Beyond the Mainstream: 8 Underrated Cities in Europe for Corporate Events 2026

The second largest city in Greece is just as impressive when it comes to ancient history and a vibrant culinary scene. Corporate events can enjoy venues such as the Roman Rotunda, excellent for gala dinners, or many waterfront locations which overlook the Thermaic Gulf.

Beyond that cultural richness, Thessaloniki offers strong value for event hosting. Hotels and venues offer competitive prices and the city is developing a strong reputation as a conference hub; suppliers are increasingly prepared to accommodate international groups with all the technical structure they need.

As if those benefits were not enough, it is possible to deal with lower transportation costs than those of planning a corporate event in Athens. It is possible to reach Thessaloniki with direct flights from many major European hubs.

The Slovenian capital stands out for being highly walkable, which is an increasingly rare characteristic in major cities. While that is not directly related to corporate events, it makes the city a reference for companies which want to cause a strong impression in terms of ESG goals.

Ljubljana’s commitment to sustainability extends to its hospitality, with boutique hotels and venues focused on eco-friendly practices. The city will be convenient for companies who want to focus on sustainability; attendees will appreciate the positive impact even on the leisure time they spend there.

Event planners can choose the Ljubljana Castle, for example, to host exclusive receptions with magnificent panoramic views of the city. Logistics will be made easy thanks to many transfer options from the Ljubljana Airport; the city’s compact size makes group transportation simple.

The cultural heart of Andalusia boasts stunning elements such as flamenco and the Moorish architecture, everything set in a weather that is pleasantly warm for virtually the entire year. Corporate event planners can use that in their favor by choosing the Alcázar Palace for evening events; they will be unforgettable.

Seville’s originality lies in its ability to merge tradition with modern infrastructure. Even the finest boutique hotels and conference centers are prepared to host large conferences with international attendees while still offering more attractive prices than those found in Madrid or Barcelona, for example.

Another interesting fact to note is that this city is connected to Madrid through high-speed rail. This way, it is possible to transport delegate groups in a way that does not depend on flights and, as a result, is free from their probability of delays.

This city is famous throughout the entire world for its wine culture and its elegant venues, so yes, those elements are the main attractions when it comes to choosing Bordeaux for hosting corporate events. A typical example is to book historical château vineyards for events; with private wine tastings and local cuisine, they will be spectacular.

Bordeaux offers a distinctive character by offering world-class venues and infrastructure at lower prices than those of Paris. They all have strong availability throughout the year, and that is helping the city develop a rich event market of its own while preserving easy booking and high flexibility for large groups.

You may also like to know that the Bordeaux-Mérignac airport offers numerous options to connect with the rest of the continent. Besides that, the city center is compact and accessible, which drives transportation costs down. Both features make this city incredibly objective and easy in terms of logistics, even for large groups.

Besides being the culinary capital of Italy, this city boasts medieval charm while offering conference facilities which are only matched by the most modern cities around the world. One way to combine all that, while planning a corporate event, is to book cooking classes as team-building activities; authentic Bolognese cuisine is a timeless attraction.

Bologna is located in the northern region of the country. The best way to reach it is by rail, which is easily done from both Milan and Florence. Event planners will be able to move corporate delegations without the risk of delays and cancellations that flights typically offer.

While the city offers great structure for conferences and product launches, the field where it really thrives is incentive travel. Corporate groups can book relaxing and energizing trips to that region and benefit from its natural beauty and modern charm. Bologna is one of the best destinations in Italy for that purpose.

This Portuguese gem offers a world beyond unique wine. Porto is a riverside haven which features historic venues while keeping attractive prices when it comes to corporate event planning. It is a wonderful option compared to Lisbon, for example, because it offers options such as cellar explorations and wine tastings along the Douro river.

While its natural beauty and strong wine scene make Porto interesting for incentive trips, it is necessary to know that its structure for corporate events is already strong. Event planners have many options to choose from while still benefitting from flexible availability and varied options even for international delegates.

Moving on to more practical characteristics, it is important to know that the local airport, Francisco de Sá Carneiro, offers direct flights to and from cities all around Europe. Besides that, the city’s reduced size makes transportation easy.

The largest island in Greece lends magnificent landscapes to any event and decorates them with true Mediterranean charm. The best way to enjoy all that is by hosting outdoor itineraries, especially for incentive programs, at archaeological sites like Knossos or one of the many seaside resorts available.

Crete’s originality allows corporate groups to enjoy both incentive trips and formal conferences with the same comfort, elegance, and cost efficiency. They will have many options in terms of accommodation, event venues, and leisure activities while keeping prices more attractive than those of mainland Greece.

Logistics to and from the Crete island is made easy thanks to several airports, such as Heraklion or Chania. There are so many accommodation options available that finding the most appropriate one for your corporate team will not be a problem.

The Latvian capital masters the combination of Art Nouveau architecture and a growing tech scene. By hosting corporate receptions at restored guild halls or modern waterfront venues, it is possible to please both traditional and future-centric companies from all around the world.

Corporate delegations will also enjoy the city’s calm and serene atmosphere, which stays far from the overcrowded chaos of a mainstream European capital. That characteristic makes Riga ideal for events with a penchant for sustainability as well as calm and relaxing incentive trips.

It is also interesting to know that the Riga International Airport offers plenty of options when it comes to connecting with the other Baltic countries. Hosting corporate events there becomes even more attractive considering that it is possible to find lower supplier rates than those of Western Europe.