Introduction
You’ve been to the Colosseum, you’ve been to Versailles, and you’ve walked through the streets of Paris. But what about all of Europe’s hidden gems? If you’re looking for something off the beaten path, here are ten destinations that won’t disappoint:
The Cinque Terre, Italy
The Cinque Terre is a stretch of five towns that all have a similar feel, with winding streets and beautiful views. It’s best known for hiking and biking, but there are also plenty of opportunities for wine tasting, fishing and swimming.
Assisi, Italy
This small town in the Umbria region of Italy is known for its Basilica of St Francis, which contains the tomb of Saint Francis. The basilica also houses his bones and a relic from his cowl that he wore as a monk. The town itself has medieval buildings and narrow cobblestone streets perfect for exploring on foot or by bike.
Olomouc, Czech Republic
Olomouc is a city in Moravia, located in the east of the Czech Republic. It’s known for being a popular destination for students from the UK and US who study at one of its many universities, including Palacky University (founded in 1348). This means that there’s an English-language scene here too!
Olomouc was also designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Because of this long history, there are many historic buildings that you can visit while you’re there–and some even have free admission!
Another thing about Olomouc that makes it unique is its Jewish heritage: The town was once home to an active Jewish community before they were expelled during World War II; today there are still reminders all around town like synagogues and cemeteries where people go to pay their respects.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Plitvice Lakes is the oldest national park in Southeast Europe and its waterfalls are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s located near Zagreb, Croatia’s capital city, making it easy to reach by train or bus from other major cities like Budapest or Vienna.
The park is home to 16 lakes that are connected by underground streams and waterfalls that flow between them. The tallest waterfall is named Veliki Slap (“Great Falls”) at 66 meters (216 feet). There are also several trails throughout the area if you want to hike through the forest or explore some of its caves!
Pilsen, Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, Pilsen is a city that has long been known for its brewing culture. It’s the birthplace of pilsner beer and still produces some of the best examples in the world today.
Pilsen has a rich history that dates back over 600 years–it was founded by King Wenceslas II as a royal city in 1295 and given its name after he became king (he was born near Plzen). The city grew quickly due to its position on trade routes between Germany and Russia/Poland; by 1316 it had become an official town under Bohemian rule with its own charter granted by Emperor Charles IV himself!
Today you can visit Pilsen’s many museums and architectural gems including: St Bartholomew Cathedral (13th century); Holy Cross Church (15th century); Rotunda of St James Cemetery Chapel (17th century); Church of Our Lady Before Tyn
Stuttgart, Germany
Stuttgart is a city in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. It is located on the Neckar river in a fertile valley between the Black Forest and the Swabian Jura, approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Frankfurt am Main. The city has a population of 609,000 inhabitants (as of December 2018), making it Germany’s 10th largest city by population; its metropolitan area is home to 2 million people. Stuttgart has been an industrial center since its founding in 1810 and is still one today due to its importance as an automobile hub and manufacturing base for both domestic and foreign companies like Mercedes-Benz or Porsche.
Innsbruck, Austria
Innsbruck is a city in the Austrian Alps. It’s known for its skiing and hiking opportunities as well as its nightlife. There are many places to stay including hostels and luxury hotels.
Porto, Portugal
Porto is a city in Portugal with a population of around 240,000. It’s the second largest city in Portugal and its capital is Porto, which means “door” in Portuguese.
In 1984, UNESCO declared Porto a World Heritage Site because of its historical importance as an economic center for Portugal during the Middle Ages and also for being one of Europe’s oldest cities (it was founded around 1000 BC).
Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and it’s also one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It has been named as the World Design Capital for 2020, which means it has become an important hub for design, culture and music. There are many things to do in Helsinki but here are some hidden gems:
- Visit Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art
- Taste delicious Finnish food at restaurants like Ravintola Nokka or Plevna Tapas Bar & Kitchen (make sure you try their must-have dish called makkara!)
- Enjoy nature at Suomenlinna Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Sibelius Monument Park or Linnanmaki Amusement Park
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik, Croatia: If you’re looking for a city with beautiful architecture, history and food, this is your place. Dubrovnik has been named one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and it’s no wonder why. The city has an old town wall that dates back to 14th century that still stands today–a testament to its strength over time! You’ll also find plenty of restaurants serving up local specialties like grilled squid or octopus salad with olive oil dressing (you can’t miss it). The beaches are gorgeous too; there are so many beaches near Dubrovnik that you could spend days exploring them all!
Dubrovnik is great for kids because there’s something fun around every corner–from mini golf courses to amusement parks with rides like roller coasters or Ferris wheels…the possibilities are endless!
These are some of Europe’s most underrated destinations.
These are some of Europe’s most underrated destinations. They are not the most popular, but they are all worth visiting. They’re off the beaten path, but they’re still accessible and affordable. There is so much to do and see in these destinations!
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of Europe’s most underrated destinations. We know that there are many more places worth exploring in this beautiful continent, and we encourage you to discover them for yourself!
