Doesn’t it feel like everyone has been traveling around Europe recently?
Seeing all those pictures and videos of beautiful scenic views that people post makes me jealous and makes me want to pack my bags and catch a train with a Eurail pass, but let’s be honest, the idea of exploring Europe with beautiful landmarks and crowded places isn’t the best in this peak travel season.
While we spent three months traveling around Europe, we made it our goal to discover quieter, less-traveled places away from the crowd.
Along the way, we found some of the underrated cities that were not only entirely peaceful but also beautiful and extraordinary spots; if you, like us, want to get away from crowded places and want to discover unique places to make memories of, then consider skip places like Paris and London, check out these hidden gems around Europe for a more relaxing and memorable trip.
1.Heidelberg, Germany
Heidelberg is a protected city in Germany, perfect for Travellers who want to avoid big crowds.
Settled along the Neckar River, it’s known for its beautiful scenery and history.
The city’s highlight is Heidelberg Castle, settled on a hill with stunning views of the Old Town and the river. The Great Barrel is one of the largest wine vessels. It attracts tourists, showing the architecture of the Castle’s Gothic windows from the 16th century. The best time to visit this European city is spring, April to June, or Fall, September to November.
The Old Town (Altstadt) has cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and lively squares. Hauptstrabe, the main street, is lined with cute shops, traditional restaurants, and cafes where you can relax and enjoy the vibe. The main attraction of the Old Town is
Philosopher’s Walk is a peaceful path with fantastic city and river views.
2.Strasbourg, France
Paris gets all the attention in France, but Strasbourg deserves it, too; Strasbourg is one of the most underrated gems in Europe. This attractive city, soaked in history, lights up the romance in couples, all without being overcrowded. The best time to visit is in winter’s December. During our visit, we stayed in a cozy apartment with windows that opened to the delightful scent of a bakery and cafe below.
Take a boat ride in the canals connecting the city’s heart and visit the cathedral for a fantastic view of the entire city. Don’t forget to try the farm-fresh produce, meat, cheese, and wine at the classic French market, Marche de L’Esplanade.
3.Lucerne, Switzerland
Imagine a small city surrounded by stunning mountains, beautifully blanketed in snow during winter, and a gorgeous lake that adds to the breathtaking scenery. People ski down the hills, enjoying both the incredible views and the thrill of the skiing experience. The best time to visit is late November till February. Lucerne is the most underrated city in Switzerland. Chapel Bridge is known for its octagonal water tower built in the 14th century, making it one of the oldest wooden bridges in Europe; take a stroll in the city to explore the old town hall showcasing the city’s past and culture, visit the Lucerne weekly market Wochenmarkt it’s around the bank of the Reuss river try their fresh produce, meat, mountain cheese, fresh bread, and take a wine tasting tour that takes you around the lake. Soak in the fantastic view of the city while enjoying the wine; you can also take a cable car to Mount Titlis, the highest point in central Switzerland, or visit Engelberg to try skiing.
4.Innsbruck, Austria
It is a city surrounded by stunning mountains, colorful houses, and historical buildings that make it look like a postcard. Innsbruck, in Austria, is one of the most underrated places you’ll visit. While many people flock to Vienna or Salzburg, this city has something special.
Innsbruck is the largest city in the Tyrol region, perfect for anyone who loves adventures. Whether you want to hike, ski, or enjoy the view, Innsbruck is mainly known for its spots like Golden Roof, which was built in the 15th century, Hofburg Palace or Ambras Castle, located on a hill above Innsbruck, which houses a museum with a collection of art and historical artifacts, including armor and Renaissance paintings. Must visit the local farmers market, Wiltener Platzl, on Saturday. It offers local produce, including alpine rose honey, mountain cheese, smoked fish, and traditional Tyrolean snacks. 19th-century buildings surround it, and it’s a popular spot for locals to shop and socialize
5.Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is a small yet beautiful city that shares its culture with (Germanic, Mediterranean, and Slavic)
It has a pleasant Old Town with cobblestone streets, a hilltop castle, and scenic riverside cafes.
Making it a peaceful yet lively place to explore
Ljubljana is famous for its unique architecture, especially the work of Joze Plecnik, who designed landmarks like the Triple Bridge and Cobblers’ Bridge. These this spot are perfect for strolling.
Ljubljana’s riverfront market is a great place to meet locals and try fresh, delicious foods and local craft beer, especially during the open kitchen festival on Friday, with a youthful vibe from its many students, interesting museums, and clean, traffic-free streets. Ljubljana is a lovely and underrated destination that’s easy to fall in love with.
6.Trieste, Italy
Trieste is known for its beauty and architecture, and it is a unique and quieter alternative to Italy’s busiest port cities, such as Venice. Key attractions include spots like Piazza Unita D’italia, Miramare Castle, a stunning coastal castle overlooking the Adriatic Sea; we explored the ancient ruins around the city like Arco di Riccardo and San Giusto Castle, which houses a museum dedicated to the history of Trieste and its military heritage. The Castle offers a 360-degree view of the Trieste. The Mercato Coperto, located at the corner of Via della Cattedrale, is a popular destination for food shopping. It features fresh produce, as well as a variety of restaurants and stores selling local specialties such as Pasticciotto (seafood risotto), Pinza Triestina (a sweet cake with corn flour), and Frico con Patate (pan-fried cheese mixed with potatoes)with a sipe off dark roast brewed coffee from the famous historical Caffè San Marco. Trieste is the best city on the water that you could visit, unlike the busier port cities like Venice.
7.Wroclaw, Poland
It was one of my favorite stops on our entire trip around Europe. This city is often called the Venice of Poland. It is known for its stunning architecture and its multicultural history; Wroclaw lies along the Oder River, with over 120 bridges connecting various parts of the city like Venice; there’s some strange story about the gnomes over 300 bronze gnome statues scattered across the city, The local say each gnome has story to tell it’s often tied to its location you can grab a map ask around local and enjoy the city-wide scavenger hunt. Rynek is one of the largest and most colorful squares.
Gothic buildings surround it; it’s perfect for an evening stroll or dining at one of many outdoor cafes. If you explore the old parts of Wroclaw, you will be amazed by the views of Ostrow Tumski (cathedral island), where streets are made of cobblestone and historic lamplighters still light the gas lamp by hand; this destination should be on one’s list to make memories of.
8.Bratislava, Slovakia
Eastern Europe blew our minds and exceeded our expectations. Bratislava was one of the most incredible stops and most budget-friendly; we spent one week exploring the city without spending more than 150 dollars; the city has a unique vibe, and the old charm of Bratislava castle and its views and a completely different vibe from the SNP bridge and the UFO observation deck where you can try their Slovakia cuisine. Don’t get scared of the man peeping through the maintenance hole. He’s Čumil, a bronze figure that playfully watches over people; like him, many statues around the old town invite photo opportunities. Don’t forget to try their Bryndzové halušky (potato dumplings with sheep cheese) and Kapustnica (sauerkraut soup).and do visit the old market Hall fresh market they offer local produce baked goods and handy crafts that you wanna gift someone or to have a memory of the beautiful city.
9.Budapest, Hungary
The most underrated big city is divided by a famous river, the Danube in Hungary, known by the name Buda and Pest, with its historic Castle, important government building, and an incredible view of the Pest, a hub of commerce and culture with its iconic inspired architecture and busy streets.
Relax in their thermal bath with a huge selection of ruin bars. You should try local cuisine which they are famous for. Walk along the Danube Promenade to enjoy the views of the city’s iconic landmarks. You should visit the House of Terror, and it’s a museum dedicated to sacrifices made by the people under dictatorship rule. This city has both the vibes of history and nightlife, and it is also affordable to travel and explore
10.Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland is rapidly gaining popularity as a travel destination, and it’s easy to see why with its awe-inspiring landscapes and unique culture. Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital and largest city, is often the first stop for travelers. Though it’s becoming more well-known, it is less busier than other famous European cities. Reykjavík is a vibrant city where colorful houses meet stunning natural landscapes. And it offers a unique mix of modern culture, rich history, and outdoor adventure. From geothermal pools and the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church to trendy food halls and lively nightlife, winter is the best time to visit because you can experience the northern light. It’s the most beautiful thing you will ever see
Honerable mention
- Additional Cities to Explore:
- Porto, Portugal
- Ghent, Belgium
- Tartu, Estonia
