Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
As more European capital cities struggle with overtourism, second-city destinations are taking the spotlight.
New research by luggage storage company Radical Storage characterises these destinations as the second-most populated city in a European country.
In 10 of the 44 European countries analysed, the second-largest city was a better tourist destination than the capital city.
The study compared the tourist experience in each European country’s capital city with its second-largest city, taking into account shopping, accommodation, food, culture, accessibility and local attractions and ranking them on a scale of 0 to 10.
But which are the top second cities and why exactly should you choose them? Find out below.
Novi Sad, Serbia
Serbia as a whole is a relatively overlooked European destination. Its second city, Novi Sad, however, came out on top of the ranking and it has a string of impressive credentials. It was crowned the European Youth Capital of 2019 by the European Union and became a UNESCO Creative City in 2023.
Smaller and more walkable than the capital, Belgrade, it has a vibrant cultural scene and is very popular with students and young people, especially because of the annual EXIT music festival.
Stumble upon laneway bars in the charming old town, or enjoy colourful art, soaking in the laid-back atmosphere of the city.
Explore the Petrovaradin Fortress, which dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries, with a network of tunnels and an iconic clock tower, or relax on the 700-metre-long beach alongside the Danube.
In the old town, called Stari Grad, you’ll find the Name of Mary Church, a Gothic Revival church and the neo-Renaissance City Hall.
With a score of 5.87 in the Radical Storage study, Novi Sad has 102 attractions rated over 4 stars, with the average entry fee for top attractions being €1.7. It also has 251 eateries with a rating of over 4 stars.
According to Radical Storage’s study, a main meal per person in Novi Sad costs only around €8.4, compared to the average main meal prices in other cities analysed in the study, at €13.6.
The average price per night at a mid-range hotel is €33.5, with the top 30 hotels having a review of 4.5 on average. Novi Sad also has 19 shopping destinations.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona took second place, with a score of 5.75, according to the study, due to its relaxed Mediterranean vibe, beaches, unique architecture and outstanding air and rail connections.
Although the city is not as much of a hidden gem as the others in the study, already suffering from overtourism, it still offers a different experience than Madrid, with a more international feel.
Enjoy UNESCO World Heritage Sites designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, such as the Casa Vicens, the Crypt of La Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló. Learn about tapas culture and enjoy local specialities such as the bomba or salted cod, or let loose at one of the city’s many music festivals, such as the Primavera Sound.
With a distinct regional identity, Barcelona also allows visitors to take part in unique Catalan festivals and traditions, such as the La Mercè festival and Sant Jordi’s Day, when books and roses are exchanged.
The city ranked 1st for cultural and local attractions in the Radical Storage study, while taking fourth place for restaurant ranking and 37th place for accommodation ranking. It was in second place for shopping, but in top place for accessibility.
Gyumri, Armenia
Armenia’s second city, Gyumri, is a charming cultural hub and took third place in the ranking, with a score of 5.72. With a higher focus on arts and crafts than Yerevan, it also offers visitors a chance to see many historical monuments.
Most of the city also features rare black tufa architecture, made from a type of volcanic rock.
Visit the Sev Berd, or Black Fortress, an abandoned Russian imperial fortress built in the early 1800s, very close to the Turkish border. Follow up with a 19th-century Russian church, the Church of Saint Arsenius, for its unique design featuring two domes.
A little outside Gyumri lies the Jrapi Caravanserai, a 10th to 11th century roadside inn, featuring a three-arched design and stone-tiled floor.
Head over to the old town, where you can explore winding cobblestone streets. With a number of affordable and quirky cafes, you can tuck into local delicacies such as harissa, a wheat and meat stew and panrkhash, a cheese and bread dish.
Gyumri has relatively fewer attractions and eateries than other European cities, with 34 attractions with a four-star and above rating, and 52 eateries ranked four stars and above. However, the quality of these establishments keeps tourists coming back. Average entrance fees for top attractions are also very cheap, averaging €1.7.
The city ranks 20th for cultural and local attractions, according to Radical Storage, coming in at 10th place for restaurant rankings. However, it takes top spot for accommodations and is in fourth place for shopping, with 33rd place for accessibility.
A hotel room in Gyumri will set you back about €25.4, according to Radical Storage, which is much less than the study’s average of €87.6.
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Cluj-Napoca, the historic capital of Transylvania, is the fourth-best second city, according to the ranking, with a score of 5.59. Renowned for a higher quality of life than Bucharest, it has less pollution and better healthcare, while also being safer.
With a more community-oriented and smaller-city feel, Cluj-Napoca is popular with visitors looking to escape the crowds during peak travel times.
Soak in the natural beauty of the Cetatuia Park or Botanical Garden, or hike to the nearby Apunseni Mountains, for the Turda Gorge, and explore the twisted trees in the Hoia-Baciu Forest. Head over to St. Michael’s Church for a bit of culture, or to the Steampunk Transylvania Museum for a unique blend of retro and futurism charm.
The city has 155 attractions rated four stars and above, with 261 four-starred and above eateries. Its entrance fees for top attractions are also quite low at €6.8.
The city is 12th for culture and local attractions, according to Radical Storage, and 15th for restaurants. It comes in 10th place for accommodation and in 12th for shopping, along with 10th place for accessibility.
A main meal for one person costs around €9.7 at a mid-range restaurant in Cluj-Napoca, which is relatively cheap compared to most European capital cities.
Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Banja Luka took fifth place in the ranking, with a score of 5.51, offering a vast range of outdoor and wellness activities such as kayaking, rafting, hiking and thermal springs. It also has a much slower pace of life than the capital, Sarajevo, while still offering a great cafe and nightlife scene.
Explore a variety of iconic historic monuments such as the Ferhadija Mosque, the Kastel Fortress and the Christ the Saviour Orthodox Cathedral.
Hike to the Banj Hill for stunning views of the Vrbas River and the city, or relax in green spaces like Mladen Stojanović Park and Borik Park. Wellness travellers can also rejuvenate in the hot springs in the village of Srpske Toplice.
Dig into Banjalučki ćevapi, small grilled minced meat sausages and paprika, stuffed peppers served with meat and rice.
Banja Luka has 38 attractions rated four stars and above. With 69.2% of its eateries, or 74 restaurants, rated as above four stars, the city takes third place for restaurant ranking in the Radical Storage study.
An average meal costs approximately €7.6, with an average hotel room being about €31.2, a little below the study average of €113.
It is 20th for culture and local attractions, as well as 2nd for accommodation and 33rd for shopping. For accessibility, Banja Luka is in 36th place.
Kutaisi, Georgia
Kutaisi is often chosen over Tbilisi for its walkability, rich history and easy access to natural attractions. The city, which earned sixth place in the ranking with a score of 5.48, is also a gateway to exploring western Georgia’s caves, canyons and mountains.
Visit the Gelati Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Bagrati Cathedral, or explore the Prometheus Cave. Soak in the view from the White Bridge and take a ride on the Soviet-era Kutaisi Cable Car.. Head over to the Green Bazaar for local treats like crunchy meat rolls and kebab-stuffed bread.
Learn about the region’s local military history at the Kutaisi National Museum of Military Glory, or go to the David Kakabadze Fine Art Gallery for some art.
Don’t forget to sample chkmeruli, a chicken dish in milk and garlic sauce and khinkalis, traditional Georgian dumplings filled with meat and spices.
The price of a night in a hotel, a meal and a ticket to an attraction, comes up to an average of approximately €36.2, in comparison to Tbilisi’s €54.4.
Kaunas, Lithuania
Kaunas, also crowned the European Capital of Culture 2022, offers a blend of traditional Lithuanian culture and cutting-edge technology. It came seventh in the ranking of Europe’s best second cities, with a score of 5.47.
Explore the Old Town’s Renaissance, medieval and baroque buildings. Visit iconic landmarks such as the 14th century Kaunas Castle, a prime example of defensive Lithuanian architecture and the Gothic House of Perkūnas, dating back to the 15th century.
Head over to the Rumsiskes Open-Air museum for a taste of rural Lithuanian life, with traditional crafts, as well as the M.K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum, the world’s only museum dedicated to the famous Lithuanian composer and artist.
For a more offbeat experience, choose the Devil’s Museum, which showcases Lithuanian mythology and folklore, or the Sugihara House, for a quirkier representation of inter-war history.
Sample traditional delicacies such as cepelinai, potato dumplings stuffed with meat, and šaltibarščiai, a cold beetroot soup.
