Maybe you’re planning a trip to Europe, or thinking about a year abroad, or just having travel wanderlust. These are a few cities in Europe that you may not think to visit. The classic destinations like Paris, London, and Prague are all great, but they are very touristy and sometimes smaller cities can offer a more authentic and less chaotic travel experience. Plus, less touristy cities often cost less. Below are 10 cities in Europe you need to visit before you die!
The lesser known Croatian coast has some beautiful seaside cities, like Dubrovnik, which features a picturesque Old Town with Medieval architecture. You can do some educational sight seeing and lay on the beach, all in one day.
The capital of Hungary is made up of two sides, Buda and Pest, which are separated by the River Danube. Buda is hilly and was originally the wealthier side because it features Castle Hill. Pest is bigger and flat. It is where more young people live, so a vibrant nightlife can be found there. Budapest has amazing architecture in a range of styles, because it has been ruled by so many different powers throughout history.
As the capital of Portugal, Lisbon has a distinctive historic character, but in more recent years it has acquired a ‘new-old’ charm. Boutiques, cafes, and other new businesses have moved into old buildings, giving them a new life. Lisbon is on the Tagus River, but it is just a quick drive away from the Atlantic coastline beaches. Beaches, history, and charm, what more could you ask for?
Krakow is one of the best places for traveling college kids. It is a college city itself, with the university in the center of town. Unlike a lot of Warsaw, Krakow’s historic buildings remained mostly intact after WWII. It is a smaller city, which makes it easier to navigate for novice travelers.
As the 4th biggest city in Spain, Sevilla is a sizable city, but not overwhelmingly large. It is not metropolitan like Barcelona or Paris, it is much more medieval with small winding streets and old castles. The highlight of the city is definitely the Alcázar Castle, where episodes of Game of Thrones were shot.
Amsterdam is one of those cities that people fall in love with after one visit. It has a very distinctive charm, with the canals and old houses. It is a modern city and the majority of people speak English, so a language barrier is really no concern. Amsterdam is not over complicated, so it offers a simple vacation of wandering around museums, eating on canals, and taking long walks around the streets. If you live in a stressful city, it will be a calm vacation without being boring.
Prague is a classic tourist city, but it can be a lot to handle, especially if you are not very comfortable traveling yet. Brno is the second biggest city in the Czech Republic. It has plenty of historical sites, lots of young people, and is significantly cheaper than Prague.
The Sound of Music was filmed in this picturesque city, which is a short drive from Vienna. It is in the Austrian Alps, which are majestic on their own, but the addition of incredible chocolate cake, cobblestone streets, and the Sound of Music sites this city is a must see, especially if you are already going to Vienna.
Bologna is a city in Northern Italy, famous for its food and having the oldest university in Europe. You can stay in the city, or rent a house in the countryside outside of Bologna. Either way you will get incredible food and a taste of genuine Italian culture, which is harder to find in the more touristy cities like Rome and Milan.
This hilly city is home to the University of Edinburgh and the castle that inspired J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
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