The 21 most underrated travel destinations in Europe for 2025

Montenegro’s spectacular coastline is finally getting the attention it deserves, and the streets of Kotor, Budva, and the rest are now packed during the summer. Ulcinj? Not so much, but that won’t always be the case. Located at the southern tip of the country, Ulcinj is the centre of Albanian culture in Montenegro and provides a different vibe to the more celebrated spots up north. Ulcinj’s Old Town is arguably the most dramatically situated in the country, and its beaches provide excitement and serenity in equal measure.

Time Out Tip: For an authentic taste of Ulcinj’s cafe culture, head to the always-busy and always-exciting Kino Cafe.

📍 Discover the best places to visit in Montenegro

Denmark’s second city is a bijou university town in Jutland with cobbled streets, world-class coffee and a positive, hygge outlook on life – it’s known to Danes as ‘the city of smiles’, and was named the World’s Happiest City this year. Find colourful fashion (compared to monochrome focused Copenhagen at least), a stellar art gallery, ARoS, topped by a rainbow you can walk around. Plunge into its designer swimming pools set on the modern harbour of Aarhus Ø, winter and summer alike, chowing down on street food, cocktails and Champagne at the new Banken Food Hall, riding the rollercoasters in its mini theme park Tivoli Friheden, and staying in the lushly redesigned and iconic Hotel Royal.

Time Out tip: Take the train from Aarhus to Billund for the world’s best playdate: a visit to Lego House, where the country’s famously playful bricks are just an hour and a half away.

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The beautiful and almost completely untouched Peneda-Gerês National Park in northern Portugal is part of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves, an organisation aimed at protecting, enhancing and promoting the natural heritage of regions around the world. The park is home to thousands of animal species, including roe deer, wild Garrano ponies, wolves and birds of prey. With crystal-clear waters that invite visitors to take a dip during the warmer months, remote villages inhabited by warm-hearted locals, and some of the region’s best restaurants, where traditional cuisine is prepared using local produce, this beautiful corner of Portugal is the perfect place to explore, whether for a weekend getaway or a longer visit.

Time Out tip: For a stay with a serious view, book the beautiful Cerca dos Passais – the outdoor pool is worth it alone. 

📍 Discover the best places to visit in Portugal

For a small island, Malta has got an awful lot of history (from all the way back to the Neolithic period), culture (the nation launched a huge arts festival earlier this year), and cuisine (the wine is knockout) crammed in. But did you know Malta is actually an archipelago which includes two smaller islands? Well, they’re well worth visiting: the second-largest island of Gozo was the highlight of my trip. Head to the town of Victoria to visit the immaculately restored Citadella, before stopping for lunch at Peppina, an outstanding vegetarian small plates restaurant with a sun-trap terrace and crisp local wine – it’s worth the blustery ferry ride.

Time Out tip: Go back in time at Gozo’s Ggantija, a mesmerising megalithic temple complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

📍 Discover more of the best places to visit in Malta

Reykjavik is great n’ all, but how about this? A three-hour drive to Landeyjahöfn and a 45-minute ferry ride (with some pretty remarkable cliff views) later, you’ll be in Vestmannaeyjar, an archipelago with a population of just 4000 – and probably Iceland’s best kept secret. Here you can jump on a speed boat through the island’s caves (and see the famous Elephant Rock up close), rent a mountain bike to explore its volcanoes and learn about the Eldfell eruption at the Eldheimar museum. But it’s also got some of the best food in the country - make sure to book a table at Slippurin, a mindblowingly-good fine dining restaurant with a focus on local ingredients and sustainability. 

Time Out tip: The short ferry route runs between June and September, which also happens to be align with peak puffin season, where they waddle freely at your feet – you can even help locals save babies from getting lost.

📍 Discover the best hotels in Iceland

Undeniably charming Plovdiv certainly isn’t underrated by Bulgarians, but it still doesn’t seem to get its flowers in the grand scheme of European adventures. There’s no reason why Bulgaria’s second-largest city shouldn’t be firmly on your radar; the range of historical attractions and curiosities is remarkable, and the city’s food and drink scene is one of the most exciting in this part of the continent. Plovdiv’s old town is the clear main event, an impossibly gorgeous warren of cobblestone streets with stories around every corner, while the impeccably preserved Ancient Roman Theatre of Philippopolis stands proudly above the city. The views are spectacular.

Time Out tip: Combining achingly gorgeous architecture with a joyful willingness to experiment, the House of Distillation offers tasters of liqueurs you won't find anywhere else.

For the purest snow and the freshest air in the inhabited parts of the world – as measured by its local meteorological lab – you’ve got to go to Levi. This small arctic town in Finnish Lapland is packed with characterful wood cabins and presided over by Finland’s most popular ski slopes, which celebrate 20 years of hosting the Levi World Cup this winter. Two hours to the north of Rovaniemi, the regional capital and home of Santa Claus, Levi has reindeer farms, snow shoe hikes and husky dog sled tours on its doorstep, along with the unique Halipuu Forest, where you can swing in a hammock in the trees before drinking a dirty chai latte around the fire, flavoured with herbs from the forest. It’s off the radar in the very best possible way.

Time Out tip: Aurora Borealis viewing is possible in Levi in the summer: from August onwards, when nights are darker, they are visible this far north. 

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One summer, when I was living in a cramped flat with no air conditioning on a noisy street in Madrid, with a heatwave pushing the already oppressive summer temperatures up to a truly horrendous 42 degrees, I made a break for Norway. Specifically, I headed to the small, airy, clean and, crucially, cool city of Bergen. Perched on the country’s southwest coast, its close proximity to spectacular nature makes it perfect if you’re looking for a holiday that combines a city break with the great outdoors. The city is surrounded by seven mountains, which are easily accessible and have plenty of walking trails of various lengths, and you can also use Bergen as a base to explore fjords and glaciers. 

Time Out tip: Hop on the six-minute Floibanen funicular which drops you off at Mount Fløyen. From here, you can admire the views across the city or continue your exploration by following one of the many walking trails.

The largest city in Transylvania makes a compelling case for being the most fascinating city in Romania, which is no small feat considering the competition. The award-winning Untold Festival gets most of the hype, but there is more to this place than a week of electronic music and unbridled revelry. The city centre is an outdoor museum telling the story of the city and its many peoples (Cluj-Napoca has Romania’s largest Hungarian population) through monuments, memories, and quite magnificent churches. The city’s sizeable student population keeps the bars bouncing; on the other end of the scale, the Botanical Garden is a delight. The nearby Turda Salt Mines is a must-visit. After all, how often do you get to visit one of the most beautiful subterranean spots on the planet?

Time Out tip: The Zoological Museum in Cluj-Napoca is one of the most unusual museum experiences in Europe and an absolute must for anyone with even a passing interest in taxidermy.

The region of Emilia-Romagna has all of Italy’s best bits rolled into one: hop around eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the ancient city of Ravenna or explore miles of medieval porticoes in the capital, Bologna. This terracotta-tinted city which invented tagliatelle alla Bolognese makes up a trio of culinary hotspots that also includes Modena, home to the world’s best balsamic vinegar; and Parma, where wine bars and delicatessens serve prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano-Reggiano, both created in the city. Not a foodie? Emilia-Romagna is also known as ‘the motor valley’, with an F1 track in Imola, two Ferrari museums and factory tours of Lamborghini, Maserati, Ducati and more.

Time Out tip: If the sightseeing is all too much, Emilia-Romagna’s coastal cities of Rimini and Cattolica hide sandy beaches, resorts and waterfront dining, perfect for a few days of relaxation. 

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One of the three European Capitals of Culture of 2024, Tartu is the creative, intellectual centre of the Baltics, where city life revolves around its prestigious seventeenth-century university. Wander the streets on the lookout for lively cafés and experimental architecture: the National Archives blends Nordic and Baltic influences with a postmodern exterior, while Snail Tower’s Neolithic-inspired spiral top and irregular windows will catch your eye. In the summer, outdoor festivals take over the city, including Tartuff, a festival dedicated to romantic films, and the IDeeJazz festival.

Time Out tip: Make it a winter trip and visit in December, when a whole ‘Christmas City’ comes to town, brightening up dark nights with twinkling glass huts and ice rinks.

In a country known for its beaches, it's difficult for an inland destination to stand out – especially one without any major cities. That’s why you probably haven’t heard of, much less visited, the western region of Extremadura, on the Portuguese border. Spot Iberian pigs roaming around sprawling dehesa woodlands; explore three biosphere nature reserves and a Unesco-recognised geo-park; and discover the region’s heritage sites, including the ancient Roman amphitheatre of Mérida and the enchanting historic district of Cáceres. And then there’s the food: hearty migas, local cheeses, the humble patatera sausage and local cava from Almendralejo. Extremadura truly has it all… except for hordes of tourists.

Time Out tip: Fancy a beach day? You might be miles from the sea here, but Extremadura actually boasts the longest freshwater coastline of any Spanish region – you can even hit the beach at Isla del Zújar. 

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When you think of an island paradise, the rocky, weather-beaten Faroe Islands probably aren’t exactly what comes to mind. But brave the elements and you’ll be rewarded with pinch-me-I’m-dreaming views around every corner: tumbling waterfalls, grassy slopes, quaint towns and towering mountains. Six of the archipelago’s 18 islands are connected by tunnels, making this an ideal road-trip destination. Buckle up for a land where sheep rule the roads, pyramid-shaped peaks offer abundant hiking and seabirds, seals and whales are common sights along the coastline.

Time Out tip: The grass-covered Hillside cottages (named The View) feel a bit like waking up in a foggy fairytale. 

If you’re ready to discover Vilnius’s fascinating and often tumultuous history, start on Gediminas Hill, named for the city’s founder, and take in views across the Old Town. Next, head down towards the dazzling Gate of Dawn, a mark of the time Lithuania was Catholicised on its unification with Poland (together, they formed one of Europe’s biggest states). The Station District, meanwhile, bears the influence of the Russian Empire. And all over the city, but especially further south, Soviet buildings make for an eerie reminder of the region’s dark recent past. It also celebrated its 700th anniversary last year. Here’s to 700 more (but with less war, please).

Time Out tip: Don’t sleep on Vilnius’s nightlife scene. From clubs Kablys and Loftas to prison-turned-cultural space Lukiškės 2.0, it’s the best offering this side of Berlin. 

Banja Luka is the capital of Republika Srpska, the lesser-visited Serbian entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The lack of tourist traffic means you can admire the Orthodox Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and Ferhadija Mosque at your leisure. Each strikingly rebuilt post-conflict, they form part of a relaxed sightseeing agenda spanning 2,000 years, factoring in the panoramic Roman fortress Kastel and Habsburg façades. Lively café terraces abound, carnivores will have a field day at the many Balkan restaurants. Affordability underscores all areas of hospitality, and despite the lack of international visitors, English-speaking staff are a common feature.

Time Out tip: Stay at Hotel Talija for its top-floor pool or Hotel Bosna Banja Luka, a landmark dating back to 1885. 

Across most of the Dalmatian hinterland that separates Croatia from Bosnia and Herzegovina, you’ll only find goats and old locals wandering the barren terrain. Interrupting this moon-like landscape, two bright lakes are each named after their water colour, fringing the solitary yet thriving town of Imotski. Visitors arrive by car or bus to swim in the Blue Lake (Modro Jezero), a deep sinkhole whose azure waters reach 90 metres in spring, but only a few feet in summer. Nearby, the Red Lake (Crveno Jezero) is admired from above, the rusty-reddish hues reflecting the iron oxides discolouring the sheer cliff faces. Tourist rentals and modest restaurants attest to Imotski’s growing popularity.

Time Out tip: While you’re there, check out the Church of Our Lady of Angels at the entrance of the ancient Topana Fortress, built in the 18th century. 

As historic and picturesque as the centre of Amsterdam, but with nothing like as many tourists, Dordrecht is the perfect spot for a bite-size Dutch city break. Perched on a broad bend in the Oude Maas river, its medieval harbour is chocolate-box pretty. There are Old Masters aplenty at the venerable Dordrechts Museum and indie shops and restaurants along the lovely stretch of Groenmarkt, while the culture hub of Energiehuis and the garden restaurant at Villa Augustus (a cool hotel in a converted water tower) are well worth the short stroll from the city centre.

Time Out tip: If you’re here for long enough to skip town, the Netherlands’ biggest national park – the Biesbosch – is right on the doorstep and easy to reach on an idyllic half-day boat trip.

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Tucked between Bordeaux to the north and the Basque Country to the south, 65% of Les Landes is covered in maritime pines, the smell of which still catapults me back to childhood holidays, when summer after summer was spent in a campsite in the region. The area also has over 100km of Atlantic coastline and some sizeable lakes, so surfing, kite surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking are all on the cards if you’re looking for an active holiday (if you prefer to get your exercise on dry land, there are also 300km of cycle paths). Fancy something more relaxing? The small town of Dax is famous for its spas, or you can sip your way around vineyards in the east of the region, too.

Time Out tip: Technically, the Dune du Pilat is just past the region’s northern border, but Europe’s highest sand dune, with views of the Atlantic and sprawling forest, is still an essential visit for people visiting the area. 

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If you’re not from the UK, there’s a high likelihood you’ve never heard of the Isles of Scilly, a quiet archipelago off Cornwall’s coast (to be honest, even people in the UK don’t know much about this place). But it’s easily reachable by Skybus from the equally as delightful Land’s End, and you can pretty much spend the whole day out in nature, with a few stops for pints at lovely little pubs in between. Make sure not to skip the quirky Mermaid’s Inn, or the Turk’s Head right on the water, which probably has one of the best beer gardens in the country. With miles of unspoilt beach and hidden coves, this is a seaside break unlike you’ve ever imagined. 

Time Out tip: You can book group snorkelling sessions from St Martin’s any day of the week, where you can see the magnificent Ganilly Sand Bar up close. 

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Pamukkale, neighbour to the ancient Roman spa city Hierapolis, is a town known for the mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down white travertine terraces on a hillside. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is made out of luminescent, snowy limestone, naturally formed over thousands of years. Its Turkish name fittingly translates to ‘cotton castle’. Travellers can take a dip in the travertine pools or simply walk around and take in the wonder. While in town, you might also want to stop by some of Pamukkale’s Roman ruins, including the well-preserved amphitheatre and the antique Roman pool.

Time Out tip: Feeling like ticking off your bucket list? Hitch a hot air balloon ride and take in some the views from the sky. 

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An offshore beach playground for Romans escaping the capital in the summer, Ponza has somehow flown under the radar as international travellers flock to the more well-known Italian isles of Capri, Sicily and Sardinia (even as an easy ferry ride away from Rome and Naples). More fool them. Life on this five-mile rocky island is ruled by the water: swimmers take to natural pools and dip into ancient grottoes; sunbathers fill sandy beaches in crescent-shaped coves; diners enjoy fresh seafood at harbourfront restaurants (you can almost feel the sea lapping at your toes at Cala Feola’s La Marina, where tables are splayed over the rocks in low tide).

Time Out tip: Combine Ponza with a trip on the coastal city of Terracina, another of Italy’s overlooked seaside destinations, which is only an hour-long ferry away. 

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