Americans can now fly nonstop to the five safest undiscovered European cities

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Booking a summer holiday to Europe usually feels like choosing between two terrible options. You either fly straight to a huge, overcrowded tourist trap like Paris or Rome, or you spend 18 hours navigating an unforgiving maze of layovers and terrifying commutes just to find a quiet beach.

I start my travel days from Louisville and am fully aware of how tiring standard layovers can be. Finding a truly off-grid, safe European escape that actually has a direct flight from the US is the ultimate dream.

Well, the airlines finally listened. For the summer of 2026, American airlines such as Delta and United have shaken up their route maps.

If you’re ready to trade the crowded tour buses for raw authenticity, here they are 5 of the safest, most underrated European cities that you can finally reach on a single non-stop flight.

1. Olbia, Italy

Most Americans traveling to Italy completely overlook the island of Sardinia, which is a huge mistake.

Located on the northeast coast of the island, Olbia is the ultimate gateway to the Costa Smeralda, a stretch of coastline with some of the Mediterranean’s most stunningly blue waters.

• The atmosphere: It’s impossibly beautiful, heavily focused on slow food, and miles away from the chaos of the mainland.
• The ground experience: Being an island, the crime rate is incredibly low. You’ll spend your days exploring ancient stone ruins, drinking local wine, and lounging on pristine beaches without having to constantly be on the lookout for pickpockets.
• How do I get there: Delta made history this year by launching the first-ever direct scheduled flight from the US to Sardinia. You can board a plane at JFK in New York and land in Olbia just in time for a morning espresso.

2. Nuuk, Greenland

With European heatwaves getting worse every year, booking a ‘coolcation’ is the ultimate travel flexibility right now. Nuuk is the capital of Greenland and perhaps one of the most stunning, remote outposts in the world.

• The atmosphere: Forget crowded beaches; this is all about huge fjords, Arctic wildlife and breathtaking nature. It is incredibly peaceful and completely unspoilt.
• The ground experience: Greenland is so isolated and sparsely populated that crime is virtually non-existent. You can walk through the hinterland or take a boat trip through the icebergs with peace of mind.
• How do I get there: Previously, getting here was a total nightmare of connecting flights via Iceland or Denmark. Now United Airlines operates direct, nonstop flights directly from Newark (EWR) to Nuuk.

3. Bari, Italy

If you want the classic Italian seaside experience without fighting for walking space on the Amalfi Coast, you need to head for the “heel” of the Italian boot. Bari is the capital of the Puglia region and it is an absolute dream.

• The atmosphere: This is authentic southern Italy at its best. It’s all about ancient port towns, incredible historic architecture and some of the best olive oil and pasta you will ever eat in your life.
• The ground experience: The streets of Bari are incredibly safe and welcoming. It’s the perfect home base to rent a car and safely explore nearby coastal gems such as Polignano a Mare.
• How do I get there: United has just opened a brand new, direct route from Newark (EWR) straight to Bari, completely eliminating the need to connect via Rome or Milan.

4. Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Tucked away in the lush, green region of Galicia in northwestern Spain, this city is the legendary terminus of the massive Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.

• The atmosphere: Because thousands of people walk across the country every year to reach this exact spot, the entire city is designed to welcome travelers. The historic stone architecture is breathtaking, and the local tapas culture is elitist.
• The ground experience: This is without a doubt one of the safest cities in Europe. The streets are constantly filled with exhausted, happy walkers, making it an incredibly safe place for solo travelers to wander at night.
• How do I get there: United Airlines has added Santiago de Compostela to its summer schedule, with nonstop flights from Newark (EWR) so you can skip the madness of Madrid and Barcelona airports.

5. Split, Croatia

Everyone wants to see the Croatian coast, but Dubrovnik is completely crushed by huge cruise ships.

Split offers the perfect alternative. It is a beautiful coastal city, anchored by Diocletian’s Palace, a real Roman palace that forms the heart of the ancient city.

• The atmosphere: You get the perfect mix of ancient Roman history and modern Mediterranean beach culture. It is also the ultimate starting point to take fast ferries to incredible islands such as Hvar and Brač.
• The ground experience: Croatia is consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in the world. You can stroll comfortably through the polished stone streets of Split late at night after enjoying a fresh seafood dinner.
• How do I get there: United now operates direct flights from Newark (EWR) directly to Split, making it easier than ever to reach the pristine waters of the Dalmatian coast.

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Tyler Fox

Tyler is our editor-in-chief and writer. After years of reading, writing, and obsessing about travel (while traveling as often as possible, of course!), he wants to give readers the best and most balanced experience possible when exploring the site.