Top 11 Most Underrated Cities To Visit

Sometimes, we find ourselves visiting the same vacation destinations every year. But there’s a whole world out there to explore! The next time you’re planning a trip, consider one of these underrated cities to visit. They might not be as famous as Paris or New York City, but they’re just as exciting and full of things to do and see.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires is one of the world's most beautiful and exciting cities, with European-style architecture and artistic flair. The city offers an amazing energy thanks to its passionate cultural history and its love for nightlife, dance, theater and music. Buenos Aires has been named one of the top 10 cities to visit in 2016 by Lonely Planet, so take advantage while it's still under-the-radar.

Bucharest, Romania

This Eastern European gem is home to some of the best museums in Europe, like the Romanian National Museum of Art and The National Museum of Contemporary Art (MNAC). Bucharest also has a thriving nightlife scene and is home to traditional dance halls called “saloons” where you can see live music performances every night. The food scene is also growing, with many local chefs beginning to open up restaurants showcasing traditional Romanian dishes like mititei (grilled spicy sausages) or sarmale (meat rolls wrapped in cabbage or grape)

Krakow, Poland

Krakow is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, rich in history and culture. It's home to the Wawel Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and St. Mary's Basilica, which boasts stunning, colorful architecture. The city is also famous for its underground salt mines, which include an ancient chapel made entirely out of salt and a giant underground lake!

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels is known for its famous beer (which you can sip on in bars that have their own breweries), but it's also home to some great art museums and a beautiful medieval town center. Plus, it's only an hour train ride away from Bruges and Ghent!

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia is often overlooked when compared to New York City or Washington DC – but America's birthplace has plenty to offer visitors! From the Liberty Bell to Independence Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art (and of course, a Philly Cheesesteak or two), there's no shortage of things to see and do here.

Stuttgart, Germany

Stuttgart is located in the southwest of Germany and is home to the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche factories. There are over 40 museums and galleries that you can visit while you're there such as the Mercedes-Benz Museum, Porsche Museum and the State Gallery. You can also check out the Wilhelma Zoo and botanical garden which is one of Europe's most beautiful zoos. If you want to go on a hike then make sure you visit Killesbergpark which has great views of Stuttgart. In summer it's a great place for a picnic with friends.

Guayaquil, Ecuador

Perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest port and its most populous city, with a population of more than 2 million in the city proper, and over 3 million in the surrounding metropolitan area.

While it's still not as popular as other Latin American cities like Buenos Aires and Mexico City, Guayaquil is becoming increasingly attractive to tourists looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination that offers both cultural and natural attractions. And while foodies may not rave about Guayaquil's gastronomy scene — yet — they'll find plenty to like about the coastal city, including its wide selection of ceviches and seafood dishes.

The most popular things to do in Guayaquil include visiting local museums, exploring the waterfront area known as Malecon 2000, and basking on nearby beaches such as Playas (a 40-minute drive from downtown). But there's much more to see and do here than just that. Here are 10 reasons why you should visit Guayaquil now.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Many people are surprised when they learn that Pittsburgh is one of the most livable cities in the United States. Pittsburgh is also home to many world-class museums and concert venues. In fact, Forbes recently rated Pittsburgh as one of the “Coolest Places To Visit” in 2018. Visitors can visit a number of historically significant sites, including The Point and Market Square.

Hoi An, Vietnam

The first thing to know is that Hoi An, Vietnam is a small town on a river bank. It's one of several former trading towns in southeast Asia and during the 15th century it was the port of call for Chinese and Japanese traders. They came seeking silk, ceramics and spices produced in nearby areas.

Today, many of the buildings in its old quarter date from this period. The town was an early example of how different cultures can peacefully coexist in one place. It's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the preservation of its historic core, where buildings have been restored to their original appearance using authentic materials.

The old quarter is closed to traffic and has a certain European feel about it, with low-rise buildings lining narrow streets. This part of town is filled with art galleries, cafes, restaurants and local craft shops selling handmade lanterns, clothes and other goods. There are also dozens of tailor shops that make clothes to order extremely quickly at very reasonable prices.

At night time the streets are illuminated by colourful lanterns (the locals make these too), which makes for a magical atmosphere as you walk around or sit outside one of the many cafes or restaurants that line the streets and canals.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest, Hungary

If you love the idea of exploring Europe’s magnificent capital cities but find London, Rome and Paris a little too crowded and touristy for your liking, then head to Budapest. The Hungarian capital is one of Europe’s most underrated cities, but it’s a place that is full of history, culture and beauty.

The city is divided in two by the Danube River: on one side of the river you have Buda and on the other you have Pest. Buda is home to some must-see attractions like Buda Castle, Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion, while Pest is home to Heroes’ Square and St Stephen’s Basilica. There are plenty of museums to visit in Pest as well as grand buildings such as the Hungarian Parliament Building.

Getting around in Budapest is easy because everything is so close together. You can walk across both sides of the river in about 30 minutes, or you can take a riverboat between Buda and Pest. If you want to relax during your vacation, then there are some amazing spas in Budapest that are worth taking a dip in!

San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico

You may have never heard of San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico, and that’s why you should go. This town is the quiet neighbor of Cabo San Lucas, a more popular destination for tourists. But there are so many reasons to visit San Jose Del Cabo; the beaches are beautiful, the food is delicious, and the charm is undeniable.

The town of San Jose del Cabo dates back to 1730 when it was founded by Jesuit missionaries. Once a thriving mission town, today it has become an authentic Mexican village filled with artists and craftspeople who earn their livelihood from sales of their work.

A visit won’t cost you much: You can stay in a beautiful hotel for around $100 a night and eat some amazing local food for as little as $3 a meal. Explore around on foot or by renting a bicycle to see this charming town up close and personal.

One must-see attraction is the San Jose Estuary, which is home to over 450 species of birds. Here you will find flocks of migratory birds who spend their winters here before making their way back north in the springtime. These graceful creatures make their nests here amidst windmills that line the estuary, giving it an almost otherworldly feel.

Sometimes it feels like we must have everything covered within our own city. So, when you have a chance to escape and travel, our most common question would probably be: Where should I go?! Fortunately, if you're looking for a getaway that's not currently on your bucket list, or want to explore a new city, here are 11 underrated cities to visit.