Discovering new horizons
Lesser known parts of Europe – long overshadowed by the more famous and popular places – are now emerging as new tourist spots.
WITH summer prices on the rise, we’re eager to explore some places that are just starting to appear on many travellers’ radars. With up-and-coming spots within Europe as the focus, the editors and members of travel website VirtualTourist.com have compiled a list of the “Top 10 European Cities To See Now”.
1. Lviv, Ukraine
Lviv, a city in Western Ukraine that’s become a modern business hub, is the spot VirtualTourist members unanimously agreed is the top European city to see now. Many of its highlights are found in an incredibly compact central area, making it the perfect place to explore on a weekend jaunt. Start in Rynok Square, in the centre of the city, which is surrounded by almost 50 unique architectural monuments, including the Kornyakt Palace, a Renaissance landmark. Visitors can’t miss the Lviv Opera House, a NeoRenaissance treasure that is often compared to the opera houses of Paris and Vienna.
2. Hamburg, Germany
Located in Northern Germany on the Elbe River, Hamburg has been overshadowed by Berlin for far too long. With the reputation of being Germany’s second largest city and possessing the outdoor opportunities of a metropolis on the water, Hamburg is primed for a great tourism boom in coming years. It has small-town qualities with bigcity growth. You can stroll along Jungfernsteig on Alster Lake, just as families have done throughout history, or check out the city’s concert hall – Elbphilharmonie (Elbe Philharmonic Hall) – that’s being constructed in the buzzing neighbourhood of HafenCity.
3. Vilnius, Lithuania
Home to the largest Baroque old town in Eastern and Central Europe, Lithuania’s capital is a great destination for travellers interested in architecture. The Church of St Peter and St Paul is a Baroque masterpiece, with close to 2,000 stucco figures inside, and the pink façade of the Church of Saint Catherine makes it dif- ficult to miss. Many VirtualTourist members recommend visiting St John’s Church and its bell tower. While Vilnius is famous for Baroque buildings, the gothic St Anne’s Church is also a mustsee. Another interesting spot, the Gates of Dawn, is a shrine within the sole surviving gate of the first original five gates in the city wall; it houses an exceptional portrait of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
4. Valencia, Spain
Only a short train ride from Barcelona, Valencia is finally coming into its own as Spain’s third largest city and a tourism destination in its own right. The city has a unique combination of historical sites and modern attractions. Near the Plaza de la Virgen, visitors can see a number of religious landmarks, such as the Catedral, which holds the Holy Chalice that, according to tradition, was used by Christ during the Last Supper. Another historical site is the
Llotja de la Seda (Silk Exchange), a UNESCO Heritage Site and a great example of Gothic architecture that illustrates the city’s important role in Mediterranean trade throughout history. Newer landmarks are Valencia-born “starchitect” Santiago Calatrava’s City of Arts and Sciences complex which includes an IMAX theatre, the largest aquarium in Europe, an interactive science museum, and a four-hall performance arts centre.
5. Porto, Portugal
Built into the hillsides that rise above the Douro River, Porto has long been a favourite amongst VirtualTourist travellers. Its historical centre is a Unesco World Heritage site and its wine is renowned the world over. Favourite spots among VirtualTourist members include the Ribeira district along the waterfront, the Cathedral, the Sao Bento railway station to view the azulejos (ceramic hand-painted tiles), and the Lello bookshop. There are also great new buildings to see in Porto, including Rem Koolhaas’ Casa de Musica, which hosts classical music concerts every Sunday at noon for less than 10 (RM42).
6. Zagreb, Croatia
Croatia’s cities along the Adriatic Sea have long been in the limelight, but the country’s capital, Zagreb, is ready for its close-up. Members love riding the funicular to the city’s Upper Town, where the Zagreb Cathedral, St Mark’s Church and the Lotrscak Tower are located. The neo-Gothic cathedral is actually within a medieval fort, making it a must-see for both architecture lovers and history buffs, and St Mark’s Church is famous for the coat-of-arms on its colourful roof. VirtualTourist members also noted that the Oktagon, a shopping passage in the Lower Town, is a beautiful experience and a welcome change of pace for sightseers.
7. Valletta, Malta
Only 93km south of the Italian island of Sicily, Malta has historically had great strategic significance due to its location, and is finally coming into its own as a travel destination. Valletta, the country’s capital, is a Unesco World Heritage Site and was recently named the European Capital of Culture for 2018. One of the most concentrated historical areas in the world, Valletta offers some truly remarkable landmarks, including St John’s Co-Cathedral with its exquisite Baroque interior and two paintings by Caravaggio.
8. Budapest, Hungary
Although it has long been on lists of European cities to watch, it seems Budapest is finally primed to be a destination unto itself. Originally two separate cities on either side of the Danube River, the capital is noted for its romantic architecture, landmarks with panoramic views, and spa culture. The Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Matthias Church in Trinity Square are situated on the Buda side of the river, while the Parliament Building and Gresham Palace, an outstanding example of Hungarian Art Nouveau architecture (now home to the Four Seasons Hotel), are on the Pest side of the river. Many VirtualTourist members enjoy photographing the sites from boat cruises along the Danube.
9. Riga, Latvia
While many Baltic cities are becoming more popular with tourists, the city of Riga undoubtedly provides an eyeful for every visitor. Known for its grandiose Jugendstil façades, the city is widely recognised as having one of the greatest collections of Art Nouveau architecture in Europe. Old Riga, the historical centre on the right bank of the Daugava River, is also popular with visitors for its quaint squares and cobblestoned streets. Favourite spots of VirtualTourist.com members include St Peter’s Church, the House of Blackheads, and the “Three Brothers,” a set of three buildings on Maza Pills Street which reflect the changing trends of Latvian architecture over time.
10. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
While many are aware of the city’s ethnic struggles in the 1990s, far too few know of Sarajevo’s cultural history and successful rebuilding. Roman, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian influences on the city over the decades can be seen in its diverse neighbourhoods. Bascarsija, the Turkish area of the old town, includes the Sebilj Fountain, built with Moorish details and positioned in front of the Bascarsija Mosque. Other landmarks include the Serb Orthodox Cathedral, the Academy of Arts housed in a former Evangelical church, and the Latin Bridge over the river Miljacka. It was on this bridge that Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, inciting World War I. — McClatchyTribune Information Services