What are the most underrated & overrated places in Europe?

Probably my best gems, that I can think of right now, are Durham and Hadrian's Wall, not that they're so obscure. Thanks to RS for pointing us to Durham especially. Another one, recent: the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague. For Don't Need to Go Back, I'd say Carcassonne. But I'm glad I saw it once, after being curious ever since reading Richard Halliburton's description halfway back in the last century!

You will find a lengthy list on a thread a bit farther down this section of the Helpline, called "Name YOUR list of 5 underrated (on Helpline-RS) European cities". It was last posted to four days ago.

I think Milan is underrated. In contrast to the historical and touristy places in Italy, Milan offers a glimpse into "modern and fashionable Italy". The Duomo itself is worth a visit. One of the most beautiful cathedrals I've ever seen.

Ravello is definitely in my top five. Lisbon disappointed me, but loved Porto.

I have never regretting visiting any place I have been, BUT,there are one or two places I don't need to go back to.. Munich was one for me, and Brussels.

Overrated? Well it's all a matter of taste. I like seeing everything once but there are places I wouldn't plan to visit again. Neuschwanstein, Pisa, Amsterdam, Oslo, Helsinki, Innsbruck, Madrid, Glasgow, Cork, Ring of Kerry, Newcastle, Liverpool, Lucca, Limerick come to mind off the top of my head. Some places I'll always try to visit whenever I can. Venice, Salzburg, Edinburgh, York, Bath, Munich, Galway, Copenhagen, Sevilla, Granada, Toledo, Salamanca, Jerez, Wurtzburg, Trier.

Once is enough: Sicily...(although I loved Taromina); Milan; Pisa; Deserves a repeat: Dingle, Berlin, Budapest, Normandy; Sorrento, Najir (Costa del Sol), Murren

Correction, I do have one place I regret wasting the time to see, it was Pisa. Don't go out of your way to see Pisa,, but if it on your way to somewhere ( anywhere ) else, then fine..

Glad I went, but wouldn't go back: Vienna, Bratislava, Pompeii (along with Naples and Sorrento) Cork, Rovinj ($$$$$!), Pula, Brugges, Cesky Krumlov, the towns of the Rhine and Mosel, Munich, Rotenburg odT, and The Hague. I would like to revisit: Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Rome, Krakow, Prague, and Dublin. I always visit: Venice, Mostar, Sarajevo, London and Budapest. Next up: Spain!(along with my must visit list)

I know for me it's an individual thing. What makes me want to go back is a personal experience that I am wishing I could recreate. It's so personal and specific. Places that others would never go back to, I wish I was there everyday reliving the same encounters that made it memorable. Then when I return it is never the same and I am setting myself up for disappointment. That's why I like to always go someplace new. No expectations, a clean slate. Go to each place leaving yourself open to the things that you love about traveling. I love meeting people and hearing their stories. So I choose to stay in Hostels vs Apartments to increase these interactions. I love festivals, big or small. So I try to to plan to go when things are happening. Find the one thing that makes that city unique and for me it's never a museum, and experience it with all 5 senses. Don't spend your time with your nose in a guide book or map. You might miss the parade going on in front of you. Go to the places you always dreamed of not the places that are in my dreams. Create your own memories and not be guided by those who live by different standards. Dancing with an 80 year old Italian man is what makes my entire vacation but it may be your worst nightmare. :)

Brad, Oslo overrated on this website? Considering the low number of inquiries it gets, and that it's one of the most beautiful, clean and pleasant cities I've seen anywhere, I would say it's vastly underrated. My number one most overrated town in Germany would be Rothenburg o.d.T. For the record, I do think it is quite attractive and worth a visit if you're headed in that general direction. But it certainly is not nearly as unique as advertised. If you have to deviate significantly from your general direction of travel to reach Rothenburg, you probably bypassed any number of suitable alternatives. And for those who claim they loath touristy places and only want "authentic blah blah blah", well, Rothenburg is about as touristy as they get.

There seems to be a general trend to judge a city's worth by the number of museums or attractions it has. Travelers spend most of their time getting from a museum to another, rather than actually enjoying the city. Part of the joy of traveling comes from experiencing new food, quaint neighborhoods, nice vistas, and just the fact of "being in a new city". So I can't really understand it when someone says a certain city is only worth 1 day.

Underrated are the general questions threads such as this one that invariably engender spirited discussion, great memories, and good ideas for future travel. It is not fair to describe places like London, Venice and Salzburg as underrated, but those are cities that I would love to revisit and deserve their lofty ratings. For underrated (and it may be a matter of degree), I would say Taormina, Dubrovnik, and the Amalfi coast. For overrated, Vienna, Siena and Cinque Terre.

All opinion here... Overrated for me is Stonehenge. But underrated is Avebury. Overrated - Milan. Underrated - Bolonga. Overrated - Grenada (the city itself, not the amazing Alhambra). Underrated - Cordoba. I also don't think Stockholm and Helsinki get enough credit for just how wonderful those cities are.

Can't wait to go back: Irelalnd: Kinsale (fabulous waterfront& great dining) Donegal (remote and lovely; enjoyed going to a weaver's fair there) Germany: Dresden, a gem of a city Fredrickschafen on the Boden See Won't be on the next itinerary:
Athens, Bratislave, Milan,

Under rated: Brussels, Milan, Mainz, Worms, Koblenz I am not going to say anything is over rated, because it is a matter of taste and there is always something new to find and explore, no matter where you go. There does seem to be way, way, too much emphasis on "perfect" towns, cities, and sites, like Munich, Rothenburg, Neuschwanstein, Cinque Terre, etc. which are all lovely places, but they aren't the be all and end all which they are often are touted as being.

Overrated: Prague (except the Jewish Quarter, parts of Novy Mesto, and the beer) Underrated: Dresden

I look at this list and I know it's all about opinion, but I cannot believe Amsterdam and Vienna are on the list. I love both of those places, just surprising! Paris is my favorite and will return any chance I get.
Italy anywhere is also high on the return list. Happy Travels and here's to having your own personal favorites!!

Disclaimer: I don't think overated means it is not worht a visit...it just did not live up to all the hype: Overated: Provence (My expecations were high after all I had heard. We spent a wonderful 3 days there, but don't understand why this is such a highly rated place when we found many other areas of France at least if not more beautiufl and fun) Underated: Dordogne- If I could only visit one area in France, this would be my first choice. Worth one visit: Carcossone, Innsbruck Pisa, Changing of the guard in London, some of the Chateaus and castles we have visited: Neuschwanstein, Chambord, Blarney, Caernafon, Warwick, and many more. Fun to visit once, but don't need to go back. I will visit ones I have not been to though. Will always return: Every country I have visited. There is always something new to see. My 2 favorite countries are Switzerland and Austria. Happy travels!

I find it awkward to answer questions like this, and not simply because it is based on personal opinion. But rather, because it assumes your visit was based on some previously-held concept of how the place was "rated". In most cases, my visit is not based on how a place is rated by others, but rather by specific sites located there that I want to see. So I visit London not because London is rated highly by anyone, but because I want to see the British Museum, the Houses of Parliament, etc. In between stops at the places I want to see, I expect to be able to drink in a sense of the city/town - to imagine myself living there and judge whether or not it would appeal to me. But every location has worthwhile aspects, and it is difficult for me to imagine judging a place as "overrated" unless I was only there on someone else's advice. You should travel in a frame of mind that makes it possible to enjoy being almost anywhere at least once. There are, however, certain places I have been that appeal to me more than others as a place I would be excited to return to. I could list theme here, but the list would be of little use to anyone else as it is derived from nothing more than personal opinion born out of how well a place meshes with my personality.

I second Stonehenge. It must be the most overrated site in the world. Reading about it is enough.

For me, Stonehenge and Blarney Castle are top of the most overrated list.

Completely a personal preference, because for me Prague and London would be overrated. I'm glad I went to each once, but I don't need to go back. Brussels and Oslo are underrated in my opinion. I always want to go back to those cities. Of course, when in Oslo I am visiting friends who live there, so that might taint my opinion in it's favor.

I always thought Verona was overrated.

Ok rereading, and yes, I also rate Stonehenge as overated, sorry, didn't have a "magical moment " there, it was ok, but its really off on its own, so if its not on your way to somewhere else, and you have no burning desire to see it( personal tastes) then don't bother.

Gem, as in not featured in most guidebooks: Goslar, Germany. I spent a few days there (1 on business) and fell under its spell. It has remnants of old city walls and has been undamaged by the world wars of the 20th century. It has a cobble stoned city center with charming squares and historic houses, even a palace built for traveling Holy Roman Emperors. It sits at the edge of the Hartz Mountains, and many restaurants feature local game such as wild boar. Rothenburg has more to see, perhaps, but also has MANY more tourists. I did not hear another American voice for 3 days; it is a holiday destination for Germans.