Hidden Gem Cities in Europe

As far as budget-friendly European city breaks go, Plovdiv is one of the best—you can keep costs low while seeing some truly extraordinary sights. With more than 8,000 years of history, the Bulgarian city is known for the Ancient Theater of Philippopolis, a well-preserved Roman amphitheater; Dzhumaya Mosque; and the oldest continuously inhabited Old Town in Europe.

With multiple wineries nearby, Plovdiv is a treat for oenophiles, while the surrounding scenery is exquisite, too—a day trip to the Bachkovo monastery is a great way to see the best of it. You can take a walking tour of the city to see as much as possible, or simply sit back and soak up the famously brilliant café culture.

With a compact and walkable city center just 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the airport, La Rochelle is one of the great underrated European weekend getaways for when you don’t have much time to spare.

Located right on the coast, the streets of its old town are lined with half-timbered medieval houses, while the restaurants overlooking the port are the ideal spots in which to enjoy moules marinières as the sun sets. The famous Fort Boyard fortress is within easy reach, as is the pretty island of Île de Ré, while families can enjoy the world-class Aquarium La Rochelle near the marina.

There are many family-friendly European city trips, but what makes Aarhus so special is how relatively unsung it is. As well as the excellent ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, with its very Instagrammable rainbow-colored walkway by Olafur Eliasson, there’s a spectacular botanical garden, a Viking Museum, and a cathedral with frescoes dating back to 1470. Not to mention the city’s crown jewel: the open-air Den Gamle By Danish culture museum.

The Latin Quarter is great for food—don’t leave without trying at least a few cinnamon buns—while the modern Aarhus Ø waterfront development is a vibrant hangout with outdoor pools and fascinating architecture.

When it comes to brilliant European food and wine city breaks, Genoa is certainly up there. The birthplace of both pesto and focaccia, it also boasts a rich wine culture, with whites such as Pigato and Vermentino beloved as local Ligurian specialities. Not only that, but its blend of medieval, Renaissance, and baroque architecture means that walking its narrow alleyways—or carrugi—is a visual treat, while the Italian Riviera is on your doorstep.

A food tour is a great way to discover the best Genovese street food, while on boat excursions, you can cruise past some of the area’s most beautiful coastal towns.

Less than two hours by train from London, Norwich is all cobbled streets, medieval architecture, quirky cafés and restaurants, plus one of the UK’s oldest open-air markets. A walking tour is a great way to make sure you see all of the historical gems on offer—there’s even a castle!

Just outside the city center are the University of East Anglia, which boasts Grade II listed Brutalist architecture, and the Sainsbury Centre art museum. Meanwhile, the Victorian Plantation Garden is a hidden gem that’s built into a former chalk quarry, and perfect for picnics.

Steeped in ancient history and yet with a buzzy, contemporary vibe, Thessaloniki is like Athens’ lively little sister, with a more laid-back coastal feel, excellent food (it’s a UNESCO City of Gastronomy), and a fun nightlife scene thanks to its high student population.

History buffs will delight in the ancient Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman-era ruins, while the famous Mount Olympus is even visible from the city on clear days. And if you crave a little downtime, treat yourself to a boat day: Halkidiki’s crystal-clear waters, quiet coves, and secluded beaches are a true balm for the soul.

Paris, Venice, and Rome are frequently referred to as perfect destinations for lovebirds, but we’re calling it: Heidelberg is one of the most romantic, underrated cities in Europe. Overlooked by the ruins of the picturesque Heidelberg Castle, its riverside location, verdant backdrop, and maze of pretty streets in the Old Town mean that every stroll is a pure delight. A private boat trip along the River Neckar is a great way to see the city from a new perspective, while the local, Baden-style cuisine is deliciously hearty.

Heidelberg is beautiful year-round, but the festive markets at Christmas are particularly special.

For many people who visit Scotland, Edinburgh is top of the list. And while the capital is fantastic, so is Glasgow—a lively port city on the banks of the River Clyde with stunning architecture, multiple cultural institutions, and great nightlife.

Glasgow is home to the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, and National Theatre of Scotland, as well as institutions such as the People’s Palace and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Take an architecture tour of the city to encounter the rich mix of Victorian grandeur, art nouveau, and contemporary styles (you can’t miss Norman Foster’s Armadillo), and make the most of the diverse nightlife on offer, from late-night clubs to cozy pubs.

In Europe, off-the-beaten-path destinations aren’t necessarily less historically significant or any less pleasurable to visit than their more famous neighbors. Take Gdansk, situated on Poland’s Baltic coast, and fit to burst with magnificent architecture and historic monuments, such as Westerplatte, where World War II began. A walking tour is a great way to discover significant sites.

But that’s not all the city has to offer. Gdansk is beautiful when the sunset casts a golden glow upon the colorful buildings lining the water, or the winter markets fill the street with twinkling lights. You’ll also want to try out the city’s rich Pomeranian culinary scene, which covers everything from pierogi to fresh seafood.

Almost entirely surrounded by water—it’s connected to mainland Spain by a single, slender ribbon of land—the historic port city of Cádiz is renowned for its pretty plazas, labyrinthine streets, and yellow-domed 18th-century cathedral, which glimmers under the plentiful sunshine. In fact, it’s considered by many to be among the best cultural city escapes in Europe.

The city beaches are sandy and well-maintained, the tapas and sherry are excellent, and the atmosphere is buzzy and fun, plus the neighboring Andalusian countryside is truly beautiful if you fancy a change of scenery. On that note, Seville is close enough to visit for the day, as is Gibraltar in the opposite direction.