6 Undiscovered European Cities

Dreaming of a European vacation but dreading the idea of crowds? There are plenty of cities and towns in Europe that are still under the radar of the masses.

As an American living in Italy and an avid traveler, here are a few of my suggestions for your next vacation in Europe.

1. Nice, France

More people flock to nearby Cannes, home of the famous film festival, but Nice is nice as well! Nestled on the French Riviera, Nice offers a stretch of sandy beaches and inviting sparkling water just begging for a float. 

While the Promenade des Anglais is a great place to pass a summer day, you can also move inland to the old town, where you’ll find umbrellaed cafes lining the cobblestone streets and a fantastic farmer’s market.

Stop for a delicious lunch of local dishes like pan bagnat, salade Niçoise, or socca, and look for the sign that designates a restaurant as offering Cuisine Nissarde. This means the restaurant offers authentic Nice cuisine, and you’re in for a treat.

Bonus: If you’ve got time after basking in the sun in Nice, rent a car and drive an hour and a half northeast to the adorable mountain town of Saorge. With only a few hundred residents, it’s perfect for a repose in nature. Go for a hike, then have a glass of rosé with the locals in town.

2. Athens, Greece

Athens may be far from unknown, but most people just stay the night here before embarking on a ferry for Santorini, Mykonos, or another of Greece’s many islands. While it’s great for doing just that, don’t overlook how fabulous Athens is on its own.

One thing I love most about Athens is how accessible the ancient ruins are throughout town. Certainly, you can visit the Parthenon, but you don’t have to pay to see ruins; they’re all around town.

You’ll find ruins (and ample cats lounging on the toppled pillars) in the fun neighborhood of Monastiraki. You’ll also find a permanent open-air market where you can buy souvenirs, antiques, and cell phone chargers! Stop for a lunch of souvlaki with a Greek white wine under a shady arbor, and you’ve just had a fantastic day.

Bonus: If you aren’t interested in the more crowded islands near Athens, consider exploring the mainland. And Lefkada is an island on the west coast of Greece you might want to check out. It’s got a laid-back vibe, fewer tourists, and gorgeous beaches.

3. Esslingen, Germany

Located a short train ride from Stuttgart (and considered to be a bedroom community for those who work in the city but prefer to live more affordably in a town), Esslingen is quintessential Old-World Germany.

Filled with traditional half-timbered houses, Esslingen is the perfect place to while away an afternoon. Climb the 300+ stairs of the fortified wall of Esslingen Burg to get a birds-eye view of the town. There’s also a park behind the wall where you will discover it wasn’t necessary to hike up all those stairs to reach the vantage point! (Lesson learned.)

If you like shopping, you’ll find plenty of cute shops selling clothes, gifts, and local food items. Be sure to find Haaga Schokoladen, the old-school chocolate and candy shop near the train station!

Bonus: Visit Esslingen in late November, and you’ll get to experience the medieval fair and Christmas market!

4. Split, Croatia

Croatia is having a moment right now. While just a few years ago, it was virtually undiscovered by tourists, now they’re flocking to Dubrovnik and Hvar Town. But if you want a place that’s still a bit under the radar, try Split.

Located on a peninsula that juts out into the Adriatic Sea, Split is a city rich in history. You can visit the Palace of Diocletian, which dates back to 3-4 AD. While this was a powerful fortress at one time, it is now mostly ruins, and home to restaurants and shops.

If you love the beach, there are plenty in Split and the surrounding area, and you can easily take a bus from nearby beach villages into Split. 

Bonus: Treat yourself to a fantastic seafood dinner one night right on the beach. You can dine with your toes in the sand at one of many quality restaurants in and around Split for a fraction of what you would pay in other European tourist destinations.

5. Zurich, Switzerland

This is another city that certainly isn’t unknown, yet doesn’t, in my humble opinion, get enough credit for being a beautiful place to visit. If you can’t stand disorder, late trains, and unpredictability in your travel, don't worry. Switzerland is known for its order and punctuality.  What it isn’t known for is low prices, so be prepared to pay more for accommodations and food here.

Zurich is an urban city replete with greenery. In addition to acres of green parkland, the river that runs through the city, Limmat, brings nature right to the center.  On either side of the river, you’ll find adorable shops and restaurants.

And if you’re into museums, you’re in the right place. I recommend the art museum, Kunsthaus, where you’ll find works of art by the greats, including Degas and Monet. There’s also the fun little Beyer Clock and Watch Museum, home to hundreds of different types of time-telling devices from all periods of history.

Bonus: When you’re ready to get out of the city, take public transportation to Uetliberg Mountain, where you can spend the day hiking a well-paved path. Follow your excursion with lunch at Restaurant Felsenegg and take in the views of the mountains and countryside.

6. Salerno, Italy

Let’s close this list before it becomes a book by talking about one of my favorite cities in my new home of Italy.

Salerno tends to be overshadowed by its sprawling, rough-and-tumble big brother Naples, as well as its beauty queen sisters Positano and Amalfi. But Salerno is definitely worth a visit.

While it isn’t known for its gorgeous beaches, Salerno does have a fantastic old town, or centro storico in Italian, home to dozens of quaint shops and restaurants housed in buildings that are hundreds of years old.

Wind through the medieval alleys to the Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria degli Angeli. You’ll find both Romanesque and Baroque-style architecture here, as well as stunning art.

Also found in the centro storico is the Giardino della Minerva, or Minerva’s Garden. Here, overlooking the sea, you will find five levels of gardens, each hosting a veritable feast of flowers. After meandering, stop for a cup of tea harvested straight from the garden.

Another must is a walk along the lungomare, or boardwalk, as it’s one of the longest in Italy. You can see Sicily across the water, and on a clear day, you can even see Mount Etna! A statue of the goddess Athena stands at the water’s edge to protect the city.

Bonus: Salerno is a great starting point if you want to visit the Amalfi Coast. Hop a ferry to well-known destinations like Positano, Capri, or lesser-known spots like Minori and Maiori.

Final Thoughts

I could keep writing about all the fantastic under-the-radar places in Europe that I’ve visited, but we’ll stop here (for now). I hope you add one or more of these destinations to your next European vacation!