25 Beautiful Photos of Europe

Five years ago, life brought me from the east coast of Canada to the heart of Europe, Brussels, Belgium. As a photographer, I am constantly inspired by the differences in architecture, culture and landscape that grace this small continent. I live to travel, but when circumstances keep me at home, I like to be inspired by photographs of beautiful places. Here are 25 of my own favourite photos of Europe that I hope will inspire you.

1. Pyrenees Mountains

The Pyrenees mountain range runs along the border of France and Spain. It is popular for skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer.

2. Antoni Gaudí’s Park Güell

The Wavy Bench in Barcelona, Spain’s, Park Güell was designed by Antoni Gaudí. The city’s architecture, heavily influenced by Gaudí himself, is stunning and unique. There is colour everywhere. And, like this relaxed trumpet player, there is music in the air and a laid back enjoyment of life.

3. The Binnenhof

The Binnenhof in Den Haag, the Netherlands has been the location of meetings of the Staten-Generaal (the Dutch parliament) since 1446. It is one of Den Haag’s most beautiful buildings.

4. French Vineyard

This vineyard grows grapes for the sweet, white wine known as Jurancon in Monein, France. The vineyard sits in a valley below the Pyrenees mountain range, close to the Spanish border.

5. Grand Place

Every second year, the Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium is filled with thousands of Begonias to form its famous carpet of flowers.

6. Nice Harbour

Expensive yachts line the harbour in Nice, France. The Mediterranean waters are calm and turquoise in the spring.

7. Kinderdijk Windmill

One of the traditional windmills of Kinderdijk in the Netherlands turns slowly in the autumn breeze. Kinderdijk is on UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list.

8. Notre Dame Cathedral

The interior of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France is an inspiring atmosphere, whatever your religion may be.

9. Venice

Fresh produce is sold from a colourful boat on a canal in Venice, Italy.

10. Versailles

The gardens and château of Versailles, France is a popular tourist destination.

11. Italian Alps

An ice cold stream runs down from the mountains of the Italian Alps.

12. Roman Aqueduct

The Roman aqueduct at Pont-du-Gard, in southern France, is believed to have been built sometime in 19 BC.

13. Monte Carlo Casino

The world famous Monte Carlo Casino is a hub of activity in the Principality of Monaco.

14. Restaurant in Avignon

A waiter sets white linen covered tables at an al fresco restaurant in Avignon, France.

15. Fishing boats of Marsaxlokk

The colourful fishing boats of Marsaxlokk, Malta, called luzzus, are brightly painted in blue, with green, red, yellow and white accents, depending on the boat’s town of origin. Most have the eye of Osiris painted or carved on the bow for protection.

16. Château de Villandry

The gardens of the Château de Villandry, in the Loire Valley of France, are laid out in a formal style with clipped hedges and topiaries.

17. Foggy morning in the Netherlands

A couple strolls along a coastal dike, on a foggy morning, in the Netherlands.

18. Tossa de Mar

Tossa de Mar, on Spain’s Costa Brava, is popular with tourists as a holiday resort area.

19. Château de Chenonceau

The Château de Chenonceau is one of the most popular castles in the Loire Valley of France. Its position over the river Cher makes for some beautiful reflections.

20. Dunluce Castle

The remains of Dunluce Castle in Northern Ireland look dark and brooding on a cloudy morning.

21. Castle of Groot-Bijgaarden

The only way into the grounds of the Groot-Bijgaarden Castle near Brussels, Belgium, is this beautiful five-arched bridge over the mote.

22. Soave

The walled city of Soave is a small comune of the Veneto region, in the Province of Verona, Italy, famous for its wine.

23. Claude Monet’s Garden

The Japanese Bridge in Monet’s garden at Giverny, France, attracts tourists from around the world who admire the Impressionist painter’s work.

24. Doonagore Castle

The 16th century tower-house, Doonagore Castle, overlooks the village of Doolin on Ireland’s Atlantic coast.

25. Keukenhof Gardens

Keukenhof Gardens is located in Lisse, in the Netherlands and is the largest spring bulb garden in the world.

This guest post was written by Alison Cornford-Matheson. Alison is a Canadian garden and travel lifestyle photographer who lives and works in Brussels, Belgium. You can see more of Alison’s work on her website ACM Photography.com where she writes about great photo locations and provides tutorials on Photoshop and photographic techniques, as well as posting her most recent photography works.

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