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Gadling picks the world's best "second cities"
We like winners. Whether it's the winning army of a war or the world's fastest 100 meter runner, we lavish attention and praise on the victors and relegate the losers to the dustbin of history. The same is true of travel - the most important travel cities like New York, London, Sydney and Tokyo are favored by visitors while lesser-known destinations are skipped, scratched from the itinerary or just plain ignored.
The destinations we visit win our attention for good reason. They're typically the biggest cities - meaning they have the best restaurants, biggest museums and largest inventory of hotels. Yet when we travel to only the "most popular" or "biggest," we ignore a fundamental truth of travel. What we know about a place has as much to do with what we're told as it does with what we actually find once there.
With that in mind, Gadling is bringing you a compilation of our favorite "second cities" - large urban areas that are among the biggest in their country but frequently overshadowed by more famous capitals. The following picks boast many of the same amenities that make their bigger rivals so famous - top notch cultural institutions, unique local charm, great cuisine and nightlife. How many have you visited? Take a look below:
- Second City #1 - Osaka, Japan - travelers love to talk about Tokyo, but focusing exclusively on Tokyo does serious injustice to the city of Osaka. What Osaka lacks in population, it more than makes up for in its citizens' lust for life and sheer zaniness. Along the streets of Osaka's Dotonbori district you'll find a raucous party of eating and drinking that is virtually unmatched anywhere on earth. In addition to the city's famous Takoyaki octopus balls and grilled snow crab, Osaka also boasts cultural attractions like Osaka Castle and the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum.
- Second City #2 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Stockholm is unquestionably Sweden's capital and its largest city. But not nearly as many have been to Gothenburg, the country's second largest metropolis and home to Sweden's largest university. The large population of students means Gothenburg has a surprisingly fertile arts and culture scene, frequently rivaling its larger sibling Stockholm for an unassuming, fun experience - all at a fraction of the price.
- Second City #3 - Krakow, Poland - Krakow has slowly become of one Poland's greatest tourist attractions in recent years, steadily easing out of the shadow of much larger Warsaw. Unlike Warsaw, which was leveled by bombing during World War II, Krakow retains much of its historical architecture - a unique feature that will have first time visitors in awe.
- Second City #4 - Melbourne, Australia - neighboring Sydney might boast the Opera House and stunning harbor views, but Australian visitors ignore Melbourne at their peril. The city is packed to the brim with top-notch shopping, hidden laneways and world class events like the Australian Open tennis tournament.
- Second City #5 - Wellington, New Zealand - Auckland might appear to dominate New Zealand's economic and cultural agenda, but in truth it's modest-sized Wellington that's really calling the shots. In addition to being New Zealand's capital city, Wellington has a world-class museum at Te Papa, killer food and what might be the best cocktails this side of the Pacific.
- Second City #6 - Montreal, Canada - any visitor that's been to the capital of Canada's Quebec province can tell you: Montreal will give Toronto a run for its money any day of the week. In addition to hosting two fantastic music festivals each summer and bohemian nightlife, Montreal is also full of plenty of French colonial architecture and charm.
Second City #7 - Chicago, USA - a list of "second cities" would not be complete without Chicago, arguably the birthplace of the term and perennial competitor to bigger American cities like New York and Los Angeles. Make no mistake about it though: Chicago might be called the second city, but it has first-city amenities, including amazing museums, some of the best food in the U.S. and plenty of friendly residents.- Second City #8 - Salvador, Brazil - picturesque Rio de Janeiro and glitzy Sao Paulo may get all the attention in Brazil, but it's Salvador that's really stealing the show. The city's laid-back citizens, fantastic beaches and historic colonial architecture make it strong competitor for best place to visit in Brazil. Plus, if you want to go to Carnival, Salvador hosts some of the country's most authentic celebrations.
- Second City #9 - Galway, Ireland - true, rowdy Dublin has the Guinness Factory and Book of Kells. But don't forget about Galway, a gem of a town along Ireland's wild and windy West Coast. Galway's position as home to many of the country's university students, rugged natural beauty and frequent festivals make it strong contender for Ireland's best-kept secret.
Second City #10 - Barcelona, Spain - if you're among the many travelers already raving about Barcelona's many charms, this pick comes as no surprise. Madrid might be the cultural and political head of Spain, but it is freewheeling Barcelona that is its heart. Between the picturesque city setting nestled between craggy foothills and the Mediterranean Sea, top-notch nightlife and shopping, warm climate or the burgeoning arts scene, there's a lot to love in Barcelona.
Filed under: Japan, Ireland, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jphripjah Jun 8th 2009 10:47AM
Nice list. I would have included St. Petersburg and possibly Chiang Mai.
Jeremy Kressmann Jun 8th 2009 10:50AM
Thanks! I considered including St. Petersburg, but decided many travelers end up going there as their first Russian destination anyway. I know a lot of cruise ships make a stop there to check out the Hermitage, etc.
In this case I think Moscow is actually "more" of a second city for many travelers even though it's bigger.
Patricia Jun 8th 2009 11:13AM
Quebec City is actually the capital of Quebec.
That being said, a comedian once quiped at the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal: "Imagine if you have two brothers - one's a drunken womanizer, and the other's an accountant - that's the difference between Montreal and Toronto.
Mike Barish Jun 8th 2009 11:38AM
Worth noting that #1 and #7 are sister cities.
Craig Jun 8th 2009 11:50AM
Munich, Germany is (in my opinion) offers much more than the oft-lauded Berlin, though these days I'm not sure which gets more visitors.
Salzburg is Austria's second city behind Vienna, but it makes up for its size with pure picturesque-ness and location nestled up against the Alps.
How about Second Island? In Greece, Mykonos and Santorini get all the attention but just about any medium- or large-sized island in the Cyclades brings the same charm without the crowds.
Jeremy Kressmann Jun 8th 2009 11:56AM
Good choices Craig...if I get enough suggestions I'll probably do a "second cities" part two post in the near future.
I've heard plenty of good stuff about Munich - you could argue there's several German second cities aside from Berlin. I would add Dusseldorf and Koln as other favorites.
Powered by Tofu Jun 8th 2009 12:02PM
I usually like smaller places better anyway...
Shanghai to China's Beijing
Christchurch to New Zealand's Auckland
Essaoiura to Morocco's Marrekech
Marseilles to France's Paris
Jeremy Kressmann Jun 8th 2009 12:05PM
Those are some great ones. I just visited Christchurch and really enjoyed it - it was in the running here, but I decided I liked Wellington better for NZ.
Shanghai is another good pick, though at this point I almost feel like it's pulling more visitors than Beijing.
I was in Essaouira 3 years ago - it's a great little town. I considered including Marrakech/Fez/Essaouira on this list but couldn't decide which was really the "second city" of the bunch.
Robert Reid Jun 8th 2009 1:51PM
Does Saigon count?
Jeremy Kressmann Jun 8th 2009 1:52PM
Saigon definitely counts, although I might pick Hanoi as more of an appropriate "second city" for Vietnam.
matt s Jun 8th 2009 1:51PM
WTF Kressmann? How could you not make Chicago #2 on your list?
Jeremy Kressmann Jun 8th 2009 1:55PM
Haha, yeah I suppose it should have been #2 to be appropriate, right?
I think it would have been more obnoxious to leave it off entirely.
Andrew Jun 8th 2009 2:04PM
Montreal is not the capital of Quebec as stated in this article. Quebec City is the capital of Quebec. Get you facts straight!
Kent Jun 8th 2009 2:28PM
As for Canadian second cities, I would include Vancouver and Calgary. Vancouver has the ocean, close-by Whistler, lots of shopping, lots of great food, and plenty to do. Calgary is about an hour from the Rockies and also has an abundence of activities.
Tom Jun 8th 2009 4:00PM
When did Montreal become the capital of Quebec? Jeesh!
Jeff Jun 8th 2009 4:28PM
Just a little research would have informed you that Chicago is known as the Second City because after most of it burned a new city was built on the first city's ashes. The name has no significance with being second to any other more popular U.S. city like New York or L.A.
So it is actually the birthplace of the term. You just didn't know the real history of the term. It's a mistaken assumption most people who hear the term make, but I'm surprised someone writing an article on it has made such a mistake.
Jeremy Kressmann Jun 8th 2009 4:39PM
Hey Jeff, thanks for the comment, I definitely appreciate the feedback. I do have to disagree with your explanation regarding the origin of the phrase "second city." As I understand it, the phrase was coined in an article written by New York writer A.J. Liebling:
http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/410156.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Second_City#History
That's not to say your explanation doesn't also make sense; it also seems like a believable explanation. Isn't it interesting to see how these phrases develop? It's kind of the same thing that's happened when people describe Chicago as the "Windy City."
julian Jun 9th 2009 5:45PM
I lived in Osaka and frequented Stockholm, Melbourne, Krakow and Montreal. I love them all, including Barcelona, but they have nothing over Chicago. Chicago is easily #1 or #2. Try it, again! Thanks! :))
Shakia Jun 8th 2009 6:02PM
Dont come to chicago it is the murder capitol of the us few weekends ago in a 24 hour period 8 people were murdered
Green Jun 8th 2009 7:11PM
Philadelphia is definately a second city with flair, pizzazz and urban intensity. With world class restuarants, diversity abounds the city streets, a huge mass transit system (one which only Boston can top as far as having all modes of transportation--trolleys, subways and els, buses and commuter lines and an airport line as well), shops and boutiques, and a tri-state area that includes the (whole state of Delaware, South Jersey and Cecil County MD and of course mutliple counties of Pennsylvania), history and architecture,the cuisine is unbelievably fascinating--ranging from soft pretzels and cheesesteacks to several restaurants that have been voted #1 in the world (Le Bec Fin to name just one, international art collections and museums, institutes of science and nature, also Philly is second only to Boston as a college town with hundreds of colleges in the Philadelphia Region including one of the oldest Ivy League colleges and of course the Philly sound (Philly has many singers, muscians and a long history of producing rich, textured music that is enjoyed by many and all---WOW, what more can you ask for in a city. True, NYC is the ultimate city in America (I live in Manhattan), but Chicago, Philly,LA, Boston and DC are also up there in the second or first city stratosphere!