Vacation spot dupes to Japanese Europe are booming, particularly as protests towards mass tourism intensify.
As travellers keep away from tourist-heavy locations in favour of lesser-known, extra inexpensive choices, sights are being set on Japanese Europe.
Vilnius gives a captivating mixture of Baroque structure and buzzing café tradition with out the crowds of Prague, whereas Bucharest’s buzzing nightlife and grand Belle Époque buildings give dear Paris a run for its cash.
Locations equivalent to Slovenia and Albania are additionally seeing an increase in guests as alternate options to their extra well-liked neighbours, Italy and Croatia.
Vacation spot dupes are one of many yr’s thrilling journey traits, as revealed within the 2025 Euronews Journey Tendencies report.
Vacation spot dupes assist travellers keep away from crowd fatigue
68 per cent of Gen Z respondents now prioritise discovering locations the place they’ll “uncover one thing new” relatively than visiting well-known landmarks, in accordance with a current Thrillist survey.
Vacation spot duping promotes locations that mass tourism has not radically altered, and it’s notably well-liked with youthful travellers.
As crowded cities like Barcelona and Málaga see rising backlash, underrated locations lastly get their second within the highlight as curious guests expertise locations they won’t have thought of earlier than.
“What we hear from travellers is crowd fatigue,” says Katy Nastro, journey skilled and spokesperson for Going Journey App. “Travellers are on the lookout for a extra purposeful approach of travelling, typically heading to dupes discovered by social media.”
Travellers are swapping the standard vacation classics for Japanese Japanese Europe
The seek for newness drives travellers to hunt dupe locations close by, whereas others enterprise additional for distinctive, offbeat experiences.
“Travellers aren’t simply swapping one Mediterranean vacation spot for an additional – some additionally select solely completely different landscapes,” provides Nastro.
“With extra connectivity to Scandinavian nations due to SAS’s inclusion into the SkyTeam alliance, they could additionally search out cooler climates for his or her summer season holidays.”
In the meantime, Japanese European cities like Vilnius and Bucharest are set to develop sooner from 2024 to 2029 than a lot of their pre-pandemic counterparts, in accordance with Tourism Economics.
Typically ignored in favour of Greece, Albania can also be having its second to shine: there have been 50 per cent extra worldwide guests to this Mediterranean gem in 2023 in comparison with 2019, in accordance with UN Tourism.
Albania gives white sand seashores, full of life cities like Tirana, and a wealthy cultural heritage – and all at a fraction of the price of its Greek neighbour.
And, with new locations rising throughout Japanese Europe, this is the place Euronews Journey suggests you head this summer season.
Eager on tradition? Swap Paris for Bucharest
Whereas Paris gives distinctive artwork, delicacies, and structure, experiencing its romance comes at a steep worth: it ranks because the seventh most costly metropolis on the earth.
For a metropolis break on a price range, head to the full of life capital of Romania, the place you’ll uncover flamboyant buildings just like the 1100-room Palace of Parliament, fashionable cafés – and the TikTok-viral spa that everybody’s speaking about. The excitement round this thermal spa has already seen an increase in guests to Bucharest.
Touted because the world’s first totally sustainable spa, Therme Bucharest attracts on Europe’s lengthy historical past of mineral bathing and gives thermal swimming pools, saunas, and hydrotherapy amenities.
However as soon as you have acquired your wellness repair, head to Cişmigiu Backyard for boating and blooms, the Museum of Up to date Artwork for eclectic artworks, or browse Romanian meals stalls within the Outdated City.
In search of coastal climes? Neglect Peloponnese, head to Vlorë
For a sun-soaked escape with out the crowds, Vlorë in Albania gives the identical Mediterranean local weather, clear Ionian waters, and historic attraction as its Greek coastal counterparts.
Located on the Albanian Riviera, Vlorë is a rising vacation spot teeming with contemporary seafood, seafront bars, and boutique stays at a fraction of the price. Albania is ranked amongst Europe’s most inexpensive journey locations).
Spend the day on the quiet shores of Narta or Zvernec Seashore, or take a ship to the Karaburun Peninsula for secluded coves that rival Greece’s finest seashores. Within the night, discover Vlorë’s historic centre, the place Ottoman structure meets a rising meals and nightlife scene.
Pour over craft brews in Wrocław as an alternative of Munich
Love Munich’s beer halls and grand structure? The historic metropolis of Wrocław in Poland delivers an identical mix of bar tradition and nightlife.
Its picturesque market sq. is lined with vibrant Gothic and Baroque facades that rival Bavaria’s attraction, whereas town’s dynamic pub scene makes it a super vacation spot for ale lovers.
Wrocław is residence to Poland’s oldest brewery, and with pints costing a fraction of Munich’s Oktoberfest charges, your euros (or złoty) go a lot additional. Skip the crowds of Hofbräuhaus and seize a native craft brew in any of town’s many historic ‘piwnicas’ (cellar bars).
There’s additionally a thriving artwork scene and a captivating community of islands and bridges crisscrossing the Oder River to find, too!
Neglect Dubrovnik – you’ll be able to as an alternative get misplaced in medieval Montenegro
For a extra relaxed different to Croatia’s medieval attraction and Adriatic views, take into account heading to Montenegro’s coastal city of Kotor, which gives strikingly comparable surroundings.
This UNESCO-listed city is a maze of cobbled streets, Venetian-era palaces, and café-lined squares, whereas its historic fortress partitions and waterfront setting really feel as cinematic as Dubrovnik.
Past the previous city, the bay’s fjord-like panorama is ideal for boat journeys and kayaking. You might also wish to discover close by Perast, a postcard-perfect village stuffed with church buildings and palaces.
For a ‘fairytale’ vacation, swap Bruges for Český Krumlov
Should you’re drawn to Bruges’ medieval squares and canals, then take into account Český Krumlov (pronounced ‘tcheski krumlof’), which has an identical ‘fairytale city’ vibe.
This small UNESCO-listed Czech city incorporates a maze of cobbled streets, vibrant homes, and historic structure. That is all wrapped across the scenic Vltava River and dominated by its spectacular Thirteenth-century fort. You possibly can go to the fort advanced, which features a uncommon and beautifully-preserved Baroque theatre.
Wander across the previous city’s winding alleys, and also you’ll occur amongst intriguing galleries and cafés, very like you’ll in Bruges however with fewer vacationers. Or, you’ll be able to take a ship journey down the river, passing below stone bridges and previous the city’s stunning, unspoiled views.