Dreaming of a coastal European holiday and finding your mind drifting straight to popular choices like Amalfi, Santorini, or Costa Brava? While these destinations are indeed beautiful,  their popularity has led to overcrowding, inflated prices, and long lines of people jostling for the chance to catch the same sunset. 

If you’re craving something more authentic, more intimate, and far less predictable, the real magic lies in the tucked-away towns and villages that most travelers overlook. Escaping to a hidden coastal gem in Europe isn’t about ticking off well-known landmarks, rather they offer a chance to slow down and live as a guest rather than a visitor.

Hidden Coastal Gems in Europe: Best Villas for Your Next Escape

Finding Your Next Coastal Getaway

Picture waking up in a stone villa perched above a quiet harbour, your morning coffee accompanied not by the chatter of tourists but by the sound of fishing boats returning with the day’s catch. 

Renting a villa in one of these hidden coastal retreats  is easy with tools like Villapicker, which let you quickly compare options across Europe. Renting a villa immerses you in the rhythm of local life, rather than simply giving you a place to stay.

Shop at neighbourhood markets or sip wine at family-run tavernas where menus change with the catch of the day. Staying in an off the beaten path villa takes travel to the next level, offering an authenticity you often don’t get to feel when booking into a big brand-name resort or hotel in more popular travel hotspots. 

Italy: Secret Coastal Towns

Italy’s coastline may be world-famous, but with that fame often comes the crowds like those found in Amalfi or Cinque Terre. Tucked between those popular destinations are countless hidden gems that prove you don’t have to compromise on beauty, culture, or authenticity just to escape the tourist trail.

Take Tropea in Calabria, for instance. Perched dramatically on a cliff overlooking the ocean, this little town feels like a postcard come to life. Spend your mornings wandering its sun-drenched streets, and your afternoons stretched out on golden beaches. Don’t miss the iconic Santa Maria dell’Isola, a church built on a rocky outcrop that seems to rise straight out of the sea.

If rugged coastlines and dramatic scenery speak to you, head further east to Polignano a Mare in Puglia. Here, whitewashed houses perch precariously over limestone cliffs, with Lama Monachile Beach awaiting you below. Diving into the Adriatic from these rocky coves feels worlds away from the crowds of Italy’s better-known beaches.

For something a little different, Camogli in Liguria offers a charming mix of history and modern local life. Its candy-coloured harbour, lined with fishing boats, feels refreshingly untouched by mass tourism. 

Wander through lively markets, duck into family-run trattorias, and climb up to the Castello della Dragonara for panoramic sea views. And if you’re willing to do a little exploring, there are hidden stretches of coastline nearby that you just might have all to yourself.

Spain: Off-the-Beaten-Path Coastal Spots

Spain is one of Europe’s most beloved holiday destinations, and for good reason. But while names like Costa Brava, Marbella, or Ibiza usually steal the spotlight, Spain also offers smaller, quieter coastal towns where you can experience more authentic Spanish culture. 

Think sleepy harbours, afternoons spent on peaceful beaches, and evenings filled with seafood feasts at family-run restaurants.

Take Cadaqués in Catalonia, for example. This whitewashed fishing village, with its cobbled streets and bright-blue shutters, has long been a retreat for artists and dreamers. In fact, Salvador Dalí once lived here, and you can still visit his wonderfully eccentric house-museum in nearby Portlligat. 

Beyond the art, Cadaqués offers a serenity that feels worlds away from the busier Costa Brava, making it perfect for wandering, sketching and journaling, or simply sitting by the sea with a glass of local wine in hand.

Further south, in Andalusia, you find sun-drenched Almuñécar, where history and nature blend in unexpected ways. Overlooking the town is a centuries-old Moorish castle, a reminder of the region’s rich past, while just below are lush botanical gardens that thrive in the subtropical climate. 

The beaches here are quieter than Andalusia’s bigger resorts, giving you the space to truly unwind. It’s the kind of place where you lose track of time in the best possible way.

And then there’s Getaria in the Basque Country, a hidden gem with a big personality. Its small fishing harbour remains the beating heart of the town, and if you follow the scent of grilled seafood drifting from waterfront restaurants, you’ll soon find yourself eating some of the freshest fish you’ve ever tasted. 

Culture lovers will also appreciate the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum, a nod to the town’s most famous son and a fascinating dive into the world of haute couture. Combine this with the rugged coastal scenery of northern Spain, and you have a seaside escape that feels both deeply authentic and unexpectedly stylish.

Greece: Lesser-Known Coastal Retreats

For most travellers, a Greek holiday consists of Santorini’s blue domes or Mykonos’ party scene. And while those islands are undeniably beautiful, Greece has so much more to offer beyond the usual hotspots. 

Scattered across both the mainland and islands are countless coastal retreats where history, culture, and natural beauty unfold at a gentler, more authentic pace. These are the kinds of places where you can watch the sun set without a crowd of cruise passengers blocking your view, and where the local taverna owners might actually remember your name by the end of your stay.

On the island of Naxos in the Cyclades, the rhythm of life slows down. Its old town is a maze of winding alleys, whitewashed walls, and those colourful bougainvillea spilling over balconies.

History buffs will be drawn to the Portara, a massive marble doorway from an unfinished temple dedicated to Apollo, which has stood proudly overlooking the sea for more than 2,500 years. Beyond its ancient sites, Naxos also boasts peaceful beaches and small villages where life feels beautifully untouched by time.

For something a little different, head to Parga in Epirus, a town that no doubt has inspired countless artists to try to capture its beauty with permanence in watercolours, acrylics, or oils. 

With its brightly painted houses tumbling down towards a sparkling bay, Parga is every bit as picturesque as the islands but with a distinctly mainland charm. The Venetian castle perched above the town offers sweeping views of the Ionian Sea, and the relaxed pace makes it an ideal spot for couples or families who want both culture and calm in one place.

Then there’s Milos, another Cycladic gem, beloved for its dramatic volcanic landscapes and dozens upon dozens of hidden beaches, each with its own unique character. Some are tucked between chalk-white cliffs that make the water glow electric blue, while others are secret coves only accessible by boat. 

Beyond the coastline, Milos’ quaint fishing villages, with their colourful boathouses built right into the water, give the island an almost storybook feel. It’s a paradise for explorers, photographers, and anyone who dreams of discovering a piece of Greece that still feels wild and untamed.

Experiencing Local Life

 

Experiencing local life is what makes a coastal getaway truly memorable. You get to witness not a postcard cliché, but instead a living, breathing culture. And if you choose to stay in a villa or small guesthouse, you’ll find that your trip becomes more than a holiday. You’re offered a rare chance to slip into the rhythm of authentic local life, if only for a little while.

Rather than rushing from one crowded landmark to another, you’ll find yourself shopping at the weekly market alongside locals or simply greeting the same friendly faces at a bakery or café each morning.

Embrace the slower pace, savour the regional flavours, and allow yourself to connect with the people who call these places home. That’s when a holiday transforms from memorable to truly unforgettable.

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Villa

Choosing the perfect villa can make all the difference in your coastal escape. Think about what matters most to you, whether that’s desiring complete privacy and seclusion, or to be within easy walking distance of local markets, cafes, and beaches. Some villas may offer both, but try to give thought to the kind of daily rhythm you want.

Seek out a villa with local character. A villa with traditional architecture, whether it’s a villa with whitewashed walls in Greece, a stone farmhouse in Italy, or a rustic casita in Spain, will help to add a layer of charm to your stay. Your villa becomes not just accommodation, but a part of the cultural experience.

Coastal living is best enjoyed outside, so look for a villa that offers inviting outdoor spaces to relax in. A balcony with a sea view, a shaded courtyard, or even a small pool can turn your mornings and evenings into the highlight of your trip.

Also think about what will truly make your stay comfortable, whether that means having a well-equipped kitchen if you love to cook with fresh market finds, air-conditioning if you’re visiting in high summer, or strong Wi-Fi if you plan to mix work with leisure.

Choosing the right villa isn’t about finding the fanciest property, rather it’s about finding one that offers comfort and helps you step into the rhythm of local life. Discover charming villas in these quiet towns with Villapicker and transform your accommodation from being more than just a base and into becoming a cherished part of your travel experience that you’ll carry home.