Europe, it’s big, it’s beautiful, it’s … kinda weird? While most are familiar with the well-trodden sights and attractions of beloved destinations across the pond — think the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, Stonehenge, the Acropolis — there are no shortage of quirky stops worthy of exploration. From the whimsical and the intriguing to the scary and the silly, here are a few off-the-beaten-path attractions that caught our eye.
Elf School in Iceland
Elves play an important role in Icelandic culture, and in Reykjavik, the country’s capital city, visitors can learn more about the mystical creatures when they visit the Icelandic Elf School.
Open almost every Friday, travelers will find their questions on elven lore, hidden people and Iceland’s history answered as they undergo a fascinating crash course outlining “true stories of friendship between elves and hidden people and Icelanders in recent times.” As if that lesson plan isn’t wholesome enough, students need not worry about going hungry while in class as attendees are treated to a meal of freshly cooked pancakes paired with their choice of coffee or tea before being issued a diploma declaring their newfound elf-y expertise.
A Hair Museum in Turkey
Yes, you read that right, in Avanos, Turkey, there’s an entire museum dedicated to human hair. While the thought of such a thing might evoke an “ew,” the story behind the bizarre collection is actually quite sweet as the locks of hair that started it all were given to Turkish potter Galip Körükçü as a parting gift from a friend who was moving out of town. Displayed in his famous pottery store, Chez Galip, people began asking Körükçü about the luxurious tresses, and, after hearing the sentimental story, many found themselves compelled to leave a snippet of strands of their own, adding to the growing collection. Since then, Körükçü has amassed thousands of hairy mementos which he showcases in the Avanos Hair Museum, an eccentric exhibit housed in a cave-like room beneath his shop.
Ruins Turned Cat Sanctuary in Rome
We don’t make the rules, cats deserve to be treated like royalty, and in Rome, they kind of are as more than 130 felines have found their forever home at Largo di Torre Argentina, an ancient temple-complex turned cat sanctuary. Famous among history buffs, this intriguing site rose to notoriety in 1929 when excavation efforts led by Mussolini revealed four victory-temples hidden 20 feet below the surface alongside parts of Portico of Pompey, the place where Julius Caesar was murdered. Not ones to pass up comfy digs, in the wake of this discovery, feral cats began to move in, and, as locals continued to feed them, the cats never left, eventually resulting in the thriving sanctuary we see today. Those hoping to visit this quirky kitty colony can do so seven days a week, either by viewing the cats from street level or heading inside to browse the gift shop, volunteer or adopt a furry friend.
Beer Pools in Austria
Is there anything better than a frothy brew? In Austria, the world’s love for beer is taken to an entirely new level at Strakenberger’s Castle, a 700-year-old fortress that boasts a truly unique feature: seven 13-foot swimming pools filled with the boozy beverage. Toasty and warm, these strange swimming pools don’t make for the average bath with each being filled with an estimated 42,000 pints of beer. While it might sound strange, soaking in the hoppy drink is said to aid in healing, specifically skin ailments like open wounds and psoriasis. While sneaking a sip is obviously discouraged, those who find themselves parched will be happy to learn they can order a drink at the onsite brewery.
Froggyland in Croatia
Typically reserved for monumental mammals like deer, elk, moose, bear and sheep, it’s not every day you come across a quirky collection of well-preserved amphibians. However, in Split, Croatia, travelers will find just that at Froggyland, a specialty museum comprising 21 exhibits of thematically arranged frogs in relatable, lifelike situations. From playing a round of poker and helming an orchestra to sitting down for lessons at school and painting a masterpiece, there’s nothing the 507, perfectly preserved batrachians can’t do. Allowing for such intricate displays is the technique in which the frogs were stuffed which the museum says is very demanding but leaves the exhibits devoid of external incisions.
Leaping Leprechauns in Ireland
Have you ever wondered why leprechauns are always after that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? At Dublin’s National Leprechaun Museum, travelers can learn all this and more as they explore stories, tales and lore from the days of yore. Whether they opt for a guided daytime storytelling experience for an all-ages-approved visit or dare to traverse DarkLand, a chilling segment of the museum dedicated to the twisted side of Irish storytelling, travelers will find themselves enthralled as they step out of the now and into a mystical world.
The Church of Bones in Prague
While bones aren’t the first thing to come to mind when one hears the term “interior decorating,” at Prague’s Sedlec Ossuary, skeletal remains adorn seemingly every nook and cranny. Referred to simply as “The Church of Bones,” this macabre chapel houses the remains of 40,000 dead bodies, the parts of which have been used to craft creepy yet whimsical creations including the famed chandelier of bones that hangs in the center of the church and features at least one of every human bone in addition to the Schwarzenberg family coat of arms. While some might find the décor disturbing, the folks at Sedlec Ossuary reassure travelers every person buried there wished to be buried in a holy place and now their bones are part of a living legacy.
The Narrowest Street in Germany
Recognized by Guinness World Records as the “narrowest street,” Reutlingen’s Spreuerhofstraße is a tight squeeze at 31 cm at its narrowest point and 50 cm at its widest. The street has held its record-breaking status since 2006 and is always good for a laugh as people get their kicks shimmying through the small corridor. Interestingly, while Spreuerhofstraße is already notably narrow, the throughway is only getting smaller as the surrounding 18th century homes that line the street continue to shift and sink with time.
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