The phrase “hidden gem” is often used in the world of travel, but do such tourist-free places even exist in the Instagram age? Finding true hidden gems in Europe may be harder than ever, but it’s far from impossible.
If you know where to look, there are still exceptional off-the-beaten-path locations and well-kept secrets waiting to be discovered.
Consider this your starting point – a handpicked selection of hidden gems in Italy, France and Germany that promise true exploration away from the crowds.
Image: Lake Iseo, Italy I HunterMoss
Hidden gems in Italy
Italy is brimming with natural beauty, iconic cities and, of course, crowds of visitors. While tourists flock to Rome, Florence and Venice, there are plenty of underrated places in Italy that offer just as much scenery and culture, but with much more breathing room.
Underrated places in Northern Italy
During peak season, the great lakes of Northern Italy are often creaking at the seams with visitors. In fact, Lake Como draws as many as 1.4 million visitors a year, resulting in talk of a so-called ‘tourist tax’ to ease congestion.
Fortunately, nearby Lake Iseo enjoys less tourism, despite being equally beautiful – a tranquil deep-blue lake surrounded by rugged mountains, vine-covered hills and charming villages. It’s a pleasure to spend a summer’s weekend at Lake Iseo, whether you’re exploring quiet waterfront towns or driving the wide roads surrounding the lake.
Another of our favourite hidden gems in Northern Italy is Bormio. Nestled in the Italian Alps, this charming ski town may be better known for its winter sports, yet it offers an idyllic escape during the warmer months. This beautifully preserved medieval village, known as la magnifica terra (the magnificent land), offers history and culture in abundance, along with beautiful hiking trails and world-renowned thermal spas.
Underrated places in Southern Italy
While some areas of Puglia are seeing the effects of social media – such as the trullo buildings of Alberobello – other parts of this sunsoaked Italian region can still be regarded among Italy’s hidden gems.
You’re spoiled for choice in terms of sleepy towns and seaside villages in Puglia. Comfortably wander the narrow streets of Altamura, the postcard-perfect blue buildings of Casamassima, or the rustic coastal village of Trani, all without rubbing shoulders with too many tourists.
For a bigger city experience in Puglia, make time to visit Lecce. While it’s often called the ‘Florence of the South’, you’ll find it far less crowded than its Tuscan cousin. Lecce is the ideal city for wandering through golden baroque architecture and stopping for a chilled aperitivo in sunny piazzas.
Image: Strasbourg, France I stock.adobe.com
Hidden gems in France
Considering France is often ranked as the most-visited country in the world by international tourists, finding hidden gems in France is a challenge – yet still achievable, if you know where to look.
Alternative French wine country escapes
Wine aficionados understandably flock to the illustrious regions of Burgundy, Bordeaux and Champagne. However, if you prefer to enjoy your glass of wine in peace, you should choose to spend time in one of the underrated French wine regions.
Nestled in the foothills of the Rhine Valley, Alsace and its capital, Strasbourg, are a haven for wine and culture lovers alike. Spend the day admiring the soaring Gothic splendour of Strasbourg Cathedral before sipping peachy Pinot Gris late into the evening.
Further east, the Jura region delights oenophiles with its unusual wines and, as France’s smallest wine region, it remains blissfully under most tourists’ radar.
Coastal France, without the crowds
With sun, scenery and a splash of luxury, France’s coast is understandably a tourist magnet, yet there are still places that many have yet to discover.
As the south of France often takes the coastal spotlight, the north coast has more true hidden gems. One of these is the fishing port of Wimereux on the Côte d’Opale. It may lack the sunshine and glamour of the south, but it offers wide sandy beaches, cute Belle Époque villas and an excellent seafood scene. Most importantly, Wimereux sees close to no international tourism, giving it a very authentic feel.
For something more sunkissed, the southern medieval village of Gruissan in the region of Occitanie is among the more underrated places in France. Built in a circle around a hilltop castle, Gruissan is surrounded by beaches with unique stilt-chalets, pink salt marshes and flamingos, lending it a quirky, unique charm. Dining in Gruissan is also a pleasure, with an abundance of seafood, flavoured salts and excellent wine. With a laid-back village feel, it’s ideal for a bespoke summer escape without the stressful crowds.
Under-the-radar French towns worth a detour
In a southern region better known for its sun-soaked coastline, the medieval town of Uzès still feels like a bit of a local secret. Tucked away in Languedoc-Roussillon, it’s delightfully unpolished and all the better for it. Think boutique-lined streets, lively cafés and a thriving art scene. Architecture lovers will be thrilled too, with the stunning UNESCO-listed Pont du Gard just a short drive away.
Heading north, deep in the heart of Burgundy, the town of Cluny rewards those venturing off the well-worn path. Once home to the most powerful abbey in medieval Europe, its quiet streets still buzz with history, and wandering through town feels like stepping back in time. Cluny is a worthy town to visit for culture seekers and wine lovers, with welcoming cafés, weekly markets and rolling wine-covered hills just beyond its gates.
Image: Monschau, Germany I stock.adobe.com
Hidden gems in Germany
Germany is synonymous with enchanted villages and fairytale castles – just look at Neuschwanstein, which inspired Disney’s iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle. However, considering it can attract as many as 6,000 visitors a day, your attention is best placed elsewhere. Fortunately, many hidden gems in Germany still exist.
Fairytale villages beyond the usual
The town of Monschau feels like it’s been lifted straight from the pages of the Brothers Grimm. Nestled in the Ruhr Valley close to the border with Belgium, Monschau is a joy to visit in all seasons, with addictively beautiful half-timbered houses and an adorable old town with plenty of cosy cafés to sample dishes made with Monschau’s speciality mustard, moutarde de montjoie, still produced in the village.
Dating back to the 13th century, Monreal is another fairytale town in the Eifel region, the kind of place that naturally makes you slow your pace, as you wander cobblestone streets and admire crooked houses huddled along the Elz River. Compared to the busier nearby towns of Cochem and Mayen, Monreal feels almost like a secret – a time-forgotten pocket of the country that’s perfect for a lingering day trip.
Epic lakes and alpine wonderlands
Located where Germany, Switzerland and Austria meet, Lake Constance (Bodensee in German) is among the most underrated places to visit in Germany – particularly the island town of Lindau, on the southwestern tip of Bavaria. Expect gorgeous photo opportunities, including the harbour, the lighthouse and the lake itself. It’s the ideal area for biking and watersports, but equally fun to pass the time with a cold beer in one of the town’s many bars. While it’s well-known among German and Swiss tourists, international travellers are yet to catch on.
Elsewhere in Bavaria, Garmisch-Partenkirchen may be famed as Germany’s winter sports capital, yet it still holds hidden-gem appeal. Beyond the ski slopes and views of the mighty Zugspitze, you’ll find quiet cobbled streets, hand-painted alpine houses, and secret hiking trails leading to turquoise gorges and mountain lakes. Visit in spring or autumn for a slower rhythm and a genuine taste of Bavarian alpine life.
Image: Lake Fuschl, Austria I HunterMoss
Underrated places elsewhere in Europe
Venture away from Europe’s ‘big three’ travel zones, and it becomes easier to find cities and towns with more culture than tourists.
Appingedam, Netherlands
Everybody has heard of Amsterdam – after all, it welcomes nine million tourists a year – yet the city of Appingedam in the northeastern Netherlands is something of a hidden gem. This 13th century city retains a small-town feel with a network of scenic canals and bridges, historic architecture (many featuring ‘hanging kitchens’) and awe-inspiring religious buildings – all without the crowds of the Dutch capital.
Albarracín, Spain
Fairytale villages aren’t exclusive to Germany, as Albarracín in northeastern Spain beautifully proves. Its pink-hued stone buildings glow in the late-evening sun, perched above a rocky gorge and framed by pine forests. Visiting in the shoulder season means you’ll have the cobbled streets, craft shops and 16th-century cathedral almost entirely to yourself. Be sure to indulge in the local cuisine, as Albarracín is celebrated for its rich culinary heritage including hearty stews and delicate pastries.
Liverpool, England
It’s difficult to call Liverpool one of the true hidden gems in Europe, yet this English city still manages to fly under the radar for many travellers. Just a few hours from London, Liverpool is quieter but every bit as rich in culture. Beyond its legendary Beatles heritage, you’ll find an impressive line-up of live music venues, galleries, gourmet restaurants and historic architecture – enough to fill a weekend with ease. Plus, with locals widely regarded among the friendliest in the UK, you’ll feel welcome from the moment you arrive.
Lake Fuschl, Austria
Finally, tucked away in Austria’s Salzkammergut region, Lake Fuschl is another European lake with an authentic local feel. With its clear emerald waters and forested hills, it feels blissfully removed from the bustle of Salzburg, just 30 minutes away. Swim, kayak or hike along its peaceful shoreline, then relax at a lakeside café with barely another international tourist in sight. Immerse yourself in the serenity of Lake Fuschl on our luxury driving holiday of Germany and Austria.
Image: HunterMoss
Aren’t these places no longer really ‘hidden gems?’
We are fully aware of the irony of sharing our list of European hidden gems – with every word written, they become more exposed. However, many of the places we’ve listed are somewhat known by tourists, but don’t receive the attention nor crowds of Paris, Rome and Berlin. Even though tourists are present, lower numbers ensure these destinations retain the feeling of being undiscovered.
At HunterMoss, we pride ourselves on being able to curate itineraries that avoid crowds and show places in a new light. This is as true for a small Swiss alpine village as it is for a tourist hotspot such as Florence. Even in summertime, we curate an itinerary that preserves a sense of exclusivity, luxury and serenity.
Image: HunterMoss
Discover Europe’s most spellbinding destinations with HunterMoss
Join us for our unforgettable luxury tour of Northern Italy and beyond, where we explore European hidden gems such as Bormio and make bustling cities like Munich and Milan feel exclusive to you.
If you want to learn more about exploring the hidden gems of Europe in complete luxury, speak with our friendly travel concierge team today.
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