Discover Europe’s hidden gems with our guide to 10+ must-visit cities. Explore unique culture, history, and scenic beauty. Unveil your next travel destination—read more!
If you like stories about the coolest cities in Europe, you might also like learning about these tiny towns there. They’re special and might become your favorite!
Overlooked European Cities
#1 Brasov, Romania
When I decided to stay in Brasov, right in the middle of historic Transylvania, I was just excited about visiting Bran Castle the next day. It’s also called Dracula’s Castle, and a lot of people go there when they visit Romania!
But Brasov turned out to be a surprise, and I wished I could have stayed longer. If you visit, you’ll see old walls, a really old church, and the tiniest street in all of Eastern Europe called Rope Street.
Brasov is a city right in the heart of Transylvania. It feels almost magical, like a story from a book.
#2 Metz, France
Metz sits right where Luxembourg and France meet. It’s a really old city and has been part of different countries over time. Once, even the Teutonic Knights lived there. Visit Metz to discover the history of the Lorraine area in France.
Many people don’t pay much attention to Metz because they focus on the well-known places nearby, like Champagne and Alsace. But Metz, now in the new ‘Grand-Est’ region of France, is special too. It has lots of trees and parks, old buildings from long ago, and it has the third tallest cathedral in France.
If you want to know more about Lorraine, you can find out how to have fun for three days there.
#3 Gdansk, Poland
Gdansk is a really old town by the water. Lots of people forget about it because they think of other big cities in Poland like Warsaw or Kraków. But Gdansk is so pretty and special, and you should visit when you’re planning a trip to Europe.
When you visit, you’ll see lots of beautiful churches and old streets with cobblestones. There’s also a lot of history to learn about. Plus, you can taste yummy food like local beer and delicious pierogis!
And if you want more adventure, you can take a short trip from Gdansk to Malbork. There, you’ll find the biggest castle ever, built by the Teutonic Knights.
You can also learn about great places to visit in Europe during late fall.
#4 Edinburgh, Scotland
Many people choose to visit London instead of Edinburgh, but that’s a mistake! Edinburgh is full of fun and interesting things to do. It’s built on old volcanoes and is not only exciting but also cheaper to visit than London.
Go to Edinburgh if you love Harry Potter. The author, J.K. Rowling, thought of Harry while she was there. You can find a lot of things that inspired the books in the city.
There are also many great museums, like the one with Dolly the Sheep. You can also learn about Scotland’s culture and see amazing castles!
#5 Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest, the capital of Romania, is a fun and exciting place. People sometimes call it ‘little Paris’ or ‘New Berlin’ because of its beautiful buildings and lively nightlife.
Visit the often overlooked city of Bucharest if you want to enjoy some culture and learn about history. Many of Romania’s best museums are there, and the city invites you to explore and discover its hidden treasures.
You might want to check out what cool things you can do in Bucharest.
#6 Wells, England
Wells is a little city you might not think to visit, but it has lots of fun things to do. Even though it’s one of the smallest cities in the UK, it has plenty of exciting places to see!
In the English county of Somerset, right by the Mendip Hills, there’s a place where you can visit a palace, learn about church history, and feel like you’re in a tiny, friendly town because only about 10,000 people live there!
Check out all the cool things to do in Wells, a small city in England with a big cathedral!
#7 Rouen, France
Rouen is an old and historic city in the Normandy area of France. It’s by the River Seine and not far from the busy, exciting city of Paris. But Rouen and Paris are very different from each other!
Imagine walking through old, bumpy streets in a city that used to be one of the richest in Europe. There, you’ll find little museums, the house where Richard the Lionheart was born, the place where Joan of Arc was sadly burned, and a really amazing Gothic Cathedral.
Check out these magical photos of Rouen—they’ll make you want to visit right away!
#8 Lucerne, Switzerland
Lucerne, also called ‘Luzern’ in German, is right in the middle of Switzerland. It’s a special place to visit because of its fairytale buildings and an old, lovely wooden bridge from medieval times.
This pretty town, sitting under a snowy mountain, has lots of candy shops and little stores. During Christmas time, there are sparkling lights and lovely markets too.
For three fun days in Switzerland, start in Lucerne. It’s a dreamy place with storybook buildings and a cool old bridge. Try chocolates from the cute shops and visit in winter to see the twinkly Christmas lights and markets.
#9 Düsseldorf, Germany
Düsseldorf is a cool and trendy city where old and new mix together nicely. When I visited this year, I was really surprised by how amazing it is. If you like museums, learning about different cultures, and drinking some tasty beer, then you should visit Düsseldorf. It’s a lively city by the Rhine River.
The Altstadt, or Old Town, in the city is famous because it has so many cafes, bars, and clubs close together that people call it the ‘longest bar in the world.’ On the edge of the city, you can find the Kaiserpfalz Kaiserswerth, which are really old ruins from the 12th century along the River Rhine.
Düsseldorf is a fun place where the old and new come together in a cool way. When I went there this year, I thought it was really amazing. If you like going to museums, learning about different cultures, and tasting yummy beer, you should check out Düsseldorf. It’s a lively city near the River Rhine.
The Old Town, called Altstadt, is known for having lots of cafes, bars, and clubs all close together. People even call it the ‘longest bar in the world.’ Just outside the city, there’s Kaiserpfalz Kaiserswerth, which are old ruins from the 12th century by the river.
#10 Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Luxembourg City, the capital of Luxembourg, is a little gem in Europe that people often overlook when traveling to nearby famous spots. This makes it one of the coolest places to explore this year because not many people know about it yet.
Tucked between France and Germany, the city has lots of cobblestone streets, old history, and adorable cafés where you can sit and enjoy a relaxing coffee. In other parts of Luxembourg, there’s always fun and culture close by.
You can travel across this small country in just a few hours because it has less than a million people. All buses and trains are free now, so it’s super easy to visit the palaces, castles, and vineyards in Luxembourg. These places are really pretty!
#11 Bergamo, Italy
Bergamo is like a secret treasure in Northern Italy that people usually miss because they go to Milan instead. The town has two parts: one at the bottom and one up high. The bottom area has lots of beautiful big buildings, but the top part is where the real magic happens.
Bergamo’s top part is like stepping into a storybook from a long time ago. The streets are like puzzles made of stones, and when you walk there, it’s like going on an adventure through history.
In old Bergamo, you can eat in a place that used to be a prison, which is kind of neat. You can also go up a big clock tower and see the whole city from way up high. Because it’s in such a good spot, Bergamo is a perfect place to start your adventures and explore all around the Lombardy area.
#12 Ghent, Belgium
Belgium is tucked between France, the Netherlands, and Germany. Even though not many people talk about visiting it, Belgium is a cool place you should definitely add to your list of places to see in Europe!
Ghent is a city not too far from Brussels, which is the capital of Belgium. It has winding streets in the old part of town, lots of places to grab a drink, and plenty of students having a good time.
When you visit the city, make sure to check out the Gravensteen, which is a real castle from the Middle Ages. And don’t forget to see the beautiful old church that’s now a food market called the Holy Food Market!
You can spend a few days discovering all the fun things to do in Belgium. You might visit lots of pretty churches or even trade your shoe for a drink at the Dulle Griet bar!
Exploring Ghent is like going on a treasure hunt. There are hidden places waiting to be discovered, like secret gardens or tiny streets. Each spot has a story, making the city feel like a magical adventure just for you.
#13 Maastricht, the Netherlands
When people think of the Netherlands, they usually picture the colorful tulip fields, the pretty canals in Leiden, and the cool city of Amsterdam. But there’s a lot more to explore in this amazing country.
Maastricht is a really cool city in the South of the Netherlands. It’s not as well-known as some other places, but it’s close to Belgium and Germany, making it special and different.
Maastricht has been around since Roman times and is full of cool, secret spots. You can visit a bookshop that’s inside an old church called Boekhandel Dominicanen. There’s even a place called the casemates, where a real-life hero named d’Artagnan fought his last battle.
In other parts of the city, there are lots of yummy places to eat that you won’t want to miss. Plus, the hills nearby are perfect for fun hikes if you like to walk and explore.
Check out more: Discovering the coolest things about Maastricht.
#14 Figueres, Spain
Most people who visit Spain always go to Barcelona because it’s the big city everyone talks about. But not everyone remembers to explore the other interesting places nearby.
But if you only stay in Barcelona, you might miss out. There are lots of fun day trips and weekend adventures you can go on, like walks in nature and visits to quiet little towns.
Want to Explore More?
One small city you can visit from Barcelona is Figueres. It’s a tiny place near the France border, with about 40,000 people living there.
When you visit, you should check out the Dali museum. It’s really cool! You can also take a short trip outside of town to see Castell de Sant Ferran, which is a big castle and not many people know about it.
You can learn more about Dalí when you visit Figueres. It’s like walking where he once did and seeing the places that inspired him.
