10 Secret Places in Europe You Can Still Visit on a Budget

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Secret Places to Visit in Europe

Dreaming of a European getaway? Check out these 10 secret places in Europe that are still affordable, just do it before their tourism booms hit.

Asturias and Covadonga Convent, Spain

In the Asturias region of Spain, you’ll find over 200 beaches, some of the best hiking trails in Spain, and the Covadonga Convent, considered to be one of the most historical locations in the country and one of the top secret places in Europe.

Mdina and Zebbug, Malta

Explore the hidden laneways and medieval architecture of Mdina. Mdina is one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient Arabic walled city, and Zebbug is famous for a three-day (or more) festa that draws hundreds of people in celebration.

Salzkammergut Region, Austria

Hidden in Austria’s Salzkammergut region is Lake Hallstatt, one of the most beautiful Alpine lakes in the country. You can rent bicycles, rowboats, and pedal boats to explore Lake Hallstatt or hike to explore nearby ice caves.

The Azores, Portugal

The Azores is an archipelago composed of nine volcanic islands in the mid-Atlantic, 800 miles off the coast of Portugal. Breathtaking landscapes, volcanoes, crater lakes, fishing villages, and waterfalls are just some of the unique features you’ll find on the island chain.

Perast, Montenegro

Perast is a former Venetian port town on the steep slopes of the Bay of Kotor. The Balkan town is known for its Venetian stone heritage buildings that look out onto two small islands in the bay.

Lednice-Valtice, Czech Republic

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The Lednice-Valtice complex is two palaces connected by vast parklands and gardens in the Czech Republic. The palaces are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and often referred to as the “Garden of Europe.” The palaces are one of the top secret places in Europe, and thanks to a strong U.S. dollar, the Czech Republic is extremely affordable right now.

Pag Island, Croatia

The island of Pag is one of the most striking and unique spots on the Croatian Adriatic coast. Its known for moon-like landscapes and salt, lace, and cheese production. Plus, the heat of hot summer days is helpfully reduced by a light sea breeze. Croatia’s tourism boom is about to hit strong, so visit this secret place in Europe before everyone else.

Saaremaa Island, Estonia

If you like beer and windmills, this island (Estonia’s largest) located in the Baltic Sea is for you. The island is also home to the Kaali craters—the result of several meteorites that impacted some 3,500 years ago—forming the unique, green-colored Kaali Lake.

 

Vols and Pelion Region, Greece

This region, rich in historical and architectural sites, good restaurants, a vibrant nightlife, is bordered by beautiful beaches on one side, and by Mount Pelion on the other. As one of the best secret places in Europe, the Grecian region is still affordable right now.

Kamnik Alps, Slovenia

The breathtaking Kamnik Alps offer many outdoor experiences for the adventure lovers: hiking, skiing, kayaking, and rafting. There are also well preserved medieval towns and wooden huts of the oldest herdsmen settlement in Europe.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 10 Secret European Summer Hot Spots
• 7 Secrets of Ultra-Cheap Europe Flights
• 9 Underrated Places to Visit in Europe with Nonstop Flights from U.S. Cities

Caz and Craig Makepeace are a married couple from the Central Coast of Australia, but they like to call the world their home. Visit them at y Travel for more travel tips.

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