21 Underrated Spots In Europe That Should Be On Your Bucket List

Think quiet cobblestone streets, empty white beaches, and amazing local food you've never even heard of.

Hannah Wong / BuzzFeed / Jemima Skelley / Instagram: @jemimaskelley / Getty Images

1. Gdansk, Poland

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A quiet city on the north coast of Poland, Gdansk has a more chilled-out vibe than the rest of the country. It's packed with hipster coffee joints, small authentic eateries, and super-cool bars. Most of the city was destroyed during World War II and has been completely rebuilt in the same style, so if you're into architecture and history, you'll be in heaven.

2. Durmitor National Park, Montenegro

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If you're into hiking and nature, this is the place for you. Much quieter than a lot of other national parks in Europe, Durmitor is endless rolling hills, imposing craggy mountains, and cute towns and villages. Short hikes will take you to emerald green lakes, and longer ones will take you up and over peaks that give amazing views. Otherwise stay in town and go rafting, skiing, kayaking, ziplining...or just chill out by the fire eating and drinking. The options are endless.

3. Rovinj, Croatia

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Everyone hits up Dubrovnik for Game of Thrones pics, or Split for island-hopping — but hardly anyone takes their trip up to the northern part of Croatia's coastline. It's a little harder to access, but that's just a perfect excuse for a road trip. Up here you'll find a ton of wineries and the cute little seaside towns the country is known for. It's also a lot cheaper than other cities, so get ready for $5 cocktails all night long.

4. Thessaloniki, Greece

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Thessaloniki is like Athens' fun, cheaper younger sibling. The capital is for bus tours and sightseeing, while this smaller coastal city is for eating delicious food, partying 'til dawn, and spending lazy days on the beach. The prices and vibe of the city reflect its large student population (it has five universities) so budget travelers will be in heaven. Explore the winding, colorful streets of the old town, have a sunset drink on the floating bars that head out every hour, head into the mountains for a hike, or take the ferry to a secluded beach for a day trip.

5. Himarë, Albania

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Albania's coastline really is Europe's best-kept secret. While the summer crowds flock to Italy, the south of France, and the Greek Islands, the beaches of Albania lie pristine and empty. The water is bluer and clearer than you've ever seen before, and the weather is perfect. From the town of Himarë you can charter a boat (it's extremely cheap) to visit all the sandy coves and frolic in the water all on your own. Oh, and just in case you weren't convinced...wine is only $1 a glass in most bars.

6. Pristina, Kosovo

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Right next to Albania you'll find the small, often overlooked country of Kosovo. The capital, Pristina, is a trendy city with bars and cafés that wouldn't look out of place in a trendy London suburb. The population's median age is under 30, so the vibe is youthful and the nightlife thrives every day of the week. It's the perfect place for a weekend city break.

7. High Tatras, Slovakia

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In summer it's a great destination for hiking and water activities, and in winter it's one of the cheapest skiing spots in Europe. The striking mountain landscapes here are breathtaking, and about a hundred times cheaper and less busy than France or Switzerland. Base yourself in a town like Ždiar, where you'll find trailheads for many hikes and access to ski fields.

8. Riga, Latvia

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People often forget about the Baltic countries when planning a European trip, but you need to add Latvia onto your radar. Riga, the capital city, has all the cute charm of Paris and the big-city energy of NYC. Don't be fooled by the imposing Gothic architecture — Riga has a cool underground art scene and really fun nightlife.

9. Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

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Prague is a charming and beautiful city, but it's packed with tour bus groups and bachelor parties. Meanwhile, Český Krumlov, a small town in the south, has the same old-world fairy-tale charm without all the hustle and bustle. Set around the cutest little castle and bisected by a river, it's literally the definition of "quaint." In summer you can picnic by the water then enjoy a local beer in the outdoor bars. In winter, you'll find the town blanketed in snow and looking like a Christmas card.

10. The Hague, Netherlands

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Everyone flocks to Amsterdam when visiting the Netherlands, and most other cities fall off the radar. But it's time for the Hague, a small city on the western coast, to start getting more attention. It's got a thriving cultural scene as well as a ton of great restaurants and eateries for all the foodie travelers out there. Of course, it's best explored on a bike, and be sure to spend a day down by the seaside with a picnic.

11. Taormina, Italy

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It's hard to imagine that any part of Italy could be considered "underrated," but Taormina, a town on the island of Sicily, might just be one of the best spots in the country. Nestled on a hillside, overlooking sparkling blue water and volcanic rocks, this town really is a slice of paradise. Once you add Italian food and wine into that mix, you'll never want to leave.

12. The Azores, Portugal

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These isolated islands about a two-hour flight from Lisbon serve up incredibly dramatic landscapes that'll make you feel like you're on Lost. Hike up volcanic cliffs and swim in clear blue water teeming with marine life. Or just chill the hell out on the beach and soak up all the nature vibes.

13. Ohrid, North Macedonia

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A small town on the banks of Lake Ohrid, this destination has it all. In summer it's a holiday hotspot for residents of the Balkans, so it's full of great restaurants and waterfront clubs. Just outside the town, you'll find quiet walking trails that summit the mountains surrounding the lake, giving amazing views for hundreds of miles. Be sure to visit the cute churches along the banks.

14. Pécs, Hungary

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Once you've ~done~ Budapest, Pécs is a nice, quiet antidote to the big city. It's a university town, so it's cheap and fun, with a ton to check out at night. The quiet streets and baroque building facades make it the perfect place for strolling around and taking it easy. Pécs is also right in the foothills of some pretty amazing mountains, if you're into hiking.

15. Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany

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This small city in the southwest of Germany is right near the Black Forest, and an ideal place to base yourself if you want to explore nature but still stay near modern amenities. With a reconstructed medieval old town and a huge Gothic spire, it's a picturesque little place with a lot of character. The hikes around here are legendary, and it's hard to decide whether it's prettier in the summer sun, or covered with snow in winter.

16. Ghent, Belgium

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This sun-soaked town is the place to come if you want to check out the local way of life. A charming little city with canals and pedestrian-only streets, it's perhaps best known for its centuries-old architecture and flower trade. You can spend your days strolling through the city's markets, café-hopping, and trying local beers and food.

17. Innsbruck, Austria

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You'd be hard-pressed to find a part of Austria that isn't breathtakingly beautiful. A small city nestled at the foot of snow-capped mountains, Innsbruck is no exception. Just outside the city you'll find charming green pastures and stunning mountain hikes, and it's an ideal destination year-round.

18. Bucharest, Romania

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Romania's capital, Bucharest, is often passed over by travelers who instead opt to visit the mountains or smaller cities. But Bucharest has a lot to offer if you know where to look. The trendy cafés have delicious food and pretty good coffee, the art museums house local artists and antique masterpieces, and the parks and old town streets are well worth a couple hours of wandering. Keep an eye out for 17th-century churches that have managed to survive over the years, tucked away among the modern Communist architecture.

19. Ronda, Spain

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Spain is a true delight, absolutely overflowing with charming towns, orange roofs, and unique landscapes. Ronda, between Málaga and Seville, is a mountaintop town built right on the edge of a rocky gorge, with some pretty stunning architecture that's survived hundreds of years. Its storied history involves outlaws, bullfighting, and Ernest Hemingway.

20. Lund, Sweden

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A lot of travelers don't know much about Sweden, outside of Ikea and the fact that it's cold. But once you start learning more and more about what it has to offer, you'll want to visit it all. Lund is a smallish city with colorful architecture, winding lanes, and a medieval old town. The city's large university gives it a pulsing energy and a thriving café and bar scene.

21. Piran, Slovenia

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Sitting at the tip of a peninsula, Piran is a cute town with incredibly well-preserved Venetian architecture. It's a bit of a luxury travel hotspot, though if you avoid the peak summer months you'll find a quiet town with winding streets and great spots for people-watching. The seafood and the cocktails here make it well worth your time.