Underrated cities

[Moominho]

I fancy a city break for 3 nights or so, but I've done a lot of the major/popular cities in Europe, especially in western and central Europe. I wouldn't mind going somewhere that is slightly off the beaten track.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Ideally it would be somewhere that is within say a 4/5 hour flight. Somewhere with a bit of culture to enjoy during the day and a little bit of nightlife would be nice but I am up for going anywhere really.

Thanks

[hornetrider]

Not as far flung as you've suggested but both Ghent and Eindhoven are great cities, and often overlooked in favour of Bruges and Amsterdam.

[Moominho]

hornetrider said:

Not as far flung as you've suggested but both Ghent and Eindhoven are great cities, and often overlooked in favour of Bruges and Amsterdam.

I'm happy to go closer, and I enjoyed both Amsterdam and Bruges. I always assumed (wrongly) that Eindhoven was quite an industrial city.

[sidicks]

Not sure if it fits your criteria but I keep being told that Istanbul is an amazing place to visit.

I've yet to visits though!

[bluey1905]

Krakow is a decent visit, good nightlife and plenty of history. I don't know if it is your thing, but Aushwitz-Birkenhau is close by as well and somewhere everybody should see.

[Rosscow]

Fly to Madrid and then get the train to Segovia - only about 30 minutes.

A wonderful place to spend a couple of days!

[Vocal Minority]

Vicenza in northern Italy. Beautiful renaissance town in the middle.

Like Verona but without the tourists

[Moominho]

I've been to Krakow (great place!) and Istanbul already. Segovia or Vicenza sounds good though.

[Rollin]

San Sebastián?

[telford_mike]

Lyon is very nice - never gets a mention for city breaks.

[Moominho]

Thanks for all the suggestions Plenty of food for thought

[littleguy]

I've just returned from a long weekend in Sopot (Poland).There is culture nearby in Gdansk. The nightlife is great, the food and drink is cheap. There's a beach and the women there are out of this world.

Definitely worth a visit during the summer months.

[BrabusMog]

Granada in Spain is pretty good - you've got the Alhambra and can get to Ronda and Leon pretty easily from there, too. It's also a uni town so good night life and I believe it's the home of tapas which means there are plenty of awesome places to eat. It gets quite hot in the summer though.

[DoubleSix]

Birmingham

[Joffery666]

DoubleSix said:

Birmingham

Ditto.

[DoubleSix]

err yeah I was joking about Birmingham - it's a st hole.

Personally, whilst Krakow is nice, you'll share a plane with a dozen stag parties and will find the place caters heavily for them on arrival.

For culture I'd be off to Vienna.

[BrabusMog]

I've been to Harborne a few times which seems pleasant enough, but I'm sure the OP is after more than a good pub lunch and some shopping in the Bullring!

[djc206]

Reykjavik?

Plenty of stuff to see and do. Loads of days excursions. Great food and they love their booze.

[Shaoxter]

Dubrovnik is full of character, especially if you're a fan of Game of Thrones. Although I'm not sure there's enough to keep you occupied for 3 days.

Budapest is beautiful and has great nightlife (and amazing women if that's relevant).

If you really want an off the beaten track suggestion then go to Petra/Dead Sea in Jordan. Not a city break and no nightlife but the place and the country is amazing! Some incredible roads winding down to the Dead Sea too.

sidicks said:

Not sure if it fits your criteria but I keep being told that Istanbul is an amazing place to visit.

One of the most overrated places in the world.

[djc206]

Reykjavik?

Plenty of stuff to see and do. Loads of days excursions. Great food and they love their booze.