By Taylor Fuller | Published on November 20, 2023
A European vacation is what you make of it, so why not dig a little deeper and take the road less traveled? When you go off the beaten path in some of the most beautiful cities in the world and find the hidden spots only the locals know about, you're bound to have an experience like none other.
Some of the coolest places on Earth are in Europe, and cruising there is a great opportunity to tick some of those unique travel destinations off your bucket list. Whether you're looking to plan a European vacation for families, friends or couples, you'll find some incredible — and unknown — places to explore.
There are so many world-famous cities that come to mind when you think of Europe. European vacations evoke images of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome, and La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, to name a few. That said, vacations to these well-known cities can still be unique and thrilling even if you've been there countless times. Once you look beyond the typical Instagram-worthy sites, you'll find so many hidden wonders waiting for you. For example, instead of visiting the very popular Barceloneta Beach in Barcelona, Spain, check out Llevant Beach, which is newer and less populated by tourists. Instead of traveling to Las Ramblas to visit La Boqueria, a vibrant market, you can head to Saint Catherine or Saint Anthony's markets. And one of the coolest places to visit in Barcelona is The Bunkers, a hilltop hideaway. It offers absolutely gorgeous views of the city below, and you'll find yourself mingling among the locals, rather than fellow out-of-towners.
One of the best things about visiting Europe on a cruise is that you can island hop and see some of the most stunning places in the world. Europe has no shortage of islands to visit, and some of them are home to super unique spots. In Limassol, Cyprus, you can spend your day visiting a UNESCO-protected archaeology park that's over 6,000 years old. You can enjoy delicious meze, which is the perfect way to taste the local specialties. You can even visit the Sanctuary of Apollo, which was once the most significant religious sites in all of Cyprus.
From there, head to the hidden spots of Rhodes in Greece. Located in the Aegean Sea, Rhodes has a ton of world-class beach resorts. However, if you go further afield, you can find some gems. Hop on a ferry or sailboat and visit the tiny island of Symi. It's so picturesque you wouldn't even believe it's real. Enjoy a lazy afternoon on the beach while admiring the blues and greens of the sea. You can also get in touch with nature on this island. In Western Rhodes, there is a beautiful nature reserve called the Valley of the Butterflies. There are several hidden trails and wooden bridges that take you to cascading waterfalls and breathtaking views.
Another city that has unique food is Ajaccio, which can be found on the island of Corsica. Indulge in a mouthwatering clémentine de Corse, which is the only clementine produced in France. They're grown on Corsica because of the acidic, light soil and climate. And then there are the cheeses you simply cannot miss out on. From Niolo, which is a sheep's milk cheese that is soft and creamy, to Fleur du maquis, also made from sheep's milk but with a rind that's covered in juniper, rosemary, fennel, and chilis, you can't go wrong.
And then you have the beautiful island of Capri in Italy. This is definitely not a hidden gem, but if you have the chance to visit, you should head to the tallest bit of the island, Anacapri. It's here that you'll get the best views on the island. Head to Monte Solaro on a sunny day to see the cliffs and beaches along the Gulf of Naples. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Vesuvius in the distance. This is one of the more popular things to do, however, a lot of people only take day trips to the island and are unable to fit a visit here on their itinerary.
While on the subject of not being able to fit everything onto your itinerary, when you visit Mallorca, one of the Balearic Islands in Spain, you will not be able to explore the entire island in just one visit. Most people base themselves in Palma. However, if you really want to get a feel for the island, hop on a sailboat. When you do this you get to visit hidden coves, tiny beaches and more! It's the best way to visit this island, as traveling by car can take a long time on the small, winding roads.
Europe is not only filled with stunning islands but also some pretty spectacular coastal cities. One of those is Kotor, Montenegro, in the Balkans. The medieval city is located right at the bottom of the bay, which makes it an excellent place to visit if you're on a Dalmatian Coast cruise. It has a truly authentic Old Town and you could spend hours getting lost on the narrow, cobblestone lanes. Something that's really interesting to do is visit Our Lady of the Rocks, an island off the coast of Perast, which you can reach in just 20 minutes from Kotor. Hop on a boat, and explore the single church on the island. Afterward, explore Perast, which has tons of baroque architecture.
While most people equate a visit to Europe with the summertime and beaches, there are so many other amazing destinations to visit during the colder months. Stavanger, Norway, is just one of them. And one of the best things to do here is cruise deep into the fjords. You'll see incredibly beautiful nature, some mountain goats and more. Norway is also a massive foodie destination, and eating well is one of the easiest things to accomplish. Make sure to tuck into some fresh seafood while you're there.
Another part of Europe that rivals the beauty of Norway is Inverness, Scotland. There are so many historical places to visit close to Inverness. One of the weirdest and most wonderful is Clootie Well. Ancient wells and trees draped with colorful rags and cloths surround you in this hidden area in Munlochy. What you see is an old Celtic ritual where rags were dipped in sacred wells. They were then tied to branches while the person doing the tying said a prayer. This was meant to heal all illnesses. It's a cool thing to be able to witness old customs while traveling.
And while Scotland has a lot of history, so does Iceland. Reykjavík is the perfect jumping-off point for an Icelandic road trip. One of the most amazing things you can do in Iceland is to chase the Northern Lights. But you can also visit some really random, old Viking settlements. One of those is Thjodveldisbaerinn Farmhouse. It was actually used in a scene of "Game of Thrones" but is still relatively quiet when it comes to tourists. It's off the beaten track, but the drive is absolutely stunning and should not be missed!
Whether you're headed to a well-known destination or a lesser-known area, there are always going to be secrets to discover and hidden locations to visit on a trip to Europe. The best way to visit a number of the most unexplored places on earth at once is to hop onboard a European cruise. With so many to choose from in different regions spanning from the Mediterranean to northern Europe and western Europe, you'll find one that speaks to you.
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