Hidden Gems in 10 of the World's Coolest Cities

The world's coolest cities are famous for their landmarks, but the moments you remember are often found a little further away: a neighbourhood market, a park where locals spend their Sunday, a street of independent cafés and studios. Here are ten great cities and, for each, a hidden gem – or a whole neighbourhood – that most visitors miss, with tips on when to go and what to combine it with.

Europe

1. Lisbon – LX Factory and the Feira da Ladra

Under the 25 de Abril Bridge, LX Factory is a former industrial complex turned creative hub, with bookshops (including the much-photographed Ler Devagar), design stores, street art, restaurants and a Sunday market. In the old Alfama and Graça districts, the Feira da Ladra flea market fills Campo de Santa Clara on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Finish at one of the city's miradouros (viewpoints) – Senhora do Monte is usually quieter than Santa Luzia – for sunset.

2. Berlin – Tempelhofer Feld

The former Tempelhof Airport, closed in 2008, is now one of the world's most unusual parks. Locals cycle, skate, kite-skate and picnic on the old runways, and community gardens grow beside the taxiways. It's huge, open and very Berlin. Hire a bike, bring a picnic from a Neukölln bakery, and explore the nearby Schillerkiez neighbourhood's cafés and bars afterwards.

3. Copenhagen – Assistens Cemetery and Nørrebro

In multicultural Nørrebro, Assistens Cemetery – resting place of Hans Christian Andersen and Søren Kierkegaard – doubles as a park where locals read and relax – one of many beautiful cemeteries around the world worth a visit. The surrounding streets, especially Jægersborggade and Elmegade, are full of independent cafés, vintage shops and some of the city's best-value food. Superkilen, a park filled with objects from more than 50 countries, is a short walk away. See our guide to Copenhagen by bike.

4. Istanbul – Balat and Fener

On the Golden Horn, the old neighbourhoods of Balat and Fener have colourful wooden houses, steep cobbled lanes, Greek Orthodox churches, synagogues and antique shops, with cafés in restored buildings. It's a world away from the crowds of Sultanahmet. Visit the Chora (Kariye) mosaics nearby, then take a ferry back down the Golden Horn. See our Istanbul guide.

5. Barcelona – the Bunkers del Carmel

Old anti-aircraft gun emplacements on a hilltop offer one of the best 360-degree views of the city, especially at sunset. Combine them with the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site – a hospital complex as beautiful as anything by Gaudí – and a wander through Gràcia's village-like squares in the evening. See more in our guide to Barcelona's hidden gems.

Asia

6. Tokyo – Yanaka

One of the few areas of Tokyo that survived the earthquakes and bombing of the 20th century, Yanaka has old wooden houses, small temples, traditional craft shops and a lively shopping street, Yanaka Ginza, famous for its street snacks and cats. Walk through Yanaka Cemetery, beautiful in cherry-blossom season, and continue to the museums and park of Ueno.

7. Seoul – Ikseon-dong

A cluster of restored hanok (traditional Korean houses) near Jongno, Ikseon-dong's narrow alleys are filled with cafés, small restaurants and boutiques. Visit on a weekday to avoid crowds, and combine it with Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden, and the Bukchon Hanok Village nearby – remembering that Bukchon is a residential area with visiting hours.

The Americas and beyond

8. Mexico City – Coyoacán

The leafy, colonial-era neighbourhood of Coyoacán has cobbled streets, plazas, a lively market (try the tostadas) and the Blue House, Frida Kahlo's former home and now a museum – book tickets well ahead. On weekends, the main square fills with families, musicians and street food. Nearby San Ángel has a Saturday art market.

9. Melbourne – the laneways

Melbourne's lanes and arcades hide coffee bars, street art, small bars and restaurants. Hosier Lane is famous for its murals, while Degraves Street and the Block Arcade are classic stops. Many of the best bars are tucked down alleys or up unmarked staircases – a guided laneway tour is a good way to start, then explore Fitzroy and Collingwood for independent shops.

10. Cape Town – Bo-Kaap and the Company's Garden

Bo-Kaap's brightly painted houses on the slopes of Signal Hill are the historic heart of the city's Cape Malay community, with a small museum, spice shops and cooking classes – visit respectfully, as it's a residential area. Nearby, the Company's Garden, originally planted to supply ships in the 17th century, is a peaceful green space in the city centre, surrounded by museums.

How to find your own hidden gems

• Walk without a plan for part of each day, especially in residential neighbourhoods.
• Visit markets – food, flea and farmers' markets show how locals live and eat.
• Ask locals – hotel staff, shopkeepers and bartenders often have the best tips.
• Use public transport to reach outer districts: the best food is often a few stops from the centre.
• Go early or late: even famous places feel different at sunrise or in the evening.
• Respect residents: in popular "hidden" neighbourhoods, keep noise down and don't photograph people's homes or private lives without permission.

Planning a German city break? See our guide to the best things to do in Hamburg.