Where Travel Insiders Are Going in Europe This Summer

It happens every summer: Tourists from around the world follow Europe’s siren song. And who can blame them? The continent offers something for everyone: swanning around the French Riviera, island-hopping in Greece and exploring centuries of history in Italy.

In recent years, though, its allure has been lessened by scorching temperatures, overcrowding and rising prices, leading vacationers to seek out lesser-known destinations on the continent.

To find out where you should head, we interviewed six travel insiders (all of whom have lived in Europe), who recommend switching things up by veering off the tourist trail. The destinations they suggest offer the requisite picturesque beaches, great food and stylish hotels—just with a more local feel.

These less-familiar corners will help you avoid the crowds and sky-high prices, while still tapping into what we all really love about summer in Europe.

Corfu, Greece

The serene beach of Palaiokastritsa Bay on Corfu’s western coast is a favorite of locals.

When he’s seeking a Euro summer destination away from the masses, Brandon Berkson—the founder and editor in chief of Hotels Above Par—heads to Corfu, part of northern Greece’s Ionian Islands.

“It has this gorgeous Old Town and verdant landscapes that fringe the Ionian Sea,” Berkson says, noting that it kind of looks more like Italy, in terms of the architecture (due to hundreds of years of Venetian occupation). Look closely, and you’ll find elements of Italian influence in the city’s history and cuisine, too.

For Berkson, who’s lived in Paris and London, no trip is complete without the perfect hotel. “I will genuinely travel somewhere based solely on whether there’s a hotel worth experiencing.”

In Corfu, that property for him is the adults-only hideaway Nido, Mar-Bella Collection, where the buildings cascade down a mountain and have stunning views of the sea.

When it comes to food, he recommends The Venetian Well, “tucked in the heart of the Old Town in a charming pink square beside a 16th-century church, with tables arranged around an actual Venetian well.” One of his favorite dishes is the taramasalata (a traditional Greek dip made from cured fish roe).

If you have limited time in Corfu, he suggests skipping the beaches—at least for an afternoon—to wander the Old Town, with its narrow pedestrian-only streets, hidden corners and local haunts perfect for people-watching. But if you simply must see the sand, he also loves the village of Palaiokastritsa, “which features a rocky bay with craggy cliffs that fringe the sea.”

Gijón, Spain

You’ll find an alluring combination of quiet city and beautiful beaches in Gijón, Spain.

After trading the U.S. for the U.K. at age 18, Candace Salters, the London-based travel blogger behind Candace Abroad, got busy learning Europe’s best summer spots. At the top of her list? Gijón, in the Asturias region on Spain’s northern coast.

“I’d recommend it to anyone who loves the idea of Spain but wants something greener, slower and far less crowded than the usual summer hot spots, with beautiful beaches, incredible seafood and a wonderfully local feel.”

Salters always stays at Munna Hotel Boutique, a simple, modern property in the city center. “It’s a great fit for travelers who want a boutique stay that feels comfortable and well designed, while still being within easy walking distance of the old town, restaurants and the waterfront.”

Gijón has a wholly impressive food scene, but for Salters, “a standout is Tierra Astur Poniente. It’s a lively local sidrería where you can experience the region’s famous cider culture properly, from the dramatic pouring style (you simply have to see it for yourself) to the regional dishes on the menu, including Asturian-style tortos.” Some of her other favorites include Los Pisones for fresh seafood, Varsovia for cocktails and La Vida Alegre for a night out.

In addition to having a glass (or a few) of Gijón cider and checking out the calm beaches and Roman architecture, Salters recommends a visit to the Jardín Botánico Atlántico and the Muséu del Pueblu d’Asturies to learn more about the region’s culture.

Mani, Greece

Mani is home to plenty of picturesque towns, like the village of Limeni.

Andria Mitsakos—the president and CEO of her namesake public relations firm, and founder and creative director of Anthologist, a curated retail store in Athens—knows plenty about needing to get away. “Travel for me is a moment to slow down, which I almost never do,” she says.

Her quest for rest and relaxation (and her Greek heritage) led her to Mani, a quiet peninsula in Greece’s Peloponnese region. “Three of my grandparents came from there,” she says. “It’s a wild and magical part of Greece that many travelers still don’t know too well, with dramatic stone villages, crystalline water and a powerful sense of independence.”

When she’s in town, Mitsakos stays at Korona Boutique Hotel (a property she also represents), a family holiday home turned boutique hotel with just 10 suites. “While I often gravitate toward grand hotels when I travel, Korona captures the spirit of Mani,” Mitsakos says.

Travelers drawn to Mani can also check out Kyrimai Hotel, a converted 19th-century home with exposed beams and stone walls, and Petra & Fos Boutique Hotel & Spa, a secluded property with a full spa and hydrotherapy circuit.

The culinary scene in Mani is quiet, but Mitsakos says, “Aspasia Restaurant, in the mountain village of Stavri, is one of the most memorable dining experiences in the region.” The restaurant’s menu changes daily, inspired by the local fishermen, farmers and landscape.

Instead of packing your itinerary, Mitsakos suggests embracing Mani’s slower, more laid-back lifestyle. “Mani is a place where you don’t actually need to do very much,” she says. In practice, this looks like wandering through local markets, swimming in quiet uncrowded coves and barhopping in the evenings. “More than anything, it’s a place to slow down, read books, revisit that stack of magazines I’ve saved and let new ideas and projects take shape,” she says.

Aljezur, Portugal

Get away from the Algarve’s crowds by heading west to Aljezur, Portugal.

“I prefer to avoid overly touristy destinations—or experience them differently when I do visit,” says Parisian-born Evane Haziza-Bonnamour, cofounder and editor in chief of Voyage Voyage magazine.

Instead of heading to Portuguese mainstays like Porto or Lisbon, she travels to Aljezur, a city in the western Algarve. You can reach it from Lisbon in just three hours by car, and it offers everything the region is known for (surfing, fresh seafood and beautiful beaches)—minus the crowds.

Haziza-Bonnamour likes to stay at the secluded Praia do Canal Nature Retreat. Set on more than 500 acres of private land, it features brutalist-style buildings; an indoor-outdoor infinity pool surrounded by miles of rolling hills; and rooms with outdoor patios, balconies or plunge pools. There’s also Monte da Vilarinha, which offers the best of both worlds: a mountainous setting that’s just a short drive from multiple beaches.

The more low-key the restaurant, the better. “I enjoy places like Cera, a small restaurant focused on natural wines, or Morgado do Quintão, where you can also stay overnight. There, you can have a meal under the olive trees,” she says. The family-owned property is one of the oldest vineyards in the Algarve.

“Above all, what I love most is being outdoors,” she says. In Aljezur, that means shopping at local markets, admiring the local architecture and, if you’re lucky, being invited to join a fisherman out at sea.

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn is known for its medieval buildings with red brick roofs. (Photo courtesy of Kira Turnbull)

The Estonian capital city, Tallinn, which dates back to the Middle Ages, makes for a surprisingly great summer getaway, according to London-based travel, food and lifestyle photographer Kira Turnbull. “I was really captivated by how beautiful it is. You feel like you’ve fallen into this medieval town because it still has so many buildings from the 13th and 14th centuries,” she says.

With its old-world charm and slower pace, Tallinn is a welcome change from the usual Euro summer suspects. Instead of rowdy beach clubs, you’ll find an unexpected trio of global influences: Baltic history, Nordic traditions and Russian architecture.

Turnbull recommends staying at The Burman hotel for its brightly colored rooms with marble bathrooms, or Schlössle Hotel, which has whimsical decor that feels straight out of a fairy tale.

Some of her favorite meals in Tallinn include the modern European cuisine at Lore Bistroo, medieval-inspired meals at The Tavern of the Headless Chicken and, at Gobi, traditional Georgian food with a contemporary twist. But in general, she suggests simply following your nose. While she was taking photos in Old Town, the fragrance of pastries led her straight to Pulla Bakery, a boulangerie owned by a mother-daughter team.

Despite Tallinn’s smaller size, you’ll find plenty to do. Stroll through the city’s Old Town, filled with original walls, defensive towers and churches that represent some of the best-preserved medieval structures on the continent. But “saunas are really the main thing,” says Turnbull—she recommends spending at least one afternoon relaxing at a waterfront sauna like Iglupark. And for something more cultural, head to Fotografiska Tallinn for a rotating collection of photography exhibitions.

Provence, France

Discover a trip filled with sprawling lavender fields, vineyards and relaxation in Provence, France.

Before Ruurd Hooijer became the founder and owner of luxury hotel sales company NEWDAM, he spent childhood summers vacationing in Provence with his family—and it’s still the spot he recommends now. “You’ve got the mountains, you’ve got the beautiful village life. I would say it’s underrated as a summer destination,” he says.

For hotels, he recommends Hôtel Crillon le Brave, at the base of Mont Ventoux. Set in a village still full of 16th- and 17th-century buildings, it’s filled with charming details: red tile floors, exposed-beam ceilings and a two-level spa carved from stone. Another equally dreamy property is Capelongue in the Luberon region—it’s beloved for its modern design, Provençal cuisine and proximity to several top vineyards.

Provence has plenty of highly rated restaurants, but for Hooijer, ordering a coffee and baguette from the nearest boulangerie is one of his favorite ways to start his days here. “It doesn’t get more French than that,” he says. Another favorite meal of his is a picnic of fresh fruits and cheeses from a local farmers market.

The region has something for everyone: wine tasting, truffle hunting and plenty of sun for afternoons spent lounging by the pool. “I do think that Provence is really just perfectly suited for those who enjoy a more active vacation,” says Hooijer. He also recommends hiking and biking through lavender fields.