Forget about the best places to visit in Europe, those are way too crowded! The standard holiday destinations in Europe are overrun by tourists between June and September and therefore I urge you to go off the beaten path in Europe. I found you some unique places to visit in Europe for 2019.
For many years traveling in Europe was never a favorite thing to do, but even I am getting older! Lol. Only two years ago I always said that someday when I would be old I would visit Rome, London, and Paris. Last year I traveled to all of them! So am I starting to like Europe travel? Kind of! I have to admit there are some amazing hidden places in Europe I discovered over the last two years and I am happy to share them with you in this blog.
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Best time to travel to Europe
It feels like there is never the best time to travel to Europe. In summer when the weather is at its best for a trip around Europe there are too many tourists everywhere. Traveling Europe in winter can be challenging if you can’t deal with temperatures around the freezing level and autumn can be wet. Therefore more and more people are looking for unique places to visit in Europe to avoid mass tourism in the summer.
Is it safe to travel to Europe
Apart from small common threats for travelers like pickpocketing, theft, incidents in nightlife areas and road accidents one should be fine traveling in Europe. That said terrorist attacks in Europe have increased in the last years. The good thing about going off the beaten path in Europe is that the chance of being caught in a terrorist attack is almost non-existing. The major cities and popular tourist attractions in Europe are generally prime targets.
ETIAS Visa for Europe
Traveling in Europe requires a Schengen visa which for most countries is a matter of applying online. This is about to change though as in 2021 the Elias will be introduced. Then you will have to fill out an electronic form online, which will be used for screening and eventually should make traveling in Europe safer. Click here for more information, for example, the Elias for Italy.
12 Off the beaten path Europe destinations
1.Kristiansand, Norway
Did you know that this city in Southern Norway gets the most sun hours on Scandinavia in summer? No wonder that it is a popular tourist destination for Norwegian. But don’t worry there are not that many Norwegians to start talking about mass tourism. Kristiansand still belongs to that list of off the beaten track Europe destinations. There is a city beach, that also houses Palmesus, Scandinavia’s biggest beach party around the first weekend of July.
Rent a car and explore the many coastal villages, fjords, and islands. Some Europe's hidden gems in Southern Norway are Sandøya and Lyngør. Even Kristiansand in winter is worth going.
2. Altea, Spain
The Spanish Costa Blanca is not directly the place you expect on a list of hidden gems in Europe, but make your way here in offseason and you will find yourself alone in the streets of this beautiful village. Altea is a little beach village not far from Alicante and Benidorm, famous holiday destinations in Europe. The little village, mostly painted white, is located on a hill and its old center is car-free. The narrow streets full of boutique shops and coffee places make this a super lovely hidden gem in Europe and a great day trip from Alicante or Benidorm.
3. Komani, Albania
Peak season had just not started, but at the end of June I found myself far off the beaten track in Europe in the northeast in Albania and what I discovered there was mind-blowing. Komani Lake is one of those hidden places in Europe that made me fall in love with traveling in Europe. I never knew we had such amazing places and I felt like I was in Thailand or Vietnam! Lake Komani is a man-made lake inside a canyon that reminded me of the Norwegian fjords. The Lake Komani Ferry is the best way to see this utterly stunning gorge.
4. Gdansk, Poland
Poland, in general, is an upcoming destination in Europe. Still affordable and what awesome cities has that country to offer. The Gdansk city center is a unique place to visit in Europe and probably one of the most stunning city centers I have seen in a while. Its architecture is mind-blowing and strolling through the old town will make you understand that this is one of those unique places in Europe that should be on everyone's bucket list.
5. Mostar, Bosnia
Who would think of Bosnia when we talk about unique places to visit in Europe. Once you make it to Mostar you know why I put this place on a list with hidden places in Europe. Once a year it is the mecca of cliff diving when Red Bull Cliff organizes an event on the famous Mostar bridge. Its cobblestoned city center with its narrow streets makes it a super quaint place and eating out on one of the many terraces is lovely for people watching. Prices are still very moderate and there are walking tours to learn more about the important role of Mostar in the Yugoslav Wars. Nearby you will find the amazing Kravice falls a perfect day trip from Mostar.
6. Uvac Canyon, Serbia
We stay in the Balkan for one more off the beaten path destination in Europe. When visiting Uvac Canyon many locals in Serbia had never even been there. It is actually not hard to get to, but definitely not on the tourist trail. When I made it to the Uvac Canyon viewpoint I was literally the only one there. I fantasized that I should have taken a tent with me and camp there. Watching stars at night and the sunrise in the morning would have been magical. Maybe one of my favorite off the beaten track destinations in Europe.
7. Varmland, Sweden
If you want to get away from it all then make your way to Värmland in Sweden and go on a self-guided canoe trip. Rent a canoe and supplies and start paddling around the countless lakes of west Sweden, close to the Norwegian border. From the moment you set sail, it is just you and nature. You can camp basically everywhere, find yourself a spot, cook your own food, try to catch some fish, drink wine, watch shooting stars and find inner peace. There is no better place to get off the beaten track in Europe then this.
8. Peja, Kosovo
Another place in Balkan that made it to the list. After all, the Balkan is already off the beaten path in Europe anyway. Kosovo is even off the beaten path in the Balkan and when you make it to Peja, a sleepy little village in western Kosovo, you know you found an off the beaten track place to visit in Europe. Just a 20 minute ride away from the lovely central square of Peja there is the Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park with great hikes and lakes. In winter you can even ski here. But if you are looking for hidden places in Europe in summer you now know where to go.
9. Lesbos, Greece
Finding a Greek island that is not that yet overrun by mass tourism is hard, but on Lesbos in northeast Greece, I hardly saw any tourists. Super laid-back fishing villages, delicious seafood, deserted winding roads, hot springs, and very friendly people made me fall in love with this island. It is not far from the Turkish mainland or you can get here by boat from Athens. Direct flights from Western Europe can be found as well. When you visit Lesbos, the most easy-going island in Greece you will understand why it is such a unique place to visit in Europe and just a stone throw away from Asia.
10. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
I bet you have often seen photos of picturesque towns in Germany. Well, big chance Rothenburg ob der Tauber was one of them. This utterly picture-perfect village in central Germany is famous for its colorful houses and fairytale vibes. Although this city is found by loads of tourists during the day there is a way to have it for yourself and that is why I put it on the list hidden gems in Europe. Stay here overnight and in the early morning and the late afternoon you will find the streets nearly empty even in summer. When you see more photos of this amazing village I'm sure you understand why I added it to the list of unique places to see in Europe.
11. Porto Covo, Portugal
All the way in the far Southwest of Europe there is a little beach town that with a little fantasy looks like the smaller brother of Santorini. Porto Covo is not a standard tourist destination, but a true hidden gem in Europe. I found it on my road trip from Porto to the Algarve and decided to stay overnight in this super laid-back beach town. All the houses are painted white and there is a car-free city center. There are many small hidden beaches around and because it is a little off the beaten path in Europe not overrun by tourists yet.
12. Debrecen, Hungary
With Debrecen, the second biggest city in Hungary I am actually targeting Eastern Hungary in general. Only a couple months ago I was traveling around chasing the best places to see in Hungary. On top of the great pub-vibe in this student city, I stumbled upon medieval castles and hot springs and had the time of my life. On my Hungary road trip, I hardly saw any other tourists and I totally felt like I was off the beaten path in Europe. Some places you can’t miss are the Fuzer Castle and the Boldogko Castle. Both places can be visited on a day trip from Debrecen.
About Myself :
My name is Tom and my biggest passion is obviously traveling. In 2008 I decided to go on a trip around the world and in 1 year I traveled through 24 countries from North America to South America, New Zealand, Australia and finally South East Asia.
I got back to the Netherlands and saved as much money as I could and in December 2012 I quit my job again and ever since I am traveling the world. I have now been to almost 100 countries and this website and my social media accounts help me to travel the world. Traveling makes me a better person with ever day I am on the road. Don’t waste time live now, go out and explore the world! May you want to help a little please use my affiliate links. Thank you very much!
With this blog I love to give back and help you make the most out of your trip. I hope these tips will help. May you have specific questions please get in touch with me.
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