Svalbard, Norway
Even if you are a winter vacation aficionado, I bet your travels have never taken you this far north; Svalbard is an archipelago of nine islands between mainland Norway and the North Pole. If you have ever imagined visiting the Arctic, then Svalbard is where to go, a quick flight from Tromso or Oslo will land in Longyearbyen, its largest settlement, and where your Arctic adventures start. Travelers can explore the rugged natural beauty, head out for ethical wildlife watching (including polar bears, whales, and walruses), go hiking, or stop for an ice-cold beer at the northernmost brewery in the world. With snow-capped mountains, spectacular fjords, spooky former Soviet mining towns, and more, Svalbard is one of the most interesting places on Earth to visit, regardless of continent.
Azores Islands, Portugal
The islands are technically part of Portugal but feel worlds away from the mainland. The mid-Atlantic archipelago of volcanic islands is often referred to as the ‘Hawaii of Europe’ (though with subtropical, milder temperatures), its rugged landscapes and deep-blue waters make it a destination for escaping city heat in the summer. The Azores are an escape into nature, and they host two of Portugal’s 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the historic city of Angra do Heroismo on Terceira and the ancient vineyards of Pico. Even more so than most other destinations, Portugal is a country where you’ll want to bring along your own food to eat when you go out sightseeing. However, there are some great places for dining in Lisbon that should not be missed. Portugal is a good destination for travelers with disabilities because the country has a fairly low crime rate and generally friendly people. The islands themselves are technically part of Portugal but feel like they are a world.
For those who are limited on time or unsure where to begin, Sao Miguel is the largest and most accessible of the islands with spectacular volcanic landscapes, hot springs, hiking trails, lakes, and is home to the premier whale and dolphin watching in Europe. And when you’re done exploring for the day, enjoy cheap pestiscos (Portuguese tapas) at many establishments, and both meat and seafood are on offer, but there are also vegetarian and vegan Rotas de Ilha Verde for veggies and vegans. Want more? The Azores became the first archipelago to be awarded the EarthCheck certificate in sustainability and is number 2 on our top 50 best places to visit in Europe list.
Lofoten Islands, Norway
Norway offers some of Europe’s most natural beauty, including Svalbard as well as the seven islands of the Lofoten archipelago (a designated sustainable destination) where you can explore Viking history, unspoiled landscapes, view northern lights, and surf in a milder climate than other places at this latitude thanks to the warmth of the Gulf Stream. And if you visit during summer months, you’ll enjoy the midnight sun. Lofoten is for outdoor types, with hiking, climbing, kayaking, cycling, and skiing available.
Westfjords, Iceland
Westfjords, the reason that they’re less known and visited than other parts of the country is because they are huge, far from major destinations like Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Lake Mývatn (as seen on Game of Thrones), and the Golden Circle. The answer? Because the Westfjords is sparsely populated, remote, has very different landscapes to most of Iceland, it’s ruggedly dramatic and requires a car for travel, but it’s worth it (107 miles from Reykjavik). Highlights include little-known Dynjandi waterfall and the pink-sand beach Rauðasandur, puffins on the cliffs at Látrabjarg, and the opportunity to see the Arctic fox and go seal watching and whale watching. Just remember that snowfall can make it inaccessible in winter, so May-October is best.
Santorini, Greece
Famous for its blue domes jutting out over the blue seas and whitewashed buildings that cling to the cliffs, Santorini is home to much more than just those iconic photos. More than 3,000 years ago, a massive volcanic eruption completely destroyed the island of Santorini, submerging its center into the sea and leaving behind the huge caldera (crater) in the cliffs, where you can visit the Minoan ruins of Akrotiri and see views from the lighthouse at Akrotiri. The short hop to Nea Kameni for hikes through dramatic volcanic landscapes is also worth it if you have a few days on the island and decent walking shoes.But all Greek Island trips include history, culture, and food and drink: amble through Fira or Oia, watching the sun go down as you nibble saganaki (fried cheese in filo pastry, topped with honey), moussaka, and spanakopita along with a glass of local beer or wine.
Faroe Islands
Secret Atlas guests would love a visit to the Faroe Islands, technically part of Denmark but self-governing, this chain of 18 islands in the Atlantic Ocean sits between Scotland, Norway and Iceland and flies from Edinburgh, Reykjavik or Bergen in Norway. A bit more planning is required than for many European holidays, since there are only a handful of hotels, B&Bs and private rentals to pick from.Yes, the Faroe Islands are an adventure destination. It has extreme weather patterns (both due to the warmth of the gulf stream and icy Arctic waters). Similar to Svalbard, its rugged, unspoiled natural landscape makes it a worthwhile destination for hikers and nature lovers, with huge mountains, craggy bird cliffs, black sandy beaches and excellent hiking trails. Kayaking out to the Draganir sea-stacks is great fun, as are visiting Mykines to spot puffins and riding horses around the capital Tórshavn. And when you’re done exploring, relax, you can unwind at the restaurant Heimablídni, which is Faroese for homegrown hospitality. So you can enjoy a cosy fish and chip supper in a remote, 19th-century home.
Seville, Spain
While the entire Andalucia region is worth exploring, for a short European break, head to its capital, Seville. Filled with Moorish, Catholic, and Jewish landmarks, gothic architecture, winding streets, beautiful gardens – and many plates of tapas, it’s an easy city to walk around although you might want to avoid the height of summer (July and August) unless you’re ok walking in 35°c+ heat. Early autumn is pretty hot too, and by mid-afternoon, locals draw shutters down on their windows to keep out the heat. A ticket to Catedral de Sevilla, Giralda Tower, and Real Alcazar lets you visit two of these landmarks back-to-back. The Alcazar is a 14th-century palace commissioned by the Christian King Pedro I using Moorish workmen which means it has a combination of both Christian and Islamic art and symbolism.
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn is an ideal destination for a city break and nature retreat, as it is a small capital that has forests right on its doorstep, and from Tallinn Bay, you can easily travel by ferry to Naissar, Prangli, and Aegna islands. Walk through Old Town for cobbled medieval streets, stunning architecture, and some of the best restaurants in the city, including Rataskaevu 16 and III Draakon. Climb up to Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform for views over the city, harbour, bell towers, and red slate rooftops. Then swap medieval for modern at Telliskivi Creative City, which has restaurants, music venues, cafés, and street art. Escape into nature at Jägala waterfall, especially in winter, or Sooma National Park where you can book a canoe tour and hike around a bog – just make sure to borrow some shoes so that you don’t get stuck in the mud or snow.
Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
Karlovy Vary is full of 15 restorative hot spas (some are up in the hills), which attract lots of day trippers from Prague hoping to take a dip in some of Europe’s best hot springs. The city itself is very pretty with grand, pastel-coloured Bohemian architecture surrounded by forests; head for the hillside lookouts such as the Diana Observation Tower for good city meets nature views. July brings the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, one of the largest in Europe. For forest hikes, you can try the Krušnohorská magistrála or walk along the Tepla River.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
This 31-mile stretch of coastline near Naples comes in at number 22 on our top 50 best places to visit in Europe.Go early spring or autumn, and you can wander through its colourful winding streets, rugged coastal views and spectacular sunsets at a less hectic pace, in mild temperatures. Especially if you discover some of the lesser-known spots along it. Positano and Amalfi are popular destinations for good reason.But few people have heard of Atrani, the smallest hamlet on the south side of Italy nestled between two cliffs and looking like something straight out of a fairy tale with its pastel-hued fishing village cobbled streets; you can simply take in the beauty here without any crowds and relax over food and drinks at the Piazza Umberto, the main square. Another of the Amalfi Coasts more lesser-known destinations is Praiano, home to the village of Praiano and where you can hike the Sentiero Degli Dei (Path of the Gods) up to the Lattari mountains.
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