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Best up-and-coming destinations in Europe

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Sarajevo
Where East meets West in the Balkans
7.1
Sarajevo's Latin Bridge marks where an assassination triggered the start of World War I. Shell scars called Sarajevo Roses still mark pavement across the city from the 1990s siege. Visitors can tour a tunnel museum built to smuggle supplies during the war. Tourism has grown steadily as the city has rebuilt in recent decades.
Highlights:
  • 🕌 Admire the blend of cultures at Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
  • 🕊️ Visit the moving Sarajevo Tunnel of Hope Museum
  • 🌉 Walk across the historic Latin Bridge in the Old Town
Ohrid
Ancient Lakeside Bliss and History
7.3
Lake Ohrid ranks among the oldest lakes on Earth, formed more than a million years ago. The Church of St John at Kaneo perches on a cliff above the water. Visitors can swim in the lake's clear water below the small stone chapel. North Macedonia's growing tourism numbers have slowly reached this once quiet town.
Highlights:
  • 🛍️ Stroll the historic Ohrid Old Bazaar and shop local crafts
  • 🏰 Explore the medieval Samuil’s Fortress with panoramic lake views
  • ⛪ Marvel at the iconic Church of St. John at Kaneo overlooking Lake Ohrid
Tirana
Colorful energy in the Balkans
6.5
Tirana's Soviet era apartment blocks have been repainted in bright colours under a citywide beautification project. Bunk'Art, a former nuclear bunker, now operates as a museum on the city's communist past. Visitors can tour the underground tunnels before wandering the newly colourful streets above. A growing cafe and nightlife scene has followed the transformation.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Visit the Bunk'Art museums and learn Cold War history
  • 🕰️ Climb the Clock Tower for panoramic city views
  • 🏙️ Explore Skanderbeg Square, Tirana’s vibrant city heart
Kotor
Medieval magic on a fjord-like bay
7.2
Kotor's medieval walls climb steeply up the mountainside above Montenegro's fjord like bay. Cruise ships have begun docking here in growing numbers over the past decade. Visitors can climb the fortress walls for sweeping views over the town and water. Cats wander freely through the old town's narrow stone streets.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Visit St Tryphon’s Cathedral and its art museum
  • 🚶‍♂️ Wander the medieval streets of Kotor Old Town
  • 🏰 Climb the ancient walls to San Giovanni Fortress
Mostar
Stone bridges and Balkan magic
6.1
Stari Most, Mostar's iconic stone bridge, was rebuilt after being destroyed during the 1990s war. Local divers still leap from its arch into the river below for spare change. Visitors can wander the reconstructed old town's cobbled bazaar streets. Tourism has grown steadily as the city has continued rebuilding.
Highlights:
  • 🕌 Climb Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque minaret for city views
  • 🤿 Watch daring divers jump off Stari Most bridge
  • 🌉 Walk across the iconic Stari Most Old Bridge
Novi Sad
Festivals, fortress views, Danube vibes
7.1
Novi Sad's Petrovaradin Fortress hosts the EXIT music festival each July, drawing crowds from across Europe. The fortress overlooks the Danube River from a bluff above the old town. Visitors can explore its tunnels and ramparts outside festival season as well. A growing cafe culture has spread through the surrounding streets.
Highlights:
  • 🏙️ Stroll through lively Freedom Square (Trg Slobode)
  • 🏖️ Relax at Štrand beach with cafes and playgrounds
  • 🏰 Explore historic Petrovaradin Fortress and river views
Plovdiv
Europe’s Oldest City, Alive with Art
7.0
Plovdiv claims to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. Its ancient Roman theatre still hosts concerts nearly two thousand years after it was built. Visitors can sit in the same stone seats for a modern performance. Plovdiv served as a European Capital of Culture in 2019.
Highlights:
  • 🎭 Visit the Ancient Roman Theater still used for performances today
  • 🌄 Climb to the top of Nebet Tepe for city views
  • 🏛️ Wander the cobbled Old Town of Plovdiv and admire Roman ruins
Faroe Islands
Dramatic cliffs meet misty landscapes
8.9
Mulafossur waterfall drops straight into the ocean beside the village of Gasadalur in the Faroe Islands. Social media images of the falls have driven a sharp rise in visitor numbers. Visitors can hike a short trail from the village for a close view of the drop. Grass roofed turf houses dot the surrounding hillsides.
Highlights:
  • 🏡 Walk through the colorful turf-roofed village of Saksun
  • ⛵ Sail between the towering sea cliffs of Vestmanna
  • 💦 Hike to the breathtaking Múlafossur Waterfall in Gásadalur
Shkodër
Gateway to the Albanian Alps
6.4
Shkoder serves as the gateway to the Albanian Alps and the scenic Lake Koman ferry route. Rozafa Castle overlooks the city from a hilltop where three rivers meet. Visitors can explore the fortress ruins before catching the ferry into the mountains. Growing interest in Albania's north has slowly brought more travellers through town.
Highlights:
  • 📸 Visit the Marubi National Museum of Photography
  • 🚶‍♂️ Wander through the vibrant pedestrian promenade in the city center
  • 🏰 Explore the historic Rozafa Castle and enjoy city views
Gjirokastër
Ancient stone streets echo timeless heritage
8.2
Gjirokaster's hillside is packed with stone roofed Ottoman era houses earning it the nickname Stone City. UNESCO added the old town to its World Heritage list in 2005. Visitors can wander cobbled lanes past a hilltop fortress overlooking the valley. Restoration projects have slowly opened more of the historic centre to tourism.
Highlights:
  • 🍽️ Taste local Berat bread and smoked cheese at a family taverna
  • 🚶‍♂️ Stroll the cobblestone streets of Old Town, admire Ottoman architecture
  • 🏰 Climb Gjirokastër Castle, explore the ancient citadel
Kosovo
Balkan gem with diverse landscapes
6.5
Kosovo declared independence in 2008, making it one of Europe's youngest countries. Prizren's Ottoman era old town has drawn a growing trickle of curious travellers. Visitors can wander stone bridges and a hilltop fortress above the river. A summer film festival has helped put the small city on the map.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Explore the UNESCO-listed Gračanica Monastery’s frescoes
  • 🏞️ Hike the scenic Rugova Gorge and waterfalls
  • 🏙️ Stroll past mosques and cafés in historic Prizren
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