Must-Visit Off-the-Beaten-Path Towns in Southern Europe

Forget about all the typical tourist destinations in southern Europe if you want a quiet and peaceful trip; they are way too crowded! Particularly between the months of June and September, the standard vacation destinations in Europe as a whole tend to be at their busiest, so if you’re looking for a quiet trip and something a little different, why not get off the beaten track? Here are some of the best quiet Southern European destinations to visit where you may be the only tourist in sight.

Coimbra, Portugal

Rising scenically from the Rio Mondego, Coimbra isn’t your typical Portuguese vacation destination but it’s definitely worth a visit. An animated city that is steeped in interesting history and heritage, it was the medieval capital of Portugal for almost a century, and is home to the oldest and most prestigious university in the country. The steep, stacked historic center can be traced back to the ancient Moorish times, and today it has a stunning atmosphere with endless dark, cobbled lanes to explore and a beautiful, monumental cathedral. Check out Coimbra and other great places to visit in Portugal here - https://triptile.com/portugal.

Bologna, Italy

Often neglected on Italian travel itineraries in favour of more popular sites such as Rome and Venice, Bologna is a stunning destination that should be on your travel bucket list if you’re looking for an unusual and off-the-beaten path trip in Italy. It is a lively, historic capital of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, and has a lot to offer tourists from gorgeous food to art and historical secrets. The food is some of the most delicious in Italy and the leaning tower here puts Pisa to shame. And it’s certainly worth making the 3.8km hike along the world’s longest portico stretch, located southwest of the city center and leading to the stunning Sanctuary of the Madonna San Luca where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city. It’s also easy to get from here to some of the bigger cities, with trains from Bologna to Rome at rail.ninja/route/bologna-to-rome railway tickets.

Pamplona, Spain

Spain may be known by tourists for gorgeous islands and stunning beaches, but this country has so much more to offer. Pamplona is the capital of the Navarre province in Northern Spain, and home to one of the country’s wildest and most exciting festivals. It’s a fascinating place to explore with a great cathedral, amazing archaeological treasures and 16th century fortifications. The city center is filled with amazing drinking and eating spots, or you can explore the lush, green parks for a relaxing time.

Montpellier, France

Paris may be the go-to destination for tourists to France but towards the south, Montpellier should not be missed. This sun-kissed, easy-going city has a small population, but thanks to the ever-growing student population and influx of new inhabitants, the city is gaining a new energy. Explore the beautiful mix of elegant buildings, gorgeous squares and grand hotels and get involved with the burgeoning arts, music and sports scenes. If you’re a fan of culture, then you’ll be spoiled for choice with a huge array of museums and galleries including the town’s famous stately Gothic Cathedrale Saint-Pierre de Montpellier.

Trogir, Croatia

Finally, Trogir is a town located within medieval walls on a tiny Croatian island, linked by bridges to the mainland and the larger Ciovo island. The mazelike, knotted marble streets gleam mysteriously under old-fashioned streetlights at night, and there’s a gorgeous island vibe with everybody gathering at the wide seaside promenade on summer evenings, where you’ll find the street lined with yachts, cafes and bars. The old town is a must-see, lined with many beautiful, well-preserved buildings from the 13-15th centuries, which earned it World Heritage status back in 1997.

If you’re looking for a quiet, crowd-free European experience, these off the beaten path destinations are perfect.

This is a contribution from one of our contributing writers.