These 3 Underrated European Cities Are Breaking All-Time Tourism Records
Europe is teeming with hidden gems, but there are 3 cities on the rise breaking all-time tourism records.
2025 seems to be the year where travelers are seeking more off-path destinations as more major cities have drawn a line in the sand in an attempt to put an end to overtourism, whether it be rising housing costs, excessive crowds, or sustainability concerns.
As much of the world is reeling from teeth-chattering cold fronts, there’s no better time to plan your next vacation.
While many travelers are seeking out winter sun, some of us enjoy bracing the cold too for epic winter wonderlands, especially in timeless Europe.
This trio of record-breaking European cities is a mix of winter wonders and sunny escapes, but all 3 are incredible to visit for new discoveries beyond the icons of London, Paris, and Athens.
These 3 underrated European cities are breaking all-time tourism records: (in no particular order)
Bucharest, Romania
When it comes to Europe’s stalwarts, Bucharest probably doesn’t come to mind – but it should.
As one of Europe’s safest cities, that alone should be enticing enough for a visit, given the crazy world we live in.
Better yet, Americans can actually fly nonstop on lesser-known airline HiSky based out of Moldova, which is ironic considering Romania displays many remnants of its Soviet past where one drab block suddenly turns a corner into a vibrant, timeless plaza.
Obviously, Americans aren’t the only tourists leading the charge to record-breaking numbers, so why all the hype?
Bucharest is not only one of Europe’s safest cities, but one of the most unique, even adopting the moniker “Paris of the East”.
While that may be a bit of a stretch, just as Cincinnati was once dubbed “Paris of the West”, there are certainly limited areas of the city center reminiscent of the French icon.
In short, Bucharest is a history buff’s dream to marvel at, well, marvels.
After a day of captivating explorations through cobbled streets and intriguing museums, there’s perhaps no better European city to paint the town red.
Bucharest is also super affordable. You can easily score a 4-star hotel like Europa Royale Bucharest Hotel under $70.
Larnaca, Cyprus
On the opposite end of the spectrum, seen more of a sunny vacation paradise with fab resorts and crystal clear waters, Cyprus has been seeing record numbers of tourists flocking to their pristine island.
While many will wind up in Paphos, a small resort town jam-packed with historic attractions and world-class eats, on the other side of the island is Larnaca, less discussed as a premiere destination yet setting records of its own.
A new report claims Larnaca’s airport is beyond max capacity, exceeding the 7.5 million mark for arrivals.
So, why is Larnaca suddenly all the rage for such a small blip in the Mediterranean Sea?
Well, word travels fast, and there’s more than meets the eye.
Larnaca offers a great balance of paradisal beach days, fascinating history, and vibrant streets to explore – many lined with restaurants serving cheap cuisine straight from the sea and cold local beer to wash it down.
Some of the top sites tourists in Larnaca should know about are Larnaca Salt Lake for flamingo sightings, Finikoudes Beach, and Agios Lazarios, a stunning Byzantine church (#1 on TripAdvisor)
Know Before You Go: Cyprus is the latest to join the Schengen Area. Click here to learn what this means for you.
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Perhaps the biggest surprise of these 3 surging cities is none other than Sarajevo, a city where calling it a comeback would be an understatement.
We all know Germany’s dark, evil past, but did you know Bosnia (now officially Bosnia & Herzegovina since 1997) was once a victim to extreme human rights violations, where Bosnia-Serb forces killed innocent civilians to ‘purify’ their nation, which was essentially swept under the rug by mainstream news?
Despite these atrocities of the 1990s Bosnian War, the capital city of Sarajevo is now thriving and one of Europe’s most affordable urban breaks for tourists with numerous 4-star hotels like Hotel Aziza under $50 per night.
Of course, it’s intriguing to learn more about the city’s past. Some of the top attractions are odes to the aforementioned war.
Check out these 3 museums:
- Sarajevo Tunnel Museum
- War Childhood Museum
- Srebrenica Exhibition Museum
Now, for some happy thoughts…
You can’t ignore Sarajevo’s war-torn past, but there are plenty of delightful things to do besides deep dive into the city’s unfathomably ravaged times just a few decades ago.
Check out Baščaršija, a timeless quarter of cobbled streets, cozy cafes, and jaw-dropping architecture.
Sarajevo is largely a Muslim population, so visiting a staggering Mosque such as Gazi Husrev-beg is a must for great photo-ops and glimpses into the daily life of locals.
For the best views of the city, Sarajevo is an awesome place to enjoy the outdoors come spring—hike Mount Trebević for sweeping views of the cityscape or Vrelo Bosne, featuring numerous springs and waterfalls.
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.