For less known cities by non-Europeans I will say Salamanca in Spain. A city with a rich student life so lots of young folks and good energy. Amazing architecture all over the place, it’s perfect to just stroll and enjoy for free if you are on a budget.
In Italy, Perugia is also a really nice spot, not far from Assisi, but less crowded. I also really liked to stroll the harbor of Reggio di Calabria in Calabria. They have a nice museum with two beautiful bronzes found in the harbor.
Italy is amazing nearly everywhere so it’s worth just roaming for few months at least.
IMO, some of the most captivating places in Italy are outside the usual tourist hotspots. That entire country is endlessly beautiful, engaging, and memorable.
“Oh yeah? Well, you obviously haven’t been to Naples.” Yes, I have… and it’s awesome too!
My favorite place I’ve ever visited is Provence, France. I stayed with a friend in a little village outside Avignon and it was the best 5 days of travel in my memory. it’s easy to get trains to places all over the area. Arles was my favorite day trip. Now, since I had a friend kindly host me, I can’t speak to normal prices. I’ll be back in Provence tomorrow, as it happens, and I’ll be staying in Montpelier because booking there was cheaper last minute and my friend isn’t there currently, so I didn’t have reason to stay in Avignon. Plus I’m excited to try a new town.
Top three for me are Italy, Spain, and France. With honorable mentions for the UK, Germany, and Romania. All of them have really gorgeous, amazing areas - both man-made (towns, palaces, forts) and natural wonders (mountains, canyons, waterfalls, lagoons, beaches). An entire lifetime wouldn’t last for those 6 countries. For specific cities off the beaten path (outside of those countries) I would certainly not skip Budapest, Vienna, Lviv (but not now of course), Lisbon, Prague, plus a bunch of the micro nations (Vatican City, Gibraltar, and Monaco stand out, but they are really lumped with my top three choices for Europe).
Germany: Dresden is not as popular as Berlin or Munich, but well worth a visit (including nearby Basteibrücke).
Czech Republic: Czesky Krumlov is well known among tourists, but harder to get to.
Czech Republic: Karlovy Vary is a very acquired taste. Look up its history to see if it might fit you.
Poland: Wroczław was awesome for an unexpected hunt for the hidden dwarf statues all around the city.
France: Lourdes was a crazy city. Not religious at all (quite the opposite), but it was fun seeing the spectacle. Like a Disneyland for Christian people.
For all of those cities:
Probably not for staying multiple nights, but you can for sure have a fun weekend in all of them.
Might be very budget un-friendly, as transport will be much harder than going to main cities.
Most budget-friendly trip through Europe was travelling 5.500+ KM by van with several friends and camping. Only recommend if you are young.
You can look into Interrail-Travel Passes. Also if you focus on a single country there are often national rail passes that could be useful. Don’t quite remember, but I think I heard of some EU member states having programs to support youth travel to other member states (at least once in their life when they are young).
In general: if you are into nature there are so many awesome places all over Europe. Coastal areas, caves, mountains, hot springs, etc.
I am biased but Spain is simply a gorgeous country. You could spend multiple wonderful trips exploring Andalucía only. And then you’d have still so much more to see.
Also, Spain is somewhat culturally “inhomogenous”. A trip to Bilbao will leave a very different impression than a trip to Sevilla.
I think it’s more the parts of a country than the countries as a whole.
Eg: Portugal: The Algarve is a must. Also Madeira.
Spain: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia on mainland and the Canary Islands.
Germany: Berlin stands out and many more.
If you’ve dreamed of the Amalfi Coast, Salerno is a great option. Technically one town over from being on the coast, but a view of everything, a ferry over to Amalfi, and very cheap day-to-day costs.
In Spain right now, Seville is beautiful - but not as cheap as southern Italy.
Loved Istanbul when I went there, and going back soon, also a cheap option.
Athens/Greece is also a cheaper option.
Prague or Budapest, another two cheap options.
Basically France, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, UK and Ireland (+ anything north like Sweden, Iceland, etc) are by far the most expensive spots in Europe. Stick to Eastern Europe, or Southern Europe for much better deals and just as beautiful cities!
I find it to have the best time in Europe once I’ve learned the language of a particular country. spent 3 months traveling throughout Italy after 2 years of studying Italian and it’s the best time I’ve ever had. did the same with German a few years later. HIGHLY recommend. the countries you visit will always be seen through a different lens once you speak the language.