More and more people come back from holiday more tired than before they left. Not because of the flight, the weather or intensive sightseeing, but because of the crowds, which in summer can effectively rob even the most beautiful place of its pleasure. That is why calmer, less obvious destinations that are still relatively free of mass tourism are growing in popularity.
Why are more and more people looking for crowd-free holidays?
Just a few years ago, for many tourists the most important thing was simply "going somewhere abroad". It did not matter whether the beach was crowded or whether you had to wait an hour for a table in a restaurant. What counted was the weather, the hotel and the photos from a popular spot. Today the approach is clearly starting to change. More and more people are looking not so much for luxury as for ordinary peace and quiet. The catch is that, at the height of the season, finding it in Europe's most besieged regions is becoming harder and harder.
In July and August many popular destinations practically stop functioning normally. Croatian towns are jammed from morning to evening, on Mallorca prices soar to levels that are absurd even for Western tourists, and in Italian resorts finding a free spot on the beach without booking in advance becomes a problem. On top of that come queues for attractions, overcrowded airports, parking difficulties and ubiquitous noise.
Social media has an enormous influence on this. A dozen or so years ago many places lived mainly off regional tourists or people genuinely interested in a given country. Today a few viral videos on TikTok or Instagram are enough for a small town to be flooded with tourists within a single season. This is particularly visible in southern Europe. Small beaches once known mainly to local residents start appearing in rankings of "hidden gems", after which they very quickly stop being hidden.
The profile of the tourist is also changing. Many people work intensively all year and do not want to spend the equivalent of several thousand euros only to fight for a spot by the hotel pool. Increasingly, what counts is the chance to genuinely rest. Silence, space, easier contact with local life and the absence of a constant sense of rush are becoming a greater value than fashionable locations from travel-agency catalogues.
This does not mean you have to give up a trip in the middle of summer altogether or choose remote places with no infrastructure. In Europe there are still destinations that, even at the height of the season, remain much calmer than the best-known holiday hits. Sometimes this is due to fewer flight connections, sometimes to more difficult access, and sometimes simply to the fact that a given place has not yet become a mass trend.
Importantly, calmer holidays do not always mean boredom. Many less crowded regions offer exactly the same as their popular competitors: beaches, good weather, great food and beautiful views. The difference lies mainly in the atmosphere. Instead of fighting for sun loungers and crowds on the promenades, you can simply slow down. And that is precisely why more and more people consciously skip the most obvious destinations.
1. Albania – still calmer than Croatia
Just a few years ago Albania was treated more as a curiosity than a fully fledged alternative for an Adriatic holiday. Today the situation looks completely different. More and more tourists are noticing that the country offers a very similar mood to Greece or Croatia, but still remains less crowded, especially away from the most Instagrammable towns.
The biggest difference is precisely in the atmosphere. In many Croatian resorts the peak season means enormous crowds, parking problems and very high prices for practically everything. Albania is still a few steps behind that stage of mass tourism. Of course there are heavily besieged places, but you can still find calmer beaches, less crowded promenades and apartments at prices that disappeared from Croatia long ago.
A big advantage of Albania is also the variety of its coast. The country is relatively small, but you can find both more party-oriented towns and quiet regions focused mainly on rest. This makes it easier to avoid the crowds than in countries where practically the entire coast has been subordinated to mass tourism. If you are weighing this kind of cheaper, calmer seaside escape, our piece on why Albania is cheaper and safer than Egypt is a useful companion read.
Where is it calmest in Albania in summer?
The biggest crowds appear, of course, in Ksamil. Photos of its beaches have regularly flooded social media for several years, which is precisely why the town in season can be far more chaotic than many people expect. The problem is not only the crowds on the beaches, but also traffic jams, a lack of parking spaces and a very rapid rise in prices.
A much calmer atmosphere can be found around Himarë and in the smaller towns further south along the Albanian coast. Family-run guesthouses, local restaurants and small apartments still operate there, without enormous hotel complexes. In many places life still runs more slowly than in the most commercial resorts of the Adriatic.
Renting a car is also a good solution. Albania does not yet have tourist infrastructure as developed as Croatia or Greece, but precisely because of this it is easier to find lesser-known beaches and calmer bays. In many regions you only need to drive a dozen or so minutes away from the main promenade for the number of tourists to drop noticeably.
You do have to remember, however, that Albania is still developing its infrastructure. Roads in some regions can be poorer than in Western Europe, public transport works unevenly, and the standard of some accommodation may differ from the photos online. For some people this will be a drawback, but for others it is exactly what keeps the country more authentic in character.
How much does a holiday in Albania cost in season?
One of the reasons for Albania's growing popularity remains its prices. Although the country gets more expensive year on year, you can still spend a holiday there noticeably more cheaply than in many of southern Europe's most besieged regions. The biggest difference is visible above all in food and accommodation.
- An apartment for two in season often costs from around €40 to €78 per night if the booking is made well in advance.
- Lunch in a local restaurant can still be had for around €8–13 per person, especially away from the most touristy promenades.
- Car rental in the middle of the season usually starts from around €31–49 a day, depending on the region and dates.
- Coffee and local breakfasts are noticeably cheaper than in Croatia, Italy or Greece.
Albania works best for people who want to combine the holiday mood of southern Europe with a slightly calmer atmosphere and a more reasonable budget. It is still not a destination ideal for everyone. If someone expects perfect infrastructure, luxury marinas and the full predictability known from Western Europe's most expensive resorts, they may feel disappointed. But for people looking for more natural, less commercialised holidays, Albania still remains one of the most interesting choices for summer.
Checked-baggage cases for a beach holiday
2. The Azores – an Atlantic holiday instead of the crowded south of Europe
The Azores are one of those destinations that completely fail to match the classic image of a midsummer holiday. There are no enormous resorts stretching for kilometres along the beach here, no huge party promenades and no temperatures exceeding 40 degrees. Instead there are green hills, volcanic lakes, fog appearing suddenly over the ocean and a calm atmosphere that resembles distant islands more than the typical south of Europe.
That is precisely why the Azores still remain far less crowded than the most popular holiday destinations. For many people the location itself is the problem. The archipelago lies far from the continent, in the middle of the Atlantic, and the number of direct flights is limited. There is also not as developed a hotel infrastructure as in Tenerife, Mallorca or the Algarve. The effect is simple: even in the middle of the season the number of tourists remains clearly smaller.
The Azores' greatest asset is nature. It is a destination for people who, more than lying by the pool all day, value trekking, viewpoints, hot springs and active rest. Many places there look more like Iceland combined with Portugal than a classic southern-European holiday. Thanks to this it is easy to find space and peace even in summer.
The climate also matters greatly. Temperatures are much milder than in Greece, Spain or southern Italy. For some this will be a drawback, but for others a huge advantage. In July or August you can usually count on around 23–27 degrees instead of extreme heat. This makes travelling around the islands simply more comfortable.
The Azores do have their own specifics, however. The weather can change very quickly, and rain is nothing unusual even in summer. This is not a destination for people expecting a guarantee of full sun every day. Some tourists may also notice the limited number of typically entertainment-oriented attractions. Evening life looks much calmer here than in the popular resorts of southern Europe.
When are there fewest tourists in the Azores?
The busiest period is, of course, July and August, but even then the situation is calmer than on most popular European islands. This is mainly due to the limited number of accommodation places and the more difficult air access. In practice this means the Azores are not able to absorb a mass number of tourists on the level of Tenerife or Crete.
For many people June is the best compromise. The weather is starting to be very pleasant, prices can be lower than at the height of the season, and tourist traffic is clearly smaller. September is also considered a great month, especially for people looking for a calmer atmosphere and more stable weather.
It is worth remembering that in the Azores, even in the middle of summer, you can come across days with fog, stronger wind or passing rain. Paradoxically, this is precisely what means the destination has not yet been completely taken over by mass beach tourism.
| Destination | Crowd level in summer | Average prices | Weather in season | Type of holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Azores | Low or moderate | Medium | Mild, changeable | Nature and active rest |
| Madeira | Moderate | Medium or higher | More stable and warmer | Sightseeing and trekking |
| Tenerife | High | Varied | Hot and sunny | Beaches and resorts |
The Azores are a great choice for people who want to rest from the crowds, noise and holiday chaos typical of the most popular resorts. It is a calmer destination, at times even austere, but precisely because of this it works exceptionally well for people looking for a genuine break from everyday life.
3. Slovenia – a calmer alternative to Italy and Croatia
Slovenia has for years stood in the shadow of its much more popular neighbours. Tourists driving south through Europe often pass through this country in transit only, treating it as a short stop on the way to Croatia or Italy. Yet precisely because of this Slovenia still remains one of the most underrated holiday destinations in Europe.
The country's greatest advantage is its variety. In a small area you can combine lakes, mountains, cities and access to the Adriatic without hours of driving. For many people the atmosphere itself also turns out to be a huge plus. Even in the middle of the season Slovenia feels calmer, more orderly and less chaotic than many of southern Europe's most besieged regions.
The way tourism developed there also matters greatly. The country focuses heavily on nature, active rest and a more intimate character of trips. Instead of enormous hotel complexes, smaller guesthouses, apartments and family-run properties dominate. Thanks to this even popular places do not feel as overwhelming as the best-known Adriatic resorts.
Slovenia is also very convenient logistically for travellers driving from central Europe. The journey takes decidedly less time than to southern Croatia, and the quality of the roads is high. For families or people who do not want to depend on expensive flights, this can be an enormous advantage.
Is it worth going to the Slovenian coast?
Slovenia has a very short stretch of coastline, which is why many people do not even realise the country has access to the Adriatic. You should not, however, expect the typical mood of the big holiday resorts known from Croatia. The seaside towns here are more intimate and urban.
The best-known place remains Piran, a small town with a very Italian feel. Narrow streets, colourful buildings and a calmer atmosphere mean the place looks more like a small town in Liguria than a classic Balkan resort. Koper, too, has a completely different character from the most party-oriented regions of the Adriatic. It is calmer, more local and far less geared towards mass tourism.
People looking for wide sandy beaches may feel unsatisfied, because the Slovenian coast is small and more rocky. If, however, what matters most to you is a calmer atmosphere, good food and the chance to combine rest by the sea with mountains or lakes, Slovenia works very well.
- A shorter drive from central Europe than to many popular regions of Croatia.
- A much calmer atmosphere even in the middle of the holidays.
- Very good road infrastructure and a high level of organisation.
- A great variety of landscapes in a small country.
- Safe and orderly cities, well prepared for independent travellers.
- Great conditions for active rest, especially trekking, cycling and water sports.
A downside can be the prices, which have risen clearly in recent years. Slovenia is no longer a budget alternative to Croatia. In many places, however, it still remains more comfortable in terms of the quality of the rest – especially for people who prefer a calmer pace and want to avoid the holiday chaos typical of the most besieged resorts.
4. Northern Portugal – a completely different atmosphere from the Algarve
Most tourists flying to Portugal choose the south of the country. The Algarve has for years been one of the most recognisable holiday regions in Europe, which in practice also means high prices and enormous crowds at the height of the season. Meanwhile northern Portugal still remains much calmer, even though it can offer equally beautiful landscapes, great food and a far more authentic atmosphere.
The biggest difference is felt immediately after arrival. Porto, which for many people becomes a base, lives intensely, but still does not feel as overwhelming as the most besieged resorts of southern Europe. You only need to drive a few dozen kilometres outside the city for tourist traffic to drop noticeably. On the Atlantic you can still find beaches where, even in August, you can sit down in peace without fighting for every metre of space.
Northern Portugal has a completely different character from typical holiday regions focused solely on the beach. It is more local, calmer and less commercialised. In many seaside towns Portuguese restaurants and the everyday life of residents still dominate, instead of endless rows of apartments prepared solely for tourists.
The climate is also a huge plus. In summer temperatures are usually more comfortable than in the south of the country. In the Algarve, at the height of the season, the heat can be very tiring, especially during sightseeing. In the north the Atlantic effectively softens the temperatures. Thanks to this, even in July or August travelling can be much more pleasant.
This does not mean, however, that northern Portugal is the ideal destination for everyone. People dreaming of warm water and full sun all day long may be surprised. The Atlantic is clearly cooler than the Mediterranean, and the weather can be more changeable. For some tourists, though, this is precisely the biggest advantage, because it allows a break from the extreme temperatures typical of southern Europe.
Where to look for quiet beaches?
One of the biggest mistakes is stopping only in Porto. The city itself is great for a few days, but the real atmosphere of northern Portugal is best felt in the smaller towns scattered along the Atlantic coast.
The areas around Viana do Castelo or smaller seaside towns between Porto and the Spanish border can be very calm. The beaches there are wide, often natural and decidedly less crowded than in the best-known regions of southern Portugal. Some of them even look austere compared with typical holiday resorts, but precisely because of this they keep their character.
Many people also appreciate the fact that northern Portugal has not been so heavily subordinated to mass beach tourism. You can still find places where, in the evening, instead of crowds of party-goers, calm restaurants and local residents strolling along the promenade dominate.
Won't the weather in northern Portugal disappoint?
That depends mainly on expectations. If someone dreams of daily temperatures exceeding 35 degrees and water resembling a hotel pool, northern Portugal probably will not be the best choice. The Atlantic stays cool even in the middle of summer, and the wind can be noticeable, especially in the evenings.
On the other hand, precisely because of this the region is much more comfortable for people who cope badly with extreme heat. Temperatures usually stay at a level that lets you function normally all day. Sightseeing, walks or active rest are simply easier than in the most overheated parts of southern Europe.
Northern Portugal works best for people looking for calmer holidays with good food, beautiful landscapes and a more authentic atmosphere. It is a less obvious destination than the Algarve, but precisely for that reason, even in the middle of the season, it lets you rest much more peacefully.
Cabin cases for low-cost flights
5. Montenegro beyond Budva – the Balkans without huge crowds
Montenegro very often appears in lists of "Europe's hidden gems", but the truth is a little more complicated. At the height of the season the best-known resorts can be really crowded, especially Budva, which has for years served as the country's main tourist centre. The catch is that many tourists end their trip there and never discover the regions that still remain much calmer.
It is precisely beyond Budva that Montenegro shows its greatest potential. The country is small but very varied. In a single day you can drive from the Adriatic coast to mountain landscapes resembling the Alps more than the typical Balkans. Thanks to this it is easier to find places where holiday crowds still do not dominate the whole region.
A big advantage of Montenegro also remains the relatively small scale of development compared with the most besieged parts of Croatia. Of course the infrastructure is developing very quickly, but you can still find calmer apartments, less crowded beaches and local restaurants without long queues.
When does Montenegro become most crowded?
The busiest period falls in the second half of July and in August. That is when Budva, Kotor and the most popular stretches of coast start to become heavily overcrowded. The problems mainly concern car traffic, parking and crowded promenades in the evenings.
It is much calmer in June and at the beginning of September. The temperatures are still very good, the sea remains warm, but the number of tourists clearly drops. In practice this is exactly when many people consider Montenegro at its best.
If someone plans a trip in the middle of the holidays, a good solution is to avoid the best-known towns. Herceg Novi has a calmer feel than Budva, while Ulcinj attracts a slightly different type of tourist and offers longer, less crowded beaches. Mountain regions are also gaining popularity, where even in summer you can find silence and much lower temperatures.
You do have to remember, however, that Montenegro still has its infrastructural limitations. Roads can be narrow and jammed, public transport does not always work efficiently, and the standard of some accommodation remains uneven. For some people this will be a drawback, but others perceive the country, precisely because of this, as less commercial and more natural.
| Element | Montenegro | Croatia |
|---|---|---|
| Crowd level in season | Moderate beyond the main resorts | Very high in popular regions |
| Accommodation prices | Usually lower | Clearly higher |
| Infrastructure standard | More uneven | Very developed |
| Beaches | More varied and less developed | Better prepared for tourists |
| Atmosphere | More local and calmer | More commercial |
Montenegro works best for people who want to combine the holiday mood of the Adriatic with a slightly calmer atmosphere than in the best-known regions of Croatia. The key, however, is choosing the right location. Someone who stops only in Budva in the middle of August may come back with a completely different impression from a person who opts for smaller towns or the country's mountain regions.
6. Georgia – a holiday beyond the European crush
Georgia still remains a far less mass-market destination than most popular European holiday countries. For some tourists the problem is the distance, for others the less obvious character of the trip. In practice this is precisely what means that, even in the middle of summer, you can find places there calmer than many well-known Mediterranean resorts.
The biggest difference is visible in the very style of travelling. Georgia is not a typical resort destination. Of course there are seaside towns, hotels and beaches, but the country relies far more on nature, local culture, mountains and food than on classic all-inclusive tourism. Thanks to this it attracts a slightly different type of tourist from the most commercial regions of southern Europe.
Batumi is decidedly the best-known holiday city in Georgia, and it is there that tourist traffic is heaviest. Even so, the scale of the crowds is clearly smaller than in the most popular resorts of Spain, Italy or Croatia. Beyond Batumi the situation becomes even calmer. You only need to head further towards the mountains or smaller towns to see a completely different pace of life.
An enormous asset of Georgia remains its prices. Although the country is also gradually getting more expensive, you can still eat very well there for much less money than in most popular European holiday destinations. For many people Georgian hospitality and the more local atmosphere also matter. In many regions tourism still does not dominate the whole life of the city.
You do have to remember, however, that Georgia will not be a good choice for everyone. The infrastructure is uneven, roads beyond the main routes can be demanding, and the organisation does not always work to the standards known from Western Europe. On top of that comes a longer flight than for classic holidays in southern Europe.
Is Georgia suitable for a typical beach holiday?
This is one of the most common sources of disappointment among people flying to Georgia solely with beach time in mind. On the Black Sea you should not expect the mood known from Greece or Spain. Many beaches are pebbly, the infrastructure can be more modest, and the weather can be more humid and less predictable.
Batumi itself resembles a modern seaside city more than a classic holiday resort. Some people love its specific atmosphere, others are disappointed by the chaotic development and the less "postcard" beaches. In practice Georgia works best when you treat the sea as an addition to the whole trip rather than the sole purpose of the journey.
What makes the biggest impression on many people are precisely the mountains of the Caucasus, the local cuisine and the atmosphere of the country. Georgia gives a sense of a trip a little more authentic than typical holidays in Europe's most popular regions.
- Very good food prices compared with most European holiday destinations.
- A great variety of landscapes despite a relatively small country.
- The chance to combine mountains, cities and the sea on a single trip.
- Less mass tourism than in classic resorts of southern Europe.
- Great local cuisine, which for many people becomes one of the main reasons to return.
- Still relatively reasonable accommodation prices even in the middle of the season.
Georgia is a destination for people who, more than perfectly organised holidays, are looking for atmosphere, locality and the feeling of discovering something less obvious. It does not offer quite the predictability of Europe's most popular resorts, but precisely because of this, even in summer, you can still find peace and space there.
7. The Finnish Lakeland – a summer without heat and without queues
Most people planning a midsummer holiday automatically think of southern Europe. Sun, beaches and high temperatures have dominated the image of the ideal holiday for decades. Meanwhile more and more tourists are starting to grow tired of extreme heat, crowded resorts and constant noise. That is precisely why interest is growing in destinations that until recently were practically not associated with holidays at all. One of the most interesting examples remains the Finnish Lakeland.
It is an enormous region of lakes, forests and small towns stretching across the central part of Finland. In summer it looks completely different from the stereotypical cold Finland known from winter photos. The days are very long, the nature intensely green, and the temperatures usually exceptionally comfortable. For people tired of heat in the mid-thirties it can be an enormous relief.
The Lakeland's greatest advantage is the silence. Even in the middle of the season you can rent a cabin by a lake and, for most of the day, practically not see other tourists. In many regions the number of foreign visitors still remains small, because Finland loses out in popularity to the cheaper south of Europe. The effect is simple: no crowds, calmer roads and a much slower pace of life.
A holiday in this region looks completely different from a classic resort trip. Here what matters more is nature, the sauna, swimming in the lake, kayaking or sitting on the terrace in the evening rather than lying on the beach all day. Precisely because of this, many people rest there far more effectively than in the most besieged resorts of the south.
The white nights also matter enormously. In June and part of July the sun sets very late, and the night practically never becomes completely dark. For many tourists this is one of the most remarkable experiences during a summer trip to Finland.
Of course such a destination also has its limitations. Finland does not offer the typically holiday weather known from Spain or Greece. Temperatures usually stay around 20–26 degrees, and the weather can be changeable. It is also not a country for people looking for an intense nightlife or major tourist attractions at every turn.
Is Finland very expensive in summer?
Finland really is among the more expensive countries in Europe, and there is no hiding it completely. Restaurants, alcohol and some services cost noticeably more than in southern Europe. At the same time many people exaggerate the idea of astronomical prices. With sensible planning, a trip does not have to be dramatically more expensive than a holiday in popular Western European resorts.
Accommodation has the biggest impact on the budget. Renting a cabin by a lake in the middle of the season can cost quite a lot, especially if the property has its own sauna and private access to the water. On the other hand, travelling as a group of several people greatly lowers the cost per person.
In Finland you can also save differently from in southern Europe. Many people cook for themselves, shop in supermarkets and focus more on nature than on paid attractions. Thanks to this, spending does not rise as much despite the high restaurant prices.
An additional advantage is the comfort of travelling. The roads are quiet, traffic is light, and the infrastructure works very efficiently. Even in season it is hard to compare the conditions there with the traffic jams or overcrowded resorts of southern Europe.
The Finnish Lakeland will not be a destination for everyone. People expecting hot beaches and a party mood will probably start to get bored quickly. But for people looking for silence, nature and a genuine break from the crowds, it can be one of the best holiday choices in all of Europe.
Cases for an active, off-the-beaten-track holiday
How to choose crowd-free destinations and not make a mistake?
Many people make exactly the same mistake. They search online for "hidden gems", "secret beaches" or "undiscovered destinations", and then go to exactly the place where thousands of other people went a few months earlier after watching the same videos on TikTok or Instagram. The result is predictable. A place advertised as calm very quickly stops being so.
That is why, when planning a holiday, choosing specific regions and the right dates matters much more than the country itself. Even the most popular countries have calmer places if you avoid the biggest resorts. On the other hand, even a niche destination can be tiring if all the tourists concentrate in exactly one location.
Croatia is a good example. In the middle of August the best-known cities can be overcrowded, but less popular islands or small towns can still be much calmer. The situation looks similar in Greece, Spain or Portugal. Very often you only need to move away from the most recognisable regions for the number of tourists to drop several times over.
The choice of airport also matters enormously. Destinations with a large number of cheap flight connections become mass-market faster. The easier and cheaper it is to reach a given place, the greater the chance it will be crowded at the height of the season. That is why calmer regions often require an additional drive or a connecting flight.
It is also worth paying attention to the type of accommodation. All-inclusive hotels very often concentrate an enormous number of tourists in one place. Apartments, small guesthouses or cabins located away from the main resorts tend to be much calmer. Even a small change of location can completely change how a holiday feels. And whatever you pack it into, it is worth knowing the cabin luggage dimensions, weight limits and traps before you fly, and weighing up whether hard or soft luggage suits the kind of trip you are planning.
- Avoid the most viral places promoted as "hidden gems".
- Check regions rather than whole countries, because the differences can be enormous.
- If you can, choose June or September instead of the second half of July and August.
- Do not stop in the main resorts if peace and quiet matter to you.
- Renting a car greatly increases your chances of finding less crowded places.
- Look at the number of flight connections, because it often shows the scale of tourism well.
- Do not expect complete emptiness in the middle of the season, even in less popular countries.
You also have to remember that calmer holidays often require greater flexibility. Less popular destinations may have weaker infrastructure, fewer restaurants or more limited public transport. In practice, however, this is a price that more and more people are increasingly willing to pay for the absence of crowds and a more natural atmosphere.
The most important thing is a realistic approach. In the middle of the European season there are practically no longer any places completely undiscovered and reserved for the few. You can, however, still find regions where the number of tourists remains decidedly more bearable than in the most besieged holiday hits.
Crowd-free holidays do not always mean a cheaper trip
Many people automatically assume that a less popular destination will also be cheaper. In practice it is much more complicated. Yes, some calmer regions still let you spend less than Europe's most besieged resorts, but the absence of crowds in itself does not guarantee low prices.
Flight availability has a big influence above all. Mass destinations often have enormous competition between airlines, thanks to which ticket prices can be very attractive. In less popular regions there are fewer connections, so the cost of travel can be higher despite the calmer atmosphere on the spot. This is precisely why holidays in the Azores or Finland can ultimately cost more than a trip to very popular parts of Spain.
Infrastructure also matters. Countries living mainly off mass tourism often have an enormous accommodation base and a wide offer for various budgets. In calmer regions the number of hotels or apartments can be limited, which naturally raises prices at the height of the season. Paradoxically, it is sometimes easier to find cheap accommodation in a crowded resort than in an intimate place with few properties.
On the other hand, many people are starting to look at holidays a little differently from a few years ago. Increasingly, what counts is not only the price but also the quality of the rest. For some tourists paying a few dozen euros more for a calmer region is completely justified if it means no noise, smaller queues and a more comfortable atmosphere throughout the holiday.
This is particularly visible in people who regularly travel in season. Many tourists, after experiences with the most overcrowded resorts, start consciously avoiding places geared solely towards mass tourism. Even if a calmer trip turns out to be a little more expensive, for them the difference in comfort is so great that they no longer want to return to the most besieged locations.
Ultimately it all comes down to expectations. Not everyone needs silence and empty beaches. For some people the holiday atmosphere means precisely crowded promenades, bars and nightlife until morning. More and more tourists, however, are looking for the opposite. They want places where they can genuinely slow down, rest and feel the local atmosphere instead of yet another city subordinated solely to tourism. If you would rather have a relaxed island where packing light is the whole point, our guide on how to pack for a trip to Sardinia shows how little you really need for that kind of week, and for first-timers still torn between the classic options, Italy or Spain for a first trip abroad is worth a read.
That is why less crowded destinations will probably keep gaining popularity with every passing season. The only catch is that the more people start looking for them, the faster they too become fashionable. This is precisely why the best moment to discover calmer regions usually lasts shorter than many tourists would like to believe.
