# What are the most underrated places to visit in Europe? > Underrated places in Europe for 2027: Berat, Gjirokastër and Theth in Albania, Durmitor, Sibiu, Kutná Hora, Eger and Tokaj, Osijek and Šibenik, and Asturias. - Source: https://clevertourists.com/resources/underrated-places-to-visit-in-europe - Authors: Evan & Clara, Clever Tourists (first-hand, from years of travel across 20 countries) - Published: 2026-09-27 - Last updated: 2026-10-29 **The most underrated places in Europe, from our route, are Albania's Berat, Gjirokastër and Theth, Montenegro's Durmitor mountains, Transylvania's Sibiu and Cluj, the Czech towns of Kutná Hora and Pilsen, Hungary's Eger and Tokaj, Croatia's Osijek and Šibenik, and Spain's Asturias.** Each is a short hop from a famous name (Dubrovnik, Kotor, Prague, Budapest, Bilbao) and gets a fraction of its visitors. We spent 31 days in Albania, 22 in Montenegro, 22 in Romania, 17 in Croatia, 17 in the Czech Republic and 11 in Hungary in 2022 and 2023, so every pick here is a place we stayed, not one we read about. Underrated does not mean empty or free of catches, so each comes with the season, the 2027 detail and the thing that is not easy. If cost is your main filter, our [cheapest places to travel in Europe in 2027](https://clevertourists.com/resources/cheapest-places-to-travel-in-europe-2027) ranks countries by daily budget; this list ranks places by how much they give back for how few people go. ## The nine, and the famous place each one is near • **Berat and Gjirokastër, Albania:** Ottoman towns, a few hours from Tirana and the Riviera. • **Theth, Albania:** the Albanian Alps, north of Shkodër. • **Žabljak and Durmitor, Montenegro:** mountains two to three hours inland from Kotor. • **Sibiu and Cluj-Napoca, Romania:** Transylvania without Bran Castle's coach tours. • **Kutná Hora and Pilsen, Czech Republic:** under an hour or two from Prague. • **Eger and Tokaj, Hungary:** wine towns northeast of Budapest. • **Osijek and Šibenik, Croatia:** the parts of Croatia that are not Dubrovnik or Split. • **Asturias, Spain:** the green north coast, west of Bilbao. For famous places that are still worth the crowds, see [best places to visit in Europe in 2027](https://clevertourists.com/resources/best-places-to-visit-in-europe). ## Albania and Montenegro **1. Berat and Gjirokastër, Albania.** Two UNESCO-listed Ottoman towns of stone houses climbing to castles. Berat's castle costs 300 lekë and Gjirokastër's 400 lekë, both cash only (see [Berat](https://clevertourists.com/resources/berat-city-of-a-thousand-windows-guide) and [Gjirokastër Castle](https://clevertourists.com/resources/gjirokaster-castle-tickets-old-town-guide)). The 2027 detail: Albania is outside Schengen, so days here do not count toward your 90 in 180, and the rebuilt Tirana to Durrës railway with an airport branch is targeted by Albanian authorities for the end of 2027, after years of delay. The catch: buses are furgons (shared minibuses) with loose timetables, and central Tirana saw violent protests in October 2026, so check our [Albania safety guide](https://clevertourists.com/resources/is-albania-safe-to-visit-tourist-guide). We spent 3 days in each town in September and October 2023. **2. Theth, Albania.** A village in the Accursed Mountains, now reached on the paved SH21 road over the 1,700 m Thore pass (see [getting to Theth](https://clevertourists.com/resources/how-to-get-to-theth-albania-road-conditions-and-furgons)). Guesthouse and hiking sources put the reliable trail season at mid-June to late September, with snow possible in May and October and most guesthouses shut in winter. The catch: the Valbona pass hike is 6 to 8 hours and the weather turns fast. We spent 3 days in Theth from 13 September 2023; see [Theth](https://clevertourists.com/guides/theth) and [how many days in Theth](https://clevertourists.com/resources/how-many-days-in-theth). **3. Žabljak and Durmitor, Montenegro.** A mountain town at about 1,450 m, base for Black Lake, the Bobotov Kuk summit and the P14 panoramic road. Summer days at that altitude are mild, with average highs in the low 20s °C in July and August, and the town is a small ski base in winter. The catch: the roads in are narrow and slow, and Durmitor's weather changes within an hour. See [how many days in Žabljak](https://clevertourists.com/resources/how-many-days-in-zabljak) and [the P14 drive](https://clevertourists.com/resources/durmitor-p14-panoramic-road-sedlo-pass-montenegro-drive). We spent 3 days in Žabljak and 2 in Nikšić in August and September 2023; for the coast without Kotor's cruise crowds, see [Stari Bar](https://clevertourists.com/guides/stari-bar) and [Ulcinj](https://clevertourists.com/guides/ulcinj). ## Romania, the Czech Republic and Hungary **4. Sibiu and Cluj-Napoca, Romania.** Sibiu is a Saxon town of squares and roof 'eyes'; Cluj is Transylvania's student city, near the Salina Turda salt mine. The 2027 date is the Sibiu International Theatre Festival, **18 to 27 June 2027**. Late May to June and September are Romania's best months, around 20 to 27 °C, per our [best time to visit Romania](https://clevertourists.com/resources/best-time-to-visit-romania). From Deva, Corvin Castle in Hunedoara is 18 km away ([Corvin Castle](https://clevertourists.com/resources/corvin-castle-hunedoara-tickets-hours-from-deva-guide)). The catch: trains between Transylvanian towns are cheap and slow, and Romania is in Schengen, so the days count. We spent 3 days in Cluj, 3 in Deva and 2 in Sibiu in October 2022; see [Sibiu](https://clevertourists.com/guides/sibiu) and [Cluj-Napoca](https://clevertourists.com/guides/cluj-napoca). **5. Kutná Hora and Pilsen, Czech Republic.** Kutná Hora has the Sedlec Ossuary and St Barbara's, about 50 to 55 minutes from Prague by direct train. The ossuary now needs a timed ticket booked ahead (220 CZK (≈ $10.1)) and bans photography, and it is a place of burial, so keep voices down ([Kutná Hora day trip](https://clevertourists.com/resources/kutna-hora-day-trip-from-prague-train-bone-church-guide)). Pilsen is where pale lager was first brewed, in 1842 ([what to eat in Pilsen](https://clevertourists.com/resources/what-to-eat-in-pilsen)). May, early June and September give highs of about 18 to 24 °C. The catch: both are often done as rushed day trips; a night in each is better. We spent 2 days in each in late September and early October 2022, plus 3 in Hřensko in Bohemian Switzerland ([Hřensko](https://clevertourists.com/guides/hrensko)). **6. Eger and Tokaj, Hungary.** Eger has the castle, the baroque centre and the cellars of the Valley of the Beautiful Women; Tokaj is the sweet-wine village on the river. The catch: if you drive, Hungary's motorways need an e-vignette bought before you join them (5,550 HUF (≈ $16.9) for a day in 2026; see [the e-matrica guide](https://clevertourists.com/resources/hungary-e-matrica-vignette-tourist-guide)), and Tokaj's public transport is thin. Autumn is harvest season. We spent 3 days in each in October 2022, after Budapest; see [Eger](https://clevertourists.com/guides/eger) and [day trips from Budapest](https://clevertourists.com/resources/day-trips-from-budapest). ## Croatia and Spain **7. Osijek and Šibenik, Croatia.** Osijek is a Habsburg river city in Slavonia with a star-shaped fortress quarter, far from the coast's prices. Šibenik is a medieval stone town on the coast with Krka National Park next door. The 2027 detail is Krka's pricing: €40 (≈ $45) for adults from June to September (€30 (≈ $33) after 15:00), €20 (≈ $22) in April, May and October, €7 (≈ $7.8) in winter ([Krka from Šibenik](https://clevertourists.com/resources/krka-national-park-from-sibenik-tickets-guide)). Late May to June and September are the coast's best months, per our [best time to visit Croatia](https://clevertourists.com/resources/best-time-to-visit-croatia). The catch: Osijek is inland and hot in August, and well off the Zagreb to Split line. We spent 3 days in Osijek and 2 in Šibenik in August 2023; see [Osijek](https://clevertourists.com/guides/osijek). **8. Asturias, Spain.** Oviedo, Gijón and the Picos de Europa: cider houses, green hills and a coast that stays cooler than the south in summer. 2027 is a Xacobeo holy year, and Oviedo is the start of the Camino Primitivo, so expect more pilgrims than usual, especially around 25 July. The catch: the road to the Lakes of Covadonga is closed to private cars on regulated days (in 2026, daily from 1 June to 18 October), and you take the shuttle bus from Cangas de Onís (see [Covadonga restrictions](https://clevertourists.com/resources/lagos-de-covadonga-bus-car-restrictions-guide)). Rain is part of why it is green. We spent 3 days in Oviedo, 2 in Gijón and 1 in Poncebos in July 2022; see [Poncebos](https://clevertourists.com/guides/poncebos). **9. Spain's Rioja, as a bonus.** Logroño's tapas streets and the wine village of Laguardia are under two hours by road from Bilbao and see a fraction of San Sebastián's visitors. We spent 4 days in Logroño in July 2022; see [Laguardia](https://clevertourists.com/guides/laguardia). ## How to string them together The Balkan three are one route: Dubrovnik to Kotor, inland to Durmitor, south to Shkodër and Theth, then Tirana, Berat and Gjirokastër. Our [Balkans road trip itinerary](https://clevertourists.com/resources/balkans-road-trip-itinerary-croatia-montenegro-albania) and [Albania in two weeks](https://clevertourists.com/resources/albania-itinerary-2-weeks-theth-tirana-riviera-berat) lay it out, and [driving across Balkan borders](https://clevertourists.com/resources/driving-across-balkan-borders-croatia-montenegro-albania) covers the crossings. Late May to June and September suit the whole loop. Central Europe works as a rail line: Prague, Kutná Hora, Budapest, Eger and Tokaj, then into Romania at Oradea for Cluj and Sibiu. That is the order we travelled in autumn 2022. Our [collection of underrated cities](https://clevertourists.com/guides/collection-underrated-cities) has more. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the most underrated country in Europe? From our route, Albania: Berat, Gjirokastër and Theth give old towns and mountains to rival Croatia and Montenegro, it is outside Schengen, and it is among the cheapest countries in Europe. ### When is the best time to visit Theth? Mid-June to late September, when the trails are reliably clear. Snow is possible in May and October and most guesthouses close in winter. ### Is Kutná Hora worth a day trip from Prague? Yes. Direct trains take about 50 to 55 minutes. Book the Sedlec Ossuary's timed ticket (220 CZK (≈ $10.1)) ahead, and note photography is not allowed inside. ### Do days in Albania and Montenegro count toward the Schengen 90 days? No. Both are outside Schengen. Croatia and Romania are inside, so days there count.