Unlock hidden gems across Europe with our guide to the continent’s 25 best-kept secrets. Explore underrated destinations and enrich your travel bucket list. Save this article!
Europe is a big place full of old stories and pretty views. Lots of people go to the famous spots, but there are secret places that are just as special. If you’re bored of seeing the same things or want to see a place in a new way, try visiting some of these special spots that not everyone knows about.
25 Enchanting Secret Spots in Europe
Kizhi Island, Russia
Kizhi Island is a special place in Lake Onega, in the west of Russia. It’s far away from where most tourists go in Russia, so it’s like a secret. You can get there from St. Petersburg by taking a train that runs overnight.
When you arrive, you’ll see amazing wooden churches with round, onion-shaped tops. These churches, made in the 1700s, are really special.
Two of them, called the Church of the Transfiguration and the Church of the Intercession, are so important that they’re protected by UNESCO.
There’s also the Church of the Resurrection of Lazarus, the oldest wooden church in all of Russia, which is truly fascinating.
Cima Cadin di San Lucano, Dolomites, Italy
After Russia, let’s talk about Italy. There’s a tall mountain called Cima Cadin di San Lucano in the Dolomites, which is in the north of Italy. It’s like a secret treasure, even though it stands at a high 2,839 meters.
Cima Cadin is a mountain that’s near the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo, but it’s quieter because not as many people visit.
This means you can walk and take pictures without a big crowd. The views are amazing, and it’s a great place to enjoy when you’re in the Dolomites.
Scola Tower, Porto Venere, Italy
In Italy, there’s a special place called Porto Venere, part of the pretty Cinque Terre villages. On a tiny island near the coast, you’ll see the Scola Tower. It’s an old military building from the 1600s, but now it’s just beautiful ruins.
You can get to the tower by taking a boat tour or renting your own boat. Once there, you can wander around the old fortress and enjoy the beautiful blue water all around. Don’t forget to snap lots of pictures!
Blue Grotto, Capri, Italy
On the island of Capri, there’s a special cave called the Blue Grotto, where the water shines bright blue like magic. You can visit the cave by taking a boat ride. When you get in a little wooden boat, you have to lie down to fit through the entrance.
Inside, the water glows, and you can just relax while your boat guide sings in Italian and steers the boat. It feels like you’re floating in a dreamy paradise. It’s a secret spot for those who love adventures.
Santuario Madonna Della Corona, Spiazzi, Italy
Italy is full of surprising places, and there’s a really cool one near the city of Spiazzi, less than an hour away from Verona. Here, you’ll discover a church that looks like it’s stuck to the side of Mount Baldo. It might seem tricky to build on a cliff, but Italian builders are really good at making amazing things.
The Santuario Madonna Della Corona is a plain-looking church, but its spot on the mountain makes it a special treasure in Europe. Since 1530, it’s been nestled there, offering amazing views of the surrounding mountains.
Pilgrimage Church Maria Gern, Bavaria, Germany
If you want to find special places in Germany, you should visit the Pilgrimage Church Maria Gern in Bavaria, close to the Austrian border.
This charming pink and white church sits among green hills with big mountains behind it, making it look like a picture from a postcard. Built in 1709, it couldn’t have a more perfect spot. When taking photos, make sure to stay off private land nearby.
Devil’s Bridge, Kromlau, Germany
The Devil’s Bridge, or Rakotzbrucke, is a cool hidden spot in Germany near the Polish border. It was built a long time ago, in the 1860s. There’s a story that says the builder made a deal with the devil to create it.
The bridge is a favorite for people who like taking photos. When the light is just right and the water is still, the bridge’s curve makes a perfect circle with its reflection.
Some say it looks like a scene from a magical fairy tale, while others think it feels a bit spooky. Either way, visiting the Devil’s Bridge is a fun adventure.
Bastei Bridge, Rathen, Germany
The Bastei Bridge is another neat place to see in Germany. It’s in a small town called Rathen, not too far from Dresden. People love visiting because the views are amazing, and there are trails to walk on. It’s also an important place from a long time ago.
The bridge, which is 77 meters long, was made in 1851. It goes through cool and special rocks. If you enjoy looking at beautiful sights and like being in nature, this is a special place in Europe that you might want to see.
Seegrotte, Hinterbruhl, Austria
Seegrotte is a big cave near Hinterbrühl in Austria that used to be a mine before it filled with water. It’s not a place everyone knows about, and it might feel a little scary if you don’t like dark or small spaces. But if you’re brave, you can go on a boat tour to see this cool and special place.
If you’re in Vienna, going to Seegrotte is a fun idea because it’s not too far away. Plus, you can also check out Castle Liechtenstein nearby. You can see both places on the same day!
Saint Michael’s Mount, Cornwall, England
Saint Michael’s Mount in Cornwall, England, shouldn’t be mixed up with Mont Saint Michel in France, even though they look alike. It’s a tiny island you can walk to when the sea is low or take a boat when the water is high.
Saint Michael’s Mount is a little island with a cute village and a castle on top. It’s a special place to visit because not too many tourists go there. If you’re nearby, it’s worth checking out!
Sky Garden, London, England
High up in a tall London building called the Walkie Talkie, there’s a special place called the Sky Garden. It has big glass windows and lots of plants, like a garden in the sky.
You can see the whole city and have a snack in the café. No matter the weather, it’s a fun place to visit anytime!
By the way, it’s free to go there! Just remember to book a time to visit because only a few people can come each day. You’ll have up to an hour to enjoy the neat place.
As Catedrais Beach, Galicia, Spain
As Catedrais Beach, found on Spain’s northern coast, is like a secret treasure in Europe. It’s a great spot for chilling in the sun and playing in the sand. If you like taking photos, you’ll love the special sights here. It’s a really interesting place in Spain!
As Catedrais Beach means “Beach of the Cathedrals” because of the cool arch-shaped rocks all around. It’s easily one of the nicest beaches in Spain!
To visit this beach when lots of people are there, you need to get a special ticket. But don’t worry, it doesn’t cost any money! Just remember to ask for it before you go. If you can, go when the water is low to see the arches better. It’s a cool stop on your road trip in Spain!
Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic
This park in Czechia is like a secret treasure for people who love nature. It’s really big, with lots of cool things to see that nature made and people built. As you walk through the trees, you can find deep valleys, rock shapes like arches, and even old castles.
You should also check out Pravcicka Brana. Standing 16 feet tall, it’s the biggest sandstone arch in Europe. Even though you can’t walk on it anymore because the rock is wearing away, it’s still amazing to see up close.
Giethoorn, Netherlands
Giethoorn is a cute village in the Netherlands, kind of like Venice in Italy. Here, there are no roads, just canals that flow through pretty gardens and houses with straw roofs. To see everything, you need to take a boat ride.
If you go with a tour group or rent a car, you can visit Giethoorn for a day trip from Amsterdam. It’s a fun chance to see the countryside and enjoy one of Europe’s special hidden places.
Verdon Gorge, Provence, France
Verdon Gorge is like a secret treasure in the south of France, a couple of hours’ drive from Nice. It’s a perfect spot for nature lovers who want to relax and enjoy the scenery.
You can rent a small boat to glide through the stunning green waters and take in the towering cliffs and lush forests around you.
Montmartre Vineyard, Paris, France
Just a few streets away from the Sacre-Coeur church in Paris, you’ll find the Montmartre Vineyard. It’s a tiny and delicious secret. They started planting grapes here in 1933, and every year, they make about 1,000 to 1,500 bottles of wine.
The little vineyard is usually closed to people, but in October, they have a special festival when the grapes are picked. If you’re in Paris then, it’s a good time to see this secret spot.
Rocamadour, France
Not far from the clifftops, there’s a special place called Rocamadour in France. It’s like a secret village in a big park. If you like to see places where people think a lot about their beliefs, this is a good stop on a trip around France. Many people visit Rocamadour to see its old religious buildings.
Rocamadour is a special hidden place in Europe, even if you’re not religious. The views from the mountain are amazing, and the way the village sits on the cliff is like a dream for people who love taking pictures or building things.
Dunluce Castle, Northern Ireland
Dunluce Castle is a cool old castle on the north coast of Northern Ireland. It sits high on a rocky cliff by the sea. It’s not far from Giant’s Causeway, so you can see both in one day.
If you like Irish stories or taking cool pictures, this castle is a fun place to visit. Plus, if you like watching Game of Thrones, you might remember this castle from the show.
Downpatrick Head, Ireland
In Ballycastle, Ireland, there’s a flat, grassy stretch that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean. Here, you’ll find amazing cliffs and sea stacks, which are colorful rock formations rising from the water. Downpatrick Head is perfect for people who enjoy nature, watching birds, or snapping pictures of Ireland’s quiet, special spots. You can also find churches and historical places nearby to explore if you want more to do on your visit.
Deck Of Cards Houses, Cobh, Ireland
In Cobh, Ireland, you can find the Deck of Cards Houses, which are bright and colorful. They look very nice with St. Colman’s Cathedral behind them. These houses are perfect for taking pictures. There’s a little park nearby where you can see the houses really well.
Cobh is a small town in the south of Ireland, not far from the bigger city of Cork. It’s just a short 45-minute drive between them. If you’re exploring Ireland by car, both places make great stops to visit.
Church of St. Elizabeth, Bratislava, Slovakia
In Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia, there’s a special place called the Blue Church, or the Church of St. Elizabeth. It’s painted a lovely light blue and looks like something out of a fairy tale. If you’re nearby, it’s a fun place to visit because it’s one of the top sights in the city!
The Blue Church was built over a hundred years ago, in the early 1900s. Its tall clock tower and bright blue color make it stand out from other buildings. If you visit, don’t forget to take a picture. It will brighten up your photo collection and show that you discovered a special place in Europe.
Mulafossur Waterfall, Gasadalur, Faroe Islands
Mulafossur Waterfall is in a place called Gasadalur on the Faroe Islands. It’s a special spot because not many people go there, even though it’s amazing for pictures.
The Faroe Islands are between Iceland and the United Kingdom. More folks are starting to visit, but it’s still not busy with crowds.
Mulafossur Waterfall is like a hidden treasure among waterfalls. It drops over 30 meters right into the ocean, with a giant mountain standing far behind it. If you ever go to the Faroe Islands, make sure you see this amazing waterfall!
Studlagil Basalt Canyon, Iceland
Iceland has lots of awesome places, and some are secretive spots.
Studlagil Basalt Canyon is one of those beautiful places not many people visit.
It has cool, dark columns and bright water that make it look stunning. This canyon, made by the Jokulsa a Dal river, is in eastern Iceland and shows how powerful nature is. If you’re exploring Europe, don’t miss this incredible canyon!
Mulagljufur Canyon, Iceland
Mulagljufur Canyon is a really cool canyon in Iceland that you should visit if you’re driving around there. It’s close to a famous road called the Ring Road and not too far from places like Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
Even though it’s not hard to find, not many people know about it, making it a special spot in Europe.
Mulagljufur Canyon is a really pretty place with rough, green cliffs and a tall waterfall that’s about 100 feet high. It’s a great spot to take pictures!
Heimaey Stave Church, Westman Islands, Iceland
Heimaey Stave Church is a really special place you can find on the Westman Islands in Iceland. To get there, you’ll need to take a ferry, but it’s definitely worth it. It’s the only all-black church in Iceland, which makes it very unique. Norway gave this church to Iceland in 2000 to celebrate 1000 years of Christianity there. It’s a great spot to take photos, so try to visit if you can!
Now that you know about some special spots in Europe, you might want to visit them someday. Europe has lots of hidden places to discover if you look a bit further.
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Seeing these places can help you learn more about the world and give you fun stories to tell your friends and family.
