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14 Surprisingly Underrated Cities Hidden In Absolutely Stunning Landscapes
Big-city energy is great, but sometimes you want a vacation that blends urban culture with the profound tranquility of nature. While destinations like Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town are famous for their dramatic natural settings, countless other cities offer a similar fusion without the overwhelming crowds or premium price tags.
These underrated spots are often access points to some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes, from jagged mountain ranges and serene coastlines to ancient forests and vast deserts. And they provide the perfect base for adventure, allowing you to spend your days hiking, kayaking, or wildlife spotting before returning to the comfort of city life for a great meal and a comfortable bed.
Below, we are highlighting some incredible cities where the wilderness is not just nearby but an integral part of the local identity. You can explore vibrant arts scenes, historic architecture, and unique culinary traditions, all while knowing that pristine nature is just a short drive (or sometimes even a short walk) away.
It’s the ultimate two-for-one trip, offering a balanced escape that satisfies both the culture vulture and the outdoor enthusiast in you.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Often seen as just a gateway to Utah’s famous national parks, Salt Lake City is a destination in its own right, situated between the towering Wasatch and Oquirrh mountain ranges. And this unique setting means world-class outdoor recreation is literally on its doorstep.
Within a 30-minute drive, you can access seven different ski resorts, including renowned spots like Alta and Snowbird, which receive an average of over 500 inches of fluffy powder each winter. But the adventure doesn’t stop when the snow melts.
The same canyons that offer legendary skiing become a hiker’s paradise in the summer, with trails ranging from gentle walks to challenging ascents. A local favorite is the hike to Lake Blanche in Big Cottonwood Canyon, where the trail winds through aspen groves to a stunning alpine lake beneath Sundial Peak.
Back in the city, you’ll find a surprisingly progressive and vibrant core, with a thriving craft brewery scene, farm-to-table restaurants, and a lively arts district. The city’s wide, grid-like streets, originally planned by Brigham Young, make it easy to navigate as you explore landmarks like Temple Square and the impressive Utah State Capitol building.
Vancouver, Canada
While Vancouver is hardly an unknown city, its seamless integration with the wild landscapes of the Pacific Northwest is often underappreciated. Cradled by the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains, this Canadian metropolis offers an unparalleled blend of urban living and outdoor adventure.
You can start your morning kayaking the calm waters of False Creek, spend the afternoon hiking through the temperate rainforests of Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre oasis right in the city, and finish your day with world-class sushi in a bustling downtown neighborhood.
The famous Grouse Grind, a grueling 1.8-mile trail that climbs 2,800 feet up Grouse Mountain, is a rite of passage for locals and offers breathtaking views of the city as a reward. Or for a more relaxed experience, the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway leads north to Whistler, passing fjords, waterfalls, and pristine provincial parks along the way.
But Vancouver’s natural appeal extends beyond its mountains. Its coastline is dotted with beautiful beaches like Kitsilano and Spanish Banks, where locals gather to play volleyball, swim, and watch the sunset over the water.
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Belfast’s past is complex, but its present is a story of vibrant renewal set against a backdrop of stunning Irish landscapes. The city is the perfect starting point for exploring the Causeway Coastal Route, one of the world’s most scenic drives.
This legendary journey takes you past dramatic cliffs, charming fishing villages, and the iconic Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage site made of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. Or just a short drive from the city center, you can hike Cave Hill, the basaltic peak that is said to have inspired Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels. From its summit, known as Napoleon’s Nose, you can enjoy panoramic views of Belfast Lough and, on clear days, even see Scotland.
Within the city, the transformation is palpable. The Titanic Quarter, built on the former shipyard where the famous liner was constructed, now houses a striking museum and bustling film studios. The city’s pub culture is also thriving, with traditional music sessions filling the air in historic establishments like The Crown Liquor Saloon, an ornate Victorian gin palace.
Wellington, New Zealand
New Zealand’s capital is a compact city with a huge personality, wrapped in a dramatic harbor and rolling green hills. Known for its fierce winds and creative energy, Wellington is a place where you can hike through native bush in the morning and catch an indie film premiere in the evening.
The city is completely walkable, making it easy to explore its hidden laneways, vibrant waterfront, and the iconic wooden Beehive parliament building. For an incredible view, take the historic red cable car up to the Botanic Garden and wander back down through 62 acres of protected native forest and colorful floral displays.
Just outside the city, the wild south coast offers rugged beaches and dramatic surf, while a short ferry ride takes you to Matiu/Somes Island, a scientific reserve where you can spot native wildlife like tuatara and little blue penguins.
Wellington is also home to Weta Workshop, the special effects and prop company behind films like The Lord of the Rings, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at movie magic.
Bergen, Norway
As the passageway to Norway’s famous fjords, Bergen is a city that lives and breathes its spectacular natural surroundings. Surrounded by seven mountains and clinging to the edge of the North Sea, its connection to the landscape is immediate and profound.
The colorful wooden houses of Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage site, line the harbor where fishing boats have docked for centuries. And you can get a sense of the city’s scale by taking the Floibanen funicular up Mount Floyen, one of the seven peaks framing the city. From the top, a network of trails leads into the surrounding forest, offering incredible views of the city, islands, and fjords beyond.
For a more ambitious adventure, you can embark on the famous “Norway in a Nutshell” tour directly from Bergen, which combines scenic train rides and a ferry cruise through the narrow Naeroyfjord and Aurlandsfjord.
The city itself has a youthful energy, thanks to its large student population, and boasts a thriving music and arts scene. The daily fish market is a lively spectacle where you can sample fresh seafood, from smoked salmon to whale steak, while soaking in the atmosphere of this historic port city.
Salzburg, Austria
Forever linked with Mozart and The Sound of Music, Salzburg is a city of high culture set against the dramatic backdrop of the Eastern Alps. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town is a baroque masterpiece of soaring spires, grand squares, and charming streets, all situated beneath the formidable Hohensalzburg Fortress.
But just beyond the city’s elegant facade lies an alpine playground. You can take a cable car up the Untersberg mountain for breathtaking views and high-altitude hiking, or explore the ice caves of Eisriesenwelt, the largest system of its kind in the world.
The nearby Salzkammergut region is a storybook landscape of crystal-clear lakes, picturesque villages like Hallstatt, and rolling green hills. You can spend your days cycling around Wolfgangsee, swimming in the Fuschlsee, or simply enjoying coffee and cake in a lakeside cafe. Back in Salzburg, you can walk in the footsteps of the von Trapp family, visit Mozart’s birthplace, or attend a classical concert during the world-renowned Salzburg Festival.
Hobart, Australia (Tasmania)
Tucked away at the edge of the world, Hobart is Australia’s second-oldest capital city and a haven for lovers of art, food, and wilderness. Its setting is nothing short of spectacular, situated on the banks of the River Derwent and overshadowed by the imposing figure of kunanyi/Mount Wellington.
A 30-minute drive from the city center takes you to the mountain’s 4,170-foot summit, where you can witness breathtaking views of Hobart and the Tasman Peninsula. The weather can change in an instant, with snow possible even in summer, but the views are always worth it.
The city is a charming collection of Georgian and Victorian architecture, best explored on foot through the historic districts of Salamanca Place and Battery Point. And the world-renowned Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), accessible by a high-speed ferry, has put Hobart on the global art map with its provocative and immersive exhibits.
Beyond the city, Tasmania’s untamed wilderness beckons. Hobart is the perfect base for exploring the wild beauty of Bruny Island, the soaring sea cliffs of the Tasman National Park, and the ancient forests of the Southwest Wilderness, a vast and remote World Heritage Area.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Slovenia’s capital is a fairy-tale city that has been rightly praised for its green credentials and charm, yet it remains relatively off the beaten path. Bisected by the emerald-green Ljubljanica River and watched over by a medieval castle perched on a hill, Ljubljana feels more like a town than a bustling capital.
Its car-free city center is a delight to explore, with riverside cafes, baroque architecture, and lively markets. But the city’s real magic lies in its proximity to some of Europe’s most stunning natural landscapes. Less than an hour’s drive away is Lake Bled, with its iconic island church and clifftop castle, looking like something straight out of a storybook.
A bit further on, the Julian Alps offer world-class hiking and mountaineering in Triglav National Park, Slovenia’s only national park. You can raft the turquoise waters of the Soca River, hike through the dramatic Vintgar Gorge, or simply marvel at the serene beauty of Lake Bohinj.
Even within the city, nature is never far away. Tivoli Park, Ljubljana’s largest green space, offers a peaceful retreat with its manicured gardens, tree-lined walkways, and contemporary art installations.
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage offers one of the most extreme blends of city life and raw wilderness on the planet. It’s a modern American city, yet moose are common backyard visitors, and you can see salmon running in downtown streams.
Situated on the Cook Inlet and flanked by the Chugach Mountains, Anchorage is a gateway to the vast, untamed landscapes of Alaska. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, an 11-mile paved path, runs along the coast right from downtown, offering stunning views of Denali on clear days and frequent sightings of beluga whales in the inlet.
Just a short drive east, Chugach State Park, one of the nation’s largest state parks, provides over 500,000 acres of rugged mountains, glaciers, and rivers to explore. You can hike to the summit of Flattop Mountain for a panoramic view of the city and surrounding ranges, or venture deeper into the park for multi-day trekking adventures.
The city is also a perfect base for more ambitious Alaskan trips, with flightseeing tours to glaciers, bear-viewing excursions in Katmai National Park, and scenic drives along the Seward Highway that winds along the dramatic coastline of Turnagain Arm.
San Sebastian, Spain
Located in the heart of Basque Country on the Bay of Biscay, San Sebastian (or Donostia as it’s known in Basque) is a city that will capture your senses. It’s most famous for its culinary scene, boasting more Michelin stars per capita than almost anywhere else in the world, and its legendary pintxos bars, where countertops are laden with an incredible array of bite-sized creations.
But its natural setting is just as impressive. The city is framed by the crescent-shaped La Concha beach, often cited as one of the most beautiful urban beaches in Europe, and flanked by two hills, Monte Urgull and Monte Igueldo.
You can hike up Monte Urgull to the fortress for beautiful views and a quiet escape from the city bustle, or take the vintage funicular up Monte Igueldo for a postcard-perfect photo of the bay. Plus, the rugged coastline of Basque Country invites exploration, with dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and world-class surfing spots just a short drive away.
Trondheim, Norway
While many visitors to Norway focus on Oslo and Bergen, the country’s third-largest city, Trondheim, offers a compelling mix of history, technology, and stunning nature. Founded by Viking King Olav Tryggvason in 997, Trondheim was Norway’s first capital, and its historical significance is palpable.
The magnificent Nidaros Cathedral, the northernmost medieval cathedral in the world, is a stunning example of Gothic architecture and a major pilgrimage site. The city is bisected by the Nidelva River, and its colorful warehouses on stilts along the riverbank are one of its most iconic sights.
Just outside the city, the Bymarka forest provides a vast natural playground with over 120 miles of trails for hiking, cycling, and cross-country skiing in winter. You can hike to the summit of Grakallen for expansive views or paddle a kayak down the river, seeing the city from a different perspective.
Trondheim is also a hub of innovation, home to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, which gives the city a vibrant, youthful atmosphere. This blend of ancient history and modern energy, all set within a landscape of forests and fjords, makes Trondheim a truly unique destination.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Dubbed the “Adventure Capital of the World,” Queenstown is anything but underrated for thrill-seekers. However, those looking for a city break might overlook it, wrongly assuming it’s all bungee jumping and jet boating.
Situated on the shores of the crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Southern Alps, its setting is one of the most breathtaking on Earth. While adrenaline-fueled activities abound, there’s a softer side to Queenstown.
You can take a leisurely cruise on the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship, explore the charming gold rush town of Arrowtown, or indulge in the world-class Pinot Noir from the nearby Gibbston Valley wineries. The hiking opportunities are also endless, from the challenging climb up Ben Lomond for 360-degree views to the more accessible trails around the Queenstown Gardens.
And the scenic drive to Glenorchy at the northern end of the lake is consistently rated as one of the most beautiful in the world, with landscapes so epic they served as a backdrop for The Lord of the Rings.
Granada, Spain
Most people come to Granada for one thing: the Alhambra. And while this breathtaking palace and fortress complex is undoubtedly one of the world’s great wonders, the city’s location at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains gives it another compelling dimension.
This is the highest mountain range in mainland Spain, and its snow-capped peaks provide a picturesque backdrop to the city’s Moorish architecture. In winter, you can ski at the Sierra Nevada resort, just an hour’s drive from the city center, making it one of the few places in Europe where you can hit the slopes in the morning and be back in a historic city by afternoon.
During the warmer months, the mountains become a paradise for hikers, with trails winding through alpine meadows and past glacial lakes. The Alpujarras, a series of white villages clinging to the southern slopes of the range, offer a glimpse into a traditional way of life.
Back in Granada, you can lose yourself in the labyrinthine streets of the Albayzin (the old Arab quarter), watch the sunset over the Alhambra from the Mirador de San Nicolas, and experience the passion of a live flamenco show in a cave in the Sacromonte district.
Inverness, Scotland
As the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands, Inverness is a charming city that serves as the perfect base for exploring one of Europe’s last great wildernesses.
Situated on the banks of the River Ness and at the northern end of the Great Glen, the city is steeped in history and folklore. You can stroll along the river, visit the Victorian Market, or climb the tower of Inverness Castle for a view of the city.
But the real draw is what lies beyond. The legendary Loch Ness is just a short drive away, where you can search for its famous monster, “Nessie,” and explore the brooding ruins of Urquhart Castle. And the surrounding Highlands are a landscape of breathtaking beauty, with rugged mountains, shimmering lochs, and vast, empty moorlands.
You can visit the battlefield of Culloden, where the last major battle was fought on British soil, or explore the ancient standing stones and burial chambers of Clava Cairns. The North Coast 500, Scotland’s answer to Route 66, also begins and ends in Inverness, taking you on an epic 500-mile journey through some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the world.
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