With rich cultural attractions and world-class museums, the compact city of Porto spreads upward from both sides of the Douro River, making it easy to explore on foot with a vigorous hike. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the historic Ribeira quarter on the waterfront is a maze of cobblestone streets and picturesque squares that tell a 2,000-year history in architecture.
On a bay in the Baltic Sea stands the majestic city of Gdańsk, once a prominent member of the Hanseatic League. The Royal Route – named for the monarchs who used to travel it – follows the pedestrian thoroughfare of Long Market through landmarks of the enchanting Old Town, from the ornamental Golden Gate at one end to the equally impressive Green Gate at the other. Both stand shoulder to shoulder with an array of colorful historic buildings that overlook the Motława River. A highlight is the Gothic hall of Artus Court with the statue of Neptune standing at its entrance.
Founded as a Viking trading post, Trondheim is Norway’s third largest city and was the country’s capital until 1217. A cyclist’s paradise, the city center is covered with dedicated bike lanes and is quite walkable as well. Museumgoers can choose from numerous options within a one-mile radius, with topics ranging from pop music to criminal justice, and one of the finest examples of Norwegian architecture is the palatial royal residence of Stiftsgården. Some of the city’s best cafés and restaurants can be found among the cobbled streets of the hip neighborhood of Bakklandet.
Tracing its roots as far back as the 12th century, Stavanger is one of the oldest communities in Norway. With one of the few urban centers in the region not destroyed by fires or World War II, Stavanger has retained a wealth of historic treasures to explore. With its plentiful music venues, international festivals and museums featuring everything from Vikings to sardines, the city is also a vibrant cultural hub. Gamle Stavanger, with its cobbled streets and beautifully preserved 18th-century homes, is one the largest surviving settlements of wooden houses in northern Europe.
Spread across four scenic islands, Kristiansund is known for its picturesque seascapes and rich maritime history. Named Norway’s Engineering Feat of the Century, the Atlantic Ocean Road emerges from an undersea tunnel here to weave dramatically over undulating bridges and across tiny islets for one of the world’s most beautiful drives. Lookout points along the way let you stop at coastal pathways for views of the surrounding mountains and fjords.
Visitors come to the tiny village of Geiranger for one singular purpose: to explore the breathtaking fjords. A UNESCO World Heritage site, narrow Geirangerfjord is surrounded by steep cliffs and roaring waterfalls that plunge straight into the clear blue waters below in a dramatic theater of nature. A few abandoned sheep farms are the only mark that human hands have left on this rugged landscape. The Geiranger Skywalk offers spectacular views from the Dalsnibba mountain, and the hairpin bends of winding Eagle Road present an equally glorious perspective.
Surrounded by a ring of hills known as the Seven Mountains, Bergen’s idyllic setting and stunning natural harbor have cemented its reputation as one of Norway’s most beloved destinations. The Bergen Cable Car and Fløibanen Funicular are great ways to admire the area’s natural beauty, as is a boat trip along the phenomenal fjords. For breathtaking views of the city itself, climb to the top of Rosenkrantz Tower, regarded as one of the most important Renaissance monuments in Norway.
Surrounded by fjords and the high peaks of the Sunnmøre Alps, Ålesund is famous for its unique art nouveau architecture, constructed when the city was rebuilt following a fire in 1904. This combination of natural splendor and rich heritage have solidified Ålesund’s place as a memorable Nordic destination. With its fairytale towers, turrets and gables, the picture-perfect heart of Ålesund begs to be explored on foot. A good place to start is Jugendstilsenteret, a museum celebrating art nouveau design with its interiors, displays and interactive exhibits.
Also known as Derry, Londonderry is one of Europe’s best-preserved walled cities and the only one in Ireland completely intact. Within the 400-year-old walls stand landmarks like the 17th-century St. Columb’s Cathedral, the imposing neo-Gothic Guildhall and the Tower Museum, which illuminates over 14 centuries of history. Evocative murals in the Bogside neighborhood acknowledge the turbulent period of the Troubles in the past, while the modern Peace Bridge symbolizes hope for a harmonious future.
A melting pot of cultures, Latvia’s capital of Riga is a delight to explore. A glance up from the cobblestone streets of the UNESCO-listed Old Town reveals the finest collection of art nouveau architecture in all of Europe. Riga Cathedral’s grand exterior dominates the cityscape in this area, and one of the world’s largest pipe organs stands inside.
