Beyond cliches: The 25 new highlights of Europe

Beyond ancient ruins and nuns spinning on verdant hillsides, Europe is currently reinventing itself through sustainable design, innovative cuisine, and a surging rail network. This small continent crams in so much that you can visit again and again and never grow tired.

THE LOWDOWN

Europe claims six of the 10 most visited countries in the world – seven if you include Turkey, which is partly in Europe – and a significant proportion of the most-visited tourist sites and monuments. No surprise then that this continent has disproportionately influenced world culture and cuisine and is dense in history, relatively safe and easy to get around.

Yet despite it being so visited, tourists have an odd relationship with Europe, which they persist in seeing as pickled in the past: a quaint place of clanking knights, classical composers and singing nuns. Media reporting often encourages the impression that contemporary Europe is a dismal place of Brexiteers, moribund bureaucrats and unwanted migrants.

Historical Europe is certainly wonderful, but not the only narrative. For 500 years this continent has been innovative, progressive and interesting, and it isn’t done yet. It throws up new or redesigned urban neighbourhoods, new attractions, scrubbed-up streetscapes and heritage sites, and ever-better transport links; meanwhile, its food scene evolves in innovative ways.

Don’t be dispirited by Europe’s much-reported tourism pressures. Some countries, whole regions and delightfully small cities retain elbow room and local life, and this small continent crams in so much that you can visit again and again and never grow tired.

The tourist trends of the moment? Slow travel, sustainability, regional cuisines and a focus on smaller towns. Get alternative in Europe, don’t rush around, and it amply rewards you.

WHAT’S HOT

Europe is intent on rethinking its tourism strategies, with a focus on climate change, protecting sensitive environments and sustainability. Tampere in Finland is the European Capital of Smart Tourism and Dubrovnik the Green Pioneer for 2026.

There are plenty of “old” destinations in Europe doing new things this year. Nice in France is revamping its famous Promenade des Anglais and making the town more pedestrian friendly, Florence has been upgrading museums, Istanbul is renovating two big train stations to incorporate museums and gardens – the list goes on.

And in 2026, Frankfurt is World Design Capital, Montenegro celebrates its 20th anniversary, and you will, of course, find numerous significant art exhibitions, such as Cezanne at Basel’s Foundation Beyeler and Rothko at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence.

The Winter Olympics in Italy might have been the keystone event, but sporting fans can take in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (23 July-2 August), Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup in England and Wales (also July-August) and the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin (September) just for starters.

It’s getting ever easier to zip around this continent, which has more budget airline connections than any other – and growing. Glasgow airport is significantly increasing capacity and routes, and everyone, from Wizz Air to Norwegian and Jet2 is introducing new routes, especially useful if you want to combine Northern Europe with the Mediterranean.

Train travel is surging, particularly with the launch in 2026 of new high-speed and sleeper routes, among them Prague-Copenhagen, Amsterdam-Barcelona, Cologne-Antwerp, Vienna-Trieste, Paris-Munich and Basel-Malmo.

And if you have a liking for luxury, opulent tourist train Al Andalus has a new seven-day itinerary between Seville and Madrid.

WHAT’S NOT

Smart Traveller has “do not travel” warnings in place for Belarus, Russia and Ukraine and advises a “high degree of caution” for Albania, France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Turkey and the UK.

Expect longer immigration queues if you’re entering the Schengen Area because, under new rules, first-time visitors will be photographed and fingerprinted. A reminder that from late 2026 Australians will need to apply online for a visa waiver via the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) when visiting the Schengen Area. The proposed application fee has risen to €20 ($35), or free for under-18s and over-70s.

Europe isn’t cheap, not helped by a mediocre exchange rate between the euro and our dollar. Brace yourself for more expense in 2026 as numerous jurisdictions introduce or raise taxes that will be put towards managing overcrowding and improving tourism infrastructure.

Edinburgh will have a 5 per cent accommodation levy from July, with other British cities such as London and Manchester to follow. Amsterdam’s has gone up to 12.5 per cent, and now the Netherlands as a whole has added a whopping 21 per cent VAT to hotel stays. Other places raising tourist taxes include Barcelona, Greece, Lisbon and Porto, and some Norwegian towns and regions.

Levies on cruise passengers are also on the rise (€14.50 in Amsterdam and €20 in Mykonos and Santorini, for example) as are entrance fees at busy tourist sites such as the Louvre, which added a €10 levy for non-EU visitors, a move likely to be followed at other popular French museums and chateaux.

MUST-VISIT COUNTRIES

Slovenia

A slice of Mediterranean, a chunk of Alps, rolling hillsides stitched with vines but fewer than 7 million annual visitors: Slovenia is utterly gorgeous and yet still under the radar. Thumbs up for its focus on slow and sustainable tourism, 70 Michelin-recommended restaurants, numerous new chic hotels and many festivals. See slovenia.info

Finland

With tourists increasingly looking for adventure off the beaten track and outside conventional seasons, Finland is in the spotlight. It’s eco-friendly, culturally distinctive, sophisticated, design forward, nature-oriented and winter wonderland-ish. Oulu is one of this year’s European Capitals of Culture, too. See visitfinland.com

Bulgaria

Bulgaria replaced the lev with the euro on New Year’s Day. Too early to see whether that will impact its budget friendliness, but Bulgaria has an increasing reputation for wine tourism, winter sports and mountain hiking and camping, and has plenty of history and culture in cities such as Sofia and Varna. Airline links have greatly improved. See visitbulgaria.com

North Macedonia

As Croatia – and more lately, Albania – get all the attention, this new landlocked Balkans nation has, until recently, hidden its assets. Now the buzz is out – tourism increased 20 per cent last year – as more visitors discover its mountain and lake scenery, ancient towns and quirky capital Skopje. See macedonia-timeless.com

Spain

One of Europe’s most deservedly beloved countries never palls. Barcelona, the Balearics and Costa del Sol hit the news for overtourism, but whole regions such as Aragon, Cantabria and Rioja remain tranquil. And yes, you can ski, hike national parks and do much more than visit churches and eat tapas. Time to revisit with new eyes. See spain.info

MUST-SEE CITIES

Trencin, Slovakia

Trencin deserves to be one of two European Capitals of Culture for 2026: it has transformed itself from a declining textile town to a vibrant cultural and music hub. Pohoda Festival in July is one of Europe’s best independent music festivals and other offerings this year includes a swathe of exhibitions and cultural events. The town has a great castle, too. See trencin2026.eu

Guimaraes, Portugal

This city was European Capital of Culture in 2012 but this year has moved on to become European Green Capital for its work towards climate neutrality. Take to the expanding cycle lanes to enjoy its UNESCO-listed old town, humming art and nightlife scene, and youthful university-town vibe. See visitguimaraes.travel

Brussels, Belgium

The uncool uncle of European cities has shrugged off its dull reputation and turned to culture and design to reinvigorate its image, anchored by this year’s opening of the Kanal – Centre Pompidou contemporary art hub. Stylish stores, hip cafes and bars, and cool neighbourhoods such as Ixelles, Saint-Gilles and Saint-Boniface add to the mix. See visit.brussels

Biarritz, France

This retro-cool seaside town in south-west France had its heyday in the mid-19th century as a retreat for royalty and artists. Now it has shaken off its old-fashioned air with several chic new hotels, a new film festival and a revamped, sometimes off-beat dining scene. It has great surf breaks, too. See destination-biarritz.fr

Tbilisi, Georgia

It’s attractive, friendly, crammed with history and thermal baths and sees Europe collide with Asia, but contemporary buzz adds a whole other layer to Georgia’s capital. It has achingly cool bars, a hot nightlife and a bubbling food and wine scene, yet retains oodles of old-fashioned charm. See georgia.travel

MUST-SEE SIGHTS

Total eclipse, Iceland

One of the most awesome natural experiences is due on August 12. You can see it from northern Spain, north-east Portugal and Greenland but Iceland will put on the best show and is celebrating with a four-day Iceland Eclipse festival on Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Meteor showers are also expected. See visiticeland.com

Digital Art Museum, Hamburg, Germany

If you haven’t yet enjoyed the amazing digital art experience that is teamLab, which first appeared in Tokyo, then one of its latest outposts is teamLab Borderless inside this brand-new museum, which will host Europe’s largest digital art collection. Prepare to get interactive and be amazed. See digitalartmuseum.com

Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

To mark the centenary of its architect Antoni Gaudi’s death, this infamous and stunningly beautiful and original cathedral now has the final piece of its spire in place. Year-round events are planned to celebrate Gaudi and modernist art, and on June 10 the pope will say mass at the cathedral. See sagradafamilia.org

Matisse Exhibition, Paris, France

Grand Palais is collaborating with Centre Pompidou to host an exhibition of 230 works produced in old age by Henri Matisse, when he switched to what made him most famous, his cut-out gouaches exploding with abstract colour and energy. Magnifique. See grandpalais.fr

Fenix Museum of Migration, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Europe’s hot potato issue is addressed through a historical perspective with exhibits, artworks and photography at this new museum, which is nicely enlivened by changing multicultural performances. The metallic, double-helix architecture of the building is worth seeing in itself. See fenix.nl

MUST-DO EXPERIENCES

Chill out in the Greek islands

It’s the year to avoid the predictable, overcrowded hotspots of Mykonos and Santorini and discover why the Greek islands are still legendary by visiting alternative islands such as Hydra, Kea, Naxos, Sifnos and Amorgos, with their burgeoning boutique-hotel and restaurant scenes. See visitgreece.gr

Race in Madrid, Spain

Except for football and tennis, does anyone associate Spain with sport? This year Madrid challenges that assumption with Formula E (the electric racing championship) this month and Spanish Grand Prix in September on a newly opened circuit. See esmadrid.com

Ski in the Dolomites, Italy

The Winter Olympics has cast the world’s eyes on the Dolomites, a relatively overlooked alpine ski destination among Australians, but not short of stunning scenery, considerable glamour in Cortina d’Ampezzo and vast ski areas. You know when Aman Resorts has a new hotel that international chic has moved in. See cortina.dolomiti.org

Sample whisky in Islay, Scotland

The Scottish islands aren’t known for trendiness but Hebridean island Islay, already graced with a dozen distilleries, bucks that assumption. Check out new Laggan Bay and Portintruan distilleries, and check into new luxury boutique hotel Ardbeg House, whose decor is eye-popping. See islayinfo.com

Eat your way around Seville, Spain

Easy in Europe not to see past the cliches, but Seville is much more than monuments and tapas bars. Spain’s new cuisine wave has hit town, where a cohort of innovative young chefs is shaking things up in restaurants and bars such as Abantal, Gallo Rojo, Lama La Uva and Senor Cangrejo. See visitasevilla.es

MUST-DO JOURNEYS

Via Transilvanica, Romania

Avoid over-touristed Europe, get fit and healthy, and take in rolling countryside, forest, farming villages and 12 World Heritage sites on this 1428-kilometre hiking path completed in 2022, and now expanding into other parts of Romania. Milestones every kilometre double as art installations. See viatransilvanica.com

King Charles III Coast Path, UK

This round-England coastal path, which has been under construction since 2009, will be completed this year. It runs for 4303 kilometres across beaches, above cliffs and through national parks and English seaside towns. The most scenic sections are arguably in East Sussex, Kent, the Isle of Wight and Northumberland. See nationaltrail.co.uk

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

This opulent and legendary art deco-style train has a new route in May 2026, connecting Paris to Italy’s Amalfi Coast with a stop at Pompeii on the way. The journey from Paris to Portofino takes two days and a night, with two following nights at a Ravello hotel. See belmond.com

Peloponnese, Greece

Hire a car, hit the road and discover less-tramped Greece in this rugged peninsula that starts an hour from Athens. A new hiking-trail network is inaugurated this year, the Archaeological Museum of Chora is revamped and agritourism is on the rise. The Peloponnese has outstanding ancient ruins and scenery. See visitgreece.gr

Schilthorn Cableway, Murren, Switzerland

The Swiss don’t rest on their considerable laurels when it comes to showcasing the Alps. The final section of a newer, faster, steeper cable car is set to open in April for the ascent of the iconic Piz Gloria peak. The ride will take 22 spectacular minutes. See schilthorn.ch

FUN FACTS: EUROPE

• The Sedlec Ossuary near Prague in the Czech Republic is a medieval gothic chapel decorated with the bones of more than 40,000 people, including a massive chandelier containing at least one of every human bone.
• The Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona has been under construction since 1882, longer than it took the Egyptians to build the pyramids. This year the Tower of Jesus Christ was completed making it the tallest church in the world.
• Even if you die in the town of Longyearbyen on Norway’s Svalbard islands, you’re not allowed to be buried there because the permafrost prevents bodies from decomposing.
• In Switzerland, many noisy activities – mowing the lawn, washing your car, recycling bottles, doing the laundry in apartment buildings – are banned on Sundays to ensure a day of rest for everyone
• The third-highest Greek population of any city in the world live in Melbourne, behind only Athens and Thessaloniki.