Solo traveler Claire Sturzaker said Zaragoza and Bilbao are underrated alternatives to Barcelona in Spain.
Claire Sturzaker/Tales of a Backpacker
With 43 countries under her belt, Claire Sturzaker has backpacked through a range of destinations, from the Americas to Europe and Australia.
The full-time solo traveler documents her adventures on her blog, Tales of a Backpacker.
When exploring new cities and countries by herself, Sturzaker looks for places with rich histories, delicious foods, walkable neighborhoods, awe-inspiring architecture, and nice people to talk to.
Business Insider asked Sturzaker to share the most underrated cities she's visited, as overtourism harms tourist hot spots that weren't built to serve millions, like Venice and Barcelona.
In these hidden-gem destinations, Sturzaker had unique experiences with fewer crowds.