Europe's most overlooked nations, ranked

Underrated Europe

Europe contains numerous countries that are ripe for exploring but which tend to fly under the radar for a variety of reasons. From Belgium to Bosnia and Herzegovina, our well-travelled team has picked 15 of the continent's most underappreciated nations and ranked them. We've done so in the knowledge that this is a highly subjective approach, and that your opinions may differ.

Click or scroll through the gallery to see which underrated country made it to our top spot...

15. Andorra

15. Andorra

14. Luxembourg

14. Luxembourg

13. Slovakia

13. Slovakia

12. Albania

With a combination of stunning mountain scenery, beaches blessed with warm blue waters that rival any in the Mediterranean and a fascinatingly unique culture, it's surprising that Albania – just across the Adriatic Sea from Italy's 'boot heel' – isn’t more of a tourist hotspot.  

12. Albania

11. Moldova

11. Moldova

10. Poland

10. Poland

9. Liechtenstein

9. Liechtenstein

8. North Macedonia

8. North Macedonia

7. Belgium

7. Belgium

6. Romania

6. Romania

5. Malta

5. Malta

4. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Nestled between Croatia and Montenegro on the Adriatic Sea, Bosnia and Herzegovina has an intriguing east meets west vibe – a product of its Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian past – and boasts an abundance of architectural gems, beautiful mountains and stunning waterfalls. The fact it attracts less than two million visitors a year is perhaps a result of lingering associations with the tragic civil war of the 1990s.

Mostar’s Stari Most (Old Bridge) is an example of the country’s determination to rebuild and look to the future. Originally built between 1557 and 1566, it was destroyed during the war but then painstakingly reconstructed using 16th century building techniques. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

4. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo, the nation’s capital, is renowned for its architectural diversity and vibrant street life. Head for the Baščaršija quarter of the old town centred around the Sebilj fountain (pictured) and explore the lively market, grand Ottoman mosques and coffee shops. 

3. Latvia

3. Latvia

2. Lithuania

2. Lithuania

1. Estonia

1. Estonia