Underrated European Destinations That You Should Visit

Europe is filled with cities and destinations that are rich in culture, history, art, architecture and natural beauty and can easily leave anyone speechless. Usually, when people think of going on Europe Tours, they want to visit the more well-known places like London, Paris, Rome, Venice, Prague, etc. However, there is much more to see in Europe than just those cities. There are plenty of gorgeous places in Europe that are surprisingly overlooked. Whereas, these are the places people should visit if they want to get the real taste of a European lifestyle. The Pristine natural sites, archaeological wonder and historical values of these destinations will astound you. Here are 8 of the most underrated European destinations.

Krakow, Poland

If you are ever in Poland, make sure to visit its oldest, second largest and the former capital city of the country, Krakow. Just near the borders of the Czech Republic in the southern part of the country, this place is packed with several gorgeous architectural creations and historical sites.

Krakow, once the capital, has been the centre of Polish economic, cultural, and artistic life since the 7th century. The city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and was once nominated as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. If you want to explore all the wonders of this place, then you will definitely need to keep a few days on hand. Just don’t forget to pay a visit to St. Mary’s Basilica, Schindler’s factory, Market Square or the castle up on Wawel Hill, where you can enjoy a sweeping view of the entire city.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Looking for the perfect fall getaway, but one that is less crowded? Well then, have you considered Lake Bled in Slovenia? Located in the Julian Alps of the Upper Carniolan region of Northwestern Slovenia, the lake is connected to the town of Bled. It is without a doubt the number 1 tourist destination of Slovenia. And during Autumn the lake and its surrounding get enveloped by the most beautiful reddish-yellow fall attire as the weather get cooler.

Just 30 minutes from the capital Ljubljana, this resort town becomes mesmerising thanks to the picturesque building, nature and of course the lake itself. In the middle of winter, you can always hire a row boat to venture out into the enchanting Bled Island. Located at the centre of the lake, the island can be seen from miles away as the gorgeous assumption of Maria Church stands tall on top of it. While here, don’t forget to admire the 12th-century Bled Castle, then hike to the nearby waterfalls, or just enjoy the world-famous Slovenian cuisine that can keep you warm during the cold weather.

Tallinn, Estonia 

Tallinn, the capital and cultural hub of Estonia, is such a fantastic city which is located on the Baltic Sea. The city has maintained and preserved the cobblestoned Old Town as well as a 15th-century defensive tower, Kiek in de Kök. the town hall also resembles Gothic architecture and sits in the historic main square of Tallinn dating back to the 13th century.

Another important landmark that highlights ecclesiastical art is the 13th-century St. Nicholas Church. One truly has to wonder, why this city full of history and culture with so much to explore is still one of the underrated European destinations.

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Although among the many European countries Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country which is underrated as a whole, the number of tourists visiting the country’s capital, Sarajevo, will still shock you. It is without a doubt the most fascinating and soulful city in the entire country. Furnished with a unique blend of Austro-European architecture, you will never come across another city that features mosques, synagogues and churches in such close proximation symbolizing the persistent harmony of the city.

The fascinating part of the city comes from the way people here spend their days. Sipping a sand-heated Bosnian coffee in small tea houses, shopping at the Old Bazaar or admiring the majestic architecture of the town hall, is just a casual part of their daily routine that takes visitors on a journey of senses.

Rila, Bulgaria

In the Southwestern part of Bulgaria, one of the most underrated European destinations is located in a mountainous region at the foot of the Rila Mountains, the town of Rila. And about 20 km away from the town lies the most famous and stunning monastery in Bulgaria.

It contains the uninterrupted history of Bulgaria dating back to the middle ages. It is also known as the Jerusalem of Bulgaria. There are plenty of places for tourists to visit in Rila, but the significance of this monastery as the spiritual and literary centre of the Bulgarian national revival is indescribable.

Matera, Italy

In 2019, the city of Matera, Italy, was named the European Capital of Culture. So believing that this is one of the most underrated European destinations must be very hard. This Subterranean City is among the oldest cities in the world which were continuously inhabited throughout its history. 

The 9,000-year-old cave dwellings, the Sassi di Matera districts, are located here and are a prominent tourist attraction that gives you a glimpse of the unique way people used to live in the city. The unique architecture allows it to stay cool during summer and warm in the winter. It was named UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year of 1993. 

Pristina, Kosovo

Next to Albania, you will find the capital and the largest city of Kosovo. Though it is the largest city of Kosovo, it is still comparatively quite small and most of the time, overlooked. But if you ever come across this city, you will be thoroughly entertained by the trendy bars and cafes that exude the aura of the ones located in the London suburbs.

The city has a youthful and weekend city break vibe to it with vibrant nightlife seven days a week, since the median age is under 30. And the architectural sites here are pristine and so uncommon befitting to its name.

Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

Prague may be the crown jewel of the Czech Republic, but the small town of Český Krumlov in the south is just as breathtaking as the prior. Covered in the vail of old-world fairy-tale charm without all the crowd. Located in the South Bohemia region of the country, the town is bisected by the Vltava River and set around the 13th-century castle which features prominent Gothic, renaissance and baroque elements and provides a panoramic view of the small town from its belltower.

Some parts of the town can only be defined as Quaint. It is also packed with interesting historical facts as it survived the World War II bombing and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is an absolute ca n’t-miss destination while visiting the Czech Republic, whether it be summer or winter.

If this article ignited your interest in visiting such fascinating yet underrated European destinations, then hurry up and book your flight through NCL Tours.