Unveil Europe’s hidden gems with our expertly curated guide! Explore 16 secret must-see spots that promise unforgettable memories. Read more to start planning!
Sure! Here’s the rewritten paragraph:
Lots of people know cities like Rome, Paris, and London. But this list is about exciting places you might not have heard of. Some are big cities, and some are small towns.
Are you thinking about a trip to Europe? Take a look at this cool article that has the top 11 travel plans for exploring Europe.
Undiscovered European Treasures
Italy’s Hidden Gems of Europe
Taormina, Italy – Sicily is a big island near the bottom of Italy. It’s full of secret spots, and one of the sweetest towns there is Taormina. It kind of feels like Positano, but way less busy. Sure, there are still lots of people around, but it’s a lovely place that not many have seen, so it’s worth visiting.
Stay overnight so you can enjoy the town in the evening and early morning, when the cruise ship crowds aren’t there!
Procida, Italy – People know Naples, and many have heard of Ischia, but not a lot of people know about Procida, a small island near Ischia. It’s like a hidden treasure with charming streets, tasty seafood, and beautiful beaches where you can swim easily.
If you go up to the top of the city, you’ll see amazing views all around you.
Varenna, Italy – Varenna is like Bellagio’s smaller, quieter sister. You can easily hop on a ferry between the two, so there’s no need to stress about timing. Varenna is cute, with pretty views of the water and charming streets. It’s not as crowded, which makes it a special secret spot to visit.
Tip: Stay at the Hotel Villa Cipressi in Varenna for the night. You can take a ferry to visit Bellagio when you feel like exploring it.
Corniglia, Italy – Many people have seen the Cinque Terre villages like Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore, Vernazza, and Manarola, but not everyone knows about Corniglia.
This village is special because it’s not right by the sea. Instead, you have to climb a lot of steps to get there. Once you arrive, you’ll find little streets and beautiful views of the ocean.
Camogli, Italy – Camogli is a small town by the sea in the Genoa area, and it’s like a secret treasure of Europe.
Not many tourists know about it, so it’s perfect if you want to see a real Italian town, mostly visited by local people. You’ll find hardly any Americans and just a few Europeans. The town is full of tasty restaurants, and you can enjoy delicious fresh pasta everywhere.
Maybe think about staying somewhere where you can see the water and the little town, like Hotel Cenobio Dei Dogi.
Tromsø, Norway – Tromsø is like a snowy wonderland up in Norway and feels like a hidden gem. It’s an amazing place to watch the Northern Lights dance in the sky. This cozy city is far up north, about a 4-hour plane trip from Oslo.
While it might seem small, it’s actually one of the bigger towns in the area. Tromsø is truly special in winter, especially when it starts to snow. Walking through the streets with snowflakes around you feels like a magic land.
Tip: Winter is the best time to visit. You can see the Northern Lights and have fun sledding with dogs or reindeer.
Évora, Portugal – Évora is a special place in the Alentejo region of Portugal. It’s an old city with lots of charm and character. It’s bigger than the nearby villages, so you might see more visitors there. The cathedral in Évora is a cool spot where you can see the whole city from up high.
Tip: Visit Évora along with another city in Alentejo because these towns are small and you can see them quickly.
Monsaraz, Portugal – Say it like “mon-sa-raj” and you’ll be talking about this lovely spot in Alentejo. Monsaraz is a must-see village with its narrow alleys, stone streets, and white-painted houses. You can explore this charming place in just a few hours, so it’s great for a quick road trip stop.
Tip: When you enter the city, look to your left, and you’ll see Thierry’s shop. Stop in and buy some herbs from him.
Aveiro, Portugal – Imagine a place that’s like a secret treasure. Not many people know about it yet. Aveiro is a small town full of interesting things and kind people. There’s so much to explore all around it.
Tip: Stay in Aveiro and take some time to see Costa Nova, where all the houses have cool stripes. Also, visit Agueda, where you’ll find lots of colorful umbrellas hanging above the streets.
Cordes sur Ciel, France – Imagine walking into a story from the past. This old town in southwest France is like a hidden secret.
People usually think about places like Paris or Marseille when they talk about France, so not many know about this special place.
Tip: You can visit another town nearby in southwest France, but if you decide to sleep over, stay at La Maison au Puits. It’s a nicely fixed-up hotel just a short 10-minute walk from Cordes sur Ciel.
Saint Cirq Lapopie, France – Some places in France are more famous, but this small town in southwest France is special. Unlike Cordes sur Ciel, lots of people come here.
Big buses bring visitors, so it’s not the most secret place, but still, not everyone knows about it. The town is charming, with tiny paths to explore and a stunning view. If you visit on Bastille Day, you’ll see why it’s such a great place to be!
Tip: Start your adventure from this village to see more small towns in southwest France. If you think this village and Cordes sur Ciel look adorable, you’ll love our top 3 secret village picks: 5 Hidden Villages in Southwest France.
Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland – Lauterbrunnen might not be a secret place, but it’s really special. It has a big waterfall right in the middle of the town, which makes it different from other places in Switzerland. When you get there, you’ll see so much beauty around you, and you’ll probably just stand and stare because it’s that amazing.
Suggestion: Hop on the cable car to Murren and start your walk to Gimmelwald. It’s a bit more of a secret spot compared to Lauterbrunnen and might be even more special to explore.
Antiparos, Greece – This tiny island is right next to Paros, which is a bigger and well-known place. It takes just a quick 10-minute ferry ride to get there from Paros. Antiparos has its own special feel, with charming spots and lots of sandy beaches to enjoy!
Milos, Greece – A few years ago, Milos was a hidden treasure, but now more people know about it. Still, it holds a special place in my heart because everything about it felt like home.
The friendly Greek people, tasty food, and wonderful beaches make it a great place to visit. It’s safe, and if you haven’t been there yet, you should go see it for yourself.
When you visit, try getting a small bike or scooter. It helps you explore the island easily and makes everything more fun.
Kinsale, Ireland – Kinsale is a lively town in Ireland, full of life and lots of colors. When you arrive, it feels like walking into a bright storybook with its orange, yellow, and blue buildings. It’s a charming spot and perfect to include on your trip around Ireland.
You might want to visit Cobh along with Kinsale. It’s fun to see both places together!
This post has special links you can click on.
