6. Sintra, Portugal
With a rise of tourism in Portugal, Sintra, a small settlement about 28kms from Lisbon has suddenly captured the world’s attention. As if the spectacular setting of this tiny town with sylvan mountains, vernal forests, exotic gardens and dazzling palaces wasn’t enough, the pastel-colored mansions perched on to hills with the blue Atlantic at the footstep make Sintra look like a place straight from fairytales. If you haven’t seen Sintra, you can’t claim to have seen the best of Europe.
Good list, but would´t call every city a “secret” Sintra, Reine, Hallstatt and specialy Manarola is VERY touristy.
My personal top is Besalú in Catalonia. Strongly recommended.
I love this! <3
Agree with Chris; seeing Manarola as the first ‘Secret’ little town immediately invalidates the post. It receives over ten times the amount of visitors it can cope with and still has some of its trails closed to protect it from the volumes of tourists that arrive every day,
This is such a gorgeous list!!! Thank you so much for sharing!
These are all very beautiful towns but they’re not that secret. I’ve visited 5 already and know about 3 of the others. But again, I’m a big travel nut!
Oh my goodness I love this post! I’m going to be studying abroad in France in the spring and blogging about it! I can’t wait to visit some of these places, especially since some are close to where I will be staying!!
Colmar is lovely! I spent a day there years ago and am now looking forward to taking my husband and daughter there.
yes! thank you so much for this list. I am so happy they are all in Europe… i think i can visit them all in the next two years. <3