Beyond the Obvious: Hidden Gems in Europe
European summer authenti-city
The summer European vacation as we know it is shifting towards places that offer more space, character, and a stronger sense of local life. While destinations like Amalfi, Ibiza, Santorini and Barcelona continue to hold enormous appeal, many travellers are increasingly seeking hidden gems in Europe that feel more personal, more grounded and more connected to local culture.
This is where the rise of the “authenti-city” comes in. Destinations with the beauty, atmosphere and energy of Europe’s best-known favourites, balanced by fewer crowds, stronger local identity, and the increasingly rare pleasure of feeling genuinely lived in.
Historical Montenegro
While neighbouring Dubrovnik continues to draw high summer demand, the tiny Adriatic town of Perast in Montenegro offers a noticeably quieter pace. Baroque palaces line the waterfront. Church bells echo across the rooftops. Boats rock gently in the bay. Most importantly, nobody seems to be in a hurry to turn this haven of heritage into a lifestyle brand.
Further inland, Cetinje, Montenegro’s former royal capital, offers a completely different kind of charm. Compact, walkable, and rich with cultural history, it feels less curated for visitors and more like a city quietly getting on with life, and becoming increasingly the kind of experience many travellers are looking for.
Sensational Spain
Travellers still want the food, sunshine and late-night energy that Spain does so well, but they’re becoming more selective about where they find it.
Barcelona remains one of Europe's most compelling summer cities, but the experience shifts when you step beyond the most obvious routes. Markets and neighbourhood restaurants along with smaller coastal pockets, reveal a more local rhythm, with a greater focus on being in the moment.
Further north, San Sebastián, Spain's gastronomic capital, continues to draw those in search of exceptional food, but the appeal also lies in how it is experienced. Pintxos bars spill onto atmospheric streets, surfers share beaches with retirees, and evenings are spent discovering regional dishes that go beyond the most familiar tapas.
Then there’s Girona, Spain's historic Catalan city, with its medieval alleyways, distinctive local character, and just enough distance from Barcelona to exhale properly. It’s the kind of city where you accidentally spend three hours over lunch and consider it productive.
Authentic Italy
The clearest sign yet that travellers are shifting away from Europe’s busier hubs can be found on the Adriatic coast in Italy. While Rome, Florence and the Amalfi Coast remain enduring summer favourites, a quieter Italian summer exists further east.
In Trieste, espresso culture meets Austro-Hungarian grandeur in a city that remains suspended between worlds. Italian, Slavic and Central European influences overlap beautifully here, giving the city a complexity that feels distinctly unmanicured by tourism.
Further south, Bari offers something even rarer: a major coastal city that still feels deeply local. In the old town, grandmothers sit outside hand-making orecchiette while children weave through narrow alleyways on bicycles. Aperitivo hour arrives without performance. Seafood is served unbelievably fresh, and nobody is preoccupied with turning the experience into shareable content. Authenti-cities offer something increasingly valued in modern travel, appealing destinations with atmosphere, cultural richness, and an enduring sense of identity.
Travelling beyond Europe’s most obvious summer routes doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort along the way. Across the region (even in the most unusual of European holiday destinations), Priority Pass lounges offer quieter moments between flights, helping journeys feel calmer and more considered from start to finish. If your travels take you through Vienna Lounge at Vienna International Airport, the award-winning space offers an especially relaxing setting to refresh before continuing onward to Europe’s next authenti-city destination.