Europe is regarded as a hotspot for visitors, both local and international. And to be honest, no one is surprised by this. The land is home to some of the most fantastic, awe-inspiring, and attractive travel destinations globally. Being extremely versatile, European destinations offer various genres of attractions, including art, culture, food, history, and architecture. Although some sites, like Rome and Venice, have garnered mass fame over the years, other places have more or less been ignored. However, this does not mean that they are inferior in any regard. These hidden gems are waiting for you to be explored, offering much more than what you get in the traditional top picks.
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If you are wondering which might be the best-hidden gems in Europe, find the list below that identifies the top underrated places to visit in Europe.
1. Kutna Hora, Czech Republic
If you are looking to travel somewhere that complements your eccentric personality or just entertains you in a non-traditional manner, Kutna Hora is the European hidden gem for you. A destination right out of your wildest imaginations, Kutna Hora, has several unique tricks up its sleeves that will leave you in awe. Even though you might associate politeness and subtlety with Czech towns, owing to the popular image of Prague, you will be forced to change your perception the minute you get into exploring this city.
Start your tour of Kutna Hora by visiting its bone cathedral. While the legend varies how people decided to adorn the cathedral with the bones of thousands of dead, it does not affect the place’s daunting yet appealing charm. Dating to the 14th century, this 2-story church was a burial site for Plague victims, with over 40,000 sets of bones. These bones were ultimately removed from the ground and used as ornaments for the church. Exploring the building would not only allow you a bone-chilling experience but will also allow you the fantastic opportunity to witness the architecture of a hundreds-of-years-old building. Isn’t that a treat? Speaking of architecture – Kutna Hora is a gem if you are an architectural enthusiast, with several spectacular Gothic buildings in town, like the St. Barbara church.
Other than this, there are several more exciting activities you can participate in while here, like taking a beer bath, staying in luxury tents, and exploring the surrounding lush woodlands. It truly is an underrated place to visit and should definitely be on your travel list.
Travel Guide to Kutna Hora:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Kutna Hora from Prague. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Prague or in Kutna Hora to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Kutna Hora itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Kutna Hora, one of the best European hidden gems in addition to what already mentioned here.
2. Mantua, Italy
Why Mantua is not on everyone’s travel list is beyond comprehension. It is a shame that this European hidden gem is overshadowed by the limelight of more popular Italian cities like Rome and Venice. However, if you look at the brighter side, Mantua being an underrated place to visit translates into it not having thongs of crowds. Therefore, you have the best of both worlds – enjoy the classic elements of art, food, nature, and architecture that Italy is famous for, and explore everything peacefully, without having to rustle with crowds.
Quintessentially Italian, Mantua is home to fantastic architectural displays that speak of the creative ingenious of those who lived here hundreds of years ago. Several castles, churches, and cathedrals demonstrate various structural design influences, like Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Romanesque, presenting you the fantastic opportunity to experience the most out of your trip. You should make visits to Basilica di Sant’Andrea, the Ducal Palace, and Rotonda di San Lorenzo. If you combine your architectural and art-based explorations with the local food experience and you will be forced to admit that Mantua is, in fact, one of the best-hidden gems in Europe.
Travel Guide to Mantua:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Mantua. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Mantua to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Mantua itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Mantua, one of the best European hidden gems, in addition to what already mentioned here.
3. Cuenca, Spain
Cuenca might just be the most underrated place to visit in Spain, a European hidden gem very few pay much heed to. Although one may say that this is the destination you should head to if you are looking for history, architecture, and hiking experiences packaged into one bundle, this still would be an understatement. Cuenca’s charm and appeal are inexplicable via words, for its offerings are meant to be witnessed by one’s own eyes.
Perhaps the most fascinating attractions in the city are the Casas Colgadas, which should be on the top of your list of things to do and see while you are here. Casas Colgadas is a complex of houses created in the Middle Ages to tackle the problem of housing the growing population in the area by maximizing habitable space. These houses jutted out on a high ridge give the appearance that they are hanging in mid-air, something that is regarded as an ultimate mark of ingeniousness and innovation. Although these structures do not inhabit people, they hold modern art galleries that allow you to view the contemporary Spanish art culture with a view of the river gorge. It is a breathtaking spectacle and a must-visit for everyone.
Furthermore, if you wish to explore local architecture further, you can head to its historic cathedral, which too is a delight to witness. However, if you are more into exploring the offerings of mother nature, you should set out on a hike, which will let you see the many gores, rocky cliffs, and hills in the locality.
Travel Guide to Cuenca:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Cuenca. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Cuenca to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Cuenca itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Cuenca, one of the best European hidden gems, in addition to what already mentioned here.
4. Bohinj, Slovenia
It is not every day that you get the chance to travel to a destination that is not only gorgeous and commendable in its attractions but also applauded for its sustainable development and commitment to a healthy future. Bohinj is one such place and seems to be fairing excellently in this department. Having been nominated for its sustainability efforts several times now, you know that your trip here would be both enjoyable and not hard on your conscience.
When in town, you must not miss the opportunity to see the Triglav National Park. The park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site and home to over 7000 animal and 1600 plant species. Walking through the park and exploring its variety of flora and fauna is always a rewarding experience that stays on with visitors for very long times. Being a hidden gem in Europe means that the region is sheltered from the large influx of visitors, allowing you the chance to feel like a local in Slovenia. Such experiences in Europe are by far few and should be seized whenever there is an opportunity.
Bohinj is also a fantastic destination if you are into adventures. Since it enjoys an alpine background and a lake, it provides a host of exciting and refreshing activities like skiing, horse riding, cycling, and several water sports. Make sure to participate in them, for there is no better way to observe the location’s remarkable beauty!
Travel Guide to Bohinj:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Bohinj. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Bohinj to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Bohinj itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Bohinj, one of the best European hidden gems, in addition to what already mentioned here.
5. Cefalu, Italy
Cefalu is another Europe hidden gems that visitors to Italy always miss. One may blame the popularity of other famous cities in the country for this. But again, being one of the least trodden paths in Italy, Cefalu provides an authentic and uncontaminated local experience to its visitors.
Old town experience, remarkable architecture, fine dining, and sandy beaches – there is nothing that you name and find it absent in this destination. Cefalu has an incredible history, with the first settlements having emerged here as early as 1550 BCE. Over the centuries, the city was ruled by the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, and Normans, leaving behind their elements. For instance, you can visit the Tempio di Diana, one of the earliest built temples in the world. It is a fascinating structure of interlocking stones and is testimony to the religiosity of the early people.
Other popular religious sites here include Santo Stefano, Chiesa di Mart SS Della Catena, the city’s cathedral. Also, do not forget to spend some relaxing time at the local beach, which itself is a gem, owing to its long, curved stretch of golden sands and clean waters. Sunsets at this beach are unmissable, so remember to stay back to witness one!
Travel Guide to Cefalu:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Cefalu. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Cefalu to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Cefalu itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Cefalu, one of the best European hidden gems, in addition to what already mentioned here.
Video Guide: 5 Underrated Cities to Visit in Europe
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Travel Resources for Planning a Trip to Europe Hidden Gems
To make planning your trip to any of these Europe hidden gems easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do in each destination during your trip.
Flights:
Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.
CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator
Train: EuroRail, Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportations and transfers options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
Need help planning a trip to visit Europe hidden gems?
Want to plan a trip to these Europe hidden gems but don’t know where to begin? If you find this type of trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!
At MultiCityTrips, multi-destination travel and complicated itineraries such as a trip to Europe hidden gems & underrated destinations are our specialties. Contact us today to learn more about how one of our experienced travel experts/destination specialists can personalize your multi-city vacations at the best price.
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