Non Touristy Places to Visit in Europe

By Travel & Places Last updated Monday, April/15/2024

Places like Chios, Greece, allow travelers to explore Europe without bumping into too many tourists.Greece, Chios image by photographer dk from Fotolia.com

While seeing the sights of Europe is a dream for many, few people enjoy pushing their way through a crowd of tourists to get a peek. Popular cities such as Paris, London and Barcelona are bound to have a few quiet places free of tourists. Otherwise, a trip to some of Europe's hidden gems guarantees travelers plenty of breathing room and photo opportunities. Seeing Europe's rarely-seen sights only adds to the magic of the experience.

Tras-os-Montes, Portugal

To avoid the crowds at large cities like Lisbon, skip to Tras-os-Montes in Portugal for a unique vacation. Frommer's names it "Portugal's least explored province." The capital city, Vila Real, has old houses from the 1500s, 1600s, and 1700s--a fun find for people exploring the city on foot. Just 2 1/2 miles north of Vila Real, the Casa de Mateus is a gorgeous showcase of baroque architecture, which includes gardens accessible by cypress-lined paths.

Book lovers who make it to Britain may enjoy an excursion to Hay-on-Wye in Wales. In addition to giving travelers a chance to experience small town Wales, it also boasts a castle full of books for sale--most at very affordable prices, according to Michael Shapiro at the Los Angeles Times. In the 1960s, Oxford graduate Richard Book named himself the king of the town and filled the castle with books, with additional shelves outside the castle.

If you want to enjoy some sun and Greek history without fighting crowds, try the Northeastern Aegean islands. According to Fodor's, most tourists skip this area and head straight to Santorini, but an excursion to the islands provides a unique look at the country. Visit the street bazaar in Mytilini on Lesbos island or find an 11th-century monastery amid olive groves in Chios. Fodor's also recommends the Ephesus Museum for some gems that didn't make it to the British Museum in London. On Lesbos island, consider an excursion to the fishing village Skala Sikaminias for a beautiful beach that's off the beaten path.

For an Italian beach holiday, take a trip to Sperlonga, Italy, which the Los Angeles Times recommends in its list of 63 offbeat European destinations. In addition to long stretches of beach--with umbrella rentals available for people who want to lounge--the town also has plenty of attractions that tourists often miss. Visit the archaeological museum, the Grotto of Tiberius or old town, which is free of cars and made for walkers.

A trip to Beaujolais, France, gives tourists the opportunity to enjoy French wine and food, without crossing into more touristy wine country. According to Doyle McManus at the Los Angeles Times, this part of France is the "foodiest." In addition to a host of wineries and restaurants, the region also has small villages, old inns and ancient churches to visit. If you feel like exploring, rent a car and take a drive through the countryside, with forests, hills and vineyards making up the terrain. According to Frommer's, it is an easily navigable region, so feel free to take an offbeat road and follow the signs back later.