European City Guides
Europe’s cities are endlessly diverse – elegant capitals, gritty gems, and places that deserve far more attention than they get. These guides focus on the walkable, affordable and slightly off-beat with the odd exceptions thrown in. The kind of trips where you can explore by foot, bus, or tram rather than tour bus.
Whether it’s Bucharest, Toulouse, or Skopje, each has its own rhythm and its own surprises once you wander beyond the postcard views.
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Things to Do in Tuzla, Bosnia: A City Built on Salt
Tuzla is Bosnia’s third-largest city, and I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve never heard of it. I certainly hadn’t, until I started looking at options for travelling between Belgrade and Sarajevo, when its name kept cropping up as a potential place to break a potentially long and gruelling bus journey. Tuzla has international connections too. The budget flight carrier, Wizz Air, reopened its Tuzla base in December 2025. And there’s…
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Top Things to do in Belgrade: Beyond the Nightlife
Serbia was one of the last European countries we hadn’t explored, so that made it reason enough to plan a visit. We were aware of Belgrade’s reputation for lively nightlife along the Sava River, and we found that vibrant spirit continued in Skadarlija, the Bohemian quarter, and in bars across the city. Kalemegdan Fortress and the Church of Saint Sava dominate Belgrade’s skyline, while the ultra-modern waterfront development is becoming…
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Things to Do in Novi Sad: An Easy Day Trip from Belgrade
Visit Serbia’s second city by high-speed train. If you’re spending time in Belgrade and want to explore somewhere new for the day, Novi Sad should be at the top of your list. It’s Serbia’s second-largest city, located on the banks of the Danube in the northern province of Vojvodina, near the borders with Croatia and Hungary. With a very different feel from Belgrade, it reminded me of Debrecen, Hungary’s second…
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The kind of European places I want to keep writing about
As 2025 draws to a close, I’m sharing some European destinations I’ve visited over the last couple of years. Some I’ve written about already, others I haven’t, but they’re all favourites, albeit for different reasons. I tend to avoid labels like ‘hidden gems‘ or ‘underrated‘. Not because these places lack appeal, but because those terms rarely mean very much. Visibility depends on perspective, fashion shifts quickly, and what feels “undiscovered”…
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Alternative Athens: Neighbourhoods, Street Life & Technopolis
I’ll be honest: the first time I visited Athens (a long time ago), I wasn’t particularly taken by it. I remembered pollution, scruffiness, crowds, and intense heat. But I’ve been back several times since, and by avoiding the chaos of high summer it’s been much easier to relax and enjoy the city. And that’s especially true once you’ve seen the classic sites. Ancient history may make Athens one of the…
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Classic Athens: Top Sights and Ancient Landmarks for your First Trip to The Greek Capital
As the birthplace of Western Civilisation and democracy, Athens makes a compelling case for your attention. The Greek Capital is named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. And you’ll feel like you’re part of the story as you wander through the city which, in parts, feels like a living museum. The Acropolis, Parthenon and Ancient Agora earn their place at the top of every list, but the city…
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10 Best Things to Do in Thessaloniki: A Walkable Guide to Greece’s Second City
It’s easy to underestimate Thessaloniki. Athens takes most of the limelight, along with the islands, but if you’re looking for an easy, good-value city break in Greece, Thessaloniki should make it onto your list. We left a cold wet UK February and were met with blue skies and warm weather, perfect for sightseeing. It’s a compact city and easy to feel relaxed in. with no need to chase your tail,…
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Best Day Trips and Places to Visit in Kosovo from Pristina
The capital, Pristina, makes a great base for exploring central Kosovo. The country’s small enough to get around easily, and most of the main towns are linked by bus. For some of the more rural or scenic spots, you might need to hop in a taxi or join a local tour, but that’s part of the fun. Or you might prefer to drive and hire a car. You’ll find a…
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Why You Should Visit Pristina: Kosovo’s Surprising Coffee-Fuelled Capital
Europe’s newest capital, Pristina, intrigued me long before I arrived, and after exploring Kosovo’s biggest city, it still does. If you imagined Pristina would be beige or boring because the “things to do” list looked short at first glance, don’t be surprised if you find yourself changing your mind, as I did. Pristina isn’t polished, it’s raw, creative, and full of murals and modern art. Some buildings will divide opinion,…
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10 Things to Do in Prizren, Kosovo – Why It Deserves a Spot on Your Balkan Itinerary
Prizren’s cobbled streets, riverside cafés, and mountain backdrop give it an easy charm that’s hard to resist. Compact and full of character, it’s one of those cities that wins you over straight away. In this guide, I’ve included the 10 best things you can do in Prizren, along with practical advice and a map to help you make the most of your visit to this beautiful Balkan city. Is Prizren…
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Best Things to Do in San Marino (and Why You’ll Want to Stay for Sunset)
San Marino is the third smallest country in Europe and proudly calls itself the world’s oldest surviving republic. Perched high on Mount Titano, it’s a maze of steep medieval lanes, arched gateways and stone terraces with sweeping views across Italy. And those views are some of the best you’ll find anywhere in Europe. Read on, and I’ll share the best things to do in San Marino plus tips to make…
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15 Things to do in Liechtenstein and the capital, Vaduz
Are you thinking about visiting Liechtenstein? Or maybe you need to know more before deciding? Maybe you’ve heard that it’s boring? Well I didn’t think so, and after two days there, I still plan to head back. Read on and I’ll share with you the best things to do in Liechtenstein plus tips to make the most of your time in this beautiful and mildly eccentric microstate. Is Liechtenstein Worth Visiting Why…
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Best Day Trips from Bucharest: Castles, Mountains, the Black Sea and Cross Border Adventures
Bucharest might surprise you – behind its traffic and grandeur lies a convenient base for day trips. From fairy-tale castles in the Carpathians to the breezy Black Sea coast, it’s easy to escape the city for a day of history, scenery or total relaxation. There’s some cross border opportunities too if you want to add another country to your itinerary too. Here are my favourite day trips from Bucharest, all…
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23 Best Things to Do in Bucharest – and One I’d Avoid Right Now
In this guide you’ll find all the best things to do in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. It’s a vibrant city with a fascinating history and one of Europe’s most affordable capitals. I’ve included practical information and tips to help you make the most of your trip. Whether you’re drawn to grand avenues, history, a buzzing café scene or simply somewhere to let your hair down, this Balkan capital has…
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Visit the Millennium Cross and Mount Vodno from Skopje by Public Bus
Mount Vodno and the Millennium cross provide a striking backdrop to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. And a visit to see them both, up close and personal, is an essential part of any trip to the capital. We visited the Millennium Cross by catching a city bus to Sredno Vodno, then taking a cable car to the top, instead of taking one of the popular organised tours. This Guide…
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Visit the Painted Mosque in Tetovo From Skopje by Public Bus
In the foothills of the Šar Mountains, Tetovo’s Painted Mosque dazzles with colour — and it’s an easy bus ride from Skopje, making it one of the most rewarding day trips in North Macedonia
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Best Things to Do in Iași: Discover Romania’s Cultural Gem
In this guide you’ll find a map and a walking route through Iași’s historic centre, plus a few finds further out. Itineraries, food and drink recommendations, and practical tips for your visit are included here too.
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Best Things to Do in Chișinău: A Complete Guide to Europe’s Least Visited Capital City
Discover the best things to do in Chişinău, from leafy parks and quirky Soviet landmarks to affordable Moldovan food and wine. Follow my two easy walking routes with maps, plus tips for day trips and local eats.
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Transnistria Day Trip from Chișinău – Worth It?
Part Soviet time capsule, part breakaway state – here’s what I found on a surreal day trip to Transnistria
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Things to do in Carcassonne – Here’s what I did, what I skipped and what I wish I’d known
The old Cité of Carcassonne looks like it’s been lifted straight from a medieval movie set – and to be fair, it has. Most famously, it stood in for Nottingham Castle in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), A guide, with everything you need to know for the independent traveller
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