Europa oferuje dziesiątki mniej znanych destynacji na niezapomniane wakacje letnie. Dowiedz się, dokąd jechać w 2026 roku bez tłumów: od albańskiej riwiery i Svalbardu po Alpy Julijskie i winnice La Rioja

Summer in Europe is traditionally associated with crowded Mediterranean beaches, queues at popular attractions and high accommodation prices. However, even at the height of the tourist season, there are still places on the continent where you can enjoy nature, culture and an authentic atmosphere without excessive hype.

In 2026, the trend for slow travel, ecotourism and travel off the beaten track is only intensifying. Travelers are increasingly choosing not hyped resorts, but regions where you can feel the true character of the country, taste local cuisine and relax from the tourist crowds.

Lonely Planet experts have collected 13 underrated destinations in Europe that can be an ideal alternative to traditional summer routes, we tell you.

Planning a summer trip to Europe? Before traveling, it is important to check the current visa requirements, entry rules, list of required documents and features of staying in the chosen country.

The Visit World Travel Guide will help you quickly get all the information you need in one PDF document and avoid unpleasant surprises during your trip. Select your nationality and destination country and receive personalized recommendations in a few minutes.

Order your Visit World Travel Guide today and travel with confidence!

Alta Badia, Italy: The Dolomites for Gourmets

Amidst the popular resorts of the Dolomites, the Alta Badia region remains relatively quiet even in high season. Located in South Tyrol, it combines dramatic mountain scenery, excellent tourist infrastructure and one of the most interesting gastronomic scenes in Italy.

It is here that the concentration of haute cuisine restaurants is located, and traditional Alpine huts offer local dishes: homemade pasta, mountain cheeses, strudels and meat delicacies.

In summer, the region turns into a paradise for hikers, cyclists and paragliders. The historical routes from the First World War and the famous via ferrata trails deserve special attention.

Also read in this article which countries and regions experts recommend for vacation this summer and why they are becoming new favorites of travelers.

Minho, Portugal: the real gastronomic capital of the country

While Lisbon and the Algarve have long become a magnet for tourists, the northern region of Minho still remains an authentic corner of Portugal.

The famous vinho verde is born here - a young, fresh wine that is considered the gastronomic calling card of the country. In addition to wine routes, the region attracts with its medieval cities of Braga, Guimarães and Viana do Castelo, ancient monasteries and picturesque valleys.

Fans of local cuisine should try caldo verde, traditional seafood dishes and numerous regional meat delicacies.

La Rioja, Spain: Wine Tourism Without Hassle

The La Rioja region is known worldwide for its wines, but it remains one of the most underrated tourist destinations in Spain.

Here you can not only visit hundreds of wineries, but also explore medieval towns, historic castles and wine museums. The endless vineyards of the Ebro River Valley, which are covered in bright greenery in summer, create a special atmosphere.

The capital of the region, Logroño, is famous for its gastronomic street, Calle Laurel, where you can taste the famous Spanish pinchos and local wines.

---

Visit World services for tourists, migrants, and expats: Insurance | Guides | Legal advice

---

Pelion, Greece: an alternative to the crowded islands

The Greek islands welcome millions of tourists every year, but the Pelion peninsula remains a real discovery even for experienced travelers.

The region combines mountain villages, pine forests and dozens of cozy beaches of the Aegean Sea. Unlike Santorini or Mykonos, you can find peace here even in July and August.

In addition to beach holidays, tourists are attracted by ancient stone villages, wine taverns and the narrow-gauge railway Pelion Train, which passes through picturesque mountain landscapes.

Read how the heat changes tourism in our previous article.

Pic du Midi, France: The best place to watch the stars

The French Pyrenees are a great alternative to the crowded Côte d’Azur.

The Pic du Midi is known as one of the best places for astronomical observations in Europe. It is here that you can observe the legendary Perseid meteor shower in August.

In addition to the starry sky, the region offers hundreds of kilometers of mountain trails, clean air and incredible panoramas of the Pyrenees.

Central Austria: Summer wellness in the Alps

Austria has long ceased to be exclusively a winter destination. In the summer months, Alpine resorts offer wellness holidays amidst mountain landscapes.

Bad Ischl, Bad Gastein, Bad Hofgastein and other thermal resorts attract guests with hot springs, spa complexes and numerous hiking trails.

The combination of active recreation and health makes central Austria one of the most interesting summer destinations in Europe.

The cheapest cities in Europe to travel in 2026 at the link.

Latvia's Baltic coast: beaches without crowds

Unlike Mediterranean resorts, the Latvian Baltic coast remains uncrowded even in high season.

Here, tourists are waiting for dozens of kilometers of white sandy beaches, coniferous forests, dunes and fishing villages with centuries-old history.

The Slītere National Park and Cape Kolka - the place where the Baltic Sea meets the Gulf of Riga - deserve special attention.

Spitsbergen, Norway: summer in the Arctic

For those looking for unusual experiences, the Spitsbergen archipelago will be a real adventure.

In the summer, polar day reigns here, and expedition cruises allow you to see whales, walruses, reindeer, arctic foxes and the famous polar bears in their natural environment.

Given the record pace of development of Arctic tourism in 2026, experts advise booking trips to Spitsbergen a few months in advance.

The cheapest and most expensive cities in Europe for vacation in 2026 in this selection.

Albanian Riviera: a budget alternative to the Mediterranean

Albania has been included in the lists of the most promising tourist destinations in Europe for several years in a row.

The turquoise water of the Ionian Sea, picturesque bays, affordable prices and the absence of mass tourism make the Albanian Riviera an attractive alternative to Greece and Croatia.

The resorts of Himara, Borsh, Palasa and Ksamil are gaining particular popularity.

Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden: City and Nature in One Route

Stockholm is a completely different place in the summer. The city is made up of dozens of islands connected by bridges, ferries and cycle routes.

In addition to cultural attractions and museums, tourists can take a boat trip through the archipelago, which has about 30 thousand islands and rocks.

This is one of the best destinations for those who want to combine a city break with closeness to nature.

Cardigan Bay, Wales: Dolphin Encounter

Cardigan Bay is considered one of the best places in Europe for observing marine mammals.

It is home to the largest population of bottlenose dolphins in the UK. Tourists can also see grey seals, porpoises and numerous species of seabirds.

The calm atmosphere of the coast is ideal for family holidays and long walks along the sea.

Antwerp, Belgium: A cultural capital without the crowds

Antwerp is often overshadowed by Brussels and Bruges, although many travelers consider it one of the most interesting cities in Belgium.

In the summer, it hosts the massive Zomer van Antwerpen festival, which combines music, theater, and art events.

The city is also famous for its fashion industry, diamond district, and unique architecture from different eras.

Julian Alps, Slovenia: A paradise for active travelers

Slovenia remains one of Europe’s best-kept tourist secrets.

Triglav National Park, Lakes Bled and Bohinj, the Soča River, and numerous mountain trails attract outdoor enthusiasts.

Here, you can go hiking, rafting, kayaking, cycling, or simply enjoy the nature of the Alps without the crowds typical of neighboring Austria or Italy.

Why are tourists choosing lesser-known destinations in 2026?

After several years of rapid growth in international tourism, more and more travelers are looking for alternatives to popular locations. The main trends of 2026 were:

- traveling outside the tourist routes;

- ecological and responsible tourism;

- longer trips in the slow travel format;

- gastronomic and wine tours;

- active recreation in nature;

- combining cultural experiences with relaxation.

That is why small regions of Italy, Portugal, Slovenia or Albania are increasingly appearing on the lists of the best places for a summer vacation in Europe

Europe hides much more than the most famous capitals and popular resorts. From the arctic landscapes of Spitsbergen to the vineyards of La Rioja, from the beaches of the Albanian Riviera to the mountain routes of Slovenia - these destinations allow you to see the continent from a new side and avoid the main drawback of the summer season: crowds of tourists.

In 2026, such trips become the most valuable - calm, authentic and filled with real impressions.

Visiting little-known corners of Europe often requires careful preparation: checking visa rules, terms of permitted stay, document requirements and features of border crossing. In order not to spend hours searching for information on various resources, use the Tourist Guide from Visit World. The manual contains step-by-step instructions for obtaining visas, current requirements for travelers of different nationalities, rules for filling out questionnaires, useful tips and life hacks for a comfortable trip. The document is sent to your email in PDF format just a few minutes after placing an order. This is a convenient tool for both first-time travelers and experienced tourists.

Choose your destination, get your Travel Guide from Visit World and plan your trip without any worries!

Reminder! The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona has taken another step towards completing its many years of construction. We have already told you why the completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ was a historic event, how the temple became the tallest church in the world and when they plan to finally complete Antonio Gaudi's project.

Photo - generated by Gemini

---

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Travel guide for 200 countries;

Legal advice from a local specialist on visa and migration issues;

Travel insurance around the world (please select the country of interest and citizenship to receive services);

Medical insurance all over the world.

---

We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline.