Europe is a spectacular mixed bag of historical monuments, amazing attractions, fun things to do and unique experiences. And exploring all that Europe has to offer with friends is an experience that cannot be compared to anything else. Taking in the wonders of this phenomenal continent with friends is one of the purest forms of happiness!
1. Paris, France
Paris is the quintessential European city and it is a blast exploring this magnificent city. Without a doubt, the Eiffel Tower was the highlight of Paris and it is best to buy your Eiffel Tower tickets well in advance so that you do not lose time waiting in queues.
Gustave Eiffel’s office and the panoramic views from the observation deck are experiences that will stay with you forever. Besides the magical attractions in this city, Paris is also famous for its vibrant nightlife. Explore the Latin Quarter, Pigalle and the Bastille region for the best bars and clubs.
An evening cruise on the River Seine is one thing that you should not miss while in Paris. The views of the city lights from the river with the beautifully lit Eiffel Tower in the background is absolutely breathtaking.
2. Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg is a fun place to explore with friends and the city offers some really exciting activities that you can indulge in. Enjoy a walking tour in Grande Île or the Old City and visit the iconic astronomical clock at the Strasbourg Notre Dame. This Gothic church is worth giving some time to explore its architectural splendor.
Take a day trip to explore Alsace with friends and simply enjoy the medieval charm, pretty villages, elegant castles and breathtaking landscapes. You can also indulge in a wine tour of the vineyards and taste the best wines in the region.
3. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is a charming city with lots to do but if you wish to skip the regular museum and garden visits and are looking for more outdoor time, then you can go street art hunting, which Amsterdam is notorious for. Next, you can indulge in a canal cruise on Pure Boats, indulge in the Heineken Experience, take a ride in a disco taxi or head to the Vondelbunker, which is a WWII bunker where local artists perform.
If you are looking for some adrenaline, then head to Efteling Theme Park, which is just 1.5 hours away from Amsterdam. This is the largest theme park in the country and offers quite unique experiences. Make sure you book your Efteling tickets in advance, as the lines at the ticket counter are usually quite long.
4. Rotterdam, Netherlands
Rotterdam is a fun place to explore with a bunch of friends who love adventure and trying new things. Is it a bus or a boat? Join the Splash Tour and find out as your sightseeing bus heads straight into the water of the Maas and shows you the sights from the water.
Visit an old metal factory that has been converted into a thriving French Square with restaurants, lawn bowling and more. Looking for adventure? Then head to one of the escape rooms and try out yours and your friends’ grit. You can also join a Quest Escape where you run around the city following clues, solving riddles and completing tasks.
5. Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos is synonymous with parties, adventure, beaches, history, food and wine. Indulge in a bike tour to explore the city and enjoy viewing local churches, towers, lookouts and quaint cafes. The stunning beaches of Mykonos are an absolute must-visit attraction where you can also indulge in exciting activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, jet boat rides and more. Indulge in sailing tours or day trips to nearby islands like Rhenia and Delos. Head to the Mykonos Brewery Company with your friends and indulge in some craft beer tasting as well as enjoy the experience of exploring the brewery.
6. Athens, Greece
Athens has so much history that visiting the monuments here is just irresistible. Visiting the Parthenon, the Temple of Zeus, taking a walk along the ancient neighborhoods of Plaka and Monastiraki and exploring the traditional markets here are some of the best things you can do in Athens with your friends. Go sailing along the coast from where you can get great views of some of the most impressive ruins in Athens. Of course, traveling with friends means clubbing and bar hopping and Athens has some of the best ones for you. Right from glitzy bars and clubs with international DJs to small pubs with live performances by local artists, you can find all of these in Athens.
7. Mallorca, Spain
Mallorca is a beautiful region in Spain and it is mostly famous for its stunning beaches, impressive Spanish architecture, wineries and fresh produce. Enjoy a fun-filled day with your friends on a hop-on, hop-off bus tour of the city and stop at whichever attraction catches your fancy. For a touch of adventure, explore the Drach Caves, which completely transform into an underground stage for live performances when it is all lit up. You can take a boat ride and explore the various formations around the caves. Go on a quad bike tour in the country and explore lesser-known villages and hidden trails. Other activities you should not miss out on on your trip to Mallorca are snorkeling, sailing, wine tasting, horseback riding and hot air balloon rides.
8. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona has monuments, beaches, mountains and a host of fun things to do that you can enjoy with your friends. Take in the amazing views of the city from the water with a sailing expedition or explore Costa Brava by boat, which is a half-day tour from Barcelona.
Get on the Montjuic Cable Car and explore the wonders of Montjuic’s hidden parks and discover human-sized whistles or take part in musical games. How does a pillow fight in the middle of the day in a public square sound? Yes, you can do this in Barcelona! Get to Placa Catalunya and grab the fluffiest pillow you can find and start hitting your friends, the person standing next to you or anyone else present there and has a pillow as well.
9. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is one of the most captivating cities on the European continent and a great place to have fun with friends. There are quaint cafes serving delicious local cuisine, expansive plazas, stunning cathedrals and monuments and so much more to explore. Hop on Tram #28 and enjoy the ride while it takes you to all the hot spots in town. Get on a bike tour and go street art hunting or pub crawling. While in Lisbon, save some time to visit the Fado Show, which showcases a unique musical genre from the 1800s.
10. Porto, Portugal
Hop on the high-speed train from Lisbon to Porto and spend some time exploring the place where port wine was born. Porto is one of the best places to indulge in wine tasting and you can start your tour from the famous Porto Cruz Space. One of the things you should not miss in Porto is a river cruise on the Douro River and taking in the city’s skyline from the river. One of the best ways to truly explore Porto is by taking a tram ride and the best one to get on board is the #1 tram, which takes you to the famous attractions of this city. The tram will take you past places like the Church of St. Francis, the gardens of Passeio Alegre and many more.
The best way to enjoy these spectacular places is with a group of friends when you can just let our hair down and be whisked away from all the cares of the world and revel in the beauty that is Europe.
