When travellers usually decide to head to Europe on their next holiday, they tend to stick to the capital cities and major tourist attractions.

However, there is a lot to be said for going off the beaten track and exploring hidden gems.

Time Out has made your next European getaway even easier, compiling a list of the 21 most underrated destinations to put on your 2025 travel bucket list.

The influential guide shared their arguments for exploring the lesser known corners of Europe, writing, “This summer saw a series of anti-tourism demonstrations in European hotspots, as locals reached breaking point with years of overtourism; Amsterdam is cracking down on new hotels, Venice is set to double its tourist tax in 2025.”

“So there’s never been a better time to think outside the box for your travels – especially when so many incredible European spots are getting overlooked.”

“These destinations have got everything you want from your next holiday, with the added bonus of far fewer people jostling to see the same attractions.”

Coming in at number one on the list is the hidden gem of Ulcinj in Montenegro, which is located at the southern tip of the country.

According to the Time out guide, Ulcinj “provides a different vibe to the more celebrated spots up north. Ulcinj’s Old Town is arguably the most dramatically situated in the country, and its beaches provide excitement and serenity in equal measure.”

Check out the entire list of 21 underrated European destinations below.

21. Ponza, Italy

20. Pamukkale, Turkey

19. Isles of Scilly, UK

18. Landes, France

17. Dordrecht, Netherlands

16. Imotski Lakes, Croatia

15. Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

14. Vilnius, Lithuania

13. Faroe Islands

12. Extremadura, Spain

11. Tartu, Estonia

10. Emilia-Romagna, Italy

9. Cluj-Napoca, Romania

8. Bergen, Norway

7. Levi, Finnish Lapland

6. Plovdiv, Bulgaria

5. Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland

4. Gozo, Malta

3. Gerês, Portugal

2. Aarhus, Denmark

1. Ulcinj, Montenegro

Image credits: Shutterstock

Never miss a deal again - sign up now!

Connect with us: