Want to avoid ending up where everyone else is traveling during the holidays? For those looking to avoid tourist crowds and instead discover smaller towns, islands, and natural spots, the new “HomeToGo” index of lesser-known travel destinations offers 50 alternatives across Europe.
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The 2026 ranking of lesser-known travel destinations compiled by the holiday accommodation search and booking platform “HomeToGo” evaluated places that this summer are not among the 5000 most popular travel destinations on the platform. Locations that were already included in a similar list last year were also excluded.
The ranking of destinations took into account not only their popularity. Accommodation prices, travel duration, growing interest in the location, summer temperature, hiking routes, landscape, photogenic qualities of the place, and gastronomy offerings and their ratings were also evaluated.
Nida outranked some well-known European destinations
Nida’s 30th place means that the Lithuanian resort outranked many other popular traveler spots in the ranking.
Below Nida were Tihany in Hungary, Savonlinna in Finland, Marstrand in Sweden, Ærøskøbing in Denmark, Biomlu in Norway, Achill Island in Ireland, Kinsale in Ireland, and Mývatn in Iceland.
In the Baltic region, the Estonian island of Saaremaa was rated even higher – it took eighth place. The island is distinguished by its beaches, windmills, and abundant nature little touched by humans.
The best “hidden gem” in Europe – Bulgaria
The first place in the ranking was taken by Sozopol in Bulgaria. The city on the Black Sea coast scored 57.74 out of 70 possible points.
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Sozopol stands out for its historic architecture, old wooden houses, and beaches. Prices also contributed to the high rating – it is reported that the median accommodation price is just under 45 euros per person.
The second place went to Beddgelert in Wales, located in Eryri, also known as Snowdonia National Park. The small village is distinguished by stone buildings, mountain landscapes, and the historic Welsh Highland Railway.
The third place was taken by Vogüé in France. Located in the Ardèche region, the area is known for its limestone cliffs, castle, cobblestone streets, and river landscape.
The top ten also included Bacharach in Germany, Potes in Spain, Vianden in Luxembourg, Dinant in Belgium, Saaremaa island in Estonia, Bohinj lake in Slovenia, and the city of Chiavenna in Italy.
The ranking creators emphasize that the maximum score was 70 points. So the list was compiled not only by looking for places with the fewest tourists – it also evaluated how attractive and practical a destination can be for summer holidays.
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50 lesser-discovered European travel destinations
- Sozopol, Bulgaria
- Beddgelert, Wales
- Vogüé, France
- Bacharach, Germany
- Potes, Spain
- Vianden, Luxembourg
- Dinant, Belgium
- Saaremaa island, Estonia
- Bohinj lake, Slovenia
- Chiavenna, Italy
- Kalymnos, Greece
- Perast, Montenegro
- Hřensko, Czech Republic
- Goms, Switzerland
- Ikaria, Greece
- Theth, Albania
- Fisterra, Spain
- Mauterndorf, Austria
- Baztan, Spain
- Amarante, Portugal
- Maggia, Switzerland
- Cacela Velha, Portugal
- Lungern, Switzerland
- Kythira, Greece
- Grimentz, Switzerland
- Staithes, England
- Valun, Croatia
- Faial Island, Portugal
- Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, France
- Nida, Lithuania
- Tihany, Hungary
- Gavarnie, France
- Savonlinna, Finland
- Marstrand, Sweden
- Carrapateira, Portugal
- Ærøskøbing, Denmark
- Hindeloopen, Netherlands
- Biomlu, Norway
- Splitska, Croatia
- Elizondo, Spain
- Maretimo, Italy
- Achill Island, Ireland
- Sauris, Italy
- Île-de-Bréhat, France
- San Pantaleo, Italy
- Ouessant (Ouessant), France
- Tenno lake, Italy
- Ullapool, Scotland
- Kinsale, Ireland
- Mývatn, Iceland
