Do you ever get the feeling for a spontaneous trip? Last-minute holidays can be inspiring, but there are often obstacles like sold-out hotels, expensive lights, and crowded attractions in Europe’s major cities. Fortunately, many hidden gems throughout Europe are perfect for last-minute holidays as they offer the same excitement without the same stress, costs, and crowds. Here are five of Europe’s most underrated cities for a spontaneous trip.
1. Ghent, Belgium: A Fairytale City Without the Crowds
Many travelers head to Bruges in Belgium, but nearby Ghent is a great alternative with its stunning medieval architecture, beautiful canals, and vibrant student population. You can find affordable, high-quality food and drink, as the city caters to the local population as much as tourists. Activities like a canal boat tour are a great way to see the sights and allow you to explore in peace.
2. Bologna, Italy: The Heart of Italian Cuisine
Italy has many tourist hotspots, including Rome, Florence, and Venice. Bologna is the perfect alternative for food lovers, as it is known as the food capital. You can wander the ancient, covered porticoes to discover family-run trattorias serving authentic tagliatelle al ragù. As a university city, it has a youthful energy and plenty of apertivo bars, while the Asinelli Tower offers incredible views of the city’s red rooftops.
3. Ljubljana, Slovenia: Europe’s Green Gem
The capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana, is known as a compact, walkable, and exceptionally green city. It was the European Green Capital in the past, and its car-free city center makes it incredibly pleasant to explore on foot or by bike. You can spend your time relaxing at cafés along the small but very amazing Ljubljanica River, which is lined with weeping willows and crossed by beautiful bridges like the Dragon Bridge or the most important sight of the city, the Triple Bridge. Its small size means you can see all the main sights without feeling rushed, making it ideal for a short, last-minute trip.
4. Porto, Portugal: The Captivating Douro Riverside
Known to be a charismatic and more affordable alternative to Lisbon with its own unique charm, Porto is slightly different from the capital as it features colorful, tiled buildings in the Ribeira district to the imposing Dom Luís I Bridge spanning the Douro River. The main benefit of a last-minute trip is value because if you decide to go to Porto, you can enjoy world-famous port wine tastings in Vila Nova de Gaia for a fraction of what you might pay for a similar experience elsewhere.
5. Krakow, Poland: Where History Comes Alive
Krakow is a city that offers a deep cultural experience without the high price tag of many Western European destinations. You can explore the vast Main Market Square (Rynek Główny), one of the largest medieval town squares in Europe, visit the historic Wawel Castle, and wander through the former Jewish quarter of Kazimierz. Its affordability makes it perfect for a spontaneous trip, as your money will go much further on accommodation, food, and attractions.
6. Valencia, Spain: Art, Science, and Paella by the Sea
While many flock to Barcelona or Madrid, Valencia is a stunning coastal city that provides a perfect blend of historic charm and modern architectural marvels like the City of Arts and Sciences. Being Spain’s third-largest city, it maintains a wonderfully relaxed, local atmosphere, meaning fewer crowds even during peak season. You can easily find a last-minute spot to enjoy its laid-back beach scene or sample the authentic local paella, as the city invented the dish.
7. Vilnius, Lithuania: Baroque Beauty and Bohemian Vibe
As one of the least-visited capital cities in Europe, Vilnius is a captivating, yet affordable, alternative to places like Prague. Its massive Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its overwhelming concentration of stunning Baroque architecture and cobblestone streets that are quiet and easy to navigate. The unique, self-declared Republic of Užupis, a haven for artists, provides a bohemian spirit perfect for spontaneous exploration and discovery.
8. Zagreb, Croatia: A Year-Round Hidden Central European Gem
Many tourists focus on Croatia’s coastal hotspots, leaving its capital city of Zagreb wonderfully uncrowded and well-priced, making it perfect for a spontaneous trip. It offers a rich mix of Austro-Hungarian architecture and a unique two-tiered city layout, and this can be clearly seen from the historic Upper Town and the modern Lower Town, connected by a funicular. The city’s vibrant café culture and plentiful museums, like the quirky Museum of Broken Relationships, provide a genuinely authentic Central European city experience, something that is completely different than the coastal Croatian cities.
9. Antwerp, Belgium: Europe’s Cool and Creative Diamond
Offering a more contemporary vibe than its Belgian counterparts, Antwerp is an easy, last-minute flight or train ride away, yet it remains relatively free of tourist throngs. It’s a global center for the diamond trade and a major fashion hub, giving it a sophisticated edge. Still, you can wander the atmospheric medieval streets, admire the Rubens House, and enjoy innovative cuisine and designer boutiques without the long waits or high prices as you would expect to see in Paris or Amsterdam.
10. Tbilisi, Georgia: Ancient Charm Meets Modern Style
Georgia’s capital is a truly unique destination that delivers exceptional value for a last-minute trip. Straddling the Mtkvari River, its dramatic setting features colorful, wooden-balconied houses and the ancient Narikala Fortress overlooking a modern bridge and trendy new buildings. You can spend your time relaxing in the historic sulfur baths, sampling world-class, affordable Georgian wine, and enjoying the fusion of European and Asian cultures in a city that is exciting, yet completely accessible.
In conclusion, a last-minute holiday is not something that should be considered as a cheap experience, but it deserves to be seen as a more rewarding trip, as it will allow you to step off the beaten path and avoid the big crowds. As these are only a few of the many underrated cities throughout Europe, you should consider visiting them as soon as possible because, as the tourism sector is growing by the year, it is expected that the number of tourists in these cities will rise as well, so you should enjoy the benefit of fewer crowds, better value, and more authentic experiences.