Don’t get me wrong, capital cities are cool; they’re stuffed full of arts, culture, interesting people, and amazing food. But sometimes, smaller cities lose out on tourism because they don’t have the same level of recognition that a bigger city does, and so we end up missing out on unique gems. Here are a few of the reasons why you should consider a lesser-known destination the next time you're scrolling through Skyscanner...
For a start, lesser-known cities provide a more unique travel experience. When I travelled to Naples this summer, all I knew about it was that it was near enough to Pompeii, and that in the past it was associated with organised crime. However, exploring a city that I didn’t already know so much about, like Rome, was a revelation. Not to mention it was much easier to find less touristy, cheaper areas to enjoy.
While adventuring tourist hotspots is certainly fun and worthwhile smaller cities make it much easier to escape the crush of tourism and relish a quieter holiday
Which brings me on to my next point, capital cities are expensive. We can see this even in England, purely through observing how once you're in spitting distance of London, the price of a pint doubles. But it’s not just alcohol that’s cheaper outside of bigger cities, it can be transport, accommodation, and food: you’ll be getting the same stuff for a few less quid. What more could you ask for as a student on a budget?
As well as this, smaller cities mean less crowds of tourists and more interaction with locals. So many larger cities are full of tourists, and I know I’ve felt, at times, that the only people I’ve heard anything from are fellow Brits on their holidays. Whilst adventuring tourist hotspots is certainly fun and worthwhile, smaller cities make it much easier to escape the crush of tourism and relish a quieter holiday. You might even want to flex your Duolingo skills by interacting with locals.
If this isn’t enough to convince you to the charm of a smaller city, there are a few more points I can make: it’s easier to take time and see the littler things. If you’re not rushing from one statue to the next it’s much easier to just sit, have a coffee and enjoy the city moving around you. It’s easier to familiarise yourself with your surroundings so as to feel safer, and smaller cities often have lower crime rates which are imperative to research if you’re travelling alone and want to feel secure. Also, learning to navigate a smaller public transport system is always nice.
I would never tell people not to go to capital cities- but if you’re feeling like something a little different, something less mapped out and hopefully a little cheaper, try a smaller city. Perhaps Porto over Lisbon, Bruges over Brussels, or Oaxaca over Mexico City.
Wherever you go, just be sure to have a great time.
