Condé Nast Traveler: “The Most Underrated Cities in Europe” | Thessaloniki in the spotlight

The international travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler published the list “The Most Underrated Cities in Europe” on October 31, 2025, highlighting destinations that maintain an authentic character, outside the boundaries of mass tourism. Among cities like Innsbruck, Gdansk, Tallinn, Guimarães, and Málaga, Thessaloniki stands out as the Greek entry that “deserves more than a stop.”

In a lengthy feature by journalists Paul Jebara and Caitlin Morton, the authors explain that the goal is not to find “hidden gems,” but to highlight cities that work for their residents and not just for visitors. “Cities worth your time,” they say, “are fed by their local economy, have universities that keep the dialogue alive, artists who haven’t been displaced yet, and city councils that fight over bike lanes like it matters.”

For Thessaloniki, Elise Morton writes that “it may lose to Athens in fame, but not in substance.” He emphasizes the city’s gastronomic identity — recognized in 2021 by UNESCO as the first Greek City of Gastronomy — and highlights its creative energy that stems from its youthful population and multicultural history. “It may not have the grandeur of the Acropolis,” he notes, “but it has a wealth of cultures: a Roman forum, the Rotunda, Ottoman hammams, and a strong Jewish heritage, visible in its architecture and neighborhoods.”

Morton also mentions the characteristic “relaxed” atmosphere of the city, which differentiates it from the capital. “Athenians often say ‘relaxed’ when they talk about Thessaloniki – and that’s exactly its charm: a city with rhythm, authenticity, and a smile.” The description emphasizes that the city remains “alive, creative, and welcoming” with a daily routine that continues uninterrupted by the gaze of tourists.

The article is framed by references to other “underestimated” European cities such as:

• Guimarães in Portugal, with its medieval monuments and local wines.
• Aix-en-Provence in France, which combines Cézanne’s art with the life of Provence.
• Ohrid in North Macedonia, with its ancient lake and Byzantine monasteries.
• Tirana in Albania, with the intense rhythm of a young capital.
• Prato, Italy, an industrial and cultural center with a Chinese community.

The Condé Nast Traveler list concludes with a common finding: the cities that “are worth living in” still have space, authenticity, and a rhythm that is not dictated by algorithms or influencers. In this European mosaic, Thessaloniki is presented as a city that “combines history, culture, and real urban life, with a Greek flavor and soul.”