Travelling is a great way to explore another culture, and many Britons will look for genuinely authentic experiences on their next holiday.
Marseille has claimed the top spot in a new ranking of Europe's most authentic cities, scoring 51.5 out of 100. The French port city offers something increasingly rare for travellers - a place that feels genuinely lived-in rather than polished up for tourists.
The city's working harbour districts give visitors a real taste of everyday life in one of France's most culturally diverse urban centres.
For experiences that feel true to local life rather than manufactured for the masses, Marseille came out on top in the research by InsureandGo. The city pairs history with incredible Mediterranean coasts, and it is all tied up with 300 days of sun a year.
Marseille in France was named the most authentic holiday destination
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Top 10 list of Europe's most authentic cities
- Marseille, France – 51.5
- Warsaw, Poland – 50.6
- Tbilisi, Georgia – 44.2
- Porto, Portugal – 43.6
- Lyon, France – 41.2
- Vilnius, Lithuania – 41.0
- Gdańsk, Poland – 39.8
- Naples, Italy – 36.4
- Frankfurt, Germany – 36.3
- Lake Bled, Slovenia – 34.2
Warsaw takes second place with a score of 50.6, and it's easy to see why travellers love it there. The Polish capital blends modern culture with carefully preserved traditions, a result of thoughtful rebuilding after the Second World War. Visitors exploring the reconstructed Old Town's narrow cobbled streets say they feel like they're experiencing real Warsaw life.
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Coming in third is Tbilisi in Georgia, earning 44.2 points. The Georgian capital wins hearts with its wine bars, traditional sulphur baths and striking architecture.
Centuries-old winemaking traditions and local bakeries serving fresh khachapuri create moments that feel Georgian through and through.
Porto's riverside areas and traditional port wine lodges helped secure fourth place, while its azulejo-tiled buildings give visitors a real slice of northern Portuguese culture.
Lyon also made the list as the second French city in the top 10, and it is ideal for anyone who hates tourist traps.
Tbilisi in Georgia wins hearts with its wine bars, traditional sulphur baths and striking architecture
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The city famous for its traditional bouchons and historic quarters boasts just a 0.3 per cent tourist trap rate – one of the lowest in the entire study.
That means visitors can explore without constantly worrying about being ripped off or steered towards inauthentic experiences.
The rankings were compiled by analysing real tourist reviews, focusing on which European destinations deliver true local experiences rather than manufactured attractions.
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