New research from travel experts, Emerald Cruises, reveals the continent’s least explored outdoor landmarks
Europe is home to the world’s largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 231 of which are listed as natural wonders. In total, these attract over 100 million visitors annually which can make navigating crowds and stressful experiences common.
To uncover Europe’s hidden gems, travel experts at Emerald Cruises analysed Google Maps reviews of both natural and cultural World Heritage sites, focusing on those praised for their beauty by searching for keywords such as “beautiful” and “stunning”. Google Search data was used to determine the popularity of these locations, identifying the natural sites with the highest positive sentiment and lowest search volumes, to present the most serene and lesser-known visual treasures.
The top natural wonders ranked
| Rank | Site | Country | Weighted Rank | Keyword Count | Sentiment Score | Avg Monthly Search Volume |
| 1 | Prehistoric Pile dwellings around the Alps | Switzerland | 95.0 | 117 | 83 | 20 |
| 2 | Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch | Switzerland | 86.7 | 106 | 73 | 5400 |
| 3 | Sintra-Cascais Natural Park | Portugal | 79.1 | 74 | 68 | 390 |
| 4 | Jostedalsbreen National Park | Norway | 78.0 | 72 | 66 | 390 |
| 5 | Teide National Park | Spain | 77.9 | 75 | 65 | 1600 |
| 6 | Thingvellir National Park | Iceland | 76.6 | 71 | 69 | 5400 |
| 7 | Lauterbrunnen Valley | Switzerland | 75.9 | 46 | 80 | 590 |
| 8 | Donana National Park | Spain | 75.5 | 75 | 57 | 880 |
| 9 | Picos de Europa National Park | Spain | 75.2 | 78 | 53 | 590 |
| 10 | Plitvice Lakes National Park | Croatia | 75.0 | 79 | 58 | 5400 |
Switzerland is the setting for the top two natural wonders. Ranking first is the Prehistoric Pile Dwellings, dating back to 5000 and 500 B.C. Filled with cultural and historical significance, the archaeological site has a positive sentiment score of 83 and 117 mentions of its beauty, despite being looked for just 20 times per month on average.
Second on the list are the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch, offering spectacular alpine views, with the mountain’s grandeur mentioned by over 100 visitors.
With a popularity score of 79.1 and only 390 monthly searches, Portugal’s Sintra-Cascais Natural Park ranks third, fascinating travelers with its charming, lush landscapes and striking coastal precipices.
The best destinations for breathtaking views
Leading the list of the most visually mesmerising sites are the Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps in Switzerland, garnering 117 mentions of breathtaking views amongst visitor reviews.
With almost 100 mentions of its beauty, Italy’s emblematic Cinque Terre gain a spot in the top three, with brightly coloured houses and distinctive fishing boats, offering a magical maritime aura.
The most loved hotspots
Google’s Search data also reveals the top heritage destinations based on visitor interest. Well-known for its legendary creature and breathtaking landscapes, Loch Ness in Scotland tops the list with over 70,000 average monthly searches. As the UK’s largest freshwater body, it’s a must-visit for nature lovers.
With 40,500 monthly searches, Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway remains a popular site, captivating travellers for over 300 years with its legendary giant Finn MacCool myth.
Tied in search volume with the Giant’s Causeway, Slovenia’s Lake Bled charms visitors with its glacial backdrop, snow-capped mountains, and rich folklore, making it an equally fascinating destination.