travel
Cool bars and friendly vibes: readers’ favourite city neighbourhoods in Europe
These are the less explored corners of Stockholm, Amsterdam, Berlin and Porto that you’ve ‘stumbled into and ended up staying’
TL;DR
- Berlin's Neukölln district offers a multicultural market, flea market, canal-side relaxation, independent cinema, and local bars.
- Glasgow's Gorbals neighbourhood features historical sites, public sculptures, murals, river wildlife, and the Citizens Theatre.
- Foz do Douro near Porto provides a seaside escape with beaches, a fort, a lighthouse, and a relaxed atmosphere.
- Rome's Coppedè district presents a fusion of architectural styles, quiet streets, and whimsical houses.
- Ljubljana's Metelkova offers a vibrant counterculture scene with street art, studios, galleries, and quirky bars.
- Zagreb's Tuškanac neighbourhood is a calm area with grand villas, crumbling houses, and a Sunday antique market.
- Haarlem, a short train ride from Amsterdam, boasts cobblestone streets, canals, and a historical windmill tour.
- Brussels' Ixelles neighbourhood is known for its backstreets, friendly bars, multicultural restaurants, and green spaces.
- Cologne's Belgisches Viertel offers leafy streets, parks, art nouveau architecture, independent boutiques, and vibrant bars.
- Stockholm's Birkastan provides a peaceful atmosphere with cobbled streets, wooden houses, vintage shops, and cosy cafes.