If you’re thinking of heading across the pond this summer, and you’re not exactly sold on the idea of maddening crowds in Barcelona, or paying upwards of $1,000+ a night in Amalfi, we might have just have the perfect alternative for you.
Well, Tripadvisor does.
Italy Budget
The $95 Amalfi?
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The Secret
Tropea offers dramatic cliffs & blue water at 90% less than Positano. Local bars serve full aperitivos under $10.
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Spain Pivot
Basque Discovery
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The Culture
Northern Spain’s unique green zone. World-class food (pintxos) and art without Barcelona’s tourism chaos.
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According to their latest Summer Travel Index, two European destinations have been growing in popularity at a faster rate than all the others. This doesn’t mean they’re jam-packed by your usual clout-chasing Instagrammers, but it does mean this is maybe your last chance to check them off the list before they get real big.
Think of it as that perfect window to visit somewhere that’s not necessarily a hidden gem anymore, yet has an exciting enough social scene, and cultural appeal, without having fully given in to mass tourism:
Tropea, Italy
Probably the trendiest summer spot in Italy right now, Tropea is a bit like Amalfi before the star-studded beach clubs and cruise ships came.
Heading to Europe this year? Don’t be denied boarding! Check the latest entry requirements here.
As Tripadvisor’s latest metrics indicate, Tropea is the second-fastest rising destination in Europe right now, and given the fact that more and more travelers are looking for more authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences, away from the tourist hotspots and crowds, we can’t say we’re too surprised.
For starters, the setting is kinda mindblowing.
The town literally sits perched on a coastal cliff overlooking a long stretch of sandy beach and the clearest blue waters. Your classic Southern Europe postcard, minus the hefty price tag.
Sitting down for an aperitivo in Tropea will set you back by under $10 if it’s a chill, local bar, and we’re talking a full charcuterie board presentation and a Campari soda, while staying overnight costs on average $95 across most mid-range hotels.
It’s not Albania-cheap, if you know what we mean, but compared to your average Italian tourist dump town, it’s a pretty good deal.
Now, Tropea Beach itself isn’t exactly crowd-free.
It actually gets swarmed with sunbathers and swimmers in summer, but there’s a key difference here: while beach clubs in Positano are largely frequented by American show-offs, Tropea’s Spiaggia della Rotonda and its laid-back waterfront bars largely cater to local crowds.
Let’s be real, even if you go way off the map somewhere like Bosnia this season, it’s probably not gonna be totally quiet and untouched.
The real move is going where locals actually hang, where you’ve got no choice but to fire up Google Translate or dust off your Italian, ordering pasta with a side of cipolla rossa (their surprisingly sweet red onion) at some random trattoria, because at least it’ll feel legit Italian.
Also, doesn’t that tiny church on a rock promontory boasting views of the townscape just look like something straight ouf ot a postcard?
Bilbao, Spain
Number one trendiest European city this summer, based on Tripadvisor’s assessment, Bilbao has actually been the hot topic for a few months now.
With places like Barcelona, Madrid, and Mallorca crumbling under the weight of mass tourism, earlier this year, United Airlines boldly decided to expand to the much-overlooked Northern Spain market and add Bilbao flights to spread demand beyond the usual hotspots.
It’s proven to be the right call, as Bilbao is now on the radar of hundreds of thousands of Americans booking nonstop flights there from Newark.
Though Bilbao isn’t a beach city, per se, lying a bit further inland from the Basque Coast, it has that Southern European, Basque flair, with a picture-perfect Old Town dotted with skinny townhouses and their ornate balconies, a myriad of tapas bars dishing out pintxos and txakoli, and a summery feel that’s hard to beat.
Barcelona may have Sagrada Família, yet Bilbao is home to the landmark Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, a steel and titanium-clad masterpiece housing art pieces by famous artists like Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol, and it has proper, easy-going vibes without the added La Rambla chaos.
No, it’s not in the Mediterranean, but it’s within short driving distance of some of the most beautiful beach towns on the Atlantic side of Europe, like Donostia (also called San Sebastián) and Hondarribia, where colorful seaside buildings and gorgeous golden sands await.
Just make sure you test the waters prior to diving right in, as again, this is the Atlantic. It’s always, ahem, a tad chillier than the Med.
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
