My Favorite Not Popular Places To Visit In Europe
While many Americans flock to Europe during the summer, they often gravitate towards the usual places like Paris, Venice, and London. Today, I’m excited to share My Top Five Places To Visit in Europe During The Summer. These are not your typical vacation spots; they’re hidden gems. Each destination has its distinct charm and allure, making it well worth your consideration and further exploration!
Lake Bled, Slovenia
We moved to Ljubljana, Slovenia, in 2017. Before my husband’s job told us that we were moving to Slovenia, I honestly had never heard of Slovenia or Lake Bled! (I also hadn’t been out of The United States, so that doesn’t mean too much!) Slovenia has gained in popularity within the last couple of years, but it still has a long way to go before it’s a “popular” tourist destination.
How much time do I need to explore Lake Bled?
You can see and do everything in one day. You don’t need to stay in Lake Bled. You can drive from Ljublijana for the day and explore this beautiful Lake.
Ah, Lake Bled. That emerald-green Slovenian gem that looks like something out of a magazine (Or Photoshop!). Ride in a ‘Pletna’ boat, rowed by a local whose family has navigated Lake Bled for generations. It’s not just transport; it’s history! I loved talking to our boat guide and hearing about how the boats were made and how the boat and the job had stayed in his family for decades.
The boat will take you right up to the 99 steps to the church. If you get married at the church at Lake Bled, it is said that the groom must carry his bride up the 99 steps to “ensure a happy marriage.”
Once you’ve completed the main event (the church and boat ride), you should take a break and try local treats! Right? You can’t visit a place without trying. Treat your taste buds at one of the cozy lakeside eateries. My favorite is Park Cafe, home to the original Bled Cream Cake. You can’t visit Lake Bled without trying The Bled Cream Cake.
Strolling around Lake Bled is so much fun and beautiful! Make sure to pack light, but bring an extra SD card for your camera – the views of Lake Bled are breathtaking! Early mornings by the Lake give you that serene solitude, and the Lake looks like a mirror. (Plus, it’s going to be a lot less crowded first thing in the morning)
The Lake Bled castle is located on a mountain overlooking the Lake. The views from above are breathtaking. The water is so clear that if the sun is just right, you can see fish swimming in the Lake. This is also a great place to grab a drink or coffee. A little cafe overlooks Lake Bled from above.
Lake, Garda Italy
I wouldn’t be surprised if you told me you’ve never heard of Lake Garda, Italy. Most Americans travel to Lake Como without knowing that Lake Garda exists. If I’m being honest, I had never heard of it either. It was only when we moved to Garmisch, Germany, and all my friends were talking about vacationing there that I started to do my research and realized that Lake Garda was a place I, too, wanted to visit.
How much time do you need in Lake Garda?
You can easily drive around Lake Garda in one day (one very long day; it’s a big lake!) In a perfect world, 2-3 days so you can see many things and not be in a big rush.
My favorite thing about Lake Garda is you can stay in one location and see everything. The ferry system is the best at Lake Garda! It’s easy to hop on and off ferries and see all the different cities along the lake. (Without having to drive all the way around to some cities, which could take a very long time) Navigating the ferries was the easiest with Google and Apple Maps; you plug in what city you want to visit, and it pulls up the ferry location and, in some cases, the times that the ferries were taking off.
Places To See In Lake Garda
Sirmione, Italy, is a beautiful city with beautiful streets. The town does not have many cars, but there were a few places in the downtown where there were cars, so make sure you’re paying attention when traveling with small children.
My children loved the castle in Sirmione, Italy (The Sinking Castle). Right beside the castle, down the alley, is a little beach area where my children enjoyed watching boats and swans. They also enjoyed taking a break from walking and playing in the sand.
The castle is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm, costing 7 euros for adults and 3 euros for children.
The best towns on Lake Garda are Traunstein, Riva del Garda, Torbole, Limone Sul Garda, Lazise, and Malcesine. These towns offer various accommodation options, including hotels and resorts. The resorts offer a wide range of activities, including swimming pools, spa treatments, and restaurants with spectacular views over the lake.
Jesolo, Italy
If you want to visit Venice, Italy, and travel with your family, Jesolo, Italy, is the place to stay! I love the sandy beaches in Jesolo, Italy; Jesolos reminds me so much of the beaches in Flordia. If you’ve traveled to Europe enough, you know that sandy beaches in Europe are very hard to find. I’m also a huge fan of Jesolo, Italy, because there are so many tiny home apartments to rent on the beach! I love spending a good evening with a drink in my hand and my feet in the sand.
How much time do I need in Jesolo, Italy?
In the summer, you can rent a tiny home on the beach for one week. One week is the perfect amount of time to enjoy Venice, explore the city, and enjoy some calmness on a crazy, fun vacation.
Things To Do
- Take The Ferry To Venice
- During the summer, take the Pendolino train to explore all parts of this city.
- Caribe Bay Water Park
Garmisch, Germany
Garmisch, Germany, is a popular ski town in Germany. This small town hosted the 1936 Winter Olympics. It’s not a place you would think had much to do in the summer too, but surprisingly, there’s so much to see and do!
How much time do I need to visit Garmish, Germany? Three days is enough time to see almost everything in Gamrisch. Garmisch is a centrally located city, allowing you to stay in Garmisch and make a few day trips to see things outside the city. Below, you’ll find a few of my suggestions on things to visit when in Garmisch, along with a few day trips you might want to visit, too.
Partnachklamm Gorge is about a 5-minute drive from downtown Garmisch. However, you will have to walk about 2 miles to actually get to the gorge. It’s a very easy flat walk, but it’s still 2 miles, so keep this in mind if you’re traveling with older adults or smaller children.
Alpspitze Walking Platform—I’ve yet to make it to the end of this platform! When the wind blows, I can feel it moving, and I’m immediately done. If you’re not scared of heights, this view is breathtaking and fun.
Visit The Top of Germany, Zugspitze! Garmisch, Germany, is home to the tallest peak in Germany, called Zugspitze. The views from the top of this mountain are breathtaking. In the winter, this area is a huge ski area; in the summer, this is the perfect place to sit outside and enjoy the views and a drink. Last July, it snowed! My oldest child and I rode up to the top of the mountain and sledded in July! It’s one of those memories we talk about often.
Eibsee Lake: Much like Lake Bled (minus the church in the middle), Eibsee is a beautiful lake many people enjoy visiting in the summer. You can walk around the large walking path that goes entirely around the lake and rent paddle boats and canoes. My children love swimming and trying to catch frogs, fish and lizards. Bring snacks and lunch! If you forget your lunch, I highly recommend the Eibsee Alm, which is one of the most child-friendly restaurants in Garmisch. You can read more about it here.
Other Things You Can Do Near Garmisch.
I hope this blog post helped you explore the beaten path more! Seeing all the popular spots in Europe is fun, but seeing the less traveled areas is even more fun! Let me know in the comments if you’ve been to any of the places I mentioned above.