Tourists love Europe, and for good reason. It’s brimming with ancient history and colourful cultures. It’s got diverse natural scenery, and alongside its big cities are quaint hundred-person villages to explore. Oh, and it’s (relatively) easy to get around in.
But all that appeal makes for crowds. Come summer, its hotspots — London, Paris anywhere along the Mediterranean — are packed with people, hiking prices up, congesting the streets, and in many cases, adding far more stress to a holiday than should legally be allowed.
If that’s not your cup of tea, read on. We probed five long-time travel writers for their picks for the most underrated gems of towns and cities in Europe to visit instead. From a city in Austria described as a ‘retreat for the soul’, to another an island in Italy where you can try arancini as it’s meant to be, here’s what they said.
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Palermo, Italy
Renata Gortan, Freelance Food and Travel Writer
Don’t let the mafia stories of Sicily put you off. This island is Italy, but not. The former Arab rule is evident in the architecture and food — try arancini as they’re meant to be — the size of cricket balls — eat brioche and granita for breakfast and check out the night markets for incredible street food. Godfather fans will also love taking a pic on the steps of the Opera House.
Stavanger, Norway
Monique Ceccato, Freelance Travel Writer and Creator
If you’ve heard of Stavanger, it’s likely one of two reasons: you’ve docked in port overnight on that cruise you once did, or you’re in the oil and gas industry. Neither reason makes the city sound particularly sexy — especially when there are northern cities and towns in the country that boast thick winter coats of snow and dancing green skies. But trust and believe, Stavanger is so much more than just the oil capital of Norway.
In summer, the city’s harbour is abuzz. The main street is shut off, and the timber-clad pubs and restaurants lining the waterfront spill out onto the road, putting on live music and a party under the 10pm sun. Follow the cobblestone streets into the heart of town and you’ll find Fargegate, AKA ‘Colour Street’. Its brightly painted wooden buildings house everything from craft beer joints to book cafés, and is the perfect place to while away the afternoon. Worked up an appetite? The city is saturated with high-quality eateries, including a 10-seat Michelin-starred omakase and a two-Michelin-starred fine-diner.
If nature is more your vibe, Stavanger and the surrounding region has it in spades. There’s a botanical garden on an island just outside of the city, perpetually flowing waterfalls, deep fjords made famous by Mission Impossible, and — if you’ll believe it — long stretches of sandy, white beach. The best part? It’s all within an hour’s drive.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Sonya Gellert, Freelance Travel Writer and Founder of Spaghetti Head Services
It might not sit at the top of many travellers’ bucket lists, but Ljubljana — Slovenia’s verdant capital — is brimming with beautiful, old-world architecture, a burgeoning culinary scene and all the hallmarks of a grand European city (minus the throngs of tourists).
Sit by the river Ljubljanica with a Slovenian wine in hand, visit the city’s castle, stroll through a storybook-worthy cityscape and day trip to iconic Lake Bled (a 45-minute drive from the city) to discover Slovenia’s striking natural beauty.
Why Ljubljana is often overlooked in favour of larger European cities is a mystery to me — but for those who prefer to avoid the crowds, or want to take a deep-dive into Central Europe, this petite destination is a must-visit.
Traunkirchen, Austria
Monica Tischler, Freelance Travel Writer
A rare jewel in Upper Austria’s crown is idyllic Traunkirchen, nestled on a peninsula along the western shores of Traunsee Lake.
Described as a ‘retreat for the soul’, the mountainous destination with a summer painting academy has long been a drawcard for artists and writers, but seldom the tourist. Yet those seeking refuge from the throngs of more populated hotspots should include Traunkirchen on the itinerary.
Culture and history is aplenty inside Johannesbergkapelle, the iconic chapel set upon a craggy rock face jutting out above the lake, which comes alive with cruise boats and water sports enthusiasts in summer. A well-marked network of hiking trails lead to picturesque outlooks across the mirrored water and towering mountain ranges, complete with a dusting of snow in winter. Reserve a table at a restaurant overlooking the lakefront and indulge in the local delicacy of fresh fish and a glass of Aperol Spritz. Prost!
Bucharest, Romania
Amanda Woods, Freelance Travel Writer and Founder of Adventures All Around
While most river cruises from Budapest head upstream towards Amsterdam, when you take the river less travelled through Eastern Europe, you end up in Romania’s capital of Bucharest, a city that is every bit as fascinating as your starting point, but much less travelled.
Nothing can quite prepare you for a tour of the Palace of the Parliament, where dictator Nicolae Ceausescu had more than one million cubic metres of Transylvanian marble, 3,500 tonnes of crystal for chandeliers, 100kg of gold, and 220,000 square metres of carpets used to build the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon. As for visiting one of the best-kept secrets of their repressive regime, the Ceausescu Mansion, it’s hard to imagine how Romanians felt when they discovered how their leader was living in such opulence as thousands of people starved.
As well as visiting the marks left behind by a crazy dictator, you can explore the streets of a city that’s reinventing itself with new boutiques, cafés, restaurants and bars. And from Bucharest, you can also do day trips to Transylvania to see Bran Castle, the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, as well as dipping your toes in the Black Sea.
Folegandros, Greece
Tara Harrison, Founder of Aweventurer
You know Mykonos, you definitely know Santorini, but have you heard of its neighbour, Folegandros? While other islands tend to be overrun with tourists, this under-the-radar island has retained its charm and tradition, partly because no cruises dock here. The main town, Chora, is car-free, with white-washed houses coated with magenta bougainvillea, cats that sit on walls and piazzas filled with tables and chairs for open-air dining. This is the island where Greeks take their summer vacation.
The sunsets here are worth the visit alone. The golden light touches every part of the island, and Chora has a front seat as the sun sets into the ocean. At the end of the day, everyone makes the pilgrimage to the whitewashed Panagia church, which sits high above Chora and boasts the best sunset views of the Aegean sea.
Hiking along desolate cliffside paths will take you to empty beaches, such as Agios Nikolaus. Here you will find a local restaurant, Papalagis Seafood, with some of the freshest fish and best food you will find on the island. Order the catch of the day, taramasalata and octopus.
Naples, Italy
Renata Gortan, Freelance Food and Travel Writer
Naples is more than just a stopover to Vesuvius and Amalfi. Sure there’s pizza but don’t forget to try the local pastry ‘sfogliatelle’. It’s loud and chaotic — you definitely don’t want to be driving, but it’s brimming with life.
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