We Brits are guilty of some pretty heinous travel crimes.
One of our worst offences? Insisting on going back to the same old places, year after year, and never trying anything (or anywhere) new. While there’s nothing wrong with liking what you like, if you’re tired of the usual holiday hotspots, these lesser-known destinations offer something quieter, more characterful, and still easy to reach from the UK. They’re perfect for travellers who want charm, culture, and fewer crowds, without sacrificing memorable experiences.
1. Puglia, Italy
If you’re over the polished gloss of the Amalfi Coast, Puglia brings a raw, sun-soaked version of Italy that still feels authentic. Fly into Bari or Brindisi, and you’ll enter a region brimming with olive groves, seaside villages, and whitewashed hill towns that look untouched by modern tourism. From the unique trulli houses of Alberobello to the creamy limestone lanes of Ostuni, there’s beauty here that doesn’t feel staged or scripted.
What makes Puglia stand out is its easy rhythm—slow lunches, coastal drives, and a focus on simplicity. Beaches like Torre dell’Orso and Porto Selvaggio are stunning without being overbuilt, and the food is rustic perfection: fresh orecchiette, just-caught seafood, and earthy wines poured without fuss. It’s Italy for people who want depth over drama.
2. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Slovenia’s capital is like the quiet overachiever of Europe—clean, cultured, and surprisingly fun without ever being showy. Ljubljana is small enough to feel walkable but packed with riverfront cafés, art nouveau architecture, and an energy that feels young and artistic rather than commercial. You won’t find big-name attractions here, and that’s the point. It’s the kind of place that rewards wandering without a plan.
The food scene is a pleasant surprise, blending Alpine comfort with Mediterranean flair. Day trips to Lake Bled or the caves of Postojna add adventure, and if you’re into wine, the nearby Brda region offers tastings with a view. It’s peaceful, green, and effortlessly cool. It’s a city break that actually feels like a break.
3. Valletta, Malta
Malta tends to fly under the radar for British travellers, which is odd considering it offers warm weather, English-speaking locals, and direct flights from most UK airports. Valletta, the capital, is a compact cultural punch—baroque buildings, fortress walls, and winding streets that open out onto glittering sea views. There’s a sense of drama here, but it’s not exhausting.
It’s ideal for a long weekend: walk the city’s historic core, hop over to the Three Cities, or catch the ferry to Gozo for a slower pace. The food blends Italian, North African, and Middle Eastern influences, and you can swim in crystal coves just 15 minutes from town. It’s city-meets-seaside, with a healthy dose of sunshine and soul.
4. Tbilisi, Georgia
If you want a holiday that feels like a discovery, not a checklist, Tbilisi delivers. Georgia’s capital sits at the crossroads of East and West—part Soviet, part Persian, part Parisian bohemia. There’s no single defining style here, which is what makes it so compelling. Crumbling facades sit beside chic wine bars, sulphur bathhouses steam beside brutalist towers, and street art climbs across balconies like ivy.
It’s further than your average city break, but the payoff is massive: ancient monasteries, deeply warm hospitality, and a food culture that includes khinkali dumplings, cheesy khachapuri, and rich red wines made in clay pots. Tbilisi is a place that feels alive with contrast, and blissfully unbothered by mainstream tourism.
5. Asturias, Spain
If Spain to you means crowded beaches and sangria-in-a-bucket, Asturias will flip your expectations. Nestled along the country’s lush north coast, this region is green, wild, and unapologetically untamed. The coastline gives you dramatic cliffs, secret coves, and seafood that’s just landed. Inland, it’s all emerald valleys, mountain hikes, and cider poured from a great height with theatrical flair.
The cities, Oviedo and Gijón, are underrated gems, full of grand architecture and genuine Spanish charm, but the real draw is the landscape. It’s the kind of place where you can hike in the morning, eat fresh hake for lunch, and paddleboard in the evening, all without once hearing a tour guide’s megaphone.
6. Lofoten Islands, Norway
For scenery that borders on surreal, head to Norway’s Lofoten Islands. It’s where jagged peaks crash into Arctic waters, fishing huts glow red against the snow, and the light, whether it’s midnight sun or northern aurora, is always doing something cinematic. It’s not the cheapest place to reach or stay, but it more than earns its keep in raw beauty.
There’s a rhythm here that calms the brain: long drives through twisting fjords, quiet cabins beside the sea, and seafood meals you’ll remember for years. It’s nature at full volume, but without the crowds or the queues. If you’re burnt out from noisy destinations, this place feels like a reset button.
7. Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Mostar feels like a secret city you stumble upon by accident, but end up remembering forever. Its iconic bridge, Stari Most, arcs over turquoise waters and connects two sides of a city shaped by both beauty and heartbreak. The mix of Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Balkan influences gives it a texture that’s far more layered than your average European stop.
You’ll find warm locals, soulful food, and prices that still feel pre-Eurozone. There’s a bit of an edge to Mostar, which only adds to its pull. Day-trips to nearby waterfalls, wine country, or even the sleepy village of Blagaj round out the experience. It’s history and hospitality, minus the crowds.
8. Kotor, Montenegro
Kotor is quietly becoming the new darling of the Adriatic, and for good reason. It sits on a fjord-like bay surrounded by towering cliffs, its old town encased in medieval walls and steeped in Venetian charm. But unlike Dubrovnik, it hasn’t been totally overrun (yet). You can still climb the fortress without a shuffle of selfie-sticks behind you.
The town is sleepy in the best way: cats nap on cobbles, laundry flaps above alleyways, and cafés spill onto sun-dappled squares. It’s romantic without being cheesy, scenic without being overly filtered, and budget-friendly compared to its better-known neighbours. It’s also a great launchpad for exploring more of inland Montenegro’s mountains and lakes.
9. Sibiu, Romania
If Transylvania still makes you think of bats and Dracula, it’s time to rebrand. Sibiu is one of the region’s cultural hubs, known for its pastel town squares, “eyelid” rooftops, and colourful baroque charm. The old town is beautifully preserved, with a tangle of alleyways, towers, and cafés that spill out onto open plazas filled with music and conversation.
It’s not a place designed for mass tourism, and that’s exactly its appeal. Spend your days wandering museums, hiking in the nearby Carpathians, or just drinking too much excellent local wine. Romania’s affordability means your money stretches further here, whether you’re booking a boutique stay or ordering a three-course meal.
10. Ghent, Belgium
Everyone flocks to Bruges for the chocolate-box charm, but Ghent has all the beauty with a fraction of the foot traffic. Canals? Check. Castles? Absolutely. But it also has a youthful buzz thanks to its student population, and a creative streak that shows up in its museums, music, and modern design.
It’s compact enough for a weekend but rich enough for a return visit. Whether you’re into art, architecture, or just lazy riverside lunches, Ghent delivers, and with less of the tourist markup. You can even reach it by train via Brussels, making it ideal for a no-fly option too.
11. Cagliari, Sardinia
While most people head for Sardinia’s flashy northern coast, Cagliari down south offers a far more laid-back Mediterranean escape. It’s got golden beaches within city limits, a hilltop old town that looks out over the sea, and a mix of Spanish and Italian influence that shows up in both architecture and food.
Fly in and rent a car if you can—some of the island’s best spots are tucked away along the coastline or hidden in the hills. From flamingo-filled salt flats to ancient ruins, there’s more to see here than most guidebooks let on. And the seafood? Absolutely worth the trip alone.
12. Aarhus, Denmark
Often overshadowed by Copenhagen, Aarhus is Denmark’s second city, and arguably cooler. It’s got modern architecture, Viking history, coastal forests, and a laid-back, creative feel that’s infectious. The ARoS Art Museum alone is worth the visit, especially with its rainbow rooftop walkway that gives panoramic views across the city.
It’s a bike-friendly, design-forward place with excellent food, from open sandwiches to Michelin-starred Nordic cuisine. But it also knows how to relax. Take a picnic to the beach, wander the Latin Quarter, or go for a dip in one of the city’s outdoor sea baths. It’s Scandi style, but softer.
