July 11, 2025, 5:27 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Remote locations with good infrastructure, cultural offerings, and affordable accommodations are increasingly attracting travelers’ attention. A new analysis highlights which lesser-known European travel destinations could be particularly worthwhile in the summer of 2025.
For the “Hidden Gem Index 2025,” the vacation rental platform HomeToGo examined European travel destinations that are not yet among the most searched. The evaluation included search trends, accommodation costs, culinary offerings, scenic surroundings, and leisure activities. TRAVELBOOK reveals which European destinations are still unknown but definitely worth visiting.
Overview
The Ten Best “Hidden Gems” in Europe
The new “Hidden Gem Index” from the vacation rental platform HomeToGo is based on extensive data analysis and highlights 50 destinations that are still under the radar. TRAVELBOOK has decided to introduce you to the top ten in more detail.
At the top of the ranking is Tomar, a city in Portugal’s Ribatejo region, which stands out for its cultural heritage and affordability. With a high gastronomy score (8.77), a favorable accommodation price (score: 9.13), and a very low search volume (score: 9.43), Tomar meets all the criteria of a hidden gem.
Second place goes to Brisighella in Italy, known for its medieval old town, hiking trails, and regional specialties. The city achieved a total score of 59.12 points. In third place is Nafplio in Greece (57.82 points), a sunny coastal destination with golden beaches and a vibrant culinary scene.
The other spots are occupied by Puy-l’Évêque in France, Bremm in Germany, Beynac-et-Cazenac also in France, Valdoviño in Spain, Sibiu in Romania, Labeaume (France), and Beaumaris in Wales. The evaluation considers factors such as natural surroundings, cultural attractions, hiking opportunities, and the price level for tourists.
The Top 10 at a Glance
[table “119” not found /]Also read: The 14 Cheapest City Travel Destinations in Europe 2025
What Makes Tomar So Special?
Founded in 1160, Tomar is considered a historical center of the Knights Templar. The city is characterized by cobblestone streets, the UNESCO World Heritage site Convento de Cristo, and a tranquil riverbank. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities—from strolling through the old town to boat trips on the Nabão River. A cultural highlight is the Festa dos Tabuleiros, held every four years, where people carry elaborately decorated bread and flower arrangements through the streets.
The city also scores with affordable prices: vacation rentals average around $35 per person per night. Restaurants and cafes offer authentic Portuguese cuisine at reasonable prices, making Tomar an attractive alternative to crowded destinations like Lisbon or Porto.
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Methodology of the “Hidden Gem Index”
The Hidden Gem Index is based on a combination of internal and external data sources. Initially, locations that are among the 5,000 most searched vacation destinations on HomeToGo were excluded. The remaining locations were then evaluated based on seven criteria: average summer temperature, search demand, scenic attractiveness, growth dynamics, hiking trails, gastronomy, and accommodation costs.
Each factor was rated on a scale of five to ten points, with ten representing the best value. The individual scores are based on data from sources such as NOAA, Komoot, Tripadvisor, Google Maps, as well as internal search and price data from HomeToGo. The maximum total score is 70 points.