The Guinness Book of World Records has recognized these places as having the most photographed views in Europe, and they are sure to stun you with their beauty. Some are famous landmarks, while others are smaller sites that have become popular thanks to social media sites like Instagram and Pinterest. No matter what, you’ll want to snap plenty of photos of your own, so start planning your European vacation now!
Big Ben, London
Few buildings are as instantly recognizable as the Houses of Parliament, known colloquially as Big Ben. The most famous clock tower in the world is a must-see for any traveler who has never seen it before and was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, first Surveyor of Works, to honor his contribution to the rebuilding of London after a devastating fire that leveled much of the city center.
Located at Westminster Palace in London it is part of a complex that includes Westminster Hall, Westminster Abbey, and Elizabeth Tower. It was built between 1843 and 1859 by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin, who based their design on 13th-century French Gothic cathedrals. The tower itself is 315 feet high with an hour hand that is over nine feet long. Its chimes were broadcast for the first time on 31 May 1906 using two long wires to connect to loudspeakers placed around London.
Big Ben – Third Paragraph: Today, Big Ben remains a huge tourist attraction visited by hundreds of thousands of people each year including large tour groups who visit daily during the peak season to take pictures with their loved ones underneath its iconic face.
Trevi Fountain, Rome
Step back into ancient Rome with a visit to the Trevi Fountain. Known as one of the most photographed sites in all of Italy, this iconic piece of Roman architecture was commissioned by Pope Clement XII, completed by Nicola Salvi in 1732, and inaugurated on May 22nd, 1743.
The fountain is most popular at night when it’s illuminated, creating a beautiful sight that attracts both tourists and locals. If you enjoy art and architecture, Trevi Fountain is a must-see during your next trip to Rome. It’s also one of several sites you’ll want to photograph during your visit as it’s famous for being among the most photographed places in all of western Europe.
Notre Dame, Paris
Notre Dame is a medieval Catholic cathedral located on the eastern half of the Île de la Cité, one of two natural islands on the river Seine in Paris. Commissioned by King Louis VII and erected from 1163 to 1345, Notre Dame was completed 132 years later.
It has been classified as a historic monument since 1966 and was put on the UNESCO World Heritage List along with Paris’s other landmark, The Louvre. It’s estimated that around 6 million people visit Notre Dame every year. One of Paris’s most popular attractions, there are few days when you can visit without queuing for hours before you enter.
Buckingham Palace, London
Buckingham Palace is the most photographed place in western Europe because it is the official residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It has been used by royalty for over 150 years and still remains a favorite tourist attraction.
Buckingham Palace is open to visitors all year round and offers guided tours that can be booked at any time. You can also explore the grounds on your own with plenty of photo opportunities around every corner.
The royal family can sometimes be seen out on tours as well. Make sure to head to Buckingham Palace early if you want to have a chance of seeing them up close. They also hold several special events each year, such as Trooping The Colour, which features marching bands and military units performing traditional music from around Britain and select parts of Commonwealth countries. Because it takes place in Horse Guards Parade by Buckingham Palace, visitors will have clear views of all performances from various locations throughout London.
Eiffel Tower, Paris
The Eiffel Tower is a very iconic landmark in the city of Paris, France. The tower was constructed for the 1889 World’s Fair, but it has come to represent much more than just a tourist attraction. The Eiffel Tower is an architectural triumph and its structure was an engineering breakthrough at the time that it was built. The structure remains one of the most famous in the world. To this day, millions of people visit it each year.
The Arc de Triomphe is another very famous structure located on Paris’s Champs-Élysées Avenue. It was constructed between 1806 and 1836 and it is well known for being a major memorial to those who fought for France during its many wars. The Arc de Triomphe is just one of many landmarks located along Paris’ most famous avenue. Millions of people visit it every year.
Colosseum, Rome
Rome’s Colosseum is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site but it also has one of the most iconic monuments for photographing a worldview. This amphitheater was originally built during Roman times and is believed to have been completed around A.D. 80 by the order of Emperor Titus. It could hold 50,000 spectators and used to be home to some of the greatest spectacles that ancient Rome had to offer.
Parisian street scenes, Rue Mouffetard: Also known as La rue Qui sent Bon, Rue Mouffetard is a charming street located in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. This street is full of restaurants and cafés which offer different tastes to foodies.
Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Barcelona
Sagrada Familia Cathedral is located on the heights of Gracia, a district in Barcelona. It was designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí who started working on it in 1883. Construction continued for about 20 years and then stopped because of a lack of funding and political tensions among Catalonia’s independence movement. The original design for Sagrada Familia consisted of 12 towers, but the final design has six spires over 18 naves.
Construction of Sagrada Familia Cathedral began in 1882 when Gaudi was just 33 years old. In his mind’s eye, he had seen three tall spires and the main building with 12 towers. Construction has continued ever since then and is expected to continue until 2026. There are enough funds available to complete construction by 2026 at present rates; however if construction continues as it has, there will not be enough funds to complete it by that date.
Duomo cathedral Milan
First on the list of most photographed places in western Europe is Milan’s Duomo cathedral. This Gothic cathedral which is dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente and to Sant’eustorgio was designed by architect Carlo da Castellamonte, built between 1386 and 1472, with Bramante’s help, and was consecrated on December 28th, 1418.
Next on our list of most photographed places in western Europe is Rome’s Piazza Navona. The piazza was built by architect Carlo Rainaldi at his design and at the behest of Pope Innocent X and was inaugurated on August 8th, 1656. Its design has been highly praised by art critics, with one author noting: nothing quite compares to its dominance over Rome’s ancient skyline.
Siena Cathedral
Visitors come from all over the world to admire the beauty of this Tuscan Cathedral. Siena is a city and a municipality situated on the slopes of Mount Beige, at an elevation above sea level (around 100 meters). This place was built to hold magnificent and awe-inspiring sculptures of Jesus Christ on the Cross.
It is an example of Italian Romanesque art and architecture. Inside, it is a wonderful sight to behold with its magnificent stained glass windows, frescoes, and mosaics. In order to go there, you can take a bus from many stops in Siena.
La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Barcelona
The La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, is a Roman Catholic cathedral. It was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and is one of the most important works of Catalan Modernism. The construction began in 1882 and was suspended in 1926 due to a lack of funding, which led to its architectural integrity being compromised. Gaudí later designed a project so that it could be completed without interfering with the original design. The church is still incomplete today and we have yet to see what wonders it has in store for us!
Conclusion
There are a number of places that have been captured by tourists over and over again. So, when you plan your vacation, do a little research and find out which place is most popular with other travelers so you can visit too!
