4 Quiet Spring Getaways in Europe for Travelers Who Don’t Like Crowds
Spring in Europe is kind of underrated. Everyone talks about summer… long days, beach trips, festivals - but honestly, spring is when everything starts to feel alive again, and it’s still calm enough to enjoy it.
Think: no crowds, just-opened cafés, and villages where it still feels like locals outnumber tourists. You can walk down a cobbled street without weaving through a tour group. Hike without the heat. Actually hear the birds in the morning. And bonus! It’s shoulder season, so places are more affordable and way less hectic.
It’s also the best time to do a quick weekend trip. You don’t need to plan months ahead or stress over reservations. Just pick a place, pack light, and go.
The spots I’ve pulled together here are easy to get to, still under the radar, and feel like a real break. The kind of places where you can breathe, eat well, take things slow, and leave feeling better than when you arrived.
Let’s get into it.
1. Alentejo, Portugal: Rolling Fields, Good Wine, and Quiet Nights
If you’re looking for something more spacious than Tuscany, less polished, and far quieter - Alentejo might be a good fit. Just a couple hours east of Lisbon, this part of Portugal is made for slow road trips - the kind where you stop often, stay long at lunch, and don’t need a plan to have a great weekend.
What you’ll find here: cork oak forests, wide open plains, hilltop villages that haven’t changed much in decades, and some of the most peaceful countryside you’ll come across in Europe. If you like the idea of being somewhere beautiful and relaxed, without the pressure to do much, this is where to go.
Why visit Alentejo in spring?
Alentejo can be scorching in summer, but in spring, the region is genuinely lovely. The air’s warm, but not hot. Wildflowers are everywhere. Vineyards are just coming back to life. It’s the kind of weather that makes you want to walk around for no reason, or have a long lunch outside without checking the time.
Tourism doesn’t really ramp up here until summer, especially along the coast, so you’ve got a window in April and May when everything feels open - but not crowded. It’s also a good time for wine tasting, since the wineries aren’t too busy yet and you can get more time and conversation with the people running them.
What makes Alentejo special?
Alentejo feels older and more grounded than a lot of other wine regions. There are Roman ruins and Moorish castles scattered across the landscape, but they’re just there, not heavily signposted or packaged as attractions. You can pass by a 13th-century fortress on your way to lunch and barely see another car.
The villages are quiet and authentic - not "preserved for tourists," just lived-in. People move slowly, meals take time, and nothing feels rushed or overly curated. It’s ideal for travelers who don’t need to tick off famous sights and would rather just settle into the rhythm of a place.
What to do in Alentejo
Wine tasting (without the crowds)
Alentejo is Portugal’s largest wine region, but it hasn’t been overdeveloped like Douro Valley. Tastings are relaxed, scenic, and often one-on-one.
Start with Herdade do Esporão near Reguengos de Monsaraz: a large but beautiful estate where you can try organic wines, wander through olive groves, and have a proper meal if you want to stay a while.
For something smaller and more personal, head to Adega Mayor, a quieter spot with minimalist design and panoramic vineyard views. Staff are warm, and you’re often tasting with just one or two other people.
Explore Monsaraz near sunset
Monsaraz is a tiny medieval village on a hill overlooking Alqueva Lake. It feels untouched, with narrow cobbled streets, whitewashed homes, and an old stone castle at the top. In the evening, the light gets golden and soft, and the whole town glows. If you can, time your visit for that golden hour - it’s quiet, calm, and genuinely stunning.
Look up at night
One of the best things about Alentejo? No light pollution. The skies out here are some of the clearest in Europe.
It’s part of the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve, which was the first certified Starlight Tourism Destination in the world. You can book a guided stargazing session with telescopes and astronomy guides, or just bring a blanket and lie outside at your hotel. The Milky Way is often visible on clear nights!
Where to stay
São Lourenço do Barrocal
A quiet luxury farm stay with simple design, vineyard views, and a small spa. Everything feels calm and well thought out - it’s easy to just exist here for a few days without feeling like you have to do anything.
Herdade da Matinha
A more casual, artsy retreat set in the southwest Alentejo countryside. Expect homemade breakfasts, colorful touches, and the kind of setting where you can fall asleep in a hammock with a book and no one bothers you.
How to get there
Fly into Lisbon, rent a car, and head inland. The drive to the central Alentejo region takes about two hours, depending on where you’re going. You’ll absolutely want your own car here… not just for convenience, but because the best parts of the trip happen between places.
There aren’t trains that connect the smaller towns, and many of the vineyards, farm stays, and viewpoints are off main roads. Having the freedom to pull over when something catches your eye is part of the experience.
2. Pelion Peninsula, Greece: Mountain Villages, Empty Beaches, and a Slower Side of Greece
If you’re looking for a place in Greece that’s not overrun with tourists, cruise ships, or souvenir shops - this is where you go. The Pelion Peninsula sits between Athens and Thessaloniki, but somehow it’s avoided the mass tourism wave that hit the islands years ago.
This isn’t your typical Greek destination. There’s no airport here, no big resorts, and no real “high season”- which makes it ideal for spring travel. What you get instead are stone-built villages tucked into forested hillsides, quiet hiking trails, and tiny coastal towns that still feel like they’re meant for locals.
And the pace? Slow. You don’t come here to do a million things. You come here to walk, eat, nap, read, swim (if you’re brave), and maybe do a short hike before dinner.
Why spring is the best time to be here
In late March through May, Pelion is fresh, green, and incredibly peaceful. The beaches are still too cold for most people to swim, but the sun is warm enough to sit by the sea, and the hiking trails are at their best. Fruit trees bloom across the hills, wildflowers take over the roadsides, and you can smell pine and woodsmoke in the mountain air.
Another reason spring stands out here? Most domestic tourists don’t arrive until late June or early July. So if you come before then, especially midweek, it’ll feel like you have the whole place to yourself.
And if your trip overlaps with Greek Orthodox Easter, you’re in for something special. It’s one of the biggest holidays of the year in Greece, and even small villages put on traditional processions, roast lamb feasts, and firework displays. It’s a cultural experience that most foreign visitors miss entirely.
What to do in Pelion
Wander the mountain villages
Pelion’s real charm is in the villages (places like Makrinitsa, Portaria, Tsagarada, and Vizitsa), where you can spend hours doing almost nothing. These towns are built on steep hillsides, with cobbled paths instead of sidewalks and hand-painted signs pointing to tiny tavernas or old chapels.
In spring, you can walk between some of the villages on old kalderimi paths (ancient stone trails that used to be the main routes before roads existed). You’ll pass waterfalls, goats, and maybe one or two other hikers - that’s it.
If you only visit one, make it Tsagarada. It’s shady, green, and full of character with little bakeries, hidden gardens, and a giant plane tree in the main square that’s over a thousand years old.
Hike the Centaur’s Path near Portaria
This short trail (about 2.5 km round trip) is a great introduction to the area’s forests. It loops through chestnut trees and along a small stream, and takes less than an hour. The trail’s name comes from Greek mythology (Pelion was said to be the home of the centaurs), but don’t worry, it’s more peaceful than wild. Great as a first morning walk.
Go slow at Mylopotamos Beach
Yes, you can visit a beach in spring, even if you don’t swim. Mylopotamos is one of the most photogenic in Pelion, split in two by a huge rock arch and framed by cliffs. It’s usually packed in summer, but in spring you might be the only one there. Bring snacks and something to sit on, as there aren’t beach bars open yet.
Nearby beaches like Fakistra or Damouchari are also worth visiting, especially if you want something quiet and rugged. Damouchari has a tiny harbor where part of Mamma Mia was filmed - but thankfully, it hasn’t turned into a tourist trap.
Try local food you won’t find elsewhere in Greece
Pelion has its own mountain cooking traditions, and spring is a great time to try them. You’ll find things like:
Spetzofai – a spicy sausage and pepper stew, perfect after a hike
Wild greens pies (hortopita) – usually handmade and served warm
Pelion-style tsipouro – stronger than ouzo, often homemade, served with meze (small dishes)
Most tavernas don’t have printed menus - they’ll just tell you what’s cooking that day. Trust them. And don’t expect fast service - meals here are meant to last a while.
Visit a honey farm or herb shop in Vizitsa or Milies
This area is known for its mountain honey, made from wild thyme and forest flowers. In spring, you can sometimes visit small producers and watch the bees at work (call ahead, as these aren’t commercial operations). Many guesthouses also sell their own homemade preserves, spoon sweets, or teas made from dried herbs they gather nearby.
Where to stay
Amanita Guesthouse (Tsagarada)
A cozy, family-run guesthouse with old-school charm. Homemade breakfasts, garden views, and the kind of place where you end up chatting with the owner over herbal tea and learning about the best trails in the area.
Olive Grove Villas (near Afissos)
If you’d rather be near the sea, these self-catering villas offer space, views, and fireplaces for chilly spring nights. It’s peaceful, quiet, and close to lesser-known beaches.
If you prefer something truly remote, look for guesthouses in Milies or Pinakates: they’re smaller, less developed villages that feel even more disconnected.
Getting there (and around)
You’ve got two solid options:
Fly into Athens, rent a car, and drive (about 4 hours)
Or fly into Volos (a small domestic airport), then drive from there (1 hour or less)
Either way, you’ll need a car. Public transport technically exists, but buses are limited and unreliable, especially in spring. The roads are steep and winding, and villages are scattered. It’s part of the adventure - just go slow and don’t expect to get anywhere fast.
Pretty village Portaria
3. Vals Valley, Switzerland: Hot Springs, Cold Air, and Absolute Quiet
If you're looking for a spring weekend that feels like pressing the reset button, Vals is hard to beat. It's a small alpine village in the Swiss canton of Graubünden (one road in, one road out) and it’s the kind of place where everything slows down whether you want it to or not.
Most people come here for the hot springs. But it’s not a wellness-resort kind of vibe. The thermal baths are quiet, minimalist, and built in a way that makes you feel like you’re part of the mountain, not just visiting it. There are no poolside mojitos or spa playlists here - just warm, mineral-rich water and stone walls that seem to hold the silence for you.
Spring is a great time to visit because it’s that in-between season: the valley’s thawing out, the peaks are still snowy, and the crowds haven’t shown up yet. You’ll get crisp mountain air, peaceful hiking trails, and hot water waiting at the end of the day.
Why go in spring?
Most people think of Switzerland as a winter or summer destination… skiing or hiking, basically. But Vals in the spring is a quieter, less defined experience. There’s still snow on the higher slopes, but in the valley, the meadows start turning green. It’s not crowded, because ski season has just ended, and summer tourism hasn’t started yet.
This is when you can walk through a near-empty alpine village and actually hear your boots on the ground. When you can soak in the thermal pools without sharing the space with more than a handful of people. It’s not flashy, but it’s deeply peaceful.
Also, prices tend to dip a bit between seasons, and the experience feels more personal. Guesthouses aren’t full. The hiking trails are yours. The staff at the bakery have time to chat.
What to do (when you don’t want to do much)
Spend an afternoon at the 7132 Thermal Baths
This is the main draw in Vals, and it lives up to the hype - not because it’s luxurious, but because it’s intentional. Designed by architect Peter Zumthor, the building is carved from over 60,000 slabs of local quartzite. It’s quiet, dark in places, and beautifully simple. The water comes from deep underground and stays around 30–36°C (roughly 86–97°F).
Early mornings and late evenings are the best times if you want it almost to yourself. Phones aren’t really used inside - it’s not forbidden, but no one’s doing it, and that’s refreshing.
Walk to Zervreila Reservoir
There’s a hike from the village up to Zervreila, a deep blue reservoir framed by dramatic mountain peaks. In spring, the snow’s melting, so you’ll get waterfalls and streams along the way. It’s not a difficult hike, but bring good shoes - parts can be muddy.
There’s a little mountain hut-restaurant up there too (Gasthaus Zervreila), where you can sit outside with rösti or apple strudel and watch the clouds move over the peaks. It’s simple and lovely.
Do nothing, properly
Vals is one of those rare places where doing nothing doesn’t feel like a waste of time. Sit on your balcony. Read a book. Watch the mist roll down the mountains in the morning. Go for a short walk just to stretch your legs. Sit in a café where no one’s working on a laptop. This is what this place is for.
Where to stay
7132 Hotel
This is the luxury pick, but it’s low-key and design-focused rather than flashy. Rooms are quiet and neutral, some with views over the mountains. If you’re staying here, you get early and late access to the baths when they’re closed to the public.
Gasthaus Zervreila
If you want something simpler, more rustic, and surrounded by nature, this alpine guesthouse near the reservoir is a great choice. It’s especially nice if you want to spend a night away from the village itself and wake up with a front-row view of the peaks.
Pension Brücke
A good budget-friendly option right in the village. Clean, basic rooms and walking distance to everything.
How to get there
Vals is tucked deep in the mountains, and getting there is part of the charm.
Fly into Zurich, then take the train to Chur (about 1.5 hours).
From Chur, it’s a local bus up into the valley (about another 1.5 hours).
There’s only one road in and out, and no train line into Vals itself, which keeps things quiet. If you’re not into driving in the mountains, the public transport route is scenic and easy enough to manage - just plan ahead, since buses don’t run frequently outside of peak season.
Once you're in the village, you won’t need a car. Everything is walkable, and the joy is in staying put.
7132 Thermal Baths
4. Locorotondo, Italy: Slow Afternoons, Quiet Streets, and Puglia Without the Noise
If you’ve ever scrolled past pictures of Puglia and thought it looked amazing (but maybe a bit too beachy, too hyped, or just too hot) Locorotondo might be the version you’re actually looking for.
This small, whitewashed town sits on a hill in the Valle d’Itria, surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, and stone farmhouses. It doesn’t have the dramatic coastline or big attractions you’ll find elsewhere in the region, and that’s exactly why it works. It’s a calm, lived-in place, full of little details you notice only when you slow down, like the sound of footsteps on stone, laundry swaying above narrow lanes, neighbors talking across balconies. Everyday stuff.
It’s also one of the easiest spots in southern Italy to settle into for a quiet spring weekend. The weather is warm enough for al fresco lunches but not yet sweltering. Wildflowers start blooming along the back roads. And while other towns in Puglia are already seeing crowds, Locorotondo stays slow and local, especially during the week.
Why visit in spring?
Puglia can get brutally hot in summer. Even locals start disappearing indoors after lunch. But in April and May, the days are warm, the air still smells like fresh grass and citrus, and the whole region feels more approachable.
Spring is also one of the best times for food in this part of Italy. You’ll find artichokes, wild greens, fresh cheeses, and early strawberries at local markets - plus restaurants aren’t slammed yet, so you can actually linger over lunch without feeling rushed.
And unlike some of the region’s coastal towns, Locorotondo doesn’t rely on summer tourism. Life ticks on at its own pace, year-round. So even if it’s your first time here, you won’t feel like an outsider - just a quiet observer, which is exactly what a lot of introverted travelers want.
What to do (when you don’t want to do much)
Wander the centro storico
Locorotondo’s old town is small (you can walk it in 15 minutes) but that’s why we love it. The goal isn’t to get through it, it’s to notice it. Arched doorways, curved alleys, tiny churches tucked into corners. The stunning architecture. Most of the buildings are white, with pale stone paving that glows golden in the afternoon sun.
There are no major sights, and that’s part of the appeal. You’re free to just drift, stop for a coffee, or sit on a bench and do nothing for a while.
Bike or walk through the Valle d’Itria
If you want to explore beyond town, rent a bike (or e-bike) and follow the old rural roads that wind through the valley. This part of Puglia is all olive trees, low stone walls, and traditional trulli - conical-roofed stone huts unique to the region.
There’s a bike path that runs along a converted railway line between Locorotondo, Cisternino, and Martina Franca, and it’s flat and peaceful. This path is ideal for a spring ride when the sun’s warm but not punishing. Pack a sandwich and take your time.
Try Puglian wine at a small vineyard
Locorotondo is known for its crisp white wines, and many of the producers here are family-run and happy to do small, informal tastings.
I Pastini is one of the most accessible - just a short drive or bike ride from town. Their tastings are relaxed, outdoors when the weather’s good, and usually come with snacks and conversation. No pressure to buy, no huge tour groups.
Eat slowly and stay longer than you planned
Puglia has some of the best food in Italy, and Locorotondo has a few spots that balance quality with quiet atmosphere. Skip anywhere with laminated menus and look for places filled with locals, especially on a weekday.
Things to try in spring:
Fave e cicoria (fava bean purée with bitter greens)
Orecchiette with cime di rapa (a classic pasta with broccoli rabe and garlic)
Burrata - always fresh, often local
Rosé or bianco di Locorotondo DOC — easy-drinking spring wines you’ll want to take home
Where to stay
Masseria Moroseta (near Ostuni)
A little outside Locorotondo, but worth it if you want peace, design, and amazing breakfasts. It's a working farm with a minimalist style: very white, very calm, and surrounded by olive trees. The food is hyper-local, and the vibe is all about disconnecting.
Trulli Holiday Albergo Diffuso
If you want to sleep in a real trullo, this is a great way to do it without feeling like you’re in a theme park. These are renovated stone houses spread throughout the town, and you get your own quiet space with thick stone walls and curved ceilings.
Dimora Casanoja (closer to Noci)
A smaller, cozy masseria with rustic rooms and a homey feel. A good option if you want something simple, authentic, and low-key.
Getting there
Fly into Bari or Brindisi - both airports are about an hour away by car. Trains run to Locorotondo from Bari via Martina Franca, but the service is slow and not super frequent. Renting a car makes it much easier to explore nearby towns and rural areas.
Important tip: if you're driving, don’t try to park in the old town! It’s a tight maze. Look for signs pointing to free public lots just outside the walls, and walk in.
Keep Exploring
If this list of slow spring escapes has you thinking about where else you could go (solo, peacefully, and without the stress) here are a few guides that go deeper:
Countryside Bliss: The Best Solo Travel Destinations in Europe for Slow Travelers
From Slovenia to southern France, these are the calm, countryside places that are perfect if you're traveling alone and want real peace and quiet.Finding Comfort in Solo Travel: Why March is the Best Time to Travel Alone
A personal take on what makes early spring so ideal for solo trips: fewer people, cheaper stays, and space to reconnect with yourself before peak season kicks in.A Solo Traveler’s Guide to Ayr, Scotland
Not sure where to begin with slow solo travel? This guide to one of Scotland’s lesser-known towns is a great reminder that quiet, meaningful travel doesn’t need to be far-flung.
