The most underrated European cities, according to seasoned travellers

Ditch your guidebooks and venture to these lesser-known gems

When it comes to European travel, popular cities like Paris and Rome tend to rise to the top of people’s itineraries. And while we wouldn’t dare tell travellers to skip some of the world’s most noteworthy cultural and culinary hubs, Europe is filled with surprising destinations that will far exceed your expectations—not only because you may never have considered them in the first place.

Need some examples? We tapped our network of travel specialists and European-based writers to pull together this list of the most underrated European cities, ranging from tiny towns in Sweden to lesser-known capitals in the Baltic states. They may take up fewer pages in your guidebooks than other hotspots, but you’ll find these cities have just as much natural beauty and must-visit attractions as their more famous counterparts.

Visit Norway/Maverix

Trondheim, Norway

“Between 1050 and 1536, Trondheim was one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe. The city has one of the best hotels in Norway (Britannia Hotel) and several Michelin-starred restaurants. Here you can see the beautiful Nidaros Cathedral, the medieval Archbishop’s Palace, Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum, and other interesting museums.

You can also enjoy boat rides on the river and in the Trondheimsfjord, sea kayaking, biking trips, and excursions to important Viking sites like Stiklestad. The numbers of visitors really do not reflect Trondheim’s qualities and importance in Europe.” *—Jan Sortland, General Manager of* *Norwegian Adventures*

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Tirana, Albania

“A visit to Tirana offers at once a glimpse into Albania’s unsettling (yet captivating) recent history and an invigorating taste of a vibrant, rapidly evolving capital. The city combines fascinating architectural reminders of the country’s communist chapter with a distinctly youthful energy, perhaps best encapsulated by the metamorphosis of the monumental 1988 Tirana Pyramid into a youth-focused cultural hub. The city center is walkable and full of places to simply ‘be’ (take a seat on the sofa-esque benches of Skanderbeg Square, iced coffee in hand), with nature never feeling too far away—courtesy not least of the vast Grand Park and majestic Mount Dajti, which flanks the city.

For stellar views and a sense of the landscape surrounding Tirana, head up Mount Dajti with the cable car, before taking a culinary journey through Albania at restaurant Mullixhiu, which feels like a country retreat on the edge of the Grand Park. To experience the best of Tirana nightlife, make a beeline for the Blloku neighborhood.” —Elise Morton, travel writer and former Eastern Europe Commissioning Editor for Culture Trip

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Zamora, Spain

“Zamora and its 60,000 inhabitants are about to see a boost in tourism thanks to the new AVE from Madrid (high-speed train), which takes just an hour. Reasons to visit are not lacking: We are talking about the city with the most Romanesque churches in all of Europe (24 exactly) all of them built around the 12th and 13th centuries. Furthermore, Zamora is one of the most important epicenters of modernist art buildings in Spain, perhaps the third after Barcelona and Melilla.

If Zamora is famous for something it is for its Holy Week, one of the most beautiful, dramatic and shocking of Spain. (You can read about it here.) But no matter when you visit, be sure to taste the city’s traditional food, like the not well known ‘arroz a la zamorana,’ rice cooked with meat, ham and finished in the oven. And a secret: Zamora boasts of one of the best orchards of Spain, and its tomatoes are from another world; sample good wines from the famous Toro wineries, where LVMH is the owner of Numanthia.” —*David Moralejo, Head of Content at* Condé Nast Traveler Spain

Trogir, Croatia

“Located on a tiny island, Trogir’s Old Town is bursting with charm. Its narrow, ancient streets form a labyrinth lined with medieval town houses. The lively seafront promenade, lined with cafes and restaurants, is abuzz with activity on a summer day. The town also boasts many beautiful and well-preserved buildings from its age of glory between the 13th and 15th centuries. In 1997, its profuse collection of Romanesque and Renaissance buildings earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.

Browse the market, stroll along the Riva, or explore a Venetian fortress—Trogir packs a lot into a small package! Located only about 30 minutes from Split, it is also a perfect alternative for travelers that want to see and enjoy Split but prefer not to stay in a big city. The historic seaside town of Sibenik, Krka National Park, and the ancient ruins of Solin are also located within easy reach.” —*Wanda S. Radetti, President of* *VisitCroatia.com – Tasteful Croatian Journeys*

Narbonne, France

“Narbonne is located in Southwest France, but when most travelers head to southern France they either go to the area around Toulouse or straight to the more well-known towns east of the former Roman seaport—Montpellier, Arles, or further still, Marseille and the broader Provence-Côte d’Azur region. But there’s tremendous beauty, close access to the beach, and plenty to see and eat [in Narbonne].

In lodging and wine, the destination here is Château l’Hospitalet Wine Resort, Beach and Spa, owned by Gerard Bertrand, among the pioneers of biodynamic winemaking in France with 16 biodynamic estates (Bertrand is one of the biggest exporters of French wine in the U.S.). The hotel recently added new suites, restaurants, a spa, and a beach club and guests can opt for wine tastings on the property. Travelers can also go to see the flamingos at the Regional Natural Park of Narbonne, go horseback riding through the park, visit the medieval historic city center, and stop by Narbo Via, a new museum designed by Foster + Partners focused on the ancient maritime capital’s Roman history.” —*Lindsey Tramuta, journalist and author of “The New Paris” and “The New Parisienne”*

Petworth, England

“Whilst a perfectly preserved English market town nestled in the heart of the South Downs National Park, Petworth was always just known as a collection of antique stores. Now, however, with an array of independent shops, cafes, and delis that line its quaint cobbled streets and hidden lanes, this quintessentially English town and its surrounding areas are a must-visit destination.

One of the largest estates in the area, Cowdray Park is recognized worldwide as the Home of British Polo, the sport of Kings. (NoteWorthy can arrange for you to meet with a top England player and take a private lesson for two.) The town also has the stately 17th-century Petworth House, Twenty (a one-stop destination for contemporary fashion connoisseurs), and The Hungry Guest deli (their chocolate brownies are to die for!). Make sure you also check out the lavender fields tucked away in a fold of the South Downs, open to visitors every July.” —Nicola Butler, Owner and Managing Director of NoteWorthy