We all know how the hordes descend on Barcelona, Rome and Paris at whatever time of the year. But it’s perfectly possible to get that cultural fix with the crowds dialled down at lesser-known cities. Here are ten urban escapes that fit the bill…
BORDEAUX, FRANCE
A little gastronomy? Oui! Southwestern Bordeaux plates up fine food, big wines and more cultural sights – more than 350 – than you can squeeze into a weekend. It’s cheap to arrive, thanks to easyJet and Ryanair flights.
Enjoy grandiose architecture in the city’s squares and the shopping boulevard Rue Sainte-Catherine is ideal for a spree. Need a photo to send to those back home? Head for La Grosse Cloche, Bordeaux’s beloved 7,750kg city bell.
Don’t miss: Drink in the knowledge at La Cite du Vin, a museum dedicated to Bordeaux’s biggest export.
Book it: Three nights at the four-star Hotel de Seze and flights from £739pp B&B (kirkerholidays.com).
VALLETTA, MALTA
Small but mighty, the Maltese capital has historic sites in spades with St John’s Co-Cathedral and the 16th Century Grand Master’s Palace among its landmarks. Malta also boasts an average of 300 sunny days a year.
Don’t miss: A blast of modernity at City Gate, crafted by Italian architect Renzo Piano in 2011.
Book it: Doubles at five-star Iniala Harbour House Malta from £341 B&B (inialamalta.com); return London-Malta flights from £103 (kmmaltairlines.com).
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND
Dismiss Switzerland’s largest city as a ‘business’ destination at your peril (and also, don’t let the suits have all the fun). This German-speaking metropolis, at the easy-on-the-eye spot where Lake Zurich bumps into Limmat River, serves up crowd-pleasing attractions such as the Lindt and Fifa museums and stunning architecture such as the university library. Who can resist bircher muesli for breakfast and Geschnetzeltes, veal with rosti potatoes, for dinner?
Don’t miss: A little couture (window) shopping on swanky Bahnhofstrasse.
Book it: Doubles at the four-star 25 Hours Hotel from £168 (25hours-hotels.com); return flights to Zurich from £90 (ba.com).
CORK, IRELAND
Dubbed Ireland’s ‘real capital’, Cork hits just like Dublin when it comes to old pubs, galleries and exuberant sociability – only without the 24/7 tourist masses. Cork City Gaol offers a stark snapshot of what incarcerated Corkonians once faced, St Fin Barre Cathedral has gargoyles galore and the Franciscan Well Brewery celebrates the links with Ireland’s amber nectar.
Don’t miss: A gourmet sausage from O’Flynn’s at the city’s 18th Century English Market.
Book it: Doubles at the Montenotte Hotel from £182 B&B (themontenottehotel.com); return flights to Cork from £124 (aerlingus.com).
THESSALONIKI, GREECE
Athens wins the tourist dollar but Greece’s second city has much to shout about. Thessaloniki – where a shiny new, long-awaited 13-stop metro opened last week – is buzzy and beats its ancient sister hands down on gastronomy.
Don’t miss: Climb the 96 steps of the stocky 15th Century White Tower for a 360-degree vista.
Book it: Three nights at the five-star Met Hotel from £469pp B&B including flights (olympicholidays.com).
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN
How to win the late-in-the-year sun lottery and dine like royalty? Step up San Sebastian, the Basque region’s gourmet show-stopper. Michelin-starred restaurants huddle around golden La Concha Bay but a simple San Miguel and pintxos – local tapas – is equally inviting. Those crowds? They are 70 minutes away in Bilbao, where you will fly into.
Don’t miss: Take the 1912 cog funicular up to Mount Igueldo for bay views.
Book it: Doubles at five-star Nobu San Sebastian from £338 B&B (sansebastian.nobuhotels.com); return flights to Bilbao from £69 (vueling.com).
LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA
Airfares to Slovenia’s photogenic capital tumble once summer bows out and Ljubljana’s old town – easy to negotiate and where pedestrians rule – abounds with understated elegance. Cutting through it is the Ljubljanica river, crossed with ornate bridges, with Triple Bridge the pick of them. Cycle or walk along its banks or save your legs and book a boat tour.
Don’t miss: The city’s optimum vista is found if you ride the funicular up to 16th century hilltop Ljubljana Castle.
Book it: A four-day escorted tour including transfers and accommodation costs from £689pp B&B (untravelledpaths.com); return flights to Ljubljana from £51 (easyjet.com).
GHENT, BELGIUM
If you can easily access Kent’s ferry terminals, Ghent is a win city break. Bag a bargainous low-season sailing to Dunkirk and you are just over an hour’s drive from this Flemish beauty. Belgium’s walkable oldest city is much less busy than Bruges but has similar appeal with cobbled streets, gabled houses, slim waterways and cosy pubs.
Don’t miss: Time travel at 12th Century Gravensteen Castle, complete with moat, turrets and arrow slits.
Book it: Doubles at the five-star 1898 The Post from £249 (1898thepost.com); return Dover-to-Dunkirk crossings from £159 (dfds.com).
KRAKOW, POLAND
Much of the action in Poland’s one-time royal capital is focused on cafe-lined Rynek Glowny, one of Europe’s largest market squares. Home to the magnificent St Mary’s Basilica and Renaissance shopping mall, the Cloth Hall, it’s where you will head for a short, sharp espresso in the morning and a short, sharp ‘wodka’ shot come nightfall.
Don’t miss: A hot plate of pierogi, Krakow’s beloved stuffed dumplings.
Book it: Doubles at the five-star Hotel Copernicus from £150 (relaischateaux.com); return flights to Krakow from £32 (wizzair.com).
BRINDISI, ITALY
Ryanair jets into Brindisi all year round with the lion’s share of tourists driving off to see Puglia’s rural charms. Slow-paced and great value, Brindisi is made for idle wandering and lazy lunches. Get lost among ornate palazzos and churches, take a port-side stroll and give the day up to a plate of orecchiette pasta and a bottle of Primitivo.
Don’t miss: The one surviving Roman column that marks the end of the ancient Appian Way.
Book it: Doubles at the four-star Grande Albergo Internazionale from £91 B&B (booking.com); return flights to Brindisi from £44 (ryanair.com).
