Finding a unique destination to visit during the summer months when everyone is enjoying the school holidays is a real challenge. Popular cities like Paris, with its emblematic shopping streetsand Venice, with its famous canals, are swamped with travelers in July and August, making them less attractive to those who prefer to stray off the tourist trail.
Fortunately, there are still some hidden gems to discover in summer. Discover these off-the-beaten-track summer destinations that remain hidden gems.
ten Kiruna, Sweden
View of Kiruna, Sweden
While everyone is heading towards Stockholm (which offers lots of things to do) To soak up the summer sun, travelers looking for seclusion and unique experiences can head to the far north of Sweden to the town of Kiruna, which is one of the top summer vacation destinations the least visited in Europe. Explore Abisko National Park and experience the midnight sun.
- Best thing to do there: Visit Abisko National Park
- Average daytime maximum in July: 17ºC
- Nearest international airport: Kiruna Airport (KRN)
9 Thessaloniki, Greece
White Tower in Thessaloniki Greece
The Greek islands experience a tourist boom in July and August, so mainland Greece is the ideal choice for a crowd-free Greek vacation. Avoid Athens in favor of Thessaloniki, the least visited (which still offers plenty to do and see).
- Best thing to do there: Visit the White Tower of Thessaloniki
- Average daytime maximum in July: 32ºC
- Nearest international airport: Thessaloniki Makedonia Airport (SKG)
8 Berat, Albania
Town of Berat, Albania
Albania doesn't attract as much attention from visitors as neighboring Croatia and Greece, but it shares a similar climate and beautiful landscapes. Travelers who want a quiet summer getaway on a budget should add Berat to their list. Not only is it one of the most affordable cities in Europe to visit, but it is also one of the least populated.
- Best thing to do there: Visit Berat Castle
- Average daytime maximum in July: 32ºC
- Nearest international airport: Tirana International Airport (TIA)
7 Salento, Colombia
Cocora Valley, Colombia
Summer is one of the best times of year to visit Medellín, Colombia, which is among the least crowded summer vacation destinations. Once there, it's a short bus ride to Salento, a must-visit destination for coffee lovers. It is also the gateway to the Cocora Valley, where the tallest palm trees in the world grow.
- Best thing to do there: Cocora Valley
- Average daytime maximum in July: 23ºC
- Nearest international airport: El Dorado International Airport (BOG) or José Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE)
6 Varna, Bulgaria
Sunset view in Varna, Bulgaria
Varna is a port city in Bulgaria that offers various things to do and see and it is one of Europe's least crowded summer holiday destinations to visit. Additionally, it is a hidden beach destination in Eastern Europe. While most people head to the Mediterranean to soak up the summer sun, travelers can escape the crowds at the Black Sea beaches in Varna.
- Best thing to do there: Visit the medieval Aladzha Monastery
- Average daytime maximum in July: 28ºC
- Nearest international airport: Varna International Airport (VAR)
5 Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia
Blue and white village Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia
Fly to Tunis and discover a hidden Mediterranean gem in Tunisia. Sidi Bou Said is a charming town located just half an hour from Tunis, on the coast. Its whitewashed buildings and blue accents are reminiscent of Santorini, Greece.
- Best thing to do there: Visit to the Dar Nejma Ezzahra Palace
- Average daytime maximum in July: 33ºC
- Nearest international airport: Tunis-Carthage International Airport (TUN/DTTA)
4 Cuenca, Ecuador
View of the city of Cuenca, Ecuador
Ecuador is an unpretentious place to visit during the summer, characterized by warm temperatures and few crowds during this season. In particular, the city of Cuenca is easy to access for international visitors, with plenty to do and see. This place is among the best crowd-free summer vacation destinations and is mainly known for manufacturing textiles, furniture, and other handicrafts such as shoes and hats.
Plus, Cuenca's architecture is stunning, while its food is definitely a home away from home. Walking through the streets, travelers can feel the rich history of the city and the indigenous people who inhabited the land (like the Cañari and the Incas) before the arrival of the Spanish.
- Best thing to do there: Visit Calderon Park
- Average daytime maximum in July: 20ºC
- Nearest international airport: Mariscal Lamar International Airport (CUE/SECU)
3 Riga, Latvia
The old town of Riga in Latvia
Head to Eastern Europe this summer for lower prices and fewer crowds. Latvia's capital Riga is one of the most overlooked summer destinations and is a stunning city with a medieval old town. It sits on the Baltic Sea and has pedestrian-only streets in the historic center lined with shops.
- Best thing to do there: Shop at Riga Central Market
- Average daytime maximum in July: 24ºC
- Nearest international airport: Riga International Airport (RIX)
2 Perhentian Islands, Malaysia
Boats in Malaysia's Perhentian Islands
The Perhentian Islands are located in Besut District, Terengganu, Malaysia. The two main islands in this group where travelers will want to stay are Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil. Experience the sandy beaches and blue waters associated with popular Southeast Asian destinations like Koh Tao and Palawan, without the crowds or high prices.
Overall, these are some of the best crowd-free tropical islands to visit this summer, but they're still just as stunning as other beautiful islands around the world.
- Best thing to do there: Swimming in Teluk Keke
- Average daytime maximum in July: 30ºC
- Nearest international airport: Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL)
1 Almaty, Kazakhstan
A view of Almaty in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is one of the most underrated vacation destinations in the world. It is beginning to attract international attention in the tourism industry, but it still remains a relatively unknown destination for the average North American traveler. This means that now is the perfect time to visit this stunning destination before it starts attracting large crowds in peak season.
The summer months in Almaty are pleasant. From there, it takes around 9.5 hours by train to reach Lake Balkhash, the largest lake in Central Asia.
- Best thing to do there: Overnight trip to swim in Lake Balkhash
- Average daytime maximum in July: 30ºC
- Nearest international airport: Almaty International Airport (ALA/UAAA)
