Leave the battle with overtourism behind next year when you go on holiday in Europe and head to one of these ‘overlooked destinations’.
That’s the advice from Time Out, which has produced an eye-catching ranking of the 21 most underrated European destinations for 2025.
The influential guide says: ‘This summer saw a series of anti-tourism demonstrations in European hotspots, as locals reached breaking point with years of overtourism; Amsterdam is cracking down on new hotels, Venice is set to double its tourist tax in 2025.
‘So there’s never been a better time to think outside the box for your travels – especially when so many incredible European spots are getting overlooked.’
It adds: ‘These destinations have got everything you want from your next holiday, with the added bonus of far fewer people jostling to see the same attractions.’
Scroll down for the ranking in full – which spot would you most like to head to?
1. ULCINJ, MONTENEGRO, THE MOST UNDERRATED PLACE OVERALL: Time Out describes Montenegro’s coastline as ‘spectacular’ and Ulcinj Old Town (above) as occupying ‘the most dramatically situated’ spot in the country
2. AARHUS, DENMARK: This ‘bijou university town in Jutland’ has ‘cobbled streets, world-class coffee and a positive, hygge outlook on life’
3. GERES, PORTUGAL: Peneda-Geres National Park is in a ‘beautiful corner of Portugal’ and home to ‘thousands of animal species, including roe deer, wild Garrano ponies, wolves and birds of prey’
4. GOZO, MALTA: Malta is an archipelago that includes two smaller islands – Comino and Gozo. Time Out writer Liv Kelly describes Gozo (above) as the ‘highlight’ of her visit
5. VESTMANNAEYJAR, ICELAND: Vestmannaeyjar, an archipelago with a population of just 4,000, is ‘probably Iceland’s best kept secret’, says Time Out, which adds: ‘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. And it’s got some of the best food in the country’
6. PLOVDIV, BULGARIA: This city has a ‘remarkable’ range of historical attractions and curiosities and ‘an impossibly gorgeous warren of cobblestone streets’
7. LEVI, FINNISH LAPLAND: ‘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,’ says Time Out, which points out that it’s ‘presided over by Finland’s most popular ski slopes’
8. BERGEN, NORWAY: This ‘clean and cool’ city’s ‘close proximity to spectacular nature makes it perfect if you’re looking for a holiday that combines a city break with the great outdoors’, says Time Out
9. CLUJ-NAPOCA, ROMANIA: ‘The largest city in Transylvania makes a compelling case for being the most fascinating city in Romania,’ says Time Out, describing its centre as an ‘outdoor museum’ with ‘monuments and quite magnificent churches’
10. EMILIA-ROMAGNA, ITALY: ‘The region of Emilia-Romagna has all of Italy’s best bits rolled into one,’ says Time Out, noting that its ancient city of Ravenna has eight Unesco World Heritage Sites and culinary hotspots that include Modena, Parma and Bologna. Above is the region’s San Leo medieval castle
11. TARTU, ESTONIA: You’ll find ‘lively cafés and experimental architecture’ in Tartu, which Time Out describes as the ‘creative, intellectual centre of the Baltics’
12. EXTREMADURA, SPAIN: Extremadura, on the Portuguese border, is home to wandering Iberian pigs, three biosphere nature reserves and a Unesco-recognised geo-park, notes Time Out
13. FAROE ISLANDS: Visit this archipelago and you’ll be treated to ‘pinch-me-I’m-dreaming views around every corner’
14. VILNIUS, LITHUANIA: This city celebrated its 700th anniversary last year and has a ‘fascinating’ but ‘often tumultuous’ history. Plus great nightclubs, including ‘prison-turned-cultural space Lukiskes 2.0, ‘the best offering this side of Berlin’
15. BANJA LUKA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: Here ‘lively café terraces abound’ and ‘English-speaking staff are a common feature’. There’s also a ‘relaxed sightseeing agenda spanning 2,000 years’. Above – the Orthodox Cathedral of Christ the Saviour
16. IMOTSKI LAKES, CROATIA: ‘Across most of the Dalmatian hinterland that separates Croatia from Bosnia and Herzegovina,’ says Time Out, ‘you’ll only find goats and old locals wandering the barren terrain. Interrupting this moon-like landscape are two bright lakes, each named after their water colour, fringing the solitary yet thriving town of Imotski.’ They are the swimmable Blue Lake (above) and the iron-oxide saturated Red Lake (‘admired from above’)
17. DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS: With its ‘chocolate-box pretty’ medieval harbour and indie shops and restaurants, Dordrecht is ‘the perfect spot for a bite-size Dutch city break’
18. LANDES, FRANCE: Tucked between Bordeaux to the north and the Basque Country to the south, Les Landes has swathes of maritime pines, 100km (62 miles) of Atlantic coastline and 300km (186 miles) of cycle paths, notes Time Out
19. ISLES OF SCILLY, UK: With ‘miles of unspoilt beach and hidden coves’, a seaside break to this archipelago off Cornwall’s coast will be one ‘unlike you’ve ever imagined’, declares Time Out
20. PAMUKKALE, TURKEY: Here, visitors can immerse themselves in ‘mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down white travertine terraces’ (above) and explore Roman ruins
![21. PONZA, ITALY: 'Ponza has somehow flown under the radar as international travellers flock to the more well-known Italian isles of Capri, Sicily and Sardinia,' says Time Out, adding: 'More fool them. [Here], swimmers take to natural pools and dip into ancient grottoes; sunbathers fill sandy beaches in crescent-shaped coves, and diners enjoy fresh seafood at harbourfront restaurants'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/11/01/09/91544521-14028503-image-a-38_1730453813497.jpg)
21. PONZA, ITALY: ‘Ponza has somehow flown under the radar as international travellers flock to the more well-known Italian isles of Capri, Sicily and Sardinia,’ says Time Out, adding: ‘More fool them. [Here], swimmers take to natural pools and dip into ancient grottoes; sunbathers fill sandy beaches in crescent-shaped coves, and diners enjoy fresh seafood at harbourfront restaurants’
