Best slow travel destinations in Europe
Best slow travel destinations in Europe
Scenic regional rail loops and historic walking paths in Europe
Rural regions of southern Europe have built an entire identity around slow travel long before the term existed, with markets, meals and daily routines built around seasonal produce and a notably unhurried pace. Quieter countryside further east offers a less internationally known alternative.
The destinations on this list range from well-known rural regions with decades of slow-travel tourism built around them to quieter countryside areas that reward simply settling in for a week or more. Both work best with minimal fixed plans.
Renting accommodation for a full week rather than moving every few days tends to unlock the version of these regions that short visits typically miss. Renting a small apartment rather than moving between hotels deepens this further. Packing light, comfortable clothing also tends to suit the relaxed pace of this kind of travel.
Lists by region
Town in Czech Republic
Český Krumlov
Fairytale Town with Rich History
Small and picturesque, this Czech town sits in a bend of the Vltava River below a large castle. The castle has a baroque theatre and a round tower with views of red roofs. Rafting and canoeing on the river are popular in summer. Day trippers leave by late afternoon, so evenings are quiet.
City in Montenegro
Kotor
Medieval magic on a fjord-like bay
Spring and autumn are milder and quieter than summer in this walled town on the Bay of Kotor. Cruise ships call at the port often in summer. Mountains rise steeply behind the bay. Rain is common in autumn and winter. The city walls have about 1,350 steps up to San Giovanni fortress.
Town in Albania
Berat
City of a Thousand Windows
On the Osum River in central Albania, this town is known for white Ottoman houses stacked up a hillside. It is nicknamed the town of a thousand windows. Families still live inside the old castle walls. Walks along the river and through the old Mangalem quarter suit a quiet stay.
Town in Italy
Matera
The ancient cave city of Italy
People lived in cave dwellings called Sassi for thousands of years in this southern Italian city. Many caves are now hotels, restaurants and small museums. The Sassi are a UNESCO World Heritage site and were the 2019 European Capital of Culture. Local bread from durum wheat, baked in wood ovens, is a regional speciality.
City in Bulgaria
Plovdiv
Europe’s Oldest City, Alive with Art
People have lived in this city for about 6,000 years, so it has Roman, Ottoman and Bulgarian layers. A Roman theatre from the second century is still used for concerts. The Old Town has colourful 19th century houses on cobbled streets. The Kapana district has craft shops, galleries and cafes.
Island in Malta
Gozo
Hidden Mediterranean Gem
At only about 14 kilometres long, this small Maltese island is easy to explore by bus, bike or on foot. The Citadel in Victoria is a fortified hilltop town with views across the island. Ramla Bay has red sand and Dwejra has sea cliffs. A ferry from Malta takes about 25 minutes.
City in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mostar
Stone bridges and Balkan magic
Compared with larger Balkan cities, this town is small and easy to explore on foot. The Old Bridge, rebuilt in 2004 after being destroyed in 1993, is a UNESCO site. Local divers jump from the bridge in summer, a tradition for centuries. Cobbled streets nearby have Ottoman houses, cafes and craft shops.
City in Romania
Sibiu
Medieval Charm in Transylvania
With about 140,000 residents, this Transylvanian city is small enough to explore on foot. It was a European Capital of Culture in 2007. The Large Square and Small Square are close to the Liars' Bridge, a small iron bridge. House roofs have small attic windows that look like eyes.
Town in Portugal
Évora
A Timeless Journey Through History
The Roman Temple of Diana, built about 2,000 years ago, still stands in the centre of this walled city. The whole historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Capela dos Ossos in the church of São Francisco is decorated with human bones. Wine, cheese and cork products are local favourites in the Alentejo region.
Town in North Macedonia
Ohrid
Ancient Lakeside Bliss and History
Beside Lake Ohrid in southwestern North Macedonia, this town has old churches and quiet beaches. The lake is one of the oldest lakes in Europe. The church of Saint John at Kaneo stands on a cliff above the water. Cafes along the lakefront promenade are good for long, relaxed meals.
Town in Croatia
Trogir
Medieval Marvel on the Adriatic
Stone carving has been a local craft in this Dalmatian town for centuries. The Cathedral of Saint Lawrence has a famous Romanesque portal carved in the 1200s. The old town is on a small island with narrow lanes and stone houses. Evening strolls along the waterfront promenade are a common habit.
Town in Romania
Sighișoara
Medieval magic in Transylvania
This small walled town is calm and cool in spring and autumn, while summer has more visitors. A medieval festival is held each July. The Clock Tower, about 64 metres tall, has views over red tile roofs. Vlad Dracul, father of Vlad the Impaler, lived here in the 1430s.
National Park in Portugal
Serra da Estrela Natural Park
Portugal’s High Peaks and Wild Beauty
Compared with the rest of mainland Portugal, this mountain park has cooler weather and sometimes snow. Torre is the highest point in mainland Portugal at about 1,993 metres. Glacial valleys, granite rocks and small lakes make good walking terrain. Serra da Estrela cheese, a soft sheep milk cheese, is made in nearby villages.
City in Albania
Shkodër
Gateway to the Albanian Alps
Relaxed and friendly, this northern Albanian city is known for its many bicycles. Rozafa Castle sits on a hill above the town and Lake Shkodër. Cyclists can ride to the lake and along flat paths. Pedestrian streets have cafes. The Albanian Alps are close by. Marubi Photography Museum has early images of Albanian life.
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