Why you should visit them…
There aren’t many hidden gems of Europe left out there and technically, there are probably zero as the internet has done a great job of opening the world for all of us travelers. But there are plenty of destinations out there that aren’t overly crowded or that still retain some of their traditional charm or at least might not be known worldwide.
Everyone has heard of Rome, Venice, Paris, London, Copenhagen, Munich and Prague. But this list of hidden gems of Europe tries to include the lesser known destinations, some of them capitals and some of them tiny blips on the map.
1- Kinsale, Ireland
This vibrant city in Ireland is full of character and well, color. As soon as you reach it, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a kid’s storybook as you’re surrounded by bright oranges, yellows and blues. It’s charming and a great destination to add to your Ireland road trip.
2- Antiparos, Greece
This little island lies off the coast of Paros, its bigger and more popular brother. Only a 10 minutes ferry ride from Paros, Antiparos is an island with lots of character, charm and beaches!
3- Aveiro, Portugal
Since Portugal is still up and coming in the US market, there are plenty of hidden gems that most people haven’t heard of. Aveiro is one. Aveiro is a small town that has a lot of culture. People are super friendly and there is a lot to see in the surrounding area.
4- Tromsø, Norway
This Norwegian winter paradise is quickly gaining popularity but is still a bit of a secret. This is one of the best places to visit when you’re planning on chasing the Northern Lights. Tromsø a cute city located in northern Norway, a 4 hour flight from Oslo. Even though the city is small by typical standards, it’s one of the largest in this region of the country. The real charm of the town lies in winter, especially if you’re fortunate enough to visit while it’s snowing. Strolling along lamp-lit streets on a gloomy evening with snow flurries falling around you is pretty magical.
5- Corniglia, Italy
While everyone is familiar with the Cinque Terre and has been to Monterroso al Mare, Riomaggiore, Vernazza and Manarola, few people have heard of or been to the fifth Cinque Terre, Corniglia. This village is the only Cinque Terre village that isn’t directly on the water. In fact, you have to climb more than a few stairs to reach it. The small town has cute alleys and pretty sea views.
6- Evora, Portugal
Located in the Alentejo region of Portugal, Evora is a very traditional city full of character and charm. It’s one of the larger towns in Alentejo and it sees a bit more tourism than some of the neighboring villages. Evora’s cathedral offers some of the best views over the city.
7- Saint Cirq Lapopie, France
I think so much of France gets overlooked because of the major hotspots located throughout the country. This is yet another southwest France town that deserves some attention. Unlike Cordes sur Ciel, Saint Cirq Lapopie is well-visited. There are bus tours that pass through here so while it might not be the most hidden gem in Europe, it does deserve to be on this list as it’s still fairly undiscovered. And it is CHARMING, filled with many little alleyways and a beautiful view. If you have the chance to visit during Bastille Day, you will quickly discover why it’s been added to this list!
8- Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
While maybe not considered one of the hidden gems of Europe, Lauterbrunnen still deserves a place on this list. It has been gradually gaining recognition for its stunning in-the-middle-of-town waterfall that sets it apart from so many other Swiss towns. It’s an amazing area with so much beauty around it that you’ll find yourself staring in awe once you arrive.
9- Milos, Greece
I’ll be honest, it makes me a little sad that Milos isn’t as much of a secret now as it used to be 3 years ago. This precious island was the epitome of a hidden European gem. I fell in love with it the moment I stepped off the plane and I can’t explain why other than it just felt like home. The Greek locals were amazing, the food was fantastic, the beaches in Milos were superb and it was safe. I still included it in this list because if you haven’t been there yet, go.
10- Cordes sur Ciel, France
This medieval town is located in southwest France. Once you enter at the arch, you feel like you’ve taken a step by in time. This is definitely more of a hidden gem as most people think of Paris or Marseilles or Bordeaux when they think of France. The southwest of France is quite often overlooked.
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