Believe it or not, there are still parts of Europe yet to be inundated by mass tourism. So join us as we venture beyond the beaten paths of Paris, Venice and Amsterdam, away from the continent’s most-visited countries, and take a detour to these incredible, unsung destinations. From unknown national parks and unspoilt islands to overlooked cities, under-the-radar regions and unloved countries, these are the best-kept secrets keeping Europe’s authentic soul alive.
Click through the gallery to discover our pick of the best underrated places in Europe...
It may be Kosovo’s turbulent recent past that keeps visitors away (2022 saw fewer than 300,000 international tourists) but those willing to put their preconceptions aside will be richly rewarded. Explore Pristina, the capital of this tiny Balkan nation, with its vibrant cafe culture and thought-provoking landmarks such as the National Library of Kosovo (the honeycomb-roofed building pictured) and the Newborn Monument, symbolising the country's independence. History buffs will love Prizren, a gorgeous Ottoman-influenced city, while Rugova Canyon offers dramatic scenery for avid hikers. Tensions linger along the border with Serbia, so keep to Kosovo’s interior.
Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city, has spent too long in the shadows of Copenhagen. Its cosy small-town feel, fascinating cultural attractions, contemporary architecture and picturesque coastline are just some of the reasons we’d recommend visiting Aarhus as a crowd-free alternative to Europe’s busier cities. Set aside an afternoon for the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, even if it’s to spend the whole time inside its iconic rainbow glass walkway. Prefer to be outdoors? Hang out in the harbour baths or head to a nearby beach. To catch a glimpse of old Aarhus, wander down the colourful cobbled lane of Mollestien (pictured).
Listed as one of Europe’s least-visited countries by Express.co.uk in December 2023, North Macedonia is perhaps a victim of its own understated beauty. According to Express.co.uk, it’s the country’s dearth of key attractions that might be putting people off coming here, but discerning travellers will find plenty to hold their attention if they take the chance. While there’s an endearing grit to Skopje, North Macedonia’s capital, it’s the lakeside city of Ohrid that most beguiles us. Here, Byzantine churches and ancient monuments hug the shoreline, while the green slopes of Galicica National Park (pictured) rise to the lake’s east.
One of the world’s oldest cities, Kutaisi is located in the heart of Georgia but remains something of a “charming backwater”, in the words of Lonely Planet. While most visitors to this former Soviet nation favour Tbilisi as their base, we believe Kutaisi deserves a little more love. Capital of the ancient Kingdom of Colchis, some of the city’s best sights are those that document its long history. Bagrati Cathedral has stood for over a millennium, while UNESCO-protected Gelati Monastery contains remarkable medieval frescoes and mosaics. Be sure to stop by the Green Bazaar too, where locals come to shop.
It might have more miles of canals than Venice, but Birmingham certainly has fewer tourists. Traditionally regarded as the UK’s second city, this West Midlands metropolis hosted the 2022 Commonwealth Games which helped it reclaim some of the limelight lost to Manchester over the years. But multicultural, creative, forward-thinking Brum remains one of Europe’s most overlooked destinations. It’s a city packed with museums, galleries, theatres, vintage stores, music venues, vibey bars and balti restaurants, while the village-like neighbourhoods of Bournville, Moseley and Stirchley capture a side of Birmingham unseen by most.
Tirana, the dynamic capital of Albania, has been touted as one of the most underrated European cities by Conde Nast Traveller – and we’re inclined to agree. Look past the chaotic roads, embrace the mish-mash of styles, and discover a captivating city of complexities and contrasts. This is where concrete bunkers and the brutalist Pyramid of Tirana (freshly reimagined as an events space) stand shoulder-to-shoulder with historical monuments like the Et-hem Bey Mosque, one of the few Ottoman buildings to survive communist rule. Pause at Skanderbeg Square, the city’s central plaza, before visiting the National History Museum and strolling through the Grand Park.
Criminally underappreciated, the capital of Moravia often plays second or third fiddle to Insta-famous Prague and Czechia’s chocolate-box spa towns. Travellers would do well to follow the lead of Brno’s student community, who frequent the city’s buzzing cocktail bars and cool coffee spots. There’s an array of cultural sites here too; UNESCO-inscribed Villa Tugendhat is a masterpiece of the Bauhaus movement, while the idyllic views from hilltop Spilberk Castle bely its brutal past as a civil jail. Beneath Brno’s Cabbage Market lies a subterranean labyrinth, used to store food during the Middle Ages and now an eerie tourist attraction.
Nearly 10 million tourists plough through the entrance to Rome’s Colosseum every year but in the unassuming Provencal town of Orange, there’s a Roman relic untouched by such dense crowds – and it’s impeccably well preserved. The Ancient Theatre of Orange (pictured), a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 1st century AD, is open to the public and hosts an annual opera festival on its imposing stage. Orange’s grand Triumphal Arch also hails from its days in the Roman Empire, which you can learn more about at the Museum of Art and History.
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A serene, secluded escape off Croatia's famous Dalmatian Coast, Solta has all the beauty of better-known islands like Hvar and Brac, but with the added luxury of a lower profile. Aside from in-the-know mainland residents who hop across to Solta for the weekend, you’ll have this patch of paradise largely to yourself. Take the ferry from Split to explore the pretty villages of Stomorska (pictured) and Maslinica, or sample local-made honey, olive oil and wine in Solta’s lush hinterland. Snorkel the island’s clear waters in search of shipwrecks before drying off on a quiet pebble beach.
Topping Express.co.uk's list of Europe’s least-visited countries with fewer than 12,000 annual visitors is Moldova. Landlocked between Romania and Ukraine, this small and mysterious country is waiting to surprise you with its cool capital, stunning monasteries, flower-flecked countryside and a wine-making tradition stretching back to at least 2800 BC. The largest city, Chisinau, is equal parts Parisian elegance and Soviet-era swagger, while the fascinating breakaway nation of Transnistria makes for a completely unique day trip. Of all Moldova’s historic religious sites, the Orheiul Vechi archaeological complex (pictured) might just be the best.
Once dubbed one of the most underrated cities in the Balkans by Forbes, Varna has something to offer travellers that Bulgaria's delightful capital Sofia does not – a Black Sea coastline. With soft sandy beaches and a comparatively slim contingent of tourists to share them with, Varna gives Europe's much busier summer resort cities a run for their money. But that's not all – from Roman baths and medieval hermits’ caves to 19th-century palaces (like Evksinograd, pictured), this brilliant city brims with historical intrigue too. The ethereal Stone Forest, located a short drive from Varna, is also worth visiting.
According to Express.co.uk, Luxembourg sees fewer than one million tourists a year. Outshone by its higher-profile neighbours – France, Belgium and Germany – it's a crying shame this little country flies so far under the radar. Here's just a taste of what you're missing: the eponymous capital, Luxembourg City, has an enchanting old town inscribed by UNESCO; the village of Esch-sur-Sure (pictured), dominated by Luxembourg’s oldest castle, is straight out of a fairy tale; and the scenic Mullerthal region is heaven for hikers. Public transport is free throughout Luxembourg too, so getting around is a cinch.
Nestled near the Luxembourg border, Trier was founded by the Romans in 16 BC. Though Germany's oldest city is home to an impressive eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it's not somewhere often found on travellers’ itineraries. But there are treasures galore for those that give it their time, such as the imposing Porta Nigra, one of the finest city gates from antiquity. Characterful Hauptmarkt (pictured) and Trier Cathedral, a stunning example of Romanesque architecture, are some other must-visit sites here. Revolutionary socialist Karl Marx was born in Trier in 1818; today, his birthplace functions as a museum to his life.
Iceland certainly has its problems with overtourism, especially along its Golden Circle tourist route. But you might be shocked to learn that, statistically, it remains one of Europe’s least popular countries to visit. It would appear that those who do come to this mystical island (800,000 people a year) primarily go to all the same places, leaving vast swathes relatively undiscovered. We'd recommend venturing into the remote Westfjords region, where you can swap the swarming black sands of Reynisfjara for the red shores of Raudasandur (pictured), and the roaring falls of Gullfoss for the breathtaking cascades of Dynjandi.
It baffles us that Vilnius doesn’t share more of the spotlight commanded by its fellow Baltic capitals Tallinn and Riga. It ticks all the boxes of a quintessential European city break – a maze-like old town, dazzling architecture, stellar street art, stories around every corner, and all with an affordable price tag. For the best panoramic views, climb to the top of Gediminas’ Tower or to the summit of the Hill of Three Crosses, crowned with a poignant monument dedicated to Franciscan martyrs. At ground level you’ll find the self-declared republic of Uzupis, today a bohemian enclave of artists, independent businesses and free-spirited souls.
Founded amidst the disintegration of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s and the consequent civil war, Bosnia and Herzegovina has since been reborn – yet ranks sixth among the least-visited countries in Europe. Sarajevo is its energetic capital, with attractions like the historic Bascarsija bazaar, the Tunnel of Hope, the War Childhood Museum and the abandoned 1984 Olympic Village. Travel to the UNESCO-listed city of Mostar, where daredevil divers leap from its reconstructed Ottoman-era bridge into the Neretva River below. The nearby Kravice Waterfalls and Blagaj Tekke, a monastery built into a cliff, are well worth exploring, as is the village of Pocitelj (pictured).
Declared Europe’s most underrated city by The Telegraph, Antwerp lies largely ignored by tourists planning a Belgian break. Unfathomably so, for this is an intoxicating city of art, fashion, food and maritime heritage. But first and foremost, Antwerp is a veritable jungle of amazing architecture. From the mesmerising Centraal Railway Station (pictured) and the Gothic guild houses of Grote Markt, to the soaring bell tower of the Cathedral of Our Lady and the Art Deco lines of Boerentoren, one of Europe’s earliest skyscrapers, Antwerp’s skyline could well be the finest on the continent.
Monaco, the glamorous microstate on the French Riviera, is the world’s second-smallest country and the fifth-least-visited nation in Europe, according to Express.co.uk. Fewer than 400,000 visitors make the journey every year but – contrary to what appearances might suggest, Monaco is not just a playground for tech billionaires and movie stars. Even if you don’t have cash to flash at the Monte-Carlo Casino, you can still pop into the atrium for a free glimpse before gaming kicks off at 2pm. Afterwards, walk up the ‘The Rock’ (pictured) to explore the Monegasque old town (Monaco-Ville) and the opulent Prince’s Palace.
Capital of one of Europe’s lesser-visited countries, Belgrade might not be counted among the continent’s more conventionally attractive cities – but we think that’s all the more reason to love it. By day there are fortresses, churches, urban parks, quirky cafes, trendy districts and a variety of museums to hop in and out of. But when the sun goes down on Belgrade there’s only one place to be, and that’s the city’s waterfront. Lined with floating river clubs called splavovi (or splav), it’s at its most lively in the summer months. Visit now while Belgrade is still considered one of Europe’s cheapest destinations.
A former European Capital of Culture, the riverside city of Wroclaw seemingly has it all, making its lack of a reputation among travellers somewhat of a riddle. But we're not complaining – it's rare to enjoy a city of such superlative beauty without hordes of phone-wielding tourists. The jewel in Wroclaw’s crown is its old town, radiating from the medieval Market Square (pictured) where the Gothic town hall (now the Museum of Bourgeois Art) can be found. The city, stitched together by bridges, is divided into 12 islands by the Odra River. Cobblestoned Ostrow Tumski – Cathedral Island – is our favourite.
The undervalued region of Asturias in northern Spain recently became easier than ever to visit, with a new high-speed railway linking Madrid to Oviedo, the regional capital, in just over three hours. Step inside Oviedo's cathedral and pre-Romanesque churches, or drive out to the Bay of Biscay for a couple of days in convivial Gijon. The crayon-coloured fishing port of Cudillero and rugged Playa del Silencio (pictured) nearby should also be on your itinerary. Round off your trip in Picos de Europa National Park, where Iberian wolves and brown bears roam.
Carved by fjords, icebergs, snowy mountains and glaciers, Greenland is the world’s largest island. Set between Scandinavia and North America, it's a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark – but couldn’t be more distinct from the rest of the country. Toy-town-like capital Nuuk (pictured) and Ilulissat, inhabited by Inuit for over four millennia, are some of the island's main settlements. However, Greenland is so sparsely populated that around 80% of the land is said to be empty. This otherworldly wildness might make it one of the least-visited places on the planet – but it's equally what makes Greenland so interesting.
The Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park in the central Apennines could well be Europe's best national park you never knew existed. It is also Italy's oldest, home to one of the world's rarest species – the Marsican brown bear – as well as wolves, lynxes, otters, wild boar and golden eagles. Speckled among its old-growth forests, pristine lakes and grey peaks are around 25 photogenic towns, including Pescasseroli, Scanno and Civitella Alfedena. Visit in May to witness the cultural tradition of Transhumance, where shepherds lead their flocks to summer pastures.
Though you've likely heard of it, Trondheim's more northerly location than some other Norwegian destinations can be a bit of a turn-off, meaning it’s no stranger to lists of Europe's best uncrowded cities. But between the 11th and 16th centuries, this was one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe. Whispers of its medieval grandeur are still threaded throughout the city today, though modern travellers might be drawn here on more of a gastronomic journey of discovery than a spiritual one. Trondheim is a foodie’s dream, furnished by a suite of Michelin-recognised restaurants all doing thrilling things with local produce.
Teetering on Europe’s far-eastern corner between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, Yerevan sadly finds itself often forgotten by tourists. But Armenia’s capital should absolutely be a priority for those planning a trip to the Caucasus. The past is never far away here; the Erebuni Historical and Archaeological Museum-Reserve, dating back to 782 BC, shows how some of Yerevan’s earliest inhabitants lived, while the nation’s recent tragic history is commemorated by the Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum. The Cascade, pictured here overlooking the city and Mount Ararat, remembers victims of Soviet oppression.
Now discover what Europe's most famous attractions looked like before tourism...