Get out and explore more.
After all, there’s a reason these iconic cities are as timeless and as popular as they are.
But Europe is more than just these well-known destinations.
Credit: Getty Images
Below, find 13 spectacular European second cities that are absolutely worth the day trip during your stay.
The Route:Luckily, Szczecin is as easy to get to as it is hard to spell.
The Route:Many ferries to Pula are seasonal, and only run from April to October.
Getty Images
Where to Stay:Scalettaprovides a touch of fun to a stay at Pula.
Its colorful rooms and central location make it a perfect place to rest during your quick stay.
The Route:The 3.5-hour Eurostar trip starts at about $140 for a one-way ticket.
Getty Images
Youll need to change trains in Brussels.
Cap off the day with a Belgian waffle at the nearbyChez Albert.
What to Do:Climb the Belfry, of course.
Getty Images
The Route:Getting from Zurich to Vaduz takes about 90 minutes.
You’ll need to catch a train from Zurich Hauptbahnhof to Sargans, just on the border.
From there, its a short bus ride to Vaduz.
Getty Images
Expect to pay around $30-$40 for the whole trip.
And the 29 beautifully appointed rooms and suites at the luxurious, bucolicParkhotel Sonnenhofare certainly fit for a king.
Where to Stay:TheHotel du Portis located in Lausanne’s vibrant marina and has rooms overlooking Lake Geneva.
Alisha McDarris/Travel + Leisure
The capital of Slovakia, Bratislava is the cultural heart of one of the world’s most underrated countries.
A whopping $12.
The city’s most popular bars and clubs are only seconds away, as is the magnificent Bratislava Castle.
Getty Images
see to it to try something off of their list of traditional Slovak specialties.
(Slovakia, ever the underdog, has a tremendously underrated winemaking industry).
And if wine isn’t your thing, the Slovaks aren’t exactly strangers to beer-making either.
Getty Images
The trip should take just under three hours.
What to Do:Surf, of course.
Where to Stay:Spend a night or two in theBoatel, a floating hotel in a converted riverboat.
Getty Images
Explore the citys spirited traditions during a privatetasting tour.
The Route:You’ll need to get the ferry across, of course.
FRSruns a few sailings a day from Tangier Ville to Tarifa.
Stephanie Pollak/Travel + Leisure
The crossing takes an hour and will set you back around $80 for a round-trip.
What to Do:Try out kitesurfing (or other wind sports) down at the beach.
KitePassion Tarifaoffers private lessons for $65 per hour.
Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure
What to Do:Take a walk around the Old Town.
Getty Images
Getty Images