Off the Beaten Path: Underrated European Cities for Student Explorers
Why Choose Less-Traveled European Cities?
When choosing where to travel, it can feel very daunting to select from a whole globe of cities and countries. You might be drawn to more popular locations such as Tokyo in Japan or Rome; However, I’m here to tell you that you should consider some underrated options! Traveling to less popular spots won’t only save you the trouble of having to go through crowds, but it’ll also be cheaper since there’s less likely to be tourist traps in the area. With less emphasis on attracting tourists, there will also be more attractions and activities that fully capture the true culture of the area, meaning you’ll be able to have deeper cultural immersion and more authentic experiences. Here are 5 underrated European cities that you should consider for the next time you travel.
Ghent, Belgium
If you’d like to visit a river city like Paris, a great alternative could be Ghent in Belgium! It has beautiful medieval canals such as the Graslei and Korenlei quays where historic guild houses with gabled roofs line the Leie Reiver that are perfect for boat tours or strolls. These waterways were crucial for medieval trade, but today they make for perfect photo spots and give unique views of Gothic architecture.
For art lovers, Ghent Belgium has a lot to offer in terms of its history. Extreme realism and details were frequently in art during the Northern Renaissance. You can catch a glimpse of the beautiful work in St. Bavo’s Cathedral which was designed by Huber Van Eyck and his brother, Jan. Some art museums worth checking out include STAM, SMAK (Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art), and MSK (Museum of Fine Arts).
For any students wanting to meet new peers, Ghent is also perfect since it has such a large student population. It is often known as the education capital of Flanders (The Dutch-speaking northern region of Belgium) with over 60,000 to 80,000 higher education students. Many of whom speak English and indulge in Ghent’s rich cultural life.
Porto, Portugal
Continuing the theme of medieval architecture and river cities, Porto, Portugal is another option if you love riverfronts. The Cais de Ribeira (Ribeira Waterfront) is the heart of the action, with a lively promenade with terraces, the frequent street performers, and the views of colorful houses along the sides of the rivers.
For those interested in the history of Porto, it was actually a global hub for wine export, particularly after the 1703 Methuen Treaty with England. Beyond wine, it traded olive oil, honey, cork, and textiles. It grew from a 15th-century shipbuilding center to an 18th-century economic powerhouse.
Kraków, Poland
Another underrated European gem is Krakow, Poland, especially if you’re interested in the history of Jewish communities. In Krakow, there’s Kazimierz, the Jewish Quarter which was founded in 1335 and became home to one of Europe’s most vibrant Jewish communities. It has several synagogues which includes the Old Synagogue (The oldest surviving Jewish building in Poland), Remuh Synagogue (Has a cemetery next to it), Tempel Synagogue (Known for its Moorish Revival Architecture inspired by Middle Eastern and African designs), and Isaac Synagogue (An active synagogue with services and prayers held to this day).
Kazimierz also has a lot of WWII history in which it remained as a symbolic center of Jewish heritage despite the destruction caused by the war. During Nazi occupation, many synagogues were completely or partially destroyed, however many have been renovated and restored which really demonstrates the resilience of the Jewish community.
Zagreb, Croatia
If you appreciate the wonder of museums, then you’ll love Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. It stands near the international border between Croatia and Slovenia at an elevation of about 158 meters above sea level. Zagreb has many museums for different topics. Ranging from the Nikola Tesla Technical Museum that celebrates science and engineering, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Zagreb 80’s museum which is an exhibit full of 80’s antiques and paraphernalia, the Museum of Hangovers which is about you guessed it, drinking! They even have a Museum of Broken Relationships which displays personal objects from former lovers along with brief summaries of their relationship! Whether you’re looking to learn more about STEM or the social life of random people, this is the perfect place for you!
Tarragona, Spain
If you’re a fan of Roman history and archeology, Tarragona, Spain is the right place for you. In Tarragona, you’ll find the Roman Route, which is a long path with the intended purpose to introduce visitors to the history of Tarragona by means of the main monuments that survived in the area when the city was at the peak of its prosperity. Along the route, there are many wonders to discover such as the Roman Amphitheater of Tarragona. It was built in the second century AD, a time when Spain was a prosperous Roman province with its economy thriving thanks to agriculture and metals. The amphitheater measures 130 by 102 meters and was able to house 15,000. If you filled it up to capacity today, it might collapse!
Travel Tips for Teachers and Students Visiting Europe
Let’s say that this article made you so excited for every city on this list, and you wanted to visit them all in one trip. You could travel from east to west or reverse and visit them in this order: Krakow, Zagreb, Ghent, Tarragona, Porto. You’d need to take a flight from Porto to Krakow or Zagreb, but apart from that, you could use trains and overnight buses if you’d like scenic land travel.No matter your itinerary, you should keep a few of these key tips in mind when traveling to Europe:
- Be prepared for lots of walking – Smaller, older cities will require on-foot exploration
- Embrace public transportation – Use the trains and buses as much as you can for easier, greener transport
- Learn a few key phrases in the local language – Learning “hello”, “please”, and “thank you” will go a long way
- Other helpful tips can be found on our blog post 8 Tips for Traveling to Europe.
Hopefully I’ve convinced you that it’s worth taking a look at underrated European cities for your next educational tour abroad with ACIS. With our programming, you’ll be able to get more culturally immersive experiences. But wherever you may go, there’s always going to be something for everyone whether museums, views, or things to do!
Eric Kim
