As many destinations in Europe brace for another season of overtourism, a new list of “Hidden Gems” published by the European Best Destinations (EBD) offers unspoiled alternatives off the beaten track.
One perched on a small hill on the western coast of Sardinia, the other nestled by Lake Como – Bosa and Nesso are two “secret” picturesque Italian villages at the top of the EBD’s “Best Hidden Gems” list.
As Europe’s most famous destinations brace for another season of mass tourism, a new list offers a “slower”, more spiritual journey with unspoiled alternatives far from the typical tourist routes (and hassles).
“With picturesque villages, beautiful hilltop towns, seaside resorts, medieval villages nestled among vineyards and lakes, Europe is full of ‘secret’ destinations for those looking to escape the crowds,” says the EBD. “While Europe’s most famous cities attract millions every year, the continent’s true magic often lies far from the masses. Hidden among mountains, along forgotten coasts and in valleys untouched by time, these places offer something rare: authenticity.”
The new ranking invites you to wander from the pastel-colored streets of Bossa, Sardinia, to the thermal bliss of natural springs in Saturnia, Tuscany, from the timeless beauty of Halki, the car-free Greek island, to the pink alleys of Albarasino, Spain.
The EBD list, based on the votes of more than a million travelers from 172 countries, invites you to head “to these lesser-known places and discover the diverse and enchanting experiences that await off the beaten track of Europe”. Access to some is not as easy as, for example, to Paris – but it is precisely this distance that makes them preserved – raw, real and ready to be discovered.
One of the placss on the list is Blagaj. Blagaj is a historic and protected village in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in the southeastern part of the Mostar Basin in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton.
Blagaj is home to one of the “best-kept secrets in Europe,” the 16th-century Blagaj Tekke, located at the turquoise source of the Buna River.
The peaceful setting is perfect for meditation (and photography).
Local cuisine: Ćevapi and burek.
How to get there: Fly to Sarajevo, then about a two-hour drive (130 km) on the M17, Forbes writes.
