Where to go in Europe without tourist crowds: Albania, Ponza, Belgrade and Datca

On the beaches of Mallorca in July, there is no free space to be found. Hotel prices on the island rise every week. At the same time, there are regions in Europe where mass tourism has not yet arrived: housing is cheaper, lines are shorter, and evenings are calmer.

According to Albania's Ministry of Tourism, more than 12.4 million foreign tourists visited the country in 2025 (source, as of 09/2026). It is no longer an off-the-radar destination, but the region has not yet reached the load of Italy or Spain. Below are four places where you can go without crowds and lines.

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How to choose a destination without tourist crowds

💡 In short:

• Look at countries and islands outside package-tour routes: prices are lower and lines are shorter there.
• Plan your trip for May, June, or September: beaches are less crowded and the weather is milder.
• Book accommodation in advance: small family-run hotels are scarce in such destinations.

Three of the four destinations in this selection are by the sea, so the season matters a lot. In July and August, prices on Ponza and the Albanian Riviera go up, while in September you pay less and swim in warm water.

One rule almost always works: the farther from the airport, the calmer it gets. Datça and Himara win precisely because of the journey that not every family is willing to make.

Albania: the Riviera and UNESCO sites

Interest in Albania has been growing for several years. Lonely Planet named it one of the top destinations of the year, and the flow of tourists has been increasing ever since. At the same time, the country keeps prices low and has not turned into a continuous stretch of hotel development.

© Mario Gjashta · CC BY-SAPhoto: Mario Gjashta, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The UNESCO list includes Berat and Gjirokastër with their old architecture, as well as the ruins of Butrint. For a beach holiday, choose Himara or Saranda on the Albanian Riviera. There are about a hundred kilometers of mountain road between them, and that is worth factoring into your trip planning.

• How to get there: fly to Tirana, then take a bus or a rental car to the coast.
• When to go: May, June, and September; at the height of the season, the Riviera is crowded.
• Who it's for: for those who want to combine sea and mountains in one trip.
• Hotels in Albania on Trip.com

In practice, this means: book accommodation in advance if you are going to Saranda in August. Good seaside apartments are snapped up as early as spring, and your on-the-ground options will be noticeably more limited.

Ponza Island: a holiday like the Romans have

Ponza lies in the Tyrrhenian Sea between Rome and Naples. In summer, residents of those two cities come here, and the small island becomes noisy and expensive. That is why the best month to visit here is September.

© Gilberto Gaudio from Rome, Italy · CC BYPhoto: Gilberto Gaudio from Rome, Italy, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The island is so small that you can circle it on a scooter in a couple of hours. That size is exactly what saves Ponza from large hotels and package-tour buses. Three or four days are enough to see the coves, cliffs, and the old port.

• How to get there: a ferry from Formia runs year-round, and in summer there is an additional connection from Anzio (according to carrier Laziomar, 09/2026).
• Cost: ferry tickets stay in the lower double-digit range; check the price with the carrier.
• The catch: in July and August, the island is overcrowded and accommodation prices are at their peak.
• Hotels on Ponza on Trip.com

Check the ferry schedule in advance: evening departures fill up first, especially on Fridays. During the day there are more options, and you can travel comfortably with a car or luggage.

Belgrade: Europe's most affordable capital

Belgrade is only just starting to appear on the tourist map, and that is its advantage. Here, architecture from several centuries mixes with cafés on wide streets, fish restaurants in the suburbs, and nightlife on barges along the Sava River.

© Fred Romero from Paris, France · CC BYPhoto: Fred Romero from Paris, France, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

In an ADAC comparison of additional holiday expenses, the Serbian capital took first place among twenty European cities: a standard set of daily expenses cost about €41 (ADAC EuroTest, as of 09/2026). The list of attractions was verified on 12.09.2026 on the official website of the Belgrade tourism organization. Many café and hotel bills here are indeed lower than in Vienna or Prague.

• How to get there: a direct flight to Belgrade; a bus runs from the airport to the center.
• Who it's for: for those who want a city break and low café bills.
• Hotel prices in Belgrade on Trip.com

Serbia's capital is convenient for a short trip of two or three days. You will have time to walk through the center, have dinner by the water, and return home without major expenses.

Datça Peninsula: quiet coves between two seas

West of Marmaris, the narrow Datça Peninsula extends into the sea for almost 80 km (according to the map) and separates the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. Mass tourism never arrived here.

© Christian1311 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Christian1311, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

There are several resort villages here, and they are mostly frequented by Turks. Locals know where their country looks its best. You will like it if you are looking for quiet coves, almond trees, and fishing tavernas instead of large hotels.

• How to get there: from Marmaris, the drive takes about an hour (according to the map).
• Who it's for: for those who value peace and quiet and are willing to forgo developed infrastructure.
• Hotels on the Datça Peninsula on Trip.com

In summer, the peninsula is hot and dry, so most trips are planned for May and September. In those months, you get comfortable weather and uncrowded beaches.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When should you go to Albania to avoid the crowds?

For the Albanian Riviera, May, June, and September work best. In July and August, Saranda and Himara are full of holidaymakers, accommodation prices are higher, and the beaches are packed. In September, the sea stays warm and the flow of tourists noticeably drops off.

How many days do you need on Ponza?

Three or four days are more than enough. Besides the coves and the old port, you will still have time for beaches and boat trips. There is little point in staying longer than a week.

Is Belgrade really cheap?

Yes, compared with other European capitals. In the ADAC study, Belgrade ranked first for low additional expenses, and a standard set of daily costs there is cheaper than in most European capitals. Hotels are also cheaper than those in Vienna and Prague, especially outside major events and festivals.

How do you get to the Datça Peninsula?

The main route goes through Marmaris: about an hour by road to the south. From Dalaman Airport, the drive is longer, so many people rent a car or book a transfer. Buses between Marmaris and Datça run regularly in season, but the schedule is worth checking in advance. Confirm the time of the last departure the day before your trip.

In short: what to book

The choice depends on what you want from your trip. For sea and mountains, Albania is a good fit; for a short break from Italy, Ponza Island; for budget and city life, Belgrade; for peace and quiet, the Datça Peninsula.

• If you want sea and mountains: Albania.
• If you need a short break: Ponza Island.
• If budget matters: Belgrade.
• If you are looking for peace and quiet: the Datça Peninsula.

Start with hotels: in all four destinations, the best options get booked early. Check prices on Trip.com