My Top Five (non-capital) European Cities
1. Istanbul, Turkey
I loved my trip to Istanbul years ago and its stayed top of my list of favourite European cities ever since then! The influence of the East is everywhere and I love that the city is strategically located at the crossroads of both Europe and Asia.
Topkapi Palace is one of the top sights and is a massive museum complex and palace, demonstrating the power and influence of the Ottoman empire. I especially loved all the patterns and colours. Aya Sofya (or Hagia Sophia) has a fascinating history – it’s been a cathedral, a church, a mosque and a museum. The Sultan Ahmet Camii (The Blue Mosque) is another must see.
Rustem Pasa Camii (Rustem Pasha Mosque) is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been inside. It’s tucked away and quite tricky to find however I recommend you make the effort to find it. The interior is breath-taking with gorgeous tiles, wood carvings, carpets, patterns and colours.
I enjoyed walking around the Spice Bazaar (an assault on your senses for sure) as well as the Grand Bazaar. The Beyoglu district of the city is worth a visit. Cicek Pasaji (Flower Passage) is a beautiful covered arcade and Nevizade Street is packed full of bars and restaurants which really comes alive in the evenings.
2. Krakow, Poland
Krakow is the second largest city in Poland but feels relatively small compared to a lot of other European cities. The main square, Rynek Glowny is lovely with gorgeous Medieval buildings all around. The church, St Mary’s Basilica, is incredibly ornate inside – there’s not an inch that isn’t decorated. And The Cloth Hall is evidence of how important and wealthy the city once was. Wawel Hill with the Cathedral and Royal Castle are worth exploring as is the Jewish quarter, Kazimierz.
Whilst in Krakow I took a day trip to Auschwitz and Birkenau. Both of these are the location for some of the most horrific activities that took place during World War II and it’s not easy to see the evidence, however I also strongly feel it’s really important to learn about history even if it is uncomfortable at times. I would definitely recommend you go if you are staying in Krakow.
I also went on a half day trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine which was interesting, fun and something a bit different.
3. Bergen, Norway
I enjoyed my time in Bergen when I visited in 2019. Bryggen is lovely, packed with beautiful colourful buildings along the waterfront and a great place to wander around. I took the funicular to the top of Mount Floyen and enjoyed a great view across the city. I walked down through the forest back into the city to get a different perspective and could appreciate how close the city is to the surrounding landscape. For a small city there’s a lot of art and culture on offer. I enjoyed visiting the KODE art museums. Edvard Munch is probably the most famous Norwegian artist and his work is a lot broader than ‘The Scream’. The Silver Treasure gallery (in KODE 1) is gorgeous and definitely worth a visit. Another must-see is Fisketorget (the fish market) with loads of fresh fish stalls as well as cafes and restaurants.
Bergen is also perfectly placed as a gateway to the fjords. I had limited time but went on the famous day trip ‘Norway in a Nutshell’. It’s a long day out (and a lot of travelling) but worth it. You purchase the ‘package’ and all the tickets for all the different methods of transport (train, coach, boat, train etc) are included. It was lovely to get out of the city and see some more of the country. The weather wasn’t the best however I still managed to enjoy the scenery of Voss, Myrdal & Flam as well as the cruise along the fjords.
4. Porto, Portugal
I visited Porto in 2019 and felt it was more laid back and relaxed than Lisbon. There are plenty of ‘sights’ to see however it’s also a great place to wander around and soak up the atmosphere.
The Dom Luis Bridge is an impressive sight across the River Douro and connects the Ribeira area with the Via Nova de Gaia. You can walk across the bridge or take the tram (be warned the tram line is very high up). Ribeira is great to mooch around its little streets and up and down the hills between the river and the cathedral. Rua de Flores was probably my favourite street - packed with lots of independent shops, cafes and bars in gorgeous buildings. And don’t miss the Palacio da Bolsa which has the most gorgeous architecture and designs inside. Porto (as well as Lisbon) is famous for its azulejos (beautiful Portuguese ceramic tiles) and they are everywhere. Sao Bento station and Las Capela das Almas are particularly worth visiting for the stunning tiles.
I booked to go on a cellar tour and port tasting at Graham’s, one of the oldest port houses, which was really interesting and informative as well as good fun. I also enjoyed a boat trip along the River Douro.
5. Barcelona, Spain
I’ve visited Barcelona a few times and I would say it’s most well-known for art and architecture. Buildings designed by the famous Catalan modernist architect Antoni Gaudi include La Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila (La Pedrera), Casa Batllo and Park Guell. They’re all fabulous, very different and definitely worth visiting.
Walking along La Rambla, a lovely tree-lined pedestrianised street which connects Placa de Catalunya to Port Vell is a must-do. The market (Mercado de La Boqueria) is housed in a gorgeous building and worth visiting (located just off La Rambla).
I enjoyed visiting both the Fundacio Joan Miro and Museu Picasso, which showcase modern art works of their respective namesakes.
On my second visit to the city I went on a guided tour of Camp Nou, the home of FC Barcelona. I’m not a massive football fan however the stadium was very impressive (it’s the largest in Europe) and it was great to be able to go ‘behind the scenes’. Definitely one to recommend for sports fans.