Best Lesser-Known Weekend Cities in Europe

Olomouc, Czechia

Olomouc is a Moravian university town two hours east of Prague by train. The Holy Trinity column on the main square is UNESCO listed. The astronomical clock has been redone in socialist-realist style and is fascinating for it. The cafe culture is real and the beer cellars are full of locals.

It's small enough for a Friday-to-Sunday weekend with time to spare.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana is one of the most pedestrian-friendly capitals in Europe. Plečnik's architectural fingerprints are everywhere: the Triple Bridge, the central market colonnade, the National Library. A castle on the hill, a river full of small cafes, and a calm pace that suits a weekend perfectly.

Aarhus, Denmark

Aarhus is Denmark's second city, sometimes nicknamed the smiling city. The ARoS art museum with its rainbow rooftop walkway is the headline. Den Gamle By, the open-air museum, is genuinely good and not kitsch. The Latin Quarter is the right size for an evening walk and a long dinner.

Wrocław, Poland

Wrocław, in southwestern Poland, has 12 islands in its centre and one of the largest market squares in Europe. The trail of small bronze gnomes around the city (over 700 now) is a quirk that ages well. Add the Centennial Hall, a UNESCO-listed reinforced concrete pioneer from 1913.

Lille, France

Lille is on the Eurostar line from London (90 minutes) and from Paris (one hour). The Flemish old town is colourful and dense. The Sunday market at Wazemmes is one of the great urban markets in France. The Palais des Beaux-Arts is the second-largest museum in France after the Louvre.