Destination dupes to Eastern Europe are booming, especially as protests against mass tourism intensify.
ADVERTISEMENTAs travellers avoid tourist-heavy destinations in favour of lesser-known, more affordable options, sights are being set on Eastern Europe.
Vilnius offers a charming mix of Baroque architecture and buzzing café culture without the crowds of Prague, while Bucharest’s buzzing nightlife and grand Belle Époque buildings give pricey Paris a run for its money.
Places such as Slovenia and Albania are also seeing a rise in visitors as alternatives to their more popular neighbours, Italy and Croatia.
Destination dupes are one of the year’s exciting travel trends, as revealed in the 2025 Euronews Travel Trends report.
Destination dupes help travellers avoid crowd fatigue
68 per cent of Gen Z respondents now prioritise finding destinations where they can “discover something new” rather than visiting famous landmarks, according to a recent Thrillist survey.
Destination duping promotes places that mass tourism has not radically altered, and it’s particularly popular with younger travellers.
As crowded cities like Barcelona and Málaga see growing backlash, underrated destinations finally get their moment in the spotlight as curious visitors experience destinations they might not have considered before.
“What we hear from travellers is crowd fatigue,” says Katy Nastro, travel expert and spokesperson for Going Travel App. “Travellers are looking for a more purposeful way of travelling, often heading to dupes found through social media.”
Travellers are swapping the usual holiday classics for Eastern Eastern Europe
The search for newness drives travellers to seek dupe destinations nearby, while others venture further for unique, offbeat experiences.
“Travellers aren’t just swapping one Mediterranean destination for another – some also choose entirely different landscapes,” adds Nastro.
“With more connectivity to Scandinavian countries thanks to SAS’s inclusion into the SkyTeam alliance, they may also seek out cooler climates for their summer vacations.”
Meanwhile, Eastern European cities like Vilnius and Bucharest are set to grow faster from 2024 to 2029 than many of their pre-pandemic counterparts, according to Tourism Economics.
Often overlooked in favour of Greece, Albania is also having its moment to shine: there were 50 per cent more international visitors to this Mediterranean gem in 2023 compared to 2019, according to UN Tourism.
Albania offers white sand beaches, lively cities like Tiranaand a rich cultural heritage – and all at a fraction of the cost of its Greek neighbour.
And, with new destinations emerging across Eastern Europehere’s where Euronews Travel suggests you head this summer.
ADVERTISEMENTKeen on culture? Swap Paris for Bucharest
While Paris offers exceptional art, cuisine, and architecture, experiencing its romance comes at a steep price: it ranks as the seventh most expensive city in the world.
For a city break on a budget, head to the lively capital of Romaniawhere you’ll discover flamboyant buildings like the 1100-room Palace of Parliament, trendy cafés – and the TikTok-viral spa that everyone’s talking about. The buzz around this thermal spa has already seen a rise in visitors to Bucharest.
Touted as the world’s first fully sustainable spa, Therme Bucharest draws on Europe’s long history of mineral bathing and offers thermal pools, saunas, and hydrotherapy facilities.
But once you’ve got your wellness fixhead to Cişmigiu Garden for boating and blooms, the Museum of Contemporary Art for eclectic artworks, or browse Romanian food stalls in the Old Town.
ADVERTISEMENTSeeking coastal climes? Forget Peloponnese, head to Vlorë
For a sun-soaked escape without the crowds, Vlorë in Albania offers the same Mediterranean climate, clear Ionian waters, and historic charm as its Greek coastal counterparts.
Situated on the Albanian Riviera, Vlorë is a rising destination teeming with fresh seafood, seafront bars, and boutique stays at a fraction of the cost. Albania is ranked among Europe’s most affordable travel destinations).
Spend the day on the quiet shores of Narta or Zvernec Beach, or take a boat to the Karaburun Peninsula for secluded coves that rival Greece’s best beaches. In the evening, explore Vlorë’s historical centre, where Ottoman architecture meets a growing food and nightlife scene.
Pour over craft brews in Wrocław instead of Munich
Love Munich’s beer halls and grand architecture? The historic city of Wrocław in Poland delivers a similar blend of bar culture and nightlife.
ADVERTISEMENTIts picturesque market square is lined with colourful Gothic and Baroque facades that rival Bavaria’s charm, while the city’s dynamic pub scene makes it an ideal destination for ale lovers.
Wrocław is home to Poland’s oldest brewery, and with pints costing a fraction of Munich’s Oktoberfest rates, your euros (or złoty) go much further. Skip the crowds of Hofbräuhaus and grab a local craft brew in any of the city’s many historic ‘piwnicas’ (cellar bars).
There’s also a thriving art scene and a fascinating network of islands and bridges crisscrossing the Oder River to discover, too!
Forget Dubrovnik – you can instead get lost in medieval Montenegro
For a more relaxed alternative to Croatia’s medieval charm and Adriatic views, consider heading to Montenegro’s coastal town of Kotorwhich offers strikingly similar scenery.
ADVERTISEMENTThis UNESCO-listed town is a maze of cobbled streets, Venetian-era palaces, and café-lined squares, while its historic fortress walls and waterfront setting feel as cinematic as Dubrovnik.
Beyond the old town, the bay’s fjord-like landscape is perfect for boat trips and kayaking. You may also like to explore nearby Perast, a postcard-perfect village filled with churches and palaces.
For a 'Fairytale' Holiday, Swap Bruges for Cesky Krumlov
If you’re drawn to Bruges’ medieval squares and canals, then consider Český Krumlov (pronounced ‘tcheski krumlof’), which has a similar ‘fairytale town’ vibe.
This small UNESCO-listed Czech town features a maze of cobbled streets, colourful houses, and historic architecture. This is all wrapped around the scenic Vltava River and dominated by its impressive 13th-century castle. You can visit the castle complex, which includes a rare and beautifully-preserved Baroque theatre.
ADVERTISEMENTWander around the old town’s winding alleys, and you’ll happen among intriguing galleries and cafés, much like you would in Bruges but with fewer tourists. Or, you can take a boat trip down the river, passing under stone bridges and past the town’s beautiful, unspoiled views.
