10 of the best alternative holiday destinations that are cheaper AND quieter
EUROPE is full of amazing destinations, but sometimes going to the top spots means battling hoards of crowds and forking out lots of cash.
It doesn’t have to be this way though.
Instead of heading to somewhere everyone else is going, there are some great alternatives where you will be free from throngs of selfie-stick welding tourists and overpriced restaurants.
There are several spots in Rough Guide’s ‘The Most Underated Places in Europe’ book, including the following European destinations:
Swap Bordeaux for La Rochelle
The harbour town of La Rochelle in France, is rarely busy, even in the summer season.
You’ll get the same cream-hued limestone architecture found in Bordeaux as well as a thriving food scene.
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In the old town you’ll find cobbled streets and historic houses and a port boasting three medieval towers.
Instead of the crowds experienced in Bordeaux, you’ll get a more “relaxed in character” vibe in La Rochelle, according to Rough Guides.
Food tends to be cheaper in La Rochelle too.
A direct flight to La Rochelle from the UK takes just over an hour, with flights costing from £16.99 per way.
Swap Prague for Ljubljana
Dubbed “one of Europe’s most relaxed metropolises” by Rough Guides, Ljubljana is a smaller city to Prague but has no crowds.
Instead of battling shoulder-to-shoulder with other tourists for a glimpse of Charles Bridge in Prague, you can head to Ljubljana’s Triple Bridge before heading to a cosy cafe.
You’ll get the same cobblestones, castle views and cheap beer in Slovenia‘s capital compared to Prague, but with the added benefit of some of Europe’s cleanest air.
It is also a great city for art fans, with a number of museums and street art. It takes about two hours to fly from the UK to Ljubljana, with flights costing from £32 a way.
Swap Munich for Stuttgart
Those heading to Munich often head to the beer halls.
But just two hours away via train, Stuttgart has lively wine taverns as well as Cannstatter Volksfest – a 17-day annual folk festival considered to be the world’s second largest beer festival after Munich’s Oktoberfest.
And if you feel like you are missing out on the BMW museum in Munich, you can head to not one, but two car museums in Stuttgart – the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums.
Make sure to also visit Wilhelma which is Europe’s largest zoological and botanical garden, with a number of vineyards nearby.
Similar to Munich, the city also has a vibrant central hub called Schlossplatz, where you will find the New Palace as well as loads of shops to explore.
It takes under two hours to fly from the UK to Stuttgart, with flights costing from £44 a way.
Swap Santorini for Aland Islands
Santorini is a dream destination for many of us, but with so many people heading to the destination each year, it feels a little more like another spot overwhelmed with tourists.
Instead, head to the sunniest spot in Northern Europe – the Aland Islands.
While technically part of Finland , the region is made up of 6,700 autonomous islands.
With white sand beaches just like you’d expect on Greek islands, the islands offer the ideal holiday for getting away from crowds but still getting beach days and scenic spots – but also with a cheaper price tag.
To make it even better, there are saunas and steam rooms across the islands to venture into.
And if you like to keep active, there are a ton of activities to explore including kayaking, hiking and climbing.
The capital of the islands is Mariehamn, which has wooden houses as well as the moated Kastelholm Castle.
To get to the islands, you’ll need to book a stopover flight to Mariehamn, which from the UK costs from £92 per way.
Swap the Algarve for Comporta
If you want the golden beaches of the Algarve but want to miss the bustling resorts, head to the ‘Hamptons of Portugal‘ – Comporta – which is a village on Alentejo’s Sado estuary.
Comporta is made up of seven small villages, mostly full of small fishermen’s cabanas.
Beaches are backed by pine forests and cosy tavernas where you can pick up a beer for as little as €1.50 (£1.29).
It is also a protected nature reserve with sand dunes and rice paddy fields home to flamingos and wild dolphins.
But unlike the Algarve, the pace of life is slower here and you won’t find bars full of rowdy people.
To get to Comporta, you’ll need to fly to Lisbon which costs from as little as £18 per way and then you’ll need to drive around an hour and 20 minutes to Comporta.
Swap Corfu for Ksamil
Corfu might immediately come to mind when you think of glistening turquoise waters and pristine sand beaches, but you’ll also get this in Ksamil.
Known as the Albanian Riviera, Ksamil has an abundance of pretty beaches that lack the crowds found in Corfu.
Just 1.2 miles from Corfu, you’ll get similar weather as well as a number of small islands that you can even swim to.
The destination also has history to discover including public baths that date back further than the ancient Greek period.
Ksamil also lacks the bustling clubs of Corfu, so ideal for a more relaxing break – plus it is as much as 50 per cent cheaper than a holiday in Corfu.
The best way to get to Ksamil is by flying into Corfu which costs from £15 per way, and then it’s a two-hour drive to Ksamil.
Swap Capri for Procida
Often considered Capri’s smaller and quieter cousin, the tiny island of Procida sits off the coast of Naples and can easily be explored in its entirety without the crowds of Capri.
On the island’s cliffs you’ll find hidden medieval towns and fishing villages, such as Marina di Corricella, which is completely car free and has brightly coloured houses.
Another spot to visit in Procida is Terra Murata, which is the oldest walled village in the region and sits on the island’s highest point.
And don’t worry, you won’t miss out on beaches either with dark volcanic sand spots with crystal clear waters.
There are rules in place that also stop Procida from becoming overdeveloped, so instead of expensive, flashy hotels you can stay in a fisherman’s cottage.
The best way to get to Procida is by flying to Naples costing from £16 per way, and then hopping on a ferry for an hour.
Swap Stockholm for Malmo
Instead of heading to Stockholm when in Sweden, visit the country’s third-largest city – Malmo – where you’ll find hidden squares and pretty beaches.
The city is much-loved for its food including meatballs, falafel and ramen.
You can also head to a number of coffee spots and craft breweries.
Much like Stockholm, the food scene is thriving – but you’ll get cheaper prices and less crowds.
You can also tie it in with a visit to Copenhagen in Denmark, which you can easily reach with a 30-minute train ride.
Flights to Malmo take under two hours and cost as little as £21 per way.
Swap Mykonos for Pelion Peninsula
Sitting east from the Greek mainland, you’ll find the Pelion Peninsula – a vibrant region with an abundance of nature and hiking spots.
Instead of ferry loads of people heading to the beach, you’ll find quiet coves devoid of sunbeds.
You could even head to Damouchari, which was where Mamma Mia! was filmed.
Key villages to visit on the Peninsula include Makrinista with amazing views of the region, the mountainous village of Tsagarada and Millies, a traditional settlement.
And for a fraction of the cost of a Mykonos villa, you can stay in a historic stone mansion in some of these villages.
The best way to get to the Pelion Peninsula is by flying to Thessaloniki costing from £26 a way, and then driving three hours to the Peninsula.
Swap Copenhagen for Aarhus
When people think of heading to Denmark, the first choice is often Copenhagen but the country’s second city is on the up.
Aarhus – also dubbed the ‘City of Smiles’ – is known for its cobblestone streets and medieval feel.
Throughout the city you can see half-timbered houses as well as head to the Old Town Museum, which is the world’s first open-air museum dedicated to urban history and culture.
Crowned European Museum of the Year 2026, you can explore 75 historic buildings that have been relocated from 20 different Danish towns.
For more history, head to Denmark’s largest cathedral dating back to the 12th century and home to the largest collection of medieval frescoes in the country.
Accommodation and food in the city will set you back less than in Copenhagen while direct flights to Aarhus take under two hours and cost from £16 per way.
