Why not try a smaller, lesser-visited gem that typically serves as a gateway to resorts, beaches or wilderness and you’ll find you’ll get a brilliant urban break that can stand alone. Or – even better – it becomes the excuse for an extended holiday in both city and country.
Salerno, Italy
While this port city near Naples is typically used as the gateway to the world-famous Amalfi Coast, Salerno has plenty to warrant a weekend before you hit the road. Its small scale makes sightseeing a pleasure, not a chore; drift from the glorious cathedral – a blend of Byzantine, Romanesque and other architecture – to the serene Minerva botanical garden and epic Arechi Castle. When dusk descends, stroll the rambling seaside promenade, lined in palms and blooms, and grab an alfresco table to feast on freshly landed seafood and icy pours of locally made limoncello.
Funchal, Madeira
With a maze of streets zigzagging up remote Madeira’s rugged hills, Funchal has been shaped by its dramatic landscapes perhaps more than many mainland European capitals. Its downtown core has a Gothic cathedral and 16th-century fort, several museums and – of course – a historic Madeira fortified wine cellar, Blandy’s Wine Lodge. But in a city of slopes there’s perhaps no more unique city experience than the Monte Sledges, a traditional wicker toboggan ride down 2km of steep street, steered by two trained carreiros (drivers).
Larnaca, Cyprus
Most of Cyprus’s summer visitors make straight for the island’s beaches, zooming from the airport to a sandy resort. But Larnaca gives reason to linger, with its cute, compact old town centred on a mediaeval orthodox church and a revered mosque, Hala Sultan Tekke. Tuck into fresh salads, grilled meats and fried seafood at one of the waterside restaurants south of the historic fort, then slurp an ice cream while strolling the promenade, Finikoudes, to the city pier.
Heraklion, Crete
Given it’s thought to have been continuously inhabited for at least 9,000 years, you don’t have to go far in the capital of Crete to uncover something worth seeing. The epic ruins of the Palace of Knossos, mythical home of King Minos and his Minotaur, is unquestionably a highlight, but there’s plenty of other wowza architecture to catch too, from a grand Venetian-built Loggia to the Byzantine-constructed Saint Titus Church. Restaurants serving homely skioufichta pasta and snails (prepared every which way) will fuel your explorations.
Riga, Latvia
Latvia’s capital punches well above its weight in culture, making it a perfect summer break if you’re into museums and concert halls – and nature too, given numerous national parks are on its doorstep. The city’s core has made the Unesco World Heritage list thanks to its collection of fine Art Nouveau buildings. Walk the compact core, from the grand market to the decadent exterior of the House of the Black Heads, then crown off your day catching a performance at the Latvian National Opera and Ballet.
