Where to go after Barcelona: 3 underrated European cities for food, beach, and nightlife
Loved Barcelona’s food, beach, and nightlife vibe? These three underrated European cities deliver the same energy - sunshine, seafood, and late nights - but with more locals.
Written by
Sofie
Sofie is a bit of a digital nomad. She’s lived in Stockholm, Washington D.C., London, Manchester, Brighton, and Ojén, Spain (go visit if you haven’t!). During the week, she works as a creative frontend developer; on the weekend, if she’s not at a gig, she’s probably checking out the next Berlin.
Published
October 30, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Savler
What city in Europe is most like Barcelona but less crowded?
Valencia is your best bet. It shares Barcelona’s love of late-night dining, beach culture, and vermouth-fuelled weekends - but with much less of the tourist crush. Locals still rule the promenade, and paella tastes like it should.
Which European cities have great food, beaches, and nightlife like Barcelona?
Valencia, Palermo, and Cádiz all tick that trifecta. Each offers beach days, long dinners, and lively nights, just with more local energy and more locals in the (shorter!) queues.
Is Valencia better than Barcelona for a beach holiday?
If you prefer space to breathe, yes. Valencia’s beaches are wider, less commercial, and still right in the city. You’ll trade the party crowds for rollerbladers, families, and long lunches.
Why visit Palermo instead of Barcelona?
Palermo swaps polished for passionate. Think street food over tapas bars, chaotic markets instead of beach clubs, and a nightlife that spills into courtyards instead of clubs. Same energy, different flavour.
What’s special about Cádiz compared to Barcelona?
Cádiz is smaller, older, and more spontaneous. You’ll find fried fish instead of fusion menus, sunset guitars instead of DJs, and a nightlife that feels like one long local celebration.
Where can I find more cities like Barcelona on Savler?
There are two ways. You can go to the homepage and click on Barcelona plus the vibe you're after for a curated list. You can also browse all destination “dupes” by vibe on Savler here - from food and nightlife to art or wine culture. Try searching for Alba (Italy), Logroño (Spain), or Porto (Portugal) if you liked Barcelona’s rhythm.
