6 Undiscovered European Travel Destinations For 2024

31.12.2023 - 18:56 / forbes.com

While the allure of popular tourist cities like London, Barcelona or Paris is undeniable, if you're seeking a destination less frequented by the masses, a more off-the-beaten-path adventure could be just what you're looking for. Here are six suggestions of lesser-known holiday spots.

As the most beautiful fortified town in Montenegro, Kotor has been named by Lonely Planet as the number one city to visit in the world but unlike popular tourist destinations in neighboring Croatia, is not as overrun by tourists. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Old Town of Kotor was built between the 12th and 14th centuries, and a visitor could spend many happy hours wandering the pretty streets. Climb the 1300 steps to the fortress of San Giovanni for spectacular view of the Old Town and Boka bay. Then have lunch at a restaurant on the harbor front with sweeping views across the bay. Galion restaurant is a good choice. Stay at the four star Astoria, a boutique hotel within the UNESCO-protected 13th-century Buca Palace in the heart of Kotor's fascinating old town.

Although the coast of Languedoc-Roussillon isn't as obvious a holiday destination as the Cote d'Azur, it has just as much to offer with less crowds, even in peak season. And Montpellier, a medieval city founded around 1200, is an excellent base for a visit to the area. Stay at the gorgeous Hotel Richer de Belleval, a 17th-century former private mansion, beautifully restored as a Relais & Châteaux hotel-restaurant in the heart of the city. Or, for the more budget minded, the family run Hotel du Palais has 26 charming rooms and a sweet terrace. Montpellier is a gastronomic delight. Even the simplest cafes offer high quality food, always beautifully presented. Among the best high-end restaurants are Le Petit Jardin, with a gorgeous internal terrace garden and the Pourcell brothers’ La Canourgue in the Hotel Richer. Chez Canaille in Place du petit Scel has a cute outdoor terrace for a casual meal on a pretty square and La Coquille has great seafood including gambas with squid ink linguine. Culture lovers will enjoy the Fabre Museum, with European works from the Renaissance to the present day, and a full wing dedicated to contemporary artist, Pierre Soulages. If visiting in the summer, the annual Radio France Music festival showcases top international talents featuring hundreds of mainly free classical, opera, jazz and DJ music concerts.

Stavanger has been known as the country’s oil capital since the major discovery of the Ekofisk field in 1969. Further discoveries in the North Sea transformed Norway from Europe’s poor relation into one of the wealthiest countries in the world. The city has also become the country’s top foodie destination and has two Michelin