Some cities have a certain hype about them, attracting tourists by their thousands – everyone knows someone who has been and everyone has seen endless photos.
I am the first to admit I am very sceptical about these ‘classic’ tourist hotspots. Having been interested in Central and Eastern Europe for years, I’ve grown used to visiting places that are firmly ‘off the beaten track’ and take pride in seeking out hidden gems.
But which of these popular cities are worth battling the crowds for? Here are 5 cities which definitely live up to their hype.
Edinburgh
View of Edinburgh Castle from The Outsider
I have genuinely never heard a bad word about Edinburgh (“It’s cold” doesn’t count). The architecture is beautiful and completely unique, it has a fascinating history and you have your pick of great little pubs – most of which have live music. Best of all, thanks to the way the historic centre is built up, you constantly get different views over beautiful Georgian rooftops. Despite the grey weather and not making it to Arthur’s Seat, I fell in love with the city. Scotland’s capital definitely gets all the tourists it deserves.
Read more: Beautiful Edinburgh in Photos
Venice
With the amount of photos of Venice in existence online, on instagram or on Facebook feeds, the city really shouldn’t come as a surprise – but for me, it did. Knowing little about the place or the culture, I was blown away: the canals, the food, the wine – no wonder everyone goes. And despite the clichés, getting lost in narrow alleyways and seeing the Acqua Alta (high tide) really were amazing experiences. Despite all the photos, Venice really does have to be seen to be believed.
Read more: A Wet Weekend in Venice
Berlin
Berlin’s East Side Gallery
Berlin is one of my all-time favourite cities. Slowly regaining its title as the capital of cool, the city is creating quite a buzz among hipsters and artists for its diverse art scene, unique bars and bohemian feel. While Germany’s capital has all this and more, my favourite thing about the city is its history. Badly damaged in two world wars and divided for almost fifty years, Berlin has some amazing museums and monuments.
London
St. Paul’s
Despite my grumbling about the British capital (and my unwavering loyalty to Manchester), I can’t deny how much I love being a tourist in London. The city really does deliver on all fronts: classic sights, world-class museums, amazing shows and interesting history, in addition to some excellent tourist tat – think Royal family novelty mugs. Some of the best museums I’ve been to are in London and each time I go, I find a new neighbourhood to explore. London is definitely worth a visit, but don’t forget to see some more of the country, too!
St. Petersburg
St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral
I was lucky enough to live in St. Petersburg for five months a few years ago and whilst I wouldn’t necessarily recommend doing the same, when it comes to visiting: just do it. For anyone even remotely interested in Russian history or culture, St. Petersburg is a must. The Hermitage, the Russian Museum, the churches, the Palaces, the fortresses, the canals, the ballet… there are a LOT of reasons to visit this ‘Venice of the North’ and very little (except a visa and handful of Russian bureaucracy) stopping you. Just make sure to go in early June, when the sun doesn’t set.
Read more: Hipster St. Petersburg: a beginners’ guide
What other tourist hotspots would you add to the list?
Comment below!