Underrated Cities in Europe
Are you looking for the best underrated cities in Europe?
I’ve written about overrated destinations in Europe before, but today I wanted to highlight some of the most underrated European cities that I’ve traveled to that I think are worth visiting.
The phrase “hidden gem” is a bit cliche, but it’s applicable here. All of these cities are somewhat hidden gems, at least in the sense that they don’t attract as many tourists as, say, Paris or Rome.
These are all smaller cities too, with populations hovering around half a million or less. Each city on this list is beautiful and charming, with plenty of cool things to do for tourists without being overwhelmingly touristy. Many of these cities are affordable and have a high “livability” factor too.
Here’s a look at some of the best underrated cities in Europe you should visit:
1. Vilnius, Lithuania
Vilnius is a woefully underrated city in Europe that I really enjoyed. The Lithuanian capital is incredibly picturesque, with a large Old Town and many parks and green spaces surrounding it. This mid-sized city has a calm, relaxed atmosphere. It’s very safe and I also found it to be a very affordable city.
I think the entire region of the Baltics is underrated and worth visiting. Vilnius in particular is a lovely city to spend a couple of days with great things to do for tourists. You can also take a day trip to nearby Trakai, a beautiful lake with a fairytale-like castle on an island at the center of it.
2. Porto, Portugal
Another underrated city in Europe is Porto. Location in the northern part of the country, I actually preferred the smaller city of Porto to the larger capital city of Lisbon further south in Portugal.
Porto is an easygoing city with colorful buildings and spectacular views of the Douro River, which cuts through the city. Known for its port wine, you can enjoy tours and tastings at the port cellars along the river. A popular day trip from Porto is a tour of the Douro Valley, where you can tour local vineyards.
You can also use Porto as a base for exploring more of underrated northern Portugal, including the beautiful historic towns of Braga and Guimaraes. Porto is also a very affordable city for Western Europe.
3. Wroclaw, Poland
Another one of the most underrated cities in Europe is Wroclaw. Often overlooked for the larger cities of Warsaw and Krakow, this city in southern Poland should definitely be on your radar too.
I was totally enchanted by this city. It has a quaint and charming Old Town, and there’s a river running through the city with numerous bridges along it. One of the most quirky and delightful things about Wroclaw, though, is the existence of more than 600 small statues of gnomes throughout the city.
It’s really fun to go on a scavenger hunt around the city looking for these whimsical little gnomes. Another benefit to visiting Wroclaw, and Poland as a whole? It’s a very budget-friendly destination.
4. Würzburg, Germany
Würzburg, Germany is an underrated small city in the region of Bavaria. Germany is a country that I’ve never really “clicked with” but I have to admit that I found Würzburg to be extremely charming.
It’s a beautiful city with lots of things to do. One of the most famous places to visit is the Würzburg Residenz, an 18t-century Baroque palace with lovely gardens. Würzburg is also known for its wine, being at the heart of the Franconia wine region. It’s also a university city, giving it a lively atmosphere.
5. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana is a great city that is definitely worth a visit. Slovenia is unfortunately not as well known as the popular neighbors it’s sandwiched in between (Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia) but it should be.
This small country is full of natural beauty, like Lake Bled and Triglav National Park. Ljubljana is the perfect place to start your trip, or you can use the city as a base for taking day trips. It’s a small, scenic city that is also very walkable since most of the historic center of town is limited to pedestrians only.
6. Bratislava, Slovakia
Another one of the most underrated capitals in Europe is Bratislava. This city is often overshadowed by nearby Vienna, Austria, which is only 40 minutes away by train. There’s no denying that Vienna is far more grand than Bratislava, but I was still pleasantly surprised by this charming city.
Bratislava has a quaint and compact Old Town, but there is easily enough to do to keep you occupied for a couple of days. I visited at Christmas, and I found Bratislava’s Christmas markets to be a big highlight too!
7. Salzburg, Austria
As I just mentioned above, Vienna gets a lot of the glory in Austria, and while it’s an amazing city in its own right, I actually preferred the beautiful smaller city of Salzburg, on the border with Germany.
Due to its fairly small size, Salzburg has more of a quaint and charming atmosphere. The city is well-known for its connections to the arts, particularly music — Salzburg is where Mozart was born. Salzburg was also used as a filming location for The Sound of Music, along with areas in the nearby Alps.
Salzburg’s historic Old Town is beautifully preserved on one side of the river, and you can’t miss visiting Fortress Hohensalzburg high up on a hill above the city for some amazing views.
8. Riga, Latvia
Finally, one of the most underrated cities in Europe is Riga. I already talked about Vilnius, but I wanted to throw in one more Baltic capital because I think this region is so under the radar for tourists.
Riga is a beautiful city with a picturesque Old Town and some amazing, historic city parks. It’s also a great destination for day trips. Some of the best day trips from Riga include the seaside town or Jurmala, the historic towns of Cesis and Sigulda, and Bauska, which is home to a splendid historic palace.
Underrated European Cities
This guide showed you some of the best underrated cities in Europe.
It’s impossible for me to choose a favorite from this list. If you’re looking for a sunny summer getaway without the crowds, I’d recommend Porto and northern Portugal. For a peaceful nature getaway, head to Ljubljana for a couple of days before exploring Lake Bled and Triglav National Park. And for an offbeat city tour in northern Europe, you can combine the underrated Baltic capitals of Vilnius, Riga, and also Tallinn.
Choosing to explore these underrated European cities is worth it. Not only can you escape the crowds, you can typically enjoy lower prices and unique experiences as you discover a new destination.
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