Natural Wonders in Europe: 14 Majestic Places to Visit

It is hard to find a man who does not love the natural beauty of the continent of Europe. It has many things, including ancient volcanoes, rugged coastlines, and spectacular cliffs.

There are many breathtaking natural wonders in Europe, without any doubt. Every person who lives on another continent of the planet should try to visit Europe.

14 Natural Wonders in Europe

The continent of Europe has countless natural wonders to offer. We have selected 14 of the most beautiful phenomena and places. It will amaze you, without any doubt.

1. The Blue Grotto Italy

It is right to call it a dream in blue. The world-famous Blue Grotto on the Italian island of Capri can bring you into another world. It is a classic cave, and it took many centuries to form.

The light conditions inside it have given it a special place. It is more than 50 meters long and in the northwest part of the island.

The Blue Grotto Italy is only accessible through a hole about two meters high. But there is a larger underwater opening through which the sunlight penetrates.

It causes the blue light reflections on the cave ceiling. The sand-colored ground of the cave provides more silvery opalescent effects.

Regular motor boats are available there from the Marina Grande in Capri to the Grotta Azzurra. The entrance is exciting.

Only a boat with four people is accessible, who lie down to fit through the small rock gate. They then have ten minutes to enjoy the cave – because the queue outside is usually very long.

2. France: The Dune du Pilat

Do you believe that desert-like conditions exist in Europe? The answer is it exists in the European country of France.

Here, the highest dune in Europe has been piling up on the coast of southwest France for thousands of years.

It begins at Arcachon Bay in the municipality of La Teste de Buch. It extends for almost three kilometers. At the highest point, it reaches an impressive 110 meters and is up to 616 meters wide.

Dune de pilat is one of the natural wonders in Europe
Image by François BENOIS from Pixabay

Its height varies from year to year. On one side, the Dune du Pilat borders a large forest area. And on the other, the Atlantic begins.

But how did such a big pile of sand end up on the French coast? Scientists have found that the development of the Dune du Pilat started around 18,000 years ago.

Winds, currents, storms, and tides made it grow bigger and bigger. In the early 1990s, people began stabilizing the Dune du Pilat’s northern part.

They took the help of palisade fences, shrubs, and pine trees. More than a million travelers visit the natural wonder every year.

3. Denmark: The meeting of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea

At the northernmost tip of Denmark, a natural phenomenon occurs. It is hardly possible to see anywhere else in the world. Here is the place where the North Sea and the Baltic Sea meet.

For this, you have to drive to Skagen, from there you can get to the sandy headland Grenen. Arriving at the front, you see how the waves of both seas meet.

So you can be in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea at the same time. But, authorities prohibited swimming due to adverse currents.

There is another benefit of staying nearby. It is that you can watch the sunrise over the Baltic Sea. You can also enjoy the sunset over the North Sea in the same place!

And once you are in Jutland, you can experience another natural phenomenon. Denmark also has sand that swallows everything in its way, including a church.

There are the remains of a 14th-century Church of St. Laurentii. You can find the remains almost four kilometers southwest of Skane.

And another ten kilometers further, you will find Råbjerg Mile. It is the largest dune in Northern Europe. It moves by 15 to 20 meters every year and is under protection.

4. Germany: The Externsteine ​​in the Teutoburg Forest

Thirteen rocks have come together in the Teutoburg Forest to form a unique natural phenomenon. The Externsteine ​​consists of chalk sandstone and is quite rugged. 

Some of them reach a height of up to 35 meters. The unique formation inspires our generation. Externsteine had a cultic significance as early as the Stone Age. 

Many scientists suspect it. The cult of witches, druids, and other religious communities come to celebrate here. 

If that’s not your thing, you can climb the rocks and enjoy the magnificent view of the Wiembecketeich. You can also enjoy the Teutoburg Forest from up there. 

5. Ireland: The Cliffs of Moher

Ireland is famous for its green meadows and steep coasts. The most famous cliffs are the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare in the southwestern part of Ireland.

You can let your gaze slide down to a depth of up to 214 meters until the waves crash against the rocks on the coast. There are various hiking trails, such as the Doolin Cliff Walk.

The three-hour tour from Doolin leads along the coast. The coast has the surroundings of the lush green fauna of Ireland. The goal is the visitor center.

It is like a hobbit cave and provides information about the spectacular cliffs. If you are lucky, you can observe various birds during your hike.

The little puffins like to nest here, as do the elegant razorbills and the loud kittiwakes. And when the sea is calm, sometimes even dolphins or basking sharks are visible.

6. Serbia: The Davolja varos

Davolja varos in southern Serbia is a natural monument with an extraordinary appearance. More than 200 earth pyramids and natural springs are there.

It is possible to discover on a developed hiking trail. The special place is in the Radan Mountains. These mountains are no higher than 700 meters.

The earth pyramids are between two and 15 meters high. It took its formation millions of years ago. Volcanic activity was high in the area, and the soil was being eroded and reformed.

Reddish water gushes out of the two springs. The locals call it the water of the devil. The colors of this formation are possible to explain.

The high mineral content of 15 grams per liter and a very acidic pH value of 1.5 creates different colors. The Davolja varos is one of the natural wonders of Europe.

The sight of the Devil’s City is spectacular, and the sounds are popular here. When the wind whistles through the pyramids, there often float howling noises.

7. England: The Brimham Rocks

There is a spectacular rock formation of the Brimham Rocks in northern England. It has many names like Guard dog, sphinx, tortoise, and dancing bear or camel. 

Brimham rocks
Image by Tim Hill from Pixabay

Located on a moor in Yorkshire, they are among the best-known natural wonders of Britain. Erosion created the unique rock formation over thousands of years. 

The idol stone is particularly surreal. It looks like a small stone is balancing a huge rock. It is a single specimen that nature shaped so with the help of water and weather.

8. Helgoland: The Long Anna

Helgoland is a small natural wonder, without any doubt. The island in the middle of the North Sea has great variety in a few square kilometers.

A unique natural phenomenon is the Lange Anna. It is the symbol of the island. The pillar rises 47 meters in height. The red sandstone gave its formation and is northwest of the island.

In the summer, it is a breeding ground for thousands of northern gannets. It fills the place with their howling.

The Lange Anna was once a natural rock bridge. But it collapsed in 1860. Authority built a protective wall to protect the pillar from further erosion.

The Long Anna has been a natural monument since 1969. A few years later, another demolition on the coast gave her a little sister: the Short Anna.

9. South Tyrol: The Dolomites

The view is spectacular. The Dolomites are a part of the Alps and are unique because of bizarre mountains and steep rocks. The mountain range took its formation over 200 million years ago.

It is now a popular travel destination. Five Italian provinces enjoy the massif: South Tyrol, Trentino, Belluno, Udine, and Pordenone.

Due to the dolomite rock, the rocks appear almost white and like to shimmer red and orange in the sunset. It is a majestic natural spectacle.

One of the most famous rock groups in the Dolomites is the Drei Zinnen in the South Tyrolean area. It is in the province of Belluno. The border runs exactly over the peaks.

Experienced hikers can explore the Three Peaks on various hiking trails. But there are also easy hiking trails. It always reveals a view of the spectacular mountains.

10. Northern Ireland: The Giant’s Causeway

Not only does Ireland inspire with its Cliffs of Moher, but Northern Ireland also has a treasure to offer. This treasure is second to none, without any doubt.

We are talking about the famous Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim. About 40,000 basalt columns protrude from the Atlantic here. These basalt columns date back to the age of the volcanoes.

The age of volcanos was around 60 million years ago. There is also a legend surrounding the origin of the place, which you can learn more about in the visitor center.

Many believe that The Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill is liable for the basalt formation. His nemesis was the Scottish giant Benandonner. Fionn built a path of stepping stones to Scotland.

According to data, Benandonner disliked it. He destroyed the way of creating the Giant’s Causeway. At least, that is what the legend says.

11. Spain: The Bardenas Reales

If you see some pictures of Bardenas Reales, you may say this place is not on earth. It is the place of another planet. The desert in northern Spain is an extraordinary landscape. 

It is partly reminiscent of the mighty rock massifs of Utah. Formed by water, wind, and sun, you will find peace and opportunities to let off steam here.

There are two parts to the natural park. One is the Bardena Blanca and the other Bardena Negra. The former is reminiscent of a lunar landscape, and mountains alternate with deep gorges. 

The Bardena Negra is much greener, with Aleppo pines, among other things, growing here. You will find a 700 km network of hiking and cycling trails in the region.

12. Croatia: The Plitvice Lakes

The Plitvice Lakes is one of the famous places in Croatia, without any doubt. The national park is in the north of the country.

It has gained popularity for its many cascades, waterfalls, and turquoise lakes. There are 16 lakes to discover, which remain separate by many natural barriers.

Some of these lakes have travertine, a somewhat porous limestone. They are particularly fragile. The interplay of flowing water, air, and vegetation created them.

There are differences in altitude within the national park. It has the responsibility for creating varied flora and fauna over the millennia. 

To this day, animal species live here that were already present when there was no trace of humans. There are various hiking trails in the national park itself. 

13. Portugal: The Algar do Carvao

Volcanoes still play a valuable role in our earth’s history. Luckily for us humans, many are currently not active. And some have left something that is now a paradise for adventurers.

For example, in the Azores, you can visit the inside of an old volcanic vent. Located in the center of Terceira is the nature reserve with the volcanic vent Algar do Carvão.

It had taken its formation around 2000 years ago and was then part of the Pico do Carvão volcano. As the lava gushed out of the vent, some flowed back into the magma chamber and solidified there.

The result was a so-called open lava chimney. On the walls of the Algar do Caravo, there are now stalagmites and stalactites.

In 1893 the first explorers descended into the vent, and more than 40 years. Later the mapping of the cave began.

14. Norway: The Lofoten Islands

The Lofoten Islands on the rugged coast of northern Norway are spectacular. They consist of around 80 smaller and larger islands.

It lies between 100 and 300 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. People have been living on the islands for about 6000 years from the time of hunting and fishing.

Today tourism in this place plays a vital role in the economy. Even if many places in Lofoten seem bare, there are now many more trees than were a few centuries ago.

lofoten islands
Image by Monika from Pixabay

Back then, people cut down almost everything to use wood for building houses and ships. In some places, Lofoten rises to 1200 meters above sea level.

Thus it offers alpine conditions for the adventurous. The islands are possible to discover on a cruise. Island hopping by car or by bike in summer is also possible.

The largest town in Lofoten is Svolvær, with around 5000 inhabitants. Also worth discovering is the island of Vestvågøy in the middle part or Moskenesøy in the south.

Conclusion

These are the great natural wonders in Europe that many people visit. European countries like Italy, Spain, England, France, Denmark, and Germany are beautiful.

These countries have breathtaking mountains, majestic beaches, green forests, and many things. It means these countries are full of natural wonders, without any doubt.

If you never see Europe, do not hesitate to visit once. This magnificent continent has many things to offer. You will find many natural wonders in Europe.

Scroll to Top