14 Hidden Gems in Europe You Must Visit Before They Become Overcrowded
In an ideal world, you’d visit Europe and have places like the Colosseum, Eiffel Tower, and Parthenon all to yourself. Those storied streets would be serene, restaurant tables in sun-soaked squares would always be available, and you’d walk right into every attraction.
Unfortunately, that’s not how it works! Places like Rome, Paris, and Athens attract tens of millions of tourists every year. While their famous sights and attractions are no less memorable, you share them with giant crowds, stand in never-ending queues, and overpay for everything.
So why not skip Europe’s main draws in favor of its hidden gems? These special places offer similar intrigue and appeal without the pitfalls of global fame. Read on for 14 destinations you should visit before the masses discover them.
1. Castelmezzano, Italy
Castelmezzano is a small town nestled among the Lucanian Dolomites in Southern Italy. It’s one of the country’s most beautiful places, but because most tourists gravitate to Rome and the north, it maintains its peaceful, rustic charm. Expect stunning views, unique activities (like ziplining to a neighboring town), atmospheric town squares, and picturesque medieval streets.
Another benefit of exploring Castelmezzano is its proximity to other hidden gems. For example, the iconic ancient town of Matera is about an hour’s drive away. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s famous for its 9,000-year-old cave dwellings, dramatic clifftop location, age-old churches, and so much more.
2. Tbilisi, Georgia
Georgia’s capital is as historic, colorful, and culturally rich as the country itself. Located on the border of Europe and Asia, it offers a smorgasbord of cultural influences in everything from the food to the architecture.
Explore the ruins of 11th-century fortresses, stroll alongside the Kura River, shop for souvenirs in underground bazaars, admire enormous orthodox cathedrals, and visit quirky attractions like leaning clock towers. If that isn’t enough to entice you, Georgia is also incredibly affordable.
3. Peniche, Portugal
Portugal is blessed with 300 days of sunshine each year, bustling historic cities, medieval towns, famous wine regions, beautiful mountains, and iconic coastlines. In other words, this Iberian nation has everything you could want in a European destination! Yet it’s still often overlooked by tourists.
If you break that trend and decide to visit, don’t miss Peniche and the Berlangas Islands off its coast. Located 60 miles north of Lisbon, this beach town is notorious for its surf, beaches, and maritime history. There’s no shortage of things to do in this hidden gem. Hit the waves, sunbathe on golden beaches, visit markets, explore centuries-old forts, and dine on fresh fish and seafood before catching the sunset.
4. Faroe Islands
Located 200 miles north of the United Kingdom is a breathtaking archipelago called the Faroe Islands. Part of the Kingdom of Denmark, this island nation is so remote and inaccessible that few tourists make the trip.
It’s worth the effort, though. The landscapes here are wild and untouched, the dark waters of the North Atlantic swirl around every corner, and the bird and marine life is second to none. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle, spend time in nature, and experience a totally different way of life, the Faroe Islands won’t disappoint.
5. Albanian Riviera
Albania is a hidden gem in Europe. A gorgeous Balkan nation north of Greece, it’s a budget-friendly outdoor paradise that feels raw and authentic. However, the Albanian Riviera deserves a special mention.
Located at the meeting point of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, this vast stretch of rugged coastline is dotted with idyllic beaches, secluded coves, and traditional villages. The scenery, vibe, sunsets, low prices, and beachfront accommodation are all to die for. Highlights include Dhërmi, Ksamil, Bunec, and Palasa, although this whole area is worth exploring.
6. Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina isn’t the war-torn nation you might remember from the nineties. It’s emerged from those devastating times as a cultural and historical hotspot topped off with spectacular scenery and affordable prices.
Mostar is one of its most treasured places. A bustling Balkan city fit for a fairytale, it has cobblestone streets, stone buildings, and an iconic old bridge spanning the picturesque Neretva River. It’s charming, quirky, and full of character, and its mountainous backdrop amplifies its aesthetics even further.
7. Bern, Switzerland
This beautiful medieval city is the capital of Switzerland, but it has a very different vibe from other European capitals. While Bern thrums with life, it still feels small and laid back. You’ll wander its quaint cobbled streets, stroll through its covered arcades, and enjoy its sandstone buildings without being overwhelmed by rowdy crowds.
Dating to the 12th century, Bern’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that begs to be explored. Built atop a hillside with the Aare River curving around it like a horseshoe. Highlights include the Zytglogge (clock tower), Bern’s Minster, and the city’s famous medieval fountains.
8. Slovenia
Slovenia is a small country located on Italy’s northeastern border. Like most places in this part of Europe, the scenery is unbelievable. Expect mountainous landscapes covered in forest, sweeping valleys with rivers rushing through them, and postcard-perfect lakes ideal for swimming, kayaking, boating, and paddleboarding.
Vibrant cities like Ljubljana have plenty for history buffs and culture vultures to enjoy, too. Oh, and don’t miss Lake Bled! Slovenia’s most famous place is surrounded by mountains, has a castle perched on cliffs above it, and an island at the center with a medieval church on it.
9. Kotor, Montenegro
Montenegro is a small Balkan country north of Albania. Another hidden gem renowned for natural beauty, it has pristine beaches, rugged mountains, and many natural wonders, such as Lake Shkodra and the Tara River Gorge. Montenegro has a palpable sense of history, too, and incredible cultural attractions litter the nation.
The city of Kotor is arguably its most famous place. The coastal scenery is fjord-like, with giant cliffs towering above peaceful waters. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with medieval architecture and fortifications that transport you back in time. Highlights include St. Tryphon’s Cathedral, the city walls, and the Kotor Fortress.
10. Cuenca, Spain
Most people who visit Spain gravitate to coastal cities like Barcelona and Malaga or to islands like Majorca and Ibiza. To experience Spanish splendor with smaller crowds, though, head inland to places like Cuenca.
Located in east-central Spain, this medieval fortified city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its hanging houses. Perched precipitously on the edge of a sheer cliff, these age-old buildings provide dramatic views across the surrounding area. Conquered by Castilians in the 12th century and home to Spain’s first Gothic cathedral, it’s another historic destination that seems plucked from a fairytale.
11. Tartu, Estonia
Estonia is an oft-overlooked Baltic country in northern Europe, and Tartu is its second-largest city. Considered one of the most exciting places to visit this year, it’s a cultural hotspot and bustling university town bifurcated by the Emajogi River. Visitors can explore more than 20 museums, see the oldest university in the nation, and enjoy a busy calendar full of concerts, festivals, and sporting events.
While Tartu is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets (especially as far as culture’s concerned), so is Estonia as a whole. It’s affordable, historic, packed with diverse architecture and ancient fortifications, and has a long coastline peppered with pristine beaches.
12. Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia
Welcome to Macedonia’s answer to Northern Italy’s lakes. Lake Ohrid, and the eponymous city on its northeast shore, is a fantastic place to spend your summer vacation. It has age-old churches and monasteries, castles dating from the 4th century BC, cobblestone streets, and cute lakeside cafes. The weather’s excellent, the scenery’s sublime, and prices remain affordable.
This is one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe. It’s big, too. Lake Ohrid covers 138 square miles and reaches a depth of 288 meters. UNESCO calls it “the most biologically diverse lake on earth” and named it a World Heritage Site as a result.
13. Gozo, Malta
Gozo is the second-largest island in the Maltese Archipelago – a place that history’s greatest empires have fought over for centuries. Evidence of this turbulent past is everywhere, but it’s on full display at the magnificent Citadel. Expect vast stone walls, winding cobbled streets, and more history than you can shake a stick at.
For an island that’s only nine miles long and four and a half miles wide, Gozo has a remarkable amount to see and do. Aside from the Citadel, chief among its attractions are ancient temples (don’t miss Ggantija), famous dive sites (like the Inland Sea), mighty cliffs, hidden coves, and amazing medieval architecture.
14. Ghent, Belgium
Most tourists in Belgium flock to Bruges. But you won’t regret picking Ghent instead. It’s a dreamy destination for anyone who appreciates history, culture, and architecture. A university city with rivers, canals, UNESCO sites, and a thriving art scene, everything from Ghent’s atmosphere to its aesthetics is hard to beat.
If that wasn’t enough to convince you to visit, Ghent also has over 600 pubs, 500 restaurants, and some of the world’s finest chocolatiers.
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