Under the radar cities

We have all, at one point, wanted to go to places like New York or Barcelona, to see famous landmarks, eat delicious food or just to mark it off our bucket lists. But what about visiting other cities slightly off the tourist track? How about visiting Nicosia in Cyprus or Medellin in Columbia? These places offer the history, the food and the sights that you can find in many common tourist destinations, but with the benefit of not being flooded by other like-minded travelers.

When thinking of Cyprus, we think of golden beaches, clubbing in Ayia Napa and plenty of fellow British tourists. With over four million tourists visiting Cyprus a year, it might not seem like the place to find an under the radar city. How about we go a bit further into Cyprus? Nicosia, although being the capital, surprisingly has no airport, making travel there a bit of a challenge, reducing the number of tourists it receives. However, you can easily get there from Larnaka airport by taking a 2-hour bus costing £5 or a 40-minute shuttle bus costing £7.

Around the city, you have a plethora of UNESCO World Heritage sites and sites on the UNESCO tentative list being considered for nomination as a heritage site.

For history buffs, Nicosia offers many interesting sights. Being founded 4,500 years ago, Nicosia is rich with Byzantine, Roman and Greek sights. You can visit the buffer zone, that splits Northern and Southern Cyprus, following Turkey’s illegal invasion of the country, making Nicosia the last divided capital in the world. Visit the awe-inspiring Venetian Walls and Famagusta Gate, dating from around the 16th century, which surround the city. Around the city, you have a plethora of UNESCO World Heritage sites and sites on the UNESCO tentative list being considered for nomination as a heritage site. These sites include churches from the 11th Century and the preserved Fikardou rural settlement, which can be visited via a short bus ride.

For those looking for an adventure, from Nicosia, there are organised trips into the Troodos mountains for wine tasting and exploring. Looking for an adrenalin rush? There is the Daytona Raceway to go Go-Karting and multiple segway tours of the city. Fancy a spot of shopping? Nicosia has the largest mall in the country and lots of traditional markets and boutiques, selling sweets and spices.

No matter your palate, there will be something for you to enjoy in Nicosia.

In terms of food, Nicosia has restaurants that cater for all. If you are a big fan of a kebab, then a gyro is for you. These can be found in many independent fast-food establishments across the city. If you are interested in trying as much local food as you can, then go for a Mezes. Here, you can experience a culinary feast, where you dine on lots of small plates of traditional food, like souvlaki (chicken or pork cubes on a skewer cooked on a barbeque) and kleftiko (marinated slow-cooked lamb). For vegans and vegetarians, you can have the traditional Greek Salad or go for something out of your comfort zone like Koupepia (stuffed vine leaves either with meat or vegetables). No matter your palate, there will be something for you to enjoy in Nicosia.

If you want to travel to somewhere a bit more exotic, how about Columbia? Infamously known for its criminal kingpins like Pablo Escobar, Columbia may not seem like a hidden gem of a destination. However, Medellin has seen lowering crime rates, with guerilla groups not operating in the city for years, making now the perfect time to visit a previously dangerous place.

Experience traditional Latin American festivals in Medellin. The Feria de las Flores (The Flower Festival) is one of the most important festivals in Medellin. This festival is held to represent the end of slavery and to honour Mary. Held every August for two weeks, you can expect parties, food, dancing and so much more. If you want to see some traditional bull fighting, then it is best to visit Medellin in January. The Feria Taurina de la Candelaria celebrates bull fighting in honour of Saint Blas and the Virgin of Candelaria. Occurring in the Macarena arena, which has a capacity of 14,000 people, feel like one of the locals as you watch the exhilarating bull fights take place before your eyes.

To see some traditional art, it is best to visit in April for the Expoartesano festival.

If you are interested in shopping, visit in February for The Medellín es Una Ganga event. Here, major stores and venders offer massive discounts allowing you to purchase all your favourite brands for low prices. To see some traditional art, it is best to visit in April for the Expoartesano festival. You will find over 350 exhibitors displaying traditional, indigenous and contemporary art and handicrafts over a 10-day period.

For foodies, it is best to visit in October for the Maridaje, a festival celebrating local food. You can try all of Columbia’s traditional foods. Try a Bandeja paisa, Columbia’s national dish. You will enjoy a generous amount of various foods in this meal, including black pubbing, avocados and Chicharron (fried pork rings). For vegans and vegetarians, the Tamale might be for you. This is a corn-based dough containing a filling of your choosing, such as fruit and vegetables. No matter your food preferences, there will most likely be a meal you can enjoy whilst in Medellin.

So, if you want to visit somewhere out of the ordinary in Europe, the lesser travelled to capital, Nicosia, might be the place for you. Here, you will find historical sites, adventures and so much more. If you would like to immerse yourself into a completely new culture, then Medellin is for you. Become like one of the locals, and visit the city during one of their festivals, to see what it is truly like to be a Medellin citizen. But no matter where you choose to visit, always be willing to try somewhere new, and you never know, you may just find your new favourite place.