5 Hidden Gems in Europe You Must Visit

 

When European travel crosses our minds, visions of historic cities like Paris or Rome and the busy modern streets of London quickly drown out thoughts other ideas. Yet Europe is brimming with hidden treasures — smaller cities that are rich in history, have amazing landscapes and a lively culture to be discovered. The Best European Cities You Never Thought To VisitIf you are planning a trip and want to explore something more here I share with Warning 5 unknown cities that for one reason or another need an important place in your travel wish list.

1. Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia: Ljubljana is a nic mix between the cities and their old-world vibes. Surrounded by the Alps and the dipping reaches of the Adriatic Sea, it's destination made for those who love both out in nature city life.

The old town is pedestrian only which takes all chaos of traffic and makes the little city easy reachable by foot. The streets are lined with Baroque buildings, and the centerpiece is Castle that sits on a hill overlooking Ljubljana. Spend some time at the iconic symbol of Ljubljana, Dragon Bridge as well as another architectural marvel — Triple bridge.

In addition to its lovely architecture, Ljubljana is also a relatively green city and was named the European Green Capital of 2016. Take a leisurely stroll through Tivoli Park or along the Ljubljana River for some stunning nature and tranquil drop-in spots. Food lovers should definitely visit the Central Market, it's one of the real food highlights in KL.

2. Brno, Czech Republic

Prague may get all the attention, but you won't leave disappointed after exploring Brno: The Czech Republic's second-largest city. Brno is all of these things — a city with as many students in the streets searching for beer and fun, as artefacts shared from its long tapestry past.

Another of Brno's major landmarks is the fortress on Špilberk hill, within landcity. A great destination for the lovers of history, as it was a fortress first and then used as prison but now converted to museum. Be sure as well to visit the city's dominant structure, St. Peter and Paul Cathedral

And Brno is also a city of cafés and up-and-coming eateries. It offers many breeding grounds of cafes, bars or restaurants where you could take rest and observe the local manner. An absolute must for history lovers, you can discover an underground labyrinth situated beneath Zelný trh (the Vegetable Market).

3. Ghent, Belgium

GhentThe medieval city of Ghent often gets lost in the shadow of its more famous neighbors, Brussels and Bruges. The city is preserved and restored throughout the historic centre of Ghent (billions were spend on these works), one of Europes greatest examples of medieval architecture, which remains untouched to this day.

One of the city's primary temptations it its Gravensteen Castle, a medival fortress that sends you in the great times when knights and kings lived together. For art and history fans, the Museum voor Schone Kunsten also deserve a look-see as does city museum STAM.

What is different about Ghent, however, are its relaxed vibe and youthful energy. The city is very youthful (and therefore lively, especially in the evenings) thanks to its huge student population. And foodies need to take note of the plant-based Restaurant innovators making inroads here with both locals and vegetarian tourists.

4. Riga, Latvia

The capital of Latvia, Riga is a true Baltic Gem lost in the shade of other cities. But what it does have is a blend of Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings with an interesting cultural history.

Kick off your adventure in the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed maze of cobbled streets that are home to iconic sights like Riga Cathedral and St. Peter's Church Art Nouveau Riga is famous for one thing in particular — its many Art Nouveau buildings, the majority of which are located on Alberta Street.

Foodies too will have trade-lined days at Riga Central Market sowing the spoils of one of the largest markets in Europe, housed within colossal zeppelin hangars. Food lovers will be happy to finally sit down at a table and taste traditional dishes of rye bread, smoked fish or local cheeses.

Further out from the city center, Mezaparks is a picturesque park on lovely lakes and forests ideal for recreation. Nearest a day trip is the seaside resort of Jurmala, which boast long stretches …

5. Bergen, Norway

Oslo may receive a lot of the limelight but Norway's second city Bergen is beside the sea and nestled between mountains. Bergen, the gateway to the fjords combines dramatic natural landscapes and a lively cultural scene.

What to visit in Bergen: A UNESCO World Heritage site from the Hanseatic period and an absolute feature of Bergen is Bryggen Wharf. The harbour surrounded by its colourful wooden houses are an iconic reminder of Bergen's historic importance as a trading head.

Ride the Fløibanen funicular to see how mesmerizingly beautiful everything you have been buying all your life from IKEA actually is, or cruise a fjord to become even more painfully aware of why people willingly go for bankruptcies by living in Norway. Bergen twice hosts the Bergen International Festival and is also home to national institutions such as Bergens Philharmonic Orchestra, BIT Teatergarasjenstm etc.

Home to a bustling seafood market, Fisketorget provides fare such as fresh fish and other aqua-related treats, together with slices of classic Norwegian cuisine like whale meat or reindeer sausage.

Conclusion

Europe is littered with many hidden gems that go often unidentified by the regular tourist. If you want to see the Europe that those in-the-know rave about, Ljubljana, Brno, Ghent; Riga and Bergen are all waiting… keep reading for a list of this year's City Skyline Destinationssusc after bbgClearColorfetch_palindrome_forecast. Whether you love Medieval-era castles, Art-Nouveau architecture or picturesque fjords one thing is sure – welcome to the most captivating cities of all.

Venturing away from the tourist trail to these lesser-famous cities won't just help you avoid a crush of holidaymakers, but provide an insight into Europe on a more personal level. When you're planning your next European escape, think about incorporating these lesser-known beauties into your itinerary.

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