Sometimes, on the road it is possible to find something unexpected, like a strange construction of stones, or a curiosity from ancient times that leaves a note in your long term memory. For instance, I encountered a huge field of megaliths in Brittany, France years ago. It was amazing, but left me with more questions than answers. This is exactly where the Cultural Routes of Europe program can help. The program is a carefully curated starting point for finding more information on intriguing historical things and sights, like megaliths or Iron Age Danube, among many others. If you are looking for new, fascinating travel ideas in Europe, this is for you.
The Council of Europe, a human rights organization, introduced the Cultural Routes in 1987. The objective of the program is to demonstrate how the heritage of European countries and cultures contribute to the continent’s cultural heritage.
For travelers who are looking for new ways to experience Europe, the Cultural Routes lets you discover sights you wouldn’t have expected. For instance, if you are planning a beach vacation in France, Italy or Spain, why not take a moment and view if the Route D’Artagnan or the Napoleon Route sites are located nearby. How about the Route of Historic Pharmacies, Fairy Tales, Cemeteries, Vikings or the Routes of Phoenicians?
I was planning to tour France in the summer anyhow, and the Route of Cluniac Sites is now added into our itinerary. What are Cluniac Sites, you ask? In the Burgundy region, the town of Cluny is the home for the Europe’s largest medieval religious building. At the time, the town was known as the Second Rome, highlighting its importance and connections across Europe.
The Cultural Routes program is constantly evolving because The Council of Europe reviews and approves new destinations annually. Here is the list of Cultural Routes 2025:
- Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim Routes
- The Hansa
- The Vikings
- Via Francigena
- Routes of el Legado Andaluci
- Phoenician Route
- Iron Route in the Pyrenees
- European Mozart
- Route of Jewish Heritage
- Saint Martin of Tours Route
- Cluniac Sites
- Routes of the Olive Tree
- Via Regia
- Transromanica
- Iter Vitis Route
- Cemeteries Route
- Prehistoric Rock Art Trails
- Hostoric Thermal Towns
- Saint Olav Ways
- Route of Ceramics
- Megalithic Culture
- Huguenot and Waldensian Trail
- Atrium
- Reseau Art Nouveau Network
- Via Habsburg
- Roman Emperors and Danube Wine Route
- European Routes of Emperor Charles V
- Destination Napoleon
- In the Footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson
- Fortified Towns of the Grande Region
- Impressionnisms Routes
- European Route of Industrial Heritage
- Iron Curtain Trail – EuroVelo 13
- Le Corbusier Destinations: Architectural Promenades
- Liberation Route Europe
- European Route of Historic Gardens
- Via Romea Germanica
- Aeneas Route
- Alvar Aalto Route
- Cyril and Methodius Route
- European Route d’Artagnan
- Iron Age Danube Route
- Historic Cafés Route
- European Fairy Tale Route
- Women Writers Route
- Transhumance trails
- Leonardo Da Vinci Route
- European Route of Historic Pharmacies