10 Best Underrated Campervan Holiday Destinations in Europe

The 10 Best Underrated Campervan Holiday Destinations in Europe

woman with a baby sitting inside the van, dog in front, sea and sunset in the background

If you want to avoid the large crowds of tourists and visit budget-friendly European destinations, look no further! These are the most underrated destinations in Europe to explore with your roadsurfer that offer less hustle and bustle and all the more authenticity.

Author: Annika Ziehen
Photo: maias_travels

10 Underrated Holiday Destinations for European Road Trips

1. Umbria, Italy

Looking for an undiscovered destination in Europe with a lot of “La Dolce Vita”? Then forget Tuscany, Rome and Milan and head to Umbria instead! You can discover incredible cultural treasures in and around the Umbrian capital Perugia. Nearby you will find the Francis of Assisi pilgrimage site and the beautiful Basilica of San Francesco.

Wine drinking is a popular pastime in Umbria, and there are excellent wineries. There are many wine, food and music events throughout the year in the region, in addition to the delicious wine tasting venues.

→ Book a unique camping experience in Umbria

2. San Marino, Italy

It is worth taking a detour to San Marino, the fifth smallest republic in the world when visiting Italy. The country is only 12 km wide, surrounded by Italy, and has a lot to offer for a day trip.

The best place to start is the beautiful old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site perched on a rocky ridge. Strolling through the alleyways feels a bit like visiting an open-air museum. The Witches’ Path connects the three towers and the town’s landmarks and offers a great view of the surrounding area. And you should try pasta e Ceci, a pasta soup with chickpeas, famous in San Marino.

3. Meteora, Greece

When you hear the word “Greece”, you probably think of islands and crystal blue seas. But there is so much more to discover, such as the stunning landscape of Meteora.

Located in central Greece, Meteora consistest of 24 monastaries built in the 13th and 14th century on top of the sandstone cliffs. You can still visit some of the monasteries today and explore the beautiful surrounding regions that offer lots of hiking.

The truffle season begins in October and is the ideal time for foodies to visit and taste the delicay or even give truffle hunting a go!

4. Blue Adriatic Sea, Rhineland-Palatinate

If you fancy a seaside holiday by the Adriatic Sea but want to find something a bit more budget-friendly, we recommend visiting the Blue Adriatic in the Rhine wetlands. This recreation area in Rhineland-Palatinate includes a gorgeous lake landscape and sandy beaches with crystal clear blue water.

The water temperatures reach up to 25 °C in the summer, and there are shallow bays perfect for the children to splash around, as well as sections for adult swimmers. There’s plenty of space around the lakes to relax and sunbath, and of course, campsites for you and your roadsurfer.

5. Batumi, Georgia

The capital of the Adjara region, Batumi, is located directly on the Black Sea coast and provides the perfect backdrop for a chic beach holiday. A long promenade and beautiful beaches meet glittering casinos and skyscrapers.

It’s especially beautiful in early summer or autumn, and you can easily combine a city break with a beach holiday.

6. Extremadura, Spain

Spain is a popular and well-known European holiday destination, but do you know Extremadura? The region is one of the less travelled treasures in Spain, whose landscape is characterised by the rivers Río Tajo and Río Guadiana, as well as their surrounding valleys and reservoirs.

Extremadura is one of the more sparsely populated Spanish areas and is an ideal destination for a road trip without crowds of tourists. A special highlight for those interested in culture is the capital Mérida, a Roman city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the pretty town of Caceres.

→ Camp in the middle of the nature in Extremadura with roadsurfer spots

7. Northern Macedonia

One of Europe’s most unique holiday destinations, Norther Macedonia, is located between Greece and Albania. This Balkan state has a lot of natural and cultural treasures to offer.

Start in the capital Skopje with its magnificent and unique architecture and shop in the bazaar district. Afterwards, visit the Matka Canyon and the Vrelo Caves before heading towards Ohrid. Spend a few days at Lake Ohrid, which has incredibly clear water and is one of the oldest lakes in the world.

8. Gdansk, Poland

Gdansk is a beautiful and budget-friendly city in Europe to visit all year round. You will save on everything from campsites to restaurants to entrance fees.

Comb the beautiful beaches for amber and brave the fresh Baltic waves. Or explore the city and discover the unique murals, such as the “Gdansk Bedroom”.

9. Durmitor National Park, Montenegro

Montenegro is still considered by some to be a real insider’s tip in Europe. The Bay of Kotor gets quite crowded, especially in summer, so if you’re looking for a lesser-known destination in Europe, head for Durmitor National Park instead.

Start in Žabljak, the highest settlement in the Balkans, where you can access numerous hiking trails and beautiful lakes. Durmitor national park is also home to the Tara Gorge, one of the deepest gorge in the world (after the Grand Canyon) at 1300 metres and is a truly magnificent sight.

10. Yorkshire, England

One of the most underrated parts of England is the county of Yorkshire in northern England. It is the perfect area to explore by campervan, and there is plenty to discover for hiking enthusiasts. Take your time and visit the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, and the Peak District National Park.

Plus, Leeds, Manchester, and York are exciting cities with an interesting past. Everywhere you go, you’ll find castles, cathedrals, and numerous buildings from Roman times.