Capri, ItalyĬapri is already a tourist hotspot, but if you ask folks what Italian islands they most want to visit, typical responses might include Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia. A for-sure must-visit on the list of hidden gems in Europe. Take a break (or two) at one of the many side-street cafes and enjoy some authentic Eastern European comfort food, perfect after a long day of sightseeing.īratislava might be overshadowed by the decadence of Budapest and Vienna, but its humble charisma far outshines either. Get lost roaming the cobblestone alleyways as you gradually climb your way up to Bratislava Castle. As you exit the city’s Eastern Bloc sector and cross the river, the quaint Staré Mesto, or “Old Town,” awaits.ĭating back to 500 BC, this tiny capital is much older than its larger metropolitan neighbors Prague and Budapest, and its Old Town maintains the charm of a fairytale medieval village. Bratislava, SlovakiaĪn hour’s drive from the more opulent Vienna, Bratislava sits right on the Danube where the Austrian, Hungarian, and Slovakian borders meet. There’s even a Michelin-starred restaurant there! Fly in from Edinburgh or Bergen and enjoy a few days taking in great food and spectacular views. Tórshavn is the cutest, tiniest little capital city there ever was featuring itty bitty alleyways and grass-topped homes. They’re part of Denmark and they’re basically dead center between Iceland and the UK. Whenever I mention the Faroe Islands, a lot of people don’t even know the place exists, let alone where they are. I present to you: the capital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn. But there are other locations just as awesome with a fraction of the tourists, you know. Not that I don’t love it, but everyone’s been stuck on Reykjavik and Iceland for years now. Vilnius ended up being one of the most Instagrammable places I found in the Baltics and, in my mind, definitely belongs on the list of hidden gems in Europe. Now, it’s a thriving creative community that claims itself an independent republic.
Užupis is one of the city’s oldest areas and, during the Soviet Era, was also one of its roughest. Like Tallinn, Vilnius has a proper Old Town area you can stroll, but it also has a little artsy district known as Užupis. And, while Tallinn is great, I found that its little neighbor of Vilnius, Lithuania packed more of an authentic punch. Travel to the Baltic states has really picked up over the last several years, but most of the focus has been on Tallinn, Estonia. Think wispy shorelines, ancient ruins, rolling green hills, even seals! It’s the kind of place you want to go for a long bike ride, picnic basket all packed up, and absolutely one of many hidden gems in Europe. Islay is home to a bagillion peaty Scotch distilleries, of course, but it’s also just a lovely, chill little Scottish island. And, you know me-I always root for the underdog.
People are so mesmerized by Skye-which is extraordinarily beautiful, by the way-they forget all about little Islay not too far away. When I visited Islay, I immediately pictured myself living in some seaside cottage writing my blog every day. Only two and a half hours from Venice, a must-see if you’re in the area. This city has the perfect mix of history, architecture, and shopping, and it has an incredible restaurant scene lining the meandering river. The Ljubljana Castle perches high on a hill overlooking the whites, pinks, and yellows of the town’s grand architecture. The 2016 Green Capital of Europe is a cozy walkable town, featuring numerous elaborate bridges that criss-cross the Ljubljanica River.
There are a hundred beautiful places in Slovenia, and Ljubljana is definitely one of them! Ljubljana, SloveniaĪ lot of folks forget about Slovenia, a tiny little country nestled between Italy and the increasingly popular Croatia, but its capital city of Ljubljana is anything but forgettable. Its rock bottom prices won’t last forever. One could easily spend several days in this region without any shortage of fun-filled activities or amazing sights. (Yes, Romania has one of the largest brown bear populations in Europe, second only to Russia.) Enjoy a full-course authentic dinner for two at a whopping price of $20, tip included. Stroll the Piata Sfatului by day and go bear watching by night. On just a short drive to Castle Bran (Dracula’s Castle), you’ll encounter horse-drawn carriages and farmers working the fields by hand. Largely German-influenced, Brașov is a particularly special mix of old and new, town and country. Not many people think of Romania as a top European travel destination, but the traditional mountain villages of Transylvania cannot be missed.
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