Think bigger is always better? Not when it comes to crowds, it ain’t.
If you want to ditch the fanny-packers, or you’ve already climbed Tour Eiffel and legged up to Cristo Redentor, then consider skipping the big sites in favour of these mini, but equally marvy, littler-known alternatives.
Paris
Big: Château de Versailles. Better: Vaux le Vicomte
The Sun King’s palatial masterpiece is as majestic as it is massive, but shuffling through the Hall of Mirrors with a few hundred other audio-guide-affixed Tammy Tourists will likely only leave you reflecting on the tedium of it all. An hour from Paris, petit Château de Vaux le Vicomte (the original inspiration for Versailles) remains charmant and crowd-free, with hectares of landscaped formal gardens and lavish baroque interiors. Go on a Saturday night in summer when the grounds are lit with more than 2,000 flickering candles. Ahhh, the romance.
Vaux le Vicomte, Maincy, France. +33 1 64 14 41 90, vaux-le-vicomte.com
Istanbul
Big: The Blue Mosque. Better: Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque
The big blue Sultanahmet Camii is a vision of soaring arches and cobalt tiles, but with some five million visitors filing beneath the domed ceiling each year, it isn’t exactly the most spiritual experience – especially given the pervasive pong brought on by so many bare feet! For a more peaceful moment float over to nearby Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque, a little bobby-dazzler built in 1571 by main-man Sinan. Hidden behind high walls you’ll find an open colonnaded courtyard and light-filled hexagonal prayer hall covered with indigo calligraphy and intricate Iznik designs.
Want a wee alternative to the Hagia Sophia too? The Church the Holy Savior in Chora, is a slight shlep 20 minutes from the city centre, but you’ll be rewarded with some of the world’s finest C.14th Byzantine art.
Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque, Dizdariye Cesme Sok. 43-45, Fatih, Istanbul, +90 212 524 6410, sunrise-sunset daily, arrive after prayer times and the caretaker will let you in
Church the Holy Savior in Chora, Kariye Cami Sok. 6, Edirnekapi, Istanbul. +90 212 631 9241, choramuseum.com
Barcelona
Big: Sagrada Familia. Better: Palau Güell
A tranquil moment to behold the ever-swamped Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, and packed-out Park Güell? Good luck – uncrowded Gaudí sites are as rare in Barcelona as Real Madrid t-shirts. But you can avoid the blighting bustle at Palau Güell, a Modernisme mansion marvel crowned with 20 of the iconic architect’s characteristically colourful chimneys – best seen by twilight during one of the rooftop recitals.
Palau Güell, Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 3-5, El Raval, Barcelona. +34 934 72 57 75, palauguell.cat
Tokyo
Big: Sensoji Temple. Better: Hie Shrine
The Sensoji temple in Asakusa has a gigantic red gate, a great big pagoda and one of the largest lanterns you’ll likely ever see… But the masses of tourists are just as immense. In contrast, the centrally located hilltop Hie Shrine is a quitely humming haven reached by a long staircase corridor of torii gates – or a decidedly unorthodox escalator. The site is particularly pretty during the Spring Sanno lantern festival.
Hie Shrine, 2-10-5 Nagatacho, Chiyoda, Tokyo. +81 3 3581 2471, hiejinja.net
Rio de Janeiro
Big: Jardim Botânico. Better: Parque Lage
Sure, the Botânico has all the pretty palm-lined paths and classy glassy orchidarium, but little Parque Lage is just as easy on the eyes. Enter the restored ‘20s manse in the shadow of Christ the Redeemer for a picturesque pond-side bite and a bit of smart art spotting in the Escole de Artes Visuais expo space.
Parque Lage, R. Jardim Botânico, 414, Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro. +55 21 3257 1800, eavparquelage.rj.gov.br
New York
Big: Empire State Building. Better: Top of the Rock
What with all the endless stop-start lines and hoards of school kiddies, NYC’s best known building is more queue-y than view-y. Staggered visit times and ample space on the glass-walled observation deck make Le Rock the city’s true panorama mamma.
Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Center, 30 Rockefeller Center, Midtown, New York. +1 212 698 2000, topoftherocknyc.com
