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Exploring Europe’s hidden gems

Uncover the best hidden gems in Europe.
From Barcelona’s beaches to Rome’s ruins, it’s safe to say there’s no shortage of iconic holiday spots in Europe. Head off the beaten track, though, and you’ll soon find that some of the continent’s lesser-known towns and islands have all the credentials for a great escape, just without the crowds. You in? Read on to uncover a few of our favourite spots for an off-the-radar adventure.

Elche, Spain

Our first entry takes us to the Valencia region, but you can forget the bright lights of Benidorm for a second. Elche feels worlds away from the tourist hotspot’s busy bars and British restaurants, but it’s actually less than an hour’s drive along the coast. It’s most famous for Elche Palm Grove – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is the largest palm grove in Europe. More than 200,000 palms are planted here, around pretty gardens fitted with fountains and sculptures. There’s a 10-kilometre-long path around the park to follow if you’re serious about getting some steps in. Once you’re done, make tracks for the Elche Archaeological and History Museum to look back at the city’s past – it’s filled with artefacts from the Roman and Visigothic periods. Then, finish up with a trip to the 12th-century Altamira Castle – it’s set on a hillside with panoramic views of the city below.

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The Palmeral of Elche.

Calabria, Italy

This slice of Italy can be found on the toe of the country’s boot. We reckon it might be the region’s tucked-away position that have kept it under wraps in comparison to heavyweights like Milan and Rome. Clifftop towns crown the coastline along here and you’ve got plenty of stretches of sand to pick from on beach days. You get the best of both worlds here, too – Calabria is a popular holiday spot for Italians from the north, so you get all the tourist-friendly trademarks, but it doesn’t feel like you’ve landed in a British seaside resort. Oh, and like most places in Italy, the food scene’s spot on. The city’s famous for nduja (a spicy sausage paste) and we can’t think of a better way to eat it than on a slice of pizza. It pairs well with an Aperol Spritz, too.

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Cape Vaticano coastline, Calabria.

Symi, Greece

Symi Island is right next to Rhodes, but it sees far fewer footprints than its neighbour. You’re looking at a 90-minute ferry ride from Rhodes Town to get here, and as you reach the island, you’ll spot the Neo-Classical mansions that line the path behind the water and splash the hillside with colour. There’s a great story behind them – the island was once one of the richest in Europe, all thanks to its sea sponge trade. Back in the Middle Ages, locals used to dive down to the seabed for sponges to wash with. Business boomed in Symi in the years that followed, with more than 400 boats heading out to collect sea sponges in the early 20th century – more than anywhere else in the world. It’s come to a stop these days, but you can still take a piece of the story home with you. The souvenir shops that line the water beside the port sell sponges that’re sourced from nearby Kalymnos. To find out more about the island’s sea story, head to Symi Nautical Museum, which sits over three levels in a Neo-Classical house – it’s filled with diving suits and tools that were used by some of the island’s first sponge divers.

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Colourful houses of Symi Island.

Rab, Croatia

Croatia’s archipelago spans more than 1,000 islands, so it’s no surprise it’s got a secret spot or two up its sleeve. Our top pick for an off-the-radar escape is Rab. It takes the crown for the most beaches of any other island in the Adriatic and the whole island has got national park status, so things look good wherever you are. Inland, narrow streets come lined with Medieval churches, while rocky outcrops surrounded by clear-blue waters give you the perfect snap along the coast. The island’s also a great jumping off point to explore other parts of the country – boat trips take off to the likes of Krk, Losinj and Cres if you fancy a change of scenery. The latter’s home to hiking trails that run through the Tramuntana forest.

Find out more about holidays to Croatia.
Aerial view of Rab.
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Author: Karl Taylor

Last updated: 10.03.2025

 

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