Many people who see awesome destinations around the world are inhibited by the location. From many amazing wonders like Chichen Itza in Peru, to Sigiriya in Sri Lanka, it is usually the distance that turns many travelers off. This isn’t to say people don’t visit said locales, far from it. But for Europeans who want to see amazing places in their own backyard, these 7 natural wonders of Europe are quite amazing at an affordable price.
1. The Pink Lake of Ukraine
Ukraine is not known for natural wonders, at least not by people outside the country. However, there are quite a few amazing places to see in this large country. One of the most spectacular of which is the pink lake in the southern area of the country. In fact, there are a few pink lakes, but according to Ukrainian travel blogger Alona Tiunina, the best pink lake is the one on Arabatska Strilka.
The pink lake of Ukraine is not the easiest place to get to, but if you have the time and want to see something amazing then you should definitely make the trek.
2. The Matterhorn
The Matterhorn, also known as cervin or cervino in French and Italian respectively, is considered one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. It is even the logo for the Toblerone candy bar and recreated as a roller coaster in Disneyland.
The mountain is almost a natural pyramid and one of the last alpine mountains to be scaled. If you want to see this majestic sight in person you can from either the Switzerland side or the Italian side. The most popular climbing route starts in the town of Zermatt, Switzerland.
3. The Lava Pools of Porto Moniz
The island of Madeira, off the coast of Portugal, is famous worldwide for its nature. From rainforests to beaches, the island is a popular tourist destination for many Europeans. The pools were created by lava flows and provide a shallow, warm wading area for holidaymakers.
The town of Porto Moniz is easily accessible by public transportation which makes this a great destination for people of all ages.
4. Plitvice Lakes in Croatia
One of the most popular places to visit in Croatia is Plitvice National Park. Home to some of the most beautiful lakes in the world, this tiered system is traversable by the many wooden pathways crossing the water.
The water is unbelievably clear and the sights from the many viewpoints are awe-inspiring. Visiting the lakes is easy as a day trip from Split, where you can take a tour or go by public transportation.
5. Gullfoss Waterfall
Gullfoss is one of the largest and most impressive waterfalls in Iceland. And as a country with many amazing waterfalls, that’s saying something. Located in the southwest of the country, Gullfoss makes up part of the Golden Circle which means it’s an easy and convenient day trip from the capital of Reykjavik.
Victoria and Terrence from the Follow Me Away travel blog have a great guide with tons of tips about visiting Gullfoss for other people looking to make the visit.
6. Giant’s Causeway, Ireland
The Emerald Isles are world-renowned for their natural beauty, but one of the most amazing sights one can behold is that of Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. Filled with basalt columns, the legend goes that these are the stepping stones of a giant wishing to cross the sea.
Visiting Giant’s Causeway isn’t as convenient as one might think, but it can be done on a budget using public transportation. Ireland Family Vacations has a great write-up that any tourist can use to make the most of their trip.
7. The Northern Lights
The Northern Lights are not unique to just one country. Rather seeing them depends more on latitude. To see the Aurora Borealis you should be in the 3° to 6° latitudinal band, which is common in Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. You can also see them in Canada, but as that’s not Europe it is less relevant to this list.
Auroras are caused by disturbances in the magnetosphere caused by solar winds. Luckily there are plenty of tracking tools so you can plan a trip with a high chance of seeing this sight for yourself.