First-time visitors to Europe usually focus on visiting major cities like Paris, Barcelona and London, which is definitely a good idea since they’re awesome and popular for a reason.
But if you have a little bit of space in your itinerary to include some lesser known places, if only for a few days, then here are some that we really recommend…
Scuol, Switzerland
Scuol is a tiny village in one of Switzerland’s most beautiful areas called Graubünden.
Thanks to centuries of isolation, many things have remain unchanged, and the locals make a big effort to preserve their old traditions and way of life.
To give you an idea, children in Scuol only speak Romansch (an ancient local language only found in this area) until they’re 10 years old before they start to learn Swiss German.
Surrounded by steep mountains and nature, the chocolate box houses and cobblestoned streets of Scuol and nearby villages are irresistible – best of all, it’s a great place to visit at any time of the year!
Bled, Slovenia
Set below a mountain with a cliff-clinging castle, and next to a turquoise crystal clear lake with a legendary church on an island, Bled is as close to a fairytale place as we have ever seen.
Although the town itself is very small, there is a lot to do in the area, and don’t forget to ring the bell in the church on the island – it supposedly brings you good luck!
Zagreb, Croatia
Croatia is becoming more and more popular as a beach destination, but few people seem to leave the coastline and explore the country’s inland, including Zagreb, the capital city.
From the local farmers market, a medieval old town and an awesome pub street, Zagreb has a little bit of everything, and the friendly locals make the experience even better.
We found Zagreb to be full of quirkiness and beauty, from the 12 o’clock cannon shoot and extravagant changing of the guards, to the most beautiful cemetery in Europe.
Sighisoara, Romania
Romania is a country we would love to see more of, and the small town Sighisoara is as cute as it gets.
This tiny colorful village in Transylvania is one of the best preserved medieval villages in Europe and is declared a World Heritage Site.
With misty clouds slowly moving over the hills and dark forests, the scenery is one you could imagine vampires would live in. After all, Sighisoara is the birthplace of Dracula…
Bergamo, Italy
Italy has so many beautiful cities and we are far from finished exploring the country, but so far a city we’ve been to that doesn’t get enough credit is Bergamo in Lombardy.
With a spectacular view, beautiful old architecture, cute tavernas, squares and cobbled streets, the “Upper Town” is a very romantic place – and the food also happens to be some of the best we’ve had in Italy!
I hope you found these tips useful and that you take the opportunity to visit some of these places next time you travel to Europe!
Been to Bled (missed ringing the bell though) and Zagreb, and had to skip Sighisoara (because I missed ANOTHER bus) and Bergamo (I lived in Milan for a year and routinely caught flights from Bergamo… Just never got to see the city. Idiot me!). Guess I need to go back 😉
Many lovely places 🙂 I’m so happy to see Sighisoara here (a city in my country) 🙂
the polish cities of kracow and wroclaw are really top on my list. being an asian, those cities mesmerized me, in their architecture, culture and nightlife!
Looks like a great list-I haven’t been to any of them yet! Recently I’ve decided I just have to go to Slovenia. I keep hearing wonderful things!
I’m itching to visit Slovenia!
Sighisoara and Bergamo are indeed amazing. I still have to check the other ones 🙂
Glad you have some new ones to check out Laura!
I’ve not been to Graubunden or Sighisaora but the others are tops so thanks for the tips!
Hope you get to go soon Natasha!
Thanks for the great tips! I just started a travel blog that chronicles my use of travel social networks through random chance! I plan on taking your tips and putting them to great use! I hope that as many people you have commenting here will see my blog!
Good luck with your new blog!
Bled in Slovenia was my number 1 destination on a European adventure in 2010. Magnificent scenery, friendly people and wonderful food, what more could you ask for? The others on your list look well worthwhile, I look forward to checking them out!
Thanks Victoria, if you like Bled chances are the other spots will be right up your alley as well 🙂
Great ideas! We’ve heard really great things about Bled.
Thanks Nicole, would love to visit there again 🙂
I must admit we were not includung Zagreb on our trip to Croatia later in the year but it sounds as though we should be doing so! Definitely including Bled though! Great list.
I’m glad you’ve found another place to add to your list!
I’d about all of these but have not been to any and thats a shame! Bled and Sighisoara have been on my list but now I’ve added more. Great enticing pictures too!
Thanks Debbie, I’m glad you’ve found some new spots to add 🙂
You sure have chosen some of the most beautiful spots. And of course, I am happy to see that you like Scuol/Schuls in my home canton of Graubünden 🙂 I love Bergamo, and I think it gets way too little credit…
You sure have chosen some of the most beautiful spots. And of course, I like to see that you like Scuol/Schuls in my home Canton of Graubünden 🙂 And as you, I am fascinated by Bergamo and I think it gets way too little recognition.
Great to hear about Bergamo!
Hey. This is a nice review. Very nice descriptions and highlights. I am very glad when I see somebody speaking so nice about Romania. I encourage all of you to travel to Romania and get to know its mysteries. I am sure you will leave our country satisfied. Its touristic value is highly increased by the three world known aces: the Carpathians, the Black Sea and the Danube Delta. Combined or separately taken, these wonderful nature gifts have and always will amaze people around the world who come to visit. In the last decade our country has become very popular as a holiday destination on the touristic world map, therefore the large number of foreign tourists that visit Romania for various reasons. Be it the wild beauty of the landscapes, the meaning behind the great structures or the hospitality of the Romanian people it has become very obvious that our country has a huge tourism potential and whoever comes to visit Romania will see it as it truly is, a country blessed by God. More information about our beloved country you can find out here: http://www.albatross-travel.ro
Romania seems like a gorgeous country!
Will definitely check out Bergamo! It’s hard to choose interesting destinations when all the major tourist traps have the most information about them in the first place. Ah well, cheers!
That’s definitely a common problem Sam
What alluring photos, descriptions, and names! Love lists like this that expand my travel dreams. 🙂
YES to Bled and Sighisoara! Two of my favorite little towns in Europe thus far.
I can’t wait to check them both out!
The only one I have been to on this list is Bergamo. It’s near where the Milan ryan air airport is, so we stayed there for a couples days when we visited Milan. I much preferred Bergamo to Milan.
I’ve been to and quite liked Zagreb. I’ve heard of the part of Switzerland that speaks Romansch, but never been there. Will even have to look up exactly where it is.
Europe is definitely a place with very established tourist lanes that get pounded a lot. There is nearly nowhere that is off the track, but a lot that is underrated. I actually think most of Germany is underrated in favor of warmer areas to the south.
Very nice article! Sighisoara in Romania look like the picturesque Italian villages…
These sound great! I’ve only been to Zagreb
Great list. Bled and its lake appeals most to me.
Thanks Ruth, I love a place with a stunning lake.
Croatia is high on our list and it looks like we will make it there later this year! I will also keep the others in mind too as they also look great!
Thanks Nicole, hope you get to visit them all 🙂
Great list…Croatia in particular has been on my radar for quite some time…
Thanks D.J.! Definitely a place to visit 🙂
Bergamo is a wonderful little town. Ryanair fly into Bergamo instead of Milan, so it’s actually the first place I visited in Italy and it was a great introduction to the country. I spent a day there just wandering the streets, admiring the views and drinking hot chocolate. I’d definitely recommend it!
Great list of interesting destinations – I’m adding them to my list of places to go! Happy travels!
Thanks Jo!
Thank you for putting some more light on a few lesser known places. I have not been to any of them yet, put I’ll definitely keep them in mind on my next Europe trip since they seems well worth visiting.
Croatia is popping up everywhere over the last couple of years. Seems like an excellent destination. Love all the suggestions you listed here. Kudos
Thanks Maria, as popular as Europe is for travelers there seems to be plenty of hidden gems.
I think Sardinia is even more underrated than these destinations 😛
That’s a great one to add to the list Angela!