France Aligns With Greece And More As Europe Highlights Underrated Travel Destinations For 2027

Written By: Pritam Nath

Pritam Nath

Pritam Nath is a published writer, journalist, and media researcher with over seven years of experience in journalism, content creation, and strategic communication. He specializes in media studies, journalism and mass communication, content strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. A certified journalist, he has produced research-driven news, feature stories, and industry analysis across media, travel, tourism, hospitality, culture, and strategic communication. Combining academic expertise with practical experience in digital publishing, Pritam creates insightful, engaging, and credible content that informs diverse audiences. He continues to explore emerging trends in global media, journalism, tourism, and digital communication while developing impactful content strategies.

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September 12, 2026 19:44 GMT+5:30

Travel planning for 2027 is increasingly moving beyond Europe’s most famous cities and resort islands as travellers look for quieter experiences, distinctive landscapes and destinations that have not yet been overwhelmed by mass tourism. France, Georgia, North Macedonia, Portugal, Norway, Sweden, Wales, Romania, Greece and Bosnia and Herzegovina are among the countries and regions drawing attention through a collection of less-heralded places that offer alternatives to Europe’s busiest holiday hotspots.

The shift reflects a broader change in travel behaviour. Popular destinations remain highly attractive, but congestion, rising visitor numbers and concerns about overtourism are encouraging holidaymakers to consider smaller towns, remote landscapes and lesser-known cultural centres. For travellers planning their 2027 holidays, these destinations offer opportunities to experience Mediterranean coastlines, mountain scenery, historic towns, island environments and authentic local traditions without relying entirely on the continent’s best-known tourist centres.

The selection includes ten European destinations spanning western, northern, southern and southeastern Europe. From Carry-le-Rouet on France’s Mediterranean coast to Srebrenik in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the locations demonstrate how varied a quieter European holiday can be. They also provide options for different travel styles, including beach escapes, road trips, hiking adventures, city breaks, wildlife encounters and cultural journeys.

Carry-le-Rouet Offers A Quieter French Mediterranean Escape

Carry-le-Rouet provides an alternative to the heavily visited resorts associated with the French Mediterranean. Located west of Marseille along the Côte Bleue, the small coastal settlement combines seaside scenery with a more relaxed atmosphere.

Its position makes it particularly appealing to travellers who want access to the Mediterranean without choosing one of the region’s most internationally recognised destinations. Rocky coves, beaches and coastal landscapes create opportunities for swimming, walking and photography, while the surrounding area supports outdoor activities.

The Sentier du Lézard provides a way to explore the coastline on foot, allowing visitors to combine a beach holiday with active sightseeing. Local restaurants add another dimension, making the destination suitable for travellers seeking a slower French coastal experience.

Georgia’s Military Highway Creates A Dramatic Mountain Journey

Georgia’s Georgian Military Highway offers a completely different type of European travel experience. The historic route connects Tbilisi with the Caucasus and provides spectacular mountain scenery along the journey towards Stepantsminda.

The section between Tbilisi and Stepantsminda is especially suited to road trips, with changing landscapes, valleys and mountain viewpoints creating frequent opportunities to stop and explore. Travellers do not need to undertake the entire route to experience its appeal.

The destination is particularly attractive for visitors interested in scenic driving, photography and mountain landscapes. Small settlements along the route provide opportunities to break up the journey and experience a side of Georgia that differs considerably from conventional city-based itineraries.

Skopje Combines Historic Character With Contemporary City Life

North Macedonia’s capital, Skopje, offers a strong combination of history, architecture, food and urban culture while remaining comparatively affordable by European standards.

The city presents a mixture of historic surroundings and newer architectural landmarks. Central Skopje includes major monuments and public spaces, while the Old Bazaar provides one of the most atmospheric areas for visitors interested in food, cafés and local culture.

Its culinary scene is another reason for its growing appeal. Travellers can explore traditional dishes and regional flavours while moving between restaurants, cafés and market areas. For those seeking a European city break that differs from the continent’s heavily promoted capitals, Skopje provides a compelling alternative.

The Azores Deliver Nature, Wildlife And Outdoor Adventure

The Azores offer one of the strongest choices for travellers whose priority is nature. The Portuguese archipelago is known for lush vegetation, volcanic landscapes, lakes and waterfalls, creating an environment suited to hiking and outdoor exploration.

São Miguel, the largest island, is also associated with whale and dolphin watching. The surrounding Atlantic waters provide opportunities to encounter marine wildlife, adding an important experience beyond the islands’ inland scenery.

The Azores can therefore appeal to several categories of traveller at once. Hikers can explore green landscapes, wildlife enthusiasts can seek marine encounters, and travellers looking for peaceful scenery can discover lakes, coastlines and rural communities away from major European urban centres.

Flåm Brings Fjord Landscapes And Scenic Rail Travel Together

Flåm in Norway offers an unusually concentrated combination of natural and transport attractions. Located beside the Aurlandsfjord, the small settlement is surrounded by mountains, clear waters, walking routes and traditional buildings.

The Stegastein viewpoint provides an elevated perspective over the fjord and surrounding landscape. The destination is also associated with the Flåm Railway, a celebrated scenic railway journey that passes through dramatic Norwegian terrain.

For visitors seeking a compact destination with strong visual appeal, Flåm can form the centrepiece of a fjord-focused itinerary. Its combination of rail travel, hiking and scenery makes it particularly attractive to outdoor and landscape travellers.

Malmö Provides A Scandinavian Alternative To Copenhagen

Malmö offers a southern Swedish city-break option for travellers who want Scandinavian culture without basing their trip entirely in Copenhagen. Its location across the Öresund from the Danish capital also makes it useful for exploring the wider region.

The city combines contemporary urban life with green spaces, waterfront areas and cultural attractions. Its position also provides access to Skåne, where travellers can discover beaches, countryside and woodland.

For 2027 visitors interested in combining a city stay with regional exploration, Malmö can work as a flexible base. The destination also demonstrates that less-hyped cities can provide many of the experiences associated with more famous Scandinavian capitals.

Bwlch Mountain Brings Wales’ Landscapes Into Focus

Bwlch Mountain in Wales is suited to travellers searching for hiking, open landscapes and opportunities to escape urban surroundings. The mountain area near Treorchy can be reached via a walking route of roughly 4.5 kilometres, with an elevation gain of around 250 metres.

The surrounding Welsh landscape creates a scenic setting for walkers, while relatively low levels of light pollution make the area appealing for stargazing. This combination gives the destination an advantage for travellers who want daytime outdoor activity followed by an evening beneath a darker sky.

Its appeal lies less in conventional sightseeing and more in the experience of being outdoors. That makes Bwlch Mountain particularly relevant to the growing interest in nature-based and slower travel.

Sibiu Offers Medieval Streets And Cultural Discovery

Sibiu, known historically as Hermannstadt, is a compact Romanian city in Transylvania with a distinctive architectural character. Narrow streets, towers, paved lanes and historic buildings provide a strong setting for a European city break.

The city also has a contemporary cultural dimension, with festivals and an active arts scene complementing its historic environment. The Passage of Stairs connects the upper and lower parts of the city and adds another architectural feature to explore.

Sibiu can suit travellers who prefer walking-based holidays, cultural tourism and historic city centres. Its relatively compact scale also makes it possible to experience many attractions without the intense crowds associated with Europe’s largest tourism capitals.

Karpathos Offers Greek Island Experiences Away From Major Resorts

Karpathos is one of the Dodecanese islands and provides a quieter alternative to Greece’s most heavily visited island destinations. Its appeal comes from a combination of beaches, traditional villages, hiking routes and local food.

Olympos is among the island’s distinctive settlements, where traditional character and a slower pace remain important parts of the visitor experience. Taverns provide opportunities to sample Greek cuisine in a more intimate setting.

For travellers who want a Greek island holiday but are less interested in large resort environments, Karpathos offers a useful alternative. Its varied terrain also means visitors can combine beach time with walking and village exploration.

Srebrenik Highlights Bosnia And Herzegovina’s Historic Side

Srebrenik provides another example of how southeastern Europe can offer substantial cultural experiences outside its better-known tourist centres. The town’s medieval fortress is its defining attraction, positioned dramatically above the surrounding landscape.

The historic stronghold gives visitors an opportunity to explore Bosnia and Herzegovina’s medieval heritage while also experiencing a smaller destination. Affordable dining and surrounding natural scenery add to its appeal.

As interest in Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to extend beyond established destinations, places such as Srebrenik could attract travellers seeking history, local cuisine and landscapes without the crowds found at major tourist attractions.

What These Destinations Offer Travellers In 2027

Why Underrated Destinations Could Matter More In 2027

The appeal of these locations is not simply that they are less famous. Their importance lies in the range of experiences they provide. Travellers can move away from conventional sightseeing and choose destinations based on interests such as hiking, food, wildlife, heritage, scenic driving or relaxation.

This approach can also encourage a more balanced distribution of tourism. Smaller destinations may benefit from additional visitor spending while travellers gain access to places where local character remains central to the experience.

However, being labelled underrated does not automatically mean a destination will remain quiet. Once a place receives wider international attention, visitor numbers can increase. Travellers planning for 2027 should therefore approach these locations responsibly, respect local communities and natural environments, and avoid treating lesser-known destinations as disposable alternatives to crowded hotspots.

A Wider European Trend Beyond The Ten Destinations

The wider selection of underrated destinations also points towards a broader global movement in travel. Alternative destinations include locations across Costa Rica, the United States, Colombia, Japan, Vietnam, Canada, Australia, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Finland and Indonesia.

Within Europe, the emphasis is particularly diverse. Coastal France, the Caucasus, the Balkans, Atlantic islands, Nordic landscapes, Wales and Transylvania all demonstrate different ways to experience the continent.

For travellers planning their next major holiday, the lesson is straightforward. Europe does not need to be experienced exclusively through its most famous capitals, islands and resort towns. Smaller destinations can provide memorable scenery, cultural depth and outdoor adventure while offering a different rhythm of travel.

Planning A More Meaningful European Holiday

Choosing an underrated destination requires a little more preparation than booking a conventional city break. Transport connections, seasonal opening hours, accommodation availability and local infrastructure can vary significantly between smaller destinations and major tourism centres.

Travellers should also research local customs, environmental conditions and access requirements before departure. Flexible itineraries can be particularly useful because smaller destinations often reward visitors who allow time for spontaneous discoveries rather than attempting to see everything within a strict schedule.

For 2027, the strongest appeal of these destinations may ultimately be their ability to offer something increasingly valuable in modern travel: space to explore at a slower pace. Whether that means following a mountain road through Georgia, watching marine life around the Azores, walking through historic Sibiu or relaxing beside the Mediterranean in Carry-le-Rouet, these destinations provide alternatives to the conventional European holiday.

FAQs

1. What are some underrated European destinations for 2027?
Carry-le-Rouet, the Georgian Military Highway, Skopje, the Azores, Flåm, Malmö, Bwlch Mountain, Sibiu, Karpathos and Srebrenik are among the highlighted options.

2. Which destination is best for a quiet beach holiday?
Carry-le-Rouet and Karpathos are strong choices for travellers seeking beaches and a more relaxed coastal atmosphere.

3. Which destination is best for nature lovers?
The Azores and Flåm are particularly attractive for travellers prioritising dramatic landscapes and outdoor experiences.

4. Is Georgia suitable for a road trip?
The route between Tbilisi and Stepantsminda along the Georgian Military Highway is particularly well suited to scenic road-trip experiences.

5. What can visitors do in Skopje?
Visitors can explore historic areas, architecture, the Old Bazaar, cafés, restaurants and cultural attractions.

6. Why visit Malmö instead of a more famous Scandinavian city?
Malmö offers Scandinavian urban culture while also providing convenient access to the beaches, forests and countryside of Skåne.

7. What makes Sibiu attractive to tourists?
Sibiu combines medieval architecture, historic streets, cultural events, cafés and restaurants in a relatively compact setting.

8. Is Karpathos suitable for travellers avoiding large resorts?
Karpathos can be a good choice for travellers seeking traditional villages, beaches, hiking and local Greek cuisine away from major resort environments.

9. What is special about Srebrenik?
Srebrenik is known for its imposing medieval fortress and offers visitors a combination of history, nature and local food.

10. Could these destinations become more crowded in the future?
Yes. Greater international exposure can increase visitor numbers, which is why responsible tourism and respect for local communities are important as interest grows.

11. Which destination is best for hiking?
The Azores, Flåm, Bwlch Mountain and the Georgian Military Highway region all offer strong opportunities for travellers interested in walking and outdoor exploration.

12. Why are underrated destinations becoming important for European travel?
They respond to growing demand for authentic experiences, smaller-scale tourism, nature and alternatives to heavily visited destinations.