These five cities will pleasantly surprise tourists.
For their first acquaintance with a country, tourists often choose capitals that end up being overcrowded – for example, Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris or Rome. However, quite often “second” and even “third” cities can pleasantly surprise travelers, except that there won’t be the capital’s crowds or inflated prices.
Experienced traveler Vinicius Costa, who has visited more than a hundred cities in Europe, named five best alternatives to popular European capitals in his article for Travel Off Path.
Cagliari, Italy
Although Costa does not deny the tourist attraction of Rome, but the huge crowds, the introduction of fees for everything (especially the author is outraged by the fee of 5 euros for visiting the Pantheon, which used to be free) and widespread commercialization discourages him from visiting the “Eternal City”, which is increasingly like an”amusement park”.
“But in Cagliari, by contrast, everything I love about Italy has been preserved — without all the hustle and bustle that comes with mass tourism. It’s a full‑fledged capital, even if it’s the capital of the island of Sardinia. The city is located on the coast, pleasing to the eye with pastel‑colored buildings and a labyrinth of winding, cobblestone streets leading to the fortified castle quarter at the top of the hill — and it has what Rome lacks: real beaches with white sand and turquoise seas,” the seasoned traveler notes.
Brno, Czech Republic
Costa complains that many travel bloggers, out of habit, even in 2026, continue to call Prague “underrated.”
“They’re stuck in outdated stereotypes from the era of the socialist bloc and clearly have never tried to push their way through the crowds in this medieval capital, which has now become one of the most crowded and overcrowded cities in Europe. Forget about the chaos on Charles Bridge and head straight to Brno: the city is smaller, no less beautiful, and, fortunately, not flooded with tourists — so much so that the city itself even craves their influx,” he says.
Limerick, Ireland
According to a seasoned tourist, he will never go to Dublin again, where a pint of beer costs 12 dollars, and the noisy, drunken crowds in the Temple Bar area make staying in the Irish capital unbearable.
“I’m not a fan of Irish cities in general, but if someone held a gun to my head and made me choose one — no, it wouldn’t be the dreadful Galway or Cork — then my choice would be Limerick. Despite its small size, this city on the banks of the River Shannon has a vibrant character: it has a real medieval quarter, pubs right at the edge of the swift current, and a unique atmosphere of a student city — without Dublin’s pretentiousness and the overcrowding caused by tourists from all over the world,” Costa said.
Ponta Delgada, Portugal
“If you want to see Lisbon, but without the crowds of tourists, the pickpockets snatching phones, and the endless staircases, you’ll find a calmer and even more picturesque ‘sister’ of this city in Ponta Delgada — a place located thousands of miles from mainland Portugal,” says the author of the selection.
He explains that Ponta Delgada is the historical capital of the Azores and a real gem of the island of San Miguel-a green corner, reminiscent of the animated “Jurassic World”. In addition to cascading waterfalls, black sand beaches and mist – shrouded forests, this city seems to be frozen in time-in the era of the great Portuguese geographical discoveries.
Trondheim, Norway
Although Costa considers Oslo to be an excellent city, he is also convinced that it’s unlikely anyone would travel all the way to Norway for the sake of futuristic glass skyscrapers and an ultra‑modern opera house.
“I’m not an expert on Norway at all — I only had a quick look at the capital and drove along the fjords in the western and central parts of the country — but, judging by what I saw, Trondheim is the best place to get a full impression of Scandinavia. It has everything: a majestic cathedral reaching up to the sky (the oldest structure of its kind in such northern latitudes in Europe), cozy cobblestone streets with colourful wooden houses, and a picturesque promenade that looks like a postcard come to life,” the expert explains.
Konstantin is an acclaimed travel writer, celebrated for transforming ordinary journeys into extraordinary narratives. With years of experience exploring diverse destinations across the globe, his work blends vivid storytelling, cultural insights, and practical advice to inspire wanderlust and guide readers toward unforgettable adventures.
As a key contributor to enjoythetrip.org website, Konstantin has built a loyal readership through their expertise in uncovering both iconic landmarks and off-the-beaten-path treasures. He specializes in providing travelers with honest, actionable tips, whether it’s finding the best resorts in Maldives, exploring cultural hubs like Paris, or diving into the natural wonders of Croatia.