5 Unusual European Destinations
Europe is an incredibly exciting continent to visit, with beautiful beaches, dazzling cities, and picturesque landscapes that can tempt even the fussiest of travellers. It's no surprise that Europe is often ranked as one of the most visited continents in the world, with London being named the world's most visited city in 2015. Other European cities like Paris, Venice, and Barcelona also continue to be incredibly popular with tourists. But what if you want to break the mould? Europe has tons of unusual and interesting places to visit. Here are five off-the-beaten-path destinations to consider.
Zadar, Croatia
Croatia has been experiencing a huge boost in tourism in recent years, but Zadar is often overlooked in favour of cities like Dubrovnik. Sitting on the Dalmatian coast, Zadar is a wonderful mix of modern touches and cultural sights, from quirky little cafes to Roman ruins and high-quality museums. Set on its own small peninsula, Zadar has its own unique character that makes it well worth a visit. It's the perfect place to experience all that Croatia's Dalmatian Coast has to offer without the crowds that flock to some of the more well-known cities.
Sintra, Portugal
Sintra is a Portuguese city steeped in history, offering some of the most impressive architectural and natural sights in the entire country. Located on the central western coast of Portugal, not far from Lisbon, Sintra can be found within the forests of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, a protected area of exceptional natural, architectural, and historical beauty. The centre of the area, Sintra-Vila, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, often described as looking like a fairytale setting. However, tourists are beginning to discover its wonder, so don't wait too long to plan your visit.
Meteora, Greece
Meteora is home to one of the largest and most important complexes of Greek Orthodox monasteries in all of Greece. Meaning 'suspended in the air' or 'middle of the sky', the complex features six monasteries built on natural sandstone pillars near the Pindus Mountains in central Greece. Many tour organisations offer trips from Kalampaka, the nearest town, providing opportunities for private tours, hiking, rock climbing, or witnessing one of the beautiful sunsets. Meteora is a truly unique sight that must be seen to be believed.
Porto Santo Island, Portugal
Porto Santo Island is a small island in the Atlantic Ocean, north of Madeira. What makes Porto Santo stand out are its beaches featuring over 9km of white sandy beaches along its sparkling coastline. For many, Porto Santo still has the appeal of an undiscovered paradise, with far fewer hotels, restaurants, and attractions than many other European beach resorts. This makes it ideal for those seeking a quiet break in the sun. However, if laying on a beach isn't your thing, the rugged interior of the island is perfect for exploring. It has an excellent golf course and is ideal for other sporting activities such as diving and horse-riding.
Lofoten, Norway
Lofoten is a truly magical-looking archipelago in the county of Nordland in Norway. According to Lonely Planet, the beauty of the place is simply staggering, with the unique Arctic light and picturesque landscapes attracting artists from across the world to appreciate its inspirational beauty. Located far above the Arctic Circle, this wild northerly outpost is perfect for those looking to explore nature. It's ideal for scuba diving, hiking, kayaking, and surfing Lofoten is one of the world's northern most surfing paradises and one of the best sites in Norway for the pastime.
*Content correct at time of writing and subject to change.
