There are plenty of UK spots beloved by tourists, such as the Cotswolds, which has been getting even more attention than usual lately, or city break classics like Edinburgh and London. But if you’re looking for something a little off the beaten track, we can help out.
Our travel team has explored the world and experienced its best, and least talked about, bits. With that expertise, we recently curated a list of the most underrated destinations in Europe, and a little Welsh market town came second overall.
Machynlleth in Wales was named the second most underloved place on the continent, beating out an Italian beach, a magical town in Lapland, and one of Portugal’s national parks.
According to Time Out editors Ella Doyle and Grace Beard, who put together the ranking, at a first glance Machynlleth (Mach for short) ‘seems like another picturesque Welsh market town’, complete with smiling locals and ‘almost obligatory’ rolling hills. Whilst that would be worth a visit on its own, a closer look will reveal world-class scenery, historical significance, and an annual comedy festival.
The nature here is a particular draw, because Machynlleth isn’t surrounded by ‘just your bog-standard valley’, it’s the UNESCO protected Dyfi Biosphere; ‘a treasure trove of marshes, woodlands, waters, and wildlife’. The people here are proud of their heritage and take care of their surroundings, so make sure you do the same on your visit.
You can also get your culture fix at the local contemporary art museum housed in a chapel, or head to the Centre for Alternative Technology, a ‘love letter to innovation’ complete with a hillside funicular.
The Isles of Scilly also made it onto Time Out’s underrated European destinations list, landing in 10th place. This gorgeous southern archipelago is one of the UK’s best kept secrets, and was recently named the best island in the country by Forbes.
Top spot in the list was Izola, a gorgeous fishing village in Slovenia which travel writer John Bills describes as ‘positively dripping in Venetian elegance… Izola is the Slovenian coast as you want it to be.’ You can read more about Izola here.
Check out Time Out’s full list of the most underrated destinations in Europe here.
Plus: This is the atmospheric British festive fair that is officially the second best Christmas market in Europe
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