The world’s coolest second cities, from Milan to Mumbai

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Capital cities are sometimes, if not overrated, undoubtedly overcrowded. Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin: all of them have their charms, after all, however additionally they have the accompanying hordes of vacationers to show it.

Why not swap the headline act for a rustic’s second metropolis? With the stress off, these extra under-radar locations can supply better-value, less-saturated experiences, whereas being much more grateful in your vacationer kilos.

Parisians might not be fussed in the event you’re there or not, however head south to Marseille they usually’ll possible be delighted together with your mangled try at GCSE French. Likewise, in Amsterdam your presence might really feel prefer it’s including to the crush, whereas in Rotterdam you’ll discover loads of house amid the fashionable structure, and a just-as-vibrant cultural scene to get caught into.

That’s why we’re turning the highlight on second cities, whether or not they’re lesser-known cultural sizzling spots or thriving city paradises which make their respective nations’ capitals look distinctly plain. Here are a few of the finest to go to.

Read extra on metropolis breaks:

Hamburg, Germany

Despite its standing as Germany’s second largest metropolis (it’s additionally the EU’s largest non-capital metropolis), Hamburg is way simpler to discover than sprawling Berlin, partly due to its navigable historic metropolis centre, which incorporates the Unesco-listed areas of Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus. Both present an perception into how town remodeled into the maritime capital of the north, and most of the metropolis’s oldest buildings – which embrace the biggest single advanced of brick warehouses – date again to Hanseatic occasions. And whereas Berlin’s well-known for its golf equipment, Hamburg specialises in tradition, an awesome instance of which is the Elbe Philharmonic Hall, made with one thousand tonnes of metal, coated with 6,000 sequins and constructed on the foundations of a derelict warehouse.

Mumbai, India

Delhi may be India’s capital, however let’s be sincere, it’s considerably missing within the appears to be like division. Unlike India’s second largest metropolis, Mumbai, which has the second largest (and Unesco-listed) assortment of artwork deco buildings after Miami. It’s additionally received the gloriously gothic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus practice station and the Gateway of India, a phenomenal stone archway (which was inbuilt 1911, 10 years earlier than Delhi’s surprisingly comparable India Gate). But it’s not nearly polished perfection; one of the best locations to see the true Mumbai embrace Sassoon Docks, constructed within the 1800s. Head right here within the morning to watch fishermen haul of their catches and barter with prospects – the overwhelming majority of Mumbai’s eating places and inns buy their seafood right here. Just don’t be stunned in the event you’re side-swiped by a frozen salmon – this is likely one of the world’s largest fish markets, in any case.

Tartu, Estonia

As a lot we love Tallinn, with its onion-domed cathedrals and Unesco-listed previous city, there are many causes Estonia’s second largest metropolis deserves a slice of the highlight. To begin with, Tartu is European Capital of Culture for 2024 – a well-deserved accolade for a metropolis which has one of many world’s oldest universities (Tartu University was based within the 1600s), over 20 museums (the teddy bear-filled Tartu Toy Museum is our favorite), and a packed calendar of occasions, together with the Tartuffe movie competition, when films are screened on the Baltics’ largest out of doors film display screen. A enjoyable reality? Tartu has one of many world’s wonkiest buildings. The Tartu Leaning House, constructed within the 1700s subsequent to Tartu’s historic metropolis partitions, has a larger tilt than the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Montreal, Canada

We’re not the one ones who suppose park-filled Montreal trumps Ottawa (Canada’s capital) within the cool stakes – simply ask Nike, which not too long ago introduced that Montreal’s well-known bagels impressed its latest coach, the Dunk Low Montreal Bagel, which has a Montreal-blue swoosh. A tradition vulture’s dream, Montreal is residence to the headquarters of Cirque du Soleil (which levels virtually all its premieres within the metropolis) and ranked as North America’s most sustainable metropolis within the newest Global Destinations Sustainability Index. Key to its strategy is using electrical modes of public transport, a plan to enhance inexperienced cover cowl to 25 per cent by 2025 (it’s already effectively on observe) and widespread use of biogas energy.

Krakow, Poland

Poland’s second largest metropolis was rebuilt (twice) within the thirteenth century following devastating Mongol invasions however survived largely unscathed throughout WWII – its place made it a helpful provides base for the Third Reich. Unlike Warsaw, which had to be rebuilt from the bottom up, Krakow is filled with historic buildings and monuments, whether or not it’s the Sixteenth-century Wawel Royal Castle (don’t miss the royal flats, the place reveals embrace a tapestry containing 5kg of silver thread) or the subterranean Rynek Underground museum, the place guests can discover medieval Krakow by wandering alongside glass ramps positioned over a wonderfully preserved burial floor, market and waterworks.

Zurich, Switzerland

Bern may be Switzerland’s capital metropolis however it’s additionally one in all its smallest, with a inhabitants of simply 133,000 folks in contrast to Zurich’s 1.4 million. Not that there aren’t loads of alternatives to take pleasure in some downtime in Zurich, not too long ago declared the world’s quietest metropolis by the World Health Organisation following a analysis challenge specializing in noise air pollution. The metropolis’s museums embrace the Kunsthaus, Pavilion Le Corbusier, FIFA Museum and (our favorite) Lindt Home of Chocolate, and it hosts lots of of cultural occasions yearly, lots of which occur on the banks of Lake Zurich. These embrace the Zurich Film Festival and Züri Fäscht, a vibrant road celebration which celebrated its thirtieth anniversary in 2023.

Milan, Italy

Rome’s in-your-face magnificence is not possible to deny, however there’s one thing fantastic concerning the understated class of Milan, which can be a lot simpler to discover. It takes simply 20 minutes to get from Milan Linate Airport to town centre by taxi, for instance, and a brand new metro line (the primary sections of which opened in late 2022) permits travellers to head straight from the airport to the Duomo di Milano (the world’s fifth-largest Christian church) whereas additionally placing town’s Sforzesco Castle inside straightforward attain.

Swansea, Wales

In latest years Swansea, not Cardiff, has emerged as a capital of coastal cool, thanks not solely to its proximity to the Wales Coast Path (the Swansea to Gower stretch is likely one of the most spectacular sections), but additionally a flurry of recent cultural venues (together with Swansea Arena, which opened in 2022 and can host over 160 comedy, music and e-sports occasions yearly) and nice sporting venues. Unusual identify apart, town’s Swansea.com soccer stadium was Wales’ first Premier League venue. And we’re not alone in our love of Swansea; Wales’ most well-known playwright, Dylan Thomas, spent over half of his life right here, and guests can try his former birthplace and residential, 5 Cwmdonkin Drive.

Sydney, Australia

Canberra may be Australia’s capital however it may well’t lay declare to the world’s most well-known performing arts venue, the Sydney Opera House, which turned 50 in 2023. Canberra additionally falls quick when it comes to seashores, in contrast to Sydney, which has over 100. Many are havens for wildlife, which is partly what makes Sydney one of many world’s most wildlife-rich cities. Sydney Harbour (the world’s largest pure harbour) is residence to a spread of species, together with nurse sharks, bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles. Love a landmark? Sydney’s received masses, together with the Sydney Tower (the second tallest commentary tower within the Western hemisphere) and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the world’s largest metal arch bridge.

Looking for a metropolis break with cultural clout? Consider these European locations