Close Menu
World Travel Blog
    • Airlines
    • Destinations
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Travel Deals
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Brazil Allows Gender Changes On Official Documents
    • Before You Book Your Summer Trip You May Want To Consider The Weakening U.S. Dollar
    • CDC Issues Travel Advisories For Countries With High Exposure Risk To Dengue Fever
    • Summer Fun In Provincetown
    • U.S. Sees Sharp Decline In Inbound Tourism
    • World’s Tallest Bridge To Open In China
    • Escape Plan: Hudson Valley, New York
    • Six Of The Best Walkable Cities Around The World
    Monday, June 16
    Facebook Instagram
    World Travel BlogWorld Travel Blog
    Subscribe
    • Airlines

      What You Need To Know About REAL ID

      May 7, 2025

      World’s Best Airports for 2025 Revealed

      April 25, 2025

      What You Need To Know About Japan Airlines’ Free Domestic Flight Program

      April 13, 2025

      European Union Delays New Digital Entry/Exit System

      October 27, 2024

      New Online United States Passport Renewal Program

      June 27, 2024
    • Destinations

      CDC Issues Travel Advisories For Countries With High Exposure Risk To Dengue Fever

      June 10, 2025

      Summer Fun In Provincetown

      June 4, 2025

      World’s Tallest Bridge To Open In China

      May 29, 2025

      Escape Plan: Hudson Valley, New York

      May 22, 2025

      A Guide To LGBTQ+ Washington, DC

      May 11, 2025
    • Events

      Summer Fun In Provincetown

      June 4, 2025

      The Key West Film Festival 2024!

      November 4, 2024

      Wonderful Wedding & Honeymoon Destinations Around The World

      August 29, 2024

      The Olympics Issues New Guidelines For Journalists Covering Trans Athletes In Paris

      June 23, 2024

      Pack Your Bags For The Malta Biennale!

      March 25, 2024
    • Hotels

      Six Best-Kept Secret Hotels to Book in 2025

      January 4, 2025

      Palm Springs Getaway!

      November 10, 2024

      The Growing Allure of Independent Accommodations

      September 14, 2024

      Your Hotel Concierge Is The Perfect Travel Guide

      April 30, 2024

      Airbnb Updates Its Cancellation Policy

      April 13, 2024
    • Restaurants

      Must-Visit Restaurants in Venice, Italy

      September 22, 2024

      The Growing Allure of Independent Accommodations

      September 14, 2024

      New ‘Everywhere is Queer’ App for LGBTQ Travelers

      July 19, 2024

      20 Top Cities for Vegans and Vegetarians

      October 5, 2023

      Apps To Help You Find The Best Restaurants

      September 22, 2023
    • Travel Deals

      Before You Book Your Summer Trip You May Want To Consider The Weakening U.S. Dollar

      June 13, 2025

      MSC Cruises Unveils New 22-Deck Ship in Florida

      April 24, 2025

      What You Need To Know About Japan Airlines’ Free Domestic Flight Program

      April 13, 2025

      Easy And Affordable Digital Nomad Visas

      February 27, 2025

      Affordable Destinations For Foodies

      February 25, 2025
    World Travel Blog
    Home»Destinations»Lesser-Known European Destinations For The Smart Traveler
    Destinations

    Lesser-Known European Destinations For The Smart Traveler

    Lauren MulveyBy Lauren MulveyMay 7, 20244 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Photo by Vlas Telino studio
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    It is understandable that you may want to take a vacation to many of the popular European cities in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany. These countries have beautiful and historical cities, incredible cuisine, and a lot of hype. But there are 27 countries in the European Union, and most are highly underrated. Though Europe has had no issue with drawing in tourists, the destinations featured here have flown under the radar for years. So swap out your annual trip to Paris or Rome, for one of these alternatives, and they might just surprise you.

    Albania

    You may want to check a few Balkan countries off your bucket list before they become the next hotspot destination. Countries like Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria and Romania are sneaking on to many a travel itinerary, renowned for their beautiful natural landscapes, cities nestled into valleys, and mountain-top views to remember for a lifetime. For now we recommend Albania as a location still semi-shielded from the effects of overtourism. Just last year, Lonely Planet called this country the “jewel” of the Balkans, and that may be because there’s something for every type of traveler here. Big cities, small towns, incredible hiking routes in nature, and the beautiful blue teal waters of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas offer up the perfect beach day.

     

    Sardinia 

    Sure, you could book your flight to Rome or Florence this year and have a wondrous adventure full of rich gelato and some of the world’s most beautiful architecture, but you can get much of the same in less crowded Sardinia, off the west coast of Italy. Though this island’s beaches still see plenty of tourism in the high season, if you catch this charming island in the early spring or autumn you won’t be overwhelmed by the masses. The breathtaking seaside landscapes compete with that of the Italian Riviera or the Amalfi Coast, and the cultural and culinary offerings are second to none.

     

    Liechtenstein

    The next time you’re budgeting for a trip, consider a small country tucked between Switzerland and Austria with just as much character. Liechtenstein, the world’s sixth smallest nation, is famous for medieval architecture, alpine landscapes, and hiking trails that connect the villages. The famous Liechtenstein Trail, launched in 2019, traverses the whole country for 75 km (about 46 miles). Throughout this hike discover beautiful villages, ancient farms and historical ruins.The best time to hike here is between April and October. According to The Travelers Buddy, Liechtenstein only receives about 80,000 visitors per year and is the least visited country in the E.U. so get there now before the word spreads!

     

    Madeira 

    This satellite island of Portugal may see its fair share of tourists at the height of summer, but it still offers a great alternative to more saturated destinations like Lisbon or the Algarve, and it gives a tropical vibe and temperate weather year round. Here you can enjoy plenty of outdoor adventures such as visiting waterfalls, hiking mountains, dolphin or whale watching, and more seaside activities. Views here compete with those of France’s southern coast, or Italy’s most beautiful seaside views. 

     

    Lithuania 

    Home to one of the oldest living languages on Earth, Lithuania is not a European country to miss. Located in Northeastern Europe along the shores of the Baltic Sea, this country has beautiful cities that are fantastically preserved. History looms large here and in Vilnius, the country’s most popular metropolitan area, you can find views that compete with that of cities like Vienna, Prague, and Budapest. Discover castles, wonderful museums, including one dedicated to beekeeping, and explore the green countryside and coursing rivers. Lithuania has a bit of something for everyone, and is a worthy stop for those looking to experience lesser-known EU countries.

     

    Featured Image: Castelsardo, Sardinia (Photo by Vlas Telino studio)

    destinations EU European destinations less crowded cities Lesser-Known European Destinations LGBTQ travel overtourism passport magazine smart travelers Tourism tourists travel destinations travel news travel tips underrated destinations
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleThe Largest Wildlife Crossing In The World Is Being Built in LA
    Next Article Venice, Italy Is Now Charging An Entry Fee For Tourists
    Lauren Mulvey

    Lauren Mulvey is a freelance writer based in upstate New York who specializes in regional travel, culture, and sustainability across the Hudson Valley and beyond.

    Related Posts

    Brazil Allows Gender Changes On Official Documents

    June 15, 2025

    Before You Book Your Summer Trip You May Want To Consider The Weakening U.S. Dollar

    June 13, 2025

    CDC Issues Travel Advisories For Countries With High Exposure Risk To Dengue Fever

    June 10, 2025
     
     
     
      
     
    Don't Miss It!

    Brazil Allows Gender Changes On Official Documents

    By Lauren MulveyJune 15, 2025

    Brazil’s Supreme Court has ruled that the federal government cannot require trans people to undergo…

    Before You Book Your Summer Trip You May Want To Consider The Weakening U.S. Dollar

    By Lauren MulveyJune 13, 2025

    At the end of May, the power of the U.S. dollar fell against several currencies…

    CDC Issues Travel Advisories For Countries With High Exposure Risk To Dengue Fever

    By Lauren MulveyJune 10, 2025

    The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued travel advisories for countries with…

    Our Latest

    Brazil Allows Gender Changes On Official Documents

    June 15, 2025

    Before You Book Your Summer Trip You May Want To Consider The Weakening U.S. Dollar

    June 13, 2025

    CDC Issues Travel Advisories For Countries With High Exposure Risk To Dengue Fever

    June 10, 2025

    Summer Fun In Provincetown

    June 4, 2025
    Editor's Pick!

    Movie Museums: Your Passport to Cinematic History

    By Amelia HarringtonSeptember 12, 2022

    For film buffs, historians, and curious travelers alike, there are many film museums across the…

    Travel Tips and Resources for LGBTQ+ Travelers

    July 20, 2022
    For You

    The Best Time to Book Your Christmas Holiday

    By Lauren MulveyOctober 2, 2023

    New information has come out on when the best time to book holiday travel is,…

    Everything You Need to Know About Vacation Rentals

    By Amelia HarringtonJuly 26, 2022

    Beginning with the rise of major booking platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo, vacation rentals…

    © 2025 The World Travel Blog — USA
    • Destinations
    • Events
    • Health
    • Travel
    • Global Cocktails Blog

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Ad Blocker Enabled!
    Ad Blocker Enabled!
    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please support us by disabling your Ad Blocker.