If the idea of a summer spent basking in the sun on sandy beaches during the day and dining on seafood under the stars at night sounds great, but sharing it all with hordes of tourists doesn’t, then these little-known European destinations are for you.
Book your flights, sort out your international travel insurance, pack your bags, but do it quickly as these little-touristed European seaside gems won’t stay that way for long.
As long as you avoid August, when the Neapolitans troop to the area en masse for their annual beach holiday, the Cilento National Park is a delightfully tourist-free, typically southern Italian seaside idyll.
Offering a stunning coastline, with turquoise waters dotted with traditional Turkish guluts, hidden coves and craggy cliffs, plus heavenly scented pine forests and villages virtually unchanged for centuries.
Mention the Costa Brava and images of sunburnt Brits swigging lager and eating full English breakfasts probably come to mind. However, turn east instead of south when you leave the airport and you’ll come to an entirely different Costa Brava in Spain.