This City Was Named the Best Hidden Gem in Europe—and It Has Canals, a Lively Market Square, and Few Crowds
Gautier Houba/Travel + Leisure As overtourism continues to upend some of Europe's most iconic cities, travelers are increasingly looking beyond the usual hotspots. What's more, Higher prices, bigger crowds, and strained infrastructure in places like Barcelona and Venice are driving interest in destinations that offer a better balance of value and experience. A recent report from Sweepstakes Table spotlights hidden-gem cities around the world, and while Hoi An took the top spot globally, it named Bruges, Belgium, as the best hidden-gem city break in Europe and ranked it third worldwide. The study, which evaluates 23 under-the-radar city breaks worldwide, uses a composite index based on metrics such as affordability (40 percent), experience density (50 percent), and weather (10 percent). The metropolises were then assessed across eight data points, including hotel costs, meal and transportation prices, and the concentration of lesser-known attractions and restaurants. The goal: to identify destinations that don't just look appealing, but deliver meaningful value once travelers arrive. Part of what makes Bruges stand out is that it occupies a rare middle ground. It’s well-known enough to be on travelers’ radar, yet it still feels overlooked compared to Europe’s biggest draws. Bruges is often treated as a quick stop rather than a destination in its own right. However, that’s part of what works in its favor: The city still has a lot of the charm and ease travelers are looking for, without feeling completely overrun. Additionally, unbeknownst to most travelers, the city gives you plenty to see and do without having to travel far. The historic center is easy to explore on foot in under an hour, so getting between its winding canals, lively market squares, historic churches, and quieter side streets requires little effort or planning. Within that compact area, visitors can take a canal boat tour…
Gautier Houba/Travel + Leisure
As overtourism continues to upend some of Europe's most iconic cities, travelers are increasingly looking beyond the usual hotspots. What's more, Higher prices, bigger crowds, and strained infrastructure in places like Barcelona and Venice are driving interest in destinations that offer a better balance of value and experience.
A recent report from Sweepstakes Table spotlights hidden-gem cities around the world, and while Hoi An took the top spot globally, it named Bruges, Belgium, as the best hidden-gem city break in Europe and ranked it third worldwide.
The study, which evaluates 23 under-the-radar city breaks worldwide, uses a composite index based on metrics such as affordability (40 percent), experience density (50 percent), and weather (10 percent). The metropolises were then assessed across eight data points, including hotel costs, meal and transportation prices, and the concentration of lesser-known attractions and restaurants. The goal: to identify destinations that don't just look appealing, but deliver meaningful value once travelers arrive.
Part of what makes Bruges stand out is that it occupies a rare middle ground. It’s well-known enough to be on travelers’ radar, yet it still feels overlooked compared to Europe’s biggest draws. Bruges is often treated as a quick stop rather than a destination in its own right. However, that’s part of what works in its favor: The city still has a lot of the charm and ease travelers are looking for, without feeling completely overrun.
Additionally, unbeknownst to most travelers, the city gives you plenty to see and do without having to travel far. The historic center is easy to explore on foot in under an hour, so getting between its winding canals, lively market squares, historic churches, and quieter side streets requires little effort or planning. Within that compact area, visitors can take a canal boat tour , climb the Belfry for panoramic views, wander through the famed, postcard-worthy Market Square , visit the landmark Basilica of the Holy Blood , and, of course, sample their fair share of Belgian specialties —beer, waffles, frites, and chocolate included.
Overall, Bruges reflects a different kind of experience than many of its more well-known European siblings. While it may not be the cheapest option in the world, it offers a high concentration of experiences within a small, easy-to-navigate area—something that's becoming increasingly appealing as travel across Europe continues to get busier.
Beyond Bruges, here’s a look at the world’s top hidden-gem cities —and where it ranks among them.
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1. Hoi An, Vietnam 2. Da Nang, Vietnam 3. Brugge, Belgium 4. Essaouira, Morocco 5. Chefchaouen, Morocco 6. Calabria, Italy 7. Paros, Greece 8. Cambridge, UK 9. Belgrade, Serbia 10. Cascais, Portugal