Best alternative destinations for your European summer bucket list

Ah, summer in Europe. Slow mornings spent reading books and trying all the local pastries you can get your hands on; afternoons strolling along the river or exploring quiet neighbourhoods; evenings sipping rosé in sun-dappled squares. The only thing that can disrupt the pure bliss of summer in Europe is the threat of heaving streets, packed bars or overbooked restaurants – a reality that is, unfortunately, all too common in the continent’s most popular destinations.

While we would never suggest avoiding such hotspots altogether, there is a lot to be said for choosing a lesser-known holiday spot during the peak summer months. There’s a rapidly growing trend for travelling to alternative destinations, too – #dupe or #dupes amassed 342,000 posts on TikTok as part of the surging interest. Thoughtful travellers are reacting to the world around them – watching the rising temperatures and over-subscribed tourism of popular destinations during the summer, saving those destinations for off-peak travel and, instead, selecting off-beat destinations to visit instead. Below, our editors have put forward their favourite alternative European destinations to try this summer.

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Ourense, Spain

2,000 years ago, Romans set base in Ourense, Galicia where they would plunge into hot springs after gladiatorial combat. Now, the city is a slightly quieter alternative to Spain’s more touristy destinations, and locals recommend those very thermal baths – like Termas a Chavesqueira or Termas Outariz – as a way to unwind. A hike up to Miradoiro de Montealegre brings sprawling views of the city below, where Ourense’s gastronomic scene is mapped out from one tapas bar to another. Amble through the Catedral, sip coffee at Plaza Mayor and feast on steaming-hot croquetas de jamón at the ironically English-sounding Camden restaurant. Although summer months in Ourense beats swathes of tourists elsewhere, return in February for the week-long and much-awaited Carnaval, when streets bustle and beam with dancers, singers, parades – all attendees adorned colourfully in traditional dress. Anoushka Dutta

Where to stay: Barceló Ourense is a four-star favourite located between Ponte Vella bridge and the old town. For more on where to stay in Ourense, see here.

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Tallinn, Estonia

Estonia’s northern European location means it often gets overlooked as travellers trace the Mediterranean coastline for their next holiday. But Tallinn has plenty to show off, for example the Medieval preservation of its Old Town earning UNESCO status. The top of Toompea hill offers the best view of this area’s gothic churches, jagged castle walls and terracotta roofs. After a day of medieval feasts and saunas at Kalma Saun, hazy summer nights in the city stay bright until late. At sunset, head to Kalamaja to watch traditional wooden houses backlit by amber sunlight. The view of Tallinn Bay may inspire an itinerary of island-hopping for the next day. Anoushka Dutta

Where to stay: For a medieval vibe, Schlössle Hotel in the Old Town is a wonderful place to stay. For those who prefer something quieter, ÖÖD Mirror House is a great alternative, forest-deep and 40 minutes west of Tallinn.