Make the Most of Your Travel this Summer
Let’s face it — peak-season travel to mega tourist hubs can feel more like surviving a queue than discovering a place. So this summer, we’re all about the underrated cities — the places that don’t top every influencer’s list but should. From fjordside art havens to desert cities with soul, here are 12 of the best cities to visit this summer, chosen by our team of travelers who’ve crisscrossed the globe in search of that good, slow, unforgettable travel.
We’ve included a few U.S. cities, several gems across Europe, and a few scattered across the rest of the world. And yes, we’ve made sure each one comes with epic eats, sustainability wins, and standout summer activities.
United States
1. Bellingham, Washington
Why Go: A Pacific Northwest dream with fewer crowds than Seattle or Portland, Bellingham brings mountain-meets-sea vibes, bike-friendly streets, and a tight-knit food scene.
What to Do in Summer:
Paddleboard on Lake Whatcom.
Bike the Interurban Trail to the sea cliffs at Larrabee State Park.
Spend a Saturday at the Bellingham Farmers Market (one of the best in the PNW).
What to Eat:
Sustainably sourced oysters from Taylor Shellfish Farms.
Hazy IPAs at Wander Brewing, often paired with rotating local food trucks.
Sustainability Tip: Most farms and food purveyors around Bellingham are part of the Eat Local First initiative — support them and reduce your carbon footprint.
United States
2. Providence, Rhode Island
Why Go: Small city, big art energy. With RISD and Brown in town, Providence punches way above its weight in creative output.
What to Do in Summer:
Catch WaterFire, the fire sculpture installation along the river (only in summer!)
Kayak the Providence River with Providence Kayak Company.
Explore the street murals on the South Side.
What to Eat:
Coffee milk (the official drink of Rhode Island!)
Portuguese chouriço and clams at O Dinis.
Donuts from PVDonuts — wild, flaky, and huge.
Sustainability Tip: Providence has a strong bike-sharing system (check out SPIN) and a walkable downtown — skip the rental car.
United States
3. Tucson, Arizona
Why Go: Travel this summer to one of only two UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy in the U.S., Tucson is a desert gem with deep Indigenous food roots, wild landscapes, and a surprisingly cool summer vibe — especially at night.
What to Do in Summer:
Night hikes in Saguaro National Park.
Stargazing from Mount Lemmon.
Stay cool underground at Colossal Cave Mountain Park.
What to Eat:
Tepary beans, mesquite tortillas, and chile colorado at Tumerico (all vegetarian, all local.)
Ancient Sonoran wheat bread at Barrio Bread.
Raspados (Mexican shaved ice) from Sonoran Delights.
Sustainability Tip: Tucson’s food scene supports indigenous growers and heirloom farming — eat local, respect water use, and support regenerative tourism initiatives like Visit Tucson’s Responsible Travel Guide.
Europe
4. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Why Go: One of Europe’s greenest capitals, Slovenia’s little fairytale city blends Austro-Hungarian charm, riverside cafés, and big eco energy.
What to Do in Summer:
Float down the Ljubljanica River on a wooden boat.
Catch open-air films in Congress Square.
Take a day trip to Lake Bohinj or go wine tasting in Vipava Valley.
What to Eat:
Wild boar sausage or mushroom žlikrofi (dumplings).
Gibanica cake at Slovenska Hiša.
For More: Read Cerca‘s article on what to eat in Slovenia.
Sustainability Tip: Ljubljana has a fully pedestrian city center and is car-free in its core. Rent a bike or walk to explore responsibly.
Europe
5. Ghent, Belgium
Why Go: Skip Bruges. Ghent is just as medieval, way cooler, and has a lively university town energy.
What to Do in Summer:
Boat the canals during Gentse Feesten, the summer festival with music, theater, and food.
Visit the MSK Museum or STAM for a break from the sun.
Wander the Patershol district for indie boutiques and artisan chocolatiers.
What to Eat:
Cuberdons (cone-shaped candy unique to Ghent).
Traditional waterzooi stew. The name comes from the Dutch word zooien, meaning “to boil.” It’s a creamy, comforting dish that can be made with either fish (the classic version) or chicken, depending on what’s available or preferred.
Vegan Belgian waffles at Le Botaniste. Travel this summer for waffles, we have no problem with this.
Sustainability Tip: Ghent leads Europe in meat-free initiatives — try Thursday Veggie Day, a citywide effort to reduce meat consumption.
For More: Listen, and laugh, with Cerca‘s MisInfoNation episode on Belgium.
Europe
6. Oviedo, Spain
Why Go: Up in the green north of Spain, Oviedo is an under-visited gem near the mountains and the sea — think cider, prehistoric art, and no Barcelona crowds.
What to Do in Summer:
Cider tasting at local sidrerías — pour it the Asturian way!
Day trips to Playa del Silencio or Picos de Europa.
Explore the UNESCO-listed Santa María del Naranco.
What to Eat:
Fabada Asturiana (bean stew) – The star of the dish is a special type of large, creamy white bean called fabes de la Granja, grown locally. They’re super tender and soak up flavor like a dream.
Cabrales cheese – a bold, blue-veined cheese from Asturias in northern Spain — basically, Spain’s answer to Roquefort, but with even more attitude. It’s made in the Picos de Europa mountains, where the air is cool, damp, and perfect for aging funky cheeses in natural limestone caves.
Fresh churros dipped in thick chocolate.
Sustainability Tip: Asturias’ cuisine is hyperlocal and seasonal. Many sidrerías only use apples from the immediate region.
Europe
7. Freiburg, Germany
Why Go: At the edge of the Black Forest, Freiburg is Germany’s eco-capital — solar roofs, green trams, and sweet views everywhere.
What to Do in Summer:
Hike up (or cable car) to Schauinsland Mountain.
Splash around in the Dreisam River like locals do.
Day trip to the Black Forest for cherry cake and hiking.
What to Eat:
Flammkuchen (like a German pizza) – a thin, crispy flatbread from the Alsace region — straddling the French-German border — and it’s a go-to comfort food in places like Freiburg, Baden-Baden, and Strasbourg.
Black Forest ham – Unlike Italian prosciutto (which is air-dried), Black Forest ham is cold-smoked at low temps for several weeks using local conifer wood — giving it a dark exterior and intense, smoky flavor. This step is what gives the ham its signature aroma.
Sustainability Tip: Freiburg is a model of sustainable urban design — stay in the Vauban district for eco-hotels and solar-powered lodgings.
For More: Listen to Cerca‘s MisInfoNation episode about the culture and surprisingly funny side of Germany.
Europe
8. Matera, Italy
Why Go: Carved into caves and cliffs, this southern Italian town feels like stepping into another era — but with modern art galleries and wine bars tucked into ancient stone. Travel this summer for gorgeous sunsets framed between terracotta and cobblestones.
What to Do in Summer:
Watch sunset from the Sassi di Matera.
Attend outdoor cinema nights in the cave courtyards – check out Casa Cava for exhibitions and events.
Explore Crypt of the Original Sin – one of the most extraordinary cave fresco sites in all of Italy, and it sits just outside Matera, in the southern region of Basilicata. Nicknamed the “Sistine Chapel of rock art,” this 9th-century cave church is carved into the soft limestone cliffs of the Gravina canyon and is covered in Byzantine-style frescoes that depict scenes from Genesis — most famously, the Original Sin (hence the name).
What to Eat:
Orecchiette with wild greens – Orecchiette — which means “little ears” in Italian — is a traditional pasta from southern Italy, especially beloved in Puglia and Basilicata, including Matera. In Matera, it’s a staple of the local table, made with ancient grains and paired with simple but bold sauces that reflect the rugged, agricultural soul of the region.
Local sheep’s cheese and Matera bread – a UNESCO-recognized cultural treasure, deeply tied to the identity of this ancient cave city in Basilicata. With its rugged crust and golden crumb, it’s the kind of bread that tastes like it’s been passed down through centuries (because it has).
Basilicata wines, especially Aglianico
Sustainability Tip: Stay in one of the cave hotels that use passive cooling — low-impact, high-style.
Europe
9. Tartu, Estonia
Why Go: Estonia’s second city is artsy, intellectual, and refreshingly off the tourist radar — especially gorgeous in the long summer evenings.
What to Do in Summer:
Chill by the Emajõgi River – enjoy the promenade and evening outdoor summer concerts. Travel this summer for art and music, along a soft stretch of river, with delicious street food.
Visit Tartu Art Museum and the street art scene around Aparaaditehas (a creative factory complex).
Take a dip in Lake Peipus.
What to Eat:
Smoked fish and black bread – Fish – baltic herring, pike, perch and more – are usually hot-smoked over alder or juniper wood in small smokehouses — often literally someone’s backyard or farm shed.
Rhubarb-based desserts like Rabarbrikook (Estonian Rhubarb Cake). This is the queen of all Estonian rhubarb treats. It’s usually made with a buttery shortcrust or sponge base, topped with tangy rhubarb chunks and often finished with a crumb topping (purukate).
For More: Read Cerca’s article about experiences in Estonia’s capital.
Europe
10. Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Why Go: One of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, Plovdiv is all cobblestone charm and Roman ruins, with a bohemian twist.
What to Do in Summer:
Catch a concert in the ancient Roman theater.
Explore the Kapana district, packed with indie galleries and bars.
Visit the Bachkovo Monastery in the nearby Rhodope Mountains.
What to Eat:
Shopska salad (Bulgaria’s national dish) – It’s basically a Balkan cousin to Greek salad, but with its own twist and deeply local ingredients: Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Onions, Roasted or raw peppers – usually mild green ones, sometimes grilled for smokiness, Parsley, and Sirene cheese – a brined white cheese.
Grilled meats with spicy lyutenitsa sauce – a thick, sweet-spicy red pepper and tomato spread that shows up on everything from grilled meats to toast to cheese platters.
Ice cream from Afreddo Gelateria — handmade, local flavors.
For More: Check out Cerca‘s article on the beauty of Sofia.
CHILE
11. Valparaíso
Why Go: A port city with psychedelic street art, staircases that go nowhere, and an unmistakable literary vibe (thanks to Pablo Neruda).
What to Do in Summer (Southern Hemisphere Winter):
Ride the funiculars up to the hill neighborhoods.
Visit La Sebastiana, Neruda’s hilltop home.
What to Eat:
Chorrillana – at its core, chorrillana is a pile of French fries topped with, Sautéed beef or pork strips, Sliced onions, Fried eggs, And often a wild mix of extras — like chorizo, sausages, or even cheese
It’s messy. It’s massive. And it’s meant to be eaten with a group, usually straight off the platter with forks flying.
Local seafood — try the ceviche at Cocina Puerto.
Pisco sours with a view of the bay.
Sustainability Tip: Take walking tours led by local collectives who use tourism to fund community art initiatives.
Malaysia
12. George Town, Penang
Why Go: One of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant small cities — a blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and colonial influence wrapped in heat, spice, and color.
What to Do in Summer:
Explore the street food stalls along Lebuh Chulia. Lebuh Chulia was laid out in the late 1700s, soon after the British established George Town as a port city. The name “Chulia” refers to South Indian Tamil Muslims, known as Chulias, who settled here and became influential traders. Over the centuries, the street grew into a melting pot of Malays, Indians, Chinese, Eurasians, and Middle Eastern communities.
Visit the Blue Mansion and Khoo Kongsi clanhouse.
What to Eat:
Char kway teow (fried noodles) – one of Malaysia’s most iconic street foods — and in George Town, Penang, it’s practically a religion. The name literally means “stir-fried rice cake strips” in Hokkien, and it’s a smoky, spicy, ridiculously craveable noodle dish that hits all the right textures and flavors.
Nasi kandar with spicy curries – a rice-based meal loaded with curries, gravies, and flavor explosions, served canteen-style so you get to build your own flavor bomb.
Cendol – a bowl of icy, coconutty, pandan-scented bliss that you slurp rather than eat. Especially iconic in Penang, Malacca, and Kuala Lumpur, it’s sweet, creamy, and refreshing with just the right balance of flavors and textures.
Sustainability Tip: Stick with street stalls that use reusable dishware and skip the plastic. Penang also has green-certified guesthouses — check listings before you book.
Small Cities, Big Energy
Summer doesn’t have to mean queues, cruise ships, and overpriced Aperol. These 12 cities offer slow mornings, spontaneous discoveries, and an actual chance to connect with a place. Whether you’re craving glacial hikes, firelit rivers, or a dumpling-fueled stroll through alley murals — go where the tour buses don’t.
Travel light. Travel kind. And don’t forget to eat the weird thing on the menu. 🙂
Written by the team at Cerca Travel — a crew of travelers who believe that the best journeys are the ones that surprise you, challenge you, and make you fall in love with the world a little more gently.
