European cities that have been in the shade too long

Simon Calder takes the path less travelled to highlight five favourite destinations for breaks far from the madding crowd

- Simon Calder

Who wants to be an "overtourist"? Not you. Fortunately, for every just-too-popular Amsterdam, Barcelona and Venice there are a hundred other attractive European cities that are desperate to share their charms - not least because they understand that inbound tourism is the closest that any location can get to free money.

Choosing a less-celebrated destination is a shrewd move: you can expect lower prices, thinner crowds and a warmer welcome. On the journeys I have made in the past two years, these are the star “off-the-radar” cities.

Aarhus, Denmark

While the UK decided it wanted nothing to do with European Capitals of Culture, in my experience, the EU honour of a year in the spotlight brings permanent improvements to a city.

Aarhus is the second city of Denmark, and has the requisite cobbled lanes with pretty cottages, where spring flowers will soon be blooming. Yet it also has an outstanding art museum in the remarkable cubes-and-circles shape of ARoS. The collection includes some works from the 18th century but also goes for big, challenging installations of the kind that make lasting memories.

This being Denmark, gastronomy is superb, with outdoor seating beside the Aarhus River that winds through the city. Even the airport is a treat. If Ikea did aviation, this is how the experience might feel.

Béziers, France