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Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Pretty UK seaside town named one of Europe's 'best kept secrets'
The European Hidden Gem Index ranked 50 of what they described as "Europe's best-kept secrets" - and one UK spot made the top 10 with its historical landmarks and impressive vistas Coastal resorts are a fundamental element of the UK, with countless options scattered throughout the nation. From those featuring pristine stretches of sandy coastline, to destinations complete with Victorian piers and amusements that often transport you to bygone eras, some undoubtedly attract more visitors than others. These locations can become rather crowded during summer months as Britons seek seaside relief, resulting in a less tranquil experience than expected. Venturing to lesser-known destinations and escaping the masses and expensive tourist hotspots can provide a much-needed respite instead, and one UK coastal town has officially been named one of Europe's best kept secrets. HomeToGo has published a list of underrated European towns, cities and villages frequently ignored by holidaymakers that merit exploration, and Beaumaris in Wales cracked the top 10. This comes as a heatwave forecast with maps reveals the exact date a 39C heat plume will scorch the UK. The European Hidden Gem Index named 50 locations as "Europe's best-kept secrets" after assessing destinations according to various criteria including weather, accommodation costs, dining choices and landscape. Situated on the Isle of Anglesey, recently crowned Britain's best island by The Telegraph, the Welsh coastal town received a score of 9.48 out of 10 for its scenery alone. Featuring a fascinating blend of medieval, Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture, HomeToGo described this coastal town as a perfect spot "for the explorer who's enchanted by rugged shorelines, medieval castles, and boat trips to wild islands.", reports the Express. The location boasts a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with Beaumaris Castle built between 1295 and 1330, and although it remains incomplete, it's regularly hailed as a masterpiece and amongst the most impressive Edwardian castles in Wales. Also dubbed the greatest castle never built, it stood as the final and most substantial of the fortifications erected by King Edward I in Wales, and it's still lauded for its almost flawless symmetry. But there's more to explore beyond ancient strongholds, as this charming coastal town sits along the banks of the Menai Strait which divides Anglesey from mainland North Wales. Maritime excursions run by Sea Coast Safaris enable tourists to view Beaumaris from the water, gliding past Victorian piers, the town's exclusive Millionaires Row and The Swellies, recognised as the most treacherous stretch of the Menai Strait. Puffin Island is also accessible from Beaumaris. Called Ynys Seiriol in Welsh, this island serves as a protected sanctuary and nesting site for various seabirds, whilst also housing Atlantic grey seals. With its sand and pebble coastline, those who favour dry land can enjoy Beaumaris Beach, which provides stunning vistas across the Menai Strait towards Snowdonia. Beaumaris is just a two-hour drive from both Manchester and Liverpool, for would-be road-trippers. The nearest railway station is in Bangor, with bus services available to take visitors directly to Menai Bridge. Europe's top 10 hidden gems Tomar, Portugal Brisighella, Italy Nafplio, Greece Puy-l'Évêque, France Bremm, Germany Beynac-et-Cazenac, France Valdoviño, Spain Sibiu, Romania Labeaume, France Beaumaris, Wales
Euronews
31-07-2025
- Euronews
US tourists shift to Europe's local favourites for summer 2025
A shift in traveller preferences is pushing American vacationers to explore Europe like locals, as they increasingly choose destinations that Europeans love rather than popular places among American tourists. Popular travel platform HomeToGo, which offers more than 20 million vacation suggestions worldwide, has identified the top international destinations gaining popularity among US travellers in 2025 based on online searches. Spain and Greece lead the rankings, though American tourists are increasingly favouring lesser-known spots over iconic destinations like Ibiza, Santorini, or Mykonos. Americans are looking for holidays in Europe as locals European destinations remain the top choice for American travellers, making up all of the top ten most-searched countries and 80 per cent of the most-searched destinations for summer 2025. Alicante in Spain (up 552 per cent year-on-year), Crete in Greece (up 390 per cent), and Lanzarote in Spain (up 384 per cent) are leading the trend, reflecting a growing appetite among travellers for scenic coastal and island getaways across Europe. This year, Americans are increasingly keen to explore Europe like locals, with rising interest in destinations traditionally favoured by Europeans. Mallorca in Spain and Menorca in Spain ( up 333 per cent year-over-year) - now ranked as the fourth most-searched and trending summer destinations respectively - have long been favourites among Europeans, but are often overshadowed in the US by their famous neighbour, Ibiza. Similarly, Lake Garda, Italy, ranked ninth, is now emerging as an alternative to the ever-popular Lake Como. Lesser-known Greek islands are rising in popularity among travellers. Naxos (up 327 per cent year-on-year), Lefkada (189 per cent), and Zakynthos (175 per cent) are fast becoming must-visit destinations for those seeking the charm of the Greek islands without the crowds typically found in Santorini or Mykonos. Meanwhile, interest in Brittany, France, is also growing (up 272 per cent year-on-year) as more American travellers are drawn to its rugged coastline and authentic appeal, offering an alternative to the glitz of the French Riviera. Using AI to choose a travel destination Holidaymakers in the US are also increasingly adopting AI tools to simplify and improve their summer travel planning and booking experiences. In HomeToGo's 2025 Travel Survey, more than half of US respondents (53 per cent) said they will definitely (29.6 per cent) or likely (23.4 per cent) use AI for travel planning in 2025. Naxos has become an 'international attraction' "In recent years, Naxos has been an international attraction not only for Europeans, but also for travellers from more distant markets, such as the USA and Australia," says Deputy Mayor of Tourism of the Municipality of Naxos and Small Cyclades, Vangelis Katsaras, commenting on the results of the survey. "Our visitors are satisfied with the price-quality ratio and are impressed by the range of options for holidaying on dozens of exotic beaches, touring beautiful picturesque villages, enjoying Naxian cuisine, initiation to culture and age-old traditions, exploring a multitude of ancient monuments and medieval or Byzantine towers and sports in nature and our turquoise waters through activities such as hiking, cycling, windsurfing and diving." Efforts are underway to promote the municipality abroad through a multi-faceted narrative that is well-received by international media. This year, Naxos was included in Forbes' recommendations for destinations to visit with special experiences combined with Athens and was ranked first in a list of the five best authentic Greek islands by the American travel website and
North Wales Live
29-07-2025
- North Wales Live
The Welsh seaside town named one of Europe's best kept secrets
The Welsh coastline is renowned for its mix of dramatic shores and sandy beaches, drawing in travellers from all around the world. And while some destinations are an obvious choice for travellers, one seaside town might have escaped your radar. If you're planning a Welsh staycation or day trip over the summer holidays, heading to a lesser-known location and escaping the masses of crowds you might find in Tenby or Barry could also make for a more tranquil experience. HomeToGo has published a compilation of underappreciated European destinations, settlements and villages frequently ignored by tourists that merit exploration, with Beaumaris in Wales securing a position within the top 10, reports the Express. The European Hidden Gem Index evaluated 50 locations described as "Europe's best-kept secrets", ranking destinations according to various criteria including the climate, accommodation costs, dining opportunities and natural beauty. Featuring a diverse blend of medieval, Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture, HomeToGo described Beaumaris as a perfect destination "for the explorer who's enchanted by rugged shorelines, medieval castles and boat trips to wild islands". Situated on Anglesey, which The Telegraph recently crowned Britain's finest island, Beaumaris also received an impressive 9.48 out of 10 rating for its landscape. A World Heritage Site, Beaumaris Castle was built between 1295 and 1330, and despite remaining incomplete, it's frequently hailed as a masterpiece and amongst the finest Edwardian castles in Wales. Also referred to as the greatest castle never completed, it was the final and most substantial of the fortresses erected by King Edward I in Wales, and it's regularly celebrated for its almost flawless symmetry. However, it's not solely about castles, as the charming coastal town sits on the banks of the Menai Strait. Maritime excursions run by Sea Coast Safaris enable tourists to view Beaumaris from the water, sailing past Victorian jetties, the town's own Millionaires Row and The Swellies, recognised as the most dangerous stretch of the Menai Strait. Puffin Island is also accessible from Beaumaris. Called Ynys Seiriol in Welsh, the island serves as a protected refuge and breeding ground for numerous seabirds, and is inhabited by Atlantic grey seals. With a sand and shingle coastline, should you choose to remain on dry land, Beaumaris Beach provides views across the Menai Strait and Eryri. The nearest train station to the town is Bangor, from where visitors can take a direct bus service to Menai Bridge.
The Sun
27-07-2025
- The Sun
The hidden gem seaside town nestled in the UK with the ‘greatest' castle and local puffins
IF you're contemplating a UK break over the summer holidays, there's a town that you may not have heard of which is perfect - and it's one of Europe's top 50 hidden gems. Beaumaris in Wales took the tenth spot on an expert list of discovered destinations in Europe, thanks to its long pier, pretty beach and there's even a nearby island which is home to colonies of puffins. 4 4 According to holiday rental site Home to Go, Beaumaris is the tenth best hidden gem in the whole of Europe. The town is said to be ideal for "the explorer who's enchanted by rugged shorelines, medieval castles, and boat trips to wild islands". Beaumaris is a seaside town on the Isle of Anglesey, packed with charming pubs, cafes and beaches. Those looking for a more cultural break are also in luck, as it has a stunning castle dating back to the 13th century. It's known as the greatest ever built because it was the last of the royal strongholds created by Edward I in Wales – and perhaps his masterpiece. The castle is surrounded by a moat and has spellbinding views over Snowdonia, and tickets to look around it and the grounds are just £10.50 per adult. Beaumaris has a beach for those keen to get some steps in, but its not advisable for swimmers as it's near the Menai Straits - known for strong tidal currents. One visitor raved about the town on Tripadvisor: "Just beautiful! Love this place and would definitely recommend a visit for a relaxed atmosphere with stunning views." The up-and-coming English seaside town with cheap booze and huge beaches 4 Another added: "This small beach with backdrop of pastel painted houses has some absolutely stunning views of the mountains." Near the beach is Beaumaris Pier, which originally opened in 1846 and rebuilt in 1872. These days it's a popular spot for crabbing and has a small kiosk near the entrance where you can nab an ice-cream or hot drink, plus souvenirs and beach toys. From Beaumaris you can easily get to Puffin Island, an uninhabited area off the eastern tip of Anglesey, on one of the regular boat trips or cruises. It's a wildlife hub for Atlantic grey seals as well as puffins - and if you're lucky you might also get a glimpse of porpoises and dolphins in the surrounding waters. Although most definitely a hidden gem, Beaumaris also has the backing of Which? - which put it high on a list of the best seaside towns in the UK last year. The Welsh town came in 25th place with a reader vote of 74 per cent. Plus, the . And the Welsh seaside town named one of the cheapest places for a UK beach break – with hotels under £20 a night. 4
North Wales Chronicle
19-07-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
Seaside town on Anglesey one of Europe's best hidden gems
From Greece to Portugal, Germany to the UK, HomeToGo has come up with a list of Europe's best hidden gems - perfect spots for travellers looking for somewhere "off the beaten path". The experts gave every place in Europe a score based on search trends and holiday home pricing data, as well as several other key factors, including: A post shared by HomeToGo (@hometogo) From there, HomeToGo was able to come up with a list of the top 50 best hidden gem destinations in Europe. The best hidden gem travel destinations in Europe, according to HomeToGo, are: The full list of Europe's best hidden gems can be found on the HomeToGo website. Beaurmaris was named Europe's 10th best hidden gem, said to be the perfect place for "the explorer who's enchanted by rugged shorelines, medieval castles, and boat trips to wild islands". It recorded a total score of 55.10, just behind Tomar (Portugal), which ranked top of the list. Beumaris recorded the following scores as part of the HomeToGo study: Beaumaris is described as a "captivating" seaside town by Visit Anglesey. "A 'must' is to take a walk through the town, starting with a stroll along the seafront, taking in the pier and the views over the Menai Strait and Snowdonia then continuing through the charming streets with their picturesque cottages, many painted in soft pastel colours," the experts added. The Anglesey-based town boasts a mix of medieval, Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture, with the highlight being Beaumaris Castle. Constructed between 1295 and 1330, the castle is now a United Nations World Heritage site. A post shared by Visit Wales (@visitwales) There is a lively collection of cafês, pubs, restaurants and hotels, with "good food to suit every taste". You will also find an "excellent" array of shops in Beaumaris, highlighted by some "quality" independent traders. The top attractions in Beaumaris, according to Tripadvisor, are: RECOMMENDED READING: The 2 'hidden' waterfalls in North Wales among the best in the UK North Wales village with 'scenic' pub and secret beach among UK's most beautiful The 3 'fairytale' beaches in North Wales named among the UK's best for 2025 While the best spots for food and drink are: Have you been to Beaumaris lately? What is your favourite thing about the North Wales town? Let us know in the comments below.
