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Second Cities: 15 Underrated Urban Destinations Worth Visiting
Slide Nr 1Paris, France. Sydney, Australia. Tokyo, Japan… Some countries have an uncontested ‘first’ city – a premier destination that isn’t necessarily the political capital, but is without a doubt the place that immediately jumps to mind when planning a visit. On your next city trip, why not think beyond those obvious destinations? Then you’ll discover ‘second’ cities that can be just as rewarding, less overrun and even more intriguing than the number one. Here are some of the best underrated urban escapes around the world.
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Second Cities: 15 Underrated Urban Destinations Worth Visiting.
Slide Nr 2The second-largest city in France is the capital’s opposite in almost every way. Laid-back, Mediterranean and famously rough around the edges, Marseille has the grit of a working harbour city paired with the charm of a destination that doesn’t fancy itself much of a tourist hotspot. Although its look and feel are very different from Paris, you’ll find all the cafés and bars, shops and museums, old buildings and even older churches to create a fabulous French holiday itinerary on a significantly smaller budget compared to what you’d spend in the City of Lights.
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Second Cities: 15 Underrated Urban Destinations Worth Visiting.
Slide Nr 3Tokyo overshadows other Japanese cities, both in size and in terms of cultural cachet, and is all but impossible to explore in depth on a short visit. Other urban centres, however, allow you to experience the culture shock that hits most Western visitors in smaller doses. Osaka, located centrally on Japan’s main island Honshu, along the main infrastructure axis served by the Shinkansen bullet trains, is a good choice for several reasons. In recent years, the city has ranked high on global liveability indexes and is considered the country’s foodie capital. It also offers Japan in a nutshell, with an impressive samurai castle, beautiful gardens, glitzy shopping areas, traditional markets and spectacular skyscrapers.
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Second Cities: 15 Underrated Urban Destinations Worth Visiting.
Slide Nr 4Australia arguably has two first cities – Sydney and Melbourne – while capital Canberra barely even registers on most tourist itineraries. However, a hidden gem on the west coast is well worth the detour. Perth may be one of the most isolated cities in the world, but who needs neighbours when you have a bustling metropolis with stunning beaches, a world-renowned botanical garden, easy access to nature and wildlife, as well as a vibrant indigenous culture? Unfortunately, the mining boom turned Perth into a busy industry hub, so unlike other second cities on this list, it’s no bargain.
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Second Cities: 15 Underrated Urban Destinations Worth Visiting.
Slide Nr 5In Chicago, the term ‘second city’ has several meanings: It was almost entirely rebuilt after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, making its current incarnation a second version of the original. A well-known local comedy troupe – one of the most famous in the USA – also goes by that name. Finally, Chicago was long considered a serious contender for the title of East Coast capital, but always played second fiddle to New York City. Today, it proudly embraces its status, emphasising what it has in common with the Big Apple (skyscrapers, parks, museums and great pizza, to name a few) and what sets it apart (mainly the sandy shores of Lake Michigan and its unique history).
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Second Cities: 15 Underrated Urban Destinations Worth Visiting.
Slide Nr 6Most first-time visitors to Ireland plan Dublin as the urban part of their trip, then head for the coast and small-town or rural destinations. County Cork, with its stunning coastline, picturesque villages and renowned culinary offerings is popular with tourists, while Cork City is bypassed by many. They are missing out on a lively city with its fair share of heritage, culture and nightlife. If you fancy a foodie tour, there’s no better place to start than the famous English Market. If you’re interested in live music, seek out one of the trad music sessions, gigs by local bands or big-name concerts taking place virtually every day of the week.
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Second Cities: 15 Underrated Urban Destinations Worth Visiting.
Slide Nr 7Unlike other second cities that offer many of the same attractions as a country’s premier destination, Rotterdam is decidedly different from Amsterdam, a tourist’s first port of call in the Netherlands. All but destroyed in World War II, its architecture is bold and modern, it is a busy industrial hub and, thanks to its working port – the largest in Europe – it feels cosmopolitan rather than quaint, picture-book Dutch. All in all, a bustling working city that has successfully reinvented itself for a post-industrial age.
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Second Cities: 15 Underrated Urban Destinations Worth Visiting.
Slide Nr 8Giant pandas, spicy Sichuan cuisine and a lively tea house culture are only three of the things that set Chengdu apart. In a country as large and culturally diverse as China, it’s almost impossible to compare cities, but if you want to skip mega-metropolises Beijing and Shanghai, this centrally located city is an excellent choice. Its subtropical climate and three centuries of history make for a laid-back, fascinating visit, but the nights can get quite wild, since the city is known for its party scene. [Photo: 4045/iStock]
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Second Cities: 15 Underrated Urban Destinations Worth Visiting.
Slide Nr 9Seoul is often touted as a more manageable destination than Tokyo, but if you want an even more relaxed experience, head for Busan. South Korea’s second city is beautifully located on the southeastern tip of the peninsula, only a three-hour ferry trip from Japan. Surrounded by ocean and mountains, the urban skyline and sweeping bridges contrast nicely with the glittering water and forested peaks. Known for its temples and seafood specialties, the city also offers a buzzing arts scene and fun street culture.
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Second Cities: 15 Underrated Urban Destinations Worth Visiting.
Slide Nr 10Johannesburg may not meet every definition of a second city. Competing with picturesque Cape Town, it certainly isn’t the first choice for leisure travellers. However, South Africa’s largest city also has a lot to recommend it. A major driver of the country’s economy, this is where the locals live, work and play. ‘Joburg’s’ arts scene has been thriving for years, and ultra-hip Maboneng is the place to explore African design, fashion and lifestyle. Although not as iconic as Robben Island, the city’s apartheid memorial sites are also worth exploring. [Photo: THEGIFT777/iStock]
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Second Cities: 15 Underrated Urban Destinations Worth Visiting.
Slide Nr 11If you hear Medellín and think ‘cartel’, you’ve got your head stuck in the 1990s. Since the turn of the century, Colombia’s second city has transformed itself into a modern, liveable and safe metropolis. The historic district of El Centro alone offers enough sights to keep you occupied for a day, hip El Poblado invites you to chill out or party, the cutesy Pueblito Paisa offers a glimpse of rural life, and the Metrocable cable car is a novel way to get around on public transport. These days, prolific local artist Botero’s Death of Pablo Escobar and a visit to the Memory House Museum are as close to gang violence as you’re going to get.
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Second Cities: 15 Underrated Urban Destinations Worth Visiting.
Slide Nr 12Havana is so synonymous with Cuba as a destination, chances are, you’ve never even heard of Santiago, the island’s second city. At the opposite end of the island from the flashy, touristy, colourful city everyone has a mental image of, it offers many of the same attractions – rich colonial and revolutionary history, a vibrant cultural life and a stunning Caribbean coastline – all without the crowds and the price tag. [Photo: Nikada/iStock]
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Second Cities: 15 Underrated Urban Destinations Worth Visiting.
Slide Nr 13Córdoba is a long trek across the pampas from Buenos Aires, so you’ll need more than a short city break to make it worth your while. The historical Jesuit block offers beautiful architecture and a glimpse of the city’s colonial roots. Elsewhere, you will find traces of its famously rebellious, socialist and bohemian history. As a student town, it also offers cheap dining and hopping nightlife. The surrounding Sierras are well worth one or several detours. [Photo: diegograndi/iStock]
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Second Cities: 15 Underrated Urban Destinations Worth Visiting.
Slide Nr 14Depending on where your interests lie, Germany‘s first city for tourism could be Berlin, Munich or Hamburg. Between its second-tier cities, however, Leipzig is currently the most interesting place to check out. Heir to Berlin’s cool crown, this is where artists and creative types head when they are priced out of the capital. The Saxonian city may be smaller, but it has a significant club scene, plenty of museums and galleries, plus some impressive musical heritage and, of course, a lively history.
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Second Cities: 15 Underrated Urban Destinations Worth Visiting.
Slide Nr 15Naples is the third-largest city in Italy and adds a third type of experience to a trip around the country. After the monumental pomp of capital Rome and the busy elegance of industrious Milan, Naples is a charmingly chaotic southern Italian city. With palaces, museums and piazzas in the city’s historical centre, to quarters filled with local life, fantastic food and temperamental people, it’s quintessentially Italian. In fact, it is this part of Italy that once gave rise to many of the nation‘s most ubiquitous clichés. Its proximity to Mount Vesuvio, Pompeji and the Amalfi Coast all add to the allure. [Photo: Alessandro Tortora]
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Second Cities: 15 Underrated Urban Destinations Worth Visiting.
Slide Nr 16Calcutta was once envisioned by the colonial government as the “second city of the empire”, with pompous architecture and grand British institutions to mimic London. Kolkata, as the city is now known, retains an air of crumbling grandeur. Just over a century after it lost its position as capital of British India, it isn’t even the second city of the Indian nation, but remains worth exploring for its colonial and revolutionary history, its Hindu culture and Bengali cuisine. Despite falling behind other cities that embody modern India, there is a robust art scene and young, modern urbanites keeping its reputation as cultural capital of India alive. [Photo: Radiokukk/iStock]
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