This charming city, just a stone’s throw away from the UK, packs a punch for holidaymakers looking for a break without the crowds.

Just a short flight away from Denmark’s capital city is Aalborg. Once home to the Vikings, this stunning town is transformed from its fishing past.

Aalborg today is home to a vibrant student atmosphere with plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants to sink your teeth into.

Old warehouses and industrial buildings are newly converted, giving you a peek into the past while giving the all important Instagram material.

It’s the perfect place for a bit of hygge, or Danish cosyness.

Need a place to eat? Conde Nast Traveler recommends Tabu, a modern Nordic restaurant that holds up against anything expensive Copenhagen has to offer.

A week-long trip for two people in Aalborg covering food, accommodation, sightseeing and local transport costs on average £1,191. By contrast, a week-long trip to Copenhagen for two people costs a whopping £​​2,308.93.

So why go to Copenhagen’s less popular little sister? It’s simple – there’s so much to do, and it remains largely undiscovered by mass tourists.

The designer of Sydney’s Opera House, Danish Jørn Utzon, has his very own exhibition at the Utzon Centre, where you can explore his works. The area is also renowned for its street food offering, with a whole raft of cultural cuisine sizzling away in an old furniture factory that has been repurposed.

It’s a permanent street market, and has made a name for itself as a popular place to hangout.

No trip to Aalborg is complete without a cheap bite to eat with Danes in an old furniture factory. That’s the venue for Aalborg’s first permanent street food market; the popular local hangout, known as The Lighthouse. Head here to try food from around the world and to soak up the local atmosphere.