5 underrated city escapes for spring 2026
Skip the obvious. Five cities for travelers who've already done Paris, Rome, and Barcelona — and want something quieter, weirder, and cheaper.
Paris, Rome, Barcelona — they're crowded, they're expensive, and you've probably been. Here are five European cities punching above their weight this spring.
1. Porto, Portugal
Lisbon's quieter, hillier sister. Tile-covered facades, port-wine cellars on the Douro, and seafood that's a third the price of Madrid. Direct flights from most US east-coast hubs.
2. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Walkable, dragon-themed, and minutes from the Julian Alps. Spring weather is perfect for the riverside cafés. Day-trip to Lake Bled and you've got the most-photographed lake in the Balkans.
3. Tbilisi, Georgia
Wine country older than most countries. Sulfur baths, balcony architecture, and food that's a love letter to garlic and walnut. Visa-free for most travelers.
4. Valencia, Spain
Barcelona without the bachelor parties. Birthplace of paella, home to the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, and a beach the locals still go to.
5. Vilnius, Lithuania
Baroque old town, breakneck-cheap craft beer, and a self-declared "Republic of Užupis" art district. Three days is enough. April is sunny.
Plan your trip
Search hotels and flights to any of these on the PillowFare home page.