20 amazing “second cities” that are actually better than the capital

There is always something special about capital cities. When you think of random countries, chances are their most iconic, historic or important city is the capital. Places like Rome, London, Paris and Amsterdam – among many others – are prime examples of this. However, while many nations boast capitals as their standout cities, this isn’t always the case.

In some cases, capitals were built specifically to serve as government hubs (as seen in Brazil, Australia, the US or Myanmar), often missing the “soul” and history found elsewhere. In other cases, the second-largest city might simply outshine the capital in beauty (Norway), history (Peru), cosmopolitanism (UAE) or scenic location (Croatia). Either way, that’s exactly what we’ll be exploring throughout this list, as we take a closer look at 20 countries where the second city is better than the capital.

NOTE 1: Only the second most populous cities after the capital were considered for this list. Even though there are many countries whose most popular tourist destinations are located outside the capital, they were only included if these places are also the second-largest city by population. This is why cities like Marrakech (or Fez), Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, Bruges, Zanzibar City, Luang Prabang, Brasov, Quebec City or any town in Bali (among others) didn’t make an appearance.

NOTE 2: For countries where the capital isn’t even the largest city, the most populous cities were taken into account.

20 destinations that are better than their country’s capital city

Sydney, Australia

Let’s start with one of the most obvious examples! An apparently random choice, Canberra was selected as Australia’s capital after Sydney and Melbourne failed to come to an agreement, neither willing to back down. Sure, Canberra is organized, clean and offers a good quality of life… but from a tourist’s perspective, it’s far from exciting!

Plus, Canberra would always have a hard time competing with Sydney, home to some truly emblematic landmarks – starting with the world-famous Sydney Opera House. Add in the Harbour Bridge, the historic district of The Rocks and the famous Bondi Beach, and it’s easy to understand why Sydney stands on a platform of its own.

Barcelona, Spain

While there’s nothing wrong with Madrid, Barcelona is on a completely different level. This isn’t just an opinion – it’s backed by numbers, as the capital of Catalunya attracts more than double the number of tourists compared to Madrid. And while its Mediterranean location certainly plays a big role in the appeal, the cultural scene can’t be ignored either.

After all, Barcelona is one of the world’s most architecturally captivating places, thanks to the many works of Gaudí spread throughout the city – such as the celebrated Sagrada Família, the Park Guell or the Casas Milà and Batlló. Regardless, even if art isn’t your thing, Gaudí’s colorful designs and unique shapes are pretty enchanting. Other great things to do include exploring the Gothic Quarter, trying out a few local delicacies at La Boquería, strolling down Las Ramblas or taking in the city views from Montjuic.

New York, USA

Another classic case, there’s no question that New York is the most famous city in the United States. How could it not be? From a young age, we all get images of the Big Apple stuffed down our collective throat, be it through movies, TV shows, music videos or magazines, to the point the city almost feels familiar to those who haven’t visited.

The capital, Washington DC, is actually a pretty decent destination for a city specifically designed to be the nation’s government hub, with historical landmarks like the White House, the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial standing out as popular sites. Still, when standing side-by-side with the city that gave us the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, the MET and Times Square, DC just doesn’t hold up.

São Paulo, Brazil

For our debut stop in South America, let’s bring us to the very first choice to have been heavily influenced by the notes shared above. After all, there are no doubts that Rio de Janeiro is Brazil’s most famous city, miles and miles ahead of the dull, brutalist capital of Brasília. However, the country’s largest metropolis – and the biggest on the continent – is the sprawling São Paulo, so that’s the one we got to go with!

Be that as it may, this doesn’t negatively impact Brazil’s place on the list, as São Paulo is a vibrant cultural melting pot, home to vast communities of Brazilians with Japanese, Jewish, German, Arab, Portuguese and Italian heritage. When it comes to must-see attractions, visitors should be sure to check out Ibirapuera Park, Avenida Paulista, the São Bento Monastery and the colorful Batman Alley.

Antwerp, Belgium

Back in Europe, it’s time to address Brussels’ lackluster reputation. With its grey weather, modern skyscrapers and the flood of bureaucrats and businessmen, the EU capital often fails to leave a good impression on tourists, despite boasting its fair-share of historic sites (like the stunning Grand-Place).

Usually, tourists prefer Bruges and Ghent, with their charming canals and medieval architecture. However, neither of these is Belgium’s second-largest city, which is why we had to choose Antwerp, the third and final crown jewel of tourism in Flandres. Despite the somewhat forced option, this is far from being an issue, as this famous port city is full of classic examples of traditional Flemish architecture and is also home to one of the most beautiful train stations in the world.

Bergen, Norway

Further north, the Nordic countries are often noted for having somewhat uninspiring capitals, with the best tourist activities usually located inside protected natural areas. This could easily apply to Reykjavík (Iceland) or Helsinki (Finland), but for this article, Oslo is the one to take the dishonorable mention, as this is another perfect example of a well-organized city that feels somewhat soulless.

The alternative can be found 450 km to the west – hidden among countless islands and surrounded by national parks – in the beautiful city of Bergen. In fact, not only is Bergen more picturesque, especially around its historic quarter of Tyskebryggen, but it’s also the ideal gateway for those wishing to explore the Norwegian Fjords or the city of Alesund.

Istanbul, Turkey

How can any city ever rival the legendary Constantinople? Once the capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, there are very few places on earth able to match Istanbul when it comes to history and culture. The capital, however, has since moved to Ankara, where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, regarded as the father of modern Turkey, set up the headquarters of the independence movement against the declining Ottoman regime in the early 20th century.

Even so, Istanbul remains Turkey’s most popular city, drawing millions of visitors every year to its ancient bazaars, iconic mosques (such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia) and grand Ottoman palaces (Topkapi and Dolmabahce). No matter how much time passes, Istanbul will always be the greatest bridge between East and West… and no other Turkish city can even come close to that legacy!

Tiraspol, Moldova

By far one of the most unusual entries on this list, Tiraspol is the second-largest city in remote and unknown Moldova, statistically the least visited country in Europe. While the city itself isn’t exactly brimming with tourist attractions – much like the capital Chisinau – there’s a very different reason for why Tiraspol can be quite the fascinating place.

Turns it this is the capital and biggest city in Transnistria, a separatist republic that isn’t recognized by the international community. This means that the region has its own borders, currency and even government… but it’s still officially part of Moldova, making Tiraspol (at least on paper) the country’s second most populated city. Additionally, this is one of the few places in the world where the legacy of the Soviet Union remains very much alive, so don’t be surprised to see hammers and sickles, communist slogans and statues of Lenin.

Medellín, Colombia

Once the homebase of infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar, Medellín used to be regarded as one of the most dangerous cities in the world. However, times have certainly changed, and this is now a substantially safer place to live than the current Colombian capital of Bogotá. Plus, it’s also far more interesting! Rather than just historical sites and old buildings – which you’ll still find – Medellín’s charm lies in how it managed to revamp its image, creating vibrant neighborhoods/quarters that bring people out to the streets. In essence, it’s what you’d call a “cool” city.

Among those reinvented areas, visitors should explore the trendy district of El Poblado, filled with stylish restaurants and cafes; Medellín Centro, the go-to spot for shopping; and the famous Comuna 13, once the city’s most dangerous area but now a hub for urban art. To get around the city, just hop on the Metrocable, the local public transport cable car system.

Yangon, Myanmar

For our very first Asian entry, we head to Southeast Asia to pay a visit to the nation of Myanmar (previously known as Burma). Similar to many other cases, its current capital – Naypyidaw – was purposely built to serve as the nation’s political center, resulting in little more than a sprawl of government buildings and national memorials. When a 20-lane highway is the city’s most iconic feature, you know it’s time to move on!

By contrast, the former capital of Yangon retains the charm of a time long past, even if at first glance everything seems chaotic. Once you scratch beneath the surface, though, you can witness first-hand the majestic Shwedagon Pagoda, savor the country’s finest food in Chinatown and admire the decaying colonial architecture scattered across the Downtown.

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Nestled in the far reaches of Central Asia, where the desert meets the vast steppe, the breathtaking city of Samarkand stands as one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Like many other historic cities in the region, Samarkand is home to the greatest legacy of the legendary Silk Road, the network of trade routes that, for centuries, helped establish the very first connections between Eastern and Western civilizations.

Yet, none of these towns is quite as magnificent as Samarkand, with its extraordinary tombs, mausoleums and madrasas. Interestingly, the Uzbek capital of Tashkent is one of the few places where the remnants of the Silk Road were pretty much lost, the result of a massive earthquake in the 1960s that destroyed much of the city’s heritage. Soviet authorities chose to rebuild the city according to the brutalist and utilitarian principles of the regime, and so its former charm was lost for good.

Split, Croatia

Now, this is far from a unanimous choice! On the one hand, many prefer the more modern and cosmopolitan vibe of the capital Zagreb, which, despite its completely different look and feel, boasts a well-preserved historic center built in the imperial style of the Habsburgs. However, and especially from a tourist’s standpoint, the coastal city of Split certainly deserves a word.

If its charming location on the shores of the Adriatic adds an immediate charm to Croatia’s second-largest city, its Old Town is the definite highlight. Once the walled area of Diocletian’s Palace, the whole district was slowly dismantled and converted into a residential quarter after the fall of the Byzantine Empire, eventually becoming the historic heart of modern Split. Furthermore, Split gets a few extra points due to its proximity to other Croatian gems like Zadar, Hvar, Korcula or Dubrovnik.

Prizren, Kosovo

Still within the Balkans, the young nation of Kosovo was an obvious contender for a spot on this list. Pristina, the capital, is a modern city dominated by brutalist architecture, a consequence of the Ottoman heritage being largely destroyed during the Yugoslav period. Unfortunately, and apart from a few mosques, churches and the so-called “ugliest building in the world” (not joking, the National Library of Kosovo was actually given this moniker), there’s not much to see or do in Pristina.

However, just 80 km away, the city of Prizren is the perfect alternative. Unlike the capital, its historical legacy remains almost fully intact, allowing visitors to stroll through the old town and discover attractions like the Sinan Pasha Mosque, the Stone Bridge and the Church of Our Lady of Ljevis. However, the real highlight is the outstanding Prizren Fortress, where you’ll get jaw-dropping panoramic views of the city.

Toronto, Canada

Chosen by Queen Victoria herself as the capital of Canada, whatever worth Ottawa had as a strategic location back in 1857 was certainly lost in time, as this is now one big, boring capital city. When someone says they’re heading to Canada, how often do you hear Ottawa mentioned? That’s right: never! After all, in a country with the breathtaking natural wonders of Yukon, Banff and Jasper National Parks, the modern vibe of Vancouver and the rich history of Montreal and Quebec City, it’s only natural that Ottawa goes unnoticed.

Unfortunately, Canada’s second-largest city is Toronto, a metropolis that doesn’t really have the allure of any of these other destinations, but is at – the very least – better than Ottawa. While Canadians from outside Toronto enjoy labeling the city as “boring” (especially Francophones), it’s still worth a visit to climb the iconic CN Tower, grab a bite at St. Lawrence Market or catch a show in the Entertainment District.

Herat, Afghanistan

Tourism in Afghanistan?! It might sound odd, but it does exist! Even weirder is the fact that the country is now safer for visitors than ever before, since the group once responsible for bombings, road blockages and kidnapping foreigners… is now in power (so no more need for any of that)! Plus, in their efforts to legitimize themselves as a serious government in the eyes of the international community, the Taliban are more than interested in welcoming tourists and projecting an image of a safe nation. Bizarre!

Context apart, let’s get straight to the point! While the capital Kabul can be a pretty intriguing destination (if only for the novelty of it or for the shock value), it doesn’t really fare well against the historical and architectural splendor of Herat, where the Persian influence plays a big role. Highlights of the city include the Qala Ikhtyaruddin Citadel, the Grand Mosque, the local bazaar and the Gawhar Shad Mausoleum.

León, Nicaragua

Another region of the world where capital cities are far from being the best places to visit, the true gems of Central America usually lie in the natural reserves, stunning beaches and charming colonial towns. This holds true for countries like Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Belize or Guatemala, but in all of those their second-largest cities are usually chaotic, riddled with crime and with very little to write home about.

However, an honorable exception can be found in Nicaragua, where the city of León easily outshines the capital Managua. While the latter is surrounded by volcanoes and offers great hiking trails, the city itself is of very little interest. On the other hand, León has managed to preserve its historic buildings, showing itself as a classic, colorful colonial town. Besides, if you explore the surroundings, you’ll still find volcanic craters, mountain peaks and beautiful lakes.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

The Cambodian entry is pretty unique. Is Siem Reap, the second most populated city in the country, a better destination than the capital Phnom Penh? Probably not. Phnom Penh has more to see and do, better museums and superior infrastructure. The Buddhist temples are more impressive, the palaces more majestic and the riverside area – along the legendary Mekong River – the perfect spot for an evening stroll.

However, if we had to recommend just one place to visit in Cambodia, Siem Reap would undoubtedly take the crown. Why? Because of the extraordinary complex of Angkor Wat, an archaeological park with 72 temples located just 5 kilometers away from the city center. In fact, this site is so incredible that could have perfectly earned a spot among the Seven Wonders of the World, and is one of those places everyone should get to experience at least once in their lifetime.

Dubai, UAE

Though many may still be under the impression that Dubai is some sort of independent city-state, the reality is that this famous destination is “just” one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE, whose official capital is Abu Dhabi. In essence, that means Dubai is technically the country’s “second city”, making it an obvious inclusion for our list.

After all, and despite Abu Dhabi’s many virtues and vices, Dubai always gets the upper hand. Yeah, the capital has towering skyscrapers, good public beaches, a massive expat community and a thriving culture of business and innovation… but Dubai has all that and more! In fact, unless it’s just a brief layover, it’s hard to find a traveler who would visit Abu Dhabi without also stopping by its more renowned “brother”.

Arequipa, Peru

Despite being Peru’s second-largest city, Arequipa almost feels small and quaint, as if this was just another lovely colonial town scattered across Latin America. Understandable, given that, despite its status, Arequipa’s population is less than 10% of Lima’s (11 million people), the bustling capital.

Known as the “White City”, due to the homogenous color of its classic buildings, Arequipa is beyond picturesque and also serves as the perfect base for those wishing to take a trip to the monumental Colca Canyon. On the other hand, and while Lima does have its own highlights, the city can be a bit too frantic, overwhelming. Besides, it’s also much more dangerous than Arequipa. Not that the capital isn’t worth a visit, all we’re saying is that there’s a good chance it could end up being your least favorite spot when traveling around Peru.

Isfahan, Iran

Finally, we cap off our list with a visit to Isfahan, the second largest city in the criminally underrated nation of Iran. Regardless of its size/population, Isfahan is actually the country’s top tourist destination, boasting some of the most magnificent Islamic architecture in the world. In fact, this grandeur is on full display in the enormous Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the intricate tilework of the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, the Shah Mosque or the Ali Qapu Palace. Even when you venture outside the historic center and its bustling bazaar, all you have to do is cross the remarkable Si-o-se Pol Bridge and pay a visit to Jolfa, the old Armenian quarter that is still home to the Vank Cathedral and its stunning frescoes. As you can see, Isfahan is a very complete destination!

As for Tehran, the capital is surprisingly modern and progressive, and one of the few cities where most women refuse to cover their hair. While Tehran would be the obvious choice for living, when it comes to sightseeing, Isfahan is the way to go!