Capitals in Europe
It might seem strange that a nation no bigger than a town, has a capital. But Monaco, which is the world's second-smallest nation (after the Vatican), has officially the quarter of Monte Carlo as capital. It's just a neighbourhood, no wider than a few blocks, and contains some of Monaco's landmarks like the casino and Hotel Paris, but else there are nothing that sets it apart from the rest of Monaco. A few streets up and you will be in France.
Let's be honest, Skopje is not the most exciting capital on the globe. The city is a strange mix of ancient stuff, some might even date back to Roman times, and dull concrete blocks. The fast flowing Vardar river splits the city into the old Muslim part, with bazaar, Turkish bathhouses and mosques, and the Orthodox side which is the "new" part. Here you will find Soviet-style public buildings, grand squares along with Orthodox churches, green neighborhoods with local cafes, and more drab concrete. The city center has a small flashy strip which act as a playground for the young and well-off.
Warsaw might not impress at first sight. Though the tourist-haunted old town is UNESCO enlisted, most buildings needed to be rebuilt after WWII. Outside the Old Town, Warsaw is an odd mix of imposing 19th centuries mansions, Soviet-era 'masterpieces', tired workers' apartment blocks and sparkling new glass'n'steel business towers. Nowhere is this more evident than around the 'Palace of Culture and Science' which was a hard-to-decline present from the USSR. Its 231 m still make it the tallest building in Poland, but the modern skyscrapers around it are getting higher and higher every year. The amount of black luxury SUVs in the streets indicate that many are surfing the capitalism wave, leaving solidarity to the past. But Warsaw is still raw and full of lovely places with cheap beers, vodka and hearty food served through a hole in the wall.
Cute Lisbon doesn't feel like a western European capital. The pace is slow and there is nothing flashy about the lovely historical downtown. Here, a castle and grand buildings rise among decrepit, though charming, working-class neighbourhoods, where grannies yelling to each other from their windows, and there is a tavern at every other corner. The different quarters all have a different vibe. Some are decayed with lots of graffiti, while others are up-coming areas for the young and creative. Since Lisbon is built on sloping hills, you can find amazing panoramic views over the city's red roofs and blue sea, by ascending winding narrow streets and steep staircases. So, even though downtown Lisbon is very compact and walkable, it's easy to get lost (and out of breath) in the 3-dimensional maze of alleyways. Luckily, you can always jump on a tram and get back to a main square. Take a break here, have a pastry or a glass of port wine, before venturing into another quarter for some more exploration.
Bucharest is Romania's buzzing capital with more than 2.1 million inhabitants. The streets are choked with traffic and sidewalks are patrolled by stray dogs, but it still is a fascinating place. One part was totally redone by dictator Ceaușescu inspired by North Korea's capital Pyongyang, and is an architectonic masterpiece in neo-Stalinistic city design that only dictators can come up with. The crown jewel from that period is of course the Palace of Parliament, the second largest building in world only beaten by the Pentagon, USA. Another part of Bucharest, and probably more enjoyable, is the historical part, the one that Ceausescu didn't managed to demolish. Here you fine grand old buildings, big squares, manicured parks, interesting museums and flashy shopping streets - along with cafes, bars and surprisingly many pizzerias.
It's no secret that San Marino's old town is cute. It's an UNESCO World Heritage Site and receives more than 2 million visitors every year, mostly Italians. However, the narrow and winding lanes are lined with shops selling anything from the usual range of souvenirs to leather jackets and samurai swords. But the historic center, particularly the fine towers of Guaita and Cesta and the 360 degrees panoramic views are totally worth all the kitsch and neverending hordes of tourists. For a break from the mass, take a small hike along the mountain ridge between the towers.
The capital of the former Yugoslavia became the capital of Serbia after the breakup. It has been attacked so many times through history, that locals claim it is the most destroyed city in the world. During the Kosovo War in the late 90's, Belgrade got again heavily damaged, this time by NATO bombings. So it is understandable, that the war torn city is bit of a mess today. Exquisite churches and rich architectures are mixed with gritty looking apartment blocks build in the most unappealing Soviet-style. So even that Belgrade is a bit bleak compared to some of Eastern European grand capitals like Prague and Budapest, it is considered one of the best places to have a night out - things get crazy here.
Bratislava is one of those European capitals that doesn't get a lot of attention. And no wonder, it lies only 64km from grandiose Vienna and 320km from ever-so-lovely Prague. The Old Town is tiny and doesn't match those of its neighbor - but sure, it is pretty and chanting with the maze-like alleyways. The city outside Old Town is also tiny and rather dull. It all seems that Bratislava has missed a beat or two on the catching-up-wave since the fall of the Iron Curtain, but that is exactly the reason why to visit Bratislava - to see a city that wasn't hit by the post-communism boom.
Cute little Ljubljana is one of those places you can only like. Ljubljanica river flows through the city center. It is the focal point of the attractive old town and you will find yourself strolling up and down the riverfront more than you care to count. You will encounter charming old houses, winding streets and endless rows of cafes, bars and restaurants with outdoor seating which gives Ljubljana the life and buzz that it is so beloved for. There are no must-see sights besides the ancient, but neatly done-up, castle on top of the hill - and even that one is not a must-see. Ljubljana is not a city to be seen, but a city to be enjoyed.
As European Old Towns go, Stockholm's historical centre does not get the attention it deserves. Dating back some 700 years, the collection of cobble-stones alleyways and archaic architecture have had their ups and downs. Housing some of the city's most important landmarks and buildings (parliament, cathedral, museums) there was a time when the islet was considered a slum. However, years of effort and a bunch of cash have seen the old centre restored to its former beauty. Nowadays, the past and the present are inter-tangled with old shops, cafes and hotels attracting countless visitors every year. While the main thoroughfares can get a little congested with tourist hordes, with a seemingly endless supply of tiny little back alleys, solitude is never too far away.