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In these times of overtourism tensions, tips for undervalued – and therefore less crowded – getaway spots have never been more important.
So travel blogger Anna Merabishvili deserves a hat tip for picking out seven European cities she says are the most underrated.
She posted descriptions and photographs of each one to her Instagram profile – @nospaceinmypassport – and here reveals more details about them, including how friendly the locals are and their best three activities and sights.
Anna, 27, from London, also reveals what surprised her the most about each city.
She says: ‘I have travelled to many cities in Europe and these are the cities that I honestly fell in love with, but are not necessarily the most popular to visit.’
Read on for more.
Which city would you most like to ink into your bucket list?
BORDEAUX, FRANCE
‘I was most surprised by how vibrant the city of Bordeaux was,’ says travel blogger Anna Merabishvili, who has named seven European cities she says are the most underrated
What did you expect Bordeaux to be like before you arrived?
Anna tells MailOnline Travel: ‘I expected it to be a quiet city, not quite as cool as Paris. We stayed in a hotel on a vineyard and I definitely did not expect the hotel to be so big and luxurious.
‘It was called Les Sources de Caudalie. It feels like you have stepped into a fairytale, with swans and horses all around.’
What surprised you most about the place?
Anna says: ‘I was most surprised by how vibrant the city of Bordeaux was. It quickly became one of my favourite cities in Europe, as the shopping is incredible and there are so many food and drink options. Walking around, you can find so many hidden gems – there is a street with colourful umbrellas, and some buildings look like chateaux. There are also lots of wine bars and cafes with outdoor seating, which adds to the overall vibe of the city.’
What were the locals like?
Anna says: ‘I did not interact much with the locals, but those that I did meet were very friendly and helpful.’
Give us three things to do and see…
Anna says: ‘Explore the Old Town. Bordeaux’s old town is a Unesco World Heritage Site. You can get lost among the narrow streets and discover unique shops, wine bars, and lots of hidden gems.
‘Explore La Cité du Vin. This is the one place you absolutely cannot miss. The immersive wine museum will test your smells, sights and tastes as you go through and learn about the history of wine production from all over the world. At the end, you get to have a wine tasting, too.
‘Take a day trip to Saint-Emilion. This is one of the most famous wine regions in the world. This small town is surrounded by vineyards and medieval buildings, making it the perfect day trip.’
GDANSK, POLAND
Anna says that Gdansk (above) is ‘one of the coolest and most beautiful European cities’ she’s been to
What did you expect it to be like before you arrived?
She says: ‘I was expecting Gdansk to be pretty, but not particularly impressive. I thought that it was just a small town in Poland, but I was still very excited to explore it.’
What surprised you most about the place?
Anna tells MailOnline: ‘That my expectations were completely wrong! It was one of the coolest and most beautiful European cities I had been to. I couldn’t believe that I had never heard of it. The town also has so much history and so many influences from Dutch and German cultures, which is reflected in the architecture. It was also such a young city, filled with students and cool places for drinks.’
What were the locals like?
Anna says: ‘The locals were very friendly! We had a local tour guide who showed us around and she was very nice.’
Give us three things to do and see…
Anna says: ‘Take a walk in the Old Town and admire the architecture. The old town is very beautiful, with Neptune‘s Fountain and colourful buildings. You will get great views of the city walking along the river.
‘Also, visit the Museum of the Second World War. It’s super-fascinating and provides a comprehensive look at WWII from a Polish perspective, featuring well-designed exhibits that are both informative and moving.
‘And dance the night away in 100cznia. This warehouse-turned-food-court is great to visit both during the day and during the night. It has a unique industrial, street-party vibe.’
Stockholm, Sweden
Anna admires Drottningholm Palace – a ‘highlight’ of her visit to Stockholm
Anna was ‘surprised by how nice’ Stockholm was
What did you expect it to be like before you arrived?
Anna says: ‘To be honest, I expected it to be very cold and not very nice. I didn’t know much about the city before going.’
What surprised you most about Stockholm?
Anna remarks: ‘I was surprised by how nice the city was. It was sunny the entire time and people were having lunch by the river – it was a vibe.’
Give us three things to do and see…
Anna says: ‘Explore Gamla Stan – one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval city centres, with charming cobblestone streets, colourful buildings, and cosy cafes. The area is also packed with small boutiques, making it great for shopping.
‘Also, visit the fascinating Vasa Museum, home to the Vasa Ship, a nearly intact 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage. The ship stands in the middle of the museum and people can visit it to learn about its history and the people who sailed it.
‘And take a Boat Tour through the archipelago. One of the best ways to see the surroundings in Stockholm is by taking a boat trip. There are many fjords surrounding the city, and many interesting day trips you can do, such as to Drottningholm Palace.’
Any memorable individual moments?
Anna says: ‘Visiting the Drottningholm Palace was definitely one of the highlights for me here.’
What were the locals like? Friendly vibe?
Anna says: ‘The vibe was very friendly and the locals were nice.’
San Sebastian, Spain
Anna in San Sebastian, Spain, where the food was ‘incredible’
What did you expect it to be like before you arrived?
Anna says: ‘I genuinely had not heard anything about San Sebastián and did not know that the food would be as incredible as it was.’
What surprised you most about the place?
Anna recalls: ‘San Sebastián is mostly known for its food, so the food is definitely what blew my mind the most. I loved the tapas bars, the pintxos (snacks), and of course, the Basque cheesecake.’
Give us three things to do and see…
Anna says: ‘Pintxos hopping. The absolute best thing to do in San Sebastián is go bar hopping and taste the best pintxos that each place has to offer.
‘Also, take a cable car up Mount Igueldo to see the best views of the city and ride a really fun roller coaster with a view.
‘Lastly, have a Michelin-star meal. San Sebastián has one of the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants per capita in the world. It is definitely the place to have one of the best meals of your life!’
Tbilisi, Georgia
Anna outside the Orbeliani Baths in Tbilisi, Georgia. She says the city is ‘historical and beautiful’
Anna outside the Gabriadze Theater in Tbilisi
What did you expect it to be like before you arrived?
Anna says: ‘My whole family is from Tbilisi, so I have been going there since I was very young!’
Tell us what might surprise visitors
Anna comments: ‘Something that may surprise visitors about Tbilisi is how European it feels. The Old Town is very historical and beautiful, and there are photo spots all the way through the city. The city centre is very walkable and the taxis are very cheap too.’
Give us three things to do and see…
Anna says: ‘Visit the Old Town. It’s one of the most beautiful parts of the city. Walk across the Bridge of Peace and check out the Abanotubani, where the traditional Georgian sulfur baths are located.
‘Also, go up to Narikala fortress to see the best views of the city. It is the perfect place to take pictures of the city.
‘Finally, Georgian food is a must try. Make sure to try khinkali (dumplings with meat), khachapuri (cheese bread), and pkhali (spinach and walnut dip). Georgia is also the birthplace of wine, so you bet the wine will be good!’
Are the locals friendly?
Anna says: ‘Georgia is one of the most hospitable countries in the world! So yes, the locals are very friendly.’
Bergamo, Italy
Bergamo (above) has an old town that Anna describes as ‘absolutely stunning’
What did you expect it to be like before you arrived?
Anna tells MailOnline: ‘I thought it would be an uninteresting city with not much to do/see as I had never heard of it.’
What surprised you most about the place?
Anna recalls: ‘Bergamo Old Town was absolutely stunning! I loved how lively it was and the little shops, restaurants and bars all around. The vibes in the town were just amazing.’
Give us three things to do and see…
Anna says: ‘Explore the Citta Alta (old town) – definitely one of the highlights of the city. It is very different from the new town and located at altitude, accessible via the funicular. You can also enjoy amazing views of the city from up here.
‘You should also visit the Accademia Carrara, one of Italy’s oldest and most renowned art galleries with an impressive collection of Italian Renaissance and Baroque art.
‘Lastly, try the local dishes. Visit a local trattoria to try some of the best food, such as casoncelli (stuffed pasta with a savoury filling) and polenta e osei (a dessert that resembles polenta).’
Are the locals friendly?
Anna remarks: ‘The locals are very nice and they were very willing to help and offer tips on the best places to see around the city.’
Brescia, Italy
Anna says of Brescia: ‘What surprised me was how cosy the city felt and how many hidden gems it had all around’
What were you expecting it to be like before you arrived?
Anna says: ‘I knew that Brescia is a city full of history and that it would be an impressive place to visit.’
What surprised you most about the place?
Anna remarks: ‘What surprised me was how cosy the city felt and how many hidden gems it had all around.’
Give us three things to do and see…
Anna says: ‘Explore the Capitolium and Roman Forum. Brescia is home to one of the most significant Roman ruins. It is truly one of the most incredible sights and the perfect spot for a photo.
‘Then there’s Santa Giulia Museum, located near the Capitolium. Inside, you can learn about the city’s history and discover stunning churches with ornate ceilings.
‘Finally, see perfect views of the city at Brescia Castle, which is located on a hill and a fun place to take a walk.’
Are the locals friendly?
Anna declares: ‘The locals were some of the friendliest people I had ever met. Our tour guide here was very kind and gave us such an interesting tour around the city.’
