Off the beaten path: discovering the charm of Europe's 6 lesser-known cities

ME.TUDE - Are you tired of visiting the same old cities in Europe? London, Paris, Amsterdam and Barcelona are amazing, but there's so much more to explore! Europe is full of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. That's why we've put together a list of six incredible cities that are difinitely worth a visit. Each one has its own unique charm and character that will leave you wanting more. So, if you're looking for an adventure off the beaten path, keep reading to find out which cities made the cut!

by Hanan

Bahasa Indonesia - English

1. Valletta

Valletta is the capital from the archipelago Malta in the Mediterranean Sea.

FACT
Valletta was one of the earliest sites inscribed by UNESCO on the World Heritage list.

DO
The Valletta peninsula is only a couple of kilometres in length and so the ideal way is to do everything on foot also allowing one to make use of the atmospheric stairs throughout this steep city. However, the city is built on a ridge, and is steep in parts - requiring walking up and down stairs in some places -, which can be tiring.

TIP
You can take a spectacular walk along the sea around the outside of the city walls.

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Read also | '6 reasons why you will return to Malta'

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ABOVE: the centre of Valletta in Malta.

2. Trier

Trier is the oldest city in Germany and also the oldest diocese north of the Alps.

FACT
Trier is rich in ruins from the Roman Empire protected by UNESCO.

DO
Certainly visit the Market Square (Hauptmarkt) of Trier. It's one of the most beautiful city squares in Germany. On the square is the Market Cross (Marktkreuz), which dates back to 958. The square has beautiful buildings in different styles. The whole is dominated by the Saint Gangolf's Church (consecrated in 1459).

TIP
Visit the amphitheatre just outside the city. There's also a scenic view up the hill by the amphitheatre where you can see the entire city.

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Read also | 'Trier and the Romans'

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ABOVE: Hauptmarkt in Trier in Germany.

3. Liège

Liège can be considered as the cultural capital of Wallonia, the French-speaking part of Belgium.

FACT
Liège has been an important city since the early Middle Ages, when it was the capital of the Principality of Liège, which would remain an independent state until the French Revolution in 1789.

DO
Liège might not be the typical tourist destination, but you will be surprised to find a city with a special character and friendly, open inhabitants who enjoy their lives there. As is the case in the rest of Belgium, finding a good meal is no problem in Liège. Definitely taste the Liège meatballs.

TIP
Visit the architectural jewel and impressive Liège-Guillemins railway station.

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Read also | 'Boulet à la liégeoise (Liège meatball)'

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ABOVE: the Liège-Guillemins railway station in Liège in Belgium.

4. Wrocław

Wrocław is a city in Central Europe in southwestern Poland.

FACT
Wrocław is also the historic capital of Silesia, a historical region in what's now Poland, Czech and Germany.

DO
Wrocław is a very pedestrian and bicycle-friendly city, helped in part by its street grid pattern and marked bike lanes. The centre, clustered mostly around the Old Town and Downtown, is completely navigable by foot.

TIP
The University of Wrocław is a Baroque architectural gem, the main faculty building was built between 1728 to 1739 on the banks of the Oder, and today dominates the Old Town's riverside.

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​Read also | '​Wrocław, a city along the water'

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ABOVE: colourful houses in the centre of Wrocław in Poland.

5. Malmö

Malmö the third largest city of Sweden, it's a port city on the southern tip of the country.

FACT
Malmö was originally a Danish city. Around 1300 the city started to grow strongly and was of great economic importance, especially in the 16th century. In 1658 the city was transferred to Sweden.

DO
Take some walk in the centre. At the heart of Malmö lie three squares, called Gustav Adolf's Square (Gustav Adolfs torg), the Big Square (Stortorget) and the Little Square (Lilla torg). Stortorget and Lilla Torg are directly connected at one corner, and a pedestrians-only shopping street connects them with Gustav Adolfs torg.

TIP
Visit Emporia, the biggest shopping mall in Scandinavia.

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Read also | '6 things to visit in Malmö'

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ABOVE: the old lighthouse - 'inre fyr' - in Malmö in Sweden.

6. Maastricht

Maastricht is the southernmost city in the Netherlands within walking distance of Belgium and cycling distance of Germany.

FACT
Maastricht is an especially popular tourist destination in the Netherlands because of its historical old centre and broad shopping possibilities.

DO
Perhaps one of the best sights of Maastricht is simply to admire the two town squares in the centre of the city - the Vrijthof, which features the massive Saint Servaas Church and Saint Jan's Cathedral, and the Markt, which features the Town Hall and on Wednesdays and Fridays, markets.

TIP
Visit the caves of Mount Saint Peter, a local marlstone mine with over 20,000 passages dug out over centuries, used as shelter during sieges and bombings. Boats runs from the city centre with commentary pointing out interesting landmarks along the way.

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​Read also | 'Maastricht, a city in the Netherlands that is always fascinating'

Read more under the photo​

ABOVE: old citywall in Maastricht in the Netherlands.

Exploring new place and cultures can be one of life's most fulfilling experiences, and Europe is full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. If you're willing to step outside your comfort zone and venture off the beaten path, you may be rewarded with unforgettable experiences that will stay with you for a lifetime. Imagine wandering through charming medieval streets, tasting delicious local cuisine, and discovering fascinating history and culture that you never knew existed. So why not take a chance and visit some of Europe's lesser-known cities? Who knows, you may just find yourself falling in love with a place that you never expected to, and making memories that will last a lifetime.

BELGIUM | GERMANY | MALTA |
NETHERLANDS | POLAND | SWEDEN |
ME.TUDE | CITY.EXPLORERS

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POST BY
Thierry Hanan Scheers
With a backpack  and hiking boots Hanan travels around the world. Destination? Somewhere, nowhere and everywhere.
backpacker and storyteller

FOTO
Thierry Hanan Scheers

9 October 2019
updated 21 February 2023