Top 5 Most Underrated European Travel Destinations To Visit In 2027 According To Travel Experts

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It’s no secret that Europe is bursting at the seams. Every summer, millions of travelers cross the Atlantic only to find themselves fighting for elbow room.

Overtourism is the biggest buzzword in the industry right now, and finding a quiet corner of the continent is getting harder every season.

But if you are willing to look past the famous hotspots, there’s a world of highly affordable destinations waiting to be explored. To help travelers escape the crushing crowds next year, the experts at Lonely Planet just released their official list of the most underrated travel destinations for 2027.

If you want to experience the deep history, incredible food, and stunning landscapes of Europe without feeling like you’re in a theme park, here are the top 5 European destinations you need to put on your radar.

1. Vendée, France

When Americans plan a trip to the French coast, they almost always look straight to the French Riviera or the crowded Mediterranean shores. But if you head to the western edge of the country along the Atlantic, you will find Vendée.

This region is where the French actually go to take their own summer vacations. It delivers everything you want in a coastal European escape: rocky cliffs, pastel-colored fishing villages, sprawling salt marshes, and grand castles.

• The Swap: Go here instead of the crowded, wildly expensive French Riviera.
• The Vibe: An outdoorsy, seafood-heavy retreat packed with cycling trails and quaint port towns.
• How To Get There: If you fly into Paris, you can take a highly scenic two-and-a-half-hour train ride directly into Nantes, then drive right into the heart of the Vendée region.

2. Tbilisi, Georgia

Swap the expensive, heavily touristed capitals of Western Europe for the rugged, enchanting edge of Eastern Europe. Tbilisi is a highly walkable, charming riverside capital city that perfectly blends ancient architecture with the fascinating remnants of its Soviet past.

Georgia is rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the most dynamic adventure destinations on the planet. Just outside the city, you will find epic mountain treks and an ancient wine country that will change how you view viticulture.

• The Swap: Go here instead of Paris or Rome for a highly affordable, culturally rich city break.
• The Vibe: Deep history, towering mountains, and unmatched hospitality.
• The Food: You cannot leave without trying khinkali (rich, juicy meat dumplings) and khachapuri (a life-changing, boat-shaped bread filled with bubbling cheese and a cracked egg).

Tip From The Editor (me): Georgia is famous for its Qvevri wine. They ferment the grapes in huge clay vessels buried underground, a method that dates back 8,000 years. If you are a wine fan, taking a tasting tour through the Georgian countryside is a bucket-list requirement.

3. Lake Balaton, Hungary

Typically overshadowed by the historic thermal baths and ruin bars of Budapest, Lake Balaton is an idyllic, sprawling summer escape.

Because the lake is so large, different towns cater to entirely different travel styles. If you are looking for a party, the town of Siófok hosts major electronic music festivals right on the water. If you want a quiet, scenic retreat, the Tihany peninsula is famous for its rolling hills covered in fragrant purple lavender fields.

• The Swap: Go here instead of Lake Como, which has become notoriously crowded and expensive.
• The Vibe: A laid-back summer lake culture with historic castles dotted around the shoreline.
• How To Get There: It is incredibly accessible. You can take a quick train from Budapest and reach towns like Balatonfüred in under two hours.

4. Puglia, Italy

Italy is full of iconic heavyweights, but you do not have to fight the crowds in Cinque Terre to get incredible coastal views. Located in the southern “heel of the boot,” Puglia delivers fantastic beaches, an exceptional food scene, and a fraction of the tourists.

The region is famous for its trulli—whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs that look like they were pulled straight out of a fairy tale.

• The Swap: Go here instead of the Amalfi Coast. You get the same Mediterranean charm with far more reasonable prices.
• The Vibe: Slow-paced, sun-drenched Italian living.
• Where To Stay: Book a room at a masseria (a fortified, working farm). It is a unique way to experience rural Italian life and eat ingredients grown right on the property.

5. Mid-Wales, United Kingdom

When travelers think of Wales, they usually picture the dramatic southern coast or the towering peaks of Snowdonia in the north. But Mid-Wales is a hidden gem packed with pristine, empty beaches, ancient castle ruins, and deep Celtic culture.

The Welsh language thrives here, giving the region a distinct, magical atmosphere. The historic seaside town of Aberystwyth offers a vibrant, artsy energy complete with cozy pubs, vintage shopping, and a gorgeous waterfront sauna perched right under a cliffside funicular.

• The Swap: Go here instead of Scotland’s famous NC500 route, which has struggled to keep up with the heavy influx of summer road-trippers.
• The Vibe: Deeply historic, rugged, and culturally rich.
• How To Get There: Fly into London or Cardiff, rent a car, and drive through the spa towns of Powys and right up the Ceredigion coast.

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