Lonely Planet has released its Best in Travel 2027 list, and ten European destinations and experiences have made the global cut. The annual list, compiled by the publisher's worldwide network of experts ahead of the booking season, is split into 25 places to visit and 25 experiences to book — and this year's European selections lean towards quieter alternatives to the usual hotspots.
On the places front, Italy's Veneto region gets the nod, but not for Venice. The recommendation is to spread out across the wider region: the Dolomites, Lake Garda, and cities like Verona and Padua. Croatia's Šibenik also features — one of the country's oldest cities, praised for its architecture, food scene and year-round festival calendar.
Spain makes the list via León, a medieval city in the north on the French Way of the Camino de Santiago. It's a pointed pick given the overtourism debates that have dominated Spanish headlines: León is a place that actually welcomes more visitors, with Gothic architecture and a Gaudí building, Casa Botines, to explore.
For cooler climes, Skanör-Falsterbo in Sweden's Skåne province — nicknamed the Swedish Riviera — is pitched as the 2027 coolcation, all coastal scenery and nature reserves at a slow pace. And in Germany, Dessau earns a spot as the small city synonymous with the Bauhaus design movement.
The European experiences are equally appealing for 2027 planners. Walkers get St Cuthbert's Way, a 100-kilometre historic pilgrimage route running from the Scottish Borders into Northumberland, an endorsement warmly received by VisitBritain, which notes that over a third of international visitors to the North East already take countryside walks. Drivers can tackle France's Route Napoléon, which celebrates its 95th anniversary in 2027 and passes through Grasse, Castellane and Sisteron.
Prefer the water? Lonely Planet recommends sailing Italy's Aeolian Islands for their rugged coastline and clear seas, or exploring centuries of maritime history in Greece's Aegean. In Ireland, the Wild Atlantic Way is the famous option, but the experts point to Killary Fjord in Co Galway as a shorter escape that may be the most beautiful spot in the country.
The common thread is a gentle steer away from overtouristed icons — swap Venice for Padua, Barcelona for León — without sacrificing culture, coastline or good food. For travellers keen to beat the crowds and book somewhere with expert backing before the masses catch on, this list is a solid starting point. Full details appear in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2027.
