Europe might just be the best continent to live on for travelers. As I approach my fifth year living here, I’ve jumped at countless adventures and taken advantage of exploring all it has to offer. That being said, I keep uncovering more places I want to visit, but also found a few places I’d like to visit again (and again)!
Outsiders often hear about the same places to visit like Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, among others which are nice in their own way, but there’s something special about places a bit off the beaten path. Although not free of tourism, this list includes 15 of my favorite places in Europe.
1. Dolomites, Italy
People always talk about the Alps, which are nothing short of spectacular, but rarely is the focus on the Italian portion. The Dolomites are found in northeast Italy and a unique place to visit. From the breathtaking views, cute towns, and abundance of mountain huts, it’s an easy spot to visit in any season. Be sure to plan outdoor activities here, whether it’s hiking, cycling, via ferrata, paragliding, skiing or something else to get make the most of a trip in the Dolomites.
2. Madeira, Portugal
Madeira is nothing short of a Portuguese paradise. Found about 1000 km southwest off the coast of Portugal, the island has a lot to offer. With mountains, waterfalls, beaches, quaint towns, and delicious cuisine, there’s something for everyone. The island itself is not very large, but has a lot to explore and is perfect for a week long getaway.
3. Bernese Alps, Switzerland
It’s no secret the Swiss Alps are a bucket list place for many to visit. As the Alps make up over 60% of Switzerland, there’s a lot of different places to enjoy the mountains. The Bernese Alps are the section of the Alps nestled between the cities of Bern and Lucerne when looking at a map, are is filled with gorgeous hiking trails, cycling roads and alpine lakes to take a swim in.
4. Mallorca, Spain
The largest of Spain’s Balearic islands, Mallorca has a bit of it all. From quaint Spanish villages to mountains to gorgeous beach coves, it’s a place easy to come back to time and time again. If you’re a cyclist, it is a must visit as the roads are smooth and the island is very cyclist friendly.
5. Zillertal Alps, Austria
The Austrian Alps may not be as grand as the Swiss alps, or as unique as the Dolomites, but they are special in their own way. It’s a perfect place for a hiking getaway in the late summer and autumn months with cozy huts to enjoy some of the tyrol cuisine including käsespätzle, tiroler gröstl, kaiserschmarrn, and apple strudel.
6. Milos, Greece
Part of the Cyclades island group, Milos doesn’t have the same attention as Santorini or Mykonos (yet) but is definitely growing in popularity. The island has beautiful beaches, cute fishing villages, incredible sunsets, and options for good Greek cuisine at affordable prices. If you can only visit one Greek island, Milos should be your pick.
7. San Sebastian, Spain
Found in the north of Spain in the Basque Country, San Sebastian is a city on the water. With its own beach for chilling or surfing, and known for having a high concentration of Michelin-star restaurants in the city, it’s a unique city to visit. Spend some time in the city, and then rent a car to explore more of the Basque Country.
8. Chamonix, France
Chamonix is not only an ideal place to access the French Alps, but also is a vibrant town with lots of cafes, restaurants, bars and shops to explore. It’s a dream destination for the outdoor enthusiasts in both the summer and winter months with skiing, cycling, hiking, trail running, and more activities to stay entertained.
9. Puglia, Italy
When looking at a map of Italy, Puglia is located in the heel of the boot. It’s a destination visited more often by Italians on their holiday, evidencing it being approved by the locals. In the south of Italy, it’s a more relaxed pace of life so plan to spend time visiting beaches, sipping wine in the little Italian villages, or enjoying a farm to table meal at a masseria.
10. Provence, France
A roadtrip through the south of France is one for everyone’s bucket list. The area is well known for rose wine, but there’s so much to see here. Plan to drive through the beautiful countryside with lavender fields and vineyards, stay in the quaint French villages, lounge on the Cote d’azur (French Riviera), and enjoy the French cuisine to make the most of a holiday in Provence.
11. Vevey, Switzerland
On the French side of Switzerland, this is a hidden gem on Lake Geneva. While many will go to the city of Geneva, it’s actually much nicer to take a train outside of Geneva to Vevey, or one of its neighboring towns. The views over the lake onto the French Alps on the other side of the lake are breathtaking. Not to mention, there’s also a lot of vineyards in this area to visit for a glass of wine overlooking the lake and mountains.
12. Lake Bled, Slovenia
Slovenia as a whole is a very underrated country to visit, with stunning scenery, interesting history, and residents who love their home. Lake Bled is and the area around it is great for hiking, cycling and general exploring.
13. Italian Riviera
The coastline of northwest Italy is one not to pass up. Many come to this area to visit Cinque Terre, but often do not realize there is a lot more to enjoy in this part of Italy. The other coastal towns are great for a relaxed vacation so do not miss places like Santa Margherita Ligure and Camogli.
14. Porto, Portugal
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal, located on the Douro river. The hilly city is a great place to spend a long weekend leaning into the Portuguese culture. One of my favorite activities while visiting Porto was getting a day-trip out of the city to the Douro valley and taking a wine tour to visit a few local wineries.
15. Isle of Skye, Scotland
People often speak of the Scottish Highlands, and with good reason, but the Isle of Skye can be a little more challenging to reach than other areas of the Highlands. Once there, you’ll be rewarded with lush, green landscapes, thanks to the frequent rainfall in Scotland (so do not forget your umbrella). It’s an ideal place for hiking or setting out on a scenic road trip in the summer when you’re rewarded with long hours of daylight.
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