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Have you been dreaming of cobbled towns frozen in medieval times, hilltop castles that look as if they could belong in a Disney storybook––except they’re the real deal––and all those world-class museums you could visit?
Europe sounds like a great idea in 2025, especially with the host of nonstop flights launching from America to new, unexpected destinations tourists often skip, including a coastal metropolis in Italy and the sunniest city in Portugal.
So before you go along with the masses in flocking into Paris, London and the like, here are 7 underrated (but stunning, nonetheless) European cities:
Catania, Italy
The second largest city in Sicily, Catania is a beautiful gem littered with your usual pastel houses, magnificent churches ornamented in Baroque stucco, and picturesque piazze, overlooking a turquoise Mediterranean.
It has imposing Mount Etna, a legendary active volcano, for backdrop, and the food scene is unrivaled, with cream-filled cannoli served in local pasticcerie, and casual dining spots galore lining the lively port––for excellent seafood pasta, Trattoria Catania Ruffiana is the place to go.
Flights To Catania (CTA) From The U.S.
1 flight per day with Delta Air Lines, starting May 2025
Belgrade, Serbia
The capital of a landlocked Eastern European country most Americans have only vaguely heard about, Belgrade is a bustling metropolis best known for its vibrant social scene, leafy avenues lined with cozy, art-filled cafés, and monumental sights.
Don’t miss Belgrade Fortress, a stronghold at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, a picture-perfect, cobbled Skadarlija, and Knez Mihailova, a pedestrianized street bordered by elegant buildings and fine-dining eateries where a three-course menu will still only set you back $45.
Flights To Catania (CTA) From The U.S.
1 flight every Wednesday and Saturday with Air Serbia
1 flight every Sunday and Thursday with Air Serbia
Bucharest, Romania
Serving as the capital of Romania, yet another Eastern nation Americans are only just starting to discover, Bucharest is one of the most unique cities you’ll ever visit, with an unlikely combination of Paris-style, Belle époque facades and graffiti-clad, Brutalist towers.
It’s a concrete jungle certain to quench your Soviet nostalgia, with communist-era apartment blocks, vintage tramways, and all that hearty, meaty-heavy Balkan food––for the best traditional ciorbă with sour cream, make sure you add Ciorbarie to your list.
Flights To Bucharest (OTP) From The U.S.
Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday with HiSky
Limerick, Ireland
Forget an overpriced, overcrowded Dublin: next year, it’s time you discover the equally culture-rich, fascinating Limerick, in the West of Ireland, with a plethora of well-reputed pubs to its name, and a timeless Old Quarter that’s certain to appease the History buff in you.
It’s there you’ll find intact Georgian-era houses, storied pubs pouring the perfect pint of Guinness at a reasonable price, and Limerick’s pride and joy, the 13th century King John’s Castle, standing on the banks of the fast-flowing Shannon.
Flights To Shannon (SNN) From The U.S.
1 flight per day with Aer Lingus
1 flight per day with United Airlines––only seasonal, resuming May 23, 2025
1 flight per day with United Airlines––only seasonal, resuming April 4, 2025
1 flight per day with Aer Lingus
1 flight per day with Delta Air Lines––starting May 2025
Limerick is served by Shannon Airport, a 25-minute drive from the city
Faro, Portugal
Located in the the extreme south of Portugal, where it’s perfectly sunny for over 300 days a year, Faro combines culture and a relaxed coastal getaway with its walled, cobbled Old Town and a sun-drenched, honey-colored main beach.
As the capital of the Algarve, it boasts train connections to lively resort zones like Albufeira and Portimão, famous for their luxurious beachfront hotels and riotous nightlife, and laid-back seaside towns, like the whitewashed Carvoeiro and a beach-fringed Lagos.
Flights To Faro (FAO) From The U.S.
Every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday with United Airlines––starting May 2025
Bilbao
Barcelona’s Northerly rival, Bilbao, is an equally eclectic port city, except it’s far cheaper and less touristy: it’s home to titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum, one of Europe’s finest, a trendy Ensanche district, dotted with art galleries and pintxo bars, and a sprawling, medieval Casco Viejo.
As the largest city in the Basque Country, a region of Spain that retains its own customs and language, it’s also a starting point for visitors keen on exploring the ancient territory, its sleepy mountain towns, and unruffled beaches.
Fly Nonstop To Bilbao (BIO) From The U.S.
1 flight every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday with United Airlines, starting May 2025
Menton
The prettiest town in France, with a postcard-ready marina distinguished by a row of colorful houses, Menton lines the Franco-Italian border, and it offers you the best of both worlds: delicious pasta and narrow alleys, coupled with finesse, and extravagant social life of the French Riviera.
Despite being located a half-hour drive from Nice, and thus easily-accessible from the international airport, it feels comparatively quieter and more offbeat, and we’ll be honest with you, we’ve yet to find better gelato in Côte d’Azur than Menton’s Gelateria Sofia.
Fly Nonstop To Nice (NCE) From The U.S.
1 flight per day with Delta Air Lines, resuming May 2, 2025
1 flight per day with United Airlines, resuming April 21, 2025
1 flight every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday with La Compagnie, resuming May 16, 2025
1 flight per day with Delta Air Lines, resuming March 29, 2025
1 flight per day with American Airlines, resuming May 16, 2025
1 flight every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday with United Airlines, starting May 2025
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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