June 3, 2025, by Maartje

Holiday Dupes: Skip the Crowds with These Affordable Alternatives

June 3, 2025, by Maartje

Holiday Dupes: Skip the Crowds with These Affordable Alternatives

Sometimes the most popular destination isn't necessarily the best. Enter: vacationfooled. Less crowded, often cheaper and at least as much fun.

Why fight for a table in Rome when Florence is just as charming (and quieter)? Why queue in Lisbon when Porto is just as vibrant – and a tad cheaper? Skip the crowd and discover these surprising destinations.

Florence instead of Rome

Oelalala, the magic of Florence. Sure, the Italian capital is full of history, but Florence knows how to find that balance between art, culture and tranquility like no other. Where Rome seems to be getting busier and busier, Florence is calm and serene. Thanks to strict traffic regulations in the city center, it feels cleaner and quieter, while in Rome you have to find your way through the smell of fast food chains and flashing lights.

In Florence you will find the grandeur of the Renaissance, but without the mass tourism that you often encounter in Rome. Whoop, Whoop. The city has an intimate charm that you will find in the narrow streets, the cozy trattorias and the authentic markets. You will not find tourist traps, but the rolling hills of Tuscany on your doorstep. And that makes a trip to the surrounding villages such as Fiesole and Chianti indispensable.

tips for Florence

Porto instead of Lisbon

Porto is everything that Lisbon is, but just a little bit more. Cliché, but the city has a charming mix of medieval houses, high church towers and those iconic blue and white tiles. And yes: those tiles are completely contemporary. Porto is developing rapidly: trendy bars, cool concept stores, great restaurants and stylish hotels are springing up like mushrooms. City life never feels too busy and you can easily reach everything on foot.

What makes Porto perhaps even more attractive than Lisbon? While Lisbon can get quite hot in the summer, Porto has a nice Atlantic breeze that keeps temperatures pleasant.

But the atmosphere is also more relaxed: the city is cheaper, safer and just a bit more friendly. And the nice thing is: you can easily combine them, because in three hours you are from one city to the other by train or car. Three days in Porto are enough to realize that this city is perhaps the nicest in Portugal. Start your discovery tour with a port wine dish, for example at Bacalhau PORTO – the taste of the city. And see where you end up.

Tips for Porto

Malmö instead of Stockholm

Hip, hipper, Malmö. While Stockholm is still pondering the latest food trends, Malmö is already three steps ahead. Orange wine, organic vegetable gardens at the front door of restaurants and a love of organ meats? Check. Where the city was once seen as a decaying port city, it is now the destination for a young and cool crowd. Here fika (the Swedish coffee break) is taken seriously and the Friday afternoon drinks are not the exception but the rule.

What sets Malmö apart from Stockholm? The atmosphere. Half of the population is under 35 and you can feel it. The city is bursting with energy and innovation. But perhaps best of all: Malmö is located in Skåne, a southern region with beautiful beaches. The city beach, Ribersborgs, is within walking distance of the city center. Here you can combine urban vibes with a refreshing dip.

Two days is enough to explore Malmö, but the city is the perfect starting point for a road trip through southern Sweden. Grab a bike and discover the city like the locals that do: through green parks, along wine bars and cozy terraces. Then relax like the Swedes do: in a sauna. Kallbadhuset is the place to dive into the water, literally and figuratively. And if you have time left, take a short trip to the student city Lund, where the architecture is almost as beautiful as the atmosphere.

Tips for Malmö

Gdansk instead of Krakow

Gdańsk is Europe's best kept secret. Think of a mix of Copenhagen, Prague and Brussels, but with a raw harbour edge and an energetic vibe. The city is increasingly putting itself on the map and rightly so: with its own beach, vibrant nightlife and prices that are not yet sky high are, it is a dream for city trippers.

Why Gdańsk instead of Kraków? Simple: Kraków is beautiful, but also very busy. For those who don't want to wander among the masses, Gdańsk is the better choice. In the summer, the city is buzzing on the streets and on the terraces, while the Baltic Sea wind creates a pleasant atmosphere. And beach lovers take note: you can just take a dip here.

Three days in Gdańsk is perfect. Stroll through the Old Town, explore the historic shipyards and take a trip to the nearby coastal towns of Gdynia and Sopot. Dine on traditional pierogi at Pierogarnia Mandu, or in style at Baltazar. For a Polish comfort food experience, head to Swojski Smak, or try a real 'milk bar', the canteens where locals cheap and tasty food. End your day with a cocktail at Winston Bar – according to experts the best in the city.

Tips for Gdansk

Valencia instead of Barcelona

Barcelona may be the most famous city on the Spanish coast, but Valencia has everything you could possibly want – without the crowds. Yes, there are tourists, but not in droves. What makes Valencia so great? The green city is spacious, the beach is wide and expansive, and it all feels a little more relaxed than that Catalan powerhouse. Bonus points: it’s a real bike city, so you can zip from park to park Playa cruising without worrying about public transport.

Why Valencia over Madrid or Barcelona? Madrid is great, but not in the summer – it gets scorching hot, and the locals flock to the coast. Barcelona is of course fantastic, but also chaotic. Valencia offers a vibrant city life and the beach around the corner. And that beach? Wide, clean and perfect for long, lazy days in the sun.

How long should you stay? With the coastal towns nearby, you could easily spend two weeks here. But if you just want to explore the city, three to five days is ideal. Must sees? Turia Park, the green heart of the city, and the futuristic architecture of the Science Museum. And if you have time for a side trip: Altea, a charming white town two hours away, is worth the detour.

Tips for Valencia

Bilbao instead of Valencia ;-)

Okay okay okay, Valencia instead of Barcelona OR Bilbao! The compact city is atmospheric, cultural (thanks to the impressive Guggenheim Museum and the lively street art. everywhere) and last but not least the vibrant pintxos scene. In short: a wonderful holiday mix and ideal for those who want to go on a trip for three days (did someone say transit? Good idea! You can perfectly combine the city with San Sebastian and the French Biarritz.

Tips for Bilbao

Holiday Dupes: Skip the Crowds with These Affordable Alternatives