Travel Guide
4 Secret European Destinations You Need To Visit In 2025 According To Experts
Jun
With its faraway fairytale castles, cobbled towns that look frozen in a 15th-century snapshot, and unmatched cultural allure, it’s no wonder Europe is at the top of the bucket list for most Americans flying abroad this summer.
While most will be flocking to cities like London, Paris, and Rome, a sizable minority has been craving something out of the ordinary: you know, those unspoiled Old World marvels away from the surging crowds that only locals seem to know about.
If that resonates with you, then you can’t miss out on these 4 secret spots that have recently featured on European Best Destinations’ Hidden Gems list:
Saturnia, Italy
Saturnia is an idyllic town in Tuscany famous for its eponymous spa, where pearly-blue, naturally-heated waters cascade down limestone terraces, and a laid-back atmosphere: the spa itself costs only $22.70 to enter on weekdays, or $28 on weekends and public holidays.
Though it is located in one of Italy’s most visited regions, it feels significantly quieter than Florence, Pisa, and Sienna. In fact, it’s somewhere you go primarily to unwind, sample the local cuisine—don’t miss out on L’Oste in Piazza‘s hand-rolled pici pasta—and forget about your mundane worries.
The Old Town itself is particularly charming, with its Porta Romana dating back to the 2nd century BC, picturesque churches, Rocca Aldobrandesca, an imposing medieval fortress perched atop Saturnia, and cobbled streets lined with stone houses.
Rupit, Spain
Nestled deep in the Catalonia hinterland, less than 2 hours driving from Barcelona, Rupit is a storybook riverside town peppered with centuries-old houses and churches, most notably the landmark Church of Saint Mique, that’s over 900 years old.
As it is far from the coast, it is protected from the overtourism that’s blighted much of Costa Brava, and if you’re wondering what a typical day as a tourist here looks like, picture getting lost in a maze of stone-paved alleys, having tinto de verano in a family-owned tavern, and even some hiking:
The scenic trek up to Salt de Sallent, a viewpoint near a waterfall offering a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding nature, and about that summer wine: Mirador del Pont is the place to go in Rupit for cheeky drinks and tapas—and they even have views of the town’s iconic hanging bridge!
Halki, Greece
A tiny island in the Dodecanese, a region of Greece most Americans are yet to discover, Halki has a peaceful atmosphere, quaint coastal villages, and it feels far more authentic than its Cycladic counterparts, such as Santorini and Mykonos:
Nimborio, the main settlement, is characterized by its pastel-hue houses. Pondamos is a sheltered bay hugged by crystal-clear seas. For incredible vistas, one of the most popular hikes on Halki will take you up to the abandoned village of Chorio, overlooking the Mediterranean.
Most people only visit Halki for a day, and if we’re honest, you truly don’t need longer than that to tick off all its main highlights, but we’re strong advocates for slow travel instead: take in the sights, sample the food, go on long walks, talk to locals—it’s not like overnights here will break the bank, anyway.
Blagaj, Bosnia and Herzegovina
A sleepy village a short drive away from Mostar, an equally underrated treasure, Blagaj straddles the margins of an emerald Buna River. It’s best known for its 16th-century monastery resting beside the river’s source.
Other must-sees in Blagaj include Vrelo Bune, the crystal-clear spring that floods straight into Buna, one of Europe’s most powerful, the picture-perfect historic center, packed full of whitewashed Ottoman-era buildings, and Blagaj Fort, a castle on a hill atop the village.
Bosnia and Herzegovina as a whole is also popular for its hearty cuisine, and if you’re ever driving through Blagaj on your road trip around the country, make sure you swing by Restoran Vrelo—best freshly-caught trout you’ll ever have in your life.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
