The Best Places to Escape the Crowds This Summer (From Someone Who's Learned to Avoid Them!)

The Best Places to Escape the Crowds This Summer (From Someone Who's Learned to Avoid Them!)

If there's one thing I've learned after years of travelling, it's this: the best holidays are rarely the ones everyone else is taking.

Don't get me wrong, I can appreciate the classics. I've wandered through Santorini, squeezed my way around Dubrovnik's Old Town, and spent far too long queuing for viewpoints that looked much better in the photos than they did in real life. But these days, I'm much happier finding somewhere a little quieter.

For me, a great holiday isn't about ticking off landmarks. It's about discovering a beach where you can actually hear the waves, stumbling across a family-run restaurant that serves the best meal of the trip, or finding a viewpoint where you don't have to wait for ten people to finish taking selfies.

If that sounds more like your kind of holiday too, here are a few destinations I'd happily go back to this summer.

1. The Azores, Portugal

The Azores are one of those places that leave you wondering why everyone isn't talking about them... and then secretly hoping they don't.

Sat right in the middle of the Atlantic, these Portuguese islands are all about dramatic landscapes, volcanic lakes, hot springs and some seriously impressive coastal views. If you're into walking, wildlife or simply switching off for a week, you'll love it here.

One day you're soaking in a natural thermal pool, the next you're spotting whales out at sea or driving through lush green countryside that feels more like New Zealand than Europe.

It's peaceful, refreshingly uncrowded and incredibly easy to fall in love with.

2. Naxos, Greece

Everyone seems to head for Santorini or Mykonos, but if you ask me, Naxos is where the magic really is.

You still get the gorgeous whitewashed villages, crystal-clear sea and fantastic Greek food, but without spending half your holiday waiting for a table or battling for a spot on the beach.

One of my favourite evenings was simply sitting at a little taverna by the water, eating grilled octopus while watching the sun disappear into the Aegean. No crowds. No rush. Just one of those moments that reminds you why you travel in the first place.

3. Albania's Riviera

A few years ago, hardly anyone was talking about Albania. Now people are starting to discover it, but it's still miles quieter than many of its Mediterranean neighbours.

The beaches are stunning, the water is ridiculously clear, and the prices are a pleasant surprise if you've been looking at Italy or Croatia.

Places like Himarë and Dhërmi have that laid-back seaside feel that's becoming harder to find elsewhere. You can spend your mornings swimming, your afternoons exploring sleepy villages, and your evenings enjoying fresh seafood without worrying about your holiday budget.

4. Asturias, Spain

When someone says they're going to Spain, most people immediately picture the Costa del Sol.

I'd happily point them in the opposite direction.

Northern Spain is one of Europe's most underrated regions. Asturias has dramatic cliffs, rolling green hills, hidden beaches and some of the best food I've eaten anywhere in the country.

It's also much cooler during the height of summer, which makes sightseeing far more enjoyable if you're not a fan of 35-degree heat.

5. Madeira

Madeira has quietly become one of my favourite places for a summer escape.

It's perfect if you like being outdoors without spending every day lying on a beach. One morning you can be walking along a levada trail through ancient forests, and by the afternoon you're enjoying fresh seafood overlooking the Atlantic.

The scenery is incredible, the locals are welcoming, and somehow it still feels far more relaxed than many of Europe's better-known island destinations.

6. Slovenia's Soča Valley

Everyone heads for Lake Bled, but I'd encourage you to keep driving.

The Soča Valley is absolutely stunning. The river is the brightest shade of turquoise you'll ever see, surrounded by mountains, forests and peaceful villages.

Whether you're hiking, paddleboarding or simply stopping every few miles because you've found yet another incredible viewpoint, it's one of those places that constantly surprises you.

Why I Avoid the Tourist Hotspots

These days, I don't judge a holiday by how many famous sights I've managed to squeeze into a week.

I judge it by how relaxed I felt.

Did I find a brilliant little café that wasn't in every guidebook? Did I spend an afternoon wandering somewhere without looking at my watch? Did I leave feeling like I'd actually experienced the destination rather than just visited it?

Those are the holidays I remember.

The reality is that some of the world's most famous destinations have become victims of their own success. They're beautiful, of course, but they're often at their best outside peak season.

Summer doesn't have to mean following everyone else.

Sometimes the places that don't make the front cover of every travel magazine end up giving you the best memories.

So, if you're still deciding where to book this year, maybe skip the obvious choices. Take a chance on somewhere a little quieter.

You might just come home wondering why you didn't discover it sooner.