Top 5 up-and-coming European cities
These five cities are climbing the tourist ladder quickly, visit them before it gets to crowded.
1) Barcelona
Barcelona, capital city of the autonomous region of Catalonia is a beautiful Mediterranean city. Besides the atmospheric Catalan culture, Barcelona also has a lot of art and museums which can be visited, the highlight being the Gaudi Museum. Next to having a museum, Gaudi created one of Barcelona’s signature landmarks; the Sagrada Familia. This cathedral has been under construction since 1882 and is open to the public. From its towers, you have a beautiful view of the city. The town also has a few stunning beaches which are definitely worth a visit and a bustling night life. Barcelona is a gem of a city on the Mediterranean sea and one that should be on everyone’s traveling wish list.
2) Florence
Florence is an Italian city in the beautiful Tuscan countryside is one of the most stunning cities in Europe. It was ruled by the powerful De Medici family for centuries and they left a clear mark on the city. Many of the beautiful buildings, churches, cathedrals, museums and artworks where commissioned or paid for by this family. It is also the city in which the Renaissance movement was born. This can be noticed on every street corner through works of art or one of the beautiful museums. Museums that are must-sees are Galleria dell Uffizi and the Galleria Dell Accademia, the latter being the home of the famous statue of David. Other sights to be seen are the beautiful famous bridge of Ponte Vecchio and the Domo cathedral. This city has so many sights on offer that it could keep you occupied for weeks, if not months.
3) Bilbao
Bilbao is a city in Spain’s Basque province has gained a prominent presence on the touristic radar ever since the opening of the Guggenheim museum. This architectural masterpiece is attracting more and more tourists to this town which subsequently discover the rest of this interesting city. Why not relax in one of the many tapas bars or sample the delicious, fresh seafood after immersing yourself with culture?
4) Munich
When you hear the name Munich probably the first things that come to mind are beer and the Oktoberfest. Of course, these are regarded to be the two main attractors of Munich but this city has so much more to offer. Sure, you should definitely pay a visit to the Hofbräuhaus am Platzl -one of the oldest breweries in the world- but Munich also has a few fantastic museums and a beautiful park that are worth visiting. However, if your main reason for coming to Munich is beer, then be sure to visit during the Oktoberfest.
5) Istanbul
The city that is build on two continents, Europe and Asia, could not be left out on this list of upcoming cities. Istanbul is becoming an increasingly cosmopolitan city, here you can visit the former palaces of the sultan and the home of extensive harem, besides some high end shopping. If you want to experience shopping in a different way, then go to the Grand Bazaar where haggling is a national sport. If you’ve had your fill of culture and shopping, then why not finish your day by dancing the night away in the fantastic night life of Istanbul.
