If you like medieval castles, storybook cities that look frozen in time, and huge museums you will get misplaced in for hours, chances are high Europe is already in your radar for 2026.
It all sounds good on paper, however when you arrive, you would possibly understand the fairytale life is not fairly what it appears.
From the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds flocking into these lovely piazzas to the jaw-dropping costs for subpar meals (and all of the hectic shuffling in between), you might quickly begin rethinking your whole itinerary.
The factor is, Europe is so far more than its surface-level glamor, so earlier than you go all in and splurge large on one other lengthy weekend in jam-packed Paris or London, hear us out:
In 2026, it is time to put in your map these 7 European cities most vacationers have been sleeping on—and when you’re a long-time Travel Off Path reader with an urge for food for the key spots, you do not need to miss out right here.
And don’t be concerned, we’re not about to regurgitate each different journey weblog’s copy-and-paste strains and inform you how superior and under-the-radar Ksamil, Albania is. That ship has lengthy sailed.
Würzburg, Germany
You’ve heard of Munich and Nuremberg, the 2 largest cities in Bavaria, however do you know this culturally-rich German state has its very personal mini Prague? Smaller, just-as-charming, and with a UNESCO-listed place to its identify?
Würzburg is a timeless gem full with a saint-guarded bridge, very similar to Prague’s, and its hovering church spires are additionally evocative of the Czech capital’s medieval skyline. The better part, nevertheless, is that Würzburg is nearly crowd-free.
Not to be missed: the spectacular Würzburg Residence, a Baroque palace and UNESCO World Heritage Site, and perched on a excessive hill, the Marienberg Fortress. An icon of the town, it is surrounded by ramparts, and it affords epic metropolis views.
Bolzano, Italy
Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, Bolzano feels extra strongly anchored within the Germanic world than the Mediterranean, and that is in no way incidental: for a lot of its historical past, it was in reality a part of Austria, earlier than being snagged by the Italians in 1919.
From the Austrian structure to the meat-heavy Tyrolean delicacies and even the sing-songy German nonetheless spoken by a majority of locals, it’s one of the distinctive metropolis breaks in Italy, exactly as a result of it hardly feels such as you’re in Italy.
This is a metropolis finest skilled by getting misplaced in its maze-like Old Town, with its arcaded buildings and cafe-flanked cafes, however when you’re in search of a spot to start out, there’s Walther Square: with the Alps for backdrop, and dominated by a Gothic cathedral, it is Bolzano’s beating coronary heart.
Oradea, Romania
Tucked away in northwestern Romania, Oradea is one among Europe’s most unsung locations: previously part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it’s pretty like Budapest, protected like Zagreb, and vibrant like Vienna, although it doesn’t get almost as a lot consideration because it deserves.
Ordea’s foremost artery is Strada Republicii, an avenue lined with elegant Nineteenth-century buildings. From there, smaller veins will lead you to Piața Unirii, the most lovely sq. on the town, bordered by Art Nouveau frontispieces and vigorous cafes, and the star-shaped Oradea Fortress, courting again over 1,000 years.
On high of that, everybody’s banging on about Paris’ lined passages, while fully ignoring Oradea’s Black Eagle Palace, a visually placing glass-covered arcade lined with boutiques. That’s your go-to spot for people-watching and classic buying.
Poznań, Poland
Move over, Kraków and Warsaw: Poland’s subsequent large factor for the upcoming yr is the lesser-known, just-as-gorgeous Poznań. Distinguished by its medieval Old Town and wealth of Baroque church buildings, it is the nation’s best-kept secret, value its weight in gold.
The Old Market Square, unusually giant, as is frequent in Polish cities, is crammed with colourful service provider homes and domestically frequented cafes. Slightly skewed towards the western aspect of the sq., the Renaissance-era Town Hall hosts a well-known billy goat present at midday.
With a striking-pink exterior and a lavish inside with intricate stuccowork, Fara Church is probably not Poznań’s foremost church, however it’s actually cathedral-like. As for the Gothic cathedral correct, it is truly situated on an island, Ostrów Tumski, on the sting of the Old Town. Have enjoyable exploring!
A Coruña, Spain
If you are cautious of the Barcelona and Madrid crowds, the way more peaceable, offbeat A Coruña, on the Atlantic aspect of Spain, is the proper various: boasting an enchanting historical historical past and sandy seashores, it is the proper mixture of tradition immersion and coastal serenity.
Its medieval Historic Center is dotted with arcaded plazas and criss-crossed by cobbled lanes—Plaza de María Pita is known as after an area heroine who stood as much as an English invasion—whereas the seafront promenade runs alongside buzzing city seashores.
A Coruña’s most outstanding landmark, nevertheless, is just not throughout the metropolis itself, however a brief 15-minute drive away: constructed by the Romans 2,000 years in the past, the Tower of Hercules is one of many last-surviving historical lighthouses nonetheless standing, towering over the tough waters of the Atlantic.
Folegandros, Greece
Forget Santorini and its overpriced cave inns and designer outlets: Greece feels its most genuine and unspoiled in Folegandros, a tranquil dot within the Aegean Sea the place time seems to slow down, the farm-to-table meals tastes richer, and the cruise hordes are nowhere to be seen.
A sleepy village doubling as capital, Chora lies on the foot of a Byzantine monastery, and its stone-paved pathways and sometimes Cycladic, chalk-white townhouses appear to whisper centuries-old folks tales. May we add that the baked feta served at Piatsa Restaurant is worthy of a Greek God.
Folegandros is teeny-tiny, and ranging from Chora, you’ll be able to discover a lot of the island on foot, together with 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, is not talked about in mainstream journey publications as usually as Oslo, Bergen, or the Nordic hub of Tromsø, however belief us once we say, it is that one culture-loaded city break you’ve got been sleeping on for a bit too lengthy.
It’s dwelling to essentially the most lovely and best-preserved medieval cathedral in Norway: Nidaros. Built as early because the eleventh century, it is a uncommon instance of Gothic structure this far North in Europe, with an in depth facade and a powerful rose window.
The cathedral is definitely worth the detour alone, however the lovable Old Town that surrounds it, with its wood homes, cobblestone streets, and bridges, is Trondheim at its most photogenic. Oh, and for essentially the most epic sundown with views over Trondheim and its fjord, make sureto head as much as Kristiansten Fortress.
It’s a brief 17-minute stroll from the middle of city, and chances are high you may discover a small, cozy bakery on the best way to seize a kind of heavenly Norwegian cinnamon rolls to go.
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