10 alternative places to massified tourist destinations in Europe

Overtourism is a problem. Particularly in Europe, visiting its major tourist destinations is becoming less and less appealing and enjoyable, as travelers are often faced with extortionate prices, overwhelming crowds and an overall feeling that historic centers have been stripped of their authenticity and turned into a homogeneous cluster of the same hotels, cafés and retail and restaurant chains. Yes, of course these destinations are still beautiful (after all, they became popular for a reason), but if you’re looking for something deeper than just nice photos for social media, then you may want to explore other places.

Luckily, the Old Continent is way more than its most popular cities, and there are countless alternative options that, while sharing the same architecture and heritage as their more famous neighbors, end up offering a much more immersive experience. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of 10 alternative places to massified tourist destinations in Europe, so you can enjoy a more authentic and budget-friendly trip without compromising on history and culture.

NOTE: As part of the criteria for selecting the best offbeat European destinations, we only considered cities or regions located within the same country or near the border of a popular place.

10 off the beaten path destinations in Europe where you can go to avoid the crowds

Siena, as an alternative to Florence

Starting in la bella Italia, more specifically in the extraordinary region of Tuscany, we bring you the ultimate alternative to the world-famous Florence. Yes, the cradle of the Medici family is undeniably grand and beautiful, but it is also quite expensive and touristy. On top of that, crowds can get wild, meaning you’ll invariably need to waste a lot of time standing in line to visit most tourist attractions, making it difficult to make the most out of a short stay.

That said, you could instead choose to set up base in Siena, another classic Tuscan city located just over an hour away. With its medieval architecture, imposing cathedrals and one of the most majestic squares in the world – Piazza del Campo – it doesn’t fall too far behind the region’s most famous city. For an even richer experience, you can combine Siena with other popular towns and villages in Tuscany (other than Florence), such as San Gimignano, Lucca or Pisa.

Valencia, as an alternative to Barcelona

Probably the city that has become the poster child for overtourism in Europe, Barcelona is growing increasingly hostile towards the tourists who choose to visit. Tired of being pushed out of the city, residents of the Catalan capital seem to demonstrate less and less patience for outsiders, which, when you factor in an expensive cost of living and a higher-than-usual crime rate for such a popular destination (watch out for pickpockets), makes Barcelona a place to avoid for the time being.

On the other hand, Valencia is a city on the rise, happily welcoming more and more European visitors from all over the continent. Like Barcelona, Valencia also has a very pleasant coastline, along with a well-preserved historic center and a series of modern architectural icons that have helped put the city on the map, like the iconic City of Arts and Sciences.

Edinburgh, as an alternative to London

Always a tough choice, no British (or European) city can really compare to London, especially when it comes to entertainment options, global appeal and iconic landmarks. However, London is also eye-wateringly expensive, with accommodation prices that can easily rip your travel budget to shreds. That said, if you want to visit a major city in the UK but London is just too expensive for your wallet, the Scottish capital of Edinburgh serves as an excellent alternative.

The historic center of Edinburgh can be split in two sections: the Old Town, with its medieval design where you can find the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse Palace; and the New Town, a 200-year-old district famous for its Georgian-era buildings, mansions and streets. For the ultimate experience, try to plan your visit during the Fringe Festival, when the city fills up with performers showcasing their art in every pub, theater and street corner.

Utrecht, as an alternative to Amsterdam

Although the atmosphere is not as openly hostile as in Barcelona, local authorities in Amsterdam have clearly shown their intent to reduce (or restrict) the flow of tourists. In fact, they have approved many policies over the past few years that seem to point in that direction, including putting up restrictions on cruise ship arrivals, setting higher accommodation taxes, imposing shorter opening hours for coffee shops or banning new hotels.

That being said, there are several other destinations in the Netherlands that are just as charming as Amsterdam, and where you can find the stereotypical canals, bicycles and narrow houses that we so strongly associate with the Dutch. Among those places, we chose to highlight Utrecht, which has a big-city energy despite its lovely historic center. The fact the city hosts many annual events and boasts a strong student community definitely plays a part! Other options that are just as good include the likes of Leiden, Delft or The Hague.

Dresden, as an alternative to Prague

Standing as somewhat of a hidden gem for many years, especially after decades of neglect under Soviet influence, mesmerizing Prague flourished into one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Sadly, and as so often happens with cities that make it big on the tourist scene, the scale has tipped the other way and the Czech capital now faces the same challenges as many of its Western counterparts. As a prime example, Prague is now the city with the highest rate of homeless people in Central and Eastern Europe.

So, if you don’t want to actively contribute to rising property prices and rental costs, you’ll be better off taking your money elsewhere. In this case, we suggest crossing the border and visiting the German city of Dresden, also (much like Prague) considered a true marvel of Gothic architecture. Completely destroyed by Allied forces during World War II, the capital city of Saxony – one of the poorest states in Germany – rose from the ashes and is now one of the most underrated destinations in Europe. Alternatively, if you prefer to stay in the Czech Republic, we recommend Olomouc or Cesky Krumlov.

Lyon, as an alternative to Paris

Similarly to London, choosing an alternative destination to Paris is quite an ungrateful exercise, since no other city can compare when it comes to size, global impact and diversity of sights and activities. Fortunately, the City of Light is the capital of what is probably the most beautiful country in Europe (alongside Italy, of course), so there is no shortage of French cities that can offer you an excellent (albeit different) experience.

That said, if we had to choose just one, we’d have to go with Lyon, the third largest city in France. Beyond its big-city atmosphere, Lyon has some extremely picturesque districts – such as Croix-Rousse, Presqu’ile and Vieux Lyon – the best food scene in the country and several quirky features that make it quite unique, like the giant street-art murals and its staple secret passageways (called traboules). In addition, you can always combine your visit to Lyon with a day trip to lovely Annecy, one of the most beautiful small towns in France.

Lviv, as an alternative to Krakow

This is an entry that comes with an obvious disclaimer: needless to say, we do not recommend anyone to visit Ukraine at this moment! However, when the war finally comes to an end, an excellent way to help support the recovery of the Ukrainian economic will be to visit Lviv, considered the most beautiful city in the country and one of its main cultural hubs. In fact, western Ukraine has always shown a certain resistance to the nation’s successive foreign occupations, standing out as one of the strongest beacons of Ukrainian language and folklore.

As for the inevitable comparisons with Poland’s biggest tourist hub, it’s worth remembering that Lviv was historically part of multiple Polish Kingdoms, and that the city – just like Krakow – was also under the rule of the Habsburgs for centuries. As a result, Lviv can feel quite similar to Krakow, with both cities sharing a common history and culture, evident in their Old Towns and their similar architectural styles. In short, if you like Krakow, it is very likely you’ll fall for Lviv as well!

Nuremberg, as an alternative to Munich

Also located in Bavaria, Nuremberg is the most logical alternative to the world-famous Munich. In fact, you may even take advantage of their proximity to go on a day trip to the Bavarian capital without having to stay overnight! In addition to being cheaper to visit, Nuremberg actually boasts a surprisingly pleasant Altstadt (Old Town) with lovely hilltop castle to boot. However, the city’s popularity extends far beyond its pretty streets and well-kept façades, as this is where you can visit the very rooms where war criminals were tried during the iconic Nuremberg Trials. As a somber complement, Nuremberg is also home to the Kongresshalle, the former congress center of the Nazi Party where their main meetings and parades took place.

On the other hand, and beyond Nuremberg’s Old Town, the city’s location also allows you to visit some of the most picturesque towns and villages in Bavaria, such as Wurzburg, Bamberg, Regensburg or Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Puglia, as an alternative to the Amalfi Coast

While it’s true that the Amalfi Coast is a destination that’s hard to match, with its colorful villages perched on cliffs and unbeatable sea views, it’s undeniable how much the region is struggling from the effects of overtourism. Especially in the Summer, locals frequently have to deal with high prices, constant traffic jams and an overall overwhelming pressure on the entire infrastructure, making life a lot more difficult and unsustainable.

As such, few alternatives can compare to Puglia when it comes to recommending other Italian coastal regions, as this charming Italian corner still resists (for now, at least) against the pressure of international tourism. In Puglia, you can enjoy pristine beaches, picturesque seaside towns and historic cities, but you’re also welcome to venture inland and check its green valleys and hidden whitewashed villages. Honestly, ditching the Amalfi Coast for Puglia is one of the best decisions you can make! Outside of Italy, other great alternatives to the Amalfi Coast include the rivieras in Albania, Turkey or France.

Split, as an alternative to Dubrovnik

Finally, we cap off our list in Croatia, where virtually any stop along the Adriatic coast ends up being an upgrade compared to Dubrovnik, by far the most famous destination in the region of Dalmatia. Now, that doesn’t mean you should skip Dubrovnik entirely since the city is undeniably gorgeous, but in recent years it has become a glorified theme park of sorts. As a result, stopping here for 1 day just to check the Old Town is enough, before heading elsewhere to sleep.

On the other hand, if you want to enjoy the wonders of the Croatian coast without losing touch with local essence, Split presents itself as a wonderful alternative. Considered the country’s second largest city, Split is bathed by the same Adriatic Sea and features an impressive walled Old Town that once served as a Roman imperial palace. Furthermore, the city also benefits from a more central and accessible location, making it easier to visit nearby popular destinations such as Zadar, the islands of Hvar and Korcula, and even the city of Mostar, across the border in Bosnia and Herzegovina.