Portugal

Best Top 10 European Countries to Travel During COVID

As we are easing back into the norm, many of us are eager to get back into travelling. With the constant fluctuation of travel restrictions and dependencies on your COVID test results and vaccination status, it makes you question which European countries are accessible for tourist travel.

Although it’s still not recommended, over 100 destinations in Europe are open for visitors. It won’t hurt to start planning now, save up, and do extensive research to create the perfect European country bucket list. If you’re fully vaccinated, and Covid-safe for travel, an official European Union Green List of tourist destinations deemed safest is being prepared for travellers that are eligible for vaccination passports.

So without further ado, here’s our guide to the top 10 European countries to travel to during Covid.

Malta

A top hotspot amongst British travellers, Malta was the first European nation to fully vaccinate its population, making the lush Mediterranean island officially open to countries of the EU. With its regular sunny climate throughout the year, the island is the perfect haven for nature lovers, sports, food lovers and history enthusiasts, especially if you want to escape the UK’s Autumn and Winter blues. The Maltese government has adhered to effective regulations to keep its population safe and allow visitors with a vaccination certificate.

Georgia

Throughout the heaviest period of the pandemic, Georgia was amongst the safest destinations due to the Georgian government’s decision to close its borders for the local population’s safety and travellers. The vibrant Haussmannian architecture of Tbilisi is enough to convince travellers to pack up and explore one of Eastern Europe’s hidden travel destinations.

Croatia

With the country boasting 78 archipelagos and known for its medieval architecture style, Croatia is rich in timeless town squares, picturesque churches, quaint streets and history. Croatia is opening its borders for any green list of EU citizens who can provide vaccination certificates and negative test results. During the pandemic’s peak, the Croatian islands held their fort, remained in the green zone, and kept their population safe.

Monaco

Known for its world-renowned casinos, tennis, relaxing beaches, and the colourful Mediterranean city backdrop, the city of Monte Carlo, has something to offer for every traveller. The French principality country has one of the lowest covid cases with only 21 deaths and 1,787 since the start of the pandemic, thus making it one of the safest and highly regulated destinations in Europe.

Greece

A destination full of cultural heritage, exceptional mountain ranges and endless resorts to visit in the Ionian islands, Greece is a timeless destination that many travellers worldwide favour. As early as May 2021, Greece was among the few European countries to accept tourist and international travel. European citizens visiting the islands are not required to quarantine unless they test positive during the airport covid test procedure.

Iceland

Iceland was one of the first European countries to approve the use of vaccination certificates and passports, so it’s worth treating yourself to a summer trip to this nature-loving country and breathe the crisp Icelandic air. The vast isolated country offers many unique and ‘out of this world’ experiences like the black sand beaches of Vik, geysers, jaw-dropping waterfalls and therapeutic lagoons to soothe your body after a long day of exploring.

Portugal

The country’s fully vaccinated island destinations include the Azore Islands and the volcanic island of Corvo; there are plenty of exclusive resorts to visit within Portugal’s Azores archipelago. The two autonomous regions have plenty of rugged mountain hiking trails and exotic white sand beaches for travellers looking to explore beautiful nature during the day and unwind by the sea at night. EU travellers that can present a negative test ahead of arrival can visit Portugal quarantine-free.

Spain

spain

The country’s authorities have successfully contained the effects of the pandemic without fully closing down all activities, allowing restaurants and bars to remain open most of the time. Although Spain has not made it in the UK’s green list, it’s only a matter of time since the Ministry of Trade and Tourism is moving towards introducing the vaccination certificate. Visiting the country will guarantee exceptional Spanish cuisine, sunny blue skies, and warm hospitality from the locals. So make sure to go ahead and start planning your Spain travel bucket list.

Denmark

Denmark introduced vaccination passports in the European Union, allowing the locals to gain access to mass public exhibitions, concerts and other public gathering events. Additionally, the system was implemented in restaurant bookings and health services, making the country one of the safest and highly regulated destinations to visit during covid. With plenty of landmarks and points of interest to see, like the city of Copenhagen or a day trip to Billund’s Lego House, travellers will indeed have a busy itinerary to follow during their stay.

Sweden

Another Scandinavian country that pioneered vaccine passports for travellers and domestic life, Sweden, is a must-visit for culture, food and outdoor activities. The nature-loving nation invites outdoor enthusiasts to roam and camp wherever they want – provided that they do so responsibly and respectfully. This right gives visitors to Sweden a unique opportunity to explore every corner of the country.

Unique and Underrated Tourist Destinations

Maybe you’re a fan of travelling and experiencing new things, but visiting famous cities and seeing iconic buildings isn’t that interesting to you. If you’d prefer to discover the unknown and see some spectacular sights that aren’t so overwhelmed with tourists, consider some of these unique options.

Pancake Rocks, New Zealand

New Zealand as a whole is a stunning yet underrated tourist destination, partly due to its distance from Europe. However, Pancake Rocks is a prime example of an incredible sight (millions of years in the making) that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Sichuan, China

Home of The Giant Buddha (a 233-foot statue carved into the side of a mountain over 1,200 years ago), Sichuan is one of China’s most impressive tourist destinations, but it isn’t one of the most mainstream. If you’re interested in Chinese history and culture, consider a trip here.

Ideal Destinations for Travelling On A Tight Budget

There are expensive options and cheap options almost everywhere, but sometimes knowing a few simple tricks can allow you to visit and enjoy places around the world that you never dreamed were within your budget.

Here are some of the best destinations to consider visiting if one of your main priorities is keeping the cost of the trip to a minimum.

Portugal

A European gem that isn’t talked about much, Portugal has a huge amount to offer the budget tourist. It has a fascinating and unique history, plus very friendly locals. The capital of Lisbon is quieter than most similar cities, which gives you a great opportunity to explore its charming streets, eat out every night and travel on the historic trams for hardly any money.

China

As an up-and-coming international tourist destination, many parts of China are starting to cost more than they used to for tourists, but that doesn’t stop it being one of the more affordable Asian destinations. This is especially true for cities deeper into the mainland.

South Korea

Another Asian holiday destination that’s slowly growing in popularity, people are becoming increasingly fascinated by the unique personality of South Korea. Food and drink are extremely affordable and there’s a huge amount of nightlife to enjoy, plus a rich and complex culture to immerse yourself in.