5 cultural cities in Europe you may not know about

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There’s a reason capital cities like Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin continue to attract travelers from all over the world, but sometimes it’s worth deviating from the classic city break blueprint.

Away from crowded landmarks, busy backstreets, and crowded downtowns, you can stroll down boulevards without competing for sidewalk space, easily enter museums without having to make reservations weeks in advance, and enjoy the convenience of restaurants and bars. Even just sitting in your seat becomes possible. An underrated bliss!

Destinations that have not suffered from overtourism are likely to have retained the original characteristics that made them attractive in the first place, while also often offering better value for money, greater savings opportunities, and more It offers cheaper attractions and more space. It’s a win-win situation.

Best of all, such places are just a short flight or train ride away. Read on for a selection of the best cultural European city holidays you’ve never thought of before.

antwerp, belgium

Fashionistas gather together. Home to the international diamond industry, Antwerp has also long been associated with the avant-garde work of the Antwerp Six, a group of six fashion designers including Dries Van Noten and Ande Meulemeester. 1980s. These designers changed the course of high he fashion and their influence can still be felt all over the city in pop-ups, boutiques and concept stores. Visitors looking to flex plastic should head straight to Nateles Street and Kamen Street, where up-and-coming designers and haute couture gather. Meanwhile, high street and luxury brands are represented by Meir and Schuttershofstrasse respectively.

Creativity continues to be a focus in Antwerp, with the city’s Museum of Contemporary Art (locally known as M HKA) showcasing visual art, sculpture, and video installations. Meanwhile, the fashion thread continues in his 2022 reopening of the city’s fashion museum, MoMu. After being closed for 4 years. MAS (Museum aan de Stroom) is also the city’s largest museum. At 60 meters high, this gallery tower focuses on the global connections of people. Also, the city’s most famous son Peter Paul Rubens is celebrated in Rubenshuis, the Flemish Baroque artist’s 17th-century birthplace (currently under renovation). What about the cherry blossoms above? After 11 years and 100 million euros in renovations, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Antwerp will finally reopen in autumn 2022.

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Antwerp not only has a cultural scene that rivals other major European cities, but it’s also home to two of life’s great pleasures: beer and chocolate. It’s not always best to enjoy the two together, but try to find at least one “brown cafe” in the city. A cozy watering hole, something like the Belgian version of a British pub, it features dark wood interiors and a variety of decorations. Trappist beer tasting. Shor!

Read our review. Best hotels in Belgium

Zaragoza, Spain

This historic city, located on the banks of the Ebro River, is the fifth largest in Spain. There are two majestic cathedrals, the highlight being the Basilica of Nuestra Senora del Pilar. A Renaissance palace, the fortified Islamic Aljaferia Palace, Zaragoza is the Roman city where Caesar was founded, the archaeological remains of his Augustan Augusta, and works by leading artists. 18th century painter Francisco de Goya began his training here.

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In addition to these architectural and historical wonders, the city also has one of the best tapas and bar scenes in the country. The El Tubo area, the network of streets that forms part of the historic center, is the most famous spot to sample the region’s gastronomy, but one of the pleasures of Zaragoza is simply strolling along the streets. or gambling. Many bars characterize this city.Don’t forget to try it Ternasco A local delicacy (lamb) is poured into a local glass. vino.

Read our review. Best hotels in Spain

Kotor, Montenegro

Avoid the big crowds in Dubrovnik, Croatia, and head instead to Kotor, a beautiful and fortified town on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast. Surrounded by the brooding mountains of the Dinaric Alps, Kotor is a magnificent medieval maze of museums, churches, and palaces.

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The old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is characterized by winding cobblestone streets and Venetian-style buildings. It’s fun to get lost here, but if you want to stretch your legs a little further and get some great views, try climbing the Koto Ladder.r, an old military trail with great views of the coastline and the Bay of Kotor.You can also take a detour and visit San GIAt Ovanni Fortress, you can explore the ruins of a 14th-century castle. Elsewhere, check out St. Tryphon’s Cathedral, take a boat tour, and don’t forget to pet the cat that has become the town’s unofficial mascot.

Rotterdam, Netherlands

People heading to the Netherlands often focus on the hugely popular capital Amsterdam, the quintessential tulip-viewing Keukenhof, or Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historic windmills. But travelers looking for a cultural hit in a lively but rarely crowded city should avoid these over-the-top destinations and head straight to the country’s second city instead.

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Accessible by direct Eurostar train from London, Rotterdam is worth a visit for its architecture alone. After being heavily bombed during World War II, the city was rebuilt in a variety of styles, and today there are many tours dedicated to its eclectic buildings. Everything from his traditional 17th-century gabled buildings to his 1970s cube houses to his 21st-century masterpieces such as Markthal, an apartment building with a distinctive horseshoe-shaped food hall by star architect MVRDV. Expect things. Visit in June for Rotterdam Architecture Month, which shines an even brighter light on the city’s unique urban style. Last year’s lineup, themed “Liquid City,” included a floating festival in the Maashaven district featuring three barges connected by a pedestrian bridge that served as a park, sports playground and event space.

Rotterdam’s Rooftop Days festival takes place in May and June. The festival is an annual event packed with rooftop concerts, camping, dining, and dancing. If you enjoy art, Museumpark is home to Kunsthal Rotterdam, a contemporary space that celebrates contemporary works. But the best of the exhibits is The Depot, the world’s first publicly accessible art repository. It houses Boijmans van Beuningen’s extensive collection of Dutch works while the flooded museum is being renovated.

For those who like to walk and explore, the area around Braak Station and the riverside around Hotel New York during the day is an atmospheric place. Meanwhile, the streets around Witte de Wiss Street are lively in the evening and early morning.

Read our review. The best hotels in the Netherlands

Timisoara, Romania

There’s a good chance you’ve never heard of Timisoara, the historic third city in western Romania. But you should. This is what it will look like in 2023. It was chosen as one of the three European Capitals of Culture. With this title, the city implemented a busy program of cultural events under the banner “Let the light shine!” Let’s light up your city! ” Art exhibitions, book and vintage fairs, installations and classical music performances were all on the cultural agenda (many of which will continue into his early 2024, due to expansion into other parts of the cultural program) is currently being funded).

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Besides its artistic charm, Timisoara is also home to many Baroque buildings and beautiful separatist architecture, which can be found alongside its historic squares. Additionally, spring and summer are home to some of the biggest music festivals, including the Timisoara Musicari Festival (classical concerts and opera) and JazzTM (jazz). ) and Prai (World Music).