Rick Steves' Europe Video

Rick Steves' Europe Preview: Siena and Tuscany's Wine Country

23 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Check your local public television station for this new Rick Steves’ Europe episode! Siena, once a proud and independent city-state, retains its con...

Assisi, Italy: Basilica of St. Francis

23 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Italy's Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi rises where St. Francis was buried in 1230. For eight centuries it's been one of the most visited pilgrimage...

Rick Steves' Europe Preview: Assisi and Italian Country Charm

18 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Check your local public television station for this new Rick Steves’ Europe episode! In the Italian countryside, we'll connect with rustic, traditio...

Bucharest, Romania: Eclectic and Rejuvenated

16 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Romania's capital, Bucharest — with about two million people — is a sprawling tangle of buildings. First-time visitors are struck by its eclectic ...

Rick Steves' Europe Preview: Romania

11 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Check your local public television station for this new Rick Steves’ Europe episode! We'll tour Romania's vibrant capital, Bucharest, with its "Litt...

Bulgaria: Rila Monastery

09 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Founded in the 10th century, Rila Monastery was a stronghold for Bulgarian faith, language, and culture during nearly 500 years of Ottoman rule. And t...

Rick Steves' Europe Preview: Bulgaria

04 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Check your local public television station for this new Rick Steves’ Europe episode! Bulgaria, so mysterious to most Americans, has a vivid identity...

Nürnberg, Germany: Nazi History Sites

28 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The city of Nürnberg, Germany, was a favorite of Adolf Hitler's. A short tram ride from the center is a collection of important Nazi sites, including...

Rick Steves' Europe Preview: Germany's Frankfurt and Nürnberg

28 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Check your local public television station for this new Rick Steves’ Europe episode! Skyscraper-studded Frankfurt — with so much commerce it’s n...

Leipzig, Germany: Rebuilt City Center

26 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

WWII bombs destroyed much of Leipzig and the Communists followed that with four decades of neglect. But in the generation since 1989, the people of Le...

Rick Steves' Europe Preview: Germany's Dresden and Leipzig

21 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Check your local public television station for this new Rick Steves’ Europe episode! Saxony, part of the former East Germany, remains a secret to mo...

Hamburg, Germany: HafenCity

19 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Hamburg's re-energized HafenCity district seems a city in itself, mixing its maritime heritage with striking modern architecture. Hamburg has created ...

Rick Steves' Europe Preview: Germany's Hamburg and the Luther Trail

14 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Check your local public television station for this new Rick Steves’ Europe episode! Hamburg, Germany’s mighty port city, has risen from the ashes...

Rome, Italy: Capitoline Museums

12 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The Capitoline Museums in Rome, Italy, help you imagine life before the fall of Rome. The museum's collection of great art from antiquity includes Mic...

Masada, Israel: Ancient Fortress

05 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The ancient fortress in Masada, Israel served as a refuge of last resort back when the Jews were the rebellious subjects of Roman occupation. Masada’...

Prague, Czech Republic: Strahov Monastery

28 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Prague's Strahov Monastery is most noted for its large library — a Baroque center of learning, with ornate reading rooms and old-fashioned science e...

Cappadocia, Turkey: Cave City

21 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The Zelve Open-Air Museum in Cappadocia, Turkey, serves as a great example of how ancient Turks used whatever natured offered them to create thriving ...

Berlin, Germany: A Modern View

14 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Just strolling through Berlin, Germany's delightful parks and neighborhoods gives a fun glimpse into today's good times. Life here, especially in what...

Padova, Italy: University Town

07 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Nicknamed “the brain of the Veneto,” the Università degli Studi di Padova was founded in 1222, one of the first in Europe. At the university is E...

Loire, France: Château de Chambord

31 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

With its huge scale and prickly silhouette, Château de Chambord is the most “must-see” of all of France's Loire Valley châteaux. If you hate cro...

Sevilla, Spain: Gothic Cathedral

24 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Spain's Seville Cathedral is the third-largest church in Europe (after St. Peter’s in the Vatican, and St. Paul’s in London) and the largest Gothi...

Netherlands: Storm Barrier and Scheveningen

17 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Because half of the Netherlands is below sea level, the Dutch must battle the North Sea by creating and maintaining dikes. But at the sea-side resort ...

Dublin, Ireland: St. Stephen's Green and Georgian Homes

10 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

St. Stephen's Green in Dublin, Ireland, is a lush city park and cheery lunchtime spot. Nearby, you can visit the museum at Number 29 Lower Fitzwilliam...

Cappadocia, Turkey: Turkish Carpets

03 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The tradition of carpet weaving is integral to Turkish culture. While shopping in the big carpet stores throughout Turkey, remember that bargaining is...

Rome, Italy: Spanish Steps and Campo de' Fiori

27 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The Spanish Steps and Campo de' Fiori in Rome, Italy, are two popular gathering places for locals and travelers alike. The Spanish Steps offer a place...

Copenhagen, Denmark: Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

20 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Copenhagen's Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is one of Scandinavia's top art galleries. From the delightful Wintergarden at the museum's entrance, you can go o...

Jerusalem, Israel: Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center

13 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The best place to both remember and learn about the Holocaust is Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, Israel. This sprawling and beautifully landscaped memorial a...

Amboise, France: Château Fine Dining

06 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Rick Steves and his co-author Steve Smith dine like kings at Château de Pray near Amboise, France. The pair discusses why a fine French meal is a lif...

Rhine Valley, Germany: Loreley to St. Goar

29 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The powerful Rhine has long been treacherous to navigate. The most dangerous bend in the river swings around a rocky bluff called the Loreley. Just do...

Edinburgh, Scotland: Pubs and Writers

22 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Two things Scotland is known for are its convivial pubs and its great literature. To enliven its literary history, take the Edinburgh Literary Pub Tou...

Prague, Czech Republic: City of Music

15 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Prague has long been a mecca for musicians — Mozart's opera, Don Giovanni, debuted here, and Dvořák lived and composed here. Box offices around to...

Aalsmeer, Netherlands: Flower Auction

08 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

At the flower auction in Aalsmeer, Netherlands, it’s clear: flowers are big business in Holland. Visitors are welcome to witness millions of dollars...

Vernazza, Italy: Weathering the Storm

01 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

A freak rainstorm and flash floods hit Italy's Cinque Terre in October 2011, but the townsfolk have rebuilt and Vernazza has recovered. Traditions sur...

Bruges, Belgium: Church of Our Lady and Memling Museum

25 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

For 600 years the Church of Our Lady in Bruges, Belgium, has stood as a memorial to the power and wealth of Bruges at its height. Across the street is...

Western Turkey: Enjoying Turkish Pide

18 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

A Turkish pizza is called pide. In Turkey, get off the main road — any little town will have the local equivalent of a pizza joint. At www.ricksteve...

Paris, France: La Défense

11 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

La Défense in Paris, France, is a forest of skyscrapers nicknamed Paris’s “petit Manhattan.” La Grande Arche, inaugurated in 1989 on the 200th ...

Amsterdam, Netherlands: Cruising the Jordaan District's Canals

04 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Amsterdam's characteristic and canal-filled Jordaan district offers a quiet slice of Dutch urban life. Built in the 1600s for warehouses and to house ...

Vienna, Austria: Street Scenes and Eats

27 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Taking a stroll through the old town of Vienna, Austria, offers opportunities to be delighted by elegant storefronts and lively people-watching. Grab ...

Verona, Italy: Fine Dining and Wine

20 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

At Enoteca Cangrande in Verona, Italy, an array of dishes and wines celebrate local Italian ingredients. At www.ricksteves.com, you'll find money-savi...

Jerusalem, Israel: Jewish Quarter and New City

13 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In Jerusalem’s New City, we appreciate this culture’s fascinating mix of east and west, secular and sacred, modern and traditional. While it’s n...

Berlin, Germany: East Berlin's Communist Propaganda

06 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In Berlin, Germany, socialist realism — the art of the communist era — actually went beyond censorship. Art was legitimate only if it actively pro...

Versailles, France: Palace Gardens and Little Hamlet

30 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The Palace of Versailles outside Paris, France, was built along an eight-mile axis. The palace's lavish gardens were Louis XIV's way of asserting his ...

Netherlands: Polders and Windmills

23 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Holland's polder land was once covered by the sea, but it was eventually encircled by dikes and dams, then drained. To pump out all that water, the Du...

Güzelyurt, Turkey: Conversation with an Imam

16 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Hear from an imam in central Turkey about his role as the caretaker of his mosque and a brief explanation of Muslim beliefs. “Imam” means “teach...

London, England: Using the Tube

09 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

London’s subway — fondly known as “the Tube”—is one of this planet’s great people‑movers, and easy to master. At www.ricksteves.com, you...

Ostia Antica, Italy: Peek Into Ancient Rome

02 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The ruins at Ostia Antica in Italy rival those of Pompeii, and are just a half-hour train ride from downtown Rome. There's lots to learn about ancient...

Epidavros, Greece: Perfect Acoustics

24 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The sanctuary at Epidavros, Greece, has the best-preserved theater in the ancient world and the scant remains of its city. Though it hasn't been in op...

Dublin, Ireland: Guinness Storehouse and Musical Pub Crawl

17 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, home of Ireland's national beer, welcomes visitors — for a price — with a huge exhibit. And because good Irish ...

Berlin, Germany: Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island

10 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

While it's overseen plenty of war, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, was designed as an arch of peace. From here, we travel through Berlin's hi...

Amsterdam, Netherlands: Rijksmuseum

03 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is one of the artistic highlights of Europe. It was built to showcase the art of the Dutch Golden Age. At w...

Paris, France: Multiethnic City

27 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The population of France is becoming increasingly diverse, and this is particularly true here in its cosmopolitan capital. The mission of the Arab Wor...

Prague, Czech Republic: Jewish Quarter

20 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Prague, Czech Republic, is home to Europe's most interesting Jewish quarter. At www.ricksteves.com, you'll find money-saving travel tips, small-group ...

Venice, Italy: Grand Canal and La Salute Church

13 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

About 25 miles of canals crisscross Venice, Italy, flowing like streams into the Grand Canal. Where the Grand Canal opens up into the lagoon stands on...

Kaymaklı, Turkey: Underground City

06 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The underground world of Kaymaklı, Turkey, provided an almost ready-made refuge for Turks during invasions and persecutions through the centuries. At...

West Bank: Dates and the Dead Sea

30 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

The fabled Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth, and locals rely on the water's minerals to keep their skin young. En route to the Dead Sea, Medjool ...

European Christmas Extra: Scenes from a European Christmas

23 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

In this special clip from Rick Steves' European Christmas special, we enjoy two pieces from two European choirs: "Joy to the World" sung by the Norweg...

Florence, Italy: Church of San Miniato and Piazzale Michelangelo

16 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

For a thousand years, Florence's Church of San Miniato — still part of a functioning Benedictine monastery — has blessed the city that lies at the...

Maincy, France: Vaux-le-Vicomte

09 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Located outside Paris, France, the ravishing Vaux-le-Vicomte gets Rick's vote for the most for the most beautiful château in all of France. At www.ri...

Vienna, Austria: Opera

02 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Even if you don't have time or money for a musical performance while in Austria, a visit to the Vienna State Opera house is a must. At www.ricksteves....

Burgos, Spain: Cathedral on the Camino

25 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Burgos is positioned along Spain's Camino de Santiago, and is dominated by an awe-inspiring Gothic cathedral. At www.ricksteves.com, you'll find money...

Rome, Italy: Catacombs and Appian Way

18 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

For a little early-Christian history, we're heading outside the city of Rome, Italy, for a look at the catacombs via the Appian Way — ancient Rome's...

Berlin, Germany: Potsdamer Platz and Alexanderplatz

11 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Potsdamer Platz and Alexanderplatz are two squares in Berlin, Germany, that have a dark past and a thriving present. At www.ricksteves.com, you'll fin...

Kuşadası, Turkey: Cruises and Cuisine

04 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

The port of Kuşadası is a good, low-stress place to start your adventure in Turkey. It's a fine example of the latest change in the Turkish cultural...

Prague, Czech Republic: Wenceslas Square

28 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Prague's Wenceslas Square is the main square of the Czech Republic, and the natural assembly point when the Czech people need to raise their collectiv...

Jerusalem, Israel: Via Dolorosa and Church of the Holy Sepulchre

21 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

A high point for Christians visiting Jerusalem, Israel, is the Via Dolorosa - the route it's believe Jesus walked as he carried the cross. The pilgrim...

Amboise, France: Château du Clos Lucé

14 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Clos-Lucé, a small mansion down the street from the royal Château d'Amboise in Amboise, France, was Leonardo da Vinci's official residence for the l...

Marken, Netherlands: Fishing Village

07 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

While the fishing village of Marken, Netherlands, remains both traditional and idyllic to this day, it's a place where the past and the present mingle...

Battir, Palestine: Olive Harvest

30 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Palestine's Battir Natural Park is famed for its hikes through olive groves and ancient terraces. At www.ricksteves.com, you'll find money-saving trav...

Cinque Terre, Italy: Manarola and Riomaggiore

23 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Rick explores more of the Cinque Terre, from Manarola's cemeteries high in the hills to Riomaggiore's tangle of pastel houses. At www.ricksteves.com, ...

Ankara, Turkey: Atatürk, the Father of Modern Turkey

16 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Ankara, Turkey, is the vibrant capital of a modern Turkey, thanks to Turkey's greatest statesman, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. At www.ricksteves.com, you'l...

Berlin, Germany: Reminders of a Troubled Past

09 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Berlin, Germany is dotted with memorials and reminders of its troubled 20th-century history, including the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and...

Versailles, France: Ultimate Royal Palace

02 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Versailles, just outside Paris, is the palace other palaces were modeled after. At www.ricksteves.com, you'll find money-saving travel tips, small-gro...

Prague, Czech Republic: Mucha's Masterpieces

26 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Alfons Mucha's Art Nouveau masterpieces are displayed in Prague's Mucha Museum and Czech National Gallery of Modern Art. At www.ricksteves.com, you'll...

Jerusalem, Israel: Muslim Quarter

19 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Jerusalem's Muslim Quarter is within the Old City — a labyrinth rich with sights, sounds, and experiences that reward the curious traveler. At www.r...

Padova, Italy: Markets and Aperitivo

12 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Rick visits the markets of the Palazzo della Ragione and learns how to linger with locals. At www.ricksteves.com, you'll find money-saving travel tips...

Amsterdam, Netherlands: The Anne Frank House

05 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

At the Anne Frank House, visitors learn how the Frank family hid from the Nazis for 25 months. At www.ricksteves.com, you'll find money-saving travel ...

Ephesus, Turkey: Ancient City

29 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Rick joins his friend (and guide for Rick's bus tours through Turkey), to learn about the ancient home of the Ephesians — one of the world’s great...

Berlin, Germany: History of the Reichstag

22 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Germany’s parliament building, or “Reichstag,” is the symbolic heart of German democracy. At www.ricksteves.com, you'll find money-saving travel...

Hebron, Palestine: Tomb of Abraham

15 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

In this clip from Rick's Holy Land special, we visit Hebron's Tomb of Abraham to see how two communities struggle to be near this sacred site. At www....

Amboise, France: Elegant Dinner in the Loire

08 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Rick visits a restaurant in the Loire's Amboise to enjoy traditional French cuisine, including duck, escargot, and an abundant cheese course. At www.r...

Cinque Terre, Italy: Hiking Corniglia to Manarola

01 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On this leg of the Cinque Terre hike, we descend from ridge-top Corniglia to coastal Manarola. At www.ricksteves.com, you'll find money-saving travel ...

Prague, Czech Republic: Prague Castle

24 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Rick joins his Czech tour guide for a sweep through Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the tomb of St. Wenceslas. At www.ricksteves.com, you'll f...

Galilee, Israel: Sacred Sites Along the Sea

17 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Galilee is famous as the place where Jesus did his three years of ministry, and where so many Bible stories were set. At www.ricksteves.com, you'll fi...

Konya, Turkey: Home of Mevlana and Dervishes

10 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Konya is one of the oldest, most conservative, and religious cities in the world. It's the home of 13th-century Muslim philosopher Mevlana, whose foll...

Delft, Netherlands: Town Square and Delftware

03 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

We stroll along Delft's idyllic canals and markets, and see how its famous Delftware porcelain is made. At www.ricksteves.com, you'll find money-savin...

Padova, Italy: The Scrovegni Chapel

27 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Padova's Scrovegni Chapel, with its precious 14th-century Giotto frescoes, is one of Italy’s most beloved art treasures. At www.ricksteves.com, you'...

Berlin, Germany: The Wall and Checkpoint Charlie

20 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

The Berlin Wall Memorial and Museum House at Checkpoint Charlie educate visitors about Berlin's tumultuous 20th century. At www.ricksteves.com, you'll...

Fontainebleau, France: Royal Château

13 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

It seems every king, queen, and emperor since has loved this palace — Louis XIII was born here, Louis XV was married here — but Fontainebleau has ...

Amsterdam, Netherlands: The Van Gogh Museum

06 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

The Van Gogh Museum houses the 200 paintings owned by Vincent’s younger brother, Theo — laid out as the story of Vincent's life. At www.ricksteves...

Prague, Czech Republic: Old Town Square

29 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Prague’s Old Town Square is filled with beautifully preserved landmarks: the Gothic Týn Church, a memorial to Jan Hus, and a 15-century Astronomica...

Güzelyurt, Turkey: Beautiful Land

22 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Güzelyurt is the kind of discovery I love to feature in my guidebooks — almost no tourism, lots of history, plenty of character. At www.ricksteves....

Tel Aviv, Israel: Beautiful Beaches and Tasty Cuisine

15 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tel Aviv is a young, modern city with gleaming new buildings, a beautiful beach scene, and delicious, locally-sourced cuisine. At www.ricksteves.com, ...

Ramallah, Palestine: Cultural Capital

08 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Ramallah hosts the Palestinian government and international agencies, and is filled with positive energy from the students at nearby Birzeit Universit...

Monterosso al Mare, Italy: Cinque Terre Resort Town

01 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Monterosso al Mare is the Cinque Terre's most resorty town of the group, with cars, larger hotels, rentable umbrellas, and the best beach around. At w...

Cheverny, France: Château and Hounds

25 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

The stately hunting palace of Cheverny is immaculately preserved, having stayed in the same family for five centuries. The kennel is also worth a visi...

Antalya, Turkey: Relaxing Gulet Cruise

18 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

A popular excursion from Antalya is a cruise on a gulet — the traditional Turkish sailboat. At www.ricksteves.com, you'll find money-saving travel t...

Haarlem, Netherlands: Herring and Heritage

11 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Haarlem is a "Dutch Masters" kind of town, with plenty of 17th-century architecture. Dodge bikes down narrow lanes to discover some of Haarlem's gems ...

Berlin, Germany: Trendy Prenzlauer Berg

04 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Young, in-the-know locals agree that Prenzlauer Berg is one of Berlin’s most colorful neighborhoods. There are no real sights -- just a lively, laid...

Verona, Italy: Ambience and a Grappa Taste Test

25 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

About two hours from touristy Venice is Verona — a welcome sip of pure, easygoing Italy. Its main attractions are its wealth of Roman ruins and its ...

Prague, Czech Republic: Charles Bridge and a Czech Language Lesson

18 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

One of Europe's most pleasant strolls is along Prague's historic coronation route. Use it as a spine, but make a point to venture beyond, and learn en...