Why Rick Steves Urges Tourists To Spend Some Time In Europe's 'Second Cities'

When making plans for a European adventure, big names like Rome, Lisbon, London, or Athens all most likely make it to the top of the list. There is a wealth of information about these popular tourist destinations and too many "have you been there?" conversations prompting travel plans. But Europe is big, and according to travel writer and television host Rick Steves, the continent's "second cities" deserve our attention.

On his website, Steves describes second cities as having "a creative edge, a strong civic spirit," and plenty of eating establishments and other draws. These smaller cities are less likely to be on the travel bucket list and therefore offer a more authentic cultural experience, Steves says. Of course, exploring these lesser-known European cities doesn't mean the bigger destinations should be skipped altogether. In fact, Steves thinks Istanbul, a well-known destination, is one of the world's greatest cities by far.

But he does suggest perhaps cutting a visit to a popular city down by a day or so to allow time to experience less-traveled areas nearby. Traveling to the smaller and less flashy cities across Europe not only puts travelers in the midst of a "Rust Belt toughness," as the guidebook author calls it, but in smaller tourist crowds, too. Visiting these cities usually means that costs for food and accommodations are lower, and you might also find it a little easier to avoid some of Europe's biggest tourist traps.

Second cities often fly under the radar for a very simple reason: They don't get the headlines or media attention that the big names do. So, figuring out where to start when securing plans for a visit to these cities can be daunting. Fortunately, Rick Steves offers several suggestions on his website. For example, Porto, Portugal's second city, is "smaller and more manageable" than the more-traveled Lisbon, he writes. While it may be small compared to the capital, there are plenty of iconic tourist attractions in Porto to enjoy on your first trip.

Steves also points to Lyon, France, as a second-city alternative to Paris. He calls Lyon a "livable culinary capital" where he has spent many satisfying days as a traveler. Steves' own protégé, Cameron Hewitt, also counts Lyon among the best underrated towns to avoid huge crowds in Europe.

If you're planning to visit England and are a fan of street art, Steves suggests heading west of London. As he explains, the city of Bristol is full of street art and youthful energy. And, the travel expert notes, Banksy was born in Bristol, and his early works are still displayed throughout the city.

What exactly makes a second city a second city varies, according to Rick Steves. That city's leading industry may have had difficulty flourishing, he says. Or it could be something as simple as the city's own legacy of "always playing second fiddle" to its larger neighbors. Whatever the reason, these smaller cities throughout Europe are often underappreciated and offer a more authentic look at the continent.

"Everyone loves an underdog," Steves writes, adding that second cities and their resilient spirit make for the most endearing travel memories. And more travelers seem to be catching on, as second cities appear to be finally coming into their own thanks to overtourism in bigger capitals, suggests Euro News. In fact, according to one 2025 study by Radical Storage, in 28 of 44 countries analyzed, second cities were considered a better tourist value than their nearby, respective capital city. The study placed Novi Sad, Serbia, atop the list of best second cities, citing the city's thriving cultural scene and affordability compared to the capital city of Belgrade.

Besides being more budget-friendly, second cities also have a freedom to be true to themselves, rather than feel pressure to be their country's "role model," as Steves says. So, to truly immerse yourself in a country's authentic culture, you might be better off mingling with the residents in less-touristed spots.