Skip the Crowds: Europe’s Best Low-Key Summer Escapes
A European summer never disappoints. Whether you’re tracing the footsteps of James Baldwin or simply chasing long, lazy evenings, the season has a way of feeling almost perfect. That is, until you find yourself wedged between strangers on a packed street, unable to get a table anywhere decent. The problem with Europe’s most beloved destinations is that everyone else had the same idea.
But you don’t have to abandon the continent entirely. You just need to know where to pivot. So-called “dupe” destinations have exploded on social media, with travelers hunting for quieter alternatives that still deliver on charm, food, and scenery. Here are the spots our editors recommend for a calmer, more memorable summer.
**Ourense, Spain** – Two thousand years ago, Romans soaked in the local hot springs after battle. Today, you can do the same at Termas a Chavesqueira or Termas Outariz, minus the gladiators. Hike up to Miradoiro de Montealegre for city views, then wander the old town for tapas and coffee at Plaza Mayor. Try the croquetas at Camden and come back in February for Carnaval, when the streets fill with dancers in traditional costume.
**Tallinn, Estonia** – Often skipped for Mediterranean hotspots, Estonia’s capital rewards those who venture north. The UNESCO-listed Old Town feels frozen in time, with Gothic churches and terracotta roofs visible from Toompea hill. After a sauna at Kalma Saun, catch the lingering summer sunset in Kalamaja district, where wooden houses glow in the amber light.
**Lake Thun, Switzerland** – A quieter alternative to Lake Geneva or Lucerne, this Bernese Oberland gem offers swimming at Faulensee lido, lakeside beers, and hiking on the Eiger trail. For a slower pace, hop a ferry to visit wineries, cheese shops, and castles along the shore.
**Braga, Portugal** – Portugal’s oldest city often plays second fiddle to Porto, but its cobbled lanes hide excellent restaurants like Tabique, known for slow-cooked meat, and Dona Júlia for farm-to-table fare. Don’t miss the Sé cathedral, built in 1070, or the ornate staircase at Bom Jesus do Monte.
**Bordeaux, France** – It’s not exactly obscure, but compared to Paris in July, it’s a breath of fresh air. The city is largely pedestrianized, making it easy to explore its 350-plus historical buildings, from the Grand Théâtre to the Gothic Tour Pey-Berland. Head outside town for châteaux and vineyards along the Gironde.
**Rotterdam, The Netherlands** – Amsterdam’s industrial sibling has reinvented itself as a design and sustainability hub. The city aims to halve CO2 emissions by 2029, with new green spaces and pedestrian zones. Stay at Hotel New York for river views.
**Bergen, Norway** – Overlooked in favor of Oslo, Bergen charms with its colorful wooden houses and fjord-side setting. Even in summer, snow-capped mountains frame hiking trails and glittering waterways.
**Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina** – Skip the crowded Dalmatian coast and head inland to this fairy-tale city of stone bridges, hillside vineyards, and mountain hikes. Stay at Muslibegović House, a restored 18th-century Ottoman mansion.