Top 27 Hidden Gems in Europe to Visit

What are the hidden gems in Europe worth visiting for an unforgettable travel experience? Read on to find out. In this guide, we’ll show not only the iconic European hidden gems but also the unexpected options. Indeed, there is more to Europe than the common destinations posted on travel websites and magazines.

So, what are Europe’s hidden gems? Some will argue that the best-hidden gems in Europe are located in Iceland, the UK, Ireland, and underrated countries such as Albania, Bosnia, and Slovakia. That said, it is all about what meets the eyes as Europe has never-ending gems yet to be discovered – you just have to start somewhere.

Do you need help planning your trips? Start here!

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Top 27 Hidden Gems in Europe to Visit

Pietrapertosa Basilicata Region, Italy

Lighthouse on a rocky coast, overlooking a calm ocean.

The region is most famous for the city of Matera and Castelmezzano, a village dubbed among the best-hidden gems of Europe. It sits on a mountainous landscape with breathtaking views like those we see in fairytale movies.

Then there’s the village of Pietrapertosa which has stunning forests and mountains. It boasts medieval structures, castles, narrow streets, and other historical landmarks.

Plan your trip with our top posts about Italy:

The Algarve, Portugal

Guests looking for less touristy destinations may opt for Algarve in Portugal, known for its sublime islands and powdery beaches.

The islands of the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve are among the most scenic. For those who want to experience the local fishing industry, journey to Culatra Island. If you’re up for different shops and restaurants, Farol Island is the ideal choice.

Plan your trip with our top posts about Portugal:

San Marino

San Marino may be a small country, but it brims with historical and cultural landmarks including stunning natural views. It is dubbed the oldest republic in the world; thus, it is the best place to go for history lovers. Don’t miss witnessing the incredible sunrise and sunset or touring the iconic three towers atop Mt. Titano.

Veli Losinj, Losinj Island, Primorke, Gorski Kotar County, Croatia

Located in the idyllic town of Mali Losinj, Veli Losinj ranks among the best European hidden gems. It’s also one of Croatia’s most beautiful destinations, known for its crystal-clear blue waters, stunning beaches, and lush forests.

For mystic seekers and natural healing believers, the place is also a go-to since aromatherapy is a common practice. Moreover, hikers can enjoy trekking to Mt. Kalvarija which is adjacent to the village.

Plan your trip with our top posts about Croatia:

Cornago, Spain

Cornago is a small village in the autonomous community of La Rioja in Spain. It’s not only a pilgrimage center but also a host of various historical monuments. Among the famous destinations is the Church of Saint Peter, Hermitage of Saint Martin, Palace of the Baroja Family, and Ermita de Santa Catalina.

Plan your trip with our top posts about Spain:

What are my favorite travel must-haves?

As a frequent traveler, I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of travel, and there are five items that I always carry with me regardless of where I go and how long the trip is. Here are my five travel must-haves!

Warm packable jacket – I always carry a light jacket, even when heading to warm countries. There hasn’t been a time I never used it, especially in airports and planes.
Transparent toiletry bag – I often bring a carry-on if I’m only traveling within Europe for a few days. Life is so much easier to go through security checks with a transparent toiletry bag.
Kindle Paperwhite – I love a good read and always take my Kindle everywhere. It keeps me entertained during long flights and waiting times.
Powerbank – I don’t know how I could travel without one! Having a power bank saved me a ton since I carry a lot of electronic devices with me.
Travel Adapter – I never leave my luggage without a travel adapter! I carry one with me all the time. It is just one of that travel-must haves that doesn’t hurt to have in your bag at all times.

Moraira Alicante, Costa Blanca, Spain

Visitors who want to experience a tropical vibe in Spain can visit Moraira. It features a beautiful sandy beach with dramatic cliffs, sublime villas, and luxurious pines. The village itself is an attraction, owing to its beautiful structures and traditional features.

Water sports are also available for those chasing thrills. Moraira is considered among the top Europe hidden gems.

Plan your trip with our top posts about Spain:

Caminito del Rey, Spain

Caimito del Ray features an 8-kilometer pathway near Malaga and was once dubbed as one of the most dangerous trails in the world. Thanks to intensive restoration, the route is now safer. It offers a thrilling experience of strolling on walkways that hang for more than 100 meters on sheer mountain precipices. Expect to see dramatic cliffs, a large valley, and breathtaking canyons.

Whitby, England, The UK

Sitting at the mouth of the River Esk on the east coast of Yorkshire, Whitby is a seaside town that used to be a major fishing port during the Middle Ages. Today, it’s an off-beaten destination, owing to its heritage coastline, and its proximity to the North York Moors National Park which offers incredible rustic views.

Plan your trip with our top posts about The UK:

Rye, England

The small town of Rye was an important site for the shipbuilding industry during the war. It also hosted the famous Hawkhurst Gang which used its ancient inns the Olde Bell Inn and the Mermaid Inn.

It boasts numerous tea rooms, guest houses, hotels, and restaurants. Don’t miss taking a photo on Mermaid Street, considered one of the most Instagrammable streets in the country.

Plan your trip with our top posts about The UK:

Valetta, Malta

Serving as the capital of Malta, Valetta is one of the historic hidden gems in Europe worth exploring. It was immortalized in history when Jean Parisot de Valette led a defense of the city which warded off Ottoman invaders.

Among the outstanding attractions here are its curtains and cavaliers, fortifications, bastions, magnificent churches, stunning gardens, and Baroque palaces.

Plan your trip with our top posts about Malta:

Porvoo, Finland

THE ICONIC RED HOUSES IN PORVOO IN FINLAND

Porvoo lies on the southern coast 35 kilometers east of Helsinki and is the center of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. Within the city is the Porvoo Old Town which showcases buildings dating back up to the 15^th century.

Among these is the Porvoo Cathedral and adjacent to the site is the Porvoonjoki River. These are among Finland’s National landscapes.

Plan your trip with our top posts about Finland:

Tallinn, Estonia

Person with backpack overlooking a wintery Helsinki coastline

Tallinn is another of the hidden gems in Europe that offers a historical experience, owing to its medieval structures. To best have a semblance of the period, check out its city center which offers cobblestone streets, watchtowers, and cathedrals.

The good thing about this place? The restaurants and accommodations offer affordable rates.

Plan your trip with our top posts about Estonia:

Hold up! Have you thought about the importance of travel insurance?

Remember this: anything can happen. Travel is fun, but your health is more important; thus, I always, always, always recommend getting insured during the duration of your trip. I have benefitted from having one multiple times, and it has been covered for thousands of euros!

The latest one is not necessarily “health” related – it was during the peak of the unspeakable terrible C that consumed the world. I was living in Vietnam when I received an email from SafetyWing (my travel insurance) that if I want they’ll fly be back home to Finland as the world goes through a global emergency alert. I flew back fully covered, and dealing with SafetyWing was a breeze despite the roar of people in contact with them trying to get back home.

I can’t highly recommend them enough. Otherwise, I rarely get sick; hence I don’t always need to head to a hospital, but knowing that I have travel insurance makes me feel safe at the very least.

Read my post about why you should get travel insurance for more information. Otherwise, you can get a free quote from SafetyWing – they’re the best, in my opinion.

Get a FREE quote from SafetyWing

Port Grimaud Provence, France

Port Grimaud Provence offers one of the most varied attractions and activities from landscape to the seascape. It has beautiful villages with traditional architecture dating back centuries ago. Of course, there are now modern sites including a port lined with expensive yachts.

Then there are numerous shops and restaurants offering materials for posterity and a unique dining experience.

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France

Stroll around the Boulevard Princesse Grace de Monaco to see old Nice or see the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. Ranked among the best wedding venues in Europe, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is another spot worth seeing including the Plage des Marinieres.

From here, the journey to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is considered one of the most beautiful hidden gems of Europe.

Vipava Valley, Slovenia

Vipava Valley is one of the top hidden gems in Europe. Who would not fall in love with the valley’s rustic landscapes? There are lush hills and luxurious vineyards that will make visitors feel like they’re in Tuscany. Don’t miss out on visiting the alley’s scenic villages, hiking breathtaking peaks, or enjoying Paragliding.

The Hague, The Netherlands

The Hague is home to the United Nations International Court of Justice and the Dutch parliament. Here is the thing though. It’s not a touristy city as one may expect. In fact, it’s considered among Europe’s hidden gems. Here, one can enjoy serene beaches, hipster coffee shops, buzzy restaurants, historic landmarks, picturesque streets, and quirky exhibitions.

Prokletije, Albania

Dubbed the “Cursed Mountains,” Prokletije in Albania is a mountain range that offers a diversity of stunning natural attractions including pristine rivers, crystal-clear blue lakes, dramatic valleys and canyons, lush forests thriving with wildlife, and panoramic peaks.

Hiking is therefore one of the best ways to capture and experience beauty. It is one of the most recommended Europe hidden gems.

Quedlinburg Saxony Anhalt, Germany

Quedlinburg was among the most prosperous and wealthiest cities during the Medieval period. Thus, expect to see remnants of those times including medieval streets and half-timbered houses. Do visit its picturesque castle and church which hosts the tomb of a German king who reigned during the 10^th century. For a rustic escapade, stroll around the vast surrounding forests.

Bogliasco, Italy

Bogliasco is mainly known for its beaches and views of the Mediterranean Sea. It is also a popular pilgrimage site for Catholics as it hosts different churches.

Are you planning your travels? Here’re my top travel resources!

I’m a serial planner both in life and in travel – I have bucket lists, things to do, see, and everything. So, I always love when my life is sorted easily using tools and resources that would make my general planning a little smoother and easier. Therefore, in my many years of traveling the world, I’ve seen myself returning to these travel resources repeatedly. And here I am, sharing my tips to make your life easy and breezy so you can stress less, travel heaps, and focus on the fun part of travel!

Booking.com – I book all my hotels through this website and don’t honestly use anything else. They always have the best prices, in my opinion.
Airbnb – If I’m traveling long-term to one destination, I book my flats through Airbnb.
Skyscanner – The best place to find cheap flights on flexible dates. I use this a lot to score cheap flights within Europe!
SafetyWing – Always travel insured! Never leave your home country without one. It is worth the extra money, I promise you!
GetYourGuide – Hands-down, the best place to find cool and unique tours if you don’t feel like winging it, and go straight to a local expert. I use this a lot in new destinations to get acquainted with the area!
My Pretty Wild World Travel Diary (coming soon) – A book you can write down your travel plans, create itineraries, track down your budget, and dot down memories along the way! A handy book you can keep and read later to revisit memory lane.
Pretty Wild World Travel Planning Printables (coming soon) – Are you a nut like me when it comes to planning? Yes? Good. My travel planning resource in one zip file is an easy-to-use printable planner that comes with tips that helps you plan your travels during the planning stage, a pre-flight checklist, an itinerary planner, and so on.

Cuenca, Spain

Although not as popular as other cities in Spain like Barcelona or Madrid, Cuenca is among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Its colorful houses, cathedrals, and castle ruins that seemingly dangle on the edge of scenic rock cliffs are a sight to behold. Strolling around Cuenca will make visitors feel like they’re traveling back to the middle-ages.

Then there’s a crystal-clear blue river that makes up for a refreshing swim. It is a hidden gem in Europe worth seeing for lifelong travel.

21. Riga, Latvia

Riga’s city center nipped the UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition, owing to its different historical and cultural landmarks. Through the years, the city hosted various international competitions and events.

22. Lake Komani, Albania

Another can’t-miss of the hidden gems of Europe is Lake Komani in northern Albania. It is a perfect getaway for tourists looking for a mystical and serene experience. The lake cuts through dramatic cliffs with lush forests and imposing peaks.

23. Perast, Montenegro

Tagged among the top-ranking hidden tourist spots in Europe, Perast in Montenegro is a small village adjacent to Kotor Bay. The bay itself is an attraction with surrounding cliffs and towering mountains. It features a romantic waterfront restaurant patio including jaw-dropping views of the local architecture.

24. Durham, England

Durham boasts of a castle and a cathedral that are part of the UNESCO lists. The surrounding areas also showcase mesmerizing natural wonders and some of the best museums in the country. It’s an ideal destination for history and cultural buffs. But more than that, guests can also see the Durham Heritage Coast for a relaxing stroll.

25. Bansko & Pirin National Park, Bulgaria

If skiing is the main goal, check out Bansko and Pirin National Park in Bulgaria. Visitors can also witness historical structures, house museums, traditional buildings, and a small but iconic Orthodox Church. Here is the catch. The area offers some of the most affordable food and accommodation rates. So it is a hidden gem in Europe for budget travelers.

26. Landmannalaugar, Iceland

Dubbed Iceland’s Pearl of the Highlands, Landmannalaugar is a geothermal oasis located in the remote tundra region of Iceland. It’s most beautiful during the summer months. Here, one can see different color shades of the mountains, lakes, rivers, and dormant volcanic craters.

27. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Have a semblance of the formerly sprawling Ottoman Empire when visiting Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Check out the capital city of Sarajevo to learn more about the country’s history and to witness magnificent structures including mosques and other landmarks.

Then enjoy rating around Konjic and be blown away by the crystal-clear waters and the lush surroundings.