Lisbon has gone from being one of Europe’s better-kept secrets to one of its most desirable city breaks. The city delivers nearly everything travelers want from Europe: cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, centuries of history, waterfront views, incredible food and easy day trips.

It is also a city made for wandering. Start walking and you will inevitably find tiled facades, a neighborhood bakery, a tiny wine bar or a viewpoint looking across Lisbon’s red rooftops.

Don’t miss

1. 01
   AlfamaLisbon’s oldest neighborhood, best explored slowly and revisited after dark for fado.
2. 02
   Belém TowerA landmark of Portugal’s maritime history.
3. 03
   Jerónimos MonasteryExtraordinary Manueline architecture.
4. 04
   São Jorge CastleHistoric walls and some of the city’s best views.
5. 05
   SintraA day trip for Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira.
6. 06
   CascaisBeaches, seafood and a relaxed coastal escape.

Few destinations combine the ancient and futuristic as effortlessly as Tokyo. Spend the morning at a centuries-old temple, eat sushi for lunch, browse a ten-story electronics store and finish the evening above one of the world’s most spectacular skylines.

Tokyo also works remarkably well for travelers visiting Asia for the first time. Public transportation is excellent, neighborhoods are distinctly different and the city rewards both obsessive planning and spontaneous wandering.

Don’t miss

1. 01
   Shibuya CrossingSee the famous scramble from street level and above.
2. 02
   Senso-ji TempleTokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple.
3. 03
   Meiji ShrineA calm forested counterpoint to Harajuku.
4. 04
   Tsukiji Outer MarketSeafood, sushi and street food.
5. 05
   teamLabImmersive digital art and sensory installations.
6. 06
   Fuji or HakoneA classic day trip when the weather cooperates.

If you love European cities but increasingly dislike European prices, Kraków deserves serious consideration. Medieval squares, church towers, castles, narrow streets and cafes inside historic buildings deliver the Europe many travelers imagine, generally at a lower cost than major Western European capitals.

Don’t miss

1. 01
   Rynek GłównyThe enormous medieval Main Market Square.
2. 02
   St. Mary’s BasilicaOne of Poland’s most recognizable churches.
3. 03
   Wawel Royal CastleA magnificent complex above the Vistula.
4. 04
   KazimierzHistory, restaurants, nightlife and Jewish heritage.
5. 05
   Wieliczka Salt MineUnderground chambers and chapels carved into salt.
6. 06
   Auschwitz-Birkenau MemorialA deeply important memorial and place of education, approached with respect.

Mexico City deserves to be treated as one of the world’s great cultural capitals, not simply a convenient weekend destination from the United States. It is one of the planet’s best food cities, filled with museums, historic neighborhoods, architecture, parks, markets and an extraordinary restaurant scene.

Don’t miss

1. 01
   Centro Histórico & ZócaloMexico City’s monumental historic heart.
2. 02
   Museo Nacional de AntropologíaOne of the world’s great anthropology museums.
3. 03
   Chapultepec ParkMuseums, lakes, gardens and a hilltop castle.
4. 04
   Roma NorteCafes, restaurants, cocktails and tree-lined streets.
5. 05
   Frida Kahlo MuseumCasa Azul in Coyoacán, book ahead.
6. 06
   TeotihuacánAn extraordinary archaeological day trip.

There are not many cities where you can hike a mountain in the morning, visit vineyards in the afternoon and watch the sunset over the ocean before dinner. Cape Town is one of them. Table Mountain dominates the skyline, while the Atlantic coastline wraps around beaches, cliffs and dramatic neighborhoods.

Don’t miss

1. 01
   Table MountainRide the cableway or hike, depending on conditions.
2. 02
   Cape PointA spectacular peninsula drive.
3. 03
   Boulders BeachHome to an African penguin colony.
4. 04
   Robben IslandImportant South African history and memory.
5. 05
   StellenboschOne of the country’s major wine regions.
6. 06
   FranschhoekVineyards, restaurants and an easy overnight addition.

Bali has been famous for decades, but there is a reason people keep returning. Few destinations make it so easy to move between beach resorts, rice terraces, temples, wellness retreats and sophisticated restaurants. The key is understanding that Ubud, Canggu, Uluwatu, Seminyak and Nusa Dua offer very different trips.

Don’t miss

1. 01
   UbudRice terraces, temples, yoga, spas and jungle scenery.
2. 02
   UluwatuCliffs, beaches, temple views and sunset.
3. 03
   Tirta EmpulA significant Balinese Hindu water temple.
4. 04
   Mount BaturPopular sunrise hiking territory.
5. 05
   Nusa PenidaDramatic coastal scenery offshore.
6. 06
   Tanah LotOne of Bali’s iconic temple settings.

Dubrovnik has one of Europe’s most spectacular settings. The fortified Old Town appears almost suspended between mountains and the Adriatic Sea. Walk the medieval walls in the morning, swim in brilliant blue water in the afternoon and eat seafood beside a stone alleyway in the evening.

Don’t miss

1. 01
   City WallsThe classic full circuit above the Old Town.
2. 02
   Old TownStradun, churches, monasteries and side streets.
3. 03
   Fort LovrijenacA dramatic fortress outside the western wall.
4. 04
   Mount SrđPanoramic views over Dubrovnik and the islands.
5. 05
   Lokrum IslandA quick boat ride for swimming and walking.
6. 06
   Elafiti IslandsIdeal for a day on the water.

Montréal can feel surprisingly European without requiring a transatlantic flight from the United States. French is everywhere, cafe culture thrives, neighborhoods are made for walking and the food scene is excellent. It is particularly appealing for travelers who want an international holiday without sacrificing an entire day to getting there.

Don’t miss

1. 01
   Old MontréalCobblestones, historic architecture and atmosphere.
2. 02
   Notre-Dame BasilicaA spectacular interior in the historic core.
3. 03
   Mount RoyalThe city’s classic elevated viewpoint.
4. 04
   Jean-Talon MarketA great introduction to Montréal food culture.
5. 05
   Plateau Mont-RoyalCafes, streetscapes and famous exterior staircases.
6. 06
   Montréal Museum of Fine ArtsA worthwhile culture break of several hours.