9 INSANELY UNDERRATED European Cities for 2025

9 INSANELY UNDERRATED European Cities for 2025

Europe is packed with bucket list destinations, but many places travelers dream of visiting are now crowded, touristy, and wildly overpriced. The secret isn’t just skipping them altogether. Popular places are popular for a reason. It’s mixing in second cities and lesser hyped home bases along the way so your trip feels more balanced, enjoyable, and a whole lot less rushed. So, let’s get into a list of European destinations highly worth a detour, a day trip, or even in some cases a straightup swap. Take Amsterdam. The canals, the bikes, the museums, all amazing. But the crowds, the hotel prices, not so much. For a much more relaxed base, check out Harlem. Just 20 minutes from Amsterdam by train, it’s full of winding alleys, lively coffee houses, and way fewer tourists. You could actually just stay there instead and then hop into Amsterdam by train or bus whenever you want. Another nearby gym we loved is Leiden. It’s often described as a smaller, quieter Amsterdam. It’s got a much slower pace, very cool canals, and it makes a great jumping off point for day trips to the HG or Delft. All right, let’s swap bikes for paella, Spain. Barcelona gets all the headlines with gaudi, a buzzing food scene, and what seems like non-stop energy, and it deserves hype, but Spain has so much more to offer. Now, of course, you should see Madrid, Sevilla, Granada. I have a long list for Spain, but believe it or not, Spain’s third largest city, Valencia, somehow flies under the radar for many travelers, which is a real shame in my opinion. Valencia is exactly what I look for in a second city. around a million residents or less, enough to have big city amenities, but without all the touristy chaos. We spent 2 weeks here earlier this year and highly recommend. You can run through this giant park in a former riverbed, marvel at the futuristic city of arts and sciences, and try Paella in the place where it was actually created. I cannot say enough good things about Valencia. If you’re visiting Belgium, Rick Steves probably told you there’s only one can’t miss place, Bruge. And I’m not saying Bruge isn’t cool, but after a few hours, it can feel more like a museum. Crowded, touristy, a little bit staged. That’s why we love Gent. It’s just 30 minutes away by train, and it mixes medieval towers with a youthful, creative energy. It’s a real livedin city and home to real people, not just tourists passing through. We rented an apartment from a local family right on the Vogmar, which is a bustling square that’s been at the heart of Gent for centuries. And our days here weren’t really about checking sites off a list, but really just slowing down. Sure, you can see Gravenstein Castle or St. Babos’s Cathedral, but our favorite memories were wandering Graffiti Street, grabbing dinner on Oddberg Street, or spending an evening at Darrit with a Belgian beer and a cheese plate. Compared to Bruge, Gent just feels more real and laid-back. I’m sorry, Rick. I love you. All right, on to arguably the most overrated place in Italy. Positano. Positano is gorgeous, don’t get me wrong, but it is unbearably crowded and shockingly expensive. Take it from me, Pazano is very worth visiting. It’s beautiful. But if I could do it again, I would never overnight there. Instead, I would just stay in Sarrento. Now, Sarrento gets its fair share of tourists, too, but it is nowhere near the chaos of Pazatano. It’s laid-back, more affordable, and very well positioned for day trips. You could easily hop a ferry to Coppery, take the scenic bus ride to Pazatano for a day, or even zip up to Naples for pizza. Now, no matter where you’re heading, it’s always good to know some key phrases in the local language. And look, you can absolutely get by with a smile and some hand gestures, but I always think giving the local language a go is going to make your experience richer. And that’s where today’s sponsor, Rosetta Stone, comes in. With 25 languages available, they cover many of the destinations in this video. And their lessons are built around realworld conversations, not just random vocab lists. They focus on practical phrases for travel situations like ordering food, checking into hotels, or asking for directions. And no matter how you learn, they’ve got you covered. If you’re visual, they have image-based lessons. I’m more of a speaking and listening kind of guy, so I really like the true accent tool, which gives you instant feedback on your pronunciation. The lessons are short, flexible, and they’re available on both app and desktop, which is perfect for prepping before your trip or even brushing up while you’re on the road. If you want to check out Rosetta Stone, click the link in the description or scan the QR code for over 60% off a lifetime subscription, and you’ll get access to all 25 languages forever. Big thanks to Rosetta Stone for sponsoring today’s video. Now, if Italy has you dreaming of islands, here’s one of Europe’s most underappreciated island destinations that I rarely hear Western travelers talk about. Madiraa. It’s nicknamed the Hawaii of Europe. Dramatic cliffs, volcanic peaks, waterfalls, and hiking trails that look like something out of Jurassic Park. But instead of a 10-hour flight across the Pacific, it’s just a quick hop from mainland Europe. Just don’t focus too hard on how short the airplane runway is. Portuguese colonizers claimed MadiRaa in the 1400s, so it’s kind of Portuguese, but it’s also kind of its own thing. Let me tell you, breathtaking viewpoints everywhere. Maderan wine, great. We splurged a bit and booked a nicer place in Fchal through Marriott Homes and Villas and had this incredible view. The one touristy thing you might want to wait in line for is the cable car to the top of the mountain and doing the wicker basket toboggan down. So much fun. Next, let’s sail over to Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. Most travelers make a beline for VAR. It’s stunning, but it’s also pricey, packed, and built around the party scene. If that’s not exactly your thing, the appeal can wear off pretty quickly. And that is why I love Cula as an alternative. It’s smaller, more relaxed, and it’s brimming with history. Medieval stone walls, terracotta rooftops, and cobbled lanes that spill right down to the sea. The old town is famously shaped like a fish. It was designed centuries ago to catch the breeze, which you’re definitely going to notice on windy days. By day, you can wander vineyards and olive groves or swim in quiet coes just out of town. And in the evening, order some of the island’s incredible seafood. Watch the day trippers sail off and soak up more of a hushed vibe, which is the exact opposite of bar. Scotland’s Edinburghough is pure magic. Towering castles, cobbled streets, and a whiskey scene that is very hard to beat. But all that charm comes with a cost. And the crowds along the Royal Mile can be relentless. For a different pace without losing culture, head just under an hour to Glasgow. It’s creative, gritty, and full of life. You’ve got world-class museums like Kelvin Grove and the Riverside, both free. And the city’s architecture swings from ornate Victorian buildings to bold street art and murals. It’s a UNESCO city of music with legendary live venues, and the food and nightlife scene is booming. Best of all, Glaswegians are famously some of the friendliest people in the world. So, the city feels very warm and welcoming in a way that’s hard to fake. Vienna, Prague, Budapest, all central European capitals and river cities shaped by Austrohungarian grandeur. All highly worth a visit. But if you want that same charm on a smaller and less crowded scale, look no further than Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana. Ljubljana is surprisingly tiny, walkable, and full of charm. You can cover the old town in a couple of hours and cafe hop by the river without feeling like you’re burning through your budget. Something I thought was just awesome is the city’s mascot is the dragon. You’ll see the dragon on bridges and statues everywhere. Food and drinks are refreshingly affordable. And do not skip the local honey. Slovenia has more beekeepers per capita than anywhere in the world. One of our favorite things in Ljubljana was the accommodations. We stayed in two different places in Ljubljana. Hostel Celica, which is a converted prison, and then we used our IHG free night certificate for an epic stay at the Intercontinental Ljubljana. I cannot wait to go back there. The Swiss Alps are legendary for skiing, but they’re also legendary for their prices. If you’re craving snowy slopes without that Swiss sticker shock, try swapping the Alps for something a little more under the radar. Garmish partner Kirkin in Bavaria gives you alpine charm without the crazy prices or as much of the chaos. What I like about Garmish is it’s just a short train ride from Munich. So, it’s one of the easiest ski getaways in Europe and an easy one to work into kind of a Bavaria trip. The town itself is adorable. It’s got hardy mountain food and cozy opres ski spots. You could take the cable car up to the Zoo Spitz, which is Germany’s highest peak, for jaw-dropping views. And look, it’s not going to be the absolute best skiing of your life, but it is accessible, fun, and a great way to scratch the itch. Now, if budget is your biggest concern, Bonso in Bulgaria is one of the cheapest ski destinations in all of Europe. The runs are solid, oprey Ski is lively, and it’s developing a cool international vibe thanks to digital nomads and long-term visitors. You’re not going to find the polish of the Alps, but for the price, very hard to beat. And if you’re craving even more hidden gems, you’re definitely going to want to check out this video on seven insanely underrated European cities. Thanks for watching. Happy travels.

Discover 9 INSANELY UNDERRATED European hidden gems for 2025—affordable, authentic, and unforgettable. These smart city swaps skip the tourist traps, avoid the crowds, and save you money while unlocking the best of Europe

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