The Unseen Beauties of Southern Europe: 12 Hidden Gems
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Sun-soaked spots in southern Europe are perennially popular with vacationers, but many of the best-known can also get overcrowded. The good news is that the continent is still sprinkled with hidden gems – it’s simply a matter of knowing where to find them. From an uncrowded corner of Croatia to a unique Spanish lake, here are 12 of Europe’s unsung heroes.
Pietrapertosa, Italy
Seemingly built into the mountainside, Pietrapertosa is one of Europe’s loveliest medieval villages. You can ride a zipline to the nearby mountain village of Castelmezzano or climb the castle for magnificent views. As part of the Basilicata Region, you can also expect the scent of Italy’s favorite herb to be heavy on the air.
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Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Like Rome, Plovdiv is built on seven hills but is far lesser-known than the Italian capital. It’s said to be one of the oldest inhabited cities on earth, and you can find Greek, Ottoman, and Roman remains all over town. Things to do include sampling local brandy and chilled Tarator soup or catching a concert at the Roman amphitheater, which is still in use.
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Batumi, Georgia
Batumi is a year-round destination with a historic center, surrounded by the Adjara mountains. The city has everything, from a beautiful botanic garden to a lovely beach and a lively foodie scene. You can also snap up rooms at a spa hotel for a snip, compared to what you’d pay in other European destinations.
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Cassis, France
Only 20 minutes drive from Marseilles is Cassis, a pretty fishing town famous for fresh seafood and wine. Foodies flock here to enjoy those but are also charmed by the traditional and colorful fishing port. Close to town, you can also find Calanques National Park, which offers lots of secluded coves. You can reach it on foot, or a local boat will take you there.
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Monsanto, Portugal
Monsanto in Portugal is best known for its oversized boulders throughout the village. Locals’ homes are dotted in between, and the inland village still retains that elusive timeless quality. The views from here are spectacular, too, reaching across Portugal toward the border with Spain.
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Laguna Salada de Torrevieja, Spain
This pink lake must be seen to be believed. It’s located within the Natural Park of the Lagunas de la Mata y Torrevieja, and its waters are said to have therapeutic benefits. Once you’ve filled the rose-tinted lake, you can head to the breathtaking beaches of the Torrevieja area.
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Veli Losinj, Croatia
Croatia is fast becoming a discovered gem rather than a hidden one. Still, the country has much catching up compared to destinations such as Spain and Italy, which is great news for travelers. Veli Losinj has it all – great food, crystal clear waters, guaranteed sunshine in summer, and stunning views. This paradisiacal place is nestled at the base of Kalvarija mountain on Losinj Island.
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Alberobello, Italy
Alberobello in Italy is famous for its distinctive architecture, comprising whitewashed Trulli homes with triangular thatched roofs. Numerous festivals also attract visitors during the summer months, who come to sample traditional dancing, local cuisine, and a slice of La Dolce Vita. You can also attend a cookery class in a Trulli building or taste food and drinks from the region at a wine bar.
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Nisyros, Greece
If you want to find an undiscovered Greek island, have you ever heard of Nisyros? The chances are the answer is no, yet it’s vacation Greece personified, with charming tavernas housed in whitewashed buildings draped in bougainvillea. As well as local Greek food, plus pebble and sand beaches, Nisyros has several sulfurous hydrothermal craters to see. You can get there by ferry from Kardamena, on the nearby island of Kos.
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Montserrat, Spain
Both the town and the mountain draw visitors to Montserrat, yet remains something of a hidden secret. You can ride on the rack railway or a cable car to reach the summit or explore an assortment of religious relics in the center of town. Many hiking trails also lead from the Funicular de Sant Joan stop. Montserrat is an easy day trip from Barcelona.
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Berat, Albania
Albania’s so-called City of a Thousand Windows is steeped in history, and Berat Castle dates back an astonishing 2,500 years or so. In Berat, you can also marvel at the Ottoman homes clustered on the hillside below the castle. If you’re spending time at an Albanian beach resort, don’t miss the chance to see the Byzantine churches, hilltop fortress, and Ottoman houses of Berat.
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Piran, Slovenia
Picturesque Piran is a small Slovenia city close to Croatia and Italy. In fact, Piran’s Italian connections are evident in the local food, which has a decidedly Italian flavor. The freshest, locally caught seafood is also a specialty. Meanwhile, the Walls of Piran and Tartini Square are historic points of interest worth seeing.
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Georgia Konidari is a nationally syndicated writer and the creator of World Wild Schooling, a digital platform dedicated to travel. She is on a mission to explore the globe and share her experiences with fellow travelers. She has been featured on MSN, the Associated Press Wire and more. You can follow Georgia on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube.
