8 least crowded European summer destinations
Come July or August and most people are thinking of either a beach break or a break in a famous European city. But what if we told you that there is more to Europe than just Paris, Ibiza or Rome? Indeed, there are other European destinations where you can totally enjoy diverse and beautiful summer experiences without the hectic summer crowds! Below, we have put together a list of 8 European destinations that you can visit in July-August without running into the summer crowd! 1. Istria, CroatiaGorgeous turquoise waters around one of the Brijuni Islands, home to the national park of the same name If a not crowded European summer destination is what you are looking for in Croatia, then Istria is the perfect place for you. Nestled between the Bay of Venice and Bay of Kvarner, Istria is a heart shaped peninsula that would surely steal your heart! From the lively bars of Rovinj to the nature trails of Opatija and the paradisical Brijuni Islands near the millenium city of Pula, this part of Croatia will give you everything you dream of when thinking of a Mediterranean summer vacation. What’s more, Istria has a rich traditional cuisine to tickle your taste buds and places like Cape Kamenjak, where you can enjoy various stunning beaches and water sports like snorkelling. Tip: Istria is an ideal base to extend your vacations with day trips taken as easily to Venice in Italy as Lake Bled in Slovenia! The iconic Pula Arena, the Roman amphitheatre located in Pula, Croatia Looking to plan your vacation already? Start with booking one of the best holiday homes in Istria! 2. Kotor, Montenegro Stunning areal view of the Kotor Bay, Montenegro One of the least crowded European cities in summer, Kotor’s unique beauty is enough to enchant you. Kotor is just a 3-hour drive from the now-famous Game of Thrones city, Dubrovnik, Croatia. The main reasons to visit the city are its super friendly local population, orthodox monasteries and churches, speed boat rides and delicious seafood. When here, you would want to certainly catch a glimpse of Kotor’s dramatic natural scenery with aquamarine waters dotted with boats and surrounded by the Dinaric alps. For this, you can hike to Kotor Fortress, a 2–3-hour hike, and catch beautiful views from St.John’s church. The end of the hike directly leads to the ambient town centre of Kotor, where you can get lost in labyrinthine alleys, visit St. Luke’s Church and St. Nicholas Church, and top off your walk with delicious Montenegrin cuisine in one of the many terraced restaurants. A romantic sunset in the historic town of Perast in the Kotor bay Stay at the top of the mountain overlooking the bay, with our holiday homes in Montenegro. 3. Gozo, MaltaAdmire a rose-gold sunset over Dwejra Bay If you want time to stop and summers never to end, then Gozo is perfect. The island is less crowded in summer than the busy main island of Malta and is one of the best quiet places to visit in Europe. But this does not mean that Gozo is boring at all. On the island, one can enjoy everything: from sports and history to exquisite nature. For active vacationers, Gozo is an excellent spot for scuba diving and hiking. The Dwejra Bay hiking trail offers rose-gold sunsets and cliff-top trails, creating un-earthy natural sceneries perfect for your Instagram! The Gjantija Temple complex and the Basilica of Ta’ Pinu are its hidden gems that you cannot miss out on! If you plan your visit in the last two weeks of August, then you can even enjoy Gozo’s Ghajnsielem Festival, which is the longest celebration on the island. And don’t worry if you fall in love with Malta this summer, you can easily start your digital nomad life on this Mediterranean island. Have a look at our digital-nomad-friendly guide! The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta' Pinu in Gozo, Malta Tip: To reach Gozo, there are ferries from Cirkewwa in Malta. Take a ferry ride back to the main island and enjoy its impressive buildings, harbour, and restaurants like Palazzo Preca, Sotto Pinsa Romana Valletta and The Submarine! Book an accommodation in Gozo for this summer. 4. Lake Balaton (Balatonrendes), Hungary The famous Benedictine monastery in Tihany with beautiful Lake Balaton in the background The largest freshwater lake in the Transdanubian region is for all ages! Really, everyone can find something of their liking to enjoy in this region of diverse landscape and Mediterranean climate. From excursions in the Upper Balaton to wine tours in the Badacsony region and boat parties on the magnificent lake, Lake Balaton is certainly not only about swimming and sunbathing! Worth mentioning is the oldest medieval town of Tihany in the region, where you can walk in beautiful lavender fields and even taste the delicious lavender ice cream. Have a walk in the picturesque lavender fields in Tihany, Hungary For the best summer experience, choose to stay in one of the settlements around the lake, like our vintage-style holiday villa with a Jacuzzi in Balatonrendes! 5. Vipava Valley, Slovenia Magnificent view from the Otlica Natural Window For adventure in the fresh air of nature and lovers of slow travelling, Slovenia is the place to be. In addition to the country’s all-season scenic cycling routes, the Vipava Valley is a beautiful cycling destination and perhaps the least crowded destination. The valley is a picturesque mix of captivating views, al fresco adventures, numberless local wine cellars as well as delicious regional cuisine. You can catch an unforgettable view of the valley from the naturally formed window called the Otlica Natural Window, while at the Vipava River you can enjoy nature whilst kayaking on clear waters. For cyclists, the route from the lower Vipava Valley leads to hidden monasteries like Kostanjevica. The valley also has a top-class gastronomy, from home-cooked and reared food in agritourism to Michelin-star restaurants like Pikol. The cistercian monastery Kostanjevica na Krki, appointed as Castle Kostanjevica Tip: Vipava valley is indeed made up of the stuff of life; nature, wine and good food, and it is just an hour from 2 other excellent destinations in Slovenia: Ljubljana and Lake Bled! If you want to discover more of Slovenia, then book your stay for this summer. 6. Tirana and Lalzit Bay, AlbaniaThe famous Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, with the high-rise tower and the Skanderbeg monument Tirana, the capital of Albania, is an exciting mix of Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Soviet cultures. Only now is Albania opening-up as a fun holiday destination and it is relatively undiscovered. With fabulous beaches and friendly locals, it is the ideal place to escape the summer crowds. In addition to this Albania is one of the least expensive countries in Europe. Skanderbeg Square at the heart of the city is a must-visit with the National History Museum and Bunk Art 2, a nuclear bunker which explores Albania’s communist past. Close by, Tirana Castle, is a perfect stopover after exploring the city’s recent history. A byzantine-style castle turned into a shopping mall; this place remains vibrant till two in the morning! And talking about vibrant nightlife, the Blloku neighbourhood is full of lively bars and great restaurants too. The sun goes down leaving the Lalzit Bay Beach in dreamy colours of the golden hour Lalzit Bay is just 45 minutes from Tirana on the Adriatic coast. Famous for long stretches of sandy beaches, dotted with cafés and bars, this lively destination is popular but it never gets too busy. Alternatively, pure nature can be found just a bit further up north of the bay at the stunning Cape Rodon, with roman castle ruin, some of the clearest waters and best hiking experience in Albania. Want to discover Lalzit Bay this summer? Start by booking one of the best holiday homes close to the capital city. 7. Vallorcine, France Have a walk in the beautiful trails in the Vallorcine area Mountains are hands-down the perfect summer getaway for lovers of the great outdoors and peace. In France, nestled in the magnificent Mont Blanc massif, there is a series of lovely villages that make up the mountain-destination of Vallorcine. The alpine destination is also called the “Valley of Bears” and has tons of summertime activities like hiking, mountain-biking, fishing and even climbing. Instead of going for intense experiences like the UTMB, you can try climbing up Mont Buet, which is also called Ladies’ Mont Blanc, meanwhile for hiking, the Barberine Waterfall trail is a wonderful option. Vallorcine is also home to a unique form of architecture, Raccard, which is found only here in all of France. After the hikes and the climbing take some time for yourself and book some time in the spa Book your stay in our spa residence to make the most of Vallorcine! 8. Lefkada (Lefkas), Greece Take a dip in the turquoise water of Porto Katsiki With turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea lapping at white-sand shores, the beauty of Lefkada certainly holds a siren song kind of allure. This small island on the west coast of Greece is home to some of the most gorgeous beaches that annually win a blue flag: Kathisma, Egremni and Porto Katsiki being some of the world-famous ones. However, what is best about the island is that even though it offers the typical Greek beauty, it is non-touristy and offers lot of activities and sports. You can windsurf, paraglide, kitesurf, scuba dive and even set sail around islands like Skorpios. Lefkada’s old town is perfect for explorers on foot and if you want to discover beyond Lefkada, then there are exotic places like Myli and the traditional, no-cars allowed Agios Nikitas.Traditional taverna in a quiet street in Agios Nikitas village Tip: If you want to check out other Greek islands too, then read our blog to choose from the best options. Find our holiday homes on the largest Greek Island, Crete! So, are you ready to enjoy a serene summer break in a new and still unexplored destination?
