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 total 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.
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. In fact, there’s another Baltic capital further down on this list. I’m really surprised more people don’t visit the Baltics.
Vilnius in particular is a lovely city to visit, 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 in the center of it.
2. Porto, Portugal
Another underrated city in Europe is Porto. Located 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.
Now, Portugal is definitely becoming a major tourist hotspot, but I still found Porto to be a lot calmer and less touristy than Lisbon. And certainly compared to somewhere like, say, Barcelona.
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 visit local vineyards.
You can also use Porto as a base for exploring more of the underrated north, 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. 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 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.
The best views of the city can be found from Ljubljana Castle. I wouldn’t say this is a city where you need to spend a ton of time, but it’s definitely a charming place worth a day or two of sightseeing.
5. Novi Sad, Serbia
Novi Sad is Serbia’s “second city” after the capital, Belgrade. I visited both cities, and I ended up loving Novi Sad a lot more than Belgrade. You can visit Novi Sad on a day trip from Belgrade, but personally, I would recommend spending at least a few days in this city, because there’s quite a lot to do!
It’s a very artistic city with lots of great museums. The architecture in Novi Sad is also unique, and the city has some nice parks. It’s a place where you can never get bored just wandering around.
Just across the Danube River from Novi Sad is Petrovaradin, a quaint and historic town worth visiting. You’ll also find Petrovaradin Fortress, which offers great views overlooking the city and the river.
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 grander 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!
The Old Town in Bratislava sees its fair share of tourists, but it’s nothing like Budapest or Prague. And there are all kinds of unique and quirky places to discover in Bratislava. Some of my favorites were the Blue Church, the Primatial Palace, and Konditorei Kormuth for delicious desserts and treats.
7. Sofia, Bulgaria
Sofia is such a cool capital city! In fact, it’s one of my favorite cities in the Balkan region. Something about this city just really clicked with me. It’s full of contrasts, and a mixture of old and new, and I loved that.
There are some great museums and attractions you can check out in Sofia, like the massive St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Bulgaria as a whole has gotten more expensive recently after joining the EU and adopting the euro as its currency, but it’s still a destination that offers pretty good value for your money.
Sofia also makes a good base for taking day trips to places like Rila Monastery (sooo beautiful!) and the city of Plovdiv (which is also quite underrated, and worth more time if you have it.)
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 of Jurmala, the historic towns of Cesis and Sigulda, and Bauska, which is home to a splendid historic palace.
In Riga, I definitely recommend climbing to the top of St. Peter’s Church Tower for a great view of the city. Just beyond the Old Town, there are also some beautiful riverfront parks where you can walk.
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, but you can also enjoy lower prices and unique experiences as you discover a new destination.
Related Guides:
