Architecture in Europe You Haven’t Seen Before: 4 Unique Picks

Architecture is one of the most quietly impactful elements in travel.

Whether or not you know who Frank Lloyd Wright is or could point out a feature like a flying buttress, we can all feel the sway of powerful architecture. Maybe it leaves us in awe, or searching for little details, or busting out our cameras for artsy pictures.

When it comes to European architecture, there’s a strong interest in Renaissance feats like those found in Florence and Bologna, along with baroque and rococo projects like Versailles Palace.

Maybe it’s the grand estates in London that have caught your eye, or the medieval remnants of castles dotting France’s countryside, or the brutalist structures found farther east. It could even be a more modern project with famous sister sites.

Regardless, there’s always something new on the horizon, and it’s surprisingly easy to miss out on some of Europe’s coolest architecture.

Ready to explore? These are some of the most awesome, most eyebrow-raising, and otherwise intriguing architecture in Europe you probably haven’t heard of before.

Architecture in Europe you probably haven’t heard of before

Wotruba Church (Vienna, Austria)

The Wotrubakirche (Wotruba Church) in Vienna, Austria (Getty)

The Church of the Most Holy Trinity is a Catholic Church found in Vienna, Austria… but it doesn’t look like most of the continent’s other Catholic sites.

This brutalist structure was completed in 1976 and was based on a design from an Austrian sculptor named Fritz Wotruba. (I’m sure that also makes it one of the few churches named after an artist, too.)

The church is made of concrete blocks stacked in an asymmetrical way, which are interspersed by massive windows. The result is a space that feels at once heavy and foreboding, while also filled with light. It was built on the grounds of a former Nazi barracks, a bold decision made by the project’s lead that was meant to comment on the 1970s secular sentiments.

Church of the Holy Spirit or Makovecz Church (Paks, Hungary)

If brutalist churches don’t tickle your fancy, maybe you’ll enjoy this modern project from Imre Makovecz of Hungary. Built from 1988-1990, it’s considered a modern, organic masterpiece—one that combines traditional elements of Hungarian architecture with Roman Catholic elements.

The small church is built largely of wood, much of which was upcycled from surrounding structures or sourced immediately from the area. Uniquely, much of the church’s interior was also built by locals, as the parish lacked the funds to complete the construction.

But the real star of the show is the organic, flowing angles, which feel embedded into the overall landscape. With smooth angles and lines, it almost feels like a Gaudi-esque project, making it stand out as a contemporary champion of architecture in Europe.

National Library of Kosovo (Pristina, Kosovo)

The unique architecture of the National Library of Kosovo (Getty)

The National Library of Kosovo has landed at the top of the list for ugliest buildings in the world by publications like VirtualTourist, which I find highly unfair. Since its completion in 1982, the library has served as an important cultural institution in the nation… and one that has been reviled by many.

The construction has almost 100 white dome tops of varying sizes. They cap small rooms, which are covered in veil-like metallic fishing net. The goal was to blend elements of Kosovo’s Byzantine, Islamic, and Balkan heritage—but opinions differ strongly from there about why the building looks like it does and what the architect (a Croat named Anrija Mtnjakovic) intended to communicate.

Here’s my unpopular opinion: it looks cool as hell and brings to mind other buildings with exoskeleton-like exteriors, such as Zaha Hadid’s Morpheus Hotel.

City of Arts and Sciences (Valencia, Spain)

Reflections at the Science Museum, City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, Spain (Getty)

This cultural and architectural complex in Valencia feels like something out of a sci-fi movie. Unsurprisingly, it’s considered one of the 12 Treasures of Spain.

It opened in 1998, nestled into the now-dry riverbed of the rerouted Turia River. However, new additions have been added since then, with the L’Ágora being added in 2009.

Similar to the Church of the Holy Spirit in Paks, organic architecture takes center stage. With shallow pools surrounding many of the eight buildings, there’s also a dramatic visual element at play, similar to the ponds around Bell Works.

All eight projects are impressive enough to capture your attention, from the graceful Assut de ‘lOr Bridge to the futuristic Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia.

Ugandan National Park Ranger Weighs in on the Humans vs Silverback Debate

I love a good pop culture debate—especially those that take social media by storm.

This year, one of the most debate-inducing questions is on who would win a street fight: 100 Brits or 100 Americans?

It’s kicked off more than a few lively back-and-forths, and I’ve laughed at just about every argument I’ve seen. (It looks like many Americans believe a single Waffle House shift could do serious damage to even the most hardened Brits.) Even The Guardian has weighed in at this point.

Now, onto my next favorite debate: who would win in a fight between 100 humans and one silverback gorilla?

This one has caught my attention for a few reasons. First, because it’s actually a great question—one that will make you sit and think about mountain gorillas in a new light.

Second, because there are a lot of experts out there who have started weighing in—and some of them actually have face-to-face experience with a silverback gorilla. A wild silverback, I should clarify, which is the oversized male leader of the group.

Ready to see what one Ugandan park ranger has to say about who would win in a fight between 100 humans and a silverback? The prognosis isn’t great, my friends.

100 humans vs silverback: An expert Ugandan National Park ranger weighs in

Unfortunately, I can’t identify who the park ranger is in the Instagram video linked above, nor list which park he works for.

But I’m apt to trust him; Uganda is home to over half the world’s population of wild mountain gorillas, especially at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and it’s the prime spot where travelers who want to come face-to-face with a silverback go.

So, what does this intrepid park ranger say about the pretend fight?

Once clarifying the context of the question, the ranger says that humans could theoretically take on a silverback—but only if they are ‘strong-hearted’.

That’s pretty optimistic… but he immediately goes on to clarify that just the sound of a silverback beating its chest is probably enough to send people running for the hills or falling to the ground.

The park ranger says that when a silverback makes an intimidating growl, beats its chest, and charges at you, it’s enough to put you down. Fear will take over, and you won’t be able to move.

That’s spine-tingling enough, but the tour guide then goes on to the next plan of attack: a good old-fashioned clobbering. Silverbacks are short, but their arms are long and muscular. If the humans approach to fight the silverback shoulder to shoulder, a gorilla could wipe out the whole line with a single swipe. Sort of like a devastatingly effective clothesline.

That’s not even counting what type of harm those massive incisors could do. So, it seems we have more fodder for the debate, and it’s not looking good for any humans who decide to fight the silverback.

The bright side? The 100 humans vs silverback fight would never happen. All that chest beating is due to the fact that the silverback would rather scare you into submission than brawl Super Smash Bros. style.

The good news: mountain gorillas don’t want to fight us

Some of the best places in the world to trek into silverback territory are in Uganda, along with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in places like Virunga.

Gorilla tourism has actually served as a boon to highland and lowland mountain gorillas, which are native to the mountainous jungles of central Africa.

These intelligent gorillas face habitat loss and poaching. To survive and continue to thrive, they rely on habitat protection and preservation, along with consistent censuses. The censuses are important because they help conservationists and researchers monitor populations. The highland gorillas have seen a recent uptick in population, while lowland gorillas remain critically endangered.

Like I mentioned above, gorilla tourism helps prevent habitat loss and keeps poachers at bay, boosting efforts of other conservation and rehabilitation groups. So, if you’ve been dreaming of coming closer to these wonderful creatures (and especially the silverback), then don’t let the debate turn you off.

How to Avoid Price Hikes Using Uber Abroad to Save on Rides

Uber is often the top choice for Americans when it comes to ride shares, both at home and internationally.

I don’t usually recommend Uber for travelers headed abroad because it’s been banned in some countries and has been allowed-then-banned-then-back-again in others.

Italy, France, Germany, and Finland, for example, outright banned the app in the past. Since then, many countries have backtracked, allowing locals to hail an Uber at their leisure. In other places, like Japan and Australia, it’s sort of legal depending on the jurisdiction and use cases.

In other words, Uber isn’t always transparently legal or illegal. For that reason, it’s easier to point people toward other ridesharing apps that are clearly regulated and meet local laws.

Still, there are plenty of places around the world where Uber is a great go-to. At least, if you’re okay with paying higher prices than other taxi services and ride shares.

If you’ve ever seen major price hikes and mysterious add-on fees for your Uber rides when traveling, you aren’t alone. Some travelers have even pointed out that Uber recently rolled out its own currency conversions that automatically take a 1.5% fee.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Uber doesn’t just hike prices based on demand. It also quietly charges you pricey conversions when you hail a car in a country that uses the euro, Canadian dollar, or another foreign currency.

Keep in mind that this is a new feature that’s still being launched. So if you aren’t able to apply the changes below to your Uber account now, check back soon. The update is coming, and it’s going to start charging you conversion fees… amongst other things, too.

Here’s how to avoid price hikes when using Uber while abroad.

How to avoid price hikes using Uber abroad

To stop paying 1.5% conversion fees, head to your Uber app and make the changes listed below.

This will prevent Uber from automatically exchanging the local currency for dollars and tacking on that fee. Instead, you’ll be paying in local currency.

If you’ve got a travel credit card, now would be a great time to connect that to your account. You’ll earn with every ride since Uber is charging you in local currency.

Here’s how to change your selected currency to avoid conversion fees:

Open Wallet
Head to Preferred Currency
Select No Preferred Currency
Confirm your selection

To stop paying surge pricing, book ahead or change your pickup location.

With little recourse, tourists often end up paying the price of surge demands, especially at airports and popular venues. If you want to avoid surge pricing, you have two options.

First, use my one-stop rule. That means that you need to move away from the busy zone and re-order your Uber from there. Usually, the exchange here is time for savings; you might be walking around 15-20 minutes to clear the surge pricing area, but I’ve seen prices halve just by getting out of ‘dodge’, so to speak.

Additionally, the one-stop rule is great for airports because when you use Uber to hail a ride from an airport (or another rideshare app), they often charge a hefty airport fee. Unlike official taxi services, those airport fees aren’t subject to regulation, meaning they can get really exorbitant.

Second, schedule your pickup beforehand. Obviously, this is a little harder to organize. You might face delays at the airport, meaning you could miss your pickup. Airports aside, this rule also works for large events in busy areas.

If you know that you’re heading to a popular spot during rush hour or will be exiting a large venue at a certain time slot, you can schedule an Uber ahead of time. This will help you avoid surge pricing. Remember, surge pricing is based on current demand.

Spain Just Delisted 66,000 Rentals—Here’s the Down-Low

Remember when Barcelona made headlines last year because angry locals shot tourists with water guns?

It looks like there’s finally been a comeuppance.

Let me break down last year’s shocking headline for you. Locals took to the streets to beam water at unsuspecting tourists to protest rising housing costs, among other tourism-related issues.

Like many people pointed out, the protests seemed a little misplaced—after all, isn’t the local government responsible for regulating Airbnb and other private rental companies? Why focus the brunt of frustration on innocent tourists?

It’s a fair point.

However, the reason tourists carried the brunt of that particular demonstration is because locals have—for well over a decade now—regularly protested rising housing costs and city projects that seem to overwhelmingly benefit visitors over locals.

In an act of guerrilla protesting, locals in Barcelona shifted tactics, targeting tourists instead of their city councilors. From water gun drive-bys to massive signs reading tourists go home, it’s been a campaign designed to make visitors uncomfortable and dissuade a return trip.

The craziest part? It looks like it worked, meaning the private rental landscape in Barcelona and other parts of Spain is changing in a big way.

66,000 Airbnbs have been delisted in Spain

For years, Barcelona has pledged to minimize the number of Airbnb licenses and similar private, short-term rentals to improve the housing crisis. This process was slated to begin in 2027, when no new private, short-term rental licenses would be sold.

It was a bit of a moot point.

Historically, having the right short-term rental licenses wasn’t actually necessary. Up until now, anyone with an empty apartment could list it on Airbnb and start earning money. So long as tourists didn’t ask about the license and neighbors wouldn’t make a fuss (or even if they did), no one cared.

Then, in March 2025, Spain’s Constitutional Court upheld Barcelona’s plan to eliminate all short-term rental licenses by 2028.

In late May, news hit the airwaves that the nation had already delisted over 66,000 illegal Airbnb rentals in the city, with thousands of those focused on the Barcelona area.

Originally, I was prepared to see how that headline would actually pan out.

Were the listings really taken down?

If they were, would they stay down?

And how long would it take for savvier businesspeople to find a legal loophole?

I didn’t wait long for an answer. The day after the news broke, someone rang my doorbell. It was an official from Barcelona’s city government. They showed up at my building on the hunt for an illegal Airbnb. He’d located it from the website, then worked by identifying the balcony in the photos. (Impressive detective work.)

You should have seen the way my jaw dropped when I realized my neighbor had listed his apartment on Airbnb.

Illegally, of course.

So, the crackdown is happening, and at lightning speed, it seems.

Now what? Should you rebook your Spain rental on another rental site?

I’m overjoyed that Barcelona is taking its Airbnb and private rental licensing seriously.

At the same time, I understand how frustrating it must be for travelers who have already booked their trips to Barcelona and other parts of Spain.

Along with Barcelona, other tourist-heavy spots have seen large crackdowns, meaning Airbnbs that were once live (and available for bookings) might no longer be listed.

If you had booked an illegal rental on Airbnb (as in, there’s no official license number listed) for your Barcelona trip this year, it’s most likely already been de-listed and taken down from the site.

Worst case scenario, you no longer have the rental reserved and need to find a new place to stay. If that’s the case, Airbnb will refund your booking. If you’re in this boat, I highly recommend following up on your refunds; this is a very unprecedented case given just how many rentals have been taken off the site.

Here’s the bigger question: once your refund hits, where should you look for lodging in Spain?

Other platforms like Booking and VRBO are also up for review—so this isn’t an issue that’s only for Airbnb users. If your Airbnb is canceled, you’re better off booking a hotel instead of rebooking on another rental platform site. Consider it your chance to fall in love with hotels again.

Tourists Face New Rules in Venice in 2025: What to Know

Venice might not be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World like Peru’s Machu Picchu, but local authorities are working overtime to spare the city from the destructive grip of overtourism.

Around 30 million visitors shuffle through the city of canals each year… but only around three million will actually stay the night.

And let’s not forget that Venice is only around three square miles, with much of that space occupied by canals. (By contrast, Venice’s population has shrunk from 170,000 in the 1950s to around 50,000 today.)

That’s the crux of Venice’s tourism problem: day-trippers who pass through the city for a few short and sweet hours, spend little, and then head home.

Given its small size, historic constructions, and battles against water and air pollution, Venice is in a unique position to disappear faster than other Italian destinations. In other words, swift action is needed in order to preserve and maintain the city’s current state.

The big question is… how can authorities regulate tourism in Venice without compromising the city’s tourist economy?

Last year, Venice kicked off a round of new travel requirements for its visitors, including boosted fees for day-trippers. Since then, it’s already rolled out a new series of measures, once again targeting day-trippers and large tour groups.

Here’s what you need to know.

Why are the rules in Venice changing?

Like I outlined above, Venice is changing its approach to tourism in order to better preserve the city that tourists (and locals) adore.

But let me paint a stronger picture as someone who has only visited Venice once, for a few short hours, as part of a day trip. (It’s me—I’m in the problem.)

On a road trip back from a music festival in Croatia (I live a blessed life here in Europe), my friends and I stayed the night at a cute eco rental outside Venice.

The next day, we drove in, parked our car, and took the ferry into the city. From there, we boarded another public ferry to get to Venice’s hotspots.

It was one of the worst travel experiences of my life. The heat and the crowds were bad enough, but the entire city felt like a museum. A cheap museum devoid of deeper meaning, which is a travesty in a place with so much meaningful history.

The only thing I remember about the Rialto Bridge is being absolutely desperate to get off of it and find a piazza where I’d have room to breathe.

So, the new rules in Venice are designed to respect the city, its residents, and travelers who might not understand that they’re heading into a madhouse. Or, in my case, contributing to the problem.

The goal is to make Venice a place people want to visit, while also honoring its incredible history.

Inside the 2024 Venice updates

Here’s the cool thing about Venice’s new rules: they’re setting a precedent in Italy, one of the most-touristed places in the world.

The case study in Venice is likely to be replicated across the country as more and more of Italy’s historic centers become overrun with well-intentioned, culture-hungry visitors. So pay attention to similar announcements from other cities in the coming years.

Before I cover the latest rules in Venice, let’s quickly cover the new norms introduced in Spring 2024:

Tour groups cannot exceed 25 people
Guides can no longer use loudspeakers
Music cannot be played through loudspeakers, either
On 29 high-traffic days, day trippers must pay a €5 fee to enter the city between 8:30am and 4:00pm

What are the new rules in Venice for tourists in 2025?

As of April 18, 2025, Venice is instating a new and stricter set of rules. If you’re visiting Venice this year, expect these changes.

In Spring 2025, Venice instated these new rules:

The number of high-traffic days has been increased from 29 to 54 calendar days
Day trippers who have made their booking four days from their arrival will pay a €5 fee to enter the city
Day trippers who have made their booking within three days of arrival will pay a €10 fee to enter the city

However, you are exempt from these new rules if:

You’re under 14 years old
You’re staying the night in the city (Venice doesn’t mind if you stay overnight!)
You’re enrolled in a school or university in Venice
You’re local or you work in Venice

How can you buy tickets to enter Venice?

Head straight to the Venice Unica website and buy tickets from the city. Remember that even if you’re traveling with people who are exempt from paying the entry fee, they still need to be registered and receive a QR code to enter.

Boarding Planes First vs Last: Why You Should Try to Board First

The travel world has a few whipping boys. By whipping boys, I mean traveler tropes and habits that are viewed with disdain.

One of the most consistent whipping boys is the traveler who gets in line to board the plane rather than sitting and waiting until the line has shortened.

Those who line up first are viewed as impatient, anxious, and even silly.

After all, why board the plane just to sit on there longer? Especially when seats are already assigned and bag allowance is hammered out?

Well, they might be the nervous type, and standing in place ready to go lets them relax a little. (No harm there.)

They might be worried about whether their carry-on will fit and hope to hide their slightly oversized suitcase amid the masses. (It’s just good sense.)

Maybe they’re worried that space in the overhead cabins will fill up, meaning they need to check their carry-on. (It happens more often than we’d like.)

For the most part, boarding planes first vs last is a matter of personality and past experiences. But there are two serious reasons you might want to board the plane sooner rather than later.

The first covers domestic travel, while the second is geared toward international flights.

Why you should try to board the plane first for domestic flights

If you know anything about overbooked flights, then you might be ahead of me on this one: the last to board are the first to get the cut when a flight is overbooked.

Pretty much the only reason you need to get in line to board a domestic flight (aside from soothing anxiety and ensuring your carry-on has a place in the overhead bins), is to avoid getting the axe when push comes to shove.

The most common reason you’ll be cut from a flight is overbooking, but weight issues can also be a problem. If a plane has crossed the weight limit threshold, then passengers in the back rows are usually the first to be removed from the flight list.

However, if you’ve already boarded, you might be one of the few back-row passengers actually allowed to stay onboard.

Remember this golden rule for gate agents: they’d rather deny boarding to a passenger than pull someone off the plane who already took their seat. When you board first, you ensure your place on the flight in the event its overweight or overbooked.

The other reason you might want to board your plane first on international flights

The likelihood of you being denied boarding on a domestic flight due to overbooking or weight limits is pretty small—but if it’s happened to you before, you know that it’s a devastating delay.

On international flights, you need to board earlier rather than later for cultural reasons.

Things like seat assignments are taken as law in countries where rulebooks are long and rules are taken seriously. The United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan are four places where you can expect a seat assignment to hold weight.

That’s not the case in other places around the world.

I’ve personally experienced and know other travelers who have had their seats reassigned willy-nilly for groups and families. Instead of officially transferring seats, passengers who board first can sometimes claim the seats around them, especially if they have children.

If you show up to your seat late on an international flight in a place where rules are more lax, you might be shuffled off to a new seat with no recourse.

In fact, flight attendants might not see the problem with this, which means you making a scene on a plane suddenly makes you the problem.

Travel isn’t always fair, my friends, so if you’re worried about losing your assigned seat to another traveler, and you’re in a place where rules seem up for debate, board that plane and settle in!