These destinations offer everything you want for your vacation, without the hordes of tourists.
Paris is great, Amsterdam is great, and Rome is lovely too. But if youre seeking a less touristy destination for your next holiday or want to discover something new, there are many more beautiful places, cities, islands and unexplored regions that can offer you unforgettable experiences. Time Out gathered a list of the most underrated travel destinations in Europe for 2025, and we’ve handpicked ten of them to present to you.
Aarhus, Denmark
Aarhus is Denmark’s second-largest city, yet it’s often overshadowed by its big sister, Copenhagen. This charming small city, threaded with dozens of canals and buzzing with youthful energy thanks to its thousands of students, is, according to the Institute for Quality of Life, the happiest city on the planet in the Happy City Index 2024. With contemporary architecture, unique museums and festivals, Aarhus is an ideal destination for art lovers. AroS is one of Europe’s largest museums, and its futuristic building impresses. What’s more, the city boasts a very interesting and dynamic culinary scene that will delight lovers of great food.
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Philippopolis or Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-largest city, has plenty to offer the traveler. The range of historical sights is remarkable, while the options for food and drink suit every taste. Plovdiv’s Old Town, with its beautiful cobbled streets, is the highlight, while the immaculately preserved Roman Theatre of Plovdiv stands proudly above the city offering impressive views.
Bergen, Norway
Nestled between imposing mountains and dramatic fjords, with a colorful collage of wooden houses, Bergen feels like it has stepped out of a fairytale. It’s Norway’s second-largest city and sits on the country’s western coast. The city’s famed fish market is perhaps the biggest draw for tourists. Picturesque Bryggen, Bergen’s old wharf with its distinctive architecture, has a 900-year history and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Must is the funicular ride up Mount Floyen, as well as a fjord cruise- nearby Sognefjord is Norway’s largest fjord by area.
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
The largest city in Transylvania and the country’s second largest, in its northwestern part, Cluj-Napoca or Cluj (as it’s better known) exudes a relaxed feel compared with other cities in Romania. That’s due in part to the thousands of students who study here. The city hosts the renowned Transylvania International Film Festival, as well as the popular Electric Castle and Untold festivals that draw big crowds. If you’re planning a winter trip, note that the city also hosts Romania’s best Christmas market.
Tartu, Estonia
One of the three European Capitals of Culture for 2024, Tartu is the creative, intellectual hub of the Baltics, with city life revolving around its famous 17th-century university. Wander the streets, pausing at bustling cafés and admiring the experimental architecture. In summer, open-air festivals like Tartuff, dedicated to romantic films, and the IDeeJazz festival are the absolute highlights. If you’re after a winter getaway, visit Tartu in December, when an entire Christmas town is set up within the city, lighting up the nights with sparkling glass houses and ice rinks.
Faroe Islands
The 18 islets of the North Atlantic, between Scotland and Iceland, are like nowhere else in Europe. Narrow fjords, small wooden houses with grass roofs, lighthouses, roaring waterfalls and colorful villages inspire photographers andcaptivate true travelers. The Faroe Islands are among the destinations that have set limits on visitor numbers to protect themselves from the effects of overtourism. So, if you want to see the famous Múlafossur waterfall pouring directly into the wild waters of the North Atlantic, against a backdrop of colorful little houses and sheep grazing without a care, you’ll need to plan your trip well in advance.
Vilnius, Lithuania
The capital of Lithuania remains one of the most unknown cities in Europe. However, there are many reasons to choose Vilnius for your holiday. The city has a beautiful, well-preserved historic center rich in landmarks, an artistic atmosphere, lots of greenery (it’s considered one of Europe’s greenest capitals), original street art on every corner and a vibrancy many metropolises would envy.
Extremadura, Spain
In a country known for its beaches, it’s hard for an inland destination to stand out - especially one without big cities. That’s why, even if you’ve visited Spain, you probably don’t know the region of Extremadura, on the border with Portugal. A region that boasts everything from biosphere reserves and a UNESCO-recognized geopark to cultural heritage monuments, such as the ancient Roman amphitheatre in Mérida and the enchanting historic quarter of Cáceres. Then there are the hearty local dishes that linger in visitors’ memories. Extremadura truly has it all, except for the tourist hordes.
Emilia-Romagna, Italy
From the ancient city of Ravenna with its eight UNESCO World Heritage monuments and the capital Bologna with its medieval porticoes and distinctive cuisine (this is where Bolognese sauce, mortadella, tortellini and tagliatelle were born) to the Ferrari museums and the seaside towns of Rimini and Cattolica, the Emilia-Romagna region promises rich travel experiences.
Ponza, Italy
With small fishing villages, a charming harbor with cafés and trattorias, beaches with turquoise waters, wonderful caves to explore and hiking trails, Ponza is an island that remains off the tourist radar. Despite the hugeyachts you’ll see in the harbor, the island’s atmosphereis calm and relaxing. Here you’ll swim at one of Italy’s most beautiful beaches, Chiaia di Luna, which impresses with its lunar landscape. The island lies between Naples and Rome in theTyrrhenian Seaand you can visit it by hydrofoil or by ferry from the towns of Anzio, Formia and San Felice Circeo or from Naples.
