Are you looking for the best places to travel in Europe? People all over the world are too.
As summer gets into full swing across Europe, popular holiday destinations are struggling to cope with the influx of visitors. From Venice, which just introduced a controversial tourist tax, to Spain’s Canary Islands, where locals are planning massive protests against overtourism, iconic landmarks and attractions are struggling to bear the weight of record-breaking visitors.
So Europe’s Best Destinations’ new list of Europe’s Best Hidden Gems for 2024 has come at the perfect time.
A view of Primošten, Croatia, one of 18 hidden gems in Europe revealed in a new report.
Getty
The new ranking shines a spotlight on 18 lesser-known destinations that invite travellers away from the tourist throngs and into authentic European cultural centres. The list is based on votes from over one million travellers from 172 countries.
From remote villages tucked away in the mountains to beautiful, unspoiled beach towns, these 18 hidden gems offer a glimpse into a world rarely seen by the average traveler.
Aerial view of Villajoyosa, Spain.
Getty
1. Villajoyosa, Spain
Experience a kaleidoscope of colour in Villajoyosa (“town of jewels” in Castilian), where jewel-coloured houses line the coast overlooking the crystal-clear Mediterranean waters, symbolising the town’s nautical history.
Ares del Maestre is a hidden gem in Castellon, Spain.
Getty
2. Ares del Maestre (Spain)
Built in the 1300s in the province of Castellon, Ares del Maestre sits atop a rocky hill and offers panoramic views and centuries of Spanish history. Wander the narrow cobblestone streets and explore the ancient castle.
Sandy beach in front of the old town of Primosten, Croatia.
Getty
3. Primosten (Croatia)
Primosten on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast offers beautiful beaches and azure waters. Enjoy fresh seafood, stroll the seaside promenade and discover why this coastal paradise remains one of Croatia’s best kept secrets.
The Hungarian floating village of Bokody at sunset.
Getty
4. Lake Bokody, Hungary
An hour’s drive from Budapest, Lake Bokody is home to an Instagrammer’s dream village of floating chalets. Some of the chalets are privately owned (many belong to local fishermen), while others are open to tourists. Explore the winding waterways and relax in the tranquility of this hidden gem of Hungary.
View of Moominworld park from the sea on a sunny summer day in Naantali, Finland.
Getty
5. Naantali, Finland
The small town of Naantali in southwestern Finland invites you to experience the whimsical and colourful world of Moomin, the quirky characters created by Finnish authors in 1945. This enchanting seaside town is also home to a theme park dedicated to Moomin, Moomimaailma.
The village of Bourre in the Faroe Islands.
Getty
6. Bourg, Faroe Islands
Discover the rustic charm of Bør, a small village on the island of Vágar in the Faroe Islands (a remote Danish island in the North Atlantic Ocean). Wander through lush landscapes, marvel at panoramic ocean views and soak in the timeless beauty of the region.
Lighthouse and bunker in the dunes of the beach in Bravand, Denmark.
Getty
7. Bravand, Denmark
Bravande is a Danish seaside jewel where wartime bunkers have been carved into symbols of peace, and here you can explore the wide, windswept beaches on horseback or trek through the coastal dunes.
City view of Ulm, Germany’s hidden gem.
Getty
8. Ulm, Germany
Historical attractions and modern amenities coexist in perfect harmony in Ulm, a small city on the Danube in Germany. Marvel at the Gothic cathedral, stroll the cobblestone streets and dine in the Fisherman’s Quarter, where half-timbered houses line the restaurants and cafés. Just across the Danube is Neu-Ulm, part of Bavaria.
A promenade leading to a viewpoint at Bordeira Beach in the southwestern Alentejo region of Portugal.
Getty
9. Aljezur, Portugal
Aljezur, Portugal, boasts rugged Algarve coastline, golden beaches, laid-back vibes and tranquil beauty – and don’t miss the local wine.
A view of the village of Daltoro in Tusheti, a remote region of Georgia.
Getty
10. Dartmouth, Georgia
The remote Georgian village of Dal Toro is a gem in the untouched Caucasus Mountains landscape, with pristine wilderness and ancient stone towers.
Jumping into the water in Castro Urdiales, Spain.
Getty
11. Castro Urdiales, Spain
Castro Urdiales is a medieval port town in Spain’s Cantabria region that has a strong maritime tradition. Wander the cobblestone streets, see the ancient fort and sunbathe on sandy beaches.
Ljotipórur crater lake, Landmannalaugar, Iceland.
Getty
12. Landmannalaugar, Iceland
Known for its ethereal beauty, Iceland’s Landmannalaugar is blessed with rhyolite mountains and steaming hot springs, and its volcanic landscapes make it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
The world’s first ethno-architectural reserve in Cikumani, Slovakia.
Getty
13. Cikumani (Slovakia)
The town of Cickmani in Slovakia is like something out of a fairytale, with narrow streets lined with hand-painted houses and ancient traditions preserved like folk art.
Road to Mount Pico in the Azores.
Getty
14. Pico Island, Azores
The volcanic paradise of Pico Island in the Azores offers dramatic landscapes, lava caves and rolling hills covered with vineyards producing world-class wines.
The village of Pont-en-Royans in France.
Getty
15. Pont-en-Royans, France
Pont-en-Royans in France is a pretty cliff-top village where you can swim in a crystal-clear river and enjoy panoramic views over the countryside.
A Schwebebahn train crosses a road in Wuppertal, Germany.
Getty
16. Wuppertal, Germany
Wuppertal is a German industrial city with a unique charm. The iconic Schwebebahn is a suspended monorail built in 1901 that offers breathtaking views of the city. Fun fact: it is the world’s oldest elevated electric railway with suspended carriages.
The Chapel of Saint Michel d’Aiguilhe is built on a rock in Le Puy en Velay, France.
Getty
17. Le Puy-en-Velay, France
Le Puy-en-Velay, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of south-central France, is a place steeped in history. It is the gateway to the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, and one of its highlights is Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe, a 10th-century chapel built on volcanic rock.
Staithes is a seaside village in the Borough of Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England.
Getty
18. Staithe (UK)
Once a fishing centre along North Yorkshire’s dramatic coastline, Staithes now attracts modern travellers with its charming villages, fresh seafood and natural beauty. Don’t miss the North York Moors National Park, where you can hunt for fossils and explore coastal trails.
More from Forbes
Forbes 13 Great Places to Live for Under $1,500 a Month By Forbes 15 Affordable Places to Travel in 2024 Ranked in New Report By
Source link
