Aren’t you bored of always the same overrated destinations? Paris, Greece, Amsterdam, Italy, Vienna. Here I offer you a list of places in Europe to visit instead of these overcrowded tourist traps.
Instead of Paris
I’m a big supporter of the opinion that Paris is really overrated. Don’t take me wrong, I think the architecture is beautiful and it’s worth visiting but there are several points overshadowing these things. The city is overpriced, overcrowded, unsafe and really dirty.
Visit Budapest
Budapest is so much cheaper than Paris. The architecture is stunning, there are several historical buildings and even tho there’s no Eiffel tower there are castles, churches and the beautiful building of the Hungarian parliament. There are plenty of activities, it also offers a river and an island. During summer there is one of the biggest festivals in Europe. It’s less crowded and a lot safer.
Instead of Greece
Greece is great, I am a big fan myself. There is a lot of history, beautiful sea, beaches and many islands. Despite its beauty it can be very pricey, crowded and full of scammers.
Visit Albania/Croatia
If you are looking for beautiful sandy beaches with clear blue sea for better prices, Albania is a great option. You can relax on sandy beaches or explore the land. It offers stunning nature and interesting history.
If you are looking for the Mamma Mia! experience you can visit Croatia. The second part of the movie was filmed there anyways. It offers the same crystal clear sea and it’s full of history. The architecture might be slightly different but there are plenty of old towns to visit. Great option is to visit the Plitvice lakes with the waterfalls.
Instead of Amsterdam
I was surprised by my last visit in Amsterdam how incredibly crowded it was. I know it’s difficult to find an alternative to Amsterdam because of the few reasons, canals, drugs and red light district.
Visit any other city in the Netherlands
Honestly there’s not much you can find in Amsterdam but can’t in other Dutch cities. Almost every city is full of canals. People ride bikes everywhere and weed is legal in the whole country. Laiden is a very good option. There are canals, windmills, close are fields with flowers and also the sea. If you want bigger cities opt for Rotterdam or the Hague.
Instead of Italy
I’m a lover of Italy, it was my first holiday and the reason I started to love traveling. Even tho Italy is beautiful, offers a lot of delicious food and amazing beaches, it can be very overcrowded, overpriced and overrated. There are many scams going on and it’s less safe.
Visit Malta
Malta is one of my favorites. I think it needs more attention and appreciation. It is an island with so much history and mixed cultures, and it got the best of them. The food is delicious, architecture and activities are top notch, people are incredibly nice, it’s very safe and it is a lot cheaper. There is a crystal clear blue sea and a variety of beaches. I think Malta should be on the list of every vacationer.
Instead of Vienna
Vienna is a very nice city full of history. There are many historical sights and a beautiful palace but it didn’t amaze me so much. I felt quite unsafe in the city. It has this medieval vibe with the architecture and horse pulled carriages. It’s also a bit pricey.
Visit Bratislava
This little lovely capital is just an hour away from Vienna. Bratislava is a perfect option for someone who wants a calmer get away. It’s not so crowded and it’s cheaper. The old town is quite small but it has many other things to offer as well. You can go for a boat ride, visit two castles, have a walk by the river, go shopping in some of many shopping malls or swim in a lake. The choice is yours.
Instead of Brussels
I had really mixed feelings about Brussels. It has many nice things to offer. The night life is quite lively. It’s quite a big city so there are many things to do, from sight seeing to different activities. I felt very unsafe there tho. There is a mix of very different people and cultures. It’s also quite messy.
Visit Belgrade
I was very pleasantly surprised when I visited Belgrade. There is a historical part and a pretty modern part. You can go shopping in luxurious malls or have a walk in the center. You can visit a castle and also enjoy night life. The Serbians are quite lively. The city shines in many colours at night. The center is very lovely with many souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants, street artists and stands. It’s safe and so much cheaper.
Instead of Barcelona
Barcelona is a beautiful city full of art. Personally I love that city and would like to visit again. There are many things to see and do. Despite all of this, Barcelona is really expensive. It’s quite crowded and there is a problem with pickpockets.
Visit Seville/Valencia
Seville is a smaller but a very magical city, I fully recommend visiting. The beautiful square is like no other. There are cute streets and it’s also very lively.
If you are looking for a beach holiday, Valencia is a great alternative. It’s a really nice city with even more beautiful beaches.
Instead of Croatia
For me personally Croatia is very overrated, at least between Eastern Europeans. There is a beautiful sea and a lot of history but I think it’s more and more crowded and expensive.
Visit Montenegro
Montenegro is an amazing alternative for Croatia. They share the same beautiful sea and similar rocky beaches. There is also a lot of history and so many activities for tourists. Even tho it’s a smaller country, it has plenty of things to offer. It’s getting more popular among people but it’s still less crowded than Croatia and it’s also very cheap.
Instead of Helsinki
Helsinki is definitely not among my favorites. The city was not bad and there were some interesting places to visit but it was still kinda boring for me.
Visit Tallinn
Tallinn is a cheaper version with a cute old town as well. The language and the culture of Finland and Estonia are very similar. I think Tallinn is more interesting and it offers more history.
This is my honest opinion about Europe. I think every place is worth seeing and experiencing, some are just better than other ones. At the end everyone makes up their own opinion.
Let me know what is your favorite destination in Europe.