Paris has long been known as the “City of Light,” and it certainly lights up the faces of travelers who make it to this legendary city full of incredible art, fashion, culture, and food. At the same time, Paris’ lights can blind travelers to how extremely expensive and overcrowded the city is.
With Paris hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics, expect even greater crowds and steeper prices this summer. If you’re looking to beat the high price tags without sacrificing your European vacation, there are plenty of creative workarounds. With this in mind, let’s explore other cool European cities that are not Paris. They certainly won’t replace all that Paris has to offer, but they do have their own unique charm, scenery, and style.
1. Geneva, Switzerland
If you seek a chic and cosmopolitan Francophone city to explore, Geneva may be your best bet. This city anchors Switzerland’s French-speaking Romandy region, and the city is chock full of museums, theaters, cinemas, cafes, bars, and all sorts of fun activities along Lake Geneva to keep you booked and busy in the most pleasant way.
For even more fun, consider heading out to the cherished wine vineyards of Lavaux and the gorgeous lakeside resort town of Montreux.
2. Vienna, Austria
Vienna is famously posh and cultured, with its own grand imperial history, music legacy, and cultural treasures. While the city often looks like a living museum—especially in its UNESCO-honored Historic Centre—Vienna still feels fresh and new with its cool coffeehouses, tasty restaurants, lively performing arts offerings, and raucous ball scene full of epic celebrations.
3. Dublin, Ireland
You might have heard about Dublin’s legendary Irish pubs, but did you know that Ireland’s capital city is also a UNESCO City of Literature? Dublin also has two grand cathedrals—St. Patrick’s and Christ Church—that date back to the medieval era and its own 13th-century castle that has continually evolved alongside its home.
This is just a sampling of Dublin’s amazing offerings, and there’s plenty more for you to see and do between whiskey tastings and pub crawls.
4. Tallinn, Estonia
Maybe you’ve already heard of Estonia’s capital city of Tallinn, so why not go there? The city’s Historic Centre (or Old Town) is a lovingly preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can walk back into the 13th century, and just a short walk or tram ride away is the beautifully Baroque Kadriorg Palace that houses one of Europe’s most underrated art museums.
For more modern and daring history, head to the Viru KGB Museum to get a closer look at Soviet-era espionage and to the Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom for personal perspectives of life under Nazi and Soviet rule.
5. Menton, France
While the French Riviera gets very busy every summer, the town of Menton remains one of the region’s finest hidden gems. Near the Italian border, Menton has its own charming Old Town, a wealth of impressive public art, fantastic restaurants (such as the Michelin three-star Mirazur), a great lineup of public beaches, and surprisingly affordable lodging options.
6. Annecy, France
If you’re looking to cool down but are not keen on hitting the hot sands of the Mediterranean coast, try heading up to Annecy instead. Perched high in the French Alps, Annecy sports charming medieval landmarks (such as the Château d’Annecy and Palais de I’Île), one of France’s most pristine lakes that’s perfect for watersports, a fairytale-like environment on the Old Town’s Vieille Ville, and a delectable array of gourmet restaurants.
7. Kraków, Poland
In the 20th century, Kraków gained infamy as the center of Nazi Germany’s power over occupied Poland and as the epicenter of the Holocaust’s deadliest horrors. Some of those tragic landmarks are open to the public, but Kraków also has a more joyous story to tell.
With a beautifully preserved Old Town and Jewish Quarter full of gorgeous medieval architecture, lovely museums, welcoming cafes, and delicious restaurants, Kraków has quickly become one of Europe’s most underrated top-tier destinations.
8. Zürich, Switzerland
For a more bustling Swiss city that’s seemingly at the heart of nearly everything, head to Zürich. While this city famously gets down to business as Switzerland’s largest financial hub, it also has a fairytale-esque atmosphere in the Old Town’s Niederdorf quarter.
Also, check out the city’s gorgeous opera house, which still hosts world-class performances; an incredible lineup of masterpieces at the Kunsthaus Zürich art museum; an ancient gathering spot turned top selfie spot at Lindenhof park; all-star luxury boutiques along the Bahnhofstrasse; and so much more.
9. Ponza, Italy
As one of the Pontine Islands off the Tyrrhenian Sea between Rome and Naples, Ponza is another Mediterranean gem that’s managed to fly under international travelers’ radar. It may not be as famous as Capri or the Amalfi Coast, but the coastal scenery at Ponza is just as stunning.
Plus, you can catch glimpses of local fishermen heading out to snag the day’s fresh catch. Ponza may not have the luxury hotels and restaurants that the above-mentioned locales are known for, but this is a great spot to enjoy a more authentically Italian coastal getaway.
10. Manchester, U.K.
London is another European city that regularly draws in major crowds. For a different kind of British voyage, head north to Manchester. Perhaps best known for its legendary football (or, as we call it in the U.S., soccer) teams, Manchester also offers plenty of exhilarating action away from the stadiums.
As the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester abounds in fascinating history. And as a city obsessed with building something new, it offers next-generation arts and cultural offerings.
11. Bucharest, Romania
Nestled in southern Romania, the country’s capital city of Bucharest gained the title of “Little Paris” thanks to their own version of the Arc de Triomphe and the majestic neo-baroque architecture and charmingly narrow streets you’ll find throughout Old Town.
Of course, Bucharest’s Old Town is worth strolling, but also make time to head out to Văcărești Nature Park to see how former industrial lands were successfully rewilded into refreshing open space and to the neighborhood of Cotroceni for a community market and festival like no other.
12. Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K.
With a magical castle perched on a hill that acts as this city’s most stunning crown jewel, there’s a certain regal elegance to Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh.
While Edinburgh Castle truly is a marvelous landmark to visit, you can also have fun exploring the ancient volcano of Arthur’s Seat, the National Monument at Calton Hill, the cutting-edge interactive science museum at Dynamic Earth, and some eight floors of phenomenal Scottish whiskey at Johnnie Walker Princes Street.