Recommendations for underrated European travel destinations

“Few places have had a greater impact on the world through music, culture and history than Liverpool,” says Dale Roberts, tour guide and owner of Dale Liverpool Tours, and a proud Scouser. “But the thing that makes Liverpool truly special is its people. We take pride in being warm, funny, hospitable and always ready to share our city with the world.” To tap into Liverpool’s cultural heritage, visit the Cavern Club, where the Beatles famously played, or take a tour of Anfield, the home of Liverpool Football Club. Historic Royal Albert Dock is also a drawcard, with its museums, shops and restaurants. Where to stay Innside by Melia, from $228 a night. See melia.com

It’s rare that a nation’s capital could be considered its third city (though Australians would surely understand). So it is with Croatia, whose tourism juggernauts Dubrovnik, Split and Zadar tend to leave Zagreb in their wake. There’s plenty of reason to visit this inland capital, however, including a huge number of museums, which range from the serious (Nikola Tesla Technical Museum) to the quirky (Museum of Broken Relationships). “I love history, so there is never a dull moment in my city,” says Lucija Kvorka, a UTracks tour guide who grew up in Zagreb. “The city is also alive and offers plenty of social spaces with cafes, bars and theatres, and the natural surroundings on the outskirts of town provide a great space for activities such as cycling and hiking.” Where to stay Hotel Esplanade, from $386 a night. See esplanade.hr

Greece isn’t exactly famous for its cities: Athens is ever popular, and Thessaloniki is known for its Roman and Byzantine history, but where do you go next if it’s not an island? Patras is Greece’s third-largest city, a festive place with a spring carnival that deserves to be far better known, not to mention a Byzantine-era castle, plenty of taverna-filled squares, and even a Venetian-era hammam. “Patras is also great as a jumping-off point,” says travel writer and Greece expert Flip Byrnes. “You can get everywhere from Patras. You can take a ferry up to Italy, you can get to Kefalonia island in an hour, Corfu isn’t too far away, and straight up you’ve got Lefkada. So it’s a great gateway city.“ Where to stay Moxy Patra Marina, from $120 a night. See marriott.com

Two cities immediately spring to mind when you think of Scotland: Edinburgh and Glasgow, in some ways twins given their size and proximity (about an hour apart), though in other ways polar opposites in culture and atmosphere. What people tend to forget, however, is Aberdeen, the northern “granite city”, known for its classic architecture, maritime history and proximity to Highland culture. Louise Jamieson is an Aberdonian, and assistant manager of Rabbie’s Tours. “Aberdeen combines dramatic coastlines, magnificent castles, breathtaking scenery, and a thriving food scene with iconic landmarks such as Dunnottar Castle,” she says, “showcasing the rich heritage of north-east Scotland.” Where to stay the historic Fife Arms, from $1153 a night. See thefifearms.com

“Some cities are great during the day, others really come alive at night; what I love about Innsbruck is that you get both,” says Helmut Wagner, a UTracks tour manager and Innsbruck resident. “I’ve grown up here and it’s a beautiful historic city with great restaurants, bars and plenty going on in the evenings, but there’s also so much to do during the day: explore the old town, walk along the Inn River, or take a cable car up for incredible views across the Alps.” Though Innsbruck might not have the international fame of Vienna or Salzburg, it does have gorgeous alpine scenery, historic landmarks like the Hofburg Imperial Palace, and all those enviable, year-round outdoor activities. Where to stay Hotel Sailer, from $287 a night. See sailer-innsbruck.at

If you feel like a chat when you’re in Cork, you’ve come to the right place: this city is famously friendly, the sort of place where you would have to take active measures to avoid meeting locals. Though, why would you? There’s much to love here that puts Cork on par with the likes of Dublin and Galway. “What I love about Cork is that it has a character all of its own,” says Seamus Heaney, the head of Visit Cork. “There’s really incredible food, culture, maritime history and, above all, warm and witty people. Plus, you can enjoy the energy of the city and within half an hour be in Kinsale at the beginning of the Wild Atlantic Way.“ Where to stay The Metropole, from $294 a night. See themetropolehotel.ie

Set in the east of the Czech Republic, far from busy Prague and overrun Cesky Krumlov, Olomouc has much to offer, only without the crowds. Come here for historical beauty, for the vibrant energy of a university town, and for modern cafe culture. And some peace. “Olomouc is one of Czechia’s hidden gems with beautiful architecture, a historic city centre, and a lively cultural scene,” says Tereza Zdarilova, who grew up in Olomouc and works with Intrepid Travel. “For me, the best way to experience the city in summer is to grab a cold draught beer and some chlebicky [open sandwiches], and head over to Letnak Olomouc for an outdoor movie or a live concert under the stars.” Where to stay Theresian Hotel, from $244 a night. See theresian.cz

Torunn Tronsvang, the founder of Norway travel group UpNorway, counts Trondheim among her favourite destinations in the country, despite not being as well-known as Oslo or Bergen. “Trondheim pairs the warm feel of a small town with incredible historic and cultural depth,” she says. “At its heart stands Nidaros Cathedral, built over the grave of Saint Olav, anchoring the city as a sacred pilgrimage site since Viking times. Trondheim is also Norway’s culinary capital, blessed with fertile farmland and nutrient-rich waters.” Trondheim also has a thriving arts scene, highlighted by PoMo, a new contemporary art hub housed in a post office built in 1911, with interiors by French architect India Mahdavi. Where to stay Britannia Hotel, from $415 a night. See britannia.no

Set in south-western Poland near the border with Czechia, Wroclaw might not slip off the tongue in the same way Krakow and Warsaw do, but it’s a gorgeous city in its own right, known as the “Venice of Poland” thanks to its network of rivers, islands and bridges. Though the historic architecture here is a big draw, this is also a vibrant modern city with plenty to offer all ages. “The beautiful landmarks here reflect centuries of Polish, Czech, Austrian, Prussian, and German influence,” says Piotr Lisowski, a Wroclaw local who works with Intrepid Travel. “There’s also universities, businesses, residents, and a growing number of visitors who contribute to a lively and unique atmosphere. This is a dynamic city that is easy to explore and well-connected to the rest of Europe.” Where to stay The Hotel Monopol, from $209 a night. See monopolwroclaw.hotel.com.pl

Istanbul, clearly, is Turkey’s most famous destination – though not, as many people think, its capital. That would be Ankara, its second-largest city. And its third largest? Welcome to Izmir, population almost 5 million, a city enjoying a gorgeous location on the Aegean coast about five hours south of Istanbul, with ferry connections to Athens. Izmir is a historic city, with sites such as the Agora of Smyrna, a well-preserved Roman ruin, and easy access to Ephesus and Pergamon. The city is also known as the heart of Turkey’s street food scene, and an enjoyable place to stroll and explore. Where to stay the Izmir Marriott, from $375 a night. See marriott.com