Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info While many tourists flock to popular European destinations like Paris, Barcelona and Santorini for their summer holidays, one woman has suggested some quieter alternatives. The bustling cities of France and Spain, as well as the major Greek islands, are often heaving with tourists in July. However, Emma, a travel content creator who plans her trips around her 9 to 5 job, has named some lesser-known European destinations that offer a more tranquil holiday experience. Recognising that not everyone enjoys the hustle and bustle of crowded cities, Emma shared a video on TikTok showcasing some of Europe's hidden gems. In her video, she stated: "Here are three lesser known places to visit in Europe in July. These are places that are a little bit more off the beaten track." Cuenca, Spain First on Emma's list is Cuenca, a city nestled in the mountains of east-central Spain. While it's possible to fly into Madrid and travel from there, Cuenca also boasts its own airport. Emma said Cuenca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its hanging houses perched above a gorge, its cobbled streets and ancient buildings. She added: "It's only two hours from Madrid so if you did want to dabble with city life then you could." For those seeking a truly unique accommodation experience, Emma recommends the Parador de Cuenca Hotel. This converted monastery offers stunning views of the gorge. Évora, Portugal Emma then suggested taking a trip to Évora, the capital of Portugal's Alentejo region that's steeped in history. To reach it, fly to Lisbon and then enjoy a scenic drive that lasts around an hour and a half. She shared her impressions of the city, adding: "As for what it looks like, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage city, like Cuenca, and it's famous for its colourful buildings, its cobbled streets. It also has some very well preserved Roman ruins and it's in the Alentejo region of Portugal which is famous for its vineyards so you can definitely enjoy many a good wine here." For accommodation with a twist, she suggests the Convento do Espinheiro. This 15th century convent turned five-star hotel offers a truly unique experience. Less popular Greek islands - Naxos and Ikaria Emma advocates exploring less charted Greek islands such as Naxos and Ikaria. She expressed her longing for a 'Mamma Mia'-style summer and pointed out that while familiar names like Mykonos, Santorini – though facing challenges with earthquakes this year – Kos, Crete, and Kefalonia bustle with visitors, Naxos is an idyllic alternative, brimming with "stunning beaches", "charming villages", and "amazing Greek food." Ikaria stands as another excellent pick for a tranquil escape in July, away from the tourist throngs. She said: "This has been in the news a lot recently because it's a blue zone. These are zones where people live very long lives, very healthy lives, they have less chronic diseases." Wrapping up her video, Emma noted: "And there we have it, those are the three places that I personally want to go in July. I just think they all seem so charming, you can enjoy great food there, great wines, relax, unwind, there's slightly less crowds, also some really unique places to stay. She also added: "A lot of places in Europe are gonna be so rammed this time of year so these are a little bit more unheard of, a little bit more quiet. They're not gonna be main cities, they're not gonna be beach resorts."