Top 5 Most Underrated Cities in Europe

When you think of Europe you probably think of Paris, the city of love and food, or Berlin, the city of art and freedom, or even London, the city of history and culture. But we’ll bet you haven’t thought of some of these underrated cities in Europe! Europe is full of unexpected surprises when it comes to travel, from Ireland’s beautiful port city of Cork to the cozy city of Ghent in Belgium, there are so many up and coming cities to choose from for your next European adventure. Get away from the tourist hotspots of Rome, Venice, London and Paris, off the beaten path and into an entirely unique city.

Here are some of the most overlooked European cities, that are well worth a visit, whether you’ve already toured the classics or not… Book a flight to Europe and make one of these cities your next must see destination.
 

Cork, Ireland

So many tourists visit Dublin and feel like they have had the true Irish experience – well, not for much longer. Cork, known as the “real capital of Ireland”, is now the city to head to for the real deal. This laid back city isn’t short of places to dine and has become renowned for having some of the best food in the country. Stroll down the River Lee and enjoy the city’s 17th century architecture, then spend your evening in a cozy Irish bar listening to some of the best and most authentic Irish music in the country.
 

Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki is the hip and happening cousin of its Scandinavian city counterparts Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo. Sufficiently overlooked, Helsinki has become the cutting-edge destination in Europe for artists and musicians alike. With a not yet embraced hipster trail and a bunch of high-end restaurants for the luxury traveler, Helsinki has something for everyone. Rent a car in Helsinki to discover restaurants that haven’t changed since the 1930s and explore the quirky Finnish history through a number of dedicated museums.
 

Gothenburg, Sweden

Another underrated Scandinavian city that has largely gone unnoticed on the city super charts is Gothenburg. This smart and sophisticated city is the second largest city in Sweden, and is both laid-back and exciting. Home to some of the world’s most innovative architecture and art, the city mixes old and new in and amongst its 17th-century canals and boulevards. The city was ranked as the 12th most inventive city in the world by Forbes, so be quick to visit this one, as travel gurus all over the world are already exploring Sweden’s coolest city.
 

Ghent, Belgium

The small city of Ghent is one of the latest surprises to come out of Europe. With little to no tourists gracing its medieval streets, Ghent is still largely undiscovered as a European city. While the city may be small, the canals, the Gothic architecture, the museums and the history are big. And the cozy city and its small quarters are easy to navigate on foot, so there’s no need for public transport even, just explore the hidden gems of Ghent using your legs.
 

Porto, Portugal

Rows and rows of houses line the sea front, plazas provide meeting places for locals from the narrow, bustling streets, and churches and cathedrals fill the gaps in between. Porto was once a city left to rot and is now rightfully becoming one of Europe’s must-see cities. The birthplace of port, Porto has always been a favorite among wine lovers, with its hundreds of cellars available for port tastings and with more and more exceptional eateries opening up alongside them, the city is attracting tourists and locals alike. take advantage of a Porto rental car so you can grant yourself a taste of as many fantastic eateries as possible and a chance to explore the breathtaking countryside outside the city, as well!

Planning Your Tour of Overlooked European Cities

The 5 overlooked European cities above are certainly worth a visit and it doesn’t have to break your bank to get there! Kemwel has been helping travelers find their way around Europe with affordable transportation for decades and we’d love to assist you in finding the best travel deals on your next journey. Whether you need airfare or a car rental, choose from an array of options to find what suits your travels best and realize that trip to Europe may be more realistic now than you ever thought possible!