With so much attention placed on the cultural centers of London, Paris, Barcelona, and Rome, it's easy to underlook other options in the region. Travelers frequently encounter the dilemma of too much to see and too little time, so some destinations are etched off the list. The immense urban landscape of Europe offers so much to the visual palate that completely writing off certain regions is ludicrous, to say the least.

For those with an insatiable curiosity, I've listed my personal five most under-rated European cities (so-far).

1. Kiev

A gem of Eastern Europe, Kiev is easily one of the most picturesque cities in the region. A diverse urban sprawl spills across both sides of the Dnipr River. During the summer the shores also serve as a popular makeshift beach. The city has a number of interesting locations including Club Petrovich, the Golden Gate, and Church of the Assumption. Strolling through the residential sections, travelers will be surprised at the interesting graffiti art sprawled across apartment buildings.

One note, do learn some Russian or Ukrainian before visiting, the language barrier might deter some folks.

2. Lisbon

"Yeah you can easily see most of Lisbon within three days," is a common saying among travelers. It seems that Barcelona claims most of the glory of Iberia. However, I disagree. The surrounding hillsides of the São Jorge Castle are lined with local restaurants and stylized, historical street graffiti, creating a love affair for photographers. Love football and history? Great, the Museu Benfica works as a dual location for both interests, providing a scope on athletic competitions as well as Portuguese cultural icons. In the evening, street artists flock to the Praça do Comércio providing live music, break dancing, and comic relief.

3. Oslo

I feel ashamed that I put Oslo on the shelf for ages. When I finally stepped foot and wandered along the dew-drenched lakeside hills, I instantly fell in love. Norway alone is under-rated in the art world, sporting such heavy hitters as Ibsen, Vigeland, and Munch. All of which have exhibits not far from the Royal Palace.

In fact, Munch has an entire room dedicated to his artwork. In the afternoon, visitors can enjoy a boat ride to Hovedoya Island or visit the Noble Peace Center.

Lastly, if you're a morning person, make sure you wake up early to walk through the fog blanketed hillside with a cup of a coffee and a trusty camera.

4. Luxembourg City

Sandwiched between Belgium, Germany, and France, it's surprising that the nation of Luxembourg is often under-looked by travelers. I suppose this has to do with the few public bus options into the capital. However, it shouldn't be a reason to scratch from your itinerary. The capital city is a kaleidoscope of modern and classic style European architecture. Its maze-like arrangement will have adventurous travelers exploring for hours. Getting spiritually lost on the edges of the Chemin de la Corniche is a visual pleasure.

Lastly, unlike other cities, travelers can find quiet spots to nestle for a few hours.

5. Budapest

Budapest is by far my favorite city in Europe. Though it does receive a large amount of visitors, for some reason it doesn't get the same respect as other destinations. Some places of interest include relaxing in the numerous thermal baths, meeting locals in Margaret Island, evening parties in the famous Jewish District, visiting the lofty Great Market Hall, or simply grabbing a bottle of wine and enjoying the sunset near the Liberty Statue. The welcoming Magyar hospitality is reason enough to flag this city on your map, as years later it's consistently one of the first places I mention when discussing Europe.

Though I've knocked a decent chunk of Europe off my map, I understand there's still plenty of other cities remaining for exploration. Places like Sevilla, Olomouc, Vaduz, Goteberg, Turin, and many others remain unfulfilled on my checklist. After all, cultural diversity is a beauty of Europe, each nation and city always offers a new perspective for eager explorers.