Planning a trip to Europe but the likes of Paris, Rome, and London don’t exactly make your heart flutter? Listen, as incredible as those cities may be, between the throng of selfie takers and the fact that literally everything’s behind a $30 paywall, we get why some people might want to skip them altogether.
The Old Continent doesn’t need to be synonymous with hours-long waits to get into attractions, or $15 Aperol Spritz, though.
We’re called Travel Off Path after all, so you know we’ve got you covered, and in 7+ years of covering Europe, from the tried-and-true hotspots to the lesser-known gems, we might have struck gold in these 5 truly hidden cities.
No hefty price tags, no tour buses in sight, and even arguably… much safer.
Toruń, Poland
Everyone’s banging on about Warsaw and Kraków, and to some extent, even alternative city-break hubs like Gdańsk or Wrocław, but if there’s one Polish city that’s still nowhere near getting the attention it deserves, it’s the medieval, riverside gem of Toruń.
Blame it on the fact that it isn’t served by an international airport, and the nearest Ryanair base is some 90 miles away over in Poznań, but it seems only nostalgic Poles and curious Germans are making it out here for this picture-perfect, Old World escape.
The Old Town here is easily one of Poland’s prettiest historic centers, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gothic architecture, cobblestone streets, and brick-flanked squares peppered with a few iconic red-roofed landmarks here and there.
There’s the Town Hall itself, an impressive medieval masterpiece that has remained remarkably intact since the Middle Ages, the atmospheric ruins of the Teutonic castle, and of course, the House of Nicolaus Copernicus at 15/17 Kopernika Street.
Yep, the famous astronomer was born in this small riverside city in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, and you can step inside his timeless, stepped-gable birthplace.
For all our fellow sweet fiends out there, Toruń’s signature specialty is actually gingerbread, or the local variation known as pierniki. This recipe has been passed down through generations since it was first documented in the 14th century, and it’s usually firmer, more heavily spiced, and far more aromatic than your average Christmas cookies.
Get them fresh at Café Lenkiewicz.
Average Prices In Toruń, Poland
- Hostel dorm bed: $12–25/night
- Hostel private room: $35–60/night
- 3-star hotel: $50–90/night
- 4-star hotel: $90–150/night
- Boutique hotel/upscale stay: $120–220/night
- Casual restaurant meal: $10–18/person
- 3-course dinner for 2 at a mid-range restaurant (with drinks): $55–90
- Takeaway meal (pierogi, kebab, pizza, fast casual): $5–10
- Coffee + pastry in a café: $3–6
- Beer in a bar: $3–5
- Cocktail: $8–14
- Taxi/Bolt ride across the city: $5–12
- Museum/attraction entry: $3–10
Timișoara, Romania
An overlooked city in western Romania, a far cry from the sea of concrete that is Bucharest, Timișoara looks like it could belong somewhere in Austria rather than a post-communist country still finding its footing.
Out with the clusters of grayed-out apartment blocks and Brutalist architecture, in with colorful historic buildings, Baroque facades, and gelato-fueled riverside strolls that just scream European summer.
Towering above the waterfront, the Metropolitan Cathedral is a towering Orthodox landmark certain to quench your architecture cravings, while Piața Libertății is where you go for quaint cafés, outdoor terraces, and the kind of slow people-watching that makes you forget you’re in one of Romania’s largest cities.
In classic Central-Eastern European fashion, Timișoara has an unrivaled café scene, and Naru, a stylish specialty coffee shop right on the square’s edge, is arguably the city’s best caffeine stop, serving up some seriously good espresso.
If you want something a little more unusual, head to the Communist Consumer Museum, a free exhibition tucked inside the basement of Scârț, a laid-back, local-frequented bar and cultural space housed in a historic villa.
This quirky recreation is probably the closest you’ll get to stepping inside an actual Romanian communist-era apartment without a time machine.
Average Prices In Timișoara, Romania
- Hostel dorm bed: $5–15/night
- Hostel private room: $25–40/night
- 3-star hotel: $45–80/night
- 4-star hotel: $80–140/night
- Boutique hotel/upscale stay: $120–200/night
- Casual restaurant meal: $8–15/person
- 3-course dinner for 2 at a mid-range restaurant (with drinks): $45–80
- Takeaway meal (pizza, kebab, Asian, fast casual): $4–10
- Coffee + pastry in a café: $3–6
- Beer in a bar: $2.50–5
- Cocktail: $7–1
- Taxi/Bolt ride across the city: $3–8
- Museum/attraction entry: $3–10
Romania Is One Of The Safest Countries In Europe
How safe is Romania at the minute, you ask?
Well, how about we put those old, tired Eastern Europe stereotypes to rest?
Romania currently scores an impressive 92 out of 100 on the Traveler Safety Index, based on reports from recent visitors.
As per the U.S. Travel Advisory, it is officially a Level 1 destination, meaning Americans may exercise normal precautions when visiting, thanks to relatively low crime levels compared to many European countries.
Jajce, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia remains a pretty offbeat destination for most travelers heading to Europe, but even if you can’t exactly pinpoint it on a map, chances are you’ve come across pictures of the iconic arched bridge spanning a turquoise river before.
That’s Mostar, one of the most photogenic medieval towns in Europe. Gorgeousness aside, it’s not exactly… ahem… crowd-free anymore, especially after years of social media virality. If you’re looking for the next Mostar before the secret is fully out, you might want to get yourself to Jajce ASAP:
This picture-perfect Ottoman-era town is built around a series of cascading waterfalls, with stone bridges and wooden pathways weaving around the rushing waters, and a peaceful promenade following the equally stunning, crystal-clear Pliva River.
Climb the cobbled lanes to reach Jajce Fortress, the 14th-century medieval stronghold overlooking the city, then swing by Konoba Slapovi, a cozy riverside taverna with a terrace opening right onto the famous waterfall.
Order the Bosnian classic ćevapi, or perhaps some grilled trout, and wash it down with a cold pint of Nektar beer while the sound of the roaring falls provides the soundtrack.
Jajce is one of those ridiculously underrated places only Bosnians seem to know about, at least for now, so don’t be surprised if locals look genuinely confused when they spot a lost American wandering through town.
Average Prices In Jajce, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Hostel dorm bed: $10–15/night
- Hostel private room: $25–45/night
- 3-star hotel: $45–80/night
- 4-star hotel: $90–120/night
- Boutique hotel/upscale stay: $100–160/night
- Casual restaurant meal: $6–12/person
- 3-course dinner for 2 at a mid-range restaurant (with drinks): $40–70
- Takeaway meal (pizza, kebab, fast casual): $3–8
- Coffee + pastry in a café: $2–4
- Beer in a bar: $2–4
- Cocktail: $6–10
- Taxi ride across the city: $3–7
- Museum/attraction entry: $2–6
You’re Exempt From Fingerprinting In Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of only a handful of European destinations right now where Americans are not required to undergo mandatory fingerprinting on arrival.
You must simply present:
- A valid passport
- Ensure it will not expire within 3 months from the intended date of entry
- Proof of return or onward ticket within 90 days of entry
This may not be the case for many other European destinations you could be thinking of on your next Eurotrip. These confusing rules have already led 44,000 travelers to be denied entry at the border, but you don’t have to share their same fate.
Use the Entry Requirement Checker to double-check the rules and requirements of every European destination out there.
Kavala, Greece
Perhaps the most underrated coastal city in Greece, Kavala has that good mix of Byzantine ruins, Ottoman heritage, beaches, and a beautiful seaside setting that’s genuinely hard to beat. The best part? None of the Thessaloniki or Halkidiki summer crowds.
If you feel like Thessaloniki could have been the perfect city escape if it just toned down the noise, chaos, and relentless traffic a little, then you’ll love Kavala:
It has none of the former’s congestion and big-city bustle. Instead, you get narrow stone-paved alleys, colorful houses with Turkish-inspired covered balconies, and a beautiful waterfront lined with seafood tavernas, cafés, and bobbing fishing boats.
Taverna Koutoukaki is probably one of the best tavernas you can stumble upon in Northern Greece, a cozy, family-run spot in the heart of the Panagia district, serving up grilled meats and fresh seafood.
Their grilled octopus with olive oil, lemon, and oregano? Honestly, worth the trip alone.
For epic panoramic views, don’t miss Kavala Castle, the medieval fortress perched atop the Old Town, and Kamares, the Ottoman aqueduct that still frames the historic core, arguably the city’s most recognizable landmark.
Kavala itself is a great hub for exploring the islands of the North Aegean, being a 1h15 ferry ride to Thasos, an incredibly lush island hugged by turquoise seas, and a hidden gem that maaay just be about to go mainstream.
Average Prices In Kavala, Greece
- Hostel dorm bed: $20–35/night
- Hostel private room: $45–80/night
- 3-star hotel: $70–120/night
- 4-star hotel: $120–220/night
- Boutique hotel/upscale stay: $150–300/night
- Casual restaurant meal: $12–20/person
- 3-course dinner for 2 at a mid-range restaurant (with drinks): $70–120
- Takeaway meal (gyro, souvlaki, pizza, fast casual): $5–10
- Coffee + pastry in a café: $4–7
- Beer in a bar: $4–7 Cocktail: $10–15
- Taxi ride across the city: $6–15
- Museum/attraction entry: $4–12
Ourense, Spain
Tucked away in the quieter northwestern end of Spain, in the Galicia region—which Americans can now fly direct from New York, by the way—Ourense is a small but incredibly atmospheric thermal city that will have you swooning when you least expect it.
As Burgas are a literal gift from nature of Roman hot springs in the heart of town, gushing all the way from the granite mountains to the west of Ourense, where it emerges at almost the boiling point, before it empties into the thermal pools downtown.
You can’t exactly bathe directly in the historic fountains, but there’s a pool right next to them, fed by the same geothermal waters, with temps reaching 100.4°F.
The Roman legacy doesn’t stop there: Ponte Romana de Ourense is a beautifully-preserved Roman bridge spanning the Miño River, and Ourense Cathedral, the stunning Romanesque treasure that rises above the Old Town’s medieval streets, hosts the famous Santo Cristo chapel.
Ridiculously ornate, mysterious, and completely unexpected.
Ourense is also home to some of the best polbo a feira in all of Galicia. If you’re unfamiliar with this delicacy, this is northwestern Spain’s signature paprika-sprinkled, olive oil-drizzled octopus, and you haven’t been to Ourense until you’ve hit up A Casa do Pulpo (get a glass of their Ribeiro wine for some extra Galician flair).
Average Prices In Ourense, Spain
- Hostel dorm bed: $20–35/night
- Hostel private room: $40–70/night
- 3-star hotel: $60–100/night
- 4-star hotel: $100–160/night
- Boutique hotel/upscale stay: $120–220/night
- Casual restaurant meal: $12–20/person
- 3-course dinner for 2 at a mid-range restaurant (with drinks): $70–120
- Takeaway meal (pizza, bocadillo, kebab, fast casual): $5–10
- Coffee + pastry in a café: $3–6
- Beer in a bar: $3–5
- Cocktail: $8–14
- Taxi ride across the city: $6–12
- Museum/attraction entry: $3–10
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