If you love medieval castles, storybook towns that look frozen in time, and vast museums you can get lost in for hours, chances are Europe is already on your radar for 2026.
It all sounds good on paper, but once you arrive, you might realize the fairytale life isn’t quite what it seems.
From the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds flocking into those beautiful piazzas to the jaw-dropping prices for subpar food (and all the hectic shuffling in between), you could soon start rethinking your entire itinerary.
The thing is, Europe is so much more than its surface-level glamor, so before you go all in and splurge big on another long weekend in jam-packed Paris or London, hear us out:
In 2026, it’s time to put on your map these 7 European cities most tourists have been sleeping on—and if you’re a long-time Travel Off Path reader with an appetite for the secret spots, you don’t want to miss out here.
And don’t worry, we’re not about to regurgitate every other travel blog’s copy-and-paste lines and tell you how awesome and under-the-radar Ksamil, Albania is. That ship has long sailed.
Würzburg, Germany
You’ve heard of Munich and Nuremberg, the two largest cities in Bavaria, but did you know this culturally-rich German state has its very own mini Prague? Smaller, just-as-charming, and with a UNESCO-listed place to its name?
Würzburg is a timeless gem complete with a saint-guarded bridge, much like Prague’s, and its soaring church spires are also evocative of the Czech capital’s medieval skyline. The best part, however, is that Würzburg is almost crowd-free.
Not to be missed: the spectacular Würzburg Residence, a Baroque palace and UNESCO World Heritage Site, and perched on a high hill, the Marienberg Fortress. An icon of the city, it’s surrounded by ramparts, and it offers epic city views.
Bolzano, Italy
Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, Bolzano feels more strongly anchored in the Germanic world than the Mediterranean, and that’s not at all incidental: for much of its history, it was in fact part of Austria, before being snagged by the Italians in 1919.
From the Austrian architecture to the meat-heavy Tyrolean cuisine and even the sing-songy German still spoken by a majority of locals, it is one of the most unique city breaks in Italy, precisely because it hardly feels like you’re in Italy.
This is a city best experienced by getting lost in its maze-like Old Town, with its arcaded buildings and cafe-flanked cafes, but if you’re looking for a place to start, there’s Walther Square: with the Alps for backdrop, and dominated by a Gothic cathedral, it’s Bolzano’s beating heart.
Oradea, Romania
Tucked away in northwestern Romania, Oradea is one of Europe’s most unsung destinations: formerly a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it is pretty like Budapest, safe like Zagreb, and vibrant like Vienna, though it doesn’t get nearly as much attention as it deserves.
Ordea’s main artery is Strada Republicii, an avenue lined with elegant 19th-century buildings. From there, smaller veins will lead you to Piața Unirii, the most beautiful square in town, bordered by Art Nouveau frontispieces and lively cafes, and the star-shaped Oradea Fortress, dating back over 1,000 years.
On top of that, everyone’s banging on about Paris’ covered passages, whilst completely ignoring Oradea’s Black Eagle Palace, a visually striking glass-covered arcade lined with boutiques. That’s your go-to spot for people-watching and vintage shopping.
Poznań, Poland
Move over, Kraków and Warsaw: Poland’s next big thing for the upcoming year is the lesser-known, just-as-gorgeous Poznań. Distinguished by its medieval Old Town and wealth of Baroque churches, it’s the country’s best-kept secret, worth its weight in gold.
The Old Market Square, unusually large, as is common in Polish cities, is filled with colorful merchant houses and locally frequented cafes. Slightly skewed toward the western side of the square, the Renaissance-era Town Hall hosts a famous billy goat show at noon.
With a striking-pink exterior and a lavish interior with intricate stuccowork, Fara Church may not be Poznań’s main church, but it is certainly cathedral-like. As for the Gothic cathedral proper, it’s actually located on an island, Ostrów Tumski, on the edge of the Old Town. Have fun exploring!
A Coruña, Spain
If you’re wary of the Barcelona and Madrid crowds, the far more peaceful, offbeat A Coruña, on the Atlantic side of Spain, is the perfect alternative: boasting a fascinating ancient history and sandy beaches, it’s the perfect mix of culture immersion and coastal serenity.
Its medieval Historic Center is dotted with arcaded plazas and criss-crossed by cobbled lanes—Plaza de María Pita is named after a local heroine who stood up to an English invasion—whereas the seafront promenade runs along buzzing urban beaches.
A Coruña’s most prominent landmark, however, is not within the city itself, but a short 15-minute drive away: built by the Romans 2,000 years ago, the Tower of Hercules is one of the last-surviving ancient lighthouses still standing, towering over the rough waters of the Atlantic.
Folegandros, Greece
Forget Santorini and its overpriced cave hotels and designer shops: Greece feels its most authentic and unspoiled in Folegandros, a tranquil dot in the Aegean Sea where time seems to slow down, the farm-to-table food tastes richer, and the cruise hordes are nowhere to be seen.
A sleepy village doubling as capital, Chora lies at the foot of a Byzantine monastery, and its stone-paved pathways and typically Cycladic, chalk-white townhouses seem to whisper centuries-old folk tales. May we add that the baked feta served at Piatsa Restaurant is worthy of a Greek God.
Folegandros is teeny-tiny, and starting from Chora, you can explore much of the island on foot, including Agali Beach, with crystal-clear waters and waterfront tavernas, and Katergo Beach, a paradisaical spot set on a small cove backed by towering cliffs.
Trondheim, Norway
One of Norway’s oldest settlements, Trondheim, isn’t mentioned in mainstream travel publications as often as Oslo, Bergen, or the Nordic hub of Tromsø, but trust us when we say, it’s that one culture-loaded city break you’ve been sleeping on for a bit too long.
It’s home to the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval cathedral in Norway: Nidaros. Built as early as the 11th century, it’s a rare example of Gothic architecture this far North in Europe, with a detailed facade and an impressive rose window.
The cathedral is worth the detour alone, but the adorable Old Town that surrounds it, with its wooden houses, cobblestone streets, and bridges, is Trondheim at its most photogenic. Oh, and for the most epic sunset with views over Trondheim and its fjord, make sureto head up to Kristiansten Fortress.
It’s a short 17-minute walk from the center of town, and chances are you’ll find a small, cozy bakery on the way to grab one of those heavenly Norwegian cinnamon rolls to go.
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