Looking for the best hidden gems in Europe? As travelers seek out alternatives to the continent’s most overcrowded destinations, a new report from European Best Destinations is putting the spotlight on Europe’s lesser-known places, from medieval villages to secret islands.

European Best Destinations (EBD) is a Brussels-based travel organization known for its annual rankings of the best places to visit in Europe, which are based on votes by more than 1.3 million travelers from 154 countries.

Two years ago, EBD’s hidden-gems list took travelers from Villajoyosa in Spain to Lake Bokodi in Hungary. This time around, the 12 destinations span nine countries, with Italy claiming four spots. Germany’s Tübingen takes the No. 1 position, followed by the Croatian hilltop town of Motovun and Italy’s tiny Isola San Giulio, known as the “Island of Silence.”

European Best Destinations describes these under-the-radar spots as “treasures,” places far from the usual tourist trails, where beauty, culture and authenticity still flourish. Here are the 12 best hidden gems in Europe for 2026.

1. Tübingen, Germany

“Tübingen is an amazing treasure destination in Europe and a traditional university town; about one in three people living there is a student,” writes EBD. About 30 minutes from Stuttgart, Tübingen has a pretty historic center filled with colorful half-timbered houses. One of the best ways to experience the town is from the water, taking a boat ride along the Neckar River. Culture lovers can visit Hölderlin Tower (once home to German poet Friedrich Hölderlin), the Museum of Ancient Cultures at Hohentübingen Castle and the university’s botanical garden.

2. Motovun, Croatia

In the heart of Istria, Motovun is a beautifully preserved medieval hilltop town surrounded by vineyards and forests. “Motovun is one of those rare places that feels both timeless and deeply alive,” writes EBD. Ancient walls, winding stone streets and panoramic terraces make the town feel like something out of a storybook. Autumn brings truffle season (the nearby Motovun Forest is famous for its prized white truffles) and local Teran wine, making this hidden gem particularly appealing for a fall escape.

3. Isola San Giulio, Italy

Tiny Isola San Giulio (the “Island of Silence”) is set in the middle of Lake Orta in Italy’s Piedmont region. “Its picturesque setting, combined with historical architecture, makes it a perfect retreat for those seeking peace and reflection,” says EBD. With its frescoes and Romanesque architecture, the centerpiece is the 12th-century Basilica di San Giulio. Visitors can follow the peaceful Way of Silence path around the island before taking the short boat ride back to the lakeside town of Orta San Giulio.

4. Alberobello, Italy

Alberobello—a town in southern Italy’s Puglia region—is famous for whitewashed stone houses topped with distinctive conical roofs called trulli. The buildings are so unusual that they have earned UNESCO World Heritage status and create what EBD calls “a fairy-tale-like atmosphere.” Wander through the narrow lanes of the Rione Monti and Aia Piccola districts, visit the two-story Trullo Sovrano and sample Puglian specialties like orecchiette, burrata and focaccia barese.

5. Meteora, Greece

Few landscapes in Europe are as dramatic as Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage site where monasteries built between the 14th and 16th centuries are set atop enormous rock formations. EBD calls them “a testament to human ingenuity and the desire for spiritual elevation.” Six of the monasteries are active today, including the Great Meteoron and Varlaam. Meteora is also a major hiking destination, with trails winding through the otherworldly landscape.

6. Fiskardo, Greece

Located on the northern tip of Kefalonia, Fiskardo is a picturesque harbor village known for its Venetian architecture, colorful waterfront and crystal-clear waters. Stroll past cafés, boutiques and tavernas along the harbor, explore nearby beaches like Emblisi and Foki or seek out the area’s Roman ruins. The food is also a draw. EBD suggests trying local specialties like bourdetto (spicy fish stew) and mandoles (caramelized almonds).

7. Kravice Waterfalls, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Near the town of Ljubuški in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Trebižat River has created a spectacular sight: the Kravice Waterfalls. EBD says it’s “a popular spot for nature lovers and photographers.” Visitors come to swim in the clear pools, take boat rides and hike in the surrounding area. The waterfalls are also an easy excursion from Mostar, about a 45-minute drive away.

8. Monsaraz, Portugal

“Monsaraz is one of the most beautiful treasure destinations in Europe,” says EBD. Set on a hilltop high above the Alentejo plains, this medieval village has sweeping views across the countryside and nearby Alqueva Lake. Explore the ancient castle and wander along cobbled streets lined with artisan shops and galleries. And don’t miss nearby Alqueva Lake, which is renowned for its stargazing.

9. Lago di Resia, Italy

One of Italy’s most captivating sights can be found in South Tyrol, where a 14th-century church’s bell tower rises from the waters of Lago di Resia. The scene dates to the mid-20th century, when the village of Curon was submerged to create a reservoir, leaving the bell tower rising above the water. EBD says it’s “a unique and hauntingly beautiful landscape.” In winter, when the lake freezes, visitors can walk across the ice for an even closer look. Legend has it that you can still hear the church bells ringing in winter.

10. Pérouges, France

Just outside Lyon, Pérouges is a remarkably well preserved medieval walled town. “Its cobblestone streets, stone houses and historical ambiance transport visitors back in time,” writes EBD. Stay at Hostellerie de Pérouges, an authentic inn in the heart of town, and don’t leave without trying the local specialty, galette de Pérouges, a buttery sugar-topped tart.

11. Gásadalur, Faroe Islands

Surrounded by mountains on the island of Vágar, Gásadalur used to be one of the most isolated villages in the Faroe Islands until a tunnel opened in 2004. Today, it is renowned for the Múlafossur Waterfall: “Water cascades directly into the ocean, creating a picturesque scene that has become iconic in images of the Faroe Islands,” writes EBD.

12. Craco, Italy

Craco isn’t your usual Italian hilltop town: It’s a ghost town. Located in Basilicata in southern Italy, the centuries-old settlement was abandoned following landslides and other natural disasters. EBD’s advice: “Explore the decaying streets and buildings of this medieval town, which seem to have been vacated overnight, left to crumble in decay.” It’s a haunting finale to this list of the best hidden gems in Europe.

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