Colorful houses in the town of Bosa, founded in 1112 along the Temo River on the west coast of the Italian island of Sardinia
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One in a small hill on the west coast of Sardinia, the other located on Lake Como, Bosa and Nesso are two “secret” picturesque Italian villages at the top of the “Best Hidden Gems” list by European Best Destinations.
As the best-known destinations of Europe brace for another season of massive overtourism, the new list offers a “slower,” more soulful kind of travel with unspoiled alternatives away from the typical tourist trails (and travails).
“With picturesque villages, gorgeous hill towns, seaside resorts, medieval hamlets among vineyards and lakes, Europe abounds with ‘secret’ destinations for those looking to be away from the crowds,” says EBD.
“While Europe’s most iconic cities attract millions each year, the continent’s true magic often lies far from the crowds. Tucked between mountains, along forgotten coastlines, and nestled in valleys untouched by time, these destinations offer something rare: authenticity.”
The new ranking is an invitation to wander from the pastel-hued streets of Bosa in Sardinia to the thermal bliss of Saturnia’s natural springs in Tuscany, from the timeless beauty of Halki, a car-free Greek island where life moves to the rhythm of the sea, to the rose-colored alleys of Albarracín in Spain.
The EBD’s list, based on votes by more than one million travelers from 172 countries encourages you to embark on a journey “to these lesser-known locales and discover the diverse and captivating experiences that await beyond Europe’s well-trodden paths.” Access to some of them is not always as easy as going to Paris, for example, but it’s precisely their remoteness that has preserved them—raw, real and waiting to be explored.
1. Bosa, Sardinia, Italy
Am aerial view of Bosa town on Sardinia island, Italy, with the Ponte Vecchio bridge crossing the Temo river
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Renowned for its colorful houses and the medieval Malaspina Castle, Bosa is situated about two-thirds of the way up the west coast of Sardinia, on a small hill about 3km inland on the north bank of the Temo River.
“Stroll through the historic center, explore the castle, and relax on the nearby Bosa Marina beach,” EBD recommends.
Local cuisine: Savor traditional Sardinian dishes like porceddu (roast suckling pig) and seadas (cheese-filled pastries drizzled with honey). Don’t miss a glass of the local wine, Malvasia di Bosa.
How to get there: Book flights to Alghero-Fertilia Airport. From there, Bosa is approximately a one-hour drive of about 55km via SP49 and SP105.
2. Nesso, Lake Como, Italy
Aerial view of Nesso, a picturesque village sitting on the banks of Lake Como, Italy
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The picturesque village of Nesso, located on Lake Como, is famous for being split in half—literally—by its natural gorge and waterfall, the Orrido di Nesso.
On the western branch of Lake Como, it’s known for its authentic charm and historic stone-paved alleys. The ancient Roman bridge, Ponte della Civera, offers stunning views.
Local cuisine: Enjoy lake fish specialties including missoltini (sun-dried shad) and risotto al pesce persico (risotto with perch).
How to get there: Book flights to Milan Malpensa Airport. Nesso is about a 90-minute drive (75km) via the A9 and SP583 roads.
3. Corvo Island, Azores, Portugal
Volcanic crater Caldeirao in Corvo Island near Flores, Azores, Portugal
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The volcanic solitude of Corvo Island, the smallest of the Azores islands, is an invitation to peace and reflection.
The Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, are an archipelago in the mid-Atlantic composed of nine major islands and an islet cluster, including Corvo.
The islands are characterized by dramatic landscapes, fishing villages, green pastures and hedgerows of blue hydrangeas.
Corvo boasts the stunning Caldeirão, a large volcanic crater with lakes and islets. The island’s only village, Vila do Corvo, offers a glimpse into traditional Azorean life.
Local cuisine: Try caldo de peixe (fish soup) and biscoitos de orelha (traditional biscuits).
How to get there: Book flights to João Paulo II Airport in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island. From there, take a regional flight to Corvo Airport. The island is small, and most attractions are accessible on foot or by local transport.
4. Albarracin, Spain
The Medieval terracotte Village of Albarracin In Aragon, Spain
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Often cited as one of Spain’s most beautiful villages, Albarracín is located in the hills of east-central Spain, above a curve of the Guadalaviar River.
Towering medieval walls, the Murallas de Albarracín, dominate the adjacent hillside. The ruins of an alcázar, or Moorish castle, rise on a clifftop in the old town.
The 16th-century Catedral del Salvador features a bell tower built on the remains of a Romanesque temple and surrounded by narrow, winding streets, pink-hued buildings and ancient city walls.
Local cuisine: Delight in ternasco (roast lamb) and migas (fried breadcrumbs with chorizo and garlic).
How to get there: Book flights to Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD). Albarracín is approximately a three-hour, 280km drive via the A-2 and A-23 highways.
5. Blagaj on Buna, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Small village Blagaj on Buna with its spring and waterfall in Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Blagaj is an historic village and protected heritage site in Bosnia and Herzegovina, nestled amid the southeastern region of the Mostar basin in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton.
Blagaj is home to one of the “Best Kept Secret Places in Europe,” the Blagaj Tekija, a 16th-century Dervish monastery perched dramatically by a turquoise spring of the Buna River.
The serene setting is perfect for contemplation (and photography).
Local cuisine: Enjoy čevapi (grilled minced meat) and burek (meat-filled pastry).
How to get there: Book flights to Sarajevo International Airport. Blagaj is about a two-hour drive (130km) via the M17 highway.
6. Rupit, Catalonia, Spain
The medieval Catalan village of Rupit in the subregion of the Collsacabra, Spain
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Rupit is a charming medieval village in Catalonia that evokes the essence of medieval Europe with its cobblestone streets, stone houses and the iconic hanging wooden bridge over the Rupit River.
Explore the Church of Sant Miquel, dating back to the 12th century, and hike to the nearby Salt de Sallent waterfall for breathtaking views.
Local cuisine: Savor traditional Catalan dishes such as escudella (meat and vegetable stew) and butifarra (Catalan sausage).
How to get there: Book your flights to Barcelona-El Prat Airport. Rupit is approximately a 90-minute drive.
7. Halki, Greece
Colorful houses and fishing boats in the charming small Greek island of Halki (Chalki)
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Halki is a small, rustic, hilly island in the Dodecanese, just 6km west of Rhodes, known for its crystal-clear waters and neoclassical architecture.
It’s admired for its secluded beaches, including Kania and Potamos, some only accessible on foot. Ferries arrive from Rhodes Town and Piraeus at the port in charming Nimborio, which has seafront tavernas and open-air bars, plus upscale vacation villas.
Hiking trails lead past whitewashed chapels such as the Church of Agios Nikolaos, with its impressive bell tower, the Castle of the Knights of St. John and the abandoned village of Chorio.
Local cuisine: Enjoy fresh seafood dishes like grilled octopus and astakomakaronada (lobster with pasta).
How to get there: Book flights to Rhodes International Airport. From there, take a ferry from Kamiros Skala port to Halki, which takes about an hour.
8. Tenby, Wales, U.K.
Colorful harbor houses and boats in Tenby, Wales
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Tenby is a postcard-perfect harbor town in southwest Wales, known for its medieval, 13th-century walls, pastel-colored houses, beautiful beaches and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
Its stretches of sandy shoreline include Castle Beach, with the ruins of Tenby Castle on a headland overlooking the harbor.
Explore the Tudor Merchant’s House and take a boat trip to Caldey Island.
Local cuisine: Try Welsh specialties like cawl (lamb stew) and bara brith (fruit loaf).
How to get there: Book flights to Cardiff Airport. Tenby is approximately a two-hour, 150km drive via the M4 and A48 roads.
9. Saturnia, Italy
Aerial view taken of natural spa of Saturnia during a sunny autumn day in Tuscany
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Saturnia, one of the Best Hidden Gems in Italy, is a spa town in Tuscany in north-central Italy that has been inhabited since ancient times.
Famous for its natural hot springs, particularly the Cascate del Mulino, the thermal waters cascade over limestone terraces.
During your stay, visit the medieval town center and the nearby archaeological sites.
Local cuisine: Enjoy Tuscan dishes like pici (thick, hand-rolled pasta) and acquacotta (vegetable soup).
How to get there: Book flights to Rome Fiumicino Airport. Saturnia is approximately a two-hour drive (150km) via the A12 and SS1 roads.
10. Vik, Iceland
The picture-perfect village of Vik in southern Iceland, fields of lupins in bloom around the town church
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Vik is a small village on Iceland’s south coast known for its black sand beaches, particularly Reynisfjara, and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks.
With its dramatic cliffs and black sand beaches, “Vik reminds us that sometimes, the edge of the world is the beginning of something extraordinary,” notes EBD.
Visit the Vik Myrdal Church perched on a hill and explore the nearby Dyrhólaey promontory for panoramic views.
Local cuisine: Try Icelandic specialties like plokkfiskur (fish stew) and skyr (dairy product).
How to get there: Book flights to Keflavik International Airport. Vik is approximately a 2 1/2-hour, 180km drive via Route 1.
For your first stop, try here for all the best places in Europe to visit.
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