Waiting in line for hours, especially under searing heat, trying to get through crowded streets and sidewalks, doesn’t exactly make for a good time. If you’d like to visit Europe in the summer but don’t want to deal with massive tourist crowds famous in places like Paris and Rome, there are a number of other places to consider. These destinations haven’t become so popular that everyone is heading there in droves, yet they have lots to offer in addition to a crowd-free experience.
Split, Croatia
Dubrovnik has become incredibly popular in recent years, in part because of “Game of Thrones” tourism. Its old town is particularly inundated when the cruise ships arrive; in fact, it’s gotten so busy officials have considered ways to limit the number of visitors. Instead of joining them, consider visiting Split instead. Still a top destination in Croatia, it offers lively waterfront promenades, fantastic sunset watching, fabulous markets, and a wealth of outstanding eateries – without the crowds. The “Mediterranean Flower,” as the nation’s second-largest city is often referred to, boasts a magnificent historic core filled with spectacular Renaissance and Gothic architecture. Outside of the historic center, visitors can enjoy swimming at Bacvice Beach.
Riga, Latvia
While the word has been getting out about Riga, the “Paris of the North,” it’s still one of the lesser-visited cities in Europe and offers lots to love without the thick crowds. It’s home to some of the largest and most impressive art nouveau architecture on the continent, including goddesses and gargoyles that adorn more than 750 buildings. Wander the intriguing cobbled lanes, check out the medieval squares and gingerbread trim in the Old Town, and sample its many gastronomic delights. The Baltic gastronomy capital is renowned for its eateries that serve fusion cuisine that includes both Latvian traditional dishes and modern, creative meals.
Bergen, Norway
Located on Norway’s southeastern coast, Bergen is surrounded by mountains and fjords. While the capital city of Oslo is on the top of many travelers’ lists, the second-largest city has remained under the radar, but it offers striking natural beauty, a rich history, cultural treasures, and top-notch cuisine. There is a wide range of outdoor adventures for enjoying all that scenery, including hiking to the top of Mount Floyen, where you’ll enjoy a panoramic vista of the sea, the fjords, and the city. Day cruises are another great way to explore it, bringing you through narrow fjords up close to magnificent waterfalls.
Akureyri, Iceland
While Iceland has become increasingly popular with travelers across the globe, most tend to stick around the capital city of Reykjavik, the Golden Circle, and perhaps the South Coast. But the Northern region is delightfully quiet and can be reached by driving the Ring Road or a short flight from Reykjavik. Akureyri, the “Capital of the North,” boasts a center with art galleries, shops, and restaurants, and within a couple of hour’s drive, you can experience numerous attractions. Check out some of the country’s most spectacular waterfalls, the Hverir Geothermal Area with its fumaroles and boiling mud pots, and the Lake Myvatn Nature Baths, a fabulous remote alternative to the Blue Lagoon with its geothermally heated pools surrounded by volcanic landscape and dramatic mountains.
Kotor, Montenegro
Montenegro has only been an independent nation since 2006, and the coastal city of Kotor, which sits on a secluded tip of Boka Kotorsky Bay, offers extraordinary beauty few travelers are even aware of. Before it becomes the next big thing, you may want to consider it as part of your summer holiday for a chance to enjoy an unspoiled retreat that includes breathtaking views of the Dinaric Alps and an entire old town area declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Float through the sunlight-drenched fjords with mountains soaring overhead, dine on mouth-watering Mediterranean cuisine and explore the many ancient structures, churches, cathedrals, palaces, and museums without battling the crowds.
Krakow, Poland
While summertime is the peak season for visitors in Krakow, the crowds don’t compare to places like London or Rome. Look forward to enjoying the impressive architecture, from Gothic to Renaissance, that managed to survive well intact during the Second World War, as well as the grand Wawel Castle and the atmospheric Jewish quarter of Kazimierz. The Old Town boasts more bars per square meter than anywhere else on Earth, making it ideal for those who want to experience exciting nightlife too.
Antwerp, Belgium
Belgium’s creative city doesn’t get near as many visitors as places like Bruges. Yet it offers lots for art lovers, with artists Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck creating many of their works here during the 16th- and 17th centuries. Visit Rubens’ home and studio at the Rubenhuis and view his works, as well as works of other Flemish artists, in Antwerp’s cathedral and at the Antwerp Fashion Museum. The Plantin Moretus Museum is the home of bookbinder and printer, Christoffel Plantin, and the glorious architectural wonders of the 14th-century Gothic Cathedral Of Our Lady is also a must-see.
Hamburg, Germany
Hamburg, the greenest city in Europe, is just a three-hour drive northwest of Berlin, yet few visitors seem to make it here. Half of this port city is devoted to water, parks, gardens and woodlands, and by taking a stroll along the many canals and waterways, you’ll understand why it was dubbed the “Venice of the North.” One of Germany’s most picturesque cities, on a summer day, you’ll find lots of terraces for dining and enjoying the views. After dark, you can experience its famous nightlife hub, “Reeperbahn.”
Porto, Portugal
Porto has often been mentioned as one of Europe’s best small towns, yet it still hasn’t managed to attract the big crowds. Spread out along the hills overlooking the Douro River in northern Portugal, its heart is the Ribeira, an atmospheric pedestrian promenade on the river that’s filled with live music, cafes, restaurants, and street vendors. Wander along the winding, cobbled streets and view the magnificent churches and public buildings that are works of art themselves, like the Church of Sao Francisco, and then pick a cafe to sample its famous port wine while watching the sun go down.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg is often overlooked, but it offers countless natural treasures, from the Ardennes forests and the valleys of southern Gutland to the city of Diekirch. Check out Vianden Castle, built between the 11th and 14th centuries. In the capital of Luxembourg City, take the Wenzel Walk, a two-hour stroll along the historic ramparts, winding through cobbled streets lined with churches, towers, and palaces.
