You’ve done the classics: the capital cities, the TikTok viral spots, the cities with their own Netflix show. And don’t get us wrong, we love the classics for a reason. But there’s a downside to these big, bustling, bucket-list-worthy travel destinations. If you’ve ever queued an hour for a pastry, spent your day’s budget on a coffee or had to book a museum three months in advance, you’ll know it as well as us: it’s the crowds.
And following years of anti-tourism measures, Airbnb restrictions and demonstrations in response to overtourism, there’s never been a better time to think outside the box for your travels – especially when so many incredible European spots are getting overlooked. This is our ultimate guide to Europe’s best hidden spots, from culture-packed city breaks to under-the-radar national parks. If you’re travelling on a budget, searching for quiet or just desperate to try somewhere new, these are the most underrated places to visit in Europe right now, according to Time Out experts.
Europe’s most underrated destinations at a glance
- ⛱️ Best for a beach holiday: Terracina, Italy
- 📸 Best weekend city break: Gothenburg, Sweden
- 💸 Best budget-friendly: Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- ❄️ Best winter escape: Machynlleth, Wales
- 🥾 Best outdoorsy adventure: Gerês, Portugal
This guide was written by a number of Time Out contributors and experts. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.