European destinations with "soul"?

Fascinating theory, thanks for the explanation of "Soul" I think I get it lol!

Just off the top of my head one could make the case that Poland fits your definition of "soul". What is now Poland only encompasses the heartland of a vast multinational empire known as the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth which stretched from Estonia in the north down to Romania and Ukraine in the south.

In eastern Poland and western Ukraine one finds these perfectly preserved Royal Renaissance Towns from the Commonwealth's golden age in the 15th and 16th centuries, that miraculously escaped much damage from WWII. Some of these towns include Zamość, Sandomierz, Przemyśl, Lviv (Lwów), Tarnów.

The Queen of Poland at the time, Bona Sforza of the famous Milanese House of Sforza, imported Italian Architects to build these towns in the style of the Italian Renaissance.

mm, I haven't read those Rick pieces, but maybe you want to refine your summary. I mean (not to be nasty) that it could apply to England! Or does England have "soul"?

Opatjia, Croatia
Koper, Slovenia
Kotor, Montenegro

I think there must be a lot of small towns in Italy where this might be true, but I haven't been to them. But these are the kind of towns where all the young people move away for jobs. Maybe your definition assumes "moderate to major destination" and tourism infrastructure?

Ulcinj Montenegro
Sarajevo BiH
Veliko Tarnovo Bulgaria
Kyiv since 2014, reaffirmed this year.

Not sure about the backwater element, since I would place these cities in that category:

Florence, Italy
Siena, Italy
Augsburg, Germany
Bayeux, France
St. Paul de Vence, France
York, England
Krakow, Poland
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Porto, Portugal

Berlin definitely isn't a soul place if it's deep cultural identity and pride and I think most Germans would recoil in horror as it brings up ultra-right associations. I myself recoil at the "cultural identity and pride" piece. Ditto for the rest of German.

Honestly, I think most places have some kind of "soul". But I'd argue even Vienna doesn't bask in former glory as it's a modern bustling city with modern sensibilities.

Berlin's a place where you eat in deli's, American fast foods or Vietnamese restaurants. The famous museums aren't even in the class with those in Paris or Amsterdam or Vienna.

A German city with soul would be Dresden--now that it's been rebuilt. It was perhaps the most beautiful city in Europe until the end of 1945. You can even get German food there.

I would consider Salzburg to be a very popular city, especially with its "soul music."

Český Krumlov is another city with plenty of soul, and very popular as a side trip from Prague.

@MM - if you liked Sevilla, then I'm sure you'll like Zaragoza as well. I think it checks the boxes of your Soul criteria lol! Located in the north east of Spain, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, Zaragoza was once the seat of the mighty Kingdom of Aragon, whose possessions included southern France, Sicily, and even Greece during the middle ages.

These days Zaragoza is a charming city to explore with more than 2,000 years of history including Roman ruins of the city walls, forum, and amphitheater, and the Aljafería; an 11th-century Moorish palace, the most northern Islamic palace in Europe. Throughout Zaragoza you'll find Mudéjar architecture, a unique mix between Moorish and Christian styles and motifs. Zaragoza is also the home to the Nuestra Señora del Pilar Basilica, which has one of the best church exteriors in Spain.

I think that Zaragoza is one of those undiscovered gems that Rick Steves calls "back doors". It reminds me a lot of Barcelona before international mass tourism really took off. Virtually unknown to foreign tourists, who just zoom past it on the highspeed train from Barcelona to Madrid.

In Germany no problem locating such places depending on your level of interest.

I would suggest going to towns/cities where hardly any or no foreign tourist/visitors are to be seen in terms of your definition of "soul", definitely places totally off the North American tourist radar, if that is relevant to you. Disregard the "backwater" factor, some always were.

There are lots of these places, many I've seen, visited once or repeatedly.. ....Weimar, Magdeburg, Schleswig, Wesel am Rhein, Xanten, Rattingen, Seelow, Porta Westfalica bei Minden an der Weser, Naumburg an der Saale, Rheinsberg/Brandenburg, Neustrelitz/ Mecklenburg,

If you prefer an entire region in Germany, then I suggest Ostfriesland, which I have yet to visit, and especially, Schleswig-Holstein.

I vote for Berlin for the "soul" factor....well worth it, based on its historical reputation and location of the districts.

OP here. This is such an interesting discussion!

I'm having trouble putting my finger on the definition myself, but realized I was missing a crucial component.

Places with soul have a deep and distinct cultural identity, for sure - with a confluence of tradition, and history. But critically I think it's also that there's a palpable pride of place and in those things by the people who call it home - adherence to and celebration of that living and breathing culture and tradition by the people who live there. A distinct and unique depth and personality of place.

For example I think Rick is talking about the fact that flamenco, the paseo, etc are so actively participated in and celebrated in Sevilla (and that people actually live normal lives in the city, not an economy entirely based on tourism) as part of the residents' identities and not just for tourists, is part of the reason he says Sevilla has soul.

Fascinating discussion and looking forward to others' thoughts and ideas!

The Basque Country is a place that comes to mind.

It is easy to say that the language and the gastronomy set it apart. But in light off your clarification, I would say the Fronton is very Basque.

In any village in the Basque Country you will find a Fronton. Probably the most famous fronton game is Jai Alai, but there are different version, like hand ball or short paddle. There are also the "Rural Basque Sports" like wood chopping and stone lifting.

I am sure (and hope) that Mikel the Basque Guide can improve my comments.

@Carlos, I agree with you about Zaragoza and Aragon in general.

Interesting topic.

I put forth Liverpool. There's a deep cultural identity and some would even say its own language, lol. (I can understand Scouse accent but many struggle with it). There's a sort of independence notion. A strong political identity. And pride and confidence in their city that is off the charts.

The Merseybeat music is more than just the Beatles.

Great footballing heritage and footballing present.

Spectacular architecture too. The Three Grace's along the Mersey, two cathedrals, and more.

Liverpool was quite wealthy and of course fell very poor. After it was the European Capital of Culture in 2008, the EU invested like crazy in the area.

And the people really are as unique and friendly as you've heard.

Many small villages in Italy would fit these criteria, methinks. Larger cities too - Florence has soul somehow despite the crushing hordes of tourists. Naples is dripping with it despite the trash and shady characters.

In my opinion, connecting with a place has as much to do with you and your heart being open as with the people/history/architecture etc

I will add Nice. Old town has soul and many other parts for the city as well. The local markets that tourist rarely visit lends soul to the neighborhood they serve. Lots of cultural identity and history.

If you prefer going to big cities in Germany having "soul" regardless of that word's relative definition, then I heartily recommend Berlin given its political, social, and cultural heritage, reputation, ie, prior to Nazi and Communist totalitarianism, Leipzig, Dresden, Frankfurt, Heidelberg.

What makes Berlin obvious is its traditional , old time "Berliner Mileur."

It interesting to think of this in the contrast to places that feel soulless. I know it’s a cherished place for many forum members, but I found Burges to be painfully soulless. Pretty, cute, historic, clean, sure. But “dead behind the eyes”.

Interesting notion Scudder! There must also be those "Soul-less" places in Europe. Ironically I'd say the Costa del Sol is a pretty "Soul-less" place lol!

Perhaps Salzburg, Venice, Dubrovnik, or Santorini also make that cut?

Some places you have to know the history to feel the soul. Dubrovnik is one, for me, it is Dusneyland until you know the recent history and see the few faint reminders then it takes on a different mood.

Yes I think most people know Dubrovnik because of game of thrones.

"Some places you have to know the history to feel the soul." So very true.

Perhaps Salzburg, Venice, Dubrovnik, or Santorini also make that cut?

Interesting to hear you ponder that, Carlos. I'm planning my first visit to Venice in March, and have wondered what it's like "on the ground". I'll certainly enjoy the sights, but relaxing into the soul of a place is my favorite part of traveling. Honestly, I don't even feel particularly driven to see Venice. I just feel a sense of urgency for it. (In case some day it's... not there to see.)

Hi Scudder, I felt the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica were definitely worth a visit, just to see all the interesting things the Venetians have looted over the years. Beyond that the city itself felt "empty behind the eyes" as you say. I actually enjoyed Ravenna more and her excellent Byzantine art and architecture.

As a Munich girl of course I'm saying Munich. It is a very livable city and the residents soak up the spirit and the soul in their daily lifes. I've learned from this forum that Munich seems to has a hard time transporting it's soul to the american tourists. Maybe it is a mistake to keep up this beer yodel image becasue this city is so much more than that.

Well, I was going to say Frankfurt but don't feel like getting shot down by the Frankfurt haters. Though really, the city has a certain charm, has more history then you can shake a stick at, and people who live here are super proud of the city,

Anyway, am going to put up Oberammergau for a city with soul. The entire city works together to put on this Passion Play every 10 years and they do an excellent, professional job of it, even if in real life for the other 9 years they are barbers, farmers, cooks, servers, or grocers. Yet, they turn into musicians, singers, actors, lighting personal, costume makers, and directors. So, they get my vote.

I also love Sevilla and know what vibe you are talking about. I’m not sure about the criteria, to me it’s a know it when you see it type thing.
Other parts of southern Spain, of course - Granada is my absolute favorite for this type of reason.

The only other place that comes close to this vibe for me is Sicily. Siracusa and Palermo are my examples but I’m sure there are other towns on the island that qualify too. I suspect lots of Deep South Italy - Puglia etc might work but I haven’t been yet.

I like Vienna but it doesn’t have the quality I’m thinking of. A key to me is a lack of formality - the paseo, street life, vibrant markets and a sense of…color (not literal color but a certain vibrancy).

Munich was absolutely part of my first trip to Germany in 1971, due to its political history, good , bad and the ugly. Going there was the final part of a seven week trip earmarked for Germany. Admittedly, I went to the Hofbräuhaus too, which was peripheral to be checked out, since the German kids with me from the hostel saw it as a waste of time.

Thinking more of off the beaten path places in Bulgaria like Koprivshtitsa north east of Sofia. You have the idea thrown back in time with it’s unpaved roads, horse and carts and the smell of wood-fired houses. Maybe more touristy than ever before and changed in the meanwhile, but fifteen years ago a nice surprise to discover during my trip through Bulgaria.

Will vote against Augsburg above I'm afraid. I just spent a couple days there last summer. Bombed nearly flat and not so much restored. Nearby Ulm significantly better in the regards OP describes, but also not really a heartbreaking miss.

Den Bosch
Strasbourg
Saumur
Pick your small city in Belgium

I must say, I do like the type of places you are describing. I like to travel to places that people move to to then live the good life.

“Has Soul”; maybe that means the same as when I say a place speaks to me: but I discovered that the world only talks to the worthy and to be worthy you have to understand what you are seeing …. History at the very least.

Take the Curia Julia for instance, an unassuming building surrounded by many more interesting relics of the past; until you enter and realize your feet were on the same stone as Augustus and the room begins to speak to you …. but only if you know Augusts and only then if Western Civilization is a subject that touches our soul.

Another, for me, Майдан Незалежності a “pretty” town square with fountains and a few monuments which becomes so much more when I close my eyes and see the square full of citizens demanding a better life, dying to achieve it; and having no idea of the price they would have to pay over the following 8 years and beyond.

Even the community where I stayed on my most recent trip; the “damage” around the upper floor windows of the building across the street is nothing but bad maintenance to most visitors; to me it is a connection to 1956; and that speed bump on Holló u. is only a tripping hazard until you know it by coincidence sits exactly where the wall between fascism and death once stood.

Others might be wired to find emotion in footsteps of great composers or artists or …. ; its all valid but I think you will have more luck finding a place with “soul” if you meet the challenge half way by doing the homework first.

There is the occasional unprepared and unexpected; my view of the city lights from the Citadella kilátó began a relationship that would last 20 years; despite having no idea what I was looking at.

If one goes by the definition regarding if a place has "soul," such a place is so unique as to speak to me, ie, says something to me (as in the topic of music), then I would say Fontainebleau, not only singular uniqueness of the Chateau de Fontainebleau but the town's centre ville as you explore it on foot.

Loved the list of cities with soul, interesting no one added anywhere in Portugal? I spent 10 days with a friend in the eastern part of the country, small towns, great food, and lovely scenery.

Thank you @schudder & @carlos for adding Venice to the list of soulless places. I've visited 3 times in various seasons with Italian relatives, 2 decades ago, and I sincerely dislike Venice. Depending upon where you look for statistics, it had a population of 151,000 in 1951, & just 50,000 by 2020, with THIRTY FIVE MILLION tourists visiting in 2019. Elsewhere I saw 20 million tourists in 2019 but ugh it's still too many for my 'second city soul and helps explain why I disliked it so much. There are plenty of lovely smaller towns in Italy with basilicas, gorgeous central squares, rich living history, and a vibrant local population.