Lately, summer time in Europe has introduced the more and more unfavourable impacts of mass tourism, however there are nonetheless hidden gems in Europe. Off the crushed path Europe cities, islands, and areas do exist without crowds.
Each peak European journey season appears to carry extra unlucky points, rising the rift between locals and guests and prompting calls to curb vacationer numbers.
Overtourism has long-lasting penalties, rising the property and rental costs, driving locals away from their hometowns, and turning historic facilities into living museums.
Within the course of, the cultural coronary heart of those locations all too typically appears to get misplaced.
In case your dream European trip consists of crusing the canals of Venice or wandering the streets of Florence in solitude, you’ll possible discover the fact pales compared to the fantasy.
Until you go to through the off season, it’s possible you’ll end up amongst hordes of vacationers attracted by low cost European journey packages.
However whereas customer numbers to those crowded hotspots appear to extend yearly, there are nonetheless many hidden gems in Europe that stay off the beaten path.
There are numerous lovely underrated European cities the place few vacationers know to enterprise, with ample pure, cultural, and historic points of interest and a fraction of the crowds you’ll discover in European cities like Barcelona, Rome, and Paris.
From the Arctic to the Mediterranean, we’ve pored over the map and provide you with our 15 of one of the best hidden gems in Europe.
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Finest Hidden Gems in Europe Information
(Organized geographically)
- Greenland
- Iceland’s Westfjords
- Svalbard (Norway)
- Gotland (Sweden)
- Shetland Islands (Scotland)
- Jersey (Channel Islands)
- Brittany (France)
- Oberammergau (Germany)
- Galicia (Spain)
- Sardinia (Italy)
- Sicily (Italy)
- Azores (Portugal)
- The Black Sea
- Transylvania (Romania)
- Istria (Croatia)
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NORDIC EUROPE HIDDEN GEMS
1. Greenland
There are roughly 90,000 annual guests to Greenland– a far cry from the 20 million vacationers who journey to Venice yearly.
Contemplating the truth that Greenland is Europe’s largest island, your probabilities of being caught in selfie-stick-brandishing crowds there are slim to none. But Greenland is a must-visit for lovers of nature and of the Arctic.
It’s value a go to in winter to expertise the Polar darkness, and for the excessive probability to see Northern Lights in Kangerlussaq (the place they seem roughly 300 nights every year).
In summer time you’ll be able to have enjoyable round the clock beneath the midnight solar, having fun with journey actions together with kayaking in iceberg-filled lagoons and exploring the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (and one of many world’s few rising glaciers).
Greenland can be distinctive in Europe as a result of it’s the one place the place you’ll be able to find out about Inuit tradition.
Qaanaaq, previously often called Thule, is an Inuit city positioned at 77.4° north, making it one of many northernmost inhabited locations on this planet. It’s house to round 700 folks, and vacationers can find out about their culture and traditions.
READ MORE: Arctic Animals: 30 Species of Arctic Birds, Mammals & Whales
2. Iceland’s Westfjords
Iceland is one other place that’s typically talked about when speaking about overtourism.
Its issues vary from guests flocking to a canyon as soon as featured in a Justin Bieber video to locals enraged after seeing vacationers utilizing their gardens and fields as bogs.
Bot most Iceland tourism is concentrated within the southern a part of the nation, within the neighborhood of Reykjavik and the well-known “Golden Circle.”
If you wish to keep away from throngs of vacationers, head to the northwestern peninsula often called the Westfjords, which you’ll go to on small ship cruises.
Reaching the area from the capital can take near half a day, and the roads to get there aren’t nice.
However you’ll be rewarded with roaring Iceland waterfalls like Dynjandi, 1000’s of Iceland birds corresponding to puffins in Latrabjarg, and free-range Icelandic Horses in addition to many unimaginable pure swimming pools and sizzling springs.
READ MORE: Experiencing Authentic Icelandic Culture
3. Svalbard (Norway)
Do you might have a knack for distant locations? No different European hidden gem will make you are feeling on the sting of the map fairly as a lot as Svalbard, the Norwegian archipelago that lies midway between the North Pole and continental Norway.
In summer time, Svalbard is filled with wildlife. Polar bears outnumber residents two to at least one, and you may additionally come throughout seals, walruses, whales, arctic foxes, and extra.
Nature is Svalbard’s foremost draw: There are limitless glaciers, mountains, massive expanses of tundra and sea cliffs, that are inhabited by a lot of migratory birds.
But it’s additionally a spot for historical past lovers, the place it’s potential to go to a seventeenth century whaling station and just lately deserted coal mines, just like the Soviet settlement of Pyramiden.
Touring Svalbard by yourself could be very harmful. At these latitudes, nature may be very wild and the hazard of a polar bear assault may be very actual.
However there are expedition cruises to Svalbard each summer time, with a give attention to wildlife and discovering polar bears.
READ MORE: The Norse Gods: An Intro to Viking Mythology & Key Sites in Norway
4. Gotland (Sweden)
Situated within the Swedish a part of the Baltic Sea, Gotland was beloved by well-known movie director Ingmar Bergman. He spent the final 40 years of his life in Fårö, a tiny island positioned simply north of Gotland.
It’s a preferred vacation spot for vacationing Swedes, however it’s all however unknown amongst different nationalities.
Gotland is a superb place for individuals who want to unplug utterly, spending days in a secluded cabin within the forest and sometimes strolling to the seaside for a refreshing dip within the sea.
Those that need to go sightseeing can even discover a lot to do in Gotland. Visby, the most important city, is UNESCO-protected as a result of it’s the best-preserved medieval city in Nordic Europe.
It’s also possible to go to the distinctive raukar (limestone sea stacks discovered on seashores everywhere in the island), see picket church buildings and medieval windmills, and even attempt to spot the endemic Gotland Pony.
READ MORE: 10 Things We Love About West Sweden
WESTERN EUROPE HIDDEN GEMS
5. Shetland Islands (Scotland)
You’ll discover the enchanting Shetland Archipelago on the distant fringe of the UK’s map, 12 hours by ferry from the northern tip of Scotland.
Not many individuals courageous the stormy seas to succeed in this archipelago made up of 100 islands, solely 16 of that are inhabited.
Common sights embrace St. Ninian’s Isle, the place you’ll be able to go to the most important tombolo (two-sided seaside) within the UK; the Sumburgh Lighthouse, with its colonies of migrating birds (together with puffins!); and the ocean cliffs of Eshaness.
We additionally suggest visiting the ruins of croft homes, the place native Shetlanders used to reside earlier than famine brought about huge migrations within the nineteenth century.
The distant feeling of being “in the midst of nowhere” is likely one of the foremost attracts that leads intrepid vacationers to the Shetland Islands, and also you’ll have few others to share this fascinating place with.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Places to Visit in Scotland
6. Jersey (Channel Islands)
The island of Jersey could also be diminutive in measurement (simply 5 by 9 miles), however it consists of a big number of sights, each pure and historic.
In the event you’ve deliberate a brief keep within the Channel Islands, it’s possible you’ll rapidly end up planning a return go to.
Its northern coast is legendary for dramatic sea cliffs, that are surrounded by fields of fern and heather.
The southern half feels extra genteel, with lengthy sandy seashores and sheltered bays the place you’ll be able to recognize the realm’s excessive tides. For a novel expertise, stroll on the seabed at low tide, when the island doubles in measurement!
Jersey provides a number of castles to go to, in addition to La Hougue Bie, a passage grave relationship again to Neolithic instances.
It’s additionally potential to go to bunkers and museums relationship again to the time of German Occupation throughout World Conflict II, together with the Jersey Conflict Tunnels, a museum positioned in {a partially} constructed underground hospital.
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7. Brittany (France)
Distant from the chaos and crowds of Southern France in summer time, Brittany is one other one of many nice locations in Europe to discover.
Situated in northwest France, this area nonetheless retains a powerful Celtic culture and lifestyle. It’s house to scrumptious seafood and round 1,740 miles of shoreline, so that you received’t ever have to fret about overcrowding.
The city of Saint Malo is considered one of Europe’s best-preserved fortified cities, or you’ll be able to go to quaint villages like Dinan and Rochefort.
This space’s windswept seashores are good for taking lengthy coastal walks or bike rides, or you’ll be able to head inland to go to castles or megalithic websites.
One other enjoyable motive to go to Brittany is to go island-hopping within the Gulf of Morbihan, the place yow will discover 40 islands, a lot of that are glorious birdwatching destinations.
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8. Oberammergau (Germany)
Oberammergau is a sleepy city in Germany’s Bavarian Alps that basically springs to life as soon as each decade.
In 1633, the inhabitants made a vow: In the event that they had been spared from the plague that was ravaging Europe on the time, they might write and produce a play concerning the life and death of Jesus Christ, and repeat it as soon as each 10 years.
After 300+ years, the once-a-decade custom of the Oberammergau Ardour Play nonetheless continues as we speak.
It usually takes place from Could to October, with greater than 100 performances of the 5-hour Ardour Play going down in an out of doors theatre.
Some tour operators set up a tour of Switzerland, Austria, and Germany that features the Ardour Play in Oberammergau, plus unmissable European hidden gems corresponding to Zermatt, a pedestrian-only city with views over the mighty Matterhorn Mountain.
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SOUTHERN EUROPE HIDDEN GEMS
9. Galicia (Spain)
Think about inexperienced, rolling hills, mist and low clouds, fluffy sheep grazing within the fields, wild sea cliffs, and the sound of bagpipes within the air. Now guess, what place I’m speaking about?
You is perhaps considering of Ireland or Scotland, however the place I’m referring to is Galicia, a area in northwestern Spain overlooking the Atlantic Sea.
The perfect-known place in Galicia is undoubtedly Santiago de Compostela, the tip level of the well-known Camino de Santiago hiking trail.
You’ll be able to take a day journey from Santiago to Fisterra, the place pilgrims of yesteryear lastly noticed the ocean after their limitless pilgrimage throughout Europe.
Or head additional off the crushed observe to charming Muxia to go to its gorgeous cliffside chapel.
Galicia can be identified for its scenic wild seashores. Top-of-the-line-known seashores is As Catedrais, or The Cathedrals. While you go to, you’ll instantly see why!
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10. Sardinia (Italy)
Sardinia is considered one of Italy’s two foremost islands, positioned about 186 miles from the mainland.
Its distant location implies that most worldwide vacationers to Italy don’t hassle visiting, they usually really don’t know what they’re lacking!
Sardinia is house to an array of spectacular colorful beaches– some sandy, some rocky, some with distinctive quartz micro-pebbles. However all of them boast pristine waters which are good for scuba diving or snorkeling.
Cagliari, the most important city on the island, is a pleasing place to find, with an enthralling historic middle.
The inside of the island is the place you’ll be able to nonetheless discover stays of the mysterious Nuragic inhabitants, which predated Roman instances.
In the event you’re into climbing you’ll be able to try to cowl Selvaggio Blu, a week-long trek alongside a very gorgeous stretch of coast, spending the nights on abandoned seashores.
READ MORE: The 30 Best Exotic Islands to Visit (World Travel Bucket List)
11. Sicily (Italy)
Sicily is Italy’s largest and southernmost island. Not like Sardinia, the place tradition survived largely untouched for hundreds of years because of its isolation, Sicily was very a lot a cultural crossroads.
What you see there as we speak is the results of centuries of fixing fingers, from the Phoenicians to the Greeks, from the Arabs to the Normans, the Swabians, and the Spanish.
Lovers of art and history shall be spoiled in Sicily.
Western Sicily, particularly round Agrigento, is house to Greek ruins that rival the Parthenon by way of magnificence.
In jap Sicily you’ll be able to tour the gorgeous Baroque cities of Siracusa and Noto.
You’ll be able to’t miss visiting Mount Etna, the largest volcano in Europe. If one volcano just isn’t sufficient for you, make a journey to the Aeolian archipelago to see Vulcano, with its effervescent sulphur swimming pools, and Stromboli, which erupts each hour.
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12. Azores (Portugal)
The Azores are technically a part of Portugal, however they’re positioned over 620 miles away from the European mainland.
This archipelago is made up of 9 volcanic islands, every with one thing distinctive to supply.
For example, Corvo (the smallest island) is definitely an extinct volcano, whereas Terceira is thought for its colourful capital and Pico is dominated by the mountain of the identical identify (which is the very best in Portugal.)
A visit to the Azores is right for individuals who love nature and climbing.
Nevertheless it’s not so nice for those who’re in search of regular sunshine, because the climate fluctuates significantly and there tends to be a lot of rain.
Bonus level: The Azores are a fantastic whale-watching vacation spot!
READ MORE: 8 Things To Do In Portugal For Nature Lovers
CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE HIDDEN GEMS
13. The Black Sea
The European cruise business is essentially centered across the Mediterranean Sea. However whether or not it’s island-hopping in Greece or crusing the Dalmatian coast, summer time within the Mediterranean provides so much much less elbow room than we’d like.
Fortunately, there’s one other unimaginable European hidden gem that lends itself to cruising with out all of the crowds.
Straddling Jap Europe and Western Asia, the Black Sea borders six nations– Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, and Turkey.
Cruising 0n a circumnavigation of the Black Sea provides vacationers a possibility to discover timeless cities like Istanbul and Odessa, in addition to pure beauties just like the Danube River Delta.
There are additionally historic websites such because the Ottoman homes of Safranbolu and Sumela Monastery (close to Trabzon), in addition to the seaside resorts of Sochi in Russia and Batumi in Georgia.
This is part of the world the place few Western vacationers ever care to enterprise, however it’s riddled with riches for intrepid vacationers to find!
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14. Transylvania (Romania)
The historic area of Transylvania spans a part of Central Romania, the place it’s bordered by the Carpathian Mountains on the east and south and the Apuseni Mountains within the west.
After all, Transylvania is primarily often called the house of Vlad the Impaler, who is best often called Rely Dracula in Bram Stoker’s traditional horror novel.
You’ll be able to nonetheless go to Bran Castle, the house of the mysterious Vlad. However Transylvania additionally has much more to supply.
Guests also can stroll the historic cities of Brasov and Sibiu to find that Outdated World ambiance of slender cobblestone streets and steeples piercing the skies (minus the vacationers).
Then head to the mountainous Maramures to go to the UNESCO-protected painted church buildings, and Voronet Monastery, the best-known painted church within the area of Bucovina.
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15. Istria (Croatia)
Situated in Croatia, however distant from bustling Dubrovnik (one other well-known sufferer of mass tourism), you’ll discover Istria.
This charming, heart-shaped peninsula sits on the crossroads between Italy and the Balkans, the place you’ll be able to breathe the Venetian affect in delicacies and structure and discover wild Mediterranean nature.
Istria was a part of the Venetian republic for over 500 years earlier than it was taken over by the Habsburg Empire. Wandering round cities like Labin and Rovinj as we speak, it’s possible you’ll suppose you’ve all of a sudden been transported to Venice.
However the true marvels of Istria are discovered within the countryside, the place there are alternatives to go climbing and biking, discover vineyards and olive groves, and luxuriate in journey actions like paragliding.
You’ll discover just one factor lacking…. the hordes of different vacationers! –by Margherita Ragg for Inexperienced Journey Media, featured photograph of Saint Malo Brittany, France. All images through Canva
BIO: Margherita Ragg is a contract author from Milan, Italy. She is enthusiastic about wildlife, ecotourism, and outside journey actions. She runs the favored nature and journey journey weblog The Crowded Planet together with her husband Nick Burns, an Australian travel and wildlife photographer.
