European cities are home to architectural masterpieces from various eras—from Moorish mosques and Roman baths to Baroque cathedrals and futuristic skyscrapers. Lonely Planet has selected eight destinations worth visiting specifically for their architecture. Learn more about Europe’s most fascinating architectural cities and their main landmarks

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Europe preserves an architectural heritage spanning millennia, from Roman baths and Moorish palaces to Scandinavian skyscrapers and Catalan modernism. Lonely Planet has compiled a selection of eight European cities whose architecture impresses with its scale, style, and historical context. Among them are well-known tourist destinations and less obvious spots on the map that deserve attention precisely because of their buildings.

We’ll tell you more about each of these cities and their main architectural landmarks in the article below.

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Córdoba, Spain: Andalusia’s Moorish heritage

Córdoba remains in the shadow of Granada and Seville, though it is in no way inferior to them in terms of the richness of its Moorish architecture. The city boasts four UNESCO World Heritage sites, the most prominent of which is the 8th-century Mezquita (Great Mosque) with its mihrab, star-shaped stone vaults, and interlaced horseshoe arches. Beyond the mosque, the city unfolds into a labyrinth of cobblestone streets in the medieval center, featuring wrought-iron balconies, flower-filled patios, and buildings of golden stone. Other highlights include the ruins of the Medina de Azahara, the 10th-century palace city of Caliph Abd al-Rahman III, and the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos with its terraced gardens, fish ponds, and fountains.

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Bath, United Kingdom: Georgian elegance on the banks of the Avon

Bath in Somerset is one of England’s most architecturally cohesive cities, built primarily from local limestone. John Wood the Younger’s Royal Crescent and The Circus, inspired by the Colosseum, are considered icons of Georgian architecture; this is where “Bridgerton” was filmed, and where Jane Austen lived from 1801 to 1806. Bath’s history goes back much further: about two thousand years ago, the Romans built baths here dedicated to the goddess Sulis-Minerva, drawn by hot springs with a temperature of 46 °C. Bath’s Roman baths have survived to this day and are one of the finest examples of ancient thermal complexes in the world.

Basel, Switzerland: The Capital of Avant-Garde Architecture

Basel, located at the junction of the borders of Switzerland, Germany, and France, stands out among Swiss cities precisely for its concentration of modern architecture—it is home to buildings by several Pritzker Prize laureates, and every year the city hosts the Art Basel art fair. Key landmarks include the BIS Tower and the Jean Tinguely Museum by Mario Botta, the copper-clad SBB Central Signal Box, and the energy-efficient Roche Towers by Herzog & de Meuron, as well as Frank Gehry’s deconstructivist Vitra Design Museum and Renzo Piano’s Fondation Beyeler. Two-hour architectural tours of Basel allow you to learn more about the history of each landmark and its architect.

Photo: iStock

Lecce, Italy: The Baroque Limestone City of Apulia

Lecce in southern Apulia boasts a completely unique architectural style—barocco leccese—created by local 17th-century masters, notably Francesco Antonio Cimballo and his grandson Giuseppe. The facades, made of local honey-colored limestone, are lavishly decorated with gargoyles, columns, floral garlands, and figures of fantastical creatures. The main attraction is the Basilica of Santa Croce, with allegorical beasts and cherubs adorning its façade, while Piazza del Duomo is framed by the Baroque cathedral, the bell tower, and the bishop’s palace. Beneath the square lies a 2nd-century Roman amphitheater—a reminder that Lecce’s architectural history predates the Baroque era by centuries.

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Copenhagen and Malmö: Scandinavian Modernism on Two Shores

Copenhagen, UNESCO World Capital of Architecture for 2023–2025, combines Arne Jacobsen’s modernist legacy with ultra-contemporary projects: the Ørestad district on the island of Amager showcases the Upcycle Studios residential complex made from recycled materials, BIG’s 8 House with green roofs, and the Royal Arena clad in wooden fins. The Dansk Arkitektur Center in Rem Koolhaas’s BLOX building offers walking tours of the capital’s architectural landmarks. Across the Øresund Bridge—in Malmö, Sweden—stands Santiago Calatrava’s Turning Torso: a 57-story skyscraper 190 meters tall, twisted 90 degrees—the tallest building in Scandinavia.

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Coimbra, Portugal: a medieval university gem

Coimbra, Portugal’s third-largest city between Lisbon and Porto, rises dramatically above the Mondego River and preserves architectural traces of the Celts, Romans, Visigoths, and Moors. The cryptoporticus beneath the Machado de Castro National Museum is the remnant of a Roman forum, while the imposing Arco de Almedina from the Moorish era still leads to the upper part of the city. The 12th-century Romanesque Sé Velha Cathedral impresses with its crenellated façade featuring narrow windows, while the University of Coimbra, founded in 1290 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracts visitors with its Baroque Biblioteca Joanina, adorned with gold and frescoes.

Photo: iStock

Barcelona, Spain: From Gothic to Gaudí

Barcelona is preparing to become a UNESCO World Capital of Architecture in 2026, spanning all eras—from the Roman ruins and Gothic churches of the Barri Gòtic to the Catalan Modernism of Antoni Gaudí. His La Sagrada Família, with spires resembling wax candles, is set to be completed in 2026—144 years after construction began. Casa Batlló, with its dragon-back-shaped roof, and the undulating La Pedrera (Casa Milà), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcase Gaudí’s style featuring trencadís—a mosaic of broken tiles. Park Güell on the hill completes the picture with its fairy-tale columns and mosaic benches overlooking Barcelona and the sea.

Bergen, Norway: the wooden architecture of a Hanseatic port

Bergen in Norway’s Western Fjords was the country’s medieval capital and a member of the Hanseatic League, and its main architectural landmark—Bryggen—is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old pier, lined with wooden buildings featuring gabled roofs and ochre-red facades, stretches along the Vagen harbor. King Haakon’s Hall (1247–1261), with its vaulted ceiling, and the Hanseatic Museum in an 18th-century wooden building tell the story of the maritime trade era.

The best time to visit Bryggen is early in the morning or in the evening, after the day-trippers have left—a 1.5-hour “Essence of Bergen” walking tour of the historic center’s architectural landmarks is also available.

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Reminder! European summer resorts are packed with tourists every year, and vacations often turn into a scramble for a spot on the beach. But even in popular countries, there are destinations where you can enjoy peace and quiet, nature, and an authentic atmosphere. We’ll tell you about three underrated European destinations worth visiting this summer right here.

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