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Lonely PlanetAug 25, 2026

13 of the Best Places in Europe to Escape the Crowds

Get away from the crowds in Europe at these wonderful escapes – recommended by our team of expert travel writers.

22 things in this story
  • Praia da ArrifanaSightappealing base on the coast for outdoor activities
  • RogilNeighborhoodIt lies within the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park.
  • OdeceixeNeighborhoodThe village lies on the south bank of the Ribeira de Seixe, which here forms the border between the…
  • CarrapateiraNeighborhood
  • Elsewhere
  • Gran SassoSightL'Aquila, ItalyItaly’s second-highest mountain outside the Alps
  • Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga national parkSightL'Aquila, Italymountain park with beautiful stretches around Campo Imperatore
  • Campo ImperatoreSightL'Aquila, Italyhighlands above L'Aquila, accessible by train from Rome
  • Santo Stefano di SessanioNeighborhoodL'Aquila, Italyhistorical village of shepherds, now thriving
  • SextantioHotelL'Aquila, Italyan albergo diffuso and anthropological project
  • Rocca CalascioSightL'Aquila, Italyruined medieval castle on a high bluff
  • Costa dei TrabocchiSightRocca San Giovanni, Italy50km stretch of Adriatic coast with ancient fishing platforms
  • Sasso della CajanaRestaurantRocca San Giovanni, Italyrestaurant on the coast north of Rocca San Giovanni
  • ExtremaduraNeighborhoodMérida, Spainregion with low population density and abundant wildlife
  • Parque Nacional MonfragüeSightMérida, Spainbest place in Western Europe to observe raptors
  • Ruta de Carlos VTrailMérida, Spainhiking and biking route tracing part of Holy Roman Emperor's journey
  • Monasterio de San Jerónimo de YusteSightMérida, Spainmonastery where the king devoted his life to contemplation
  • AgrafaNeighborhoodKarytsa, Greecerugged, out-of-the-way region with unreliable internet
  • MontanemaHotelKarytsa, Greeceself-sustaining retreat of stone-built lodgings
  • Anthohori waterfallsSightKarytsa, Greecewaterfalls to hike to from Montanema
  • Lake PlastiraSightKarytsa, Greecelake where you can ride a waterbike or paddle a canoe
  • Panagia Pelekiti MonasterySightKarytsa, Greece16th-century monastery carved into a cliff
  • Lake Plastira ObservatorySightKarytsa, Greeceobservatory for sweeping lake views
Read the full piece at Lonely Planet →

Lonely PlanetAug 7

Europe's 20 Best Beaches

Along the tens of thousands of miles of coastline in Europe, these are the 20 best beaches you can find.

24 things in this story
  • Praia da ArrifanaSightGolden crescent with a ruined fortress and beachside restaurant.
  • Praia da BordeiraSightDunes fizz away into the brilliant blue sea.
  • Elsewhere
  • Île de PorquerollesSightHyères, FranceCar-free islet with crescent-shaped beach of pearl-white sand.
  • NavagioSightZakynthos, GreeceIt is one of the most famous and photographed beaches in the world.
  • Haukland BeachSightLeknes, NorwayCreamy sands, spiky granite peaks, chilly water never over 15°C.
  • RauðasandurSightLátrabjarg, IcelandVast, empty, bronze sands buttressed by dark cliffs, azure lagoon.
  • Cala GoloritzèSightBaunei, ItalySnow-white pebbles give way to aquamarine blue sea.
  • Spiaggia dei ConigliSightLampedusa, ItalyBleached sands and shallow aquamarine water near Tunisia.
  • Barafundle BaySightStackpole, United KingdomArc of butterscotch sand rimmed by dunes to clear turquoise water.
  • Pembrokeshire Coast PathTrailStackpole, United KingdomWalk over gorse-cloaked clifftops to Barafundle Bay.
  • West BeachSightBerneray, United Kingdom5km expanse of white sand slides into turquoise sea.
  • Plage de PalombaggiaSightPorto-Vecchio, FrancePale sand shelving into cerulean-blue waters, backed by pines.
  • Platja IlletesSightFormentera, SpainBleach-blonde sand and translucent azure waters.
  • Trucador PeninsulaSightFormentera, SpainBeach forms the western section of this slender peninsula.
  • Cala MacarellaSightCiutadella de Menorca, SpainFlour-white sand and startlingly turquoise waters.
  • Shipwreck BeachSightZakynthos, GreeceRusted hulk of a cargo ship on shores.
  • Platja des Coll BaixSightAlcúdia, SpainPale pebbles and crystal-clear sea rimmed by crumbling cliffs.
  • Cap des PinarSightAlcúdia, SpainRemote peninsula with a beach accessed by walking trail.
  • Praia as CatedraisSightRibadeo, SpainSpectacular rock arches, towers, and chambers exposed at low tide.
  • Sveti StefanSightBudva, MontenegroFortified island village with pink sands and limpid waters.
  • Lara BeachSightPaphos, CyprusUnspoiled sands and pristine waters, a hatchery for turtles.
  • Zlatni RatSightBol, CroatiaSand-and-pebble beach dipping into the Adriatic.
  • Îles CerbicaleSightPorto-Vecchio, France
  • Aman ResortHotelBudva, Montenegro
Read the full piece at Lonely Planet →
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