Let’s be honest, London, Paris, and Rome are incredible, but sometimes all you want is a break that doesn’t involve navigating massive crowds or spending half your day in a queue. That’s where Europe’s smaller, underrated cities shine.
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Places like Valencia, Bologna, and Ghent still offer rich culture, amazing food, and postcard-worthy sights, but with a slower pace and a lot more breathing room. They’re also perfect for a last-minute 72-hour trip.
You don’t need months of planning or a jam-packed itinerary. Just a few days, a comfy pair of shoes, and a place to stay that feels central and local.
That’s where tools like cozycozy come in handy: instead of checking five different sites, you can quickly compare options and choose the accommodation that fits you the most.
Valencia, Spain: Beaches, paella, and modernist surprises
Begin your visit to Valencia in the old town, Ciutat Vella, and get lost in its maze of streets. Don’t miss the Valencia Cathedral, which showcases a mix of architectural styles, from Romanesque to Baroque.
Climbing the Miguelete bell tower offers a panoramic view of the city. The Central Market, a vibrant Art Nouveau building, is an excellent place to experience local life and sample fresh produce.
The City of Arts and Sciences, a futuristic architectural complex by Santiago Calatrava, stands in stark contrast to the old town. The Oceanogràfic, Europe’s largest aquarium, and the interactive Science Museum are standout attractions within the complex.
Cuisine in Valencia
When it comes to food, paella is a must-try dish in its birthplace. For an authentic experience, try it at a place that cooks it over a wood fire, such as Casa Carmela.
Another well-known beachfront restaurant is La Pepica, which was a favorite of Ernest Hemingway.
Activities to try
To explore the city, rent a bike and ride through the Turia Gardens, a beautiful park created in a former riverbed. This provides a scenic route connecting the old town to the City of Arts and Sciences.
For accommodation, staying in the El Carmen neighborhood places you in the heart of the historic center, with easy access to numerous bars, restaurants, and sights.
72-hours itinerary:
Day 1: The historic core
- Morning: Walk in Ciutat Vella, or old town. Wander through the of streets until you reach the Plaza de la Virgen.
- Afternoon: Visit the Valencia Cathedral. Make sure to climb the Miguelete bell tower, then head to the Central Market.
- Evening: Settle into your accommodation in the El Carmen neighborhood and explore the local tapas bars and restaurants.
Day 2: The futuristic and the gardens
- Morning: Rent a bike and ride through the Turia Gardens.
- Afternoon: Spend your day at the City of Arts and Sciences.
- Evening: Make a reservation for dinner for an authentic Valencian paella experience.
Day 3: A relaxed departure
- Morning: Enjoy a relaxed final morning. You can revisit a favorite spot in the old town or find a cafe and watch the city wake up.
- Afternoon: Depending on your flight, you might have time for one last stroll through the Turia Gardens or a final meal. Make sure to grab some final snacks or a souvenir from the Central Market if you haven’t already.
Bologna, Italy: Pasta heaven without the tour buses
Bologna is one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. It’s an authentic, vibrant city that feels alive with students, locals, and an incredible food scene, all without the overwhelming crowds you find in places like Rome or Florence.
Walking under the citiy’s historic porticos or arcades feels like travelling through a continuous, covered gallery. The old town, centred around Piazza Maggiore, is the heart of it all.
The piazza is flanked by the Basilica di San Petronio and the Palazzo d’Accursio, and it’s a perfect spot to people-watch with an espresso in hand
From there, you can explore the Quadrilatero, a network of narrow streets that have been a market since the Middle Ages. The shops are filled with fresh pasta, cured meats, and cheeses.
A visit to Bologna isn’t complete without seeing the Two Towers. The taller one, Torre Asinelli, is a bit of a workout.
The climb is steep and the stairs are uneven, but the panoramic view from the top is absolutely worth it. Although Torre Asinelli is currently temporaliry closed for area maintenance.
Cuisine in Bologna
And then there’s the food. Bologna is known as La Grassa, “The Fat One,” for a reason.
This is where tagliatelle al ragù was born, so eating it here is a pilgrimage. It’s nothing like the “spaghetti bolognese” you find elsewhere, it’s a completely different and far superior dish.
You should also try the mortadella, the local delicacy, and a plate of tortellini in brodo, a simple but profoundly delicious soup.
For where to stay, choose accommodation in a quieter area for a peaceful stay and to connect with locals.
72-hours itinerary:
Day 1: The heart of the city
- Morning: Arrive and settle into your accommodation.
- Afternoon: Make your way to Piazza Maggiore, the city’s main square. Take your time to admire the Basilica di San Petronio and the Palazzo d’Accursio.
- Late Afternoon: Explore the Quadrilatero, the ancient market area.
- Evening: For dinner, seek out a traditional trattoria.
Day 2: Towers and tastes
- Morning: Head to the Two Towers.
- Afternoon: Continue to explore the city’s endless porticos. Find a local salumeria (delicatessen) and put together your own platter of cured meats and cheeses, with a focus on trying the local mortadella.
- Evening: For dinner, try another local specialty: tortellini in brodo (tortellini in broth).
Day 3: A walk and a farewell
- Morning: Enjoy a slow morning, perhaps with a final walk. Grab a souvenir from one of the food shops in the Quadrilatero to bring a taste of Bologna home with you.
Ghent, Belgium: Fairytale feels with a creative edge
Ghent is a truly a pleasant surprise. Everyone talks about Bruges, but Ghent has all the fairytale beauty you’d expect from a Flemish city, but with a younger, more creative soul thanks to its large student population.
The canals and medieval architecture are stunning. It is recommended to spend one morning just wandering along the Graslei and Korenlei quays, which are lined with these beautiful guild houses.
They’re absolutely picture-perfect, and it’s a great spot to just sit and watch the boats go by.
Recommended activities
A boat tour of the canals is a must-do. It gives you a different perspective of the city, and you pass under old stone bridges and get a closer look at the historic buildings.
The Gravensteen, or “Castle of the Counts,” is one of the main attractions, and it’s fantastic. It’s a proper, old-school stone castle with a moat, right in the middle of the city.
You can walk along the battlements and get a great view, and the inside has some really interesting exhibits.
Beyond the classic sights, Ghent has a vibrant street art scene.The “Graffiti Alley,” or Werregarenstraatje is a small street completely covered in murals and tags.
The art changes all the time, so it feels fresh and alive. The local beer scene is also a huge part of the city’s culture. Trying some of the local Trappist beers is a must.
For your stay, choose a place near the historic center. Being right in the heart of the city makes it easy to explore everything on foot.
72-hours itinerary:
Day 1: Fairytale feels
- Morning: Settle into your centrally located accommodation. Start your exploration by wandering along the famous Graslei and Korenlei quays.
- Afternoon: Take a guided boat tour of the canals. Tours typically run from 11am to 6pm and take about 40-50 minutes.
- Evening: Explore the area around your accommodation. Find a beer café and sample some local Belgian beers. Look for one with a wide selection of Trappist beers.
Day 2: Castles and street art
- Morning: Visit Gravensteen, the “Castle of the Counts.” Walk across the moat and explore the interior and battlements for great views of the city. The castle is open daily from 10am to 6pm, with the last entry at 4pm.
- Afternoon: Discover Ghent’s vibrant artistic side. Head to Werregarenstraatje, the “Graffiti Alley.”
- Evening: Continue your exploration of the local beer scene.
Day 3: A relaxed departure
- Morning: Take a final stroll through the city.
- Afternoon: Depending on your departure time, grab one last meal or do some souvenir shopping.
Quick planning tips for a 72-hour trip
When you only have 72 hours, it’s all about strategy. First off, travel light. This is non-negotiable for a short trip.
The biggest mistake people make is over-planning. Don’t do that. Focusing on just two to three main experiences a day is the sweet spot.
When it comes to where you stay, location is everything. When you’re only there for three days, you don’t want to waste precious time commuting.
Try to book a place right in the historic centre, a vibrant, walkable neighbourhood, or somewhere that has excellent public transport links.
Check out cozycozy, a site that pulls up all the options from different sites (B&Bs, apartments, hotels) so you can quickly find a great last-minute deal in the right area without having to jump between platforms. A cool feature is the map where you can see where the accommodation options really are.
Seventy-two hours is all you need for a genuine break. A long weekend, planned well, can feel like a complete reset.
The key isn’t about rushing to see everything, but rather about picking a city with the right vibe and making the most of a few key experiences.
