Millions of Britons will be booking city breaks in Europe over the coming months as temperatures soar on the Continent. Many will no doubt flock to the most obvious destinations: Paris, Venice, Florence, Barcelona. But they will be missing out on hidden gems that offer the same experience at a fraction of the cost.
Ahead of the spring holiday boom, the Daily Express has compiled a list of the seven most underrated city breaks in Europe – including cities in Spain, Greece, France and our very own United Kingdom.
Agree with our selection? Think we’re stark raving mad? Share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below.
Athens
Athens is the most criminally underrated destination in the whole of Europe. British tourists often snub the Greek capital in favour of Santorini, Naxos and Mykonos. They’re making a rookie mistake.
It might not be the richest city in Europe, but Athens has everything a savvy traveller wants: ancient history, amazing food, cheap booze and excellent weather.
Return flights from London to Athens in April start from as little as £97. It’s also perfectly easy to find a nice hotel room for around £100 a night.
History buffs should visit the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum (ignore the whinging about the Elgin Marbles).
If you’re a foodie, grab gyros at Kalopsimeno followed by dinner at Mavro Provato. Fancy a quick drink after dinner? Go to The Clumsies for one of the best cocktails in the world or park yourself outside Oinoscent with a bottle of wine.
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Bordeaux
Bordeaux is famously the capital of wine, but that’s not all this French city has to offer. Sample several of the region’s 700 million bottles it produces every year in one of the bustling squares in the Old Town while taking in the stunning gothic architecture.
Walking the winding cobbled streets will no doubt lead you to the banks of the River Garonne or one of the city’s buzzing markets. Pouyanne Market is recommended for early risers on Sundays, before you head to a boulangerie for fresh madeleines. For retail therapy, rue Sainte Catherine is lined with independent and vintage boutiques.
End each day at one of the many bistros offering delicious steak paired with bordelaise sauce and washed down with a glass of red. With temperatures upwards of 25C in the summer months, this gorgeous medieval city should be on anyone’s bucket list.
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Bucharest
Let me be up front here – if you’re looking for somewhere as pretty as Florence, Dubrovnik or Bruges, Bucharest isn’t that.
And if you want guaranteed good weather it can’t compete with the likes of Seville, Lisbon or Valletta.
But if you want a care-free weekend away with a group of pals in a buzzing city, Bucharest is hard to beat.
Its old town is bursting at the seams with bars and restaurants that don’t seem to ever shut.
It’s an architectural gem too, with beautiful old buildings that justify its nickname as the Little Paris of the East.
And best of all it’s cheap. Like being back in the 1990s cheap.
If you can stretch your weekend into a week, Romania also has some incredible scenery outside of its capital from epic mountains to sweeping mountains.
All in all Bucharest is an underrated city in an underrated country.
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Budapest
If you’re after a relaxing city break, look no further than Budapest.
Cheap pints, thermal baths and stunning architecture await. The city has so much to offer, from the classic open-top bus tour to museums explaining Hungary’s capital’s rich history.
Taking the funicular (or walking up the hill if you’re keen to get your steps in) to Buda Castle is a must, followed by a visit to the Fisherman’s Bastion, which boasts impressive views of the River Danube and the Pest side of the city, complete with the impressive neo-Gothic architecture of the Hungarian Parliament.
By night, there are dozens of ruin bars to wind down, and plenty of restaurants offer traditional dishes such as goulash—washed down with some Palinka.
Budapest is a beautiful city to visit and is suitable for weekend breaks in all seasons – so what are you waiting for? It’s only a two-hour flight from London for prices that won’t break the bank.
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Durham
Durham is, in a strong field, the most beautiful place in England.
Anybody who’s crossed the River Wear via Framwellgate Bridge at night can attest to this, so difficult is it to avoid the view of the city’s lit-up 11th Century castle beaming down at you. That Norman stronghold, built under the orders of William the Conquerer, sits across from an even more striking structure, Durham Cathedral. This marvel of Gothic architecture holds the tomb of the Venerable St Bede, who wrote the definitive history of the early English in 731 AD.
If you don’t care about that sort of thing, you’re obviously wrongheaded. But luckily you’re also able to totter down Durham’s cobbled streets, drink in its historic pubs and forget your error as you incoherently remark that the whole city centre has “a bit of a Harry Potter vibe”.
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Girona
For those craving a city rich in history but away from the chaos of Barcelona or Seville, look no further than Girona in Catalonia, Spain. The fact that it was chosen as a major filming location for Games of Thrones is a testament to its incredible architecture, including its old Roman fortifications, which have stood since the 1st century BC. The picturesque houses overlooking the river are a key characteristic of Girona, and you can spend hours wandering its colourful streets and stopping in its charming shops that sell eccentric figurines.
But that’s not all that Girona has to offer – it’s kept up with modern life, too. It has become a favourite cycling stop for all abilities, with a mix of stunning coastal scenery and challenging hilly climbs.
End your day of exploring with a meal that will satisfy any foodie. Local dishes include hearty escudella stew and deep-fried xuxos for dessert.
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