The relative compactness of Europe means that even in sprawling metropolises, you’re never far from the great outdoors, making it easy to combine the best of both worlds.
In some cases, take a mere 20-minute drive and you’re already surrounded by rural idyll. For inspiration, here are seven cosmopolitan cities with natural attractions just a car ride away.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Manchester, England
Manchester is known as England’s northern powerhouse because of its industrial past, but barely 55 miles away is one of the nation’s greatest national parks: the Yorkshire Dales.
Undulating hills and bucolic villages define the landscape here, with waterfalls hidden in lush valleys and sheep out to graze.
Pack a sandwich and make a day of it. There are hiking routes for all abilities through the pastoral scenery, but the area around Aysgarth Falls in the heart of the Dales is particularly enthralling.
Marseille, France
The port city of Marseille might be the second most populous in France, but the nearest national park is just 6 miles away.
Like the city, Parc National des Calanques is a little rough around the edges — craggy rocks jut out into the sea, forming a tough coastal hiking trail.
Locals love packing a day bag and hiking for an hour or two before arriving at one of the hidden beaches to cool off. More accessible coves, like Sormiou and Sugiton, tend to get overcrowded during the summer, so opt for a weekday if you can.
Faro, Portugal
You don’t have to go far from the city of Faro, the gateway to the Algarve region, to find a patch of flat, sandy beach. But to avoid the summer crowds, travel due west, where the villages get progressively smaller and the beaches quieter.
The waves pick up, too, with surf breaks suitable for everyone from beginners to pros. For a gentle introduction, try Praia do Beliche.
Gothenburg, Sweden
The province of Bohuslän on the west coast of Sweden is a kaleidoscope of dainty islands and colorful fishing villages; many are connected by road, making island-hopping a breeze.
Car-free Marstrand is where the Swedish royals go and is one of the closest to Gothenburg. Hop on a ferry and make a beeline for its towering fortress from which you can see the sailing boats in the bay.
Or drive all the way up north to Kosterhavet Marine National Park, where you can dive, swim, paddle or hike around some of the most pristine Nordic waters.
Tallinn, Estonia
Due south of the coastal city of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is Soomaa National Park, where a hike on the Riisa Study Trail will fascinate any first-timer.
The entrance is all dense forest and lush undergrowth, but suddenly it opens up to a flat, mossy plain. Be careful: If you step off the path and stand anywhere for too long, you’ll soon start sinking.
Yes, Riisa is one of Estonia’s famous bogs, flooded each year by melted snow. Bog walking — similar to snowshoeing — is one of the most popular activities year-round. In the summer, it’s possible to swim in the bogs, too.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Located in the Julian Alps about an hour northwest of Ljubljana, Lake Bled is a dreamy vision of pine forests and blue-green waters backed by snowcapped peaks.
A tear-shaped island in the middle of the lake, with the spire of the Church of the Assumption just poking out from behind the trees, completes the fairy-tale setting.
Hiking, biking and kayaking are all popular activities here, but nearby you’ll also find stalagmite-laden caves to explore, such as the 15-mile-long Postojna Cave.
Venice, Italy
Had enough of the busy waterways in Venice? Head inland to the lakes of the Trentino region.
Once you get past Verona, you can take the scenic route along the winding Adige River all the way in. Though be warned: It’ll take longer than the motorway.
Garda is the biggest and most famous of the lakes, which is to say it gets very crowded. But head to smaller lakes like Caldonazzo or Levico and you can be sure you’ll only bump into summering Italians as you cycle around the shores.
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