Hotels
Europe's best second cities: 8 cities and the hotels we would book
The trend for 2027 is to go where others do not. These are eight second cities in Europe with as much food, art and history as the capitals, and the hotels we would stay in.
Barcelona, Amsterdam and Venice have had enough of tourists, and more cities are introducing fees and limits. Yet close by are cities with food just as good, art just as rich and far fewer people.
The travel industry calls it undertourism, and it is one of the big trends for 2027. We have picked eight second cities in Europe, all reachable by direct flight or train from a capital, and one hotel we would stay in for each.
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Why visit a second city?
Second cities often have better food than the capitals, because the locals still eat there. Hotels are better value, museums are less crowded, and it is easier to get a table at the best restaurants.
Food cities: Lyon, Bologna and Valencia
Art and design: Antwerp and Ghent
Sun and sea: Porto and Thessaloniki
Scandinavian charm: Aarhus
The food cities
Villa Florentine
Views over Lyon from Villa Florentine.
Lyon: Villa Florentine
Lyon is known as the food capital of France, with its bouchons, the Les Halles Paul Bocuse market and the UNESCO-listed old town of Vieux Lyon. It is just two hours from Paris by train.
Villa Florentine is in an old convent on Fourvière hill, with views over the whole city. Place Bellecour is a few minutes away, and guests praise the staff.
Book the hotel: See available rooms at Villa Florentine
Art Hotel Commercianti
Art Hotel Commercianti by Piazza Maggiore.
Bologna: Art Hotel Commercianti
Bologna is Italy's food city, home of tortellini, mortadella and the real ragù. It has miles of UNESCO-listed porticoes and the oldest university in Europe.
Art Hotel Commercianti is in a medieval building right by Piazza Maggiore. Breakfast is included and guests love it.
Book the hotel: See available rooms at Art Hotel Commercianti
Caro Hotel
A room at Caro Hotel.
Valencia: Caro Hotel
Valencia is the home of paella, with a beach, an old town and the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences. It has sunshine almost all year and is far calmer than Barcelona.
Caro Hotel is in a 19th century palace near the cathedral, with remains of the old city walls visible inside the hotel. Guests especially love the location.
Book the hotel: See available rooms at Caro Hotel
Art, design and port cities
august
The chapel at august in Antwerp.
Antwerp: august
Antwerp is Belgium's fashion city, with Rubens, diamonds and some of Europe's best design shops. It is just half an hour from Brussels by train.
august is in an old convent with its own chapel, surrounded by a quiet garden. There is a spa, and the interior is calm and elegant.
Book the hotel: See available rooms at august
1898 The Post
A room at 1898 The Post in Ghent.
Ghent: 1898 The Post
Ghent has canals, medieval castles and a lively student scene, but only a fraction of the tourists who flock to Bruges. The Van Eyck altarpiece in the cathedral is one of Europe's great works of art.
1898 The Post is in the old post office on the Korenmarkt, right in the centre. Guests especially love the location.
Book the hotel: See available rooms at 1898 The Post
The Yeatman
The infinity pool at The Yeatman overlooking Porto.
Porto: The Yeatman
Porto has become popular, yet it is still far calmer than Lisbon. The city has port wine lodges, tiled facades and beaches just outside the centre.
The Yeatman sits among the port lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia, with an infinity pool looking across the Douro to Porto. Guests praise the staff.
Book the hotel: See available rooms at The Yeatman
The Excelsior
The restaurant at The Excelsior.
Thessaloniki: The Excelsior
Thessaloniki is Greece's second city and perhaps its best food city, with Byzantine churches, a waterfront promenade and nightlife that lasts until morning.
The Excelsior is in a neoclassical building a few minutes from Aristotelous Square. Breakfast and wifi are included, and guests praise the staff.
Book the hotel: See available rooms at The Excelsior
Scandinavia
Boutique Hotel Villa Provence
The courtyard at Villa Provence.
Aarhus: Villa Provence
Aarhus is Denmark's second city, with the ARoS art museum, the open-air museum Den Gamle By and a food scene with several Michelin stars.
Villa Provence is a small French-style hotel in the centre, with a leafy courtyard. Guests praise the staff.
Book the hotel: See available rooms at Boutique Hotel Villa Provence
When to visit a second city
Second cities are lovely all year, but spring and autumn bring the best weather and fewer crowds. Many have direct flights, and several are easy to combine with a capital by train.
Combine Lyon with Paris, Ghent with Brussels and Porto with Lisbon
Book restaurants in advance, especially in Lyon and Bologna
Check local festivals before you travel
See also Bilbao in 24 hours and the best hotels in Seville and Málaga.
FAQ: Europe's second cities
What does undertourism mean?
Undertourism means travelling to places that get fewer visitors than they could welcome, instead of the most crowded cities. It is one of the big travel trends for 2027.
Which European second cities are best for food?
Lyon, Bologna and Valencia are among the best food cities in Europe. Thessaloniki is also considered one of the best in Greece.
Are second cities cheaper than capitals?
Often, yes. Hotels tend to be better value, and it is easier to find good restaurants without tourist prices.
Can I combine a second city with a capital?
Yes, many are a short train ride away. Lyon is two hours from Paris, Ghent half an hour from Brussels and Porto under three hours from Lisbon.
Which second city is best for a weekend?
Ghent, Bologna and Porto are compact and easy to explore in a weekend, with plenty of restaurants within walking distance.