Rick Steves' Protege Visits These Underrated Towns To Avoid Huge Crowds In Europe

Europe is a magnet for travelers worldwide, and for good reason. The continent is home to amazing art, an array of mouthwatering cuisines, storybook countryside getaways, and terrific cultural sites — like the world's largest museum dedicated to wine. It's also where you can find some of the most picturesque cities on earth, but if you go, expect crowds. Spots such as Venice, Paris, Rome, Florence, and Amsterdam have become so inundated with visitors in recent years that many of the biggest attractions are often mobbed. Things have gotten so bad in Barcelona that fed-up locals have begun fighting back, even going so far as to squirt tourists with water guns.

That said, there are simple ways to spot signs of overtourism before you book, and — at least according to Rick Steves' protege Cameron Hewitt — while the big famous cities may be worth hitting, you'll do yourself a favor by also getting into some deeper cuts. In a blog post on the Rick Steves website, Hewitt argues in favor of visiting smaller, under-the-radar gems — cities and towns that deliver plenty of culture and old-world charm — only without the hassle of overtourism and crowds. "Last year, I made a swing through what I think of as The Big Three: London, Paris, and Rome," he writes. "But I also mixed in some smaller towns, including ones few travelers have heard of ... And you know something? The experiences I had in Europe's 'third-rate' towns were truly first-rate."

While almost no trip to the U.K. is complete without a couple of days in London, the country is full of excellent towns that see far fewer tourists than the capital or other popular spots such as Bath, York, and Edinburgh. Shrewsbury is an idyllic medieval market town that also has a lively nightlife and food scene, while Cameron Hewitt suggests Canterbury, whose beautiful cathedral is the seat of the Church of England. Bristol is a hip, laid-back center for art and music, and when you're in Scotland, make sure to stop by Falkirk, a charming town just an hour from both Edinburgh and Glasgow.

When it comes to underappreciated spots in France, it's hard to beat Lyon. The country's third-biggest city is a UNESCO World Heritage site that features incredible architecture, the confluence of two rivers, and top-notch food and wine. There's also the medieval settlement of Semur-en-Auxoisar, which will have you feeling like you stepped into a fairy tale. However, Hewitt's French pick is the southern settlement of Sarlat. "Built of a lemony sandstone that seems to suck in the warmth and glow of the sun," he writes, "Sarlat looks like a film set." The town is also so in love with its foie gras that it has erected two statues of geese in celebration.

While Amsterdam is the main stop in the Netherlands, it's grappling with overtourism, which makes Rotterdam — known for its modern architecture and youthful vibes — a terrific alternative. Other spots include Eindhoven — a design hub with a vibrant food and beer scene — along with the funky and fun Maastricht. When traveling in neighboring Belgium, Hewitt advises you to head to Antwerp or Ghent for a more authentic experience.

Spain is home to a dizzying number of excellent spots that aren't Barcelona, Madrid, or Seville, including the incredibly scenic fortress town of Albarracín, which sits perched on a stone promontory overlooking a bend in the Río Guadalaviar. If you're looking for a fascinating (and quieter) glimpse into Andalusia, go straight to the undiscovered town of Antequera. Hewitt, however, sings the praises of Salamanca and Bilbao, the Basque city which boasts amazing architecture and out-of-this-world gastronomy.  

To escape the crowds found in Lisbon and Porto in Portugal, head to Mértola — a medieval town bursting with riverfront charm — or spend a night or two in Faro, the Algarve region's colorful capital that's home to great restaurants, along with a historic old town, orange trees, and a large population of storks. Idyllic Monsanto sits atop a hill in the sparsely populated east and was once voted "the most Portuguese town in Portugal," while Hewitt calls the university town of Coimbra "an unheralded joy." 

Hewitt claims Italy has more enchanting "third-rate" towns than anywhere in Europe, with the mid-sized Tuscan town of Arezzo topping his list. For Tuscany vibes with fewer tourists, start with the Umbria region — especially Bevagna, Todi, Spoleto, and Gubbio. There is also Matera, which has the distinction of being the oldest city in Italy (people have been there for over 7,000 years) and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. For a quiet coastal retreat, head to the beach town of Tropea in the country's southern Calabria region, or Bordighera, which sits on the quieter western side of the Italian Riviera.