Skip western Europe: Albania, Montenegro and Poland offer sun and sea at a fraction of the price
Vacation spot dupes to Japanese Europe are booming, particularly as protests towards mass tourism intensify.
As travellers keep away from tourist-heavy locations in favour of lesser-known, extra reasonably priced choices, sights are being set on Japanese Europe.
Vilnius presents an enthralling mixture of Baroque structure and buzzing café tradition with out the crowds of Prague, whereas Bucharest’s buzzing nightlife and grand Belle Époque buildings give dear Paris a run for its cash.
Locations similar to Slovenia and Albania are additionally seeing an increase in guests as alternate options to their extra widespread neighbours, Italy and Croatia.
Vacation spot dupes are one of many yr’s thrilling journey developments, as revealed within the 2025 Euronews Journey Developments report.
Vacation spot dupes assist travellers keep away from crowd fatigue
68 per cent of Gen Z respondents now prioritise discovering locations the place they will “uncover one thing new” relatively than visiting well-known landmarks, in response to a current Thrillist survey.
Vacation spot duping promotes locations that mass tourism has not radically altered, and it’s significantly widespread with youthful travellers.
As crowded cities like Barcelona and Málaga see rising backlash, underrated locations lastly get their second within the highlight as curious guests expertise locations they may not have thought of earlier than.
“What we hear from travellers is crowd fatigue,” says Katy Nastro, journey professional and spokesperson for Going Journey App. “Travellers are in search of a extra purposeful manner of travelling, typically heading to dupes discovered via social media.”
Travellers are swapping the standard vacation classics for Japanese Japanese Europe
The seek for newness drives travellers to hunt dupe locations close by, whereas others enterprise additional for distinctive, offbeat experiences.
“Travellers aren’t simply swapping one Mediterranean vacation spot for one more – some additionally select solely completely different landscapes,” provides Nastro.
“With extra connectivity to Scandinavian nations due to SAS’s inclusion into the SkyTeam alliance, they could additionally search out cooler climates for his or her summer season holidays.”
In the meantime, Japanese European cities like Vilnius and Bucharest are set to develop sooner from 2024 to 2029 than lots of their pre-pandemic counterparts, in response to Tourism Economics.
Typically missed in favour of Greece, Albania can also be having its second to shine: there have been 50 per cent extra worldwide guests to this Mediterranean gem in 2023 in comparison with 2019, in response to UN Tourism.
Albania presents white sand seashores, energetic cities like Tirana, and a wealthy cultural heritage – and all at a fraction of the price of its Greek neighbour.
And, with new locations rising throughout Japanese Europe, this is the place Euronews Journey suggests you head this summer season.
Eager on tradition? Swap Paris for Bucharest
Whereas Paris presents distinctive artwork, delicacies, and structure, experiencing its romance comes at a steep worth: it ranks because the seventh costliest metropolis on the planet.
For a metropolis break on a funds, head to the energetic capital of Romania, the place you’ll uncover flamboyant buildings just like the 1100-room Palace of Parliament, stylish cafés – and the TikTok-viral spa that everybody’s speaking about. The thrill round this thermal spa has already seen an increase in guests to Bucharest.
Touted because the world’s first totally sustainable spa, Therme Bucharest attracts on Europe’s lengthy historical past of mineral bathing and presents thermal swimming pools, saunas, and hydrotherapy amenities.
However as soon as you’ve got received your wellness repair, head to Cişmigiu Backyard for boating and blooms, the Museum of Modern Artwork for eclectic artworks, or browse Romanian meals stalls within the Outdated City.
Looking for coastal climes? Neglect Peloponnese, head to Vlorë
For a sun-soaked escape with out the crowds, Vlorë in Albania presents the identical Mediterranean local weather, clear Ionian waters, and historic attraction as its Greek coastal counterparts.
Located on the Albanian Riviera, Vlorë is a rising vacation spot teeming with recent seafood, seafront bars, and boutique stays at a fraction of the price. Albania is ranked amongst Europe’s most reasonably priced journey locations).
Spend the day on the quiet shores of Narta or Zvernec Seaside, or take a ship to the Karaburun Peninsula for secluded coves that rival Greece’s finest seashores. Within the night, discover Vlorë’s historic centre, the place Ottoman structure meets a rising meals and nightlife scene.
Pour over craft brews in Wrocław as a substitute of Munich
Love Munich’s beer halls and grand structure? The historic metropolis of Wrocław in Poland delivers the same mix of bar tradition and nightlife.
Its picturesque market sq. is lined with vibrant Gothic and Baroque facades that rival Bavaria’s attraction, whereas town’s dynamic pub scene makes it a super vacation spot for ale lovers.
Wrocław is house to Poland’s oldest brewery, and with pints costing a fraction of Munich’s Oktoberfest charges, your euros (or złoty) go a lot additional. Skip the crowds of Hofbräuhaus and seize a native craft brew in any of town’s many historic ‘piwnicas’ (cellar bars).
There’s additionally a thriving artwork scene and a captivating community of islands and bridges crisscrossing the Oder River to find, too!
Neglect Dubrovnik – you’ll be able to as a substitute get misplaced in medieval Montenegro
For a extra relaxed different to Croatia’s medieval attraction and Adriatic views, take into account heading to Montenegro’s coastal city of Kotor, which presents strikingly related surroundings.
This UNESCO-listed city is a maze of cobbled streets, Venetian-era palaces, and café-lined squares, whereas its historic fortress partitions and waterfront setting really feel as cinematic as Dubrovnik.
Past the previous city, the bay’s fjord-like panorama is ideal for boat journeys and kayaking. You may additionally prefer to discover close by Perast, a postcard-perfect village full of church buildings and palaces.
For a ‘fairytale’ vacation, swap Bruges for Český Krumlov
If you happen to’re drawn to Bruges’ medieval squares and canals, then take into account Český Krumlov (pronounced ‘tcheski krumlof’), which has the same ‘fairytale city’ vibe.
This small UNESCO-listed Czech city encompasses a maze of cobbled streets, vibrant homes, and historic structure. That is all wrapped across the scenic Vltava River and dominated by its spectacular Thirteenth-century fort. You may go to the fort advanced, which features a uncommon and beautifully-preserved Baroque theatre.
Wander across the previous city’s winding alleys, and also you’ll occur amongst intriguing galleries and cafés, very similar to you’ll in Bruges however with fewer vacationers. Or, you’ll be able to take a ship journey down the river, passing below stone bridges and previous the city’s lovely, unspoiled views.
