Every country has its must-see destinations that tourists flock to in their millions. Whether it’s Paris in France, Rome in Italy, or Beijing in China, we love visiting these places to see what all the fuss is about. But spare a thought for the unsung heroes – those places that are just as beautiful as their contemporaries, but are consistently overlooked.
Luckily for these off-the-beaten-track destinations, the travel experts at Lonely Planet have released what they think are the best unsung destinations the world has to offer. So which cities made the list?
Trieste, Italy
Topping Lonely Planet’s poll was the city of Trieste in Italy. This beautiful city is hidden away in the far northeast, practically on the border with Slovenia – it’s no wonder we haven’t been there!
Arras, France
This little-known city isn’t far from Calais, and yet we overlook it time and again. But with its stunning architecture and Flemish-Spanish squares, Arras is well worth a visit.
Chóngqìng, China
With Sìchuān so close, it’s little wonder that Chóngqìng isn’t visited as much as it should be. But it is a modern city that has a lot to offer tourists.
Utrecht, Netherlands
Another city that loses out to a famous neighbour, Utrecht has been fighting a battle with Amsterdam for years. So if you don’t fancy the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam, Utrecht offers something a bit different.
Aberdeen, Scotland
The Granite City came in fifth in Lonely Planet’s poll, showing that it’s the most underrated city in Scotland. Taking in a stately cityscape, coastline and countryside, Aberdeen is worth braving the winter temperatures.
(Images: funkjoker, sjdunphy, Marielle, Harveychl, Bernt Rostad)
