Secret Vacation Spots in Europe

Hidden Spots To Visit Around Europe

By Taylor Fuller | Published on November 20, 2023

A European vacation is what you make of it, so why not dig a little deeper and take the road less traveled? When you go off the beaten path in some of the most beautiful cities in the world and find the hidden spots only the locals know about, you're bound to have an experience like none other.

Some of the coolest places on Earth are in Europe, and cruising there is a great opportunity to tick some of those unique travel destinations off your bucket list. Whether you're looking to plan a European vacation for families, friends or couples, you'll find some incredible — and unknown — places to explore.

The Places You Haven't Heard Of In The Cities You Have

There are so many world-famous cities that come to mind when you think of Europe. European vacations evoke images of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome, and La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, to name a few. That said, vacations to these well-known cities can still be unique and thrilling even if you've been there countless times. Once you look beyond the typical Instagram-worthy sites, you'll find so many hidden wonders waiting for you. For example, instead of visiting the very popular Barceloneta Beach in Barcelona, Spain, check out Llevant Beach, which is newer and less populated by tourists. Instead of traveling to Las Ramblas to visit La Boqueria, a vibrant market, you can head to Saint Catherine or Saint Anthony's markets. And one of the coolest places to visit in Barcelona is The Bunkers, a hilltop hideaway. It offers absolutely gorgeous views of the city below, and you'll find yourself mingling among the locals, rather than fellow out-of-towners.

Barcelona, Spain Aerial — Aerial view of Barcelona, Spain

The view from The Bunkers in Barcelona.

Rome is another city that is full of secrets if you know where to look. Avoid the queues and head underground to visit the Crypta Balbi, one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the city. Most people think most of the ruins in Rome are on the surface of the city, but so much of it lies underneath. If exploring underground doesn't sound like your cup of tea, there are a few really interesting historical sites in Rome that you can visit that aren't super popular like the Centrale Montemartini, a power plant that has been converted into a museum.

Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy Roman Forum — The Roman Forum in Rome, Italy

The Rome Forum isn't the only place to see ruins in Rome.

When searching for hidden gems on a European vacation, try out some of the nightlife, too. When someone plans a European vacation and they're looking for great nightlife, Amsterdam has to be on the agenda. And while heading to the Red-Light District is an obvious choice when visiting this gorgeous city, it's not the only one. Amsterdam is filled with some pretty amazing bars. There is OT301, which hosts a range of events and shows films in the cinema room. Or you can visit the Mezrab, which is known as the House of Stories. It's here that you can enjoy a cheap beer and some interesting art. If you're looking for some live music, Zaal 100, which is tucked away in the Oud-West neighborhood, has tons of musicians performing daily.

Night city view of Amsterdam canal Prinsengracht with houseboats and Westerkerk church and luminous track from the boat

Amsterdam is beautiful at night.

Another notable city on a European vacation itinerary is Lisbon. This is one of the coolest cities to visit and while a lot of the touristy things in the city are worth checking out, you can also hop on a train to Sintra to explore. Most people will go to Pena Palace, but there are a lot of other interesting and historical places to visit. The best viewpoint is at the Sanctuary of Peninha, and unlike the Pena Palace, which will likely be crowded with people, you may only come across a few other visitors here. It's built similarly in the Romanticism architecture style, so it's worth a visit. The coastline in this seaside town is unreal, and you have to visit Cabo da Roca, which is the westernmost point of mainland Europe and absolutely stunning. It's an obvious choice for sunset!

Rocks and waves at coastline picturesque landscape. Cabo da Roca, Portugal

Cabo da Roca is the westernmost point of mainland Europe.

A European vacation is the best. There are so many secret vacation spots to visit.

Secret Vacation Spots For Island Time

Santorini, Greece Fishing Boats — Beautiful landscape of two fishing boats anchored in blue water at the old port in Oia, Santorini, Greece

The picturesque island of Symi is worth a visit.

One of the best things about visiting Europe on a cruise is that you can island hop and see some of the most stunning places in the world. Europe has no shortage of islands to visit, and some of them are home to super unique spots. In Limassol, Cyprus, you can spend your day visiting a UNESCO-protected archaeology park that's over 6,000 years old. You can enjoy delicious meze, which is the perfect way to taste the local specialties. You can even visit the Sanctuary of Apollo, which was once the most significant religious sites in all of Cyprus.

From there, head to the hidden spots of Rhodes in Greece. Located in the Aegean Sea, Rhodes has a ton of world-class beach resorts. However, if you go further afield, you can find some gems. Hop on a ferry or sailboat and visit the tiny island of Symi. It's so picturesque you wouldn't even believe it's real. Enjoy a lazy afternoon on the beach while admiring the blues and greens of the sea. You can also get in touch with nature on this island. In Western Rhodes, there is a beautiful nature reserve called the Valley of the Butterflies. There are several hidden trails and wooden bridges that take you to cascading waterfalls and breathtaking views.

While it's easy to get distracted by the beaches of Mediterranean islands, you must spend some time indulging in the local cuisine, and Chania, Crete, is a great place to do this. Cretan food differs from traditional Greek food, which makes it a unique experience to try. Taste Dakos, an appetizer made with dried barley bread. It's topped with fresh tomatoes, feta or mizithra cheese and finished with olive oil and oregano for a mouthwatering savory bite.

Mykonos, Greece Greek Salad — Greek salad and olive oil on sunny seaside restaurant in Mykonos, Greece

Enjoy Dakos!

Another city that has unique food is Ajaccio, which can be found on the island of Corsica. Indulge in a mouthwatering clémentine de Corse, which is the only clementine produced in France. They're grown on Corsica because of the acidic, light soil and climate. And then there are the cheeses you simply cannot miss out on. From Niolo, which is a sheep's milk cheese that is soft and creamy, to Fleur du maquis, also made from sheep's milk but with a rind that's covered in juniper, rosemary, fennel, and chilis, you can't go wrong.

And then you have the beautiful island of Capri in Italy. This is definitely not a hidden gem, but if you have the chance to visit, you should head to the tallest bit of the island, Anacapri. It's here that you'll get the best views on the island. Head to Monte Solaro on a sunny day to see the cliffs and beaches along the Gulf of Naples. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Vesuvius in the distance. This is one of the more popular things to do, however, a lot of people only take day trips to the island and are unable to fit a visit here on their itinerary.

While on the subject of not being able to fit everything onto your itinerary, when you visit Mallorca, one of the Balearic Islands in Spain, you will not be able to explore the entire island in just one visit. Most people base themselves in Palma. However, if you really want to get a feel for the island, hop on a sailboat. When you do this you get to visit hidden coves, tiny beaches and more! It's the best way to visit this island, as traveling by car can take a long time on the small, winding roads.

Coastal Hidden Gems

Europe is not only filled with stunning islands but also some pretty spectacular coastal cities. One of those is Kotor, Montenegro, in the Balkans. The medieval city is located right at the bottom of the bay, which makes it an excellent place to visit if you're on a Dalmatian Coast cruise. It has a truly authentic Old Town and you could spend hours getting lost on the narrow, cobblestone lanes. Something that's really interesting to do is visit Our Lady of the Rocks, an island off the coast of Perast, which you can reach in just 20 minutes from Kotor. Hop on a boat, and explore the single church on the island. Afterward, explore Perast, which has tons of baroque architecture.

Church of Our Lady of the Rocks and Island of Saint George, Bay of Kotor near Perast, Montenegro

Our Lady of the Rocks is a very interesting place to visit!

If you're interested in visiting ancient cities close to coastal towns, then Ephesus, which is nearby to Kusadasi, a resort town in Turkey, is a great choice. Filled with ruins with both historical and religious significance, history buffs will love spending a day here. You can see the Great Theater, which was built on the side of Mt. Pion. It loomed over the city at 100 feet and had a capacity of 25,000 people (which is massive for that time period). It was where Paul used to preach the Gospel. Visiting this location is super interesting and cannot be missed.

Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey, Pigeon Island — Pigeon Island in Ephesus, Turkey

The ruins of Ephesus are a can't-miss for a history buff or architecture lover.

Another lesser-known coastal town is Koper, Slovenia. Slovenia is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe and is often overlooked. There is so much to do in this country and people often forget that Slovenia is actually located on the coast of Europe. Koper is super close to Italy, and you'll see many Italian influences here. While you're there, visit the 15th-century Praetorian Palace and Loggia, built in a Venetian Gothic Style.

Unique Places To Visit In The World

Inverness Clootie Tree at St Nectans Glenn near Tintagel in north Cornwall

Clootie Well is a unique place to visit near Inverness, Scotland.

While most people equate a visit to Europe with the summertime and beaches, there are so many other amazing destinations to visit during the colder months. Stavanger, Norway, is just one of them. And one of the best things to do here is cruise deep into the fjords. You'll see incredibly beautiful nature, some mountain goats and more. Norway is also a massive foodie destination, and eating well is one of the easiest things to accomplish. Make sure to tuck into some fresh seafood while you're there.

Another part of Europe that rivals the beauty of Norway is Inverness, Scotland. There are so many historical places to visit close to Inverness. One of the weirdest and most wonderful is Clootie Well. Ancient wells and trees draped with colorful rags and cloths surround you in this hidden area in Munlochy. What you see is an old Celtic ritual where rags were dipped in sacred wells. They were then tied to branches while the person doing the tying said a prayer. This was meant to heal all illnesses. It's a cool thing to be able to witness old customs while traveling.

And while Scotland has a lot of history, so does Iceland. Reykjavík is the perfect jumping-off point for an Icelandic road trip. One of the most amazing things you can do in Iceland is to chase the Northern Lights. But you can also visit some really random, old Viking settlements. One of those is Thjodveldisbaerinn Farmhouse. It was actually used in a scene of "Game of Thrones" but is still relatively quiet when it comes to tourists. It's off the beaten track, but the drive is absolutely stunning and should not be missed!

Whether you're headed to a well-known destination or a lesser-known area, there are always going to be secrets to discover and hidden locations to visit on a trip to Europe. The best way to visit a number of the most unexplored places on earth at once is to hop onboard a European cruise. With so many to choose from in different regions spanning from the Mediterranean to northern Europe and western Europe, you'll find one that speaks to you.

Written By
TAYLOR FULLER

Taylor Fuller is a travel and lifestyle writer. She has lived and traveled all over the world and loves to share her experiences. She is the author of The Rainbow Atlas and currently calls London her home.

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