One on a small hill on the west coast of Sardinia, the other on Lake Como, Bosa and Nesso are two picturesque Italian villages that top the European Best Destinations‘ “Best Hidden Gems” list.
As Europe’s best-known destinations prepare for another season of mass ultra-tourism, the new list offers a more emotional kind of travel with untouched alternatives away from the typical tourist trails (and hassles).
“With picturesque villages, beautiful hill towns, seaside resorts, medieval villages amidst vineyards and lakes, Europe abounds with special destinations for those looking to escape the crowds,” EBD says.
The new ranking is an invitation to wander from the pastel-coloured streets of Bosa in Sardinia to the thermal bliss of the natural springs of Saturnia in Tuscany, from the timeless beauty of Halki, a car-free Greek island where life moves to the rhythm of the sea, to the pink alleys of Albarracín in Spain.
EBD’s list, based on the votes of more than one million travellers from 172 countries, encourages you to embark on a journey “to these lesser-known places and discover the diverse and exciting experiences that await you beyond the beaten track of Europe”. Getting to some of them isn’t always as easy as going to Paris, for example, but it’s precisely their remote location that has kept them unspoilt, authentic and ready to be explored.
1. Bosa, Sardinia, Italy
Famous for its colourful houses and the medieval Malaspina Castle, Bosa is located in the west of Sardinia, on a small hill about 3km from the coast, on the north bank of the Temo River. “Take a stroll through the historic centre, explore the castle and relax on the nearby Bosa Marina beach,” recommends EBD
2. Nesso, Lake Como, Italy
Located on Lake Como, this picturesque village is famous for being split in two – literally – by the natural gorge and the Orrido di Nesso waterfall. On the western part of Lake Como, it is known for its authentic charm and historic cobbled streets. The ancient Roman bridge Ponte della Civera offers stunning views.
3. Corvo Island, Azores, Portugal
The volcanic solitude of the smallest of the Azores islands is an invitation to tranquillity and contemplation. The Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, is an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean consisting of nine main islands and a cluster of islets, including Corvo. Corvo boasts the impressive Caldeirão, a large volcanic crater with lakes and islets. The island’s unique village, Vila do Corvo, offers a taste of traditional Azorean life.
4. Albarakin, Spain
Often referred to as one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, Albarakin is located in the hills of east-central Spain, above a bend in the Guadalaviar River. The towering medieval walls, the Murallas de Albarracín, dominate the adjacent hillside. The ruins of an alcazar, or Moorish castle, rise atop a cliff in the old town. The 16th-century Salvador Cathedral (Catedral del Salvador) features a bell tower built on the ruins of a Romanesque church and is surrounded by narrow, winding streets, pink buildings and ancient walls.
5. Blagai in Buna, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Blagai is a historic village and protected cultural heritage site in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in the southeastern region of the Mostar Basin, in the canton of Herzegovina-Neretva. Blagaj is home to one of the “best unvisited places in Europe”, Blagaj Tekija, a 16th century dervish monastery built in a spectacular location next to a turquoise spring of the Buna River.
6. Rupit, Catalonia, Spain
Rupit is a charming medieval village in Catalonia that evokes the essence of medieval Europe with its cobbled streets, stone houses and iconic wooden suspension bridge over the Rupit River.
7. Chalki, Greece
Halki is a small, rustic, hilly island in the Dodecanese, just 6km west of Rhodes, known for its crystal clear waters and neoclassical architecture. It is known for its secluded beaches, such as Kania and Potamos, some of which are accessible only on foot. Hiking trails lead to whitewashed churches, such as the church of Agios Nikolaos with its impressive bell tower, the Knights’ Castle of Agios Ioannis and the abandoned village of Chorio.
8. Tenby, Wales, United Kingdom
Tenby is a picture-postcard seaside town in southwest Wales, known for its 13th-century medieval walls, pastel-coloured houses, beautiful beaches and the Pembrokeshire coast path. Its sandy coastline includes Castle Beach, with the ruins of Tenby Castle on a promontory overlooking the harbour.
9. Saturnia, Italy
One of Italy’s best hidden gems is a spa town in Tuscany, in north-central Italy, inhabited since ancient times. It is famous for its natural hot springs, particularly the Cascate del Mulino, where the thermal waters cascade down onto limestone terraces.
10. Vik, Iceland
The picturesque village of Vik in southern Iceland, with lupine meadows blooming around the town’s church. Vik is a small village on the south coast of Iceland, known for its black sand beaches, particularly Reynisfjara, and the Reynisdrangar sea cliffs. With its striking cliffs and black sand beaches, “Vik reminds us that sometimes, the edge of the world is the beginning of something extraordinary,” EBD notes.
