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Have you been dreaming of cobblestone towns frozen in the Middle Ages, hilltop castles that look like they belong in a Disney storybook (except they’re real) and all those world-class museums you could visit?
Europe sounds like one Great idea in 2025, especially with the host of non-stop flights from America to new, unexpected destinations that tourists often skip, including a coastal metropolis in Italy and the sunniest city in Portugal.
So before you join the crowds pouring into Paris, London and the like, here they are 7 underestimated (yet stunning) European cities:
Catania, Italy
Catania, Sicily’s second largest city, is a beautiful gem dotted with the usual pastel-colored houses, beautiful churches decorated with baroque stuccowork and picturesque piazzeoverlooking a turquoise Mediterranean Sea.
It has the imposing Etna, a legendary active volcano, as its backdrop the food scene is second to nonewith cream filled cannoli served in local pasticceryand casual dining options abound along the lively harbor – for excellent seafood pasta, Trattoria Catania Ruffiana is the place to go.
Flights to Catania (CTA) from the USA
1 flight per day with Delta Air Lines, starting May 2025
Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade, the capital of a landlocked Eastern European country that most Americans have only vaguely heard of, is a bustling metropolis best known for its vibrant social sceneleafy avenues with cozy cafes full of art and monumental sights.
Don’t miss Belgrade Fortress, a stronghold at the confluence of the Danube and Sava, a picture-perfect cobbled Skadarlija, and Knez Mihailova, a pedestrian street lined with elegant buildings and refined eateries serving a three-course meal. still alone put you back $45.
Flights to Catania (CTA) from the USA
Every Wednesday and Saturday 1 flight with Air Serbia
Every Sunday and Thursday 1 flight with Air Serbia
Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest is the capital of Romania and another Eastern nation that Americans are just beginning to discover: Bucharest one of the most unique cities you will ever visitwith an unlikely combination of Parisian-style Belle Epoque facades and graffiti-clad, brutalist towers.
It’s a concrete jungle that’s sure to satisfy your Soviet nostalgia, with communist-era apartment buildings, vintage tram lines and all that hearty, meaty Balkan food – for the best traditional ciorba with sour cream, be sure to add Ciorbarie to your list.
Flights to Bucharest (OTP) from the USA
Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday with HiSky
Limerick, Ireland
Forget overpriced, overcrowded Dublin: next year it’s time you discovered equally culturally rich, fascinating Limerick in the west of Ireland, with a plethora of renowned pubs to its name, and a timeless old quarter that’s sure to delight any history buff in you.
There you will find intact houses from the Georgian era, legendary pubs that serve the perfect pint of Guinness at a reasonable price, and the pride of Limerick, the 13th century King John’s Castle, situated on the banks of the fast-flowing Shannon.
Flights to Shannon (SNN) from the USA
1 flight per day with Aer Lingus
1 flight per day with United Airlines – seasonal only, resumes May 23, 2025
1 flight per day with United Airlines – seasonal only, resumes 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 very south of Portugal, where it is perfectly sunny for more than 300 days a year, Faro combines culture and a relaxing holiday on the coast with its walled, cobbled old town and sun-drenched, honey-colored beach.
As the capital of the Algarve, it has rail links to lively holiday resorts such as Albufeira and Portimão, famous for their luxury beachfront hotels and boisterous nightlife, and relaxed seaside resorts such as whitewashed Carvoeiro and beach-lined Lagos.
Flights to Faro (FAO) from the USA
Every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday with United Airlines ––starting May 2025
Bilbao
Barcelona’s northern rival, Bilbao, is an equally eclectic port city, except it is much cheaper and less touristy: it is home to the titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum, one of the most beautiful in Europe, a trendy Ensanche district, dotted with art galleries and pintxo bars, and a sprawling, medieval one Casco Viejo.
As the largest city in the Basque Country, a region of Spain that has retained its own customs and language, it is also a starting point for visitors keen to explore the ancient area, sleepy mountain towns and unspoilt beaches.
Fly direct to Bilbao (BIO) from the US
1 flight every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday with United Airlines, starting May 2025
Menton
Menton, the most beautiful town in France, with a postcard-ready marina and distinguished by a row of colorful houses, is located on the French-Italian border and offers you the best of both worlds: delicious pasta and narrow alleys, combined with finesse, and the extravagant social life of the French Riviera.
Despite being half an hour’s drive from Nice and therefore easily accessible from the international airport, it feels relatively quieter and more unusual, and we’ll be honest: we haven’t found better gelato in Côte d’ Azur than Menton’s Gelateria Sofia .
Fly non-stop to Nice (NCE) from the US
1 flight per day with Delta Air Lines, resumes May 2, 2025
1 flight per day with United Airlines, resuming April 21, 2025
Every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 1 flight with La Compagnie, resumed on May 16, 2025
1 flight per day with Delta Air Lines, resumes March 29, 2025
1 flight per day with American Airlines, resumes 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
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and 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 in the post.
