Ditch the tourist traps โ the 2026 edition of HomeToGoโs Hidden Gem Index is here to lead you to Europeโs best-kept secrets. According to our ranking, based on a mountain of data, from exclusive accommodation cost statistics to search trends and insights about food, scenery, and opportunities for adventure, these off-the-beaten-path treasures are perfect for travelers craving authentic getaways. With sun-soaked coastlines, breathtaking landscapes, and experiences you wonโt find on Instagram, it's time to pack your bags and get ready to travel like a local!
Ranking Europe's best hidden gems
based on weather, serenity, surroundings, search trends, walking routes, food and drink, and vacation rental costs
|
Rank
|
Destination
|
Country
|
Accommodation Cost*
|
Accomm- odation Cost Score
|
Under-the-radar Score
|
Rising Star Score
|
Warmth Score
|
Wander Score
|
Scenic Setting Score
|
Gastro- nomy Score
|
Total Score
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Sozopol | Bulgaria | ยฃ38.48 /ย $52.00 | 9.23 | 6.61 | 10.00 | 9.05 | 5.05 | 8.58 | 9.22 | 57.74 |
| #2 | Beddgelert | Wales | ยฃ69.19 /ย $93.50 | 7.74 | 10.00 | 8.10 | 6.64 | 8.86 | 9.06 | 6.80 | 57.20 |
| #3 | Vogรผรฉ | France | ยฃ37.02 /ย $50.03 | 9.30 | 6.37 | 8.93 | 9.05 | 7.49 | 8.23 | 7.63 | 57.00 |
| #4 | Bacharach | Germany | ยฃ37.49 /ย $50.67 | 9.28 | 8.61 | 6.07 | 7.76 | 9.95 | 7.23 | 7.61 | 56.51 |
| #5 | Potes | Spain | ยฃ44.66 /ย $60.35 | 8.93 | 7.03 | 9.12 | 8.62 | 6.72 | 8.30 | 7.33 | 56.05 |
| #6 | Vianden | Luxembourg | ยฃ46.81 /ย $63.25 | 8.83 | 9.54 | 5.36 | 8.62 | 9.80 | 7.49 | 6.37 | 56.01 |
| #7 | Dinant | Belgium | ยฃ32.19 /ย $43.50 | 9.54 | 7.45 | 5.32 | 7.50 | 9.53 | 7.94 | 8.69 | 55.97 |
| #8 | Saaremaa | Estonia | ยฃ32.34 /ย $43.70 | 9.53 | 8.72 | 7.23 | 6.90 | 5.35 | 10.00 | 8.11 | 55.84 |
| #9 | Lake Bohinj | Slovenia | ยฃ55.46 /ย $74.94 | 8.41 | 6.61 | 6.96 | 7.76 | 10.00 | 8.83 | 7.13 | 55.70 |
| #10 | Chiavenna | Italy | ยฃ52.34 /ย $70.73 | 8.56 | 7.99 | 7.38 | 8.71 | 8.66 | 6.69 | 7.62 | 55.61 |
| #11 | Kalymnos | Greece | ยฃ45.10 /ย $60.95 | 8.91 | 5.37 | 5.63 | 9.66 | 5.42 | 9.34 | 10.00 | 54.33 |
| #12 | Perast | Montenegro | ยฃ43.57 /ย $58.88 | 8.98 | 6.79 | 7.06 | 9.31 | 6.19 | 8.72 | 7.08 | 54.13 |
| #13 | Hลensko | Czechia | ยฃ38.30 /ย $51.75 | 9.24 | 8.69 | 8.09 | 7.76 | 9.25 | 5.00 | 6.03 | 54.06 |
| #14 | Goms | Switzerland | ยฃ58.72 /ย $79.35 | 8.25 | 8.25 | 7.71 | 7.07 | 7.96 | 7.44 | 7.17 | 53.85 |
| #15 | Ikaria | Greece | ยฃ43.83 /ย $59.23 | 8.97 | 5.35 | 6.09 | 9.22 | 5.60 | 9.30 | 9.28 | 53.81 |
| #16 | Theth | Albania | ยฃ22.69 /ย $30.67 | 10.00 | 7.45 | 8.00 | 8.10 | 6.47 | 6.80 | 6.73 | 53.55 |
| #17 | Fisterra | Spain | ยฃ61.27 /ย $82.80 | 8.12 | 7.69 | 7.18 | 7.41 | 6.57 | 8.08 | 8.38 | 53.43 |
| #18 | Mauterndorf | Austria | ยฃ58.93 /ย $79.64 | 8.24 | 7.28 | 8.04 | 7.16 | 8.96 | 6.48 | 7.26 | 53.42 |
| #19 | Baztan | Spain | ยฃ40.42 /ย $54.63 | 9.14 | 7.68 | 8.71 | 8.19 | 6.52 | 6.09 | 6.80 | 53.13 |
| #20 | Amarante | Portugal | ยฃ35.74 /ย $48.30 | 9.37 | 6.18 | 6.05 | 9.74 | 5.07 | 7.20 | 9.29 | 52.90 |
| #21 | Maggia | Switzerland | ยฃ55.00 /ย $74.32 | 8.43 | 7.64 | 6.88 | 8.62 | 7.16 | 7.60 | 6.51 | 52.84 |
| #22 | Cacela Velha | Portugal | ยฃ49.29 /ย $66.60 | 8.71 | 7.70 | 9.41 | 9.31 | 5.20 | 7.50 | 5.00 | 52.83 |
| #23 | Lungern | Switzerland | ยฃ53.61 /ย $72.45 | 8.50 | 7.50 | 7.01 | 7.67 | 7.89 | 6.80 | 7.43 | 52.80 |
| =#24 | Kythira | Greece | ยฃ54.89 /ย $74.18 | 8.43 | 5.64 | 8.49 | 9.22 | 5.17 | 7.19 | 8.57 | 52.71 |
| =#24 | Grimentz | Switzerland | ยฃ70.42 /ย $95.16 | 7.68 | 7.71 | 8.06 | 6.90 | 8.01 | 6.91 | 7.44 | 52.71 |
| #26 | Staithes | England | ยฃ48.99 /ย $66.20 | 8.72 | 9.42 | 6.10 | 6.81 | 5.92 | 7.72 | 7.89 | 52.58 |
| #27 | Valun | Croatia | ยฃ54.25 /ย $73.31 | 8.47 | 6.90 | 8.24 | 9.14 | 5.07 | 6.58 | 7.80 | 52.20 |
| #28 | Faial Island | Portugal | ยฃ51.06 /ย $69.00 | 8.62 | 5.43 | 5.88 | 8.19 | 7.24 | 8.73 | 7.86 | 51.95 |
| #29 | Moustiers-Sainte-Marie | France | ยฃ47.66 /ย $64.40 | 8.79 | 6.65 | 5.99 | 9.05 | 6.67 | 6.86 | 7.81 | 51.82 |
| #30 | Nida | Lithuania | ยฃ56.59 /ย $76.48 | 8.35 | 8.30 | 6.51 | 7.07 | 5.87 | 8.25 | 7.22 | 51.57 |
| #31 | Tihany | Hungary | ยฃ44.89 /ย $60.66 | 8.92 | 6.83 | 6.29 | 8.19 | 5.45 | 8.00 | 7.71 | 51.39 |
| #32 | Gavarnie | France | ยฃ25.53 /ย $34.50 | 9.86 | 7.50 | 5.98 | 7.07 | 7.29 | 7.33 | 6.24 | 51.27 |
| =#33 | Savonlinna | Finland | ยฃ47.23 /ย $63.83 | 8.81 | 7.56 | 6.52 | 6.81 | 5.45 | 8.49 | 7.24 | 50.88 |
| =#33 | Marstrand | Sweden | ยฃ38.76 /ย $52.38 | 9.22 | 7.54 | 7.11 | 6.72 | 5.42 | 8.35 | 6.52 | 50.88 |
| #35 | Carrapateira | Portugal | ยฃ51.06 /ย $69.00 | 8.62 | 5.50 | 6.84 | 8.62 | 6.97 | 7.38 | 6.76 | 50.69 |
| #36 | รrรธskรธbing | Denmark | ยฃ35.74 /ย $48.30 | 9.37 | 7.49 | 5.95 | 7.24 | 5.42 | 7.10 | 8.06 | 50.63 |
| #37 | Hindeloopen | The Netherlands | ยฃ64.20 /ย $86.75 | 7.98 | 8.32 | 5.73 | 7.24 | 6.69 | 7.04 | 7.26 | 50.26 |
| #38 | Bรธmlo | Norway | ยฃ41.06 /ย $55.49 | 9.11 | 6.41 | 9.67 | 6.12 | 5.00 | 7.02 | 6.89 | 50.22 |
| #39 | Splitska | Croatia | ยฃ60.70 /ย $82.03 | 8.15 | 5.70 | 6.73 | 9.31 | 5.97 | 7.35 | 6.46 | 49.67 |
| #40 | Elizondo | Spain | ยฃ41.46 /ย $56.03 | 9.09 | 7.76 | 6.57 | 8.36 | 5.92 | 5.47 | 6.44 | 49.61 |
| #41 | Marettimo | Italy | ยฃ53.40 /ย $72.16 | 8.51 | 7.18 | 5.00 | 9.14 | 5.12 | 8.07 | 6.49 | 49.51 |
| #42 | Achill Island | Ireland | ยฃ44.04 /ย $59.51 | 8.96 | 6.06 | 5.95 | 5.95 | 5.22 | 9.66 | 7.62 | 49.42 |
| #43 | Sauris | Italy | ยฃ58.04 /ย $78.43 | 8.28 | 8.05 | 5.82 | 7.07 | 6.57 | 6.23 | 7.33 | 49.35 |
| #44 | รle-de-Brรฉhat | France | ยฃ45.10 /ย $60.95 | 8.91 | 7.06 | 5.73 | 6.98 | 6.14 | 7.61 | 6.78 | 49.21 |
| #45 | San Pantaleo | Italy | ยฃ125.52 /ย $169.63 | 5.00 | 7.68 | 7.17 | 9.57 | 5.55 | 6.64 | 7.09 | 48.70 |
| #46 | Ushant | France | ยฃ43.83 /ย $59.23 | 8.97 | 7.05 | 5.25 | 6.64 | 6.49 | 7.51 | 6.77 | 48.68 |
| #47 | Lago di Tenno | Italy | ยฃ62.12 /ย $83.95 | 8.08 | 7.36 | 5.29 | 8.28 | 5.50 | 5.84 | 7.68 | 48.03 |
| #48 | Ullapool | Scotland | ยฃ65.74 /ย $88.84 | 7.91 | 6.28 | 5.98 | 5.95 | 5.20 | 9.29 | 7.24 | 47.85 |
| #49 | Kinsale | Ireland | ยฃ99.90 /ย $135.00 | 6.25 | 5.00 | 6.90 | 6.64 | 5.15 | 9.34 | 8.34 | 47.62 |
| #50 | Mรฝvatn | Iceland | ยฃ72.34 /ย $97.75 | 7.59 | 7.57 | 7.12 | 5.00 | 5.62 | 8.06 | 5.00 | 45.96 |
*The median price per person per night for vacation accommodation in the vicinity of each destination via HomeToGo during summer 2026.
Europe's best hidden gem destinations, mapped
from Icelandic lakes to the islands of Greece and beyond
More about Europe's 10 top-rated hidden gems
to help you choose your next under-the-radar escape
1. Sozopol, Bulgaria
Characterful wooden houses along ancient avenues and sun-soaked Black Sea beaches render this Bulgarian seaside town a top choice for unique coastal escapes.
Median nightly cost per person for a vacation rental: $52.00
2. Beddgelert, Wales
Scenic stone-built streets, the heritage Welsh Highland Railway, and the legend of Gelert the Dog wrap this village at the heart of Eryri National Park in storybook charm.
Median nightly cost per person for a vacation rental: $93.50
3. Vogรผรฉ, France
Limestone cliffs, a castle, cobbled lanes, and leisurely adventures along the Ardรจche River make this French village a charming base for slow exploration.
Median nightly cost per person for a vacation rental: $50.03
4. Bacharach, Germany
Half-timbered houses, vineyard-covered hills, and sweeping Rhine views mean that this German town is a picture-perfect choice for romantic getaways.
Median nightly cost per person for a vacation rental: $50.67
5. Potes, Spain
Framed by the Picos de Europa, this well-preserved medieval town in the lush Liรฉbana Valley combines historic sites and riverside walks with the regionโs hearty mountain flavors.
Median nightly cost per person for a vacation rental: $60.35
6. Vianden, Luxembourg
A hilltop castle, wooded walking trails, and charming streets beside the River Our transform this Luxembourgish town into a real-life fairytale.
Median nightly cost per person for a vacation rental: $63.25
7. Dinant, Belgium
A dramatic citadel, colorful riverfronts, and scenic journeys through the Meuse Valley set this Belgian town apart as a captivating cultural escape.
Median nightly cost per person for a vacation rental: $43.50
8. Saaremaa, Estonia
Windswept beaches, traditional windmills, and peaceful island scenery define this Estonian destination as the perfect place to slow down.
Median nightly cost per person for a vacation rental: $43.70
9. Lake Bohinj, Slovenia
Glassy Alpine waters, peaceful forest trails, and the towering Julian Alps establish stays by Slovenia's largest glacial lake as unforgettable outdoor retreats.
Median nightly cost per person for a vacation rental: $74.94
10. Chiavenna, Italy
Historic palazzi, dramatic waterfalls, and local specialties such as bresaola and Gnocchetti di Chiavenna give this northern Italian town plenty of character and flavor.
Median nightly cost per person for a vacation rental: $70.73
Methodology: how this guide was produced
Exclusive internal search data was used to collate a list of destinations in Europe which do not appear on the list of the top 5,000 most-searched destinations across HomeToGo's European domains for vacation accommodation stays during summer 2026. A shortlist of 50 destinations was then compiled based on tourism infrastructure insights. In order to rank these destinations, ten points were researched for each location: traveler demand, average distances traveled to reach each destination, accommodation costs, traveler search trends, summer temperatures, walking routes, surrounding landscapes, picturesqueness, food and drink options, and the percentage of food and drink options rated above four stars. After obtaining the raw data, each data point was assigned a representative numerical value between 5 and 10, with 5 representing the lowest data point and 10 representing the highest data point. The following equation was used in order to calculate this for each factor:
Score(i) = 5 ยท (x(i) - xmin ) / (xmax - xmin ) + 5
Accommodation Cost Score: Exclusive internal HomeToGo price data was used to find the median cost per night per person for vacation accommodation in each destination during summer 2026. The destination with the lowest median nightly price for accommodation was awarded a maximum score of 10, and the remaining locations were awarded a score of 5 or higher. Data was collected in July 2026. Prices are subject to change.
Under-the-radar Score: Exclusive internal HomeToGo demand data was used to find the search volume for stays with a check-in date during summer 2026 in each destination. The destination with the lowest search volume was awarded a maximum score of 10, and the remaining locations were awarded a score of 5 or higher. Alongside this, exclusive internal HomeToGo search data was used to identify the average distance covered by travelers to reach each destination. The destination with the shortest average distance was awarded a maximum score of 10, and the remaining locations were awarded a score of 5 or higher. For each destination, the total of these two scores was calculated. The destination with the highest combined score was awarded a maximum score of 10, and the remaining locations were awarded a score of 5 or higher.
Rising Star Score: Exclusive internal HomeToGo demand data was used to find the search volume for vacation home stays during summer 2026 in comparison to the same period in 2025 for each destination. The destination with the largest year-over-year percentage increase in search volume was awarded a maximum score of 10, and the remaining locations were awarded a score of 5 or higher.
Warmth Score: Statistics from sources including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Climate Data, and World Weather API were used to find the average high temperatures across July, August, and September for each destination. The location with the highest average temperature was awarded a maximum score of 10, and the remaining destinations were awarded a score of 5 or higher.
Wander Score: Data from Komoot was used to determine the number of hiking paths within 3 miles of each destination. The destination with the most nearby hiking paths was awarded a maximum score of 10, and the remaining destinations were awarded a score of 5 or higher.
Scenic Setting Score: The number of beaches, UNESCO sites, and protected natural areas within or within close proximity to each destination was calculated. The destination with the overall highest number was given a score of 10, and the remaining destinations were awarded a score of 5 or higher. Alongside this, Flickr was used to identify the number of photographs featuring each destination as its subject, with the most-photographed destination given a score of 10, and the remaining destinations awarded a score of 5 or higher. For each destination, the total of these two scores was calculated. The destination with the highest combined score was awarded a maximum score of 10, and the remaining locations were awarded a score of 5 or higher.
Gastronomy Score: Sources including Tripadvisor and Google Maps were used to find the number of food and drink establishments in each destination. The destination with the most food and drink establishments was given a score of 10, and the remaining destinations were awarded a score of 5 or higher. Alongside this, the percentage of restaurants with a rating of four out of five stars or higher was calculated, with the destination boasting the highest percentage given a score of 10, and the remaining destinations awarded a score of 5 or higher. For each destination, the total of these two scores was calculated. The destination with the highest combined score was awarded a maximum score of 10, and the remaining locations were awarded a score of 5 or higher.
The hypothetical "perfect score" would be 70 out of 70. Destinations which featured in HomeToGo's European Hidden Gem Index in 2025 were not considered for the 2026 edition.