Heading to Europe for summer vacation? You’re certainly not the only one. In 2023, more than 700 million people visited the continent, many of whom booked trips during the peak summer season.
Instead of fighting your way through the hordes at Europe’s most popular vacation destinations, you can visit more under-the-radar locales for a less crowded — and likely less expensive — experience.
To help you find some inspiration for your next European adventure, we’ve put together this list of destination dupes for some of the region’s top vacation spots.
Keep in mind that many of these alternative destinations aren’t total unknowns. Europeans are savvy travelers, so they’re probably already familiar with many of these places. Nor are they perfect copies of the spots they’re standing in for.
But if we’ve encouraged you to take a trip somewhere you might not have been familiar with, we’ll consider our job done. Here are 11 great destination dupes in Europe for your trips this summer and beyond.
French Riviera dupe: Portugal’s Alentejo Zambujeira do Mar, Alentejo, Portugal. ALEXANDER SPATARI/GETTY IMAGES
If you’re seeking dramatic coastlines, picturesque villages and a touch of luxury this summer, give Portugal’s Alentejo region a try. Located between Lisbon and the Algarve, the Alentejo has breathtaking landscapes both along the sea and inland, and it’s dotted with both historic sites and nature preserves.
Visit the capital city of Evora, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to step back in time to the 15th century, when it was home to the Portuguese royal family. (Use points to stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Evora starting at $74 or 22,000 points per night.) Or if wildlife viewing is your vacation activity of choice, make for the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve and bring your binoculars for both birds and dolphins.
The Alentejo is also home to chic Comporta, the Portuguese beach haven known to attract tastemakers from around the world each summer. Consider it akin to the Hamptons, without the overwhelming crowds. Book a stay at the luxe Quinta da Comporta (rates start at $262 per night), a boutique hotel by architect and designer Miguel Cancio Martins on the site of a former rice farm.
Swiss Alps dupe: Italy’s Dolomites Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the Dolomites. DANIEL GARRIDO/GETTY IMAGES
Yes, the Dolomites might technically be part of the Alps, but there’s still a shift when you cross the border between Switzerland and Italy. First off, vacationing in the Dolomites tends to be cheaper than vacationing in the Swiss Alps. And the culture and geology are different here, too, with the region having its own language (Ladin) and dolomitic limestone rock formations not found elsewhere in the Alps.
In terms of summer mountain activities, hiking trails abound, but you can also take cable cars to the summits of several peaks, including Marmolada, the region’s tallest mountain at just shy of 11,000 feet. The ultra-adventurous might be interested in climbing a via ferrata, or “iron road,” the assisted climbing routes that originated here in the Dolomites.
Don’t miss the Alpine lakes here, either. Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee) might be the most famous — and thus the most crowded — but other equally beautiful options include Lago di Landro (Durrensee) and Lago di Misurina.
As for where to stay, Cortina d’Ampezzo is the luxury resort town in the region; its grande dame is Cristallo (rates start at $430 per night). Make a reservation at Tivoli or SanBrite, two Michelin-starred restaurants in town.
Lake Como dupe: Lake Bled in Slovenia Bled Castle and St. Martin’s Parish Church in Bled Slovenia on the edge of Lake Bled in the Julian Alps. DEB SNELSON/GETTY IMAGES
We love Lake Como as much as the next person, but for travelers on a budget there’s an incredible dupe in Slovenia: Lake Bled. There might not be palazzi lining its shores, but with the clifftop Bled Castle and the postcard-perfect church on Bled Island, you’ll still feel as if you’re in a real-life fairy-tale setting.
Lake Bled is only a fraction of the size of Lake Como, which means it’s easy to circumnavigate, whether you plan on hiking the trails surrounding it or renting a boat or even a stand-up paddleboard. And when you’re ready to relax, the region is known for its thermal spas.
For a Como-like grand hotel, book the Grand Hotel Toplice (from $234 per night), located just on the outskirts of the town of Bled, or the Vila Bled (contact the hotel directly for rates), a former presidential residence with a great view of the church.
Stockholm dupe: Tallinn, Estonia St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral at the Old Town in Tallinn, Estonia. TUOMAS A. LEHTINEN/GETTY IMAGES
For a smaller, more affordable city break in Northern Europe, skip Stockholm and opt for Tallinn, Estonia. With a population about half that of Stockholm’s, Tallinn feels far less crowded (except on days when cruise ships dock), but it still offers plenty of historic sites — its medieval Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and even Michelin-starred dining spots such as 180° by Matthias Diether and NOA Chef’s Hall.
For a taste of contemporary Tallinn, you’ll want to visit Telliskivi Creative City, a former industrial complex that now houses galleries, shops and restaurants. Pop by the Junimperium Distillery, the first in Estonia to open for public tours.
As for where to stay, the Schlossle Hotel (rates from $458 per night) is perhaps the most luxurious stay in town — the late Queen Elizabeth II stayed here in 2006 — and points-lovers might opt for the Hilton Tallinn Park (rates from $101 or 25,000 points per night), built in 2016.
Bordeaux dupe: Priorat, Spain Escaladei Monastery in Priorat, Spain. TIM E. WHITE/GETTY IMAGES
Europe has no shortage of fabulous wine regions, but many of the best-known can get a little crowded, especially in the summer and during harvest in the fall. So why not try something a little different, such as the under-the-radar Catalan region of Priorat?
The small wine-making powerhouse some two hours outside Barcelona by car is known for its full-bodied reds, and it’s one of only two regions in Spain to receive the country’s top DOCa classification (you’ve probably heard of the other: Rioja). While each winery is worthy of a visit, make sure to tour Clos Mogador by René Barbier, one of the producers who spearheaded Priorat’s revival in the late 20th century.
One of the newest hotels in Priorat is the 24-suite Gran Hotel Mas d’en Bruno (rates from $460 or 34,000 Hyatt points per night), surrounded by vineyards. Other top options — both part of wineries — include the Terra Domincata Hotel & Winery (rates from $280 per night) and Trossos del Priorat, a seven-room hotel available for buyouts starting at around $1,100 per night.
Amsterdam dupe: Gdansk, Poland Moltawa River flowing through Gdansk’s Old Town with old ship crane Zuraw. PAVEL TOCHINSKY/GETTY IMAGES
Gdansk shares more in common with Amsterdam than you might expect. Both maritime cities belonged to the Hanseatic League — they traded frequently through the medieval era and thus shared both goods and even architectural styles. After suffering damage during World War II, the city was rebuilt in a way that honored its Hanseatic roots, including colorful buildings that resemble Amsterdam’s canal houses throughout its Old Town.
Some of Gdansk’s more unusual points of interest include the Solidarity Sights and Gdansk Shipyard, a history museum dedicated to the national movement that contributed to the end of communism in Poland, and the Museum of Amber, which shares why the city is known as the world capital of amber. (It’s located in a former fortress complex that’s also home to a medieval torture chamber.)
Many of the Amsterdam-like buildings are home to boutique hotels, including the Holland House Residence Old Town Gdansk (rates from $75 per night), Gotyk House (rates from $100 per night) and Liberum (rates from $80 per night). If you’d like to book with points, consider the Hilton Gdansk (rates from $105 or 30,000 points per night).
Greek isles dupe: The Albanian Riviera Ksamil area of the Albanian Riviera. ASCENTXMEDIA/GETTY IMAGES
The Albanian Riviera might not be as well-kept a secret as it once was, but it’s certainly more affordable than many destinations in Greece.
If you’re after a Mykonos-style scene with beaches and nightlife, Ksamil and Dhermi are the spots you want. La Brisa Boutique Hotel (rates from $189 per night) in Dhermi has a rooftop pool and is near all the action. For something a little more laid-back — prime for both family vacations and romantic getaways — Himare might be your preference. The polished Miamar Hotel (rates from $180 per night) is right on the beach.
Off the beach, venture inland to Syri i Kalter, a gorgeous natural spring, or to the seaside city of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for an Athens-like ambience. And for a stay that combines city life and beaches, make for the unofficial capital of the Albanian Riviera, Sarande.
Berlin dupe: Leipzig, Germany Paddling down the inner-city canals in Leipzig, Germany. TOM WERNER/GETTY IMAGES
Just two hours by car or 75 minutes by train from Berlin, Leipzig provides a taste of the independent spirit Berlin is known for with smaller crowds and cheaper prices.
Like Berlin, Leipzig is known for music. It has a notable classical history: Wagner was born here, and luminaries like Bach, Mendelssohn and Mahler worked here. These days it also has an electronic and techno scene, best enjoyed at clubs like Institut fur Zukunft or Elipamanoke.
As for history, you’ll want to visit the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, commemorating the defeat of Napoleon in Leipzig in 1813. Other main historic sites include the St. Nicholas Church (Nikolaikirche) and St. Thomas Church (Thomaskirche), where Bach is buried.
For a historic stay, book the Hotel Furstenhof Leipzig (closed until September, when rates start at $105 per night), originally opened in 1889, or for something more modern, try the Westin Leipzig (rates from $108 or 19,500 Marriott points per night).
Iceland dupe: The Isle of Skye, Scotland Portree, Isle of Skye. CRISTI MIHART/GETTY IMAGES
The Isle of Skye may not have active volcanoes like Iceland, though it does have ancient ones: The craggy Cuillin Hills are what remain of a long-quiet range. In addition to wind-swept volcanic landscapes (don’t miss the iconic Old Man of Storr rock formation), you’ll also find postcard-worthy villages.
Though outdoor activities might be the main focus on the Isle of Skye, it has an impressive dining scene, too. Take Loch Bay on the Waternish Peninsula, for instance, which has a Michelin star. The fine-dining restaurant might have an unassuming exterior, but its dishes are works of art, blending Scottish cuisine with French touches.
While you won’t find any cities on the Isle of Skye, there are still plenty of hotels, from Kinloch Lodge Hotel & Restaurant (rates from $740 per night), which has been in the owner’s family since the 16th century, to the little boutique Bosville Hotel (rates from $390) in the center of Portree, the island’s capital and main village (population just north of 2,000).
Ibiza dupe: Budva, Montenegro Santa Maria in Punta Church seen in the Old Town part of Budva. WELLSIE82/GETTY IMAGES
Skip the overcrowded Balearic Islands for the less-visited Montenegrin coast, where you’ll find the nightlife-laden destination of Budva, a dupe for Ibiza. (Budva is also a dupe for Dubrovnik; its walled Old Town is filled to the brim with orange-roofed buildings.)
Budva has quite the diversity of beaches, from the sandy stretches of picturesque Sveti Stefan, where part of the beach is private for guests of Aman Sveti Stefan (the hotel is expected to reopen soon, though rates are not available), to the boardwalk-lined Slovenska Plaza to the remote beaches of Sveti Nikola Island. Some of the beaches are great for nightlife, too, including Jaz Beach and Ploce Beach. But you’ll also find plenty to keep you occupied throughout town, from nightclubs to resort pool parties.
For some of the best views, book a stay at Iberostar Slavija (rates from $270 per night), which has a rooftop infinity pool. For easy beach access, book the Hotel Montenegro Beach Resort (rates from $140 per night).
Camino de Santiago dupe: The Gudbrandsdalsleden Nidaros Cathedral in the city of Trondheim, Norway. SAIKO3P/GETTY IMAGES
The iconic Camino de Santiago isn’t Europe’s only pilgrimage route. Up in Norway, the St. Olav Ways are a collection of nine routes to Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, used since the Middle Ages. Given Norway’s climate, it’s best to undertake this pilgrimage in the summer, lest you face harsh winter conditions.
The main route is the 400-mile Gudbrandsdalsleden, which connects Oslo and Trondheim and is Norway’s longest official hiking trail. The well-marked route travels through cities, along lakes, through forests and up to a top elevation of around 4,000 feet in the Dovrefjell mountains. All in, it should take anywhere from four to five weeks to make the entire trek, though you can easily complete portions of it at a time.
Along the way are numerous hostels, campsites and cabins for pilgrims, but we recommend treating yourself to a luxury hotel in both Oslo and Trondheim. In Oslo, stay at the posh 122-room Amerikalinjen (rates from $325 per night); in Trondheim, stay at the historic Britannia Hotel (rates from $322 per night).