5 Epic Destinations in Europe for Adventure Travelers

Europe has so many beautiful and wonderful places to visit, and it caters for everyone – solo holidays, holidays with friends, romantic getaways, and holidays for those who are looking for an adventure. No matter the time of year, winter or summer, you’ll never run out of things to do. 

If you’re looking for an adventure, you won’t find it too hard to find a place to visit. You could head to Norway and take on the Nærøyfjord in a kayak. If you enjoy being outside and walking a lot, you could book a walking holiday in Portugal. If you like to cycle, Switzerland has several popular spots, including the Rhine Cycle Route. 

To help inspire your next getaway, we put together this guide to seven places to visit in Europe when you want an adventure. 

Kayaking in Norway 

Norway is a bucket list destination for a lot of people. It offers jaw-dropping scenery unlike any other place in the world. When you are looking for an adventure, what better way to tick Norway off your bucket list than to go kayaking there? Explore the different Fjords and see the country from a perspective that a lot of people won’t. Just don’t forget to bring a camera with you. 

Walking holiday in Italy 

Italy is known for its wonderful landscapes that you can explore. Throughout the year, millions of tourists flock to Italy to enjoy the delicious cuisine, wine, and adventures. A walking holiday in Sicily, for example, covers 33 miles over seven days. This is the perfect amount of time to see Italy. You’ll see unique landscapes, get to visit medieval sites, and come across excellent coastal views from Mount Cofano. 

Cycling holiday in Switzerland 

When you are at home, do you like to get on your bike and explore your local area? Cycling is great for your mental health as well as your physical fitness. You can cycle at any age and enjoy routes from beginner to hard difficulties. In Switzerland, there are some fantastic cycle routes that you can take on as part of your adventure, such as the Rhine Cycle Route. Each route varies in difficulty and can be completed in a day, three days, five days, a week, or longer. If you want to tackle a route outside of a tour, you can take it at your own pace. Alternatively, you can book organized cycling tours where you explore as a group. 

Snorkeling in Croatia

Croatia is a beautiful destination surrounded by some of the most crystal clear waters, so why not make the most of it with a snorkeling holiday? There are a myriad of boats that can take you out where you can put on your snorkeling gear and witness some of the majestic sea life creatures under the water. If you want to stick nearer the shore, you can grab your own snorkels and either swim straight from the shore or take out a pedalo to one of the many coves where you can proceed to explore the seas. You could decide to progress to scuba diving if this is something you’re interested in. There are many places in Croatia where you can learn to dive and head out on some organized trips!

Hiking in Norway

Norway is on this list for a second time. It is truly one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, with its rugged, mountainous landscapes, beautiful water channels, and luscious greenery. Its beauty is unmatched. If you’re looking for a great place to hike, this is one of the most stunning places you can ever visit. We recommend heading to the Norwegian Fjords where you can experience a wide range of hikes, past waterfalls and through the landscapes. Some of the best hikes include Trolltunga, Preikestolen, Kjerag, Fosseråsa and Besseggen. We recommended that you look them up before you go and decide on the difficulty that’s best for you and what you want to see. Be sure to pick a good time of year too as the summers can get quite warm and the winters very cold and snowy.

Bungee jumping in Switzerland

There are many reasons you might be looking to visit Switzerland this year, but we recommend it for its bungee jumping. As far as getting your adrenaline going, this is sure to tick all the boxes and you’re going to test your nerves of steel! The most popular spots include Tockhorn Bungee Jump Experience from Interlaken, Canyon Swing in Grindelwald, and jumping over the Verzasca Dam. Each of these is a breathtaking experience – quite literally! You will get the chance to bungee over some of the most incredible and beautiful sights in the world. When you want to test your fear levels and skill, this one is sure to do the trick! Besides bungee jumping, you can go on hikes, go skiing, go white-water rafting and so much more in Switzerland. 

Speedboating in Malta

Malta is another fantastic place you can go when looking for an adventure holiday in Europe. A charming and historical island, it’s a small but mighty destination with so much to do. We recommend taking to the waters on a speedboat where you can explore beautiful coves and see the wide array of marine life that’s out there. You could bring snorkeling equipment with you so you can dive into the waters and relax under the hot sun while checking out the fish. It’s a great way to spend a day.

Whether the above suggestions are something you are interested in or have given you some inspiration, this is the start of you deciding where you want to go on your adventure in Europe. It’s time to get something booked! 

Where are you planning on going in Europe for your adventure holiday? Will you be trying one of the above suggestions? Is there a destination that we have missed that you think we should add to our guide? Let us know in the comment box below. 

If you’re planning to visit more than one of these destinations, getting around can take a bit of coordination—especially if you’d rather not rent a car. A service like Daytrip lets you book private transfers between cities, and even add stops along the way if there’s something cool you want to see en route.