The world’s alternative capitals

Here, we’ll be revealing:

• The world's alternative capital cities
• World map
• Methodology

According to the data found in our research, Malaga in Spain is the most popular alternative capital for a city break, with 312,000 global searches made for ‘Malaga holiday’ annually. Known for its idyllic beaches, lively culture and mouth-watering meals, Malaga is proving to be popular with visitors looking for less obvious cities to visit this year.

The floating city of Venice ranked in second place for underrated destinations. Considered one of Italy’s most picturesque cities, beating the likes of Naples, Florence and Pisa, its network of winding canals, striking Renaissance and Gothic architecture and ornate bridges are just some of things that make the city truly unlike any other destination. With a reputation for romance, rivalling that of the capital city of Rome – or even Paris, the French city of love – Venice is a once in a lifetime travel spot that is clearly winning the hearts of those looking for a holiday with a difference.

The US city of San Francisco took third place in the rankings, coming in above New York City and Los Angeles and receiving 237,000 monthly searches globally. The city is home to the Golden Gate Bridge, a famous site which many travellers have on their bucket list, and visitors can enjoy a cable car ride followed by exploring the city’s hilly streets.

The coastal city of Brighton ranked as the alternative UK capital, beating out the likes of ‘northern powerhouse’ Manchester, and midlands city. Known for its quirky atmosphere, vibrant nightlife, and thriving music and arts scene, Brighton offers the perfect blend of a coastal holiday combined with the attractions and activities you often see in a larger city. This makes it a great destination for family trips and stag and hen dos alike!

To break down our results even further, we’ve created a handy map so that you can see which city ranked as the alternative capital in each country.
 

12 cities in Europe ranked within the top 25, including Porto in eighth place and Antwerp in ninth.

France’s most searched for alternative capital, Lyon, ranked in 12^th place, which is hardly surprising considering the city has a rich history, beautiful architecture and UNESCO World Heritage status. Lyon is in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, so visitors are treated to sights such as the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and Place des Terreaux – perfect for history buffs – as well as peaceful walks along the Rhône and Saône rivers.

Other European destinations included Thessaloniki in Greece, Split in Croatia, and Wroclaw in Poland.

In Asia, Osaka in Japan was revealed as the most underrated travel destination. Often referred to as Japan’s street food capital, its dining and nightlife scene is incredible. 19,000 annual searches for ‘Osaka holiday’ secure the destination as one of Asia’s best city breaks!

While the United Arab Emirates is known for glamourous locations like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, cities like Fujairah are attracting holidaymakers looking for a slower-paced alternative, with beach activities like sunbathing, scuba diving, and snorkelling becoming increasingly popular there. The city ranks as the 21^st alternative capital to visit for a city break overall.

For Oceania, Perth earned its title as the alternative Australian capital, scoring an impressive sixth on the global list. With direct flights now available from London Heathrow, the beauty of Australia is even more accessible, and with the city seeing more hours of sunshine than many others in Australia, it’s understandable why travellers are choosing to fly there!

In New Zealand, Auckland also cemented its position as the underrated capital, which saw over 1.8 million international visitors in 2019¹, and interest is clearly growing.

Looking for even more innspiration for city breaks? Check out our short breaks pages for weekend getaway ideas and make the most of your favourite cities.