Are you on the lookout for the most effective travel destinations in Europe? This also applies to the remainder of the world.
As the summer season gets into full swing across Europe, popular destinations are struggling to address an influx of holiday makers. From Venice (which just introduced a controversial tourist tax) to Spain’s Canary Islands (where locals are planning mass protests against overtourism), famous landmarks and locations are coming under the burden of record-breaking crowds.
So the brand new list of 2024s The best hidden gems in Europe from European Best Destinations couldn’t come at a greater time.
A take a look at Primosten, Croatia, certainly one of 18 hidden European gems revealed in a brand new report.
This recent rating highlights 18 lesser-known destinations that take travelers away from the tourist crowds and into the guts of authentic European culture. The list is predicated on the votes of a couple of million travelers from 172 countries.
From distant villages hidden within the mountains to pretty, unspoilt beach towns, these 18 hidden gems offer a glimpse right into a world the common traveler rarely sees.
View of Villajoyosa, Spain from above.
1. Villajoyosa, Spain
Experience a kaleidoscope of colours in Villajoyosa (which implies “the jewel city” within the Castilian language). Here, jewel-toned houses line the shores in a nod to town’s seafaring heritage and overlook the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean.
Ares del Maestre, a hidden gem in Castellon, Spain.
2. Ares del Maestre, Spain
Perched on a rocky hill, Ares del Maestre, inbuilt the thirteenth century within the province of Castellon, offers panoramic views and centuries of Spanish history. Stroll through narrow cobblestone streets and explore ancient castles.
Sandy beach in front of the old town of Primosten in Croatia.
3. Primosten, Croatia
In Primosten – positioned on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast – you’ll find pristine beaches and azure waters. Enjoy fresh seafood, stroll along the waterfront promenades and discover why this coastal paradise continues to be Croatia’s best-kept secret.
Bokodi floating village in Hungary at sunset.
4. Lake Bokodi, Hungary
On Lake Bokodi, an hour’s drive from Budapest, there’s a village of floating chalets that’s an Instagrammer’s dream. Some of the chalets are private (many owned by local fishermen), but others are open to visitors. Explore the winding waterways and chill out within the tranquility of this hidden Hungarian gem.
View from the ocean to the park in Moominworld on a sunny summer day in Naantali, Finland.
5. Naantali, Finland
In Naantali, a small town in southwest Finland, you possibly can experience the whimsical, colourful world of Moomins – whimsical characters created by a Finnish creator in 1945. This charming seaside town even has a theme park dedicated to the Moomins called Muumimaailma.
Bour village within the Faroe Islands.
6. Bour, Faroe Islands
Discover the country charm of Bour, a small village on the island of Vagar within the Faroe Islands (a distant Danish archipelago within the North Atlantic). Hike through green landscapes, admire panoramic sea views and immerse yourself within the timeless fantastic thing about this area.
Lighthouse and bunker within the sand dunes on Blavand beach, Denmark.
7. Blavand, Denmark
Blavand is a Danish seaside gem where war bunkers have been transformed into sculptural symbols of peace. Here you possibly can ride horseback along the wide, windswept beaches and explore the coastal dunes.
View of town of Ulm, a hidden gem in Germany.
eighth. Ulm, Germany
In Ulm – a small town on the banks of the German Danube – historical landmarks and modern amenities coexist in perfect harmony. Admire Gothic cathedrals, stroll cobblestone streets, and grab a bite to eat within the Fishermen’s Quarter, where restaurants and cafes are housed in half-timbered houses. On the opposite side of the Danube lies Neu-Ulm, which belongs to Bavaria.
Boardwalks result in a viewing platform on Bordeira Beach within the southwest of Alentejo, Portugal.
9. Aljezur, Portugal
With its rugged Algarve coastlines and golden beaches, Aljezur, Portugal exudes a relaxed atmosphere and tranquil beauty. Don’t miss the local wines.
The view of the village of Dartlo in Tusheti, a distant region of Georgia.
10. Dartlo, Georgia
Dartlo – a distant Georgian village – is the crown jewel within the untamed mountain landscape of the Caucasus. It is home to untouched wilderness and ancient stone towers.
Jumping into the water in Castro Urdiales, Spain.
11. Castro Urdiales, Spain
Castro Urdiales is a medieval port town filled with maritime tradition within the Cantabria region of Spain. Stroll the cobblestone streets, tour the traditional forts and take in the sun on sandy beaches.
Ljotipollur crater lake in Landmannalaugar, Iceland.
12. Landmannalaugar, Iceland
In Iceland, Landmannalaugar is thought for its otherworldly beauty filled with rhyolite mountains and steaming hot springs. It can also be a paradise for nature lovers due to its volcanic landscapes.
World’s first folk architecture reserve in Cicmany, Slovakia.
13. Cicmany, Slovakia
The Slovak town of Cicmany is sort of a fairy tale, where narrow streets are lined with hand-painted houses and ancient traditions equivalent to folk art are preserved.
Road to Mount Pico within the Azores.
14. Pico Island, Azores
In the volcanic paradise of Pico Island within the Azzores, you will find dramatic landscapes, lava caves and vineyard-covered slopes with world-class wines.
The village of Pont-en-Royans, France.
15. Pont en Royans, France
Pont-en-Royans in France is a reasonably clifftop village where you possibly can swim within the crystal-clear river and revel in panoramic views of the countryside.
Schwebebahn Train crossing a street in Wuppertal, Germany.
16. Wuppertal, Germany
Wuppertal is a German industrial city with a novel attraction: the legendary Schwebebahn, a suspension railway inbuilt 1901 that gives breathtaking views of town landscape. Interesting fact: This is the oldest suspended-car elevated electric railway on the planet.
The Saint Michel d’Aiguilhe chapel sits on a rock in Le Puy en Velay, France.
17. Le Puy-en-Velay, France
In the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-central France, Le Puy-en-Velay is a spot steeped in history: it’s the gateway to the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route. One of the highlights is St-Michel d’Aiguilhe, a Tenth-century chapel perched on a volcanic rock.
Staithes, a coastal village within the Scarborough district of North Yorkshire, England.
18. Staithes, England
A former fishing center on the dramatic North Yorkshire coast, Staithes now attracts travelers who come for the charming village, fresh seafood and natural beauty. Don’t miss the North York Moors National Park, where you possibly can hunt for fossils and explore coastal paths.
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