How to Skip the Lines at Europe’s Biggest Tourist Attractions

Last Updated on Sep 20, 2023

Ah, Europe! The land of castles and fairytale landscapes, the land of majestic mountains and sweeping valleys, the land of history and culture, and the land of modern cities and industrialization. There’s so much to see and do in Europe’s amazing cities, from visiting historic sites like the Colosseum to gazing up at the Eiffel Tower, to seeing the Duomo paint Florence’s skyline, or discovering the underground secrets of the Paris catacombs.

The problem though with wanting to see these famous tourist attractions in Europe is that everyone else wants to see them too. So you end up waiting in line for hours just to catch a short glimpse of La Pieta or not even getting in to see the Last Supper.

How do you solve the problem of too many places to see and not enough time to see them? Or too many other people wanting to see them at the same time as you?

What are your best options?

Skip the line tickets are a heaven-sent answer to travelers’ problems. Paying a few dollars more gives you the right to enter many major tourist attractions in Europe without waiting in long lines to get in. So instead of only getting to see two or three attractions in a day after having spent hours in line at each, you can see at least double the amount.

If you’re lucky, sometimes you might be able to buy skip-the-line tickets on the day you visit the attraction. But more often than not, they’ve already sold out weeks or months in advance. So these very popular skip-the-line tickets or VIP entry tickets as they’re sometimes referred are best bought in advance through online travel portals.

Even if you have good shoes, save yourself the trouble of standing in line for hours at St. Peter’s Basilica only to reach the front of the queue when they’re stopping entry for the day. Save yourself the disappointment of having to spend hours out in the sweaty sun waiting to reach the front at the London Eye only to have your kid want to go to the loo at the moment you’re almost getting in.

Buying the skip the line tickets at major European attractions will help you check more places off your bucket list!

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Skip The Line In Paris

From the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre, from beautiful churches to historic buildings, the City of Lights has a lot to offer! You can visit Paris a dozen times and still want to go back for more. With tourists from every country coming to see the land of the croissant, it can get crowded sometimes, even when it’s not peak season.

If you don’t want to spend your time in the City of Love just waiting in queues, it’s best to book your tickets well in advance. Here are options to skip the line at important sites you can’t miss in Paris.

1. Eiffel Tower

The most visited monument on the planet, the Eiffel Tower is a cultural symbol of France. Constructed by Gustave Eiffel in the latter half of the 19th century, the 81-story tall tower has three levels you can visit by steps of by the lift.

For perfect bird’s eye views of the city of Paris, book a skip-the-line ticket to the Eiffel Tower that will give you a chance to head straight to the summit floor of the tower with your guide.

I just did that and didn’t wait at all, just had to wait for about 10 minutes for the elevator.

2. Louvre Museum

Home to masterpieces such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Louvre is the most-visited museum in the world. This historic landmark museum that has been running since the 18th century is actually housed in Phillip II’s Louvre Palace which was built in the late 12th century on the banks of the Seine.

Housing art and collectibles from all over the world, you can see everything from Egyptian antiquities to Greek and Roman artifacts. Famous art and paintings from all over the world can be seen here. So book your skip-the-line tickets to the Louvre so that you can get entry at a pre-fixed time!

3. Saint Chapelle

The Notre Dame may still be being repaired, but there’s another chapel you must see which in my opinion is much more impressive. An architectural gem built-in 1248, Saint Chapelle is a royal chapel with over 1000 stained glass windows.

The fifteen windows in the apse and nave will drop your jaw. They depict 1,113 scenes from the Bible, from creation to the time some of the relics reached Paris.

The Gothic rose window installed in the 15th century is especially beautiful and must be captured in your memories of Paris. Book the skip-the-line ticket to see Saint Chapelle and the neighboring Concierge.

4. Palais de Versailles

A short 12-mile drive outside Paris is well worth the effort to see the Palais de Versailles, a symbol of the French monarchy and home to kings in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The splendor and magnificence of the palace and vast royal gardens will leave you fascinated. The skip-the-line tickets ensure that your guide takes you into the Château de Versailles through a separate entrance.

Now I’ll be brutally honest, don’t even attempt to visit Versaille in the spring or summer without skip the line tickets. The line for the “skip the line” is already long as people begin to line up before the palace even opens.

You’ll still wait, but more like 30 minutes rather than stand in line to get tickets and then another line to enter – I heard of people waiting almost 2 hours sometimes! With skip the line tickets you can still have the Hall of Mirrors to yourself!

5. Other Must-Visit Attractions in Paris

The magical river that runs through Paris and has been featured in many paintings by great artists, La Seine supplies half of Paris water. You can walk down the romantic banks (in spots that haven’t been taken up by the homeless) or even better, you can take a romantic dinner cruise along the river with your loved one. Of course, if you’d prefer a morning cruise, you can take an hour-long cruise while looking out at the city’s beautiful monuments.

Every famous town has a dark past, and so does Paris. When the cemeteries couldn’t take any more dead, over 6 million Parisians were buried in underground quarries or catacombs. Go underground to discover the dark side of Paris with skip-the-line tickets.

You can admire the Arc de Triomphe from outside, but going inside and climbing the 284 steps to the rooftop of the arch to look out at Paris is something only the skip-the-line tickets will allow.

See Monet’s infamous “Water Lilies” cycle and more at the Musee de Orsay in the heart of Paris. The skip-the-line ticket to Orsay Museum also gives you entry to the Orangerie Museum.

See Napoleon’s tomb and learn about French military history as well as the golden dome at Musée de l’Armée with a skip-the-line ticket to the Musée de l’Armée.

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Skip The Line In Amsterdam

Filled with beautiful canals, quaint coffee shops, and picture-perfect buildings, Amsterdam is also home to some popular museums. If you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam, be it a long trip or a short weekend visit, booking skip-the-line tickets will ensure you make the most of your stay here.

1. Van Gogh Museum

Featuring over 200 paintings, 500 drawings 750 letters written by Van Gogh, the Van Gogh Museum takes you on a journey through the highs and lows of the artist’s life. These timed-entry tickets will ensure that you don’t have to wait in line like everyone else.

2. Keukenhof

The world’s largest spring garden is home to over 7 million bulbs. About an hour’s drive from Amsterdam, this stunning garden features vibrant and beautiful floral displays and is the perfect place to spend the afternoon. The fast-track entry tickets to Keukenhof Gardens help you bypass many long lines.

The lines are always long at Keukenhof so that’s your best bet. I spent years living in the Netherlands and I’m yet to ever see it not crowded honestly.

3. National Maritime Museum

What is there behind the dikes? This question and more will be answered when you visit the National Maritime Museum using the skip-the-line ticket.

You’ll learn about the last 500 years of Dutch maritime history. The ticket also gives you entry to the replica 18th-century ship “Amsterdam” where you can pretend to be a sailor.

4. Rijksmuseum

Featuring masterpieces by Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Vermeer, and other Dutch painters, the Rijksmuseum is home to over a million pieces of art out of which over 8000 are on display. Centrally located in Museum Square, you’ll witness over 800 years of Dutch art and history in one place.

With over two million visitors a year, the lines here can get really long, especially during the holiday season. So skip the line by booking the time entry ticket to Rijksmuseum. This ticket also includes a picturesque cruise of Amsterdam’s canals.

5. Other Must-Visit Attractions in Amsterdam

Hard Rock Cafe in Amsterdam is considered a museum of pop culture with original memorabilia from Elvis, Jimi Hendrix and others. With the number of fans waiting to visit entry can be difficult, so book a skip-the-line ticket.

The Stedelijk Museum opened in 1895 in Amsterdam and holds an extraordinary collection of modern art and design. You’ll also get to see art by Warhol, Cezanne, Picasso, Chagall, Matisse, Pollock, and others by booking these mobile-friendly skip-the-line tickets.

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Skip The Line In London

Rainy London is home to so many historic sites you don’t want to spend your time standing in queues. Visit in spring for the sunny weather, and the queues are a lot longer.

While you can watch the changing of the Queen’s Guard or go to Camden Market and Hyde Park easily for free, the other attractions might prove tough to enter. Booking skip-the-line tickets to London’s attractions will cut down a lot of the time you spend waiting in queues.

1. Westminster Abbey

The chapel where Prince William got married to Kate Middleton in 2011 and where William the Conqueror was crowned king in 1066, Westminster Chapel has been home to many royal celebrations.

Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site that was founded in 960 AD and gaze at the Gothic architecture of Britain’s Valhalla. Skip the lines with these tickets!

2. National History Museum

See giant dinosaurs and the rarest of gems at the Natural History Museum. Housing over 80 million specimens in its many galleries, there are over 4.5 billion years of history to discover here. Buy these tickets to skip the lines!

3. Tower of London

See the opening ceremony performed by the Royal Beefeaters at the 700-year old Tower of London. Learn about the history of this historic castle that was home to Anne Boleyn during her imprisonment.

Built by William the Conqueror in 1078, the Tower is now a must-visit. Skip the lines and see the Crown jewels with these VIP early-access tickets!

4. London Eye

Europe’s tallest cantilevered wheel, the Millennium Wheel or London Eye as it’s called is the most visited paid attraction in the UK.

A 30-minute ride aboard this wheel gives you spectacular aerial views of Big Ben, Charing Cross, Waterloo Railway station, and the Palace of Westminster.

The wait time for a ride in one of the 32 ovoidal capsules can take hours. The easiest way to avoid waiting in line is with these fast-track admission tickets!

5. Other Must-Visit Attractions in London

• Visit the Vault at Hard Rock Cafe London to pick up some rock and roll memorabilia. Skip the line and enjoy a full dinner with these tickets.
• See where your favorite Harry Potter movies were filmed at Warner Brothers Studios about 2 hours outside London.
• See the magnificence of Kensington Palace and learn about the queens and princesses who lived there.
• Marvel at the architecture of St Paul’s Cathedral and visit the crypt.
• Understand the 200-year-old heritage of the London Transport System and see many historic vehicles showcasing how London’s transport developed.
• Spend a full-day out visiting Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and the Roman ruins in the city of Bath.

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Skip The Line In Rome

History and architectural magnificence surround you when you visit the city built on seven hills. This ancient city filled with ruins and churches has so many amazing things to see, you won’t have time to visit everything.

With the whole world queuing up to see the many attractions in the City of Rome, it’s best to book skip-the-line tickets to avoid spending hours in queues.

1. Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

This is the reason almost everyone visits Rome, to see the Colosseum! Built between 72 AD and 80 AD by Emperor Vespasian and his son Titus, it could once seat up to 73000 spectators.

Avoid the queues outside by booking a Priority Ticket to the Colosseum which also allows you to enter the Roman Forum and Palantine Hill.

2. Borghese Gallery

Home to treasures of art ranging from Canova’s sculptures to masterpieces by Bernini and Caravaggio, the Casina Borghese has many secrets to discover.

Book a skip-the-line ticket to see works by extraordinary artists and take in enchanting views of Rome from the Villa Borghese gardens.

3. Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Basilica

Michaelangelo’s masterpiece, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is so popular, it will have you standing in queues for 3 to 4 hours to get it. It’s best to book the skip-the-line tickets which at least shorten the wait time to about 30 minutes to an hour.

These tickets also give you access to the Vatican Museum to see the impressive Papal art collections and the Vatican Gardens.

5. Other Must-Visit Attractions in Rome

• When the Capuchin monks moved from their Trevi fountain friary to the current one on Via Veneto in the 19th century, they decided to take the bones of all post friars with them. Since burials in churches wasn’t allowed they built an underground crypt where the bones of 3700 friars are stored. Book your ticket to the Capuchin Crypt see the symbols of how fleeting life on earth it.
• Take a picture at the spectacular Trevi Fountain or at the Spanish Steps.
• Take a street food tour with a local guide and try artisanal food in the Roman Ghetto and Jewish Quarter.
• Take a day trip to see the ruins of Pompei and climb Mt Vesuvius for stunning views of Capri and Sorrento.
• Visit the Castel Sant’Angelo, an ancient fortress built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in AD 135. See where notable figures were incarcerated and get panoramic views of the River Tiber.

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Skip The Line In Florence

The capital of Tuscany, Florence was the birthplace of the Renaissance. It has given the world many great pieces of art and architecture from Michelangelo’s “David” to da Vinci’s “Annunciation”.

The Duomo at the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Campanile, Palazzo Pitti, Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery, and many iconic sites are right here. Apart from the Historic Centre of Florence which you can visit anytime, most sites are thronged by millions of tourists each year. So booking tickets in advance is very necessary (the same thing applies to many spots in Italy: The Last Supper in Milan is booked months in advance!)

1. Uffizi Gallery

With waiting times stretching for as long as a whole day, the Uffizi Gallery is a bucket list item. Home to paintings and sculptures by Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Giotto, Raffaello, Masaccio, and others, you might have to wait in line to see the restored Niobe room, or Michaelangelo’s Doni Tondo, or Weydens’ Lamentation of Christ.

Although it opened to the public in 1765, Uffizi formally became a museum in 1865. And the only way you can skip the lines at the entrance is by booking a timed entrance ticket.

2. Accademia Gallery in Florence

The home to Michelangelo’s “David”, the statue symbolizes the defense of civil liberties in Florence, Accademia Gallery is also home to St Matthew and the Prisoners. The best way to see it is to join an art historian on a tour!

3. Palazzo Vecchio

The home of the Medici family and the symbol of power for centuries, the Palazzo Vecchio built-in 1229 is now home to rich and complex art. A skip-the-line ticket will give you a quicker entry.

4. Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral and Brunelleschi’s Dome

The Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral complex surrounds the cathedral designed by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1296. Brunelleschi designed the dome without centering making it an architectural masterpiece. These Renaissance legends are a must visit, and the skip-the-line tickets will help you get entry faster.

5. Other Must-Visit Attractions in Florence

• Take a tour of the wineries in the Chianti hills and sample some amazing food and wine.
• Take a day trip to see some of the colorful villages in the Cinque Terre National Park.
• Designed by Brunelleschi and built for the Pitti family in 1457, the Pitti Palace is a lavish Renaissance home that now houses a large collection of art. The Gallery of Modern Art on the second floor and the Palantine Gallery on the first floor are worth a visit.

Skip The Line In Barcelona

The largest city in Catalonia and the second largest in Spain, Barcelona is home to almost 2 million people. Founded by the Romans in the Middle Ages, Barcelona is home to many UNESCO-designated sites. From the Sagrada Familia to the Hospital de Sant Pau, there’s a lot to visit in Barcelona, and booking priority tickets might be the best way to see everything

1. Sagrada Familia

Gaudi’s masterpiece in Spain, the Sagrada Familia has a stunning almost dream-like facade. Booking skip-the-line tickets to Sagrada will give you private access to look at Gaudi’s original sketches and learn more about the Passion Facade.

2. Casa Milà-La Pedrera

Antoni Gaudi, the innovative Spanish architect, lived on the Passeig de Gracia. Visit to see his apartments at the Casa Milà (La Pedrera) with skip-the-line tickets, and also see the Espai Gaudi exhibition.

3. Park Guell

Another Gaudi masterpiece, the Park Guell is filled with brightly-colored mosaics, twisted stonework, and sinuous benches. Spend time looking at his awe-inspiring work at the Hall of the Hundred Columns or Serpentine Bench in Park Guell. Book these skip-the-line tickets to gain quicker access to this amazing masterpiece.

4. Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya

Featuring a large collection of Romanesque mural paintings, the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya covers 2 floors and needs at least 2 to 3 hours to visit. Apart from featuring Baroque and Renaissance paintings, the museum also offers panoramic city views. Book a skip-the-line entry ticket to see the magnificent art preserved in the form of frescoes, paintings and scultpures.

5. Other Must-Visit Attractions in Barcelona

• Take a day trip to Montserrat to visit Catalonia’s famous Montserrat mountain topped by a Benedictine Monastery, and then have a lunch with wine at a local farm.
• The largest stadium in Europe, Camp Nou is home to Futbol Club Barcelona. Take a tour to see key Barça areas.
• See the world’s largest collection of Picasso’s art at the Picasso Museum with this skip-the-line ticket.
• Walk under the spectacular Oceanarium surrounded by sharks and other marine life. See 11,000 animals from some 450 different species as you walk through the transparent 80-meter-long tunnel.

Your time on holiday runs by really fast. It’s best not to spend most of it waiting in queues to see attractions and rather get them checked off your bucket list by investing in skip-the-line tickets. Book these tickets and see how much time you save; then come back and tell us what a wonderful vacation you had in Europe!