The most iconic landmark in 11 major European countries
FRANCE: This 1,063-foot-tall iron tower opened in 1889, and has since become one of the most recognisable buildings in the world. While it offers tourists scenic views of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is also a remarkable piece of architecture in its own right. Few people know that its architect Gustave Eiffel built a tiny apartment on the tower's third level, which visitors can glimpse inside today.
UK: Perhaps the world's most famous timekeeper, London's Big Ben is the UK's top-rated attraction. Locals know it as Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben is the name given to the bell within the structure). Located at the north end of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, The Big Ben building is comprised of 11 floors inside.
GREECE: A visit to the Acropolis should be on every traveller's bucket list in Greece. The world-famous site in Athens is not only a great place to look at ruins of ancient buildings like the Parthenon, but also as a viewpoint, with a sprawling panorama of the Greek capital.
CZECH REPUBLIC: Charles Bridge, which stretches across Prague's Vltava river, is one of the most beautiful landmarks in the country, dotted with Baroque sculptures. While the unique bridge is an impressive piece of architecture itself, it's also an ideal place to watch the sun set over Old Town's turret-topped buildings.
ITALY: Visitors to Vatican City can't miss St. Peter's Basilica, a grand, ornate building that overlooks St. Peter's Square. Tourists come to see the basilica's intricate interior — which includes mosaics and artwork like Michelangelo's "Pietà" sculpture — and climb to the top of the 535-foot-tall dome for spectacular views.
RUSSIA: The architectural details are what make St. Petersburg's Church of Our Savior of Spilled Blood spectacular. From the outside, the church looks more like a palace, topped with exquisite domes and turrets. Inside, visitors gawp at elaborate mosaics and even the ceilings.
SPAIN: It's unusual to see two faiths come together in one place, which may be why the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba is so popular with visitors to Andalusia. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, now a Catholic church, is known for its stunning Moorish architecture and has a fascinating past as a Visigothic Catholic church that was once shared by Muslims and Christians.
PORTUGAL: Designed by the architect Francisco de Arruda, Belem Tower (also known as the Tower of St. Vincent) was built as a fortress to protect Lisbon's harbour in 1515. Today, the structure's intricate stonework, castle-like turrets, and arcaded windows continue to impress visitors.
BELGIUM: Visitors congregate in the centre of Brussels at La Grand-Place, a charming market square flanked by historic buildings that date back to the late 17th century, including the King's House (or Bread House) building, a grandiose structure that houses the Museum of the City of Brussels.
GERMANY: Berlin's Brandenburg Gate once divided East and West Berlin. Today, the 85-foot-tall sandstone gate — which was designed by Carl Gotthard Langhans in 1791 — is one of Germany's most recognisable pieces of architecture.
TURKEY: Istanbul's Hagia Sophia is a must-see attraction for architecture buffs. The impressive building was once home to a Greek Orthodox church before it became a mosque; today, it's a museum with historic mosaics, tombs, and more.
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