Home » TOURISM NEWS » Portugal, Greece, France, Spain, Italy, And Germany Each Offer Unique Hidden Gems Where Domestic Travelers Go For Coastal Beauty, Mountain Air, And Cultural Riches Without The British Crowds
Saturday, August 2, 2025
With millions of Europeans choosing to travel closer to home, countries like Portugal, Greece, France, Spain, Italy, and Germany are seeing a surge in domestic tourism to lesser-known regions that offer everything from sun-drenched coastlines and tranquil mountain landscapes to rich cultural experiences—all without the crowds typically drawn by international visitors. These hidden gems, often overlooked by British tourists, are where locals retreat for authentic holidays filled with nature, heritage, and peace, offering a side of Europe that remains refreshingly untouched.
Europeans continue to embrace domestic travel, choosing to explore their home countries over venturing abroad. In 2023, nearly 75% of trips made by EU citizens took place within their own borders. This rising trend highlights a renewed appreciation for familiar destinations, cultural roots, and quieter escapes beyond the typical tourist trail.
From Portugal’s overlooked Alentejo region to Germany’s windswept Baltic coast, domestic travelers are rediscovering the value of homegrown holidays. Here’s a look at six regions that have become the go-to destinations for local tourists seeking meaningful, relaxed travel experiences.
Alentejo Portugal
British tourists continue to dominate the Algarve, but Portuguese travelers are looking northward. In 2024, over 1.1 million domestic tourists visited Alentejo, making it Portugal’s second-most popular local destination after the Centre region.
Alentejo stretches between Lisbon and the Algarve, offering wide-open coastlines, quiet fishing villages, and traditional towns. Travelers head to Azenhas do Mar for a swim in its tidal pool or to Elvas for a walk through whitewashed streets and Napoleonic-era fortifications. Just 15 minutes from the Spanish border, Elvas offers a peaceful retreat filled with history and charm.
Visitors explore medieval lanes, marvel at the 16th-century Amoreira Aqueduct, and taste regional wines at estates like Azamor. Tour operators offer walking holidays along Alentejo’s Costa Vicentina, with week-long packages starting at £1,190. Hotel stays in historic towns like Elvas also offer seven-night options from around £1,000 per person, including flights.
Unsung Greek Islands
Greek locals prefer the road less traveled when it comes to holidays. Rather than flocking to famous islands, many choose remote destinations where they have strong family or cultural ties.
Tucked away in the Aegean Sea, the island of Kasos offers a peaceful escape far removed from the reach of mass tourism. Its charm lies in its slow pace, friendly locals, and untouched landscapes that still feel authentically Greek. Nearby, the island of Lemnos offers a similar sense of serenity. The coastal town of Myrina, nestled beneath the remnants of a weathered Venetian fortress, opens up to quiet beaches such as Paralia Plati, where the atmosphere remains calm and uncrowded.
Agistri, the smallest of the Saronic Islands, lies just an hour by ferry from Athens. Rocky cliffs, pebbled coves, and beloved spots like Paralia Aponisos attract weekend visitors from the capital. These islands offer an authentic Greek experience with fewer crowds and more local flavor.
Tour packages to Lemnos and Agistri include self-catering apartments and four-star hotels, with prices starting from £1,029 per person, including flights and transfers.
Hérault France
Southern France’s Hérault region has become a favorite for French holidaymakers seeking both sun and culture. Located in Occitania, this area offers everything from Mediterranean beaches to scenic mountain valleys.
Tourists relax on Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone’s five-mile stretch of golden sand, explore the turquoise Étang de Thau lagoon, and hike in the Parc Naturel Régional du Haut-Languedoc. After the pandemic, French travelers returned in large numbers, resulting in 28.4 million domestic overnight stays in the region last summer.
Historic towns like Sète and Marseillan, known for their canals and seafood, provide charm and calm. Montpellier offers café culture and elegant streets, while Béziers hosts the annual Feria festival along the Canal du Midi.
Travelers can explore the Occitanie region with unlimited train journeys for two consecutive days using the Rail Tour pass, available for just €20. Accommodation options range from coastal hotels to countryside inns, with nightly rates starting at £82.
Aragon Spain
Spaniards looking to escape the summer heat and tourist crowds head north to Aragon. In 2023, the region welcomed over 6.7 million domestic travelers, while only 18,000 visitors came from the UK. This makes Aragon one of Spain’s least commercialized and most local-focused destinations.
Zaragoza, the regional capital, blends Roman ruins with Islamic architecture. Its El Tubo neighborhood invites visitors into a maze of tapas bars and wine spots, where they savor local specialties like slow-roasted lamb and spiced breadcrumbs. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar and the city’s historic brewery draw those interested in history and culture.
Just two hours to the north, the Pyrenees unfold into soaring alpine peaks, drawing hikers eager to explore dramatic mountain scenery. Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park offers sweeping trails, deep valleys, and pristine natural beauty. Self-guided trekking packages, complete with accommodation and luggage transfers, begin at £1,035 per person.
Emilia-Romagna Italy
Italian travelers are increasingly favoring Emilia-Romagna over overseas destinations, with the region recording more than 28 million domestic overnight stays in 2023—making it the most visited area in Italy for local tourism.
Bologna, the regional capital, captivates visitors with its towering Gothic cathedrals, miles of arched porticoes, and the presence of Europe’s oldest continuously operating university. A little over an hour’s journey to the northwest, the city of Parma weaves together rich Romanesque architecture with a world-famous food scene known for producing parmesan cheese and finely cured meats. In the surrounding countryside, villages such as Montechiarugolo preserve a timeless atmosphere, where cobbled lanes and medieval buildings reflect a deep-rooted tradition of artisanal craftsmanship.
Ravenna draws in both history enthusiasts and beach lovers with its dazzling collection of Byzantine mosaics, while nearby Rimini appeals to sunseekers with its lively shores. Those who venture into Rimini’s historic center uncover remarkable Roman relics, including the Arch of Augustus and the Tiberius Bridge—structures that have remarkably withstood the passage of over two millennia.
Budget carriers fly into Bologna and Rimini, with coastal hotels and city stays starting at £130 per night.
Schleswig-Holstein Germany
Germans spent more on international travel in 2023 than any other EU nation, yet domestic travel has also seen a major resurgence. In 2024, 24% of Germans chose to travel locally—a 2% rise from the year before. Schleswig-Holstein led the trend, drawing 9.4 million residents for five-night or longer stays.
Positioned between the North Sea and the Baltic, this northern German state boasts a mix of island scenery, expansive coastlines, and deep-rooted maritime traditions. Its capital, Kiel, thrives in the summer with lively harbor tours, bustling waterfront promenades, and open-air cafés overlooking the sea. Travelers can explore the city’s nautical heritage at the Maritime Museum, housed in a restored historic building, before unwinding on the soft sands of Falckensteiner Strand.
To the west, the Kiel Canal links the North Sea and the Baltic, creating a vital waterway through the Jutland Peninsula. Along the coast, the Wadden Sea—recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage treasure—invites visitors to explore its vast tidal flats on guided walks. These shifting landscapes, rich in marine life and migratory birds, make up one of the most ecologically diverse marine environments on Earth.
Europeans are turning to hidden gems within Portugal, Greece, France, Spain, Italy, and Germany for their summer escapes, drawn by coastal beauty, mountain air, and cultural richness—without the crowds brought by British tourism. These lesser-known spots offer locals peaceful, authentic getaways that remain off the typical tourist radar.
Travelers can fly into Hamburg, the closest major international airport, and take a direct train to Kiel with ease. Local hotels offer rooms starting at £70 per night, many of which include breakfast.
