Beyond Merry-Go-Rounds
Push your limits at Europe’s most exhilarating and unusual theme parks!
Europe has been around for a long time. That’s why some of its most celebrated buildings are some of the oldest. But newer, more modern buildings can also be found. From Italy to Denmark, modern architecture has found its way into Europe’s heart. Browse this gallery to see some of the newest architectural marvels found throughout Europe.
Interactive Map
© thisisboss
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Kunsthaus Graz
Kunsthaus Graz in Austria is a fairly new building dedicated to contemporary art. The building’s façade is covered with giant pixels that light up in the night sky. Inside, art galleries celebrate new works of photography, film, design and even Internet art.
© Joey Zanotti
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Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris
The Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris was built in the 1970s and was well ahead of its time. The complex building is home to a public library as well as the largest museum of public art in Europe. Thousands of people visit the Centre Georges Pompidou every single day.
© Massimiliano Calamelli
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Maxxi
It took over 10 years to build but the MAXXI in Italy. The building’s unique design is a combination of sharp angles and bending lines. Inside, two brand-new museums are available to the public: MAXXI art and MAXXI architecture.
© seanbjack
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30 St Mary Axe , London
30 St Mary Axe in London’s financial district is known more informally as The Gherkin. It rises over 40 stories with much of the exterior walls being glass. While it’s a commercially used building, the top floor can be rented out for private events.
© Turespaña
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Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is located in along the Nervión River in Spain. It was designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry and constructed in 1997. This contemporary museum is known for its use of materials like titanium and limestone.
© Eirik Oestbakken / visitnorway.com
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Oslo Opera House
The Oslo Opera House in Norway is one of Europe’s most prized performance buildings. It was built in 2007 and boasts a gorgeous horseshoe auditorium, window-clad lobby and even a skateboard-friendly exterior. When it’s not hosting a performance, you’ll find art galleries on display inside.
© Visit Iceland
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Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland
Harpa is the prized music hall of Iceland and can be found in Reykjavik Harbour. The design of the building includes a complex collection of glass, lights and concrete. While it’s beautiful on the outside, it all makes for ideal acoustics in the concert halls inside.
© News Oresund
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Black Diamond, Copenhagen
Located in the heart of Copenhagen, The Royal Library has become one of Denmark’s best architectural achievements. The library’s new home known as The Black Diamond and is made from a special type of black granite. Inside you’ll find two museums, concert performances, restaurants and more.
Galleries
European Heritage Sites
European Heritage Sites include archives, monuments, archeological sites, and places of seminal cultural or political value, from the classic age to the present. Since the label’s inception in 2013, thirty-eight sites have been designated, bringing passages in Europe’s history to the foreground to honor, celebrate, and remember who built Europe, how, and why. They are lessons from the past to guide the future of Europe.
Your Guide to Late-Night Fun in Europe
Some of life’s best adventures happen when the sun goes down. And it’s no different in Europe. From dancing the night away in Barcelona to walking under the moonlight in Paris, each city offers its own nightlife excitement. Browse this gallery before your next European escapade to see which city’s nightlife is best for you.
Discover the Thermal Heritage of Europe
The therapeutic use of hot springs has been present in Europe from ancient times to the present day, giving birth to a number of spa towns well-known for the beauty of their buildings, or long tradition of welcoming guests and the healing properties of its springs.
Featured Experiences
Stop Following the Crowd
Fewer tourists, cooler weather, and cheaper airfares and hotels lure many travelers to Europe during the off-season. But when exactly is the European off-season and where are good places to visit?
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