How Turkey Joins Croatia, Romania, And Finland In Offering Peaceful Escapes For 2026 Travellers

Published on September 10, 2025

As overtourism continues to situation well-established European hotspots, a increasing number of travelers are turning to quieter, sustainable destinations. The desire to debar crowded locations is driving an expanding number of travelers to look for alternatives wherever they tin acquisition nature, culture, and slower-paced travel. According to a study by nan European Travel Commission, 55 percent of travelers are prioritizing little crowded, niche destinations. These emerging destinations are adapting by promoting sustainable practices and taste tourism. Intrepid Travel, successful collaboration pinch Globetrender, has released its “Not Hot List for 2026,” spotlighting immoderate of these lesser-known but soon-to-be sought-after places. These destinations connection a refreshing flight from nan masses, combining nature, culture, and slow travel for a much rewarding and serene recreation experience.

Vis Island, Croatia: A Hidden Adriatic Gem

Located successful nan Adriatic Sea, Vis Island is an perfect destination for those seeking a serene retreat. Known for its slow-travel appeal, Vis was erstwhile a Yugoslav subject guidelines and remained mostly closed to outsiders until 1989. Unlike nan much crowded destinations for illustration Dubrovnik aliases Split, Vis offers a wholly different experience, pinch nary cruise stops aliases awesome airports, making it cleanable for those wishing to debar ample tourer crowds.

What makes Vis truthful unsocial is its remoteness and natural beauty. Visitors tin bask a scope of outdoor activities, including hiking, snorkeling, and diving, pinch 1 of nan island’s highlights being nan Blue Cave and Stiniva Cove. The local cuisine is besides a awesome draw, pinch accepted dishes specified arsenic peka (a slow-cooked nutrient aliases food dish) and Komiška pogača (savory pies pinch onions, fish, and tomatoes). Paired pinch section wines made from autochthonal grape varieties for illustration Vugava and Plavac Mali, nan land offers a genuinely authentic gastronomic experience. In 2026, caller cycling and walking trails will open, enhancing nan outdoor activities disposable to visitors, making Vis Island a must-visit for quality and civilization lovers.

Gaziantep, Turkey: A UNESCO City of Gastronomy

In nan southeastern region of Turkey, Gaziantep is simply a metropolis that has been overlooked by galore tourists, particularly erstwhile compared to awesome Turkish cities for illustration Istanbul and Cappadocia. However, nan city’s rich | gastronomic heritage and its nickname arsenic a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy make it an exceptional destination for nutrient lovers. The spice markets and baklava are conscionable nan opening of what Gaziantep has to offer.

In summation to its culinary delights, Gaziantep is steeped successful history, pinch attractions specified arsenic nan Zeugma Mosaic Museum, location to nan celebrated “Gypsy Girl” mosaic, and nan Gaziantep Castle, which offers panoramic views of nan city. Visitors tin besides research nan ancient ruins of Belkis-Zeugma and Rumkale, a castle perched supra nan Euphrates River. With caller investments successful practice preservation and nan improvement of caller recreation routes, Gaziantep is emerging arsenic a hidden gem for those seeking an authentic acquisition that is little congested than Turkey’s much celebrated tourer spots.

Romania’s Via Transilvanica: A Long-Distance Hike Through History

For those who bask agelong walks surrounded by nature and history, Romania’s Via Transilvanica offers an unforgettable experience. Spanning 1,400 kilometers, this trail, known arsenic nan Camino of nan East, winds done nan Carpathian Mountains, rustic villages, and 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. As travelers traverse this scenic route, they tin sojourn medieval Saxon towns, Dacian ruins, and castles, arsenic good arsenic painted monasteries that supply a glimpse into Romania’s rich | taste heritage.

In 2026, 170 kilometers of caller trails will beryllium added, marking nan first shape of a semipermanent inaugural to grow nan Via Transilvanica way crossed nan country. Along nan way, hikers tin bask accepted farm-to-table meals and a solid of pălincă, a section plum brandy. The way besides serves arsenic an open-air creation exhibition, pinch intricately carved milestone markers astatine each kilometer. The operation of outdoor adventure, section hospitality, and taste immersion makes nan Via Transilvanica a cleanable summation to immoderate 2026 recreation itinerary.

Oulu, Finland: The European Capital of Culture 2026

Situated conscionable beneath nan Arctic Circle, nan metropolis of Oulu successful Finland is gearing up to beryllium 1 of nan astir breathtaking destinations of 2026. As nan European Capital of Culture, Oulu is group to showcase its creative innovation, wild Arctic nature, and Indigenous Sámi heritage. During its twelvemonth arsenic nan Cultural Capital, nan metropolis will big galore events, including exhibitions by nan Arctic Food Lab that item nan culinary traditions of bluish Finland. Visitors tin besides immerse themselves successful creation installations inspired by nan surrounding scenery and participate successful hands-on workshops led by nan Sámi people.

Beyond its taste programming, Oulu offers year-round outdoor activities. During summer, visitors tin bask hiking, biking, and swimming, while wintertime brings opportunities for snowshoeing, skiing, and searching for nan Northern Lights. The metropolis besides offers a lukewarm flight wherever travelers tin study astir section civilization astatine nan Northern Ostrobothnia Museum. With its unsocial blend of culture, nature, and history, Oulu is an perfect destination for those looking for an authentic Finnish experience.

Why These ‘Not Hot’ Destinations are nan Future of Travel

In 2026, these under-the-radar destinations committedness a different benignant of travel. As overtourism continues to strain celebrated European cities, nan attraction is shifting towards sustainable, culturally rich, and less-crowded alternatives. By visiting these niche destinations, travelers are helping to dispersed nan benefits of tourism much widely, ensuring that nan economical rewards of recreation are shared pinch regions that are not traditionally successful nan spotlight.

Travelers seeking an replacement to nan bustling crowds of well-known destinations will find that these hidden gems connection nan cleanable equilibrium of peaceful exploration, cultural enrichment, and natural beauty. In 2026, these locations will beryllium fresh to invited visitors pinch unfastened arms, providing an authentic acquisition that is becoming progressively uncommon successful Europe’s much celebrated cities.