35+ Best Hidden Vacation Spots in Europe to Visit in 2025

This article focuses on hidden gems in the United States, not Europe. However, based on the provided text, here's a compilation of information about lesser-known and potentially less crowded destinations in Europe, categorized for easier planning:

Best Warm Places to Visit in Europe in March

The provided text highlights several locations ideal for warmer weather in March:

• Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain: Known for year-round warm weather. Features beaches (Playa del Duque, Beach of the Views, Playa de la Tejita), Mount Teide National Park, and Anaga Rural Park.

  • Where to Stay: The Ritz-Carlton, Abama (5-star resort with ocean views, pools, restaurants, and spa).

• Balearic Islands, Spain: Includes Majorca, Ibiza, Formentera, Cabrera, and Minorca. Offers beaches and turquoise waters. Minorca is recommended for families.

  • Where to Stay: One Ibiza Suites (beachfront hotel with rooftop terrace and some private pools).

• Cannes, France: Coastal city on the French Riviera with beaches (Plage du Midi, Palm Beach, Plage de la Bocca), luxury hotels, restaurants, and the Old Town (Vieux Port).

  • Where to Stay: Hôtel Château de la Tour (rooftop terrace, outdoor pool, and spa).

• Malta: Island country in the Mediterranean Sea with beaches, Valletta (capital city with cathedrals, palaces, and forts), and the Valletta Waterfront. Fomm Ir-Riħ is suggested for fewer crowds.

  • Where to Stay: Ursulino Valletta (rooftop terrace with breakfast and proximity to landmarks).

• Cyprus: Island nation with ancient ruins, castles (Archaeological Site of Nea Paphos), Troodos Mountains (Kykkos Monastery), Aphrodite’s Rock, beaches, and cities (Paphos, Larnaca).

  • Where to Stay: Columbia Beach Resort (beach access, pools, restaurants, and bars).

• Lagos, Portugal: Stunning beaches, Ponta da Piedade (rock formation with caves), nightlife, and historic sites (Forte da Ponta da Bandeira, Mercado Municipal de Lagos).

  • Where to Stay: Hotel Marina Rio (heated rooftop pool, private balconies overlooking the marina).

• Mykonos, Greece: Beaches (Paradise Beach, Kalafati Beach, Playa Ornos, Paraga Beach), food, and nightlife.

  • Where to Stay: Mykonos Ammos Hotel (near Ornos beach, stylish rooms, and onsite restaurant).

• Oia, Greece (Santorini): Blue-domed churches, sunset views, cobblestone streets, Ammoudi Beach, and historic sites (Profitis Ilias Church, Castle of Oia).

  • Where to Stay: Kokkinos Villas (views of Santorini cliffs, private and family-run).

• Cádiz, Spain: Beaches (Playa de la Caleta), tapas bars, nightlife, historic sites (Catedral de Cádiz), and outdoor activities.

  • Where to Stay: Hotel Argantonio (central location, Andalucian-style architecture, and breakfast).

• Dubrovnik, Croatia: Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Fort Lovrijenac, Rector’s Palace, beaches, and Dubrovnik Cable Car. Dubrovnik FestiWine takes place in March.

  • Where to Stay: Prijeko Palace (rooftop terrace, private balconies, and proximity to Dubrovnik Walls).

• Cinque Terre, Italy: Seaside villages, beaches, and local cuisine.

  • Where to Stay: Affittacamere la Tortuga (ocean views, proximity to the beach and restaurants).

Best Cheap Places to Visit in Europe in March

The article suggests these locations offer more budget-friendly options in March:

• Amsterdam, Netherlands: Canals, architecture, museums (Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum), and the De Pijp neighborhood.

  • Where to Stay: THIS HO(S)TEL (affordable hostel with clean rooms).

• Lisbon, Portugal: Colorful streets, museums, nightlife (Bairro Alto), rooftop terraces, and Alfama (for souvenirs).

  • Where to Stay: Empire Lisbon Hotel (central location, modern rooms, and affordable).

• Vienna, Austria: Coffee houses, architecture, parks, museums (Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien), Schönbrunn Palace, and Vienna Operahouse.

  • Where to Stay: Hotel Domizil (central location in Old Town, comfortable rooms, and affordable).

• Berlin, Germany: Nightlife, museums (Museuminsel Berlin, Pergamonmuseum), parks (Tiergarten, Mauerpark), and festivals.

  • Where to Stay: Space Night Capsule Hostel (unique capsule hotel in Mitte).

• Budapest, Hungary: Underground ruin bars, architecture, Széchenyi Thermal Baths, museums, churches (Fisherman’s Bastion, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Matthias Church), and Central Market Hall.

  • Where to Stay: Medos Hotel (near Andrássy Avenue, spacious rooms, and affordable).

• Paris, France: Montmartre, Champs-Élysées, museums (Louvre, Musée d’Orsay), churches (Notre Dame Cathedral, L’église de la Madeleine), and nightlife (Soho).

  • Where to Stay: La Planque Hotel (central location, clean rooms, and affordable).

• Prague, Czech Republic: Charles Bridge, Petřín Tower, Prague Castle, museums (Lobkowicz Palace, Spanish Synagogue), and Old Town Square.

  • Where to Stay: Iris Hotel Eden (highly-rated affordable hotel with central location).

• Barcelona, Spain: La Rambla, Mercado de La Boqueria, Park Güell, beaches (Nova Mar Bella Beach), and La Sagrada Família.

  • Where to Stay: Ciutat de Barcelona (rooftop pool, luxurious bedrooms, and affordable).

• Blagaj, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Natural scenery (Dervish House, Vrelo Bune), historic buildings, and Blagaj Fort.

  • Where to Stay: Apartman Maida (highly-rated affordable apartment with free Wifi).

• Honfleur, France: Cobblestone streets, waterfront views, museums, and galleries.

  • Where to Stay: Hotel Le Dauphin Les Loges (central location, luxurious rooms, and affordable).

Best Places to Visit in Europe in March for Families

The article also suggests these family-friendly options:

• Zermatt, Switzerland: Ski town in the Swiss Alps with hiking trails, gondola rides, skiing, snowboarding, winter hiking, Gornergrat Railway, and Matterhorn Glacier Palace.

  • Where to Stay: Alpenblick Superior (decent rates, amenities, and proximity to the ski lift).

• Ghent, Belgium: Canals, medieval buildings, museums, art galleries, and the Ghent International Film Festival.

  • Where to Stay: B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum (family rooms, pet-friendly, and breakfast).

• Copenhagen, Denmark: Architecture (Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg), parks (Tivoli Gardens), Nyhavn Harbor, shops, restaurants, and cafes.

  • Where to Stay: Fiddle House (2-bedroom apartments, central location).

• Doolin, Ireland: Cliffs of Moher, pubs (Gus O’Connor’s), bed and breakfasts, and hiking trails.

  • Where to Stay: West Haven House (family suite, central location, and breakfast).

• Edinburgh, Scotland: Harry Potter filming locations, Edinburgh Castle, parks, museums, galleries, and pubs.

  • Where to Stay: Princes Street Suites (family suites, quiet location, and proximity to attractions).

• Stockholm, Sweden: Medieval old town, Södermalm (restaurants and shops), Royal Palace, Stortorget Square, ABBA The Museum, Gröna Lund (theme park), and Östermalms saluhall.

  • Where to Stay: Downtown Camper by Scandic (family suites).

• Amalfi Coast, Italy: Positano, Ravello, Blue Grotto, beaches, and Capri.

  • Where to Stay: Casa Amorino (family rooms, affordable).

• Oslo, Norway: Vigeland Park, Holmenkollen Ski Jump, Oslo Fjord, and Tromsø (winter sports and northern lights).

  • Where to Stay: Hotell Bondeheimen (central location, breakfast, and onsite restaurant).

• London, England: Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Oxford Street, Covent Garden, and Soho.

  • Where to Stay: Park Plaza County Hall London (family suites, restaurant).

• Luxembourg City, Luxembourg: Old Town (Ville Haute), Notre Dame Cathedral, Grand Ducal Palace, Chemin de la Corniche, Casemates du Bock, and Mullerthal (waterfalls and forests).

  • Where to Stay: La Pipistrelle Hotel (family suites, central location).

Europe's Most Underrated Travel Destinations (from Time Out)

The Time Out article provides a different perspective, focusing on less-crowded destinations:

• Ulcinj, Montenegro: Dramatically situated Old Town and beaches.

• Aarhus, Denmark: University town with cobbled streets, coffee, art gallery (ARoS), swimming pools, and Tivoli Friheden (theme park).

• Gerês, Portugal (Peneda-Gerês National Park): Untouched national park with animal species, crystal-clear waters, and traditional cuisine.

• Gozo, Malta: Smaller island of the Maltese archipelago with Citadella, beaches, and Ggantija (megalithic temple complex).

• Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland: Archipelago with caves, volcanoes, Eldheimar museum, and restaurants (Slippurin).

• Plovdiv, Bulgaria: Old town, Ancient Roman Theatre of Philippopolis, and House of Distillation (liqueurs).

• Levi, Finnish Lapland: Arctic town with ski slopes, reindeer farms, snowshoe hikes, husky dog sled tours, and Halipuu Forest.

• Bergen, Norway: City surrounded by mountains with walking trails, fjords, glaciers, and Floibanen funicular.

• Cluj-Napoca, Romania: City center with monuments, churches, bars, Botanical Garden, and Turda Salt Mines.

• Emilia-Romagna, Italy: Region with UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Ravenna), porticoes (Bologna), balsamic vinegar (Modena), prosciutto and Parmigiano-Reggiano (Parma), and coastal cities (Rimini, Cattolica).

• Tartu, Estonia: Creative and intellectual center with cafes, architecture (National Archives, Snail Tower), and festivals (Tartuff, IDeeJazz).

• Extremadura, Spain: Inland region with dehesa woodlands, nature reserves, geo-park, Roman amphitheatre (Mérida), historic district (Cáceres), and local cuisine.

• Faroe Islands: Archipelago with waterfalls, grassy slopes, towns, mountains, and tunnels.

• Vilnius, Lithuania: Gediminas Hill, Gate of Dawn, Station District, and nightlife.

• Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Orthodox Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Ferhadija Mosque, Kastel (Roman fortress), and Habsburg façades.

• Imotski Lakes, Croatia: Blue Lake (Modro Jezero) and Red Lake (Crveno Jezero).

• Dordrecht, Netherlands: Medieval harbor, Dordrechts Museum, Groenmarkt, Energiehuis, and Villa Augustus (hotel).

• Landes, France: Maritime pines, Atlantic coastline, lakes, and cycle paths.

• Isles of Scilly, UK: Archipelago with beaches, coves, and pubs (Mermaid’s Inn, Turk’s Head).

• Pamukkale, Turkey: Thermal waters, travertine terraces, and Roman ruins.

• Ponza, Italy: Island with natural pools, grottoes, beaches, and restaurants (La Marina).

Remember that the best time to visit will depend on your preferences (warm weather, fewer crowds, specific events, etc.) and the specific location. Always check current weather forecasts and local event calendars before finalizing your travel plans.