Are you dreaming of visiting Europe’s must-see cities and bucket list destinations without battling the tourist crowds?
In this guide, I share my top tips for visiting the hotspots at the right time and uncovering hidden gems and lesser-known alternatives.
Whether you’re planning a summer beach holiday, a city break or family adventure, here’s how to travel smarter, skip the queues, and still experience the world’s most incredible places.
Contents
- Introduction
- Why Timing Matters in Travel
- Advantages of Off-Season Travel
- How to Find Amazing Alternatives to Tourist Hotspots
- 1. Don’t Stay Where You Land!
- 2. Don’t Visit Cities Near Popular Cruise Ports (At Least Not in Summer!)
- 3. Discover Less-Popular but Equally Beautiful Places
- 4. Avoid Instagram Trend Spots
- How to Avoid Accidentally Travelling During Major Events
- What to Do If You Have to Travel in the School Holidays
- Why You Don’t Have to Follow Travel Trends
- Where to Travel in Europe to Avoid the Crowds
- Summer Beaches Without the Crowds
- City Breaks Without the Crowds
- Bucket List Adventures Without the Crowds
- Final Tips for Beating the Crowds
- Travel Smarter, Not Harder
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Introduction
I was chatting with my friend recently when she asked me “How can I visit must-see cities without the crowds?” That conversation inspired me to write this blog.
With people travelling more than ever, overcrowded tourist hotspots has become a huge issue – not just for tourists but for locals too.
It’s not much fun travelling to work with tourists blocking the pavement. And it’s equally frustrating arriving at a famous landmark only to see nothing but a sea of heads in front of you (especially for me because I’m only 5 ft 1!). And don’t get me started on queuing for ages just to snap a rushed photo.
Over the years, I’ve had some great successes with visiting world-famous attractions without battling the crowds, but I’ve also had my fair share of failures. And every time it came down to one thing: lack of research.
I’ve developed a knack for visiting popular destinations at quieter times off-season, or when circumstances keep most travellers away. For example: We went to Thailand just after Lockdown lifted, and to Jordan when tensions were rising and most people were staying away.
On the flip side, I’ve also accidentally arrived during major festivals – like Verona during the annual wine festival, or Caye Caulker right at the start of Lobster Festival!
In this blog I’ll share practical tips on how to visit popular places with fewer crowds, plus how to find hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path destinations that are just as special.
Why Timing Matters in Travel
The most obvious way to avoid the crowds is to travel off-season – and I don’t just mean shoulder season. You need to visit when hardly anyone else would consider it. Think Athens in January or Menorca in October.
Not only will you find fewer crowds during off peak times, but prices are cheaper and locals are happier to see you.
Our visit to Istanbul in March was wonderful – we hardly had to queue at all, even though it’s one of the most visited cities in Europe. When we went to Menorca in October, the beaches were practically empty, yet the weather was beautiful – 26° all week.
Of course, there are some downsides to off-season travel. Some destinations close for the season, so it’s vital to research ahead. And always check the typical weather for the time of year you’re planning.
Advantages of Off-Season Travel
- You’ll find that during off-season, flights and accommodation are much cheaper and more available.
- Without all the tourists, you can experience places in a more authentic way – like the locals do.
- Seasonal perks: autumn colours and spring flowers. We had beautiful spring flowers around the Citadel in Amman, and in autumn, Berlin and Prague were stunning.
How to Find Amazing Alternatives to Tourist Hotspots
1. Don’t Stay Where You Land!
The main reason why so many of us visit the same cities is because that’s where the planes fly. With only a few days, it’s tempting to stay put, but if you take a short train ride – you can explore much quieter places away from the crowds.
2. Don’t Visit Cities Near Popular Cruise Ports (At Least Not in Summer!)
Ok, so this doesn’t apply to every city with a cruise port nearby but places like Dubrovnik, Bruges, Venice and Barcelona are completely overrun when cruise ships dock. Imagine 6,000 passengers with only a few hours to see the top sights!
3. Discover Less-Popular but Equally Beautiful Places
There are hundreds of travel bloggers and vloggers eager to share hidden gems and off-the-beaten path destinations they have come across. Use Pinterest to find smaller travel blogs (not just the ones ranking on Google) and check YouTube for vloggers with local tips.
Pull out an old-fashioned map or use Google Maps to spot second cities: Girona instead of Barcelona and Lucca instead of Florence. Both are just as beautiful as their famous counterparts but with far fewer tourists.
4. Avoid Instagram Trend Spots
I love influencer reels, but let’s face it – once a “hidden gem” goes viral, it’s no longer hidden. I cry inside when my favourite spots get discovered by huge travel accounts and start ‘trending’.
How to Avoid Accidentally Travelling During Major Events
Yes, this has been one of my biggest mistakes! I’ve smugly booked trips off-season expecting empty attractions, only to discover that I’ve landed during the busiest festival event of the year!
In Caye Caulker, usually a laid-back island, I rocked up during Lobster Festival a three-day extravaganza of non-stop music, dancing and seafood from 9am -5am! There was no sleep that time.
Other mis-timings? Venice during a mass running event, a village carnival in Devon, and a marathon in Worcester – I couldn’t move my car until it finished!
Always, always check the event calendar before booking. Look for national holidays, festivals, political summits and sporting events! Don’t just Google it – check the local tourism board website and community Facebook groups too.
What to Do If You Have to Travel in the School Holidays
It’s much harder to avoid the crowds when bound by the school calendar but there are hacks you can use:
- Book your flights and accommodation early for the best prices – (I used to book a year ahead).
- Sightsee early morning or late afternoon – you’ll beat the late sleepers and day trippers.
- Ask the locals for advice – we had brilliant tips in Mexico from our favourite cafe waiter.
- Plan day trips away from the main tourist areas – to find more authentic places.
- Use skip-the-line tickets and local guides – often groups get preferential entry.
- Pick guided tours which specify ‘hidden gems’ and ‘off-the-beaten track’ (we love GuruWalk).
- Balance your itinerary – mix iconic attractions with quieter, off-beat experiences.
Why You Don’t Have to Follow Travel Trends
We’ve all been there – you see a viral reel and think – “Wow – I must go there!” But creating your own path is far more rewarding (and adventurous!).
Most Instagram hotspots are overcrowded and often disappointing in real life. It’s memorable to take a photo of a waterfall in Iceland but not if it’s jam-packed with people.
Instead of ticking off someone else’s “must sees”, focus on places that truly inspire you.
Where to Travel in Europe to Avoid the Crowds
Summer Beaches Without the Crowds
- Greek Islands – pick one you’ve never heard of! Try Kefalonia or or Icaria.
- Himare, Albania – pristine beaches and turquoise waters – affordable too.
- Okrug Gornji, Croatia – close to historic Trogir and Split but surprisingly peaceful even in July. (A friend went there this July and found it too quiet!)
- East Algarve, Portugal – far from the crowded west coast.
City Breaks Without the Crowds
- Istanbul, Turkiye in March – colder weather but much quieter. See Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque with hardly a queue.
- Munich, Germany – skip Octoberfest and go to Springfest (Fruhlingsfest) – same fun but fewer tourists.
- Ljubljana, Slovenia – a fairytale Old Town with riverside cafes, castles, without the crowds of Vienna or Prague.
- Tbilisi, Georgia – sulphur baths, street art, wine culture and warm hospitality – with a fraction of tourists.
Bucket List Adventures Without the Crowds
- Jordan – go soon before tourism booms again. Ancient wonders of the world, desert landscapes and coral reefs in the Red Sea.
- Lapland, Finland – anytime in Winter except December. We’re heading to Saariselka this November to (hopefully) catch the Northern Lights.
- Khao Sok, Thailand (May – October) – explore the oldest evergreen rainforest and Cheow Larn Lake with its dramatic limestone pillars.
- Bacalar, Mexico – sail the Lagoon of Seven Colours. Cheaper in summer seaweed-free thanks to freshwater.
Choosing quieter alternatives doesn’t mean missing out – if fact, it often means experiencing a place more authentically.
Final Tips for Beating the Crowds
- Use flexible flight search tools (Skyscanner, Google Flights).
- Travel off-season.
- Do your research (check blogs and Pinterest).
- Visit attractions early in the morning or just before closing.
- Stay just outside tourist hubs.
- Mix iconic sights with hidden corners.
Travel Smarter, Not Harder
With a little planning and research, you can visit popular hotspots, avoid the worst of the crowds, and save money on flight and accommodation. Off-season travel means you see more for less!
Exploring off-the-beaten path destinations also gives you a more meaningful and authentic travel experience.
Looking for trip inspiration? Take a look at the carousel of blogs below:
Make planning a trip yourself simple and stress-free with our ‘how to’ guides in the DIY Travel Planning Hub for tips on flights, accommodation, transport, itineraries and more – all in one place.
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