This Portuguese city is a hidden European tourist gem. It delights with its attractions and architecture.

Off the beaten track – in an era of overtourism, this slogan resonates widely, encouraging travelers to choose lesser-known destinations. The "European Index of Hidden Gems" can be helpful in choosing these less obvious destinations. This list reveals hidden treasures on the continent that still remain to be discovered by tourists. The Portuguese city of Tomar tops the list.

The European Hidden Gem Index was developed by the HomeToGo platform . It took into account not only current tourism trends but also accommodation prices, views, and food. This analysis allowed us to identify the top 10 destinations.

Of particular note for travel enthusiasts is the Portuguese city of Tomar, famous for its Convento de Cristo monastery complex – the Portuguese seat of the Knights Templar and the Order of Christ . This monastery was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983.

City of Tomar/photo Unsplash Sofia Vila Flor

However, this charming town in the province of Ribetejo , located 40 km from Fátima, offers many more unique attractions. Visitors can visit, for example, the Match Museum . Located in the former monastery of St. Francis, the museum boasts the largest collection of matchboxes in Europe. Visitors can see over 45,000 matchboxes from 122 countries, including Poland.

Tomar will delight those who soak up the atmosphere of cities simply by strolling through them. It's built in a checkerboard pattern on both sides of the Nabão River. Whitewashed houses line the narrow streets of the old quarter. A tranquility reigns here, unparalleled in popular tourist destinations.

The Italian city of Brisighella and Greek Nafplion also made the podium. The list also includes Puy-l'Évêque (France), Bremm, Beynac-et-Cazenac (France), Valdoviño (Spain), Sibiu (Romania), Labeaume (France), and Beaumaris (Welsh).