Dreaming of incredible trips to add to your European adventure bucket list? This is your chance to explore parts of Europe that go beyond the typical tourist trail.
From hiking the fjords of Norway to snorkelling between tectonic plates in Iceland or hot-air ballooning over ancient landscapes, the following list is full of unforgettable Adventure Holidays in Europe of a lifetime, not just places to see.
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Iceland: An Active Trip With Stunning Scenery
Source: independent.co.uk
Iceland is a rugged, majestic stunner of a country that offers a diverse range of adventures, including dramatic fjords, frozen glaciers, the northern lights, mighty volcanoes, and more. There are many opportunities for glacier hiking, ice caving, intercontinental snorkelling, and lava caving.
With its dramatic landscapes and scenery, It’s no wonder that Iceland is one of the top hiking destinations in the world. You could visit the lava fields of the enchanting east, head over to explore the remote waterfalls of the wild west, snorkel between Europe and North America at the Silfra fissure, and relax your muscles at one of the many bubbling geothermal springs.
Croatia Has Great Adventure Offerings
Source: cntraveller.com
Croatia’s islands, beaches, and adventure offerings make it an attractive destination for those looking for a wild adventure. Some of the available opportunities include cycling, hiking, kayaking, quad biking, and river rafting.
You could visit Plitvice Lakes National Park, which is an emerald wilderness of mighty mountains, waterfalls, and lakes, offering twelve hiking trails through pristine and breathtaking landscapes. More untouched wilderness awaits in the Northern Velebit National Park.
Nothing compares to putting paddles through their paces on the Croatian coast. The sublime secret coves and the see-through shallows surround an exciting collection of deserted and uninhabited island archipelagos, which makes the sea kayaking holiday in Croatia hard to beat.
Spain, the Home of the Matador
Source: npr.org
Whether you choose to run with the bulls in Pamplona, learn Spanish through a homestay in Sevilla, party in Ibiza, catch a football match in Barcelona, or walk the Santiago de Compostela, your adventure trip in Spain will leave you wanting more.
The Iberian Peninsula is a treasure trove of different climates, landscapes, and cultures to explore, with several Islands such as the Canaries to try out. Inland, the country has a number of rivers, mountain ranges, and even a small desert, which happens to be the largest in Europe, that can be explored.
Spain is best known for its coastal resorts and beaches, which offer a mix of activities that should get your adrenaline pumping.
The UK: An Adventure Kingdom
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
There’s a lot more to the UK than London. Still, the famed city offers its fair share of adventurous activities, including climbing and bungee jumping from some of its most famous buildings.
As a whole, the UK is a dream destination for adrenaline junkies. The varied landscapes of Wales, England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, along with the long and dramatic coastlines, provide great opportunities for excursions and hikes, which makes it one of the best adventure holidays in Europe.
In England, you can have lots of European adventures, including catching the footie at a local pub, wandering in small hamlets, hiking the Peak and Lake Districts, and stalking Jack the Ripper in Whitechapel. In Ireland, you can climb the green hills, down a pint or two of Guinness at a real Irish pub, and even kiss the Blarney Stone in Cork.
Greece, the Gem of the Mediterranean
Source: travelandleisure.com
Looking to hang out in places like Zeus and his minions? Why not try out Greece? It remains a popular choice when it comes to adventure holidays in Europe. Hike the Meteora to meet the monks, knock back the ouzo and party on the Mykonos, and stare at the aquamarine ocean from a guesthouse on Santorini.
Naturally, Greece is a great destination for watersports. It offers some of the best places in Europe to try out diving, boating, sailing, and snorkelling. The countryside also offers spectacular options, with plenty of mountains and craggy creeks to explore and hike. And with more than 6,000 islands in the Aegean Sea, Greece is an incredible destination for an island-hopping adventure.
The best thing about Europe is that there are so many countries with so much to offer that are in close proximity to each other. This means that you can tick many items off your bucket list in a single trip. Now the big question is, which one of these places will you visit first?
