If you or your clients have already climbed the Eiffel Tower in Paris, toured Amsterdam’s canals, and played gladiator in Rome’s Colosseum, you’ve still only barely scratched the surface of Europe. There are many cities and, of course, many cultures waiting to be discovered, so take your pick—from gorgeous Gothic architecture to Renaissance masterpieces, or electric nightclubs to the world’s biggest arts festivals. You name it, Europe has it. Check out our suggestions of some of the best off-the-beaten-path European cities to check off your or your clients’ bucket list.

Bruges, Belgium

Pocket-sized Bruges punches above its weight, offering some of the most ornate Gothic architecture in the world. Picturesque canals and cobbled streets hark back hundreds of years ago when Bruges was considered the most powerful city in northern Europe. Its streets are lined with 15th-century mansions filled with art collections by Picasso, the Flemish Old Masters, and Salvador Dali, such as the Groeningemuseum. For a medieval time-warp, this little city is surprisingly forward-looking, with museums of chocolatebeer, and French fries competing for the attention of travelers alongside interactive historical exhibits at the Historium. Check out the best of Bruges on a two-hour private tour led by a local.

Historium Bruges Thirsty Time Traveller Ticket

Very well designed layout Informative , entertaining and fun. Definitely worth a visit.

David B.

Bruges Highlights & Hidden Gems Private Tour with a Local

Fantastic tour with lots of interesting facts and personal insights presented. We really enjoyed it all.

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Copenhagen, Denmark

Denmark’s compact capital city is one of the greenest cities in Europe and the perfect destination for vacationing families with kids thanks to its easy-going vibe, dedicated cycle lanes (hop on a city bike tour to take advantage), and free public transportation. Surrounding the 17th-century Nyhavn harbor area, Copenhagen offers up candy-colored houses and romantic castles such as Rosenborg to explore, as well as nostalgic fairground rides at Tivoli Gardens and the landmark Copenhagen Zoo with its fine conservation record. Copenhagen has form in the cultural stakes as well, with superb art collections, dramatic contemporary waterfront architecture for the Copenhagen Opera House, and a thriving, sophisticated nightlife. Explore the vibrant city on foot with a small-group walking tour.

Copenhagen Canal Tour with Skip-the-Line Entry to Tivoli Gardens

This trip is amazing. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and the locations you visit are beautiful. Thoroughly recommend the trip.

Nicola W.

Copenhagen Card

Excellent way to travel around Copenhagen. Every attraction we went to takes the card. We saved around 300kr on the first day alone. Public transport in Copenhagen is fantastic and the card makes it simple to use.

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Edinburgh, Scotland

No longer the “Auld Reekie” of yesteryear, Edinburgh has dropped its unfavorable nickname and now crackles with festivals, museums, shops, clubs, and restaurants. This is a city of two halves—there’s the jumble of (possibly haunted!) Old Town tenement buildings dotting the Royal Mile around the Gothic Edinburgh Castle, and the genteel symmetry of the 17th-century Georgian New Town, neatly arranged in grid form and lined with enviable homes and designer stores. Blessed with a unique location sprawled over volcanic plugs and overlooking the sea, Edinburgh boasts a spooky history and a hilly landscape for its many attractions. See both the underground and aboveground highlights that make this city so special on a two-hour walking tour led by a guide dressed in 17th-century costume.

Edinburgh Castle Entrance Ticket

This is a must see in Edinburgh. We had skipped the line tickets through Viator and we did just that going right through security and handing in our tickets. There are free guided tours in the Castle and you can rent head sets which are totally worth the money

kerrieo471

Walking Tour of Edinburgh’s New Town

It was a very interesting tour, Our guide was terrific and very interesting. We learned a lot about the inhabitants of Edinburgh past and present, he was very educated on the architecture of the city as well. He recommended many places to visit which was nice and he also stayed after for questions, DO THIS TOUR!!!

Krakow, Poland

With Poland making its mark on the itineraries of travelers in the know, Krakow offers a wide range of funky bars and clubs, plus a rising trend in gastronomic excellence. The city’s baroque-era beauty can be seen all around the Main Market Square (the largest medieval square in Europe), as well as from Wawel Royal Castle, where Poland’s rulers governed for five centuries. Check out the trendy Kazimierz district and sample traditional Polish dishes on a 3.5-hour food tour.

Krakow – Wawel Castle Guided Tour

Excellent tour. Very informative and interesting. Tour leader was very prepared and made this 2hr tour quite fun. The tapestry exhibits were marvellous.

Ian

Delicious Kazimierz Food Tour from Krakow

There’s no better way to learn about a culture than eating and drinking with locals and this tour provides you with exactly that opportunity! The tour is well organised and covers a lot of regional dishes and spirits, taking about 3.5 hours. I’d highly recommend this to anyone visiting Krakow! 

Davey

Lisbon, Portugal

Currently enjoying a tourism boom, Lisbon is a city of contrasts. Quaintly old-fashioned but constantly modernizing, it edges the River Tagus with a mixture of architecture styles showcased in the ornate, baroque Belém Tower (Torre de Belém), the National Tile Museum, and the ultra-contemporary Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology (MAAT). Creeping inland up winding hills topped with Moorish castles and citadels, Lisbon’s mysterious alleyways reveal modern art galleries beside traditional bakers, designer stores flanking flea markets, and age-old cafés that echo with the sounds of mournful fado music. For a dose of Portuguese culture and a fun night out, book tickets to a live fado show in the Chiado neighborhood.

Belém Small-Group Walking Tour in Lisbon

Excellent walking tour and guide! We had limited time in Lisbon before boarding our cruise and this tour was perfect. Our guide was professional and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend!

Allison

Tile Workshop and Private Tour Including National Tile Museum

This was a favourite tour! In the days following our tour, we were able to wander the streets of Lisbon and noted some of the tile techniques and history we had learned on our tour. The perfect mix of introductory knowledge and local history.

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Marseille, France

The 2013 opening of the spectacular Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations (MuCEM) was just one sign that the southern France port city of Marseille is a destination worth keeping an eye on—it’s an enticing, multicultural metropolis where kebab shops exist alongside gourmet seafood restaurants and contemporary seafront architecture contrasts with the centuries-old, labyrinthine alleys of The Panier, a historic quarter at the heart of Marseille. Add the city’s calanques (narrow inlet beaches) and the myriad delights of the entire Provence region and you have an irresistible French Riviera destination to add to your European bucket list. Join an electric bike tour to take in the city and coast in style.

Marseille Shore Excursion: Marseille and Cassis Tour

The guide was excellent and we saw all the highlights of Marseilles. Cassis was a beautiful spot and we had plenty of time there. Highly recommended

Fredrica M

Marseille Electric Bike Tour

Highly recommend this bike tour. If you are after of more action and adventure this is the excursion for you. We just absolutely loved it and our tour guide was fun.

Magsy

Prague, Czech Republic

Possibly the most eye-catching city in central Europe, Prague is known for its stellar architecture, featuring cobbled streets crammed with baroque churches, Gothic spires, Art Nouveau mansions, and gabled houses in pastel shades. Overlooking all this majesty is Prague Castle, Europe’s largest medieval castle and cathedral complex. Book a small-group city walking tour to explore the Old Town SquareWenceslas Square, and the colorful Havel’s Market, all before setting out on a Vltava River cruise.

Small-Group Half-Day Prague Walking Tour

Was great. Our tour guide was really well informed and we felt like the tour was great value for money!

Christopher Bowers

Prague Old Town, Wenceslas Square and Jewish Quarter

Having a local person show us around was fantastic. The tour was everything we hoped for and more
Keith W

Vilnius, Lithuania

Now on the roster of must-see European cities for its unspoiled baroque beauty, Vilnius has grown around its UNESCO-listed Old Town. Tucked in between the Neris and Vilnelė rivers, the capital of Lithuania is stuffed with ornate Gothic, baroque, and Renaissance buildings, fairytale churches, and pastel façades, all watched over by the castle complex perched atop Castle Hill. Another good spot from which to see the layout of the city is the viewing platform at the Vilnius TV Tower, with the concrete blocks of the Soviet-built city standing starkly on the horizon. Take a 3-hour guided walking tour to discover the bohemian neighborhood of Uzupis and top landmarks such as St. Anne’s Church.

Small-Group Food and History Walking Tour of Vilnius

Excellent tour! We enjoyed some really tasty authentic food and beer and plenty of it. Our guide Vilija was very friendly and knowledgeable and sensitive to our needs. Highly recommended trip for a true taste of Lithuania.

Chris

Vilnius Walking Tour: Old Town and Užupis Republic

A beautiful old town and a fabulous guide who showed it off extremely well.

Anne

Zagreb, Croatia

Often overlooked for the Venetian delights of Dubrovnik, Zagreb is a city of two intriguing halves. The Upper Town (Gornji Grad) is a tangle of flower-strewn baroque alleys centered around St. Mark’s Church and its tiled roof, the ornate twin spires of the Cathedral of the Assumption, and the rambling, colorful Dolac Market, all of which is connected to the grandiose Lower Town via a funicular. This part of Zagreb features verdant parks and a peerless number of museums and galleries. Discover most sides of the city on a private walking tour, or perhaps make time for the charming Museum of Broken Relationships.

Private Walking Tour of Upper and Downtown Zagreb

This tour was fantastic, the guide was fantastic!!! His local knowledge and enthusiasm made this such a fantastic tour! 10/10.

Kathryn

Ljubljana and Bled – Small Group Day Tour from Zagreb

It is well worth taking this day trip. It is a long day but it is at a relaxed paced and everything is spectacular to see. Our guide was very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful.

Nellie

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