Thinking about a European getaway this summer?
Popular destinations like Paris, France and Athens, Greece might be on your radar, but these cities will be extremely expensive and overcrowded this summer.
Instead, consider visiting one of these lesser-known but trending cities.
According to data from Kayak, these are the destinations that have seen the highest percentage increase in searches from last summer to this summer.
6. Frankfurt, Germany
Frankfurt isn’t the most exciting destination in Germany — in fact, I wouldn’t spend more than a day in the city itself since it’s mainly just known for being a business and financial hub.
But it’s also home to one of the best-connected airports in Europe, and you can often find affordable nonstop flights from cities in the U.S. to Frankfurt.
From Frankfurt, you can hop on a train to picturesque cities like Munich, Nuremberg, or Strasbourg. You can also get a budget airline flight to anywhere else in Europe.
5. Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest, Romania is another trending destination, with a 30% increase in searches this year.
I personally love Bucharest and think it’s one of the coolest cities in Europe. It has a vibrant atmosphere and a mixture of traditional Romanian, elegant Art Nouveau, and austere Communist architecture.
You can also easily explore the rest of Romania, like the beautiful and legendary Transylvania region, from Bucharest.
And it’s easier than ever to get here with a new nonstop flight from New York to Bucharest.
4. Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich, like Frankfurt, is a city where I often see good deals on nonstop flights from U.S. cities — ironic given how expensive Switzerland is as a destination, but at least you can find cheap flights!
Also like Frankfurt, Zurich isn’t the best place to stay in Switzerland since it’s mainly a banking and financial hub (although it is a pretty city!) I’d recommend arriving in Zurich and then heading to a charming alpine town like Lucerne or Interlaken.
3. Budapest, Hungary
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly city break destination in Europe, look no further than Budapest. This beautiful capital city has been breaking all-time tourism records lately.
It’s becoming more popular with travelers because of its historical sights, delicious food, and fun nightlife. It’s also much more affordable than cities in Western Europe.
Some of the best things to do in Budapest include visiting the museums of Buda Castle, touring the iconic Hungarian Parliament Building, relaxing in one of the city’s thermal baths, hitting up Budapest’s ruin bars, and checking out views of the city from the Fisherman’s Bastion.
2. Vienna, Austria
Vienna is another trending city, with a 36% increase in searches for this summer.
Situated on the Danube River, Vienna is a beautiful city with an illustrious history and a legacy of arts and culture. It’s the perfect destination to explore this summer.
Some of the best things to do in Vienna include visiting Schönbrunn Palace, indulging in the city’s cafe culture at Café Central or Café Sacher, and admiring art at Belvedere Palace (my favorite was the Gustav Klimt collection!)
1. Tirana, Albania
Finally, Tirana is the number one trending destination according to Kayak, with a 37% increase in searches for this summer when compared to last year.
This cool, funky city remains an undiscovered gem even though it’s rapidly increasing in popularity. It’s a really interesting city to explore, and it’s also extremely cheap — one of the most affordable destinations in all of Europe for sure!
I’d also recommend getting out of the capital and exploring more of Albania. The coastal city of Durrës is only 45 minutes away, while the amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site town of Berat is 1.5 hours away.
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