Are you looking for the best underrated destinations in Europe where you can avoid crowds this summer?
Here are a few of my top picks for less crowded alternatives to popular European destinations!
The summer of 2023 was a record-breaking season for tourism in Europe, and this summer is looking like it will break even more records.
The combination of massive crowds, extremely hot weather, and high prices can make many parts of Europe a bit of a nightmare during the summer.
These are the best places to go this year to avoid the crowds and discover new destinations:
Korcula, Croatia
Croatia is one of the most popular destinations in Europe right now and the crowds don’t seem like they’ll stop coming any time soon.
The secret is out on Croatia, and millions of travelers flock to destinations like the historic city of Dubrovnik, the coastal city of Split, and the gorgeous island of Hvar during the summer.
If you’re looking for a lesser-known destination in Croatia, head to Korcula instead.
While Hvar is the most popular island in Croatia, known for its glamorous nightlife and partying, it gets extremely crowded (and expensive!) during the summer.
Korcula is 2.5 hours from Split by ferry and has a totally different vibe. It’s much quieter and more laidback but equally as beautiful.
Amorgos, Greece
Amorgos is the perfect alternative to more popular Greek islands like Santorini and Mykonos, which are mega-crowded and mega-expensive during the summer.
You’ll find the same rugged scenery and white-washed Greek villages with none of the crowds.
Amorgos also has some excellent beaches with crystal-clear water perfect for swimming.
It’s the easternmost island in the Cyclades, which Santorini and Mykonos are also part of, but since it has no airport, it’s less accessible than the more popular islands.
The only way to get to Amorgos is by ferry.
It’s 5.5 hours from Athens by ferry, or you can take a ferry from another island such as Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, or Paros.
It’s definitely worth the effort to visit Amorgos and enjoy a stunning Greek island without hordes of tourists.
San Sebastian, Spain
Sunny Spain just broke its all-time tourism record, with more visitors than ever before traveling to the country in 2023.
And this summer looks like it will be just as busy, if not more so.
Some of the most popular and over-crowded destinations in Spain include coastal destinations like Barcelona, Valencia, and Malaga.
The southern and eastern coasts of Spain are by far the most well-known, while the northern coast remains underrated among international tourists.
A great alternative destination in Spain where you can avoid the crowds this summer is San Sebastian.
This city on the northern coast of Spain is located in Basque Country, a region of Spain with a strong and unique culture and its own language.
San Sebastian is a beautiful city that also has great beaches nearby, making it the perfect summer destination this year.
Ischia, Italy
Finally, Ischia is a great alternative to Rome, the Amalfi Coast, and Capri.
Ischia is one of my favorite destinations in Italy and I’m shocked that more international travelers haven’t discovered it yet.
This beautiful island is just a 1-hour ferry ride from Naples, and yet most travelers head to the nearby Amalfi Coast or Capri instead.
These destinations are both stunning, but they can be unbelievably crowded and expensive during the summer months.
Ischia is also popular in the summer, but it’s a large enough island that you’ll never feel overwhelmed by the crowds.
And it’s full of amazing things to do, from relaxing on gorgeous beaches to enjoying thermal baths to exploring ancient castles to eating fresh and delicious Italian cuisine by the sea.
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