Big cities are excellent at keeping tourists busy.
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But after a few days of dodging crowds and navigating public transport, a little breathing room can be very welcome. Fortunately, some of Europe’s most interesting small towns are surprisingly close to its biggest cities. These destinations make easy day trips or overnight escapes, allowing you to combine a famous city with a slower, more local side of the country.
From Amsterdam to Broek in Waterland
Amsterdam is famous for canals and a suspiciously strong ability to make everyone believe they should immediately buy a bicycle. Just outside the city, Broek in Waterland offers a much quieter version of Dutch life. The village is known for its wooden houses, waterways and small bridges, with the surrounding landscape offering a glimpse of the Netherlands beyond the busy capital.
It is close enough to Amsterdam to make a straightforward trip using public transport, yet feels distinctly rural. The official Amsterdam tourism site highlights Broek in Waterland alongside nearby destinations such as Volendam and Purmerend as easy escapes from the city.
From Prague to Kutná Hora
About an hour from Prague, Kutná Hora is small enough to explore at a relaxed pace but packed with enough history to justify the journey. The town’s historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with highlights including the spectacular Gothic St Barbara’s Church and the former silver-mining heritage that helped make Kutná Hora one of medieval Bohemia’s wealthiest towns.
From London to Rye
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London is one of Europe’s great cities, but sometimes the best thing you can do after several days in the capital is leave it. The historic town of Rye in East Sussex makes a particularly charming escape. Its cobbled streets, timber-framed buildings, independent shops and historic pubs give it a distinctly old-world character. The town is also close to the coast, so it works well for travellers who want a combination of history and fresh sea air. Rye can be reached by train from London, making it possible to visit as a day trip, although staying overnight means you can actually enjoy the place after the day-trippers have disappeared.
From Rome to Frascati
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Rome is packed with enough ancient monuments to keep you occupied for weeks, but the surrounding Lazio countryside offers another side of Italy. Frascati, in the Alban Hills southeast of Rome, is particularly appealing for travellers looking for a smaller-town atmosphere without venturing far from the capital. The town is known for its villas, historic centre and local wine traditions. It is also part of the Castelli Romani area, a collection of towns and countryside south of Rome that makes an easy escape from the capital.
From Barcelona to Sitges
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For sunshine and seaside scenery, Sitges makes an easy escape from Barcelona. Located southwest of the city on the Mediterranean coast, Sitges combines beaches with a historic centre, colourful streets, restaurants and a lively cultural scene. It has long attracted artists and visitors looking for a coastal retreat, and its compact centre makes it easy to explore on foot. The biggest advantage? You can trade Barcelona’s busy streets for the beach without committing to a complicated journey across Spain.
From Paris to Provins
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Paris gets most of the attention, but head roughly 80 kilometres southeast and the medieval town of Provins feels worlds away from the French capital. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Provins is surrounded by medieval fortifications and has a historic centre filled with narrow streets, old houses and imposing gates. Its history is closely linked to the great medieval fairs that brought merchants from across Europe to the town.
From Copenhagen to Dragør
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You don’t have to travel far from Copenhagen to find a different pace of life. Dragør sits on the island of Amager and is easily accessible from the Danish capital by public transport. The historic fishing town is known for its narrow streets, yellow-painted houses and harbour. Many of its buildings date back centuries, giving the town an old-fashioned maritime atmosphere that contrasts nicely with Copenhagen’s sleek urban character. It is the sort of place where the itinerary can simply be: walk, eat something, wander some more and stare at the water. Sometimes that is exactly what a holiday needs.
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