Our 2018 Emerging Destinations in Europe

Originally published October 26, 2017

I’ve asked some of the world’s best travel bloggers to give me their picks for the best emerging spots in Europe for 2018.

And I told them to throw all the boring picks in the garbage (Paris? puhleez. Staying in London? #beentheredonethat. Budapest? Sure, that was a underrated destination … in 2008).

What did they pick? Well, you’ll have to read on. But here’s a hint:

Star Wars fans are going to love #4.

So whether you’re backpacking Europe or traveling in luxury, if you’re the kind of traveler who likes to blaze your own path, read on because Europe has a lot more to offer than just the tried-and-true cities, or overrun islands like Santorini and Ibiza.

Emerging European Destinations for 2018

1) Svalbard, Norway

Halfway between the North Pole and mainland Norway sits Svalbard, an archipelago of mountains and fjords. In the world’s northernmost city, Longyearbyen, the colorful wooden houses stand out against the white backdrop of glaciers and frozen tundra.

During the Winter, witness the magic of the Northern Lights, but in Summer, bask under the midnight sun. After a day of hiking, kayaking or exploring the islands by boat, a cozy fire awaits you.

With no roads outside the main settlements, snow scooter and dog sled are the preferred methods of transport and are both exhilarating ways to take in the landscape.

Spot polar bears, reindeer, walruses, whales, arctic fox and a menagerie of Arctic birds (but you won’t see any cats here; they’re prohibited to protect the bird population!). A truly magical and unspoiled destination, ideal for travelers looking for an unforgettable adventure in a location like no other.
-Joss from Little Green Globetrotter

Related Reading: The 5 Best Travel Backpacks for Europe

2) Georgia

Georgia may well be the best destination on the entire planet for next year. Just check out the incredible places to visit in Georgia and see if you can resist the urge to book tickets.

With a mild climate, a welcoming culture dating to the days of the Silk Road, and gorgeous landscapes, Georgia offers adventurers endless opportunities. City slickers, meanwhile, will feel at home in Tbilisi, where a burgeoning food scene and pulsating nightlife lights up the charming old town every evening.

You know what else?

Georgia will celebrate the centennial of its independence from the Russian empire. This year will also mark a decade since the short but violent conflict with Russia that helped suppress tourism to this Caucasian country. But with stability returning and the Georgian economy in full gear, it is poised for another year of dramatically increasing tourism numbers. The country, especially outside the capital and tourist hub of Tbilisi, is still relatively unspoiled, however, meaning that now is the time to visit Georgia before the crowds inevitably arrive en masse!

3) Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia is often overlooked by tourists. But this small capital city has so much to offer, that it’s only a matter of time before it secures a spot on the tourist maps. Situated on the Ljubljanica river, it’s a delightful city that’s perfect for just wandering around.

Ljubljana is packed with chilled-out cafes and laid-back restaurants, where you can sit back and watch the world pass by. Its architecture is a mix of baroque facades, twentieth-century buildings, and Plecnik-designed bridges that cross the river. Ljubljana is so small that you can easily cover it all by foot in a single day. Plus, it’s the perfect base for hiking, exploring, or rafting in the Slovenia countryside. With direct flights now available from major European capitals, Ljubliana will likely become much more popular, so be sure to check it out soon.
-Cindy from Free Two Roam

4) San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Spain

The hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe in Spain‘s Basque country has a name that is not easy to remember. So even if you adore the views of the tiny chapel on a rocky outcrop that is connected to the mainland by a spectacular zig-zag staircase, you probably won’t remember the name. That’s probably one of the reasons why it has so far enjoyed a life of relative obscurity.

This is until the hit show Game of Thrones came along a couple of months ago to use the stunning location as a backdrop for one of the most important sites of the show: Dragonstone. So be it the amazing scenery or the connection to Game of Thrones, you can be sure that 2018 will see record numbers of visitors to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe as people will want to experience this beautiful place for themselves.
-Silke from Happiness and Things 

👉 Related Guides: Best Places to Travel in Spain

5) Losinj Island, Croatia

Located in Croatia in the north part of Adriatic sea, Losinj Island and its main town Mali Losinj hold some of the most vivid landscapes in Croatian seaside. Its popularity dates to 1910. when Austria proclaimed that region as an “air spa” location on the sea. Today you can enjoy nice rocky beaches with crystal clear water.

Losinj Island is surrounded by a few extremely nice small islands, and one of them, named Susak, offers an incredible sandy beach. The road from Rijeka to here is very good, so it is easy to visit. And, while high season in Mali Losinj is from June to August, a lot of locals think that September is the most beautiful month to visit.
-Milos from Putuj.rs (Croatian language travel blog) 

6) Bulgaria

Bulgaria is one of those countries you probably hear about from time to time but still have no idea what is all about. Well, it is everything you could wish for – splendid nature, gorgeous mountains, pristine beaches, diverse cultural and historical sites, irresistible cuisine, kind people and affordable prices, of course. It doesn’t take much to fall in love in Bulgaria and the desire to come back as soon as possible will hit you on your second day in the country.

Visiting Bulgaria has never been easier or more rewarding than it is right now. The most affordable prices in Europe, the abundance of tourist attractions, the vibrant cultural and religious traditions, as well as the accessibility of the small Eastern European country, make Bulgaria an all-year-round perfect tourist destination.

From the high mountains to the Black Sea beaches and rugged cliffs, from the vibrant fusion in the capital city Sofia to the Thracian temple ruins in the Valley of the Kings, from the rich traditions to the delectable dishes, Bulgaria has it all. If you’re searching for an authentic experience at an affordable price, now is the right time to visit.
-Naddya from NTripping & Maria from Travelling Buzz

Read Our Other Emerging Destinations by Continent

• Australia’s 2018 Winners
• South America’s 2018 Winners
• North America’s 2018 Winners
• Asia’s 2018 Winners
• Africa’s 2018 Winners