On the eve of the warm season, many begin to plan their vacations. And if you like to walk through half-empty cities and get into museums without huge queues at the entrances, difficult times are coming for you. But don’t worry, there are still many places in the world that have not been explored by tourists.
We have chosen five cities that are no less beautiful and interesting than Rome or London, but at the same time many times fewer people go there. A nice bonus: a trip to each city from the selection will cost no more than 20 thousand rubles.
Bucharest
If you want to discover the capital of Romania, hurry up: according to forecasts, this city will soon become popular. In 2016, Bucharest was included in the list of the fastest growing tourist destinations according to the Global Destination Cities Index. And we are surprised that tourists have not discovered this beautiful city earlier.
Bucharest is a bit like the capital of France, it’s not for nothing that it is called the Paris of the Balkans. Quarters of beautiful old buildings, small cafes under umbrellas, shopping galleries – at some point you can almost feel like you’re in Montmartre. True, this impression quickly passes; it’s worth looking at the concrete box buildings imbued with the spirit of socialism.
A trip to Bucharest is surprisingly inexpensive these days, especially compared to other European capitals. At the same time, there is excellent local cuisine, delicious beer and pleasant wine, good hotels and many attractions: from its own Arc de Triomphe to the largest Palace of Parliament in the world. Be sure to check out the ancient Cismigiu Garden, where flora from all over the country is collected, and the Bucharest Botanical Garden, which is considered one of the best in Europe.
Visa for Russians: required, national
Flight + hotel: from 12,900 ₽ for 5 days per person
Belgrade
The capital of Serbia is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Despite the difficult times that the city went through less than twenty years ago, today Belgrade is a very pleasant city with a homely atmosphere. If you love the films of Emir Kusturica, in Belgrade you will feel their unique atmosphere: a combination of undying optimism and bitter folk memory, cheerful celebrations and sad memories.
There are many beautiful places in the city. On a hill overlooking the river, the Belgrade Fortress stands behind its walls, containing traces of a variety of eras, from Roman ruins and the ruins of a Byzantine castle to the Kalemegdan landscape park. Visit the Cathedral of St. Sava, the largest church in the Balkans, and climb the narrow streets to Gardos Hill. And for the best photos for Instagram, head to the quarter of artists and musicians Skadarlij. And of course, you can’t help but go to the museum of Nikola Tesla, the most famous Serb. In the evening, go for a walk along the embankments and drink rakia in small restaurants.
Visa for Russians: not needed. The maximum period of stay in the country without a visa is 30 days.
Flight + hotel: from 17,600 ₽ for 5 days per person
Sofia
The history of the amazing and beautiful Sofia goes back several thousand years: the first city arose on this site in the 8th century BC. Over the years there were Romans, Huns, barbarians, the city belonged to the Ottoman Empire – in general, Sofia cannot complain about the poverty of history. At the same time, today the capital of Bulgaria is a modern and energetic metropolis, with many clubs, hotels and shopping centers.
It is noteworthy that Sofia remains one of the most inexpensive European capitals. According to the rating of the British consulting company Hoppa, Sofia is the cheapest holiday destination out of 84 cities that were included in the list. Daily costs here will not exceed 2800 rubles.
The center of attraction for tourists is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, located in the very center of the city. It is the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans and the most famous building in Sofia. Other interesting religious buildings include the Church of Hagia Sophia, built in 537 and which later gave its name to the city. And the oldest temple, the rotunda of St. George, has been preserved since the 4th century. Around the rotunda you can see the remains of the streets of ancient Serdica – this is the name Sofia had during the Roman Empire.
Be sure to take a walk along the most beautiful boulevard in the city – Vitosha Boulevard, along which the best shops in Sofia are located. Shopping here, however, will not be cheap – the boulevard is included in the list of the most expensive shopping streets in the world. For shopping, it is better to go to the Sofia shopping center (Mall of Sofia). Don’t forget to bring the famous rose water and rose oil as a souvenir.
Visa for Russians: needed, you can enter via Schengen
Flight + hotel: from 19,200 ₽ for 5 days per person
Ghent
Not the most obvious choice for a traveler visiting Belgium: tourists are still attracted
Brussels, Antwerp and Bruges. But that’s what we need? So add this small town with unique architecture and fun student life to your travel plans. The city has many pubs, excellent museums, a beautiful cathedral and a cozy, almost homely atmosphere.
The central landmark of the city is the Cathedral of St. Bavo, which houses Van Eyck’s famous masterpiece “The Adoration of the Lamb.” Take a look at the castle of the Counts of Flanders and the museum of the history of prisons located in it. Take a stroll along the historic street of Grasli or the pedestrian Veldstraat with its shops and boutiques, sit in a café on Vrijdagmarkt, the city’s main square, and then go drink delicious beer in one of the many pubs.
Ghent, like Bruges, has a network of canals, and we recommend taking a guided tour along them. For some atmosphere, look for Ghent Water Tourist, which runs a tour on a 1971 waterbus. Or choose a cozy wooden boat for 6-12 people, Viadagio vzw.
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Visa for Russians: needed, Schengen
Flight + hotel: from 16,600 ₽ for 5 days per person in double occupancy
Trieste
Northern Italy is not only Milan, Venice and Verona. If you want Italian flavor without crowds on the streets and half-hour queues for ice cream, come to Trieste: this small city, the capital of the province of Friuli Venezia Giulia, is located 145 kilometers east of Venice, not far from the border with Slovenia. Trieste once belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and was its main seaport. But then he moved on to Italy and gradually stopped attracting travelers.
And it’s completely in vain: the city combines the warmth and friendliness of Italy with lush Viennese architecture. Add to this a wonderful sea view, a nice beach, an amazing mixture of Italian and Austrian cuisine and attractions from Roman ruins to the house where Joyce wrote Ulysses – and you will not find a reason not to come to Trieste.
Must-sees: the ancient Basilica of San Giusto, the Church of St. Michael and the romantic Miramare Castle 10 kilometers from the city. Trieste also has excellent museums: post and telegraph, natural history and science museum. Children will love the Marine Aquarium, where you can see not only a variety of fish, but also pythons and iguanas.
Visa for Russians: needed, Schengen
Flight + hotel: from 18,400 ₽ for 5 days per person in double occupancy
* Prices for flights and accommodation are indicated at the time of writing. The cost indicated in the material and the final price may differ.
If you are looking for a place to stay in a new city, we recommend paying attention to the OneTwoTrip hotel vertical – set the minimum distance to the center in the filters and you will quickly find the closest hotels to the most interesting locations.
