If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of tour groups with umbrellas and loudspeakers and still go on vacation in Europe, you will find orientation in a Eurostat evaluation: It shows the least visited European vacation destinations. Falstaff TRAVEL presents the 10 countries that are not overrun by tourism.
Overcrowded hotspots, long queues, overpriced restaurants and annoyed locals are often the result of mass tourism. Many European countries such as Italy, Spain, France and Greece can tell you a (sad) tale of this experience. According to a recent analysis by the travel portal "Rivieratravel" based on Eurostat surveys, vacations in Europe are also possible away from the crowds.
Falstaff TRAVEL presents the 10 vacation destinations worth traveling to where few tourists spend the night.
The report is based on the number of overnight stays recorded in 2024 - the figures for 2025 are not yet available. This clearly shows countries that have been underutilized by tourists in recent years. By comparison, a popular vacation destination such as Greece recorded around 505 million overnight stays in 2024, while the least frequented destination recorded just under 230,000.
The countries all score with cultural highlights, an exciting culinary scene or beautiful nature. Time to introduce them in more detail.
10th place: Serbia (with 12.66 million overnight stays)
Serbia is increasingly becoming a hotspot for wine lovers. With great commitment and impressive dynamism, winegrowers in the Balkan state are focusing on quality and diversity. The Serbian capital Belgrade has also blossomed into a vibrant party metropolis and is becoming the focus of night owls. Hardly any other metropolis can match the electrifying energy that Belgrade radiates after sunset - whether in clubs on old Danube ships, in bars with live music or at spontaneous street parties that go on until the early hours of the morning.
9th place: Malta (11.32 million overnight stays)
Malta, together with the neighboring islands of Gozo and Comino, is one of the undiscovered jewels in the Mediterranean. But the islands don't just impress with their nature and charm; Malta also conquers the palates of gourmet travelers. Maltese cuisine is as diverse as the country's 7000-year history. Fresh fish such as perch, swordfish, tuna or octopus meet regional products, aromatic herbs and high-quality olive oil. Five restaurants have been awarded Michelin stars, including the "Under Grain", "Noni" and "ION - The Harbour" in Valletta, the "De Mondion" in Mdina and the "Bahia" in Balzan. Especially in spring and at Whitsun, Malta attracts visitors with warm temperatures and turquoise blue water.
8th place: Lithuania (8.64 million overnight stays)
Lithuania and its capital Vilnius are well worth a visit, not least because of their up-and-coming culinary scene; top-class restaurants are springing up in the capital Vilnius and elsewhere. In the small fishing port of "Ventes Ragas", for example, you can sail your own boat, spend the night in a 19th century beach hut and learn about traditional coastal fishing in the restaurant. Or you can visit the impressive "Senatoria Pasaža" in Vilnius' old town, where a quarter of the stores and restaurants offer sustainably produced food and drink. One pearl among them is the best restaurant in Lithuania - "Nineteen18".
7th place: Albania (7.44 million overnight stays)
In recent years, Albania has developed from an insider tip to an exciting alternative to classic Mediterranean destinations.
A Falstaff TRAVEL recommendation: near the quaint Ottoman stone arch bridge Katiu, eight naturally warm springs bubble up directly in the Lengarica River in Bënjë. Nestled in the beautiful natural surroundings of Albania - near Përmet, the "City of Roses" - you will get to know the country from its most relaxed side. Tirana, the lively capital of Albania, is a city in transition that impresses with its colorful mix of culture, history and modern energy.
Blloku, once a segregated district for the political elite, is now the heart of the nightlife with numerous bars, restaurants and clubs.
6th place: Estonia (6.64 million overnight stays)
Estonia scores with many natural beauties. But city travelers also tend to fall in love with the destination quickly. After all, its capital Tallinn is more than worth seeing: narrow streets, charming cobblestones and medieval city walls are popular photo motifs. Gourmets are now following nature lovers and sightseeing enthusiasts to the fascinating city on the Baltic Sea. It is an insider tip for foodies, partly because of its unusual restaurant concepts.
RESTAURANTGUIDE ESTONIA 2025
5th place: Montenegro (5.2 million overnight stays)
Long underestimated, Montenegro on the Adriatic is becoming one of the most exciting vacation destinations in Europe. Montenegro's nature is surprisingly diverse: turquoise-blue water, emerald-green lakes, dense forests such as Biogradska Gora and imposing mountain landscapes invite you to go on hikes, excursions and explorations. Those who want to take a break on the beach will find the perfect place to relax in bays and exclusive resorts - including lively beach clubs for sun-seekers. Montenegro is also a gourmet destination: fresh, regional products and Mediterranean specialties are the focus in restaurants such as "Stari Mlini" or "Catovica Mlini".
4th place: Latvia (4.69 million overnight stays)
Last but not least, the Latvian capital Riga, also known as the "Pearl of the Baltics", is well worth a visit. An exciting fine dining scene has developed here in recent years. With "Vincents Restorāns", Mārtiņš Rītiņš brought excellent gourmet cuisine to Riga in the 1990s. Beyond the Eastern European roast and cabbage cliché, chefs rely on regional ingredients and like to look to Scandinavia - and to nature - for inspiration. Away from the city, travelers in Latvia will also find plenty of nature, quiet Baltic Sea beaches and hiking areas worth seeing, such as the Ķemeri National Park.
3rd place: Luxembourg (3.68 million overnight stays)
Luxembourg is an underestimated jewel of Europe. The city-state impresses with its clean infrastructure, trilingualism and short distances - perfect for a long weekend. The Grand Duchy has plenty of culinary delights to offer: from the traditional "Feierstengszalot" to exquisite chocolates in the House of Chocolate to upscale French cuisine in the two-star restaurant "Ma langue sourit", everything is on offer. Culture fans will also get their money's worth: the old town with the Grand Ducal Palace, the Bockfelsen and the cathedral are perfect for a stroll, while the modern Kirchberg district boasts museums such as the "Mudam".
2nd place: North Macedonia (2.18 million overnight stays)
North Macedonia is best known for the city of Ohrid - a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the lake of the same name, with historic churches and spectacular scenery. The capital Skopje is also worth a visit, where traditional buildings meet modern architecture. Those looking for culture, Balkan flair and relaxed vacation days without queues or tour buses will find ideal conditions in North Macedonia.
1st place: Liechtenstein (228,579 overnight stays)
Skiing at over 2000 meters, hiking in perfect summer weather - actually ideal conditions for tourists. And yet Liechtenstein remains untouched by mass tourism. At 160.5 square kilometers, the Alpine dwarf may not be the smallest state in Europe, but it attracts far fewer visitors than Monaco or San Marino. The reason: tourism plays only a minor role here. There are only 33 hotels, 63 vacation apartments, two campsites and one youth hostel - a total of around 1,357 beds. Those who set out anyway will be rewarded: winter sports enthusiasts enjoy the slopes in Malbun, hikers the pristine trails and panoramic views. Vaduz Castle, landmark and seat of government, towers above Vaduz, and wine lovers can discover more than 100 winegrowers. If you are looking for peace, alpine idyll and a little exclusivity, Liechtenstein is a real insider tip in the middle of Europe.
