Introducing the 2020 European Capitals of Culture!

Every year the European Commission selects a city in Europe to be that year’s “European Capital of Culture”. The intent is to highlight the richness and diversity of cultures in Europe, while boosting the chosen city’s engagement with the arts, and bringing more visitors to engage in a whirlwind year of creative cultural events.

2020 makes the 35th anniversary of the project, and the commission selected two cities as joint European Capitals of Culture: Galway, Ireland and Rijeka, Croatia. If Ireland and Croatia are considerations for your 2020 travel plans, be sure to include Galway and Rijeka as a part of your itinerary! There’s no better time to visit than now, when the cities are infused with a once-in-a-lifetime energy and ambition to share the best of themselves with locals and visitors.

Galway

County Galway is the true heartland of Western Ireland. With miles of white sand coastline, rugged cliffs and rolling hills of green, this is a stunning place to experience Irish scenery at its best. The city of Galway is a perfect place to base yourself to get a dose of the urban cultural festivities, while also easily venturing out into the surrounding landscape.

For instance, you could get up early and journey to Kinvara to see the impressive 16th century Dunguaire Castle, perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking Galway Bay. Look for the fabled wild Connemara ponies as you walk through windswept moors and rugged mountains on some of Ireland's most beautiful hiking trails. Come back to the city in plenty of time to take in a pub meal and Galway’s phenomenal live music scene: in 2020, more than ever before, the city will come alive to the sounds of traditional and contemporary Irish music.

“Every arts organization will get the chance to come together and show the world what they’re capable of, like never before”, says John Crumlish, from the Galway International Arts Festival. If you’re there in March, don’t miss what’s aiming to be the world’s largest lit artwork ever made: Kari Kola, a “light artist” will be bathing 6,000,000m2 of the Connemara Mountains an emerald green, just in time for St Patrick’s Day.

ToursByLocals has seven fantastic guides in Galway: Peter, Christopher, Tadgh, Carmel, Gerard, Martina, and Paul. They’ll all be delighted to show you the very best of their city and the beautiful Irish countryside.

Rijeka

Arriving in Rijeka, you're immediately struck by the color contrasts. Green forested hills give way to red rooftops clustered around a natural harbour of sparkling blues and green. Its strategic location at the head of an island-filled bay has meant Rijeka has been fought over since Roman times.

The multitude of Mediterranean seafaring powers all left their mark on Rijeka’s atmospheric old town. Meander through the narrow streets and lanes surrounding the port before heading to the city's lively open-air market. If you're inspired to window shop, follow the local crowds to pedestrianized Korzo street, lined with ornate period buildings. When it's time for dinner, consider heading around the bay to Opatija, to order fresh seafood and gaze across the water at Rijeka's flickering lights. One thing you won’t see? The sheer numbers of people who have descended on more southerly Dubrovnik in recent years!

Rijeka’s theme for 2020 European Capital of Culture plays off its layered history and modern-day culture: “Port of Diversity.” The city’s cultural programming will dedicate much attention to issues of migration and minorities, and planners have created incredible new cultural spaces throughout the city to focus on these issues. The Diversity Kitchen is one you won’t want to miss, offering visitors an unusual mix of music, cuisine, art and activism at the re-purposed Benčić complex.

Our two fun and insightful guides in Rijeka are Dean and Sanjana. Both of them will be delighted to share their city with you, and to help you explore Rijeka’s rich cultural history.