Discover The 18 Secret Gems of Europe That You’ve Never Heard Of

Steve Cummings

Europe is known for many wonderful places, such as Paris, Rome, Barcelona, and the beautiful Santorini. There are also many unknown beautiful places that people should visit. Here are a few of the best unknown places in Europe to consider for your next trip:

1. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
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This UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its 16 interconnected lakes and waterfalls that cascade into each other. You can take a day trip to visit and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lakes and waterfalls. 

2. Matera, Italy

Matera, Italy
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Do you want to sleep in a cave, eat in a cave, or enjoy being in an entire city of caves? Matera, Italy, is that cave-like city. This ancient city is known for its cave dwellings carved into the limestone hillsides of a deep ravine, and you can come and visit and enjoy all the caves.

3. Lapland, Finland: 

Lapland, Finland
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Lapland, Finland, is the home of Santa Claus. It is located in the northernmost region of Finland, featuring vast forests and the Northern Lights. It will be something to add to your bucket list.

4. Rila Monastery, Bulgaria: 

Rila Monastery, Bulgaria
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The Rila Monastery is located in the mountains, where you may come closer to God. It was founded in the 10th century by a Bulgarian Hermit, and the monastery has become a most important cultural and spiritual haven for Bulgarians.

5. Cinque Terre, Italy: 

Cinque Terre, Italy
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Of the Italian Riviera sits a section of five different coastal villages that bring our beauty through their colors, culture, and fantastic seafood. The water is full of boats and fishermen, the scenery is of the towns on the side of a cliff, and it raves in Italian hospitality. It is an excellent place for those that love nature and seeking new places to see. 

6. Lake Bled, Slovenia: 

Lake Bled, Slovenia
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This stunning alpine lake surrounded by mountains is a popular destination for hiking, boating, and swimming. Many people come here to relax and enjoy themselves away from the bigger cities of Europe. You can swim, kayak, visit another lake down the road, and do some hiking there. It is a fantastic place to spend a couple of days. 

7. Meteora, Greece:

Meteora, Greece
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Situated in Thessaly, Meteroa sits one of the most impressive regions in all of Greece. This unique rock formation is home to several monasteries built on towering rock pillars that many have been flocking to explore and see. If you are looking for something unknown to many travelers, check out these monasteries in Meteora, Greece.

8. Sintra, Portugal: 

Sintra Portugal
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Situated on the hills of the Sintra Mountains outside of Lisbon sits Sintra Portugal. You will find charming palaces and castles and be able to enjoy forested terrain with pastel-colored villas. This lovely city is to be noticed if traveling to Portugal

9. Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland: 

Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
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It is a wilderness reserve in South Iceland around the Vatnajokull glacier. The terrain features mountains, glaciers, icy terrain, and geothermal areas for those that like hot springs. It is a magnificent place with breathtaking landscapes.

10. Setúbal, Portugal: 

Setúbal, Portugal
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Setubal, Portugal, is located across the bay from Lisbon. This laid-back; charming coastal town has exciting buildings, a local foodie vibe, fresh markets, and bright plazas and shops to see and visit. It will be a place to visit if near Lisbon.

11. Black Forest, Germany: 

Black Forest, Germany
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The Black Forest is a large forest that sits on the border of Germany and France. That has charming villages, abundant wildlife, and unique little places to visit. It is also the location of many of the Grim Brothers' fairy tales. So take a trip through the Black Forest. 

12. Basque Country, Spain: 

Basque Country, Spain
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Basque county is located in the northern region of Spain bordering the Atlantic Ocean and France. It has a different language, culture, and food, bringing many people to explore this diverse section of Spain.

13. Skagen, Denmark: 

Skagen, Denmark
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Skagen is known for where two seas come together and are located at the northernmost tip of Denmark. It also boasts many beautiful beaches, traditional architecture, and artistic heritage that it tries to share with the world. Many painters have come for the beautiful nature and marvelous light that can be seen. 

14. Sibiu, Romania: 

Sibiu, Romania
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Known for being one of the most beautiful walled cities in Europe, Sibiu was founded by the Saxon Germanic tribes. They created wealth and used it to create beautiful buildings and walls to protect this charming medieval town. It is also known for its well-preserved architecture, vibrant cultural scene, and beautiful landscapes.

15. Positano, Italy: 

Positano, Italy
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Sitting on the Amalfi coast is a picturesque town known for its stunning views, chic boutiques, and delicious cuisine. Positano is known as the seaside paradise of Italy, with colorful seaside villas and the beautiful scenery of the Amalfi coast. If you are looking for somewhere beautiful, check out Positano.

16. Zakopane, Poland: 

Zakopane, Poland
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Sitting at the foot of the Tatra mountain is Zakopane. It is a beautiful town that many go to for winter sports, hiking, and mountain climbing. The scenery is stunning, and outdoor recreation activities are abundant.

17. Tromsø, Norway: 

Tromsø, Norway
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Tromso is the arctic capital of Norway. It brings about breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cultural scenes, and opportunities for viewing the Northern Lights. There is no better place to explore when seeing the Northern Lights than Tromso. 

18. Ålesund, Norway: 

Ålesund, Norway
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Alesund is the cultural capital of the Sunnmore region with its Art Nouveau architecture, stunning scenery, and delicious seafood. It is a place where mountains and fjords come together. It is a great place for art, culture, seafood, and hiking. Come and see this beautiful Scandinavian city. 

12 European Cities That Offer The High Quality of Life

Stockholm
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Many people long to live in Europe but are discouraged by the high cost of living there. European cities like Frankfurt and London are among the priciest places to live. Even on a tight budget, you can live in Europe if you search outside of the main cities and most well-known tourist attractions.

12 European Cities That Offer The High Quality of Life

Check out These 19 Cheapest Countries to Fly into Europe!

Lisbon, Portugal
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As summer is coming, plans need to be made about where to travel next. Europe is a great destination to embark on an incredible journey by seeing many famous spots, eating fantastic food, and enjoying a coffee at a local shop. However, choosing the cheapest flying destination can take time and effort. After going through google flights, Skyscanner, Hopper, and many other search engines, a list of the cheapest countries to fly into Europe has been curated to help you make your next vacation decision.

Check out These 19 Cheapest Countries to Fly into Europe!

15 Southern European Destinations That Are Perfect for Your Next Vacation

Happy woman enjoys view of old town (medieval Ragusa) and Dalmatian Coast of Adriatic Sea in Dubrovnik. Blue sea with white yachts, beautiful landscape, aerial view, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Southern Europe is a cultural and historical melting pot with endless fascinating places to visit. It is a fantastic vacation destination because it has everything: beautiful beaches, amazing landmarks, and delectable food.

15 Southern European Destinations That Are Perfect for Your Next Vacation

Top 10 Things Smart Travelers Always Do Before Flights 

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Planning a trip can be an exciting experience. Whether you're heading off on a relaxing vacation or a business trip, it's crucial to make the necessary preparations beforehand. Smart travelers know that a little extra effort before their flights can make a world of difference.

Top 10 Things Smart Travelers Always Do Before Flights 

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