by Mikael Jack
Traveling is all about discovery, cultural immersion, and enjoying new experiences. But visiting the world’s most popular destinations often means dealing with large crowds and high prices, which can take away from the joy of exploring.
This roundup features eight alternative destinations where you can experience just as much charm, cuisine, and adventure—without the long lines or steep costs. Whether you’re drawn to European cityscapes or serene Caribbean islands and beaches, these relaxed getaways offer everything you love about travel with a little more breathing room. Book your next trip to one of these hidden gems and uncover what you’ve been missing.
1. Instead of Paris, fall in love with Lyon
An amazing historic center, brilliant art museums, and the best food in France.
Fall in love with Lyon’s food, history, and romantic old streets.
As France’s third-largest city, Lyon usually gets overlooked in favor of the famous capital. The City of Love is wonderful, but Lyon has just as much romance without the hustle. Weather-wise, Lyon has slightly hotter summers and colder winters but less rain than Paris. And getting there is easy, with quick links between Lyon and its airport, and a station with high-speed train connections bang in the middle of the city.
What to see and do in Lyon?
If fantastic food is high on your agenda, Lyon is France’s gastronomic capital with more than 20 Michelin stars spread across a relatively tiny area, a market so good it’s named after one of the greatest chefs in history, Paul Bocuse, and a bunch of charming bouchons where typical French food is cheap yet perfectly prepared.
A tenth of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, including its beautiful historic center. You won’t find the “Mona Lisa” in Lyon, but its art museums are no less impressive; the Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Contemporary Arts, and the Musée des Confluences are all worth the entry fees, which are generally around half of what you’ll pay in Paris.
2. Skip Barcelona to visit Valencia
Extraordinary architecture, spacious beaches, rich history, and paella.
Discover paella, modern marvels, and relaxed beaches in Valencia.
While Barcelona is known for its incredible Gaudí architecture and bustling La Rambla, Valencia offers a more relaxed vibe with equally stunning attractions. This vibrant city blends the best of modern design, historical charm, and Mediterranean leisure — all with fewer crowds and more elbow room on the beach.
What to see and do in Valencia
Start with the City of Arts and Sciences, a futuristic complex designed by Santiago Calatrava that includes a planetarium, aquarium, and interactive science museum. Art lovers shouldn’t miss the Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia, Spain’s second-largest art gallery.
Valencia is also the birthplace of paella — savor the authentic dish in its hometown. The historic center showcases Roman, Moorish, and Spanish architectural styles, with Plaza Redonda standing out as a unique circular market square.
For outdoor lovers, the Turia Gardens — a lush park built in a former riverbed — offer scenic walks and cycling paths. And unlike Barcelona’s packed coastlines, Valencia’s beaches are wide, sunny, and blissfully uncrowded.
3. Ditch Dubrovnik and explore Kotor
A breathtaking bay, medieval charm, and a quieter Adriatic experience.
Explore Kotor’s bay views, fortress walls, and medieval old town.
Dubrovnik’s popularity, partly thanks to its association with “Game of Thrones” and its status as a wellness destination, has made it a tourist hotspot. But cross the border, from Croatia into Montenegro, and Kotor has just as much old-world charm and waterfront beauty with a fraction of the vacationers. The UNESCO World Heritage site nestled in Europe’s southernmost fjord, the Bay of Kotor, with its historic Old Town and stunning beaches, offers a more intimate experience than buzzing Dubrovnik.
What to see and do in Kotor
Explore the cobblestone maze of Kotor’s Old Town dotted with medieval churches, charming piazzas, and cozy cafés. Cat lovers will enjoy spotting the city’s famous feline residents and can even visit the quirky Cat Museum.
For panoramic views, climb the fortress walls that stretch up the mountain behind town — the hike is steep but the scenery is unforgettable.
Prefer to stay by the water? Relax on the beach or take a boat tour to the Blue Cave or the island church of Our Lady of the Rocks, both stunning natural and cultural highlights of the bay.
4. Instead of Amsterdam, head to Hamburg
A bustling port, incredible concert hall, vibrant nightlife, and even more canals.
Cruise canals, tour warehouses, and visit a world-class concert hall.
Amsterdam is famous for its canals, but Hamburg has more than the Dutch capital and Venice combined, so it’s already 1-0 to Hamburg. The German city’s unique maritime history, with its huge harbor and waterways, has been recognized by UNESCO. The 100-year-old Speicherstadt, literally “City of Warehouses,” is the largest warehouse district in the world and served the city’s port, once Europe’s main trade hub. Although it’s a protected landmark, it’s slowly being lovingly repurposed by modern businesses.
What to see and do in Hamburg
The most prominent sight in Hamburg’s harbor is the Elbphilharmonie, a concert hall and remarkable feat of engineering that’s worth visiting, even if only for the views. There are plenty more must-sees that rival Amsterdam, too: the Baroque-style St. Michael’s Church; the Hamburg Fish Market; Planten un Blomen, the city’s massive park with a lake, dancing fountains, and playgrounds; Rickmer Rickmers, a floating maritime museum; and the Hamburger Kunsthalle, one of Europe’s most significant art museums with a collection spanning seven centuries, everything from Rembrandt to Bacon.
For revelers, the Reeperbahn and the St. Pauli neighborhood are Hamburg’s most lively nightlife district, packed with bars, clubs, and late-night cafes. It has echoes of Amsterdam’s Red Light District but with a more local feel, fantastic drag shows, and live music.
5. Get Venice vibes in Bruges
Fairy-tale canals, medieval architecture, and romance without the masses.
Glide past canals and medieval towers without Venice’s crowds.
Bruges, sometimes nicknamed the Venice of the North, offers a similar charm to its Italian counterpart without the overwhelming crowds and price tags.
What to see and do in Bruges
The medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a maze of picturesque waterways and unfathomably old streets. Head to Markt Square, surrounded by historic buildings, and feel the pulse at the heart of the city, then climb the winding 366-step staircase inside the Belfry of Bruges for panoramic views. A boat ride along the canals just before dusk is the best way to see Bruges at its most romantic and get a unique perspective of the city’s architecture, bridges, and charming corners.
The Groeninge Museum, with a collection of Flemish and Belgian paintings spanning six centuries, should be on the radar for art lovers, while the Historium dives into the city’s medieval past.
And Belgium has some famous foods that it would be criminal to miss. Indulge in the finest chocolates, pile your fries high — real fry aficionados should visit Bruges’ Frietmuseum — and have waffles for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Belgian beer is also great, with unique flavor profiles and often floral or herbal notes that set it apart from the brews of other countries.
