Many tourists completely unfairly miss out on these wonderful places.
Many tourists are often disappointed by popular tourist destinations in Europe, no matter how beautiful they may be, due to huge crowds or inflated prices.
However, Europe is not limited to just a few well-known cities; there are many interesting places that can surprise visitors.
Experts from the travel publication Travel Off Path have selected seven wonderful European cities that many tourists still unfairly overlook.
7 lesser-known European cities that are worth visiting in 2026
- Würzburg, Germany. This Bavarian town is often overlooked by tourists in favor of the more famous Munich and Nuremberg. However, it boasts its own UNESCO World Heritage Site, the impressive Würzburg Baroque Residence.
- Bolzano, Italy. This resort town, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, is more reminiscent of Germany than the Mediterranean, and for good reason: it was part of Austria for most of its history before coming under Italian control in 1919. From its Austrian architecture to its meat-rich Tyrolean cuisine and the melodious German language still spoken by most locals, it is one of the most unique short-break destinations in Italy, precisely because it feels so much like something other than Italy.
- Oradea, Romania. This city can be safely called one of the most underrated places in Europe: as a former part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it is beautiful, safe and full of life, but without crowds of tourists. The heart of the city is the Republic Street, built with elegant 19th-century buildings, from where narrow streets branch out to other city attractions.
- Poznan, Poland. This city boasts a medieval Old Town and many Baroque churches, as well as a huge market square filled with colorful merchant houses and popular local cafes.
- A Coruña, Spain. This city is a great escape from the intimidating crowds of tourists in Barcelona and Madrid. It boasts a fascinating ancient history and sandy beaches, offering the perfect combination of cultural immersion and coastal tranquility. However, the most famous landmark in A Coruña is not in the city itself, but just a 15-minute drive away: the Tower of Hercules, built by the Romans 2,000 years ago, is one of the last remaining ancient lighthouses, towering over the turbulent waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
- Folegandros, Greece. This town boasts the kind of untouched authenticity that is missing from the tourist-filled and designer-shopped Santorini. This peaceful corner of the Aegean Sea, where time seems to slow down, offers tourists delicious food made from local produce and the absence of cruise ships.
- Trondheim, Norway. One of the oldest cities in Norway, which is often overlooked in favor of the more popular cities of Oslo, Bergen, or Tromsø, Trondheim is incredibly rich in cultural events. It is also home to the most beautiful and well-preserved medieval cathedral in Norway, Nidaros Cathedral. Built in the 11th century, it is a rare example of Gothic architecture so far north in Europe, with a detailed facade and an impressive rose window.
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