Brits with a penchant for annual getaways to familiar spots might be tempted to venture off the beaten path as travel trends shift. This wanderlust has led to an unexpected tourism surge in some cities, and experts predict even more destinations will join the list in the coming years.
A travel guru has now revealed a selection of cities poised to rise in popularity soon, suggesting that intrepid travellers visit them before they’re swamped by tourists. Instagram’s travel influencer Simon Blok, known as @travelmorewithsimon, has curated a list of 19 must-see cities on the cusp of fame.
Alongside his recommendations, he mused: “How many have you visited? Travelling is all about the thrill of exploring new places, meeting people, and experiencing the world from fresh perspectives.
“Make the world your playground, not your debt. A full life comes from a well-travelled heart, not a deep pocket.”
Topping Simon’s list is Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, where savvy holidaymakers have snagged hotel rooms for as little as £10, making it an ideal spot for budget-conscious explorers eager to discover new horizons, reports the Express.
Riga in Latvia and Porto were next on Simon’s list, with several of his followers arguing that the Portuguese city is already a major tourist hotspot. One follower noted: “Porto already receives 2.5 million tourists annually – that’s extremely popular.”
Another chimed in: “I was in Porto six years ago and it was crowded then. I can just imagine what it’s like now.”
Other cities that commenters claimed are already quite touristy included Bologna, Gdańsk, Valletta and Madeira.
Some followers shared their own travel experiences, with one saying: “Was in Gdansk, Plovdiv and Sarajevo this year. Wonderful cities and alternatives for those who have already visited the major European capitals.”
Another added: “Been to Kaunas, 20 years ago and I really liked it very much. From there I travelled to Nida with the beautiful dunes and Klaipeda by the sea. Very nice country.”
19 cities to visit before they become too popular
- Tbilisi, Georgia
- Riga, Latvia
- Porto, Portugal
- Bucharest, Romania
- Plovdiv, Belgium
- Valletta, Malta
- Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Catania, Italy
- Tirana, Albania
- Kotor, Montenegro
- Lagos, Portugal
- Ohrid, North Macedonia
- Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Gdansk, Poland
- Bratislava, Slovakia
- Bologna, Italy
- Kaunas, Lithuania
- Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
- Zadar, Croatia