7 Underrated European Destinations to Escape the Summer Crowds
7 Underrated European Destinations to Escape the Summer Crowds - Undiscovered Charm - Braga, Portugal
Beyond the popular tourist hotspots, Europe is home to a wealth of other lesser-known destinations, such as Perast in Montenegro, the Albanian Theth National Park, Setenil de las Bodegas in Spain, and Brisighella in Italy, each with its own unique allure and promise of an unforgettable experience.
Braga, Portugal, is home to the oldest cathedral in the country, the Sé de Braga, dating back to the 11th century.
This Romanesque-style cathedral features intricate architectural details and a stunning interior that has stood the test of time.
This well-preserved urban landscape offers a glimpse into Portugal's past.
The festival features a dramatic procession up the iconic Bom Jesus do Monte staircase, a remarkable feat of 18th-century engineering.
The city's vibrant food scene includes the production of unique regional delicacies, such as the famous Braga soup, a hearty dish made with local vegetables, chouriço sausage, and a poached egg.
This culinary offering showcases the region's rich gastronomic traditions.
The city is home to the University of Minho, one of the largest and most prestigious universities in Portugal.
This academic institution contributes to Braga's youthful energy and intellectual vibrancy, providing a stimulating environment for visitors.
What else is in this post?
- 7 Underrated European Destinations to Escape the Summer Crowds - Undiscovered Charm - Braga, Portugal
- 7 Underrated European Destinations to Escape the Summer Crowds - Greek Island Serenity - Milos, Cyclades
- 7 Underrated European Destinations to Escape the Summer Crowds - Norwegian Coastal Tranquility - Stavanger
- 7 Underrated European Destinations to Escape the Summer Crowds - Atlantic Archipelago Escape - The Faroe Islands
- 7 Underrated European Destinations to Escape the Summer Crowds - Provençal Pleasures - Pastoral France
- 7 Underrated European Destinations to Escape the Summer Crowds - Medieval Marvels - Tallinn, Estonia
- 7 Underrated European Destinations to Escape the Summer Crowds - Adriatic Allure - Montenegro's Bay of Kotor
7 Underrated European Destinations to Escape the Summer Crowds - Greek Island Serenity - Milos, Cyclades
Milos, a lesser-known Greek island in the Cyclades, offers a serene and tranquil escape from the summer crowds.
The island's striking volcanic landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and charming villages provide a unique and unforgettable travel experience.
Beyond Milos, the neighboring Cycladic islands like Symi, Naxos, Ios, and Paros also promise hidden gems and an authentic Greek island getaway.
Milos, the southernmost island in the Cyclades archipelago, is known for its striking volcanic landscapes, featuring a unique blend of rugged cliffs, white sandy beaches, and crystal-clear turquoise waters.
The island's unique geology has resulted in the formation of remarkable rock formations, such as the famous Sarakiniko Beach, which resembles a lunar landscape with its white, sculpted volcanic ash and rock.
The island's capital, Plaka, is a charming and well-preserved traditional Greek village, featuring whitewashed houses, narrow winding streets, and picturesque churches, offering visitors a glimpse into the authentic Mediterranean way of life.
Milos is known for its exceptional seafood and local cuisine, with dishes featuring fresh fish, octopus, and other local delicacies, often complemented by the island's famous wines.
7 Underrated European Destinations to Escape the Summer Crowds - Norwegian Coastal Tranquility - Stavanger
Its picturesque white buildings serve as a canvas for a vibrant street art scene, blending tradition and contemporary expression.
Stavanger's rich cultural heritage is showcased in its world-class museums, including the Norwegian Petroleum Museum and the Stavanger Maritime Museum, providing insights into the region's past and present.
With its breathtaking fjords, pristine beaches, and a walkable city center, Stavanger is an underrated European gem that promises an unforgettable summer getaway.
Stavanger is home to one of the most technologically advanced fish farms in the world, utilizing cutting-edge underwater robotics and AI-powered monitoring systems to ensure the health and sustainability of its aquaculture operations.
Stavanger is considered the "Culinary Capital of Norway," with a thriving food scene that showcases the region's fresh seafood, locally-sourced produce, and innovative chefs who have earned the city several Michelin stars.
The city's Petroleum Museum houses an impressive collection of interactive exhibits and displays that provide visitors with a comprehensive understanding of Norway's pivotal role in the global oil and gas industry, including the development of cutting-edge offshore extraction technologies.
Stavanger's Lysefjord, a stunning 42-kilometer-long fjord, is a popular destination for adventurous travelers, offering opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and even BASE jumping from the iconic Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) formation, which towers 604 meters above the fjord.
7 Underrated European Destinations to Escape the Summer Crowds - Atlantic Archipelago Escape - The Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands, a remote and rugged volcanic archipelago located in the North Atlantic, offer a peaceful escape from the crowds with their stunning natural landscapes and diverse wildlife.
The Faroe Islands are home to over 80,000 sheep, outnumbering the human population by nearly 2 to This high sheep density has led to the development of unique grazing methods and traditional sheep farming practices.
The islands' remote location and lack of trees have resulted in the development of a traditional roofing technique called "Tjørnuvágur," where sod is used to create a green, grassy roof on many of the Faroese houses, helping to insulate and weatherproof the buildings.
The Faroese language is a North Germanic language closely related to Icelandic, with linguistic roots dating back to the Viking era.
It is one of the smallest national languages in the world, spoken by fewer than 80,000 people.
The Faroe Islands are considered a global hotspot for birdwatching, with over 300 species of birds recorded, including the distinctive Faroese puffin, which can be observed in large colonies throughout the archipelago during the summer months.
The Faroese national sport is Knattleikur, a traditional ball game that combines elements of handball, football, and rugby, and is believed to have originated in the 14th century.
The Faroe Islands are home to the world's largest known colony of storm petrels, a small seabird species, with an estimated population of over 1 million individuals nesting on the islands.
The Faroe Islands are known for their unique traditional music, including the a cappella singing style calledFøroysk kvæði, which features complex harmonies and rhythmic chanting, and has been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
7 Underrated European Destinations to Escape the Summer Crowds - Provençal Pleasures - Pastoral France
Provence in southern France offers a delightful escape from the summer crowds with its picturesque villages, charming plazas, and well-preserved towns.
Visitors can avoid the crowds by planning their trip between mid-June and mid-July to see the lavender fields at their peak.
Beyond Provence, several other European destinations, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, and the Greek islands, provide peaceful retreats during the summer months.
The Provençal region of France is home to over 2,000 different species of plants, making it one of the most botanically diverse regions in Europe.
The distinctive red-tiled roofs found in many Provençal towns are made from a type of local clay that can only be found in a few specific quarries in the region.
The Lavender Museum in Coustellet houses the world's largest collection of antique lavender distillation equipment, dating back to the 18th century.
The picturesque town of Gordes is built on the site of a former Roman quarry, and its stone buildings reflect the region's rich ancient history.
The Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct near Nîmes, is considered an engineering marvel, standing over 50 meters tall and spanning a distance of almost 275 meters.
The Provençal town of Aix-en-Provence is home to the world's largest outdoor market, the Cours Mirabeau, which has been in operation since the 17th century.
The Camargue region, known for its wild horses, is also the largest river delta in Western Europe, covering an area of over 930 square kilometers.
The unique red-and-white-striped pattern found on traditional Provençal fabrics, known as "Provençal Stripes," is the result of a centuries-old dyeing technique using madder root.
The Château de Versailles in nearby Paris is home to the largest collection of Provençal furniture and decor outside of the Provençal region itself.
7 Underrated European Destinations to Escape the Summer Crowds - Medieval Marvels - Tallinn, Estonia
With its well-preserved old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city showcases a rich history dating back to the 13th century.
Visitors can explore the city's iconic medieval walls, towers, and Gothic architecture, as well as discover the vibrant Telliskivi Creative City, a hub of innovation and creativity in the heart of Tallinn.
Tallinn's Old Town is one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in Northern Europe, with its original 13th-14th century layout and architecture still intact.
The city's medieval defensive walls, which date back to the 13th-16th centuries, have withstood numerous sieges and invasions, including a failed attack by a Russian army of 25,000 men during the Livonian War in 1570-
The Niguliste Museum, housed in the former St.
Tallinn's Town Hall, built in the 1370s, is the oldest surviving Gothic town hall in Northern Europe and hosts concerts and cultural events to this day.
Toompea Hill, the upper part of Tallinn's Old Town, is home to the Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, a striking example of 19th-century Russian imperial architecture.
Tallinn's medieval walls and towers feature intricate architectural details, such as the iconic "Viru Gates," which were once part of the city's fortifications and are now a popular tourist attraction.
The Tallinn City Museum, located in the 15th-century Vene Street houses, offers visitors a comprehensive look at the city's rich history, from its early settlements to its time as a key Hanseatic port.
The Tallinn Song Festival Grounds, where the iconic Estonian Song Festivals have been held since 1869, can accommodate up to 300,000 spectators and are a testament to the city's cultural heritage.
Tallinn's Telliskivi Creative City, a converted industrial complex, has become a hub for contemporary art, design, and innovative startups, blending the city's medieval past with its dynamic present.
The cobblestone streets of Tallinn's Old Town are remarkably well-preserved, with some dating back to the 11th century and providing an authentic medieval walking experience for visitors.
7 Underrated European Destinations to Escape the Summer Crowds - Adriatic Allure - Montenegro's Bay of Kotor
The Bay of Kotor in Montenegro is a stunning fjord-like bay along the Adriatic Sea, home to medieval towns and breathtaking landscapes of mountains, rivers, and crystal-clear waters.
The Bay of Kotor is one of the deepest natural harbors in the world, with depths reaching up to 60 meters in some areas.
The bay's unique shape, resembling a fjord, is the result of glacial activity during the last ice age, which carved out the steep-sided valleys.
The town of Kotor is home to the largest preserved medieval old town in the Adriatic, with a history dating back to the 4th century BC.
The Bay of Kotor is a major nesting site for the endangered Loggerhead sea turtle, with several protected beaches and coves providing crucial habitat.
The Bay of Kotor is home to over 200 species of birds, including the rare Dalmatian Pelican, which has a wingspan of up to 5 meters.
The historic town of Perast, located on the bay, was once a thriving maritime center and home to over 2,000 seafaring captains during its heyday in the 18th century.
The Bay of Kotor is unique in that it contains both freshwater and saltwater ecosystems, with the Škurda and Rijeka Crnojevića rivers flowing into the bay.
The Church of Our Lady of the Rocks, a small man-made island in the bay, was created over centuries by sinking old ships laden with rocks to form a new land mass.
The Bay of Kotor is home to the world's second-largest natural reserve of the rare and beautiful Posidonia oceanica seagrass, which is crucial for the local marine ecosystem.
The Bay of Kotor is a popular filming location for television and movies, with productions such as "Game of Thrones" and "The Bay" using the area's stunning natural landscapes as backdrops.