Exploring Europe is certainly a bucket-list item for most of us travellers and explorers. Yet, it suffices to stay, that while some of the world’s greatest cities are housed in the continent, there are several hidden gems that you can still consider. If you’re looking for quiet and tranquil experiences minus the crowds, there are quite a few underrated European cities that offer fabulous stays. Let’s look at some of them below.
Top Hidden Gems to Stay in Europe
Europe is home to several hidden gems, namely underrated cities that are not as much on the tourist map as other glamorous yet crowded tourist favorites. Here are the top picks for your perusal.
- Ulcinj, Montenegro-
Montenegro has a beautiful coastline and places like Budva, Kotor, and others do get crowds in the summer. However, the lovely city of Ulcinj is rarely as crowded and is nestled on the southern tip of the country. You’ll discover lovely Albanian culture here, along with a more relaxed yet enriching vibe.
The Old Town in Ulcinj is worth exploring while there are lovely beaches where you can take long and refreshing walks in peace. Another plus point is the city’s flourishing café culture.
- Terracina, Italy-
Situated on the Pontine coast of Italy, southwards from Rome, this beautiful city is a pristine place for a European beach vacation. It’s a stop on the well-known Appian Way and is probably one of the oldest and most vital roads in the country. Explore this charming seaside town with its sandy beaches and the spectacular mountain backdrop, including the Spiaggia di Levante and the ancient Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter.
You’ll also discover several fascinating al-fresco bars and bohemian cafes in the old town along with the fascinating medieval buildings and ruins. Check out the quaint port and take a ferry to Ventotene and Ponza, two delightful islands with their secret coves and rocky inlets. Seafood lovers will have a blast here along with Catalan-style langoustine.
If you’re planning an extended European stay to soak in these lesser-known gems, consider basing yourself in a major hub like Paris, where you’ll find plenty of serviced and furnished apartment rentals for a comfortable base between trips.
- Cluj-Napoca, Romania-
Transylvania’s biggest city promises to enchant you with several wonders, including its iconic Untold Festival and a scintillating electronic music circuit. At the same time, the city center doubles up as an outdoor museum of sorts. You’ll learn more about the city’s history and its diverse population (the city houses the largest Hungarian population in Romania) here through several fabulous churches, monuments, and ancient legends.
There are several hip bars to check out along with the pristine Botanical Garden and the Turda Salt Mines which are a short distance from the city. You can also visit the Zoological Museum, which is said to be one of Europe’s most innovative museum experiences in case you’re interested in taxidermy. Sounds interesting? Maybe it’s time to plan a visit!
- Aarhus, Denmark-
Aarhus promises a spellbinding vacation with its university town vibe and beautiful cobbled streets, amazing coffee, and the signature hygge approach towards life for greater positivity. Danes often call it the city of smiles and Aarhus also became the World’s Happiest City sometime earlier. You’ll love the vibrant fashion circuit in the city along with its fabulous art galleries and delicious street food alike.
Don’t miss visiting ARoS and the Aarhus harbor along with the Banken Food Hall and Tivoli Friheden mini theme park. In fact, you can embark on one of the world’s greatest journeys when you take the train to Billund from Aarhus. Don’t miss Lego House as well, which is just 1 ½ hours away from the place.
- Gothenburg, Sweden-
Gothenburg is one of the best cities for a vacation in Sweden and will bowl you over with its amazing craft beer, fresh fish markets, and an amazing Swedish café circuit. You’ll find them all in Haga, which is the hippest place in the city. You can also go on a bar-hopping spree around Linnestaden or walk around the lovely port.
In fact, if you’ve got time, embark on a ferry trip through the southern archipelago and dine at Batebacken in Styrso to enjoy some delicious seafood.
- Vilnius, Lithuania-
Vilnius has a chequered history of its own and is nestled spectacularly on the Gediminas Hill, named after the founder of the city. You will enjoy gorgeous views of the Old Town from this spot while the Gate of Dawn is also a must-visit. It marks the time when Lithuania was Catholicised upon its unification with Poland. At the same time, the Station District is also influenced largely by the Russian Empire, while Soviet Buildings can be seen throughout the city, particularly to the south.
For all its historical volatility, Vilnius has a buzzing nightlife scene, with unique joints like Loftas, Kablys, and Lukiskes 2.0.
- Plovdiv, Bulgaria-
Plovdiv is a charming city in Bulgaria (its second-biggest) and offers several historical and cultural landmarks for you to explore. It’s also got a fabulous food and drink circuit that is exciting, to say the least! You’ll fall in love with the quaint Old Town with its cobblestone streets and ancient legends, while the Ancient Roman Theatre of Philippopolis is another attraction worth visiting. It will give you lifetime views to capture on your trip!
Also pay a trip to the House of Distillation which offers some delicious liqueurs that are hard to find elsewhere.
- Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland-
Vestmannaeyjar is accessible through a 3-hour drive to Landeyjahofn and then a 45-minute ferry journey. It’s an archipelago that’s home to only 4,000 people and is a hidden gem that you should not miss! You can ride on a speed boat through the caves here and view the iconic Elephant Rock or even rent a mountain bike to view the volcanoes and know more about the Eldfell eruption in the Eldheimar museum.
Try some of Iceland’s best dishes here, particularly at Slippurin (book your table in advance) and other popular eateries. If you’re going between June and September (the ferry route runs in this period), then you can possibly view the country’s famed puffins on your trip! Now isn’t that a fabulous experience? You bet!
Live It Up at Europe’s Most Underrated Yet Beautiful Cities
As you can see, there’s a lot of fun and excitement present in seeking out underrated cities in Europe. Take your pick from the ones listed above and embark on new adventures that you will never forget in your lifetime! In fact, the list can never be completed, considering the sheer vastness of the continent! For instance, some other top picks include Ljubljana in Slovenia, with its fairytale-like ambience or even Ghent in Belgium with its Gothic castles to explore.
Another destination is the Venice of the Alps or Annecy in France and even Valletta, Malta, a UNESCO-listed city with its indescribable sea views and majestic palaces. You can even check out Gdansk in Poland with its vibrant port and Bergen in Norway for its charming fjords. The sky is the limit when it comes to finding underrated European cities that promise magical stays for travellers.
And while exploring hidden gems is a thrill of its own, sometimes classic cityscapes like Amsterdam and Paris never fail to impress. Whether it’s soaking up the canals and culture while staying in serviced apartments in Amsterdam, or enjoying a timeless romantic backdrop near the Eiffel Tower, these iconic cities offer a different kind of European magic—ideal for couples, solo travellers, or anyone craving that postcard-perfect charm.
