Europe is teeming with hidden gems, however there are 3 cities on the rise breaking all-time tourism information.
2025 appears to be the yr the place vacationers are searching for extra off-path destinations as extra main cities have drawn a line within the sand in an try and put an finish to overtourism, whether or not it’s rising housing prices, extreme crowds, or sustainability issues.


As a lot of the world is reeling from teeth-chattering chilly fronts, there is not any higher time to plan your subsequent trip.
Whereas many vacationers are searching for out winter solar, a few of us get pleasure from bracing the chilly too for epic winter wonderlands, particularly in timeless Europe.
This trio of record-breaking European cities is a mixture of winter wonders and sunny escapes, however all 3 are unimaginable to go to for brand spanking new discoveries past the icons of London, Paris, and Athens.
These 3 underrated European cities are breaking all-time tourism information: (in no specific order)
Bucharest, Romania


On the subject of Europe’s stalwarts, Bucharest in all probability does not come to thoughts – nevertheless it ought to.
As one in every of Europe’s most secure cities, that alone must be engaging sufficient for a go to, given the loopy world we dwell in.
Higher but, Individuals can really fly nonstop on lesser-known airline HiSky based mostly out of Moldova, which is ironic contemplating Romania shows many remnants of its Soviet previous the place one drab block instantly turns a nook right into a vibrant, timeless plaza.
Clearly, Individuals aren’t the one vacationers main the cost to record-breaking numbers, so why all of the hype?


Bucharest will not be solely one in every of Europe’s most secure cities, however one of the vital distinctive, even adopting the moniker “Paris of the East”.
Whereas that could be a little bit of a stretch, simply as Cincinnati was as soon as dubbed “Paris of the West”, there are actually restricted areas of town heart paying homage to the French icon.
Briefly, Bucharest is a historical past buff’s dream to marvel at, properly, marvels.
After a day of charming explorations by way of cobbled streets and intriguing museums, there’s maybe no higher European metropolis to color the city crimson.
Bucharest can be tremendous reasonably priced. You may simply rating a 4-star resort like Europa Royale Bucharest Hotel underneath $70.
Larnaca, Cyprus


On the other finish of the spectrum, seen extra of a sunny trip paradise with fab resorts and crystal clear waters, Cyprus has been seeing document numbers of vacationers flocking to their pristine island.
Whereas many will wind up in Paphos, a small resort city jam-packed with historic points of interest and world-class eats, on the opposite aspect of the island is Larnaca, much less mentioned as a premiere vacation spot but setting information of its personal.
A brand new report claims Larnaca’s airport is past max capability, exceeding the 7.5 million mark for arrivals.
So, why is Larnaca instantly all the craze for such a small blip within the Mediterranean Sea?
Effectively, phrase travels quick, and there is greater than meets the attention.


Larnaca affords a fantastic steadiness of paradisal seaside days, fascinating historical past, and vibrant streets to discover – many lined with eating places serving low cost delicacies straight from the ocean and chilly native beer to scrub it down.
A number of the high websites vacationers in Larnaca ought to find out about are Larnaca Salt Lake for flamingo sightings, Finikoudes Seashore, and Agios Lazarios, a surprising Byzantine church (#1 on TripAdvisor)
Know Earlier than You Go: Cyprus is the newest to affix the Schengen Space. Click on here to be taught what this implies for you.
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Maybe the largest shock of those 3 surging cities is none aside from Sarajevo, a metropolis the place calling it a comeback can be an understatement.


Everyone knows Germany’s darkish, evil previous, however do you know Bosnia (now formally Bosnia & Herzegovina since 1997) was as soon as a sufferer to excessive human rights violations, the place Bosnia-Serb forces killed harmless civilians to ‘purify’ their nation, which was basically swept underneath the rug by mainstream information?
Regardless of these atrocities of the Nineties Bosnian Conflict, the capital metropolis of Sarajevo is now thriving and one in every of Europe’s most reasonably priced city breaks for vacationers with quite a few 4-star resorts like Hotel Aziza underneath $50 per evening.
In fact, it is intriguing to be taught extra in regards to the metropolis’s previous. A number of the high points of interest are odes to the aforementioned conflict.


Try these 3 museums:
- Sarajevo Tunnel Museum
- Conflict Childhood Museum
- Srebrenica Exhibition Museum
Now, for some completely satisfied ideas…
You may’t ignore Sarajevo’s war-torn previous, however there are many pleasant issues to do apart from deep dive into town’s unfathomably ravaged instances only a few a long time in the past.


Try Baščaršija, a timeless quarter of cobbled streets, cozy cafes, and jaw-dropping structure.
Sarajevo is basically a Muslim inhabitants, so visiting a staggering Mosque comparable to Gazi Husrev-beg is a should for nice photo-ops and glimpses into the day by day lifetime of locals.
For one of the best views of town, Sarajevo is an superior place to benefit from the open air come spring—hike Mount Trebević for sweeping views of the cityscape or Vrelo Bosne, that includes quite a few springs and waterfalls.
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