Europe's most captivating cathedrals
Europe is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking cathedrals, making them a standout attraction on any European holiday. In fact, our survey found that 58% of UK travellers would travel specifically to see a cathedral in person, and almost a quarter (24%) have done so in the past.
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The survey also found that 66% of Britons have felt emotionally moved by a cathedral. That’s why we’ve created a ranking to uncover the cathedrals that will take your breath away – including Europe’s most famous landmarks and its lesser-known, understated beauties.
The term “cathedral” is often used loosely to describe a variety of grand churches and monuments, though not all fit the traditional definition: a church that holds the seat of a bishop and serves as the mother church of its diocese. To ensure our ranking remained fair and consistent, we included only cathedrals that meet this criterion. This is why some world-famous landmarks, such as Barcelona’s Basílica de la Sagrada Família, do not appear in our list.
Europe's top ten most captivating cathedrals
To create the ranking, our research considered Google search volume, visitor sentiment of each cathedral, and descriptive keywords such as ‘captivating’ and ‘beautiful’ from Google Reviews. We combined these measurements to create the final scores, revealing Europe’s most captivating cathedrals.
1. Durham Cathedral, England (95/100)
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Durham Cathedral and the Old Fulling Mill, on the banks of the River Wear
Durham Cathedral in Northeast England takes the top spot as Europe's most captivating cathedral. Constructed between 1093 and 1133, the cathedral became one of the first UK sites to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 due to its architectural significance, historical importance, and its dramatic setting above the River Wear.
Its medieval spaces later became a part of Hogwarts magic in the Harry Potter films, with the cathedral’s cloisters featuring as the snowy quadrangle where Harry releases his owl in the Philosopher's Stone, and the Chapter House was also transformed into Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration classroom.
2. Strasbourg Cathedral, France (94/100)
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Notre Dame Cathedral of Strasbourg river view
Coming in second is Strasbourg Cathedral in France. For over two centuries, between 1647 and 1874, it held the title of the world's tallest building, thanks to its soaring 142-metre spire.
One of the cathedral’s main attractions is its Astronomical Clock, which shows the real-time location of the Sun and the Moon, including solar and lunar eclipses. Each day, visitors gather to watch the clock’s mechanical figures come to life in a display that represents the passage of time and different stages of life.
3. Salzburg Cathedral, Austria (90/100)
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Salzburg Cathedral in Salzburg
Salzburg Cathedral in Austria comes third in our ranking. This magnificent Early Baroque cathedral is home to the bronze baptismal font where Mozart was christened, alongside modern art installations like Vanitas, which features figures made from metal sheets whose shadows dance across the candlelit walls.
At Christmas, the Cathedral Square hosts both the Salzburg Festival and the Christmas Market. Entry to the cathedral costs €5 (free for under-18s) and includes audio guides, daily tours, and even lunchtime concerts.
4. Rouen Cathedral, France (88/100)
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Cathedral Notre Dame of Rouen in France
In fourth place is Rouen Cathedral in France – it is one of the world's most famous Gothic landmarks, and it inspired Claude Monet's beautiful series of paintings. Monet painted more than thirty views of Rouen Cathedral in 1892–93.
Built from the 12th century on earlier Roman and Romanesque foundations, it reflects over 700 years of architectural evolution. Though damaged by Viking invasions and later Allied bombing in 1944, the cathedral remains a living monument and is a must-visit when you are in France.
5. York Minster, England (85/100)
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York Minster, the east facade, with College Street and St William's College on the right
Taking fifth place is York Minster in England, home to Britain's largest collection of medieval stained glass, with 128 windows. One of the most famous pieces of the cathedral's stained-glass collection is the Rose Window, which symbolises the end of the War of the Roses in 1486. It was damaged in a fire in 1984 but has since been restored back to its original beauty.
Beneath the cathedral are the remains of the Roman headquarters from York's early days as Eboracum, the Roman name for York.
6. Siena Cathedral, Italy (83/100)
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Siena Cathedral Santa Maria Assunta, Duomo di Siena, in Siena, Tuscany, Italy
Built between 1196 and 1215 on the site of an earlier church, Siena Cathedral in Tuscany is a striking example of Romanesque-Gothic architecture, showcasing masterpieces by Donatello, Michelangelo, and Bernini.
One of its most remarkable features is the recently opened ‘Gate of Heaven’ tour, which leads visitors up through hidden staircases and along the cathedral’s rooftop walkways, providing stunning views of Italy’s beautiful countryside.
7. Galway Cathedral, Ireland (81/100)
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Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris, France
Built in 1965, Galway Cathedral in Ireland is the last major stone cathedral constructed in Europe. Despite being far younger than Europe's other medieval masterpieces, it was constructed in a traditional style and still captures an awe-inspiring feeling when stepping inside.
Inside, visitors can admire Imogen Stuart's statue of the Virgin, Patrick Pollen's striking Crucifixion mosaic, and rose windows by George Campbell, alongside vibrant stained glass and sacred architectural details throughout.
8. Notre-Dame Cathedral, France (80/100)
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Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris, France
Coming in ninth is Notre-Dame de Paris in France. Built in the 12th century on the Île de la Cité, Notre-Dame remains one of Paris's most iconic landmarks and is celebrated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Despite the devastating fire of 2019, the cathedral reopened in December 2024 – entry is free to the public, but booking free time slots online is recommended to avoid long queues.
9. Gloucester Cathedral, England (78/100)
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Gloucester Cathedral or Cathedral Church of St Peter and the Holy and Indivisible Trinity
Gloucester Cathedral in England has been a site of Christian worship since 678–9 AD, making it one of the most significant heritage destinations in Southwest England. With around 1,300 years of history behind it, the cathedral is celebrated for its stunning medieval Cloisters and the soaring Great East Window.
10. The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Spain (77/100)
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Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Galicia, Spain
Taking tenth place is the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The cathedral is believed to be the final resting place of Saint James the Great, one of Jesus Christ’s apostles, making it one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the world. Pilgrims from across the globe travel hundreds of miles along the famous Camino de Santiago to reach the cathedral and pay their respects.
Ten Lesser-known but Beautiful Cathedrals in Europe
We also ranked Europe’s lesser-known cathedrals that are equally stunning. This ranking was determined by analysing cathedrals with lower search volumes but consistently high visitor sentiment scores from Google Reviews.
1. Bourges Cathedral, France (96/100)
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The historic Cathedral of Bourges in Centre-Val de Loira, France
Our research reveals Cathédrale Saint-Étienne of Bourges in France as the most captivating cathedral with fewer crowds. Built between the late 12th and 13th centuries, it is admired for its beautifully balanced proportions and unified design. The richly coloured stained-glass windows, dating from the 14th to 16th centuries, are simply stunning. The cathedral is a protected historic monument set in a medieval cityscape and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992.
2. Segovia Cathedral, Spain (95/100)
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Gothic style cathedral of Segovia
Segovia Cathedral is often called the "Lady of Cathedrals" thanks to its elegant Gothic design. Built between 1525 and 1577, it is one of the last Gothic cathedrals constructed in Spain and stands majestically in the city's main square. The cathedral's soaring bell tower reaches 88 metres high, making it impossible to miss against Segovia's skyline.
3. Évora Cathedral, Portugal (93/100)
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Claustro de la Catedral de Évora, Portugal
Évora Cathedral in Portugal is a stunning example of medieval architecture built between 1280 and 1340. It is the largest medieval cathedral in Portugal and stands proudly in the heart of Évora's historic centre – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cathedral's towers offer breathtaking panoramic views across the Alentejo plains in Portugal, making the climb well worth the effort.
4. The Cathedral of Toledo, Spain (92/100)
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Toledo Cathedral, Spain
The Cathedral of Toledo was built between 1226 and 1493 and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary in her Ascension to the heavens. Inside, you will find an extraordinary collection of art, including works by El Greco, Goya, and Velázquez.
One of its most striking features is the stunning Transparente – a Baroque altarpiece and architectural masterpiece that harnesses natural light to create a dramatic effect. Designed by Narciso Tomé in the 18th century, it features sculpted marble, bronze, and gilded details illuminated by a hidden skylight.
5. Innsbruck Cathedral (91/100)
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Innsbruck Cathedral
In fifth place is Innsbruck Cathedral, which was once a crucial point on pilgrimages through Austria during the Middle Ages. The cathedral is also home to the painting Maria Hilf (Mary of Succor) by Lucas Cranach the Elder, created in around 1530.
Listen for the sound of the cathedral’s organ in the west gallery, which uses 3,729 pipes to create a thunderous sound. The church also plays the Innsbruck “peace bells” every day at noon.
The Cathedral of Granada, Spain places sixth with an overall score of 89/100, followed by Ancona Cathedral in Italy (88/100), Magdeburg Cathedral in Germany (87/100), Cefalù Cathedral in Italy (86/100) and finally, Reims Cathedral in France (85/100).
References
Methodology
For this study, a cathedral is defined as a church that holds the seat of a bishop (in Latin, cathedra) and serves as the mother church of its diocese.
To create the ranking, we combined three core factors – Google search volume, visitor sentiment, and descriptive keyword mentions – into a weighted scoring system. Search demand was measured using Google Keyword Planner to identify average monthly searches for each cathedral. Visitor sentiment was assessed by analysing the top five Google Reviews per cathedral with TextBlob, assigning a positivity score to reflect overall visitor experience. The same reviews were also scanned for recurring keywords such as “beautiful,” “peaceful,” and “grand.”
Each factor contributed to the overall score: 40% keyword count, 40% sentiment score, and 20% search demand. For the ‘hidden gem’ ranking, we focused on cathedrals with lower search volumes but frequent mentions of “beautiful” and “peaceful,” revealing Europe’s most captivating yet lesser-known sites.
Survey data was taken from a survey conducted on behalf of Saga Holidays of 500 adult UK passport holders in October 2025.
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