From claustrophobic crowds at the Louvre battling for a glimpse of the Mona Lisa to long queues for churros in Barcelona – some of Europe’s most famous cities are becoming victims of their own beauty and success. In tourist hotspots the romantic dream sometimes doesn’t align with the reality – but there are so many cool, interesting and historic smaller and underrated cities in Europe worth your time.
Often it’s these unheard-of cities that guests find unexpected joy. After all, you’ve seen a million pictures and postcards of the Eiffel Tower but Porto’s Clerigo’s Tower will be completely new to you! Let’s check out Europe’s 9 most underrated cities that you should visit next.
1. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Why Ljubljana is worth visiting: It’s a green capital where cars are banned and emerald waters cut through the pastel city center.
The gorgeous Slovenian capital isn’t at the top of most tourist hit-lists. Perhaps because it’s a place to slow down rather than tick off sights. Here you’ll wander the willow-lined banks of the Ljubljanica River and join locals on sunny terraces sipping crisp Slovenian white wine. On Trafalgar’s Highlights of Eastern Europe trip discover this pretty city from Jože Plečnik’s quirky Triple Bridge to the cobblestone paths winding up to the hilltop castle.
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2. Ghent, Belgium
Why Ghent is worth visiting: It has all the medieval canal-side drama of Bruges, but with a youthful and edgy, student-driven energy.
Have you heard of Ghent? It’s a port city in northwest Belgium that’s often overlooked by day-trippers from the capital. In Ghent visitors love to see the 15th-century Mystic Lamb altarpiece and explore its medieval architecture, and try local mustard-spiced dishes in cool graffiti-covered alleyways. Explore it on the Best of Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg itinerary, where you can watch the sky turn pink over the Gothic guildhouses of the Graslei quay without fighting for a viewpoint.
3. Bologna, Italy
Why Bologna is worth visiting: This is Italy’s undisputed culinary capital.
While Florence has art, Bologna has soul. Serious foodies don’t blink on Bologna, the capital of the northern Emilia-Romagna region. The city is famous for ragù (of course), but food roots go deeper. Fall in love with the unbothered local lifestyle and shop for Parma ham, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano and balsamic vinegar from Modena alongside grandmas in the ancient Quadrilatero market. Trafalgar’s Wonders of Italy tour gets your there – walk beneath miles of UNESCO-listed covered arches and taste a real Ragù Bolognese far from the crowds of Rome.
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4. Porto, Portugal
Why Porto is worth visiting: An unconquered city of skinny tower houses, tiles and port wine on the Douro River by the sea.
Portugal’s second city is just as colorful as the capital – just with a rougher, more authentic edge that captures the hearts of those who visit. Spend hours admiring the blue-and-white azulejo tiles of São Bento station and church façades around town, then head down to the waterfront to watch traditional rabelo boats bob on the water. With Trafalgar’s Best of Portugal journey, you’ll cross the double-decker Dom Luís I Bridge to sip tawny ports in the historic cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia.
5. Warsaw, Poland
Why Warsaw is worth visiting: The Polish capital is criminally overlooked but is filled with meticulously rebuilt history and a booming creative scene.
Warsaw was once called “the Paris of the East” and visitors love to see the cinematic contrast between the pastel-hued Old Town – completely reconstructed from the ground up after WWII – and the buzzing milk bars serving up steaming pierogi. Discover the many layers of the Polish capital on Trafalgar’s Best of Poland tour, which brings you face-to-face with Chopin’s legacy and a city that continues to evolve with avant-garde art galleries and Michelin-starred restaurants.
6. Lyon, France
Why Lyon is worth visiting: A delicious French playground for food lovers.
Paris might get the headlines, but French chefs go to Lyon to eat. Travelers obsess over the traditional bouchons – cozy taverns that serve up rich pates, local cheeses and Beaujolais wine – and you’ll have more than 4,000 restaurants to choose from. When you visit on the Best of France tour, hunt for secret traboules (hidden silk-weaver tunnels) in the Vieux Lyon district, and visit local markets to pick up tasty souvenirs.
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7. Granada, Spain
Why Granada is worth visiting: It’s a sun-drenched Andalusian dream where the snow-capped Sierra Nevada frames the red towers of the Alhambra Palace.
Seville gets all the attention in Andalusia, but maybe Granada is the spot that should gain your attention. Step through the Albaicín quarter (old Moorish quarter), a labyrinth of white-washed lanes, then order cold caña of beer or a glass of vermouth to take the heat off. Perhaps the best thing about Granada? You still get a generous, completely free plate of local tapas with every drink.
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8. Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Why Sarajevo is worth visiting: Here East meets West in a valley of minarets and church spires.
Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia & Herzegovina, is truly a mish-mash of East meets West – here stately Austro-Hungarian style buildings sit alongside Ottoman-era buildings. Step into the Baščaršija bazaar, where the metallic ring of coppersmiths is contrasted by the scent of traditional Bosnian coffee brewing. On Trafalgar’s Balkan Adventure trip, you’ll walk the spot where the Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, learning from locals how this resilient city transformed its scars into a warm, welcoming place.
9. Strasbourg, France
Why Strasbourg is worth visiting: Fairytale blend of French elegance and German timbered architecture.
Strasbourg is absolutely gorgeous – wander the “Petite France” district, where half-timbered houses look like they’ve been pulled straight from a storybook, complete with canal locks. Visit the soaring Gothic cathedral and watch it turn pink at sunset. Sit down to a dinner of choucroute and crisp Alsatian Riesling. Strasbourg is a French city where you can slow down and enjoy the feeling of village life.
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FAQs about Europe’s most underrated cities
Where can I find hidden gems in Europe without the crowds?
Look to regions like the Balkans, Poland or the smaller towns of central Europe. Cities like Ljubljana or Ghent offer the same architectural beauty and deep historical weight as their famous neighbors, but with a slower, local pace. Try to visit cities in shoulder seasons, rather than summer.
What are the best alternatives to popular European destinations?
Swap Venice for the quiet canals of Ljubljana, trade Paris for the culinary capital of Lyon, and skip the crowds of Florence for the food markets of Bologna. These European alternatives deliver the same cultural depth and incredible dining – often for less too.
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What are the best underrated cities for solo travellers in Europe?
Porto and Warsaw are ideal for solo travellers. Porto is compact, walkable and extremely safe to navigate independently. Warsaw has efficient transport and rich historical museums to engage anyone traveling solo.
Any other underrated European cities we should add to our list? Leave us a comment…