With concerns growing about overtourism, rather than visit the capital or the city that first springs to mind, travellers are starting to spread their wings a little wider and trying the smaller ‘second’ cities instead. Not only are they less crowded, they’re also friendlier on the budget too.
Here are some cities to consider for a slightly different weekend break, which have good connections from the UK:
Hamburg (Germany)
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Skip Berlin and try Hamburg. Check out the Speicherstadt, the world’s largest warehouse complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site, St Michael’s Church and the views from the bell tower, the impressive Rathaus (Town Hall), and perhaps a show at one of the city’s 40+ theatres.
Lyon (France)
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Give Paris a miss and head further south. Aside from the city’s fame in gastronomic circles, tourists will enjoy exploring the quaint Vieux Lyon, together with the Cathédrale St Jean-Baptiste, as well as taking a trip up the funicular railway to the impressive Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière. The city has a lively and interesting district on the Presqu’ile, and a beautiful 19th century park with a small (free) zoo with a wide range of animals.
Valencia (Spain)
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Madrid and Barcelona are notoriously full of tourists. Try the third largest city of Valencia instead for Spanish culture with a modern outlook. At the top of your list of things to see will be the incredible City of the Arts and Sciences, formed of a variety of modern structures surrounded by reflective pools of water, which is beautiful day and night. The UNESCO Silk Exchange site, on the other hand, showcases some wonderful gothic architecture. The Central Market, cathedral, and beaches are all worth exploring.
Milan (Italy)
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Rome may have plenty of history to explore, but Milan also offers lots to see on a weekend escape. Be sure to visit the massive Santa Maria Nascente cathedral (Il Duomo), a flamboyant gothic building and among the world’s largest churches, as well as the luxury shops and cafes inside the 19th century Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade. The city has no end of churches, museums, and exhibitions to keep you busy.
Antwerp (Belgium)
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Forget Brussels and instead try the lesser known Antwerp. The Grand Place with its impressive town hall and ornate Brabo fountain are a great place to start, then move on to the Cathedral of Our Lady and the artist Rubens’ house. One of the newer attractions in Antwerp is the Red Star Line Museum which documents the transportation of emigrants around Europe and the US.
Aarhus (Denmark)
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Copenhagen has the Little Mermaid, but Aarhus also has its draws, such as the iconic Iceberg building at the harbour, the Infinite Bridge, and the nearby Marselisborg Castle, the summer home of Denmark’s Queen Marguerite. Aarhus is definitely a foodie city, so make sure you stop by the Street Food Market too!
Rotterdam (Netherlands)
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Whilst Amsterdam can be full of weekend tourists, try the second largest city in the Netherlands instead to find some different Dutch experiences. View the skyline from the 91m high Euromast, complete with its own restaurant and hotel, and explore the SS Rotterdam which is now a recreational vessel permanently moored in the harbour. At Scheidam, you’ll find around eight of the tallest windmills in the world, which were built to support the city’s booming jenever industry (a drink which was a precursor to modern gin). Alongside numerous museums, the city also plays host to a miniature version of itself at a charming indoor theme park, Miniworld Rotterdam.
Bergen (Norway)
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Oslo comes to mind when you first think of Norway, but visit Bergen for a taste of history and proximity to the fjords. The colourful Hanseatic Wharf is one of the most popular tourist attractions, with its narrow alleyways and old wooden merchant houses. Travel up the Fløyfjell peak by funicular for spectacular views over the city, and don’t miss the Bergenhus Fortress which dominates the entrance to the harbour. For a taste of historic Bergen, check out the open air living history museum which transports you back to life in the early 19th century.
Hopefully these suggestions have given you inspiration to plan your next holiday to a “second city”. Get booking!
Title Image Credit: Frédéric Chateaux (Image Cropped)