Europe is a continent with more than 40 different countries and sovereign nations. And yet, we all end up in the same cities. Paris, Venice, Barcelona, London, Rome, the list goes on.
There’s no denying that these places are popular for a reason, they are stunning, packed with history, and are easy to get to from most parts of the world. But what if you added a few other cities to your itinerary while you were there?
These underrated cities are by no means undiscovered. However, they do receive significantly fewer visitors, especially international visitors, compared to the big hitters that I listed above.
I hope that you can use this list of underrated cities as a starting point for getting off the beaten path a little bit on your next trip to Europe.
Why Go to Lesser Visited Cities in the First Place?
There’s no such thing as a high season in most famous destinations around the world anymore. It used to be that you could visit a place like Venice or Madrid in the winter or even early spring and you would be able to enjoy it mostly surrounded by locals.
Since the pandemic, travel has exploded across the world and Europe is one of the most visited continents for leisure travel, soon to be the most visited.
As travel becomes more accessible to people, the places that are the most visited lose a little bit of what made them so special. The people of Barcelona can no longer afford to live in the city center, where corporations have bought up entire apartment buildings to list on Airbnb. The same thing has happened in countless cities across the world, meaning that often when you are exploring one of these popular cities, you are surrounded entirely by other visitors, eating foods and buying products that are now being targeted specifically at visitors.
I don’t know about you, but that’s not why I travel.
I travel to get to know a country and its people. I travel to learn about a place’s history, culture, food, and its present-day stories. And I think the people of those nations are the ones that should be telling those stories.
I believe in spreading the wealth to other destinations and supporting smaller, more local economies wherever I can. I hope that by visiting these lesser-known cities around Europe we can all explore more deeply.
Lesser Visited European Cities to Add to Your Travel Itinerary
I have been to almost all of the cities on this list, but there are a few that I have added at the end that are high on my wish-list for visiting the next time I head over to Europe.
For the destinations that I haven’t been to, I’ve included resources that I have found helpful from other bloggers or YouTubers that I love and respect.
1. Nafplio, Greece
Located in the Peloponnese region of Greece, Nafplio is one of the most underrated cities in this entire country.
Most people fly into Athens, spend a few days there, then immediately hop on a flight or a ferry to one of the islands. Few people opt to explore the mainland of Greece, which is a real shame because this entire region of the country is magical.
Nafplio was the capital of Greece between 1823 and 1834. It sits on the coast to the west of Athens and is about a 2-hour drive from the Athens airport.
Stop along the way in the ancient city of Cornith or use Nafplio as a base for exploring other magical mountain towns around the Peloponnese.
The food here is exceptional with small, locally owned restaurants along the waterfront. There are rockpools where you can go swimming in the summer months. There is also a stunning castle and fortification at the top of the hill overlooking the town that is well worth visiting.
2. Genoa, Italy
Genoa is a city that doesn’t get nearly enough attention from international tourists, except perhaps for the few who stop off here on a cruise before immediately leaving to go to Cinque Terre.
I’ll admit, I only came to Genoa myself because I was breaking up the journey between Bergamo and Santa Margarita Ligure.
But the few days that I spent here were enough to convince me that this city is special. The city has been a maritime hub for centuries and because of that, it was one of the wealthiest in Europe.
This has left the city with stunning architecture alongside a rich food culture that should not be missed. It’s the home of focaccia, pesto, and farinata (which is the same as socca, which you find in the nearby South of France).
3. Hamburg, Germany
One of the most underrated cities in Germany, Hamburg is packed with amazing things to do. I have visited the city twice now and something I have said since the very first moment I arrived is that this city has a soul.
If I was going to live anywhere in Germany, it would be in Hamburg. It has big-city hustle and bustle but small-city community vibes. The people are awesome, the music scene is fantastic (it’s where the Beatles cut their teeth as a young band!), and the restaurants in Hamburg are absolutely spectacular.
If you are looking for a particularly good time to visit Hamburg, I recommend coming in September when the Reeperbahn Festival is on. The music at this festival is amazing and the venues are scattered all over the city.
September is also when the Open Mouth Food Festival takes place. This festival only started in 2024, but it has already become a yearly tradition that you will not want to miss.
4. Zaragoza, Spain
If you were following along on my adventures a few summers ago when I was living in Spain for a few months, you’ll know how deeply in love I fell with Zaragoza.
Only an hour away from both Madrid and Barcelona, it’s the perfect extra destination to add to your Spain itinerary. You especially don’t want to miss it if you are a foodie. The tapas bars in Zaragoza are unbeatable (except maybe the pintxos bars in Bilbao!).
The city has tons of history, including Roman ruins scattered around the city center. There is also a stunning palace from the Moorish period, a cathedral, and an enormous basilica.
5. Lyon, France
The gastronomic capital of France, Lyon does not get the international credit that it deserves as one of the most magical cities in France.
It’s no secret that I absolutely love Paris, but Paris is like a gateway city. Once you visit it once, you feel the urge to explore more. There’s the beautiful coastal city of Nice, the hiking hub of Cassis, and the wine-lovers paradise of Bordeaux.
But if you want to indulge in a French foodie paradise, you need to get yourself to Lyon, and more specifically, to the delicious Bouchons. Bouchons are restaurants that serve the traditional dishes of Lyon with a focus on rich and hearty meals.
6. Liverpool, UK
Luke and I have been together now for close to two decades! That has meant many, many trips to the UK to visit his family and friends.
Lucky for me, they are scattered around a few different parts of the country and I have had the opportunity to explore many cities and small towns throughout England and Scotland in particular.
One city that I love to return to and that doesn’t get nearly enough international recognition is Liverpool. It’s the home of the Beatles! It’s a maritime hub packed with fascinating history. It’s also a city that is getting cooler with each passing year.
Stop for a drink at the stunning Philharmonic Pub, one of my must-visits whenever I’m in town. Learn about the port’s history at the Maritime Museum, check out the art at the Tate Liverpool, and get to know Liverpool on a much deeper level at the Liverpool Museum.
7. Turku, Finland
When I was visiting Helsinki a few years ago, I knew I wanted to get away from the capital for a few days and explore a different part of the country.
Turku caught my eye because it is the gateway to the stunning Turku Archipelago. It is a collection of islands off the west coast of Finland that are home to great hiking trails and beautiful beaches.
It’s easy to get to by bus or train from Helsinki and is only about two hours away making it an easy addition to a Finnish itinerary.
Explore the Maritime Museum, eat salmon soup at the Turku Market Hall, or head to one of the nearby islands for an amazing day trip.
8. Tallinn, Estonia
Another underrated European city that you can add to that Finnish itinerary is Tallinn. A two-hour ferry ride from Helsinki, this is easy enough to visit as a day trip. But I highly recommend spending at least two full days exploring this gem of a Medieval city.
Walk along the ancient city walls, visit the historical Town Hall, or learn about the country’s Soviet history at the Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom. There are so many amazing things to do in Tallinn that you don’t want to miss.
9. Vilnius, Lithuania
I couldn’t make a list of underrated places around Europe and not include a city from the country that I called home for two years.
Lithuania is an underrated country in Europe that many people skip over. Even when planning a Baltics Itinerary, most people only make time for Riga and Estonia. That’s a mistake in my humble opinion.
Vilnius is an amazing city that is well worth visiting. And as someone who has visited all three Baltic countries, I can say with confidence that you do not want to put Riga above Vilnius on your rankings of best Baltic countries to visit.
Don’t get me wrong, Riga is cool. The history is incredible and the architecture is stunning. But it is well and truly on the tourist corridor. Vilnius, however, doesn’t get nearly as many visitors and is therefore more of a local experience.
There are tons of amazing restaurants in Vilnius as well as so many great things to do. It’s also easy to get to nearby places like Trakai and Kaunas from Vilnius, allowing you to explore even more of the different things to do in Lithuania.
10. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ever since I discovered Kathi Numic on Instagram, I have been more and more interested in visiting Sarajevo. She is a German woman who moved to Sarajevo and shares her experiences not only living there but exploring the entire country.
I know very little about the history of this entire region and living in Lithuania taught me that I still have so much to learn about so many countries in Europe.