Europe's 'lesser-visited' holiday spots include French 'hidden gem' with plenty of charm

Tourists looking for a relaxing getaway can save money and beat the crowds by visiting a less popular destination.

Tourist is excited looking at view of town abroad

Open-minded tourists are able to save money by discovering lesser-known destinations (Image: Getty)

The leading travel search engine KAYAK has shared a range of European holiday destinations that can offer an unforgettable break without large crowds and inflated prices.

Whilst there are many highly-regarded tourist hotspots, very few travellers want to spend their time abroad with thousands of other holidaymakers.

Rachel Mumford, Travel Expert at KAYAK, suggested that considering these lesser-known spots can help tourists discover a destination that they can fall in love with.

She explained: "While we see travellers still seeking out popular tourist hotspots this summer, our data suggests that there’s also an increasing desire for Brits to be more adventurous in their searches.

"This means exploring lesser-visited cities in familiar countries. Whether it's the allure of quieter areas, saving some cash, or craving for more authentic local experiences, these ‘unsung heroes’ can offer travellers comparable experiences to their more popular counterparts.”

Promenade with old houses in Tivat, Montenegro

Tivat in Montenegro was recommended by KAYAK as a good alternative to Croatia (Image: Getty)

The company suggested that one of Europe's unsung hero destinations is Tivat, a small town on the coast of Montenegro.

According to KAYAK, the city received a 74 percent increase in flight searches between 2023 and 2024, with many seeing it as a cheaper alternative to Croatia.

During their time in the town, visitors to Tivat can take a speedboat tour into the nearby Blue Cave, allowing them to swim in the clear, turquoise seas and look out for dolphins.

View of the Beziers old town featuring cathedral

Tourists looking for a town with a rich history should consider Beziers in France (Image: Getty)

Another incredibly quiet European destination that KAYAK urged tourists to consider is the French town of Béziers, calling the city one of the country's best "hidden gems".

With flights typically costing £204, the company found that a trip to Béziers is around £50 cheaper to visit than other French destinations, but still has plenty of history and culture.

Perhaps the most distinctive part of the city is Cathédrale Saint-Nazaire de Béziers, a large Gothic church that was built in 1209.

Overhead view of the skyline of Salzburg, Austria

A good destination for a peaceful city break, Salzburg in Austria has beautiful architecture (Image: Getty)

Finally, KAYAK suggested that tourists who are not particularly interested in sunny beach holidays but still want to learn about another culture should consider visiting Salzburg in Austria.

Despite not having the warmest climate, the company found that the city has beautiful baroque architecture, which is nicely contrasted by the city's mountainous surroundings.

The birthplace of Mozart, visitors to Salzburg can visit the famous composer's birthplace, which features plenty of musical instruments he used.

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