Six Underrated European Cities
Paris. London. Rome. Amsterdam. Travelling through Europe often feels like you are filling out a checklist of wonderful but crowded cities that look incredible on Instagram. However, what happens when you have ticked off those countries, or you are the type of traveller who wants to escape the crowds and experience something a little different? Well, as the continent with the second-most amount of countries, Europe has many other experiences well worth the time and effort, including several lesser-known second cities.
To get you started here are just ten of the lesser know cities on every corner of the continent.
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Glasgow is perhaps the most apparent second city on this list and maybe the most surprising. Although larger than Scotland’s capital Edinburgh it is often forgotten or even deliberately ignored by tourists visiting England’s northern neighbour. As much as Edinburgh is a fantastic fairytale-like city, Glasgow’s grittiness, Victorian architecture, incredible nightlife and exceptionally friendly locals make it shine in a slightly different but just as awesome light as its more famous rival city.
2. Oslo, Norway
Not many cities like to admit that they have a less than impressive reputation. However, Oslo took that reputation and created a tongue-in-cheek advertisement campaign targeted at travellers sick of the crowds in places like Paris and proved that Oslo is well worth a look. From the gorgeous and modern Oslo Opera House to the Middle Ages Akershus Castle and Fortress and the art and restaurant space, SALT Oslo is far from boring and, as the ad says, a way to escape the peak European summer crowds.
3. Kazan, Russia
As the largest country in the world, travelling to Russia is a daunting task and leaves many travellers unsurprisingly sticking to the country's most well-known cities, St Petersburg and Moscow. Yet Russia has many cities worth learning some of the Cyrillic alphabets to travel to, including Kazan. Unlike its younger sisters, Moscow and St Petersburg, Kazan has significant and historical Islamic and Turkic cultural ties through the city's connections to the Tatars and the Golden Horde. As well as being an interesting point of historical fact, these ties have created a unique Russian city with a mosque in its Kremlin, bilingual street signs and a fried dough dessert called chak-chak.
4. Manchester, UK
The heart of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester, has a strong history of working-class political struggle and has been an important centre of communism, socialism and feminism. This inclusive and young university city is a beacon for music and sports lovers alike, making it well worth visiting after London or even instead of the UK’s more expensive capital. Full of free attractions, including the Manchester Art Gallery, Science & Industry Museum, fantastic street art and the Runway Visitor Park, as well as great bars and live music Manchester is the perfect budget second city to explore.
5. Lyon, France
Paris might always be a good idea, but if you want to gorge on hearty and delicious French food, Lyon is worth a visit. Located in eastern France and close to the Swiss border, Lyon is the home of bouchons, a type of laidback restaurant with connections to Lyon’s working-class history that specialise in meaty dishes like blood sausages, and duck pate and tripe soup.
As well as bouchons, Lyon is also the hometown of many of France’s most well-known chefs, including Paul Bocuse, who lent his name to the fantastic Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, which is, without doubt, one of France’s best food markets.
6. Utrecht, Netherlands
Amsterdam might get all the attention, but there are plenty more Dutch cities worth escaping the massive crowds in the capital. Utrecht, a university city with a medieval town centre and unique canals you can actually walk and sit along, almost feels more authentically Dutch than Amsterdam, and it's definitely worth the 30-minute train ride from its more famous neighbour.
As well as the canals, it’s worth visiting the famous Dom Tower, which dates back to Roman times, the Miffy Museum and De Haar Castle while also taking some time to stop at the city’s various cafes.
Photo credits: 2 and 7 are supplied by Unsplash