Seasoned travelers let us in on their secret spots, from Norway to Portugal and beyond.
Getty
All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
Europe‘s marquee cities still command the spotlight, but here’s what the smart money knows: the better play is often elsewhere. Not in hidden gems or secret finds—those clichés died with the last decade—but in working cities that haven’t yet been strip-mined for content or paved smooth for the algorithm. The sameness is what gets you. Every square becomes a stage set, every local joint a “discovery” on someone’s expense account. But the cities worth your time? They run on different logic entirely. Small enough that everyone knows who owns the bookshop, sure, but big enough that decent bands book actual tours through them. You’ll find a university keeping the arguments interesting, a port or river keeping the economy honest. Most importantly, there’s enough local money floating around that nobody’s dancing for tourist euros.
Here’s how you recognize them: The trams show up when they should, but nobody’s prettified the streets for your camera. Saturday markets thrive because locals need dinner, not atmosphere. That talented chef who trained in Copenhagen? She came home because the numbers worked and her grandmother still cooks Sunday lunch. The artists haven’t been priced out yet. The city council fights about bike lanes like it matters. And yes, everything closes for a proper lunch—because some traditions are worth defending.
To map this terrain, we asked on-the-ground specialists and Europe-based operators who book these trips for a living. The list that emerged spans Baltic capitals where art schools set the pace, Adriatic ports where workboats outnumber pleasure craft, Iberian centers with both memory and momentum, and more. Each offers the rarest luxury: culture driven by local appetite, a way of life that continues whether you are watching or not, and enough space between visitors to form your own opinion.
This gallery has been updated since its original publish date. Answers have been edited for length and clarity.
-
Getty Images
Guimarães, Portugal
“Guimarães packs medieval weight into its compact center—castle and ducal palace first, then wind through the historic streets to Largo da Oliveira for coffee. Hit Citânia de Briteiros for the archaeological layers, then dinner at Pousada do Mosteiro up on the hill where you can see everything spread below. Day two depends on your taste: Museu de Alberto Sampaio for goldsmithery and gilded wood, or A Oficina for revived traditions—embroidery, pottery, private artist workshops if you book ahead. The contemporary crowd heads to Centro Internacional das Artes José de Guimarães. For beds, the Pousada’s the classic, but Torel just opened Royal Court with tennis star João Sousa. Vinho Verde means leaving town—Quinta de Covela is small and private, or there’s a 16th-century manor closer where the owners do tastings, lunch, even cooking classes.” —Sara Sardinha, managing director, Tours for You
-
Aix-en-Provence, France“,”brand”:{“name”:””},”id”:”69027fc8831aaa5250d97bee”,”index”:1,”contentType”:”photo”,”offers”:[],”offersLength”:0,”component”:”gallery_slide_component”}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
Getty Images
Aix-en-Provence, France
“A lot of people picture lavender fields and a farmhouse when they think Provence; they don’t realize Aix is the smarter base. You’ve got these wide, Parisian-style boulevards without the traffic, fountains everywhere, and Cézanne literally on your doorstep—his studio, the Saint-Pierre cemetery where he’s buried, even the Terrain des Peintres with the same views he painted. It’s walkable, charming, and much better value than Paris or the Riviera. I was there in shoulder season, grabbed a jambon-beurre for five euros and thought, why am I not using this as my Provence hub all the time? Stay at Villa Saint-Ange—easy stroll to Cézanne, and the restaurant, Âma Terra, is run by Pierre Gagnaire, so the cooking is properly inventive Provençal. If you want art and vineyards, Villa La Coste is close by; if you want the coast, you’re about an hour to Marseille and the sea. Everyone I work with in France lives in Aix for a reason: it’s gorgeous, it’s practical, and it lets you do everything without the faff.” —Sunil Metcalfe, sales director and Travel Expert, Black Tomato
-
Spastonov/Getty
Ohrid, North Macedonia
“We all know the Balkans are home to some stunning seaside spots, but we shouldn’t forget about the region’s lakes! One of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes, Lake Ohrid straddles North Macedonia and Albania. The eponymous city of Ohrid on the North Macedonian shore is the perfect base for a lakeside break that combines sweetwater swimming and sunbathing with awe-inspiring nature (the lake is often referred to as the ‘European Galapagos,’ thanks to its dense biodiversity) and Byzantine religious history and architecture.
After a relaxing morning by the water at Potpesh or Kaneo beach, wander the boardwalk and the charming cobbled streets of the UNESCO-protected town. For a history hit, head up to the cliffside Church of St. John at Kaneo or admire stunning vistas from Tsar Samuel’s Fortress, before discovering the Ancient Macedonian Theatre of Ohrid. Hearty local cuisine is what Viva Ksantika is known for, while Kaj Kanevche is a go-to when it comes to waterfront eateries. If you have a little more time, hop on a boat trip across the lake to the enchanting Monastery of Saint Naum.” —E.M.
-
Getty
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
-
Getty
Thessaloniki, Greece
“Thessaloniki may still be losing out to Athens when it comes to tourists, but Greece’s second city is well worth a visit. Come for the world-class food scene—Thessalonki was named Greece’s first ‘City of Gastronomy’ by UNESCO in November 2021—and stay for the fun, creative vibe (owing in part to the large student population). While its historical offering is perhaps a little less grandiose than the Acropolis, it is no less rich: think a well-preserved Roman forum, the frescoes of the Rotunda, and Ottoman hamams.
What many people don’t know about the city—and, indeed, I was unaware of until I actually lived there—is its rich multicultural heritage. In the early 20th century, for example, Thessaloniki had the largest Jewish population in Europe, and the legacy of this Jewish community (particularly when it comes to architecture) is all around, if you know where to look. All of this while maintaining a decidedly relaxed outlook—Athens residents will often jokingly use the term ‘halara’ in relation to Thessaloniki, denoting the city’s chilled-out atmosphere and slower pace of life.” —E.M.
-
Getty Images
Prato, Italy
“Prato is the second biggest city in Tuscany, but it’s one of the places that’s never talked about, probably because Tuscany just has so many places that are worth visiting. If you have a a 12-day tour of Tuscany, it’s what you would visit on day 13. What’s really nice is that, because of that, there are really no travelers there, which is the rarest of things in Italy. It has that quintessential Tuscany feeling—old stone, walkable city center, big cathedrals, and big squares. Lots of shopping and local life, and really cool aperitivo spots. There’s a great restaurant called Boves, where you can sit outside and watch the streets come alive at night. But what I find really interesting is that Prato is home to one of the biggest Chinese populations in all of Europe. If you leave the very middle of the city, it’s all Chinese supermarkets and Chinese restaurants. It’s because Prato is like the heart of the industrial textile industry. And a lot of Chinese immigrants came in to work on the industrial textiles, and they all stayed there.” —Erin Florio, global features director
-
Getty Images
Tallinn, Estonia
“Tallinn is an easy win: a high-speed ferry from Helsinki or a quick flight drops you into a capital that balances medieval drama with modern design. The UNESCO-listed Old Town has spires, cobbles, and the Kiek in de Kök tunnels to wander, plus hearty Estonian kitchens for refueling. Then switch gears in Telliskivi Creative City—graffiti, galleries, new-Nordic dining, and smart local fashion under one roof. It’s walkable, good-looking, and compact enough that you can do history before lunch and contemporary culture after coffee.” —Melissa Lee, Senior Luxury Travel Advisor at Royal Travel
-
Getty
Gdańsk, Poland
“Often just visited as part of a cruise ship shore tour, Gdańsk actually has several days’ worth of great historic sightseeing (and great food!). Take a deep dive into WWII history at the Museum of the Second World War, one of the most comprehensive we’ve ever been to. You can also see where WWII started with a visit to the memorial site at Westerplatte.
Visit one of the best preserved castles in Europe at Malbork—the largest castle in the world (by land area). Meanwhile, explore contemporary history with a visit to the Solidarity Centre. Then take a boat on the Baltic Sea for the day, and enjoy innovative cuisine in the city center and excellent rustic cuisine in the countryside.” —Gwen Kozlowski, president of Exeter International
-
Getty
Vila Real de Santo António, Portugal
“Just on the other side of the Guadiana River from Spain, in Portugal’s Algarve, is the whitewashed town of V.R. de Santo Antonio. What was once a somewhat grimy border town feels lighter and airier now that the vehicle ferries have been supplanted by a bridge, meaning most travelers that make the crossing between the two countries rarely pop down to have a look. Much to the benefit of the rest of us: the town was the first outside of Lisbon to be remodeled according to the “Pombaline” design after the 1755 earthquake and the whitewashed storefronts and dazzling calzada (hand-cut stone tile sidewalks) give the town a much more Mediterranean air.
Nearby you have the Knights Templar fort of Castro Marim and under its shadow, the ancient salt pans used since Roman times where you can go for mud/salt baths before heading a few kilometers west to the beautiful beaches of Cacela Velha and the start of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. This is altogether some of the most authentic Algarve at its finest and a far cry from the overtouristed central belt—and made all the more tantalizing now that a smart boutique hotel, the Relais Chateaux Grand House, has opened. The hotel features light-filled rooms recalling the Belle Époque, many with views onto Vila Real’s Marina, in addition to a wonderful beach club annex right on the water just a few minutes away (where in-house guests have priority).” —Sebastian Lapostol, senior trip planner at Trufflepig Travel Inc.
-
Getty
Innsbruck, Austria
“Innsbruck doesn’t get the same level of exposure as Vienna and Salzburg, but it definitely deserves a visit. I am always pleasantly surprised by the varied level of activities here—from the most active to the most cultural and everything in between!
Some of the best things to do: Stay in one of the best resort hotels in Austria, just outside of town (the Astoria Resort Seefeld). Watch competitive skiers perform jumps at the Zaha Hadid-designed Bergisel Ski Jump. Get a behind-the-scenes exclusive experience at the Swarovski factory, just outside of town. Indulge in some hiking (or just amazing views) with a picnic on the Nordkette, with sweeping views all over the valley.” —G.K.
-
Getty
Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
“Mostar is a beautiful medieval town with a mix of Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman architecture. It’s home to the iconic Stari Most bridge from which the city gets its name. There are many restaurants offering traditional and filling food such as dolma, vegetables stuffed with ground meat and rice; sarma, stuffed cabbage leaves; and fresh bread. The city’s relaxed energy makes it easy to turn an afternoon of strolling around the town into an evening enjoying comfort food while sipping rakija, the national spirit of Bosnia, and listening to the soothing sounds of the river.” —Jessica Nabongo, founder of Jet Black and The Catch, and author of the recently released “The Catch Me If You Can”
-
Getty
Zamora, Spain
“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 lesser known ‘arroz a la zamorana,’ rice cooked with meat 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
-
Gail Shotlander
Aalesund, Norway
“This is a very beautiful, also relatively small city stretching across some islands that overlook the ocean. In one direction, you have views of the open ocean, but in the backdrop there are these tall mountains so there is a steep contrast. The entire town burned down in 1904, it was a big disaster, but it was rebuilt by the emperor of Germany—he loved this city so much that he opened his own purse. The architecture is Germany’s version of the Art-Nouveau style, with small crooked streets where you can smell the sea and they sell fish and shrimps.” —J.S.
-
Getty Images
Málaga, Spain
“Málaga is often overlooked in favor of its better-known Andalusian sisters, such as Seville and Granada, despite its strong historic and cultural connections. From the Roman amphitheater at the foot of the Alcazaba to the 11th-century Moorish palace-fortress above (later the seat of city government), Málaga’s past is unusually rich. Set on the slopes of Mount Gibralfaro, the Alcazaba offers splendid views over the city. Just uphill, the 10th-century Gibralfaro Castle also commands magnificent views. Málaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and home to an excellent Picasso Museum and the Santiago Church, where he was baptized. Not only is there a Centre Pompidou outpost devoted to modern art, but there’s also a Thyssen museum rich in 19th-century Spanish painting. From a gastronomic perspective, Málaga easily rivals the culinary scenes of Seville and Granada, with excellent tapas bars and neighborhoods such as Soho offering traditional spots, including the renowned El Pimpi on the doorstep of Málaga’s modern-day son, Antonio Banderas.” —Clare Watkins, Europe Specialist, Red Savannah
-
Getty Images
Gothenburg, Sweden
“Gothenburg is Sweden’s second city but feels first in quality of life. You can go white-tablecloth at a Michelin spot or grab a shrimp sandwich at a waterfront café, then spend an afternoon at Pilane Sculpture Park before catching an indie festival in the evening. Car lovers should make time for World of Volvo, which is part museum, part playground for brand obsessives. My favorite day out is the archipelago: hop a ferry to tiny islands for wooden piers, cold-water dips, and seafood shacks serving what just came out of the pot. If you want bragging rights, book a seaweed safari and cook what you forage.” —Melissa Lee, senior luxury travel advisor at Royal Travel
-
Getty Images
Kutaisi, Georgia
“Kutaisi still feels like a discovery. Slow down and you’ll find 12th-century Gelati, old-market colonnades, and the cultural energy Georgia is leaning into for 2025. A new interactive museum and a center for folk dance and polyphonic song are slated, while access improves at Okatse Canyon and Kinchkha Waterfall under a light permit system that protects the terrain. My go-to 1–2-night loop: Gelati at first light, Prometheus Cave by midday, Okatse late when the crowds thin and the light turns gold. Sleep in the Imereti countryside—Baia’s Wine near Obcha is a warm, organic standout—then circle back through Kutaisi’s Green Bazaar. Find Nana’s stall near the east entrance for hot Imeretian khachapuri, and if time allows, detour to Tskaltubo’s Soviet-era bathhouses. In spring or early autumn, Satsire village in lower Racha makes a glorious lunch stop of beans, foraged greens, and unfiltered Imeretian wine.”—Clare Tobin, CEO of Wild Frontiers
-
Getty Images
Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
“Everyone goes straight to Edinburgh; Dundee rarely gets picked—and it should. It sits on the River Tay on Scotland’s east coast, about an hour and a half by train from Edinburgh, with a center you can actually cover on foot. Start with the V&A Dundee—Kengo Kuma’s cliff-like museum—then walk down to the RRS Discovery; that’s Scott and Shackleton’s Antarctic ship, built here. The McManus stitches the art and history together. Head up Dundee Law for views over the Tay bridges, then wander the revamped waterfront; the city’s design and gaming chops give it a young energy without the crowds. If you want to fold it into a Highlands loop, anchor a night or two at the Fife Arms in Braemar in the Cairngorms—an easy drive—and you get that grand, storybook Scottish hit alongside a city that genuinely surprises.” —S.M.
-
Getty Images
Herceg Novi, Montenegro
“Think of it as the calm base near the Bay of Kotor. Forty-five minutes to an hour from Dubrovnik airport once you’re over the border. One&Only Portonovi is 15 minutes away, Savina Winery nearby for a serious tasting. Day-trip Kotor and Perast (about an hour), tick the sights, then come back to a waterfront that isn’t governed by cruise timetables. There’s real investment flowing in, as clients are already using it as the smarter hub.” —Graham Carter, co-founder of Unforgettable Travel Company
-
Getty Images
Šibenik, Croatia
“Šibenik is about an hour north of Split and an easy hour from the airport. UNESCO cathedral, yes, but also Krka National Park right there and a proper food-and-wine hinterland—prosciutto tastings, home-hosted cooking, small wineries. It’s the gateway to a different island group than the Hvar-Korčula circuit. With EU works reshaping Split’s harbor, luxury fleets are shifting north—we’re moving six of our yachts to base here—so you get better boats and berths while it still feels under the radar.” —Graham Carter, co-founder of Unforgettable Travel Company
-
Getty Images
Worcester, United Kingdom
“Americans hear ‘Cotswolds’ and head straight for the postcard villages; Worcester almost never makes the list, and that’s a miss. It sits on the River Severn at the northern edge of the Cotswolds—easy day trip by train from Birmingham or Oxford—and gives you proper English history without the tour buses. Start at Worcester Cathedral: Romanesque into Gothic, beautiful cloisters, even evensong if you time it. Then The Commandery tells the English Civil War story in situ. There’s a food thread too—Lea & Perrins was born here—so I’ll send people to The Diglis for lunch right on the river. For a leg-stretch, the Malvern Hills are just there: springs, ridge walks, big views. It’s compact, walkable, lived-in rather than staged. If you’re doing the Cotswolds, Worcester is the smart add-on that gets you the history and riverside charm without the crowds.” —Sunil Metcalfe, sales director and Travel Expert, Black Tomato
-
Getty Images
Ljubljana, Slovenia
“Small capital, riverfront restaurants in the old town and a castle up on the hill—easy to like and easy to work with. Thirty minutes to Lake Bled, 45 to Bohinj, roughly an hour to the Julian Alps, and an hour and 40 to Zagreb if you’re pairing with Croatia. Add Postojna Caves for a third day. The food scene’s better than people expect, and the airport links are decent. Slovenia’s having its moment—Ljubljana is where you anchor three or four nights.” —Graham Carter, co-founder of Unforgettable Travel Company
-
Getty Images
Perth, Scotland, United Kingdom
“People fly past Perth on their way to the Highlands, and that’s the mistake. It’s a smart base on the River Tay with easy day trips in every direction. Ten minutes out you’ve got Scone Palace, where Scottish kings were crowned; forty minutes north, Edradour in Pitlochry, one of Scotland’s smallest traditional distilleries, for the kind of tasting you don’t get on the big-tour circuit. If you want a story with your scenery, head west to Balquhidder and pay respects at Rob Roy’s grave, then back for a riverside walk and the refreshed Perth Museum. For a splurge, Gleneagles is on the doorstep—golf, spa, the whole bit—so you can do whisky, history, and hills without living out of the car. Perth is the under-the-radar Perthshire everyone forgets to put on the itinerary.” —Sunil Metcalfe, sales director and Travel Expert, Black Tomato
-
Sibeesh Venu/Unsplash
Sligo, Ireland
“Don’t get me wrong, Galway has its gems, and Cork is a joy, but Sligo is like a worn leather chesterfield, and is unphased by any coolness bestowed upon it. Perhaps this is what drew so many writers, and why Yeats preached its gospel, something of a savage beauty. It is also why this place plays such a central role in Irish mythology from Moytura to Fionn and the Fianna. In Ireland there is a phrase about “thin places,” geographies where the veil between the natural and the supernatural is thin, and mythologies, and spirits seep through. This town is steeped in thinness. It is why Sligo has such music and even its own genre of fiddle style. You can feel the gods in giant rock walls like the Benbulben, a large flat-topped rock formation just on the outskirts of town. It is also a sandwiched gateway to Donegal, a border town, a place of transition, which adds to the magic. Too much of the rest of Ireland and parts of Europe become swollen by the icon of themselves in the eyes of the tourism industry, they become caricatures; Sligo, somehow, is immune to that, it feels and lives honest.” —Tyler Dillon, travel planner at Trufflepig
-
Getty
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 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 gosee 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”
-
Getty Images
Évora, Portugal
“Everyone does Lisbon, Porto, the Douro, maybe the Algarve—few do Alentejo, and those who do often miss Évora. The Roman temple in the city center is a genuine surprise. Behind it, the Palace of Cadaval opens for visits, housing one of Portugal’s most beautiful churches with stunning tiles and a great gift shop. Small shops throughout town sell Alentejo’s crafts and gastronomic specialties. The Franciscan monastery has the Capela dos Ossos—the chapel of bones. The Duchess of Cadaval, a good friend, welcomes my clients when they visit the palace.” —Virginia Irurita, founder, Made for Spain & Portugal
-
Getty
Aalborg, Denmark
“If you want to do a deeper dive into Denmark, take a short flight from Copenhagen to the Jutland peninsula, which is stunning. It was historically a fishing area and famous in the Second World War for being home to some major battles. The city of Aalborg has seen a transformation, going from being full of fishing and tinning industry warehouses to having a large university population that is repurposing those industrial spaces into bars and restaurants. It’s not a place where you’ll find many tourists at all, so you get a more authentic glimpse of the Danish philosophy—hygge, and the concept of looking after each other. There’s a really good restaurant that I’d recommend called Tabu that does tasting menus rivaling Copenhagen at an incredible value.” —Sunil Metcalfe, sales director of Black Tomato
-
Getty
Verona, Italy
“Verona really delivers for someone who might just have a few days to observe local Italian life and see amazing sites. The city is packed with incredible architecture and stories, from Shakespeare to the operas that still happen in the intact Coliseum. I think it’s a surprise for people who come to what they might consider a second-tier city. You also have the benefit of the countryside and being in the Amarone wine region.” —Georgia Yuill, experience designer at Butterfield & Robinson
-
Dave Long/Getty
Pristina, Kosovo
“Often overlooked, Pristina is definitely worth a stop on a Balkan adventure for its laidback, young feel. There is a vibrant creative scene—check out LambdaLambdaLambda, the first international gallery for contemporary art in Pristina; and art spaces Stacion and Galeria 17. Pristina burst onto the global art scene in 2022, when Manifesta 14 (the nomadic pan-regional cultural Biennial) brought 100 days of exhibitions, workshops and events (not to mention artists, architects, and visitors from around the world) to the city.
The National Gallery of Kosovo is also worth a visit. There’s great cafe culture—Half & Half Café, Dit’ e Nat’, Soma Book Station—and foodie spots—Liburnia, Shpija e Vjetër, Taverna Tirona. You can get a sense of local produce at the Green Market. Architectural points of interest include the love-it-or-hate-it National Library of Kosovo, the Newborn Monument, and the statue of Bill Clinton (be sure to read up on the history before you come!), plus religious landmarks like the Zhamia e Madhe mosque, the abandoned Saviour Orthodox Cathedral, and the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa. A short drive from the city, you can visit the UNESCO-protected Gračanica Monastery followed by a stroll or picnic in Gërmia Park.” –E.M.
-
Getty
Vilnius, Lithuania
“Often playing third fiddle to the Baltic capitals lucky enough to be situated on or near the sea, Vilnius is an affordable city with many stories to tell. Fiercely proud of having thrown off the shackles of Soviet occupation three decades ago, Lithuanians are keen to show the world just how fun, independent, and creative they are, through art, cuisine, or the lovingly completed restoration of the city’s large Old Town.
A must in Vilnius is to spend some time in Uzupis, the tongue-in-cheek breakaway republic on the other side of the river that’s a popular neighborhood for artists to live and work in. Vilnius is a city with no shortage of spectacular viewpoints. Climb Gediminas Hill in the center of the city, with its castle ruins, or the iconic Vilnius Cathedral belfry, or—our favorite—the slightly hidden bell tower of St. James Church. This is also the ideal city to enjoy modern Lithuanian cuisine. Reimagined and lighter versions of traditional dishes are served in well designed spaces where the Michelin-starred Nordic kitchen experience of many of the country’s chefs will become obvious.” —Jay Ternavan, founder and CEO of JayWay Travel
-
smiltena
Liepāja, Latvia
“This is Latvia’s own ‘windy city’. Liepāja is known as the ‘city where the wind is born’ for the ever-present sea breeze, as well as an overarching spirit of independence and creativity. It’s a real music city—there’s the Great Amber Concert Hall (so-called for its yellow-orange gemlike facade), the Latvian Musicians’ Walk of Fame, the Ghost Tree memorial to Līvi, which is Latvia’s most famous rock band, and cool music venues like Wiktorija. The Holy Trinity Cathedral has the world’s oldest original mechanical organ, and there’s lots of non-music-related history in the form of the Karosta Naval Base and prison and the Northern Fort. The beach is amazing, too!” —E.M.
Paul Jebara writes about travel through the lenses of culture, design, and adventure as a regular contributor to Condé Nast Traveler. This McGill and Chinese University of Hong Kong grad also has bylines in Architectural Digest, Men’s Journal, Town & Country, and Observer—occasionally trading his keyboard for time in front … Read More
Caitlin Morton has been writing about travel for a decade, with bylines in Vogue, Travel + Leisure, AFAR, TripSavvy, Real Simple, and more. She enjoys baked goods, Ireland, orange nail polish, and horror movies. One time she held the door open for Ian McKellen, which is as close to fame … Read More
