The most underrated countries in Europe: where to plan your next vacation

The openness of borders and affordable flights have played a cruel joke on some European countries - there are now more tourists than locals. At the same time, many interesting destinations remain out of sight.

The Mirror has compiled a list of 21 underrated locations in Europe specifically for travelers who don't know where to go to escape the crowds. There is a lot to see here, but for some reason people still don't know about it.

Ulcinj, Montenegro - the town has an impressive coastline and a very interesting cafe culture.

Aarhus, Denmark - the university city in Jutland is adored for its attractive cobblestone streets and positive outlook on life in the "hygge" style.

Gerês, Portugal - The Peneda Gerês National Park is a beautiful corner of Portugal that is home to thousands of species of animals, including roe deer, wild garrano ponies, wolves, and birds of prey.

Gozo, Malta - There are two smaller islands off Malta, Comino and Gozo, both are worth a visit, but Gozo boasts some truly spectacular sights.

Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland - Travelers shouldn't miss this pearl of Iceland, as you can visit impressive caves, explore local volcanoes and admire the exhibits of the Eldheimar Museum.

Plovdiv, Bulgaria - this city has a wonderful collection of historical monuments, as well as an incredibly luxurious network of cobblestone streets.

Levi, Finnish Lapland - if you want to see the world's cleanest snow, then this is the place to go, and Levi boasts a great ski slope.

Bergen, Norway - this clean and cool city is located in close proximity to beautiful nature, making it ideal for hiking enthusiasts.

Cluj-Napoca, Romania - the largest city in Transylvania has a strong case for being named the most interesting city in Romania, as its center is called a real open-air museum.

Emilia-Romagna, Italy - some call this region the best in the country, with Ravenna alone having eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as culinary centers such as Modena, Parma, and Bologna.

Tartu, Estonia - this city is called the creative and intellectual center of the entire Baltic States.

Extremadura, Spain - the western region of Extremadura is not visited so often, but it is here that you can see Berean pigs roaming the forests, as well as really interesting architecture.

Faroe Islands - Here sheep graze right on the roads, pyramidal hilltops invite hiking, and seabirds, seals, and whales are a common sight along the coastline.

Vilnius, Lithuania - If you're ready to discover Vilnius's fascinating and often tumultuous history, start at Gediminas Hill, which overlooks the Old Town. Then you should walk down to the dazzling Dawn Gate, which is a reminder of the time of the Catholicization of Lithuania after its unification with Poland.

Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina - foodies will find happiness in the numerous restaurants serving local cuisine, and the vacation is very cheap.

Imotski Lazy, Croatia - tourists come here to swim in the Blue Lake (Modro Jezero), a deep sinkhole whose blue waters reach 90 meters deep in spring, but become very shallow in summer.

Dordrecht, the Netherlands - a medieval harbor located on a wide bend of the Oude Maas River, looks like a location from some interesting game, here you will feel the true spirit of Holland.

Landes, France - about 65% of the department in the southwest of France is made up of maritime pines, but there are also more than 100 km of Atlantic coastline and several large lakes, so outdoor enthusiasts are offered surfing, kitesurfing, boarding and kayaking.

The Isles of Scilly, UK are a secluded archipelago off the coast of Cornwall, easily accessible by Skybus from Lands End to enjoy unspoiled nature.

Pamukkale, Turkey - Travelers can swim in impressive travertine pools and hike and visit the ruins of Roman monuments.

Ponza, Italy - this rocky island allows you to admire natural pools, dive into ancient grottoes, and sunbathe on sandy beaches. Of course, there is also something for seafood lovers.

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