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From the 'Switzerland of America' to an 'uncrowded' Italian beauty and a Greek 'hidden gem': Tourists reveal the best 'non-mainstream' cities in the world
Fancy a memorable city break but don't fancy having your spirit broken by fighting your way through writhing masses of tourists once you're there?
Then scroll down to discover eight non-mainstream crowd-free cities that are highly likely to win your heart.
They were named and described by tourists on a Reddit discussion that was started by user 'seventyeightt' with the question: 'What's the best non-mainstream city you've visited?'
The suggestions came thick and fast, from a 'beautiful' Italian city that's 'uncrowded' all year round to the 'Switzerland of America' and a 'super-underrated' Australian gem.
Scroll down for wanderlust ignition.
Turin/Torino - Italy
There are plenty of cities that remain relatively undiscovered, and tourists have taken to Reddit to identify them. One user described Turin (above) in Italy as 'one of the best cities in the country'
Venice and Florence capture most of the city-break limelight in Italy, but Redditors pointed out that one of the 'best cities in the country' is 'ignored by most tourists'.
The city in question is Turin - the capital of the Piedmont region in northern Italy (also referred to as 'Torino').
User 'Joe-misidd' wrote: 'Torino, Italy, is one of the best cities in the country and it gets ignored by most tourists.
'Great architecture, very walkable, fantastic museums, delicious regional dishes and stunning Alpine backdrop.'
Poster 'JohnAtticus' agreed: 'Torino is really great. [It] feels different to any other Italian city. [It's] also totally uncrowded even during peak season.'
'Sleuthinginslippers' added: 'I was recently in Torino for a few days and could easily see myself living there.' To which user 'Curry_pan' replied: 'Me too! Such a beautiful city and very livable.'
Oulu - Finland
One Reddit user described Oulu (above), in Northern Finland, as an 'ideal city to live in'
Oulu sits on the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia in Northern Finland, 200km (124 miles) south of Rovaniemi and the Arctic Circle.
It's known for the annual Air Guitar Championship, but Redditors pointed out other plus points. Including a beach.
'Dimitriettr' commented: 'I really enjoyed Oulu in Finland. So much space between buildings, green trees everywhere, a nice beach to relax on and watch the sunset, [and] beautiful parks.
'To me, it looked like the ideal city to live in. I was there in July. I think winters can be harsh.'
In response, user 'throwRA_oldbathwater' said: 'Oulu is definitely a place on my bucket list. I'm glad to hear so much positivity about it.'
Ouray - Colorado, U.S
Shown in the image above, Ouray is a picturesque mountain town often referred to as the 'Switzerland of America'
Situated in the heart of the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado, Ouray is often referred to as the 'Switzerland of America' - and Reddit users agree that it's a looker.
User 'MoodOk9968' said: 'Ouray is stunningly beautiful!', while 'Revolutionary_Big701' said: 'I love Ouray!'
Meanwhile, 'WasteofTime51' recalled the day trips they took from Ouray, which included Mesa Verde, a national park and Unesco-listed site a two-hour drive from the city, and the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, a vast landscape featuring the tallest dunes in North America.
User 'JazTaz04' concluded: 'Hooray for Ouray.'
Nuremberg - Germany
Nuremberg (above) was described as 'beautiful, magical and fun'
Germany's big hitters for city breaks are Berlin and Munich.
But contributors to the Reddit discussion flagged Nuremberg as a worthwhile alternative.
One Reddit user described the city as 'amazing' while another said they 'absolutely loved the place'. User '_MJ_1986' claimed that Nuremberg was 'so beautiful, magical and fun' during wintertime that it 'ruined Christmas for the rest of my life'.
User 'CptPaprikasPancreas' added: 'I love Nuremberg too! Exploring the Imperial Castle was really great.'
Townsville - Australia
Townsville in northeastern Queensland - 'a super-underrated place'
![Townsville is 20 minutes away from Magnetic Island (above) where one tourist said he 'saw nine koalas during a 12km [7.3 mile] hike'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/16/11/88597211-13723249-Townsville_is_20_minutes_away_from_Magnetic_Island_where_one_tou-m-8_1723805046537.jpg)
Townsville is 20 minutes away from Magnetic Island (above) where one tourist said he 'saw nine koalas during a 12km [7.3 mile] hike'
When you think of coastal holiday spots in Queensland, places like Cairns, the Gold Coast or Noosa might be the first to come to mind.
What do Reddit users say?
Head to 'super-underrated' Townsville in northeastern Queensland instead.
Reddit user '_MJ_1986' remarked that it has 'great bars and restaurants', adding: 'It was a good base to get around the place. I found the locals friendly, [it] wasn't overrun with tourists like Cairns. My wife and I both thought it was a super-underrated place and we'll be back.'
User 'Imapassenger1' replied: 'I'm from Sydney and go to Townsville very often for work. I still enjoy it. There's a lot in what you say, plus there are more hidden gems around. Plus there's Magnetic Island just 20 minutes away.'
To which '_MJ_1986' responded: 'Maggy Island was so fun! I saw nine koalas during a 12km [7.3 mile] hike. Loved every minute of it.'
Khiva - Uzbekistan
One user described the ancient city of Khiva as 'an absolute gem'. Pictured here is heritage site Itchan Kala - a walled inner town filled with ancient monuments within the Uzbek city
'It's like entering another time,' said one tourist of Khiva, seen here during the day when the markets are open
The city of Khiva - locally pronounced 'Heevah' - is more than 2,500 years old. Located in the Kohram Region of Uzbekistan, it boasts the Unesco-listed World Heritage site Itchan Kala - a walled inner town filled with ancient monuments.
User 'Dangerous_Fingers7757' described the city as 'an absolute gem' and said 'it felt like dreaming', while 'Itsclearlynotme', said it felt 'like entering a movie set'.
The user added: 'The old city inside the walls is so well preserved that it's like entering another time. Early morning and after dark, when the tourist market has closed, and the buses have left, makes for a magical experience. I've been to a lot of places in the world but will never forget the magic of that place.'
Salta - Argentina
According to one Reddit user, Salta (above) is 'definitely not on the mainstream path' but is safe with delicious food on offer
Salta sits an hour and a half north of the Quebrada de las Conchas, an otherworldly natural rock formation (above)
Salta, a city in Andean northwest Argentina, lies an hour and a half north of the Quebrada de las Conchas (Shell's Gorge), an otherworldly natural rock formation in the Calchaqui Valley.
It's 'definitely not on the mainstream path', according to user 'Rundle9731' - but worth the journey.
They added: 'The city itself isn't the most exciting but it's safe, the food is incredible, and it's the gateway to some of the most beautiful natural areas I've seen in my life.'
User 'digandrun' added: 'Salta is great. Insane empanadas, good nature, cool city.'
Kastoria - Greece
Kastoria, in northern Greece, is the 'definition of a hidden gem'
Kastoria, a city in northern Greece in the region of Western Macedonia, sits on the shore of Lake Orestiada and is surrounded by limestone mountains.
Over to user 'Occupykony2' for why it should be on your Greek bucket list.
They said: 'This is the definition of a hidden gem. It's deep in northern Greece and on a peninsula jutting into the middle of a lake, so it's just this incredibly serene and picturesque setting. There's history on every street corner, too.'