love this? Follow our Facebook page for more travel inspiration
Head to Parc de Laeken in Brussels and you’ll find two Asian architectural masterpieces. The Chinese Pavilion and the Japanese Tower were commissioned by King Leopold II and built between 1901 and 1905. Despite being designed by Parisian architect Alexandre Marcel, the Japanese Tower contains original pieces from the Edo and Meiji era as well as woodwork from Tokyo. The buildings are usually open to visitors but are currently closed for renovations.
This spooky-looking tunnel of beech trees known as Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland could be said to replicate the whimsical type found in the mountainous forests of Yakushima Island in Japan. The trees were never intended to create such natural art – instead, they were planted as a neat entranceway to a manor house. However, time has shaped them, and their unique shapes have become a landmark to those visiting County Antrim, and even a backdrop in TV shows.
You’ll find an extremely rare sight in Serbia, so much so that it was nominated as one of the new seven wonders of nature. Djavolja Varos, also known as Devil’s Town, has some extremely rare stone formations located on Mount Radan. A local legend suggests that the tall stones carved out of the rock are actually petrified wedding guests. While this story may keep the faint-hearted away, it’s worth a visit to take in the landscape’s striking shapes.
While the US may be among the most popular spots for mountain lake retreats, don’t write off Europe, or more specifically South Tyrol in Italy. Lago Di Braies has beautiful emerald waters which are surrounded by forestland and mountain peaks, with plenty of hotels for visitors. You can't help but acknowledge the painful past here, as the area was home to a concentration camp in the Second World War.
Lynxes are predominantly found in moist boreal forests since they favour snowy climes, which makes them a common sight in Alaska and Canada. However, there’s a growing population of lynxes in Germany. The wild cats originally disappeared from this European country during the 19th century, but since then lynxes from the neighbouring Czech Republic have moved into the area to replace the population that was lost.
You may have visited some of the cave lakes in South America, but have you found Melissani Cave in Greece? Melissani Lake is underground and was discovered in 1951 by speleologist Giannis Petrochilos. It was once considered to be a place of worship and more can be learnt about this at the local museum. Meanwhile, visitors can explore the lake and cave by travelling through a tunnel and using boats with an on-site guide.
Discover more of the world's most beautiful caves and caverns
Head to Podgorica in Montenegro and you’ll find its landmark Ottoman Clock Tower – that wouldn’t look out of place in the Middle East. The clock tower was built when the city was under the control of the Ottoman Empire in 1667 by Hadzi Pasha Osmanagic. Today it stands as one of the last few relics from the period, having survived heavy bombing in the Second World War. It still operates as a local clock tower to this day.
The Shilpa Shastras design adorning Neasden Temple looks exactly like those in India, but it's in north London. The granite, limestone and marble temple was constructed in the early 1990s, making it the biggest Hindu temple outside of India at the time. The local Hindu community still actively worship at the temple, but the building and its well-kept gardens are open to anyone hoping to admire its beauty.
You might be startled to find groups of South American rodents congregating along the bank of Prague’s Vltava River. Nutrias were imported to Europe for their fur and meat but were abandoned after they failed to become popular. With Prague’s ideal climate, they have settled into their surroundings and continued to thrive. However, overpopulation is causing problems for native wildlife, especially as nutrias don’t have any natural predators.
The Uluru rocks of Australia may be the most obvious example of Mother Nature’s bright colour palette, but France’s ochre rocks are arguably just as red. The vibrant formations in Roussillon were initially carved out as man-made quarries, though they have since also been sculpted by storms. Today, visitors can admire the red rocks and enjoy panoramic viewpoints via extensive hiking trails.
Most desert terrain can be found in the Middle East and Africa, but it’s possible to stumble across some of this landscape in Europe. Head to Fuerteventura – one of Spain's Canary Islands – to find the Corralejo Natural Park, which contains the biggest sand dune in the region. Tourists usually come with supplies to trek across the land and take panoramic photos of the island.
While overwater bungalows have become synonymous with luxury resorts in the tropics, they have a long history in Germany. At Lake Constance in Uhldingen-Mühlhofen, its Pfahlbauten have been reconstructed to model the dwellings that communities once lived in during the Stone and Bronze age. Visitors can explore these historic properties at the on-site museum, which also displays artefacts retrieved from a diving excavation in 2002.
Australia has several uniquely pink lakes, such as Lake Hillier, Lake Bumbunga and Lake MacDonnell. However, Spain also boasts pink waters that are less well-known. The aptly named Pink Lake, which sits in a nature reserve called Las Salinas de Torrevieja, gains its vivid colour from high salt content. While swimming isn’t allowed at Pink Lake, it’s still open for travellers to gaze at its unusual pinky palette.
The colourful buildings and palm trees of Portmeirion suggest the town exists in hotter climes, but it’s actually a village in Wales. Portmeirion was designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1973 and aimed to emulate Italian architecture. It’s been a popular location for creatives including famous names such as HG Wells, and it’s also a frequent stopover for those visiting the nearby Snowdonia National Park.
Take a look at these stunning places you won't believe are in the UK
Pyramids are usually associated with Egypt, yet this one resides in Rome, dating back to around 12 BC. The Pyramid of Cestius is 120 feet (36m) high and is thought to have been built as a tomb for a wealthy Roman. However, the site is shrouded in mystery as there’s not really any artefacts remaining to tell us who this person was. Nevertheless, the pyramid is usually open to tourists, although it's pretty bare inside except for a few faded frescoes.
Raccoons are a symbol of native North American wildlife, but they’ve travelled to unexpected places, including Belarus. In the 1930s, raccoons were brought to Europe for their fur but many escaped. Since then, they’ve adapted to European conditions and continue to thrive, causing problems for the local ecosystem in Belarus. You may also be able to find American raccoons in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic.
Within the grounds of Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam you’ll find Chinese architecture dating back to the 18th century. The Chinese House was borne from Frederick the Great’s desire for escapism in the Chinoiserie style. The unique building has life-sized figures of Chinese people playing music, drinking tea and smoking tobacco. For the intrigued, the park and Chinese House is open for tourists to visit.
Hot springs are typically found in places like Honduras, Canada, Chile, Japan, Taiwan and the US. Lesser known are those in Europe (although Iceland has become an increasingly popular spot for them). Saturnia in Italy isn’t short of warm sulphurous waters – it was once a bathing spot for the ancient Romans. The waters were believed to be a gift from the gods and possess healing powers. Visitors can still enjoy these waters today, with free entry to the springs.
While the Schwetzingen Mosque looks like a convincing piece of architecture from the Middle East, it’s actually in Germany. The mosque was built by Nicolas de Pigage between 1779 and 1795 and is the last remaining garden mosque from the 18th century. The tell-tale signs of its German heritage are in the Arabic inscriptions, which are riddled with spelling mistakes due to the German stonemason that transcribed them.
Here are more stunning sights you won't believe are in Germany
If you’re not familiar with Russia’s iconic cathedral known as St Basil's or Pokrovsky, then you might find it difficult to place it as a European building. The backstory surrounding this cathedral is shrouded in mystery, but some believe that the cupola styles are from either the Ottoman Empire or churches in Jerusalem. Either way, its aesthetic is considered to have a strong non-European influence.
You may be familiar with the Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan, but have you seen Sumela Monastery, which is similarly nestled into a mountainside? The monastery is Greek Orthodox, built in the 4th century, and located on Mela Mountain. Sitting within Altindere National Park, the area predominantly serves as a tourist attraction for those wanting to discover the complex history of this religious building.
The original Pagoda, located in Paris’s 8th district, looked completely different to the red Chinese structure that stands today. Once a hotel designed in the French style of Louis Philippe, it was transformed into a pagoda when an Asian art and antique collector bought the building in 1925. Buyer Ching Tsai Loo wanted it to reflect his own Chinese heritage. Today, tourists can still view Shanxi lacquer panels as well as elaborate artwork sourced from across Asia.
More otherworldly than non-European, a trip to Iceland's incredible Thingvellir National Park allows you to witness the planet’s outer layer erode right in front of you. The remarkable landscape sits above the point where the Eurasian and American tectonic plates drift apart, which is a unique sight. Tourists travelling to the area can camp out under the stars, dive and fish in specific areas of the park.
Foliage from Brazil, New Zealand and South Africa may fool you into believing you’re walking through a garden in the Southern Hemisphere or the subtropics, but you’d be wrong. Tresco Abbey Garden is on the Isles of Scilly, just off the coast of mainland England. However, due to its position in the Gulf Stream, it has far hotter weather meaning exotic species of plant can thrive here.
Wat Buddhapadipa’s architecture may hint at a Thai location, but it’s actually in south London. The Buddhist temple, the first of its kind in the UK, was designed by Thai architect Praves Limparangsi in 1982. To this day it serves a community of Thai monks who live and worship in the area, however, it does welcome tourists throughout the week and weekend.
If you encounter a wolf in Luxembourg, it’s certainly something to write home about, as most are found in Canada and the US. Wolves were largely hunted to extinction across Europe, but they are making a comeback in Luxembourg with evidence of their presence in 2017 and 2020. They can also now be spotted in France and Germany as they continue to breed.
Dugi Otok might look like a tropical island but it isn't, it's actually part of Croatia. It only has a few hotels on the island, but if you manage to nab a place at the inn you can expect warmer weather, crystal-clear waters and pine forests. Sakarun Beach is one of the most popular stops for visitors as it offers coastal seclusion. But also explore Telascica Nature Park and one of Croatia's eight national parks, Kornati.