There’s so much more to Europe than just the big cities and landmarks. Go off the beaten track and discover some of Europe’s lesser-known cities, hidden towns and secret villages that are rich in natural beauty and history.
Grevenmacher is a picturesque town on the bank of the Moselle river, just across from Germany. It has an old-world feel with its 13th century belfry and medieval battlements, but it’s best known for its wineries.
Founded as an abbey in 698 AD by St. Willibrord, Echternach is still surrounded by its medieval walls and towers. Though the original abbey burned down, the Basilica of Echternach seen here was built in 1737 and still houses the remains of St. Willibrord.
Home to Estonia’s oldest university, Tartu is an intellectual hub of eastern Europe. It has an eclectic-yet-charming mix of architecture due to its sovereignty changing hands throughout the years.
Named a Capital of Culture in 2007 by the European Union, Sibiu is one of the most idyllic places to visit in Romania. Walk down the historic Stairs Passage that links the two sides of the city.
The westernmost town in Estonia, Kuressaare on Saaremaa island retains its medieval charm, with Kuressaare Castle as its centerpoint.
Kotor has rapidly become a popular destination for visitors on cruise ships. The region of Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with much of the medieval city still preserved.
The area now occupied by Pécs has been occupied since ancient times, and has remainders from Roman, medieval and Ottoman periods. It’s varied architecture and historical sites make it a must-visit.
The European Capital of Culture in 2013 , Kosice is home to many well preserved Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau buildings. The gothic cathedral of St. Elisabeth Cathedral , one of the major landmarks in Kosice, dates back to 1230.
Nicknamed “City of the Tsars,” Veliko Tarnovo was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. It’s known for its impressive renaissance churches and other historical buildings and landmarks.
Hallstatt existed as a settlement some several thousand years ago as an area for salt production. Today it’s an idyllic lakeside village.
A traditional fishing village on the Mediterranean island of Malta, one of Marsaxlokk’s major attractions is its fresh fish market. Grab a bite to eat straight from the sea.
Nestled between the Neris and Nemunas rivers, Kaunas is one of the most scenic cities in Lithuania. Its old town is home to some stunning Gothic and Renaissance-style architecture.
Established by the Scordisci people in 279 BC and with evidence for neolithic settlements as far back as 2,000 BC, Niš is one of the oldest cities in the Balkans. Not much remains from those days, but churches and other historic buildings still stand from as far back as the 4th century.
Some of Europe’s oldest and most iconic places are in its humblest buildings. Monasteries and abbeys are sprinkled throughout the countries and make for a somber and unforgettable experience. From ancient abbeys in Italy to majestic monasteries in Austria, browse this gallery for a better look at them all.
Europe’s natural beauty and stunning landmarks haven’t just caught the eyes of world travelers over the years.
In 1987, the Council of Europe established the first Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, which is now one of 47 fascinating trails. These carefully constructed sightseeing itineraries encourage travelers to discover the richness and diversity of European heritage through transnational cultural routes. Since the first route was inaugurated over 35 years ago, the “Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe” label has come to represent Europe’s most culturally rich, thoughtfully designed historical routes. Known worldwide, these Routes are a model for intercultural dialogue, local development, and sustainable cultural tourism. We invite you to begin your journey and explore all the cultural routes in Europe! Stefano DOMINIONI Executive Secretary of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and Director of the European Institute of Cultural Routes
One of the best ways to witness the diversity of Europe is to participate in one of the many festivals – be it celebrating a saint, food , film or even the circus.
Young artists have breathed new and vibrant life into Charleroi, an old industrial city. Discover this creative place today.
In addition to the well-known wine grape varieties which grow in the Primorska region, in the Vipava Valley you can also find several indigenous grapes – the harmonious and refreshing Pinela with a delicate bouquet; the wonderfully rich, slightly acidic Klarnica from the sun-drenched vineyards, and Zelén, the sun-kissed ‘king of the Vipava Valley wines’, which local winemakers always offer towards the end of wine tastings as it is indeed a very special wine.
It’s the ideal place to taste different kinds of bacon and sausages, and enjoy traditional products such as handmade candies or chocolates.
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Stoemp is a typical and simple Brussels dish, which you have to try when spending time in the Flemish capital. It consists of pureed potatoes one or several mashed vegetables, sometimes also with bacon. These vegetable pairings traditionally include endive, kale, Brussels sprouts, spinach, turnip greens, carrot or onion. Stoemp is usually served with sausage or stewed meat.
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The clear waters of the Salzburg Lake District are of a quality which is good enough to drink and they offer the best living conditions for the local fish population. Foremost, amongst these are the charr and trout, but pike, tench, carp, eels and perch can also be found in large numbers in the Fuschlsee and the other lakes in the area.
