The Armenian capital city of Yerevan is one of the less obvious, under-appreciated and as-yet-unspoiled spots for your European travels this year, according to Czech online travel agency Kiwi.com.

In a list of seven budget-friendly European destinations, the website says the Caucasus is becoming an increasingly popular destination for travellers looking for somewhere lesser-known and somewhere that’s still a bit off the beaten track.

Yerevan, the Armenian capital, is one of the longest continually-inhabited cities on the planet, and "its vast squares and wide boulevards bring to mind Paris, while here and there you may be reminded of Budapest or Rome. Make no mistake though — it is very much its own city," the article says.

"The centre of the city is remarkably green. There are a number of parks and gardens in which to relax, and the locals do, frequently. Summer evenings will see locals chilling out of doors (there are apparently over 500 outdoor eateries in town!), and the selection of food and drink would be the envy of many western European cities, with local delicacies like barbecued meat vying for attention between sushi, Mexican and Thai food," the article says.

"Pay sober attention to the history of the place by visiting the Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum to learn about an inescapable part of the country’s tumultuous past; visit the gorgeous Blue Mosque for a calming alternative to the bustle beyond; head to the top of the Cascade for a view of the city and the mountains beyond; or simply get to know the city and its people by talking to the gregarious locals."

Also included in the agency's compilation are Calabria (Italy), Ohrid (Macedonia), Strasbourg (France), Osijek (Croatia), Hamburg (Germany) and Banská Štiavnica (Slovakia).