A travel expert who has visited every country in the world has named an often overlooked European city as his top pick, and it’s less than three hours from London.

Henrik Jeppesen, a 37 year old globetrotter from Thy, Denmark, has  travelled to all 193 United Nations recognised countries and over 2,000 destinations. With such extensive travels under his belt since he started exploring at 17, he certainly knows a thing or two about the best places to visit.

Despite having experienced countless cities across the globe, there’s one destination that stands out for him above all others – and it’s not your typical tourist hotspot like Barcelona, Venice or Dubrovnik. “The best city in Europe, in my opinion, is the capital of Estonia, Tallinn,” Henrik exclusively revealed to the Mirror.

“It’s very much overlooked for people coming to Europe, and many people who have travelled have never been there.

“Even if they’ve been to Europe two or three times, they usually go to London, Rome, Paris and Berlin, those kinds of places, so in that sense I think it’s highly underrated.”

Henrik, a seasoned traveller, shared his love for Tallinn, stating: “First and foremost, it’s a lot cheaper than the cities I mentioned; in comparison, it’s fantastic value. Then you have the Old Town, which I think is the best old town in the entire world, and I’ve travelled a lot. You can step out the door, and it’s like you’re stepping into a new world with well-preserved old buildings and an atmosphere unlike anywhere else I’ve been.

“The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can easily spend a few days and with fantastic food for very little. I had lunch for €5 at Rataskaevu 16 about 40 times, and it’s an outstanding restaurant and experience. Many restaurants are similarly priced, so it’s great value to eat out and something I highly appreciate, coming from Denmark. “.

Discussing the city’s culinary delights, Henrik, who lived there for 10 months, added: “You have a mix of local cuisine, and many restaurants offer Italian food. I often eat cheap, local produce. I loved going to the local Balti Jaama Turg market to pick up the ingredients to make a meal at home. Many fantastic memories for my wife and me to look back upon. It’s not Michelin-starred, but you get a really nice meal in a charming old building, which creates such a lovely atmosphere. You can find many restaurants within beautiful architecture, that are each an experience in itself.”

Beyond its affordability and exceptional cuisine, Tallinn boasts countless attractions for visitors to discover during their stay. The travel expert revealed that alongside the Old Town, guests can enjoy “beautiful parks”, a market offering “amazing food”, contemporary shopping centres, museums, attractions, and a waterfall situated close to the city.

“It brings a nice atmosphere, you walk around the city, and it’s like stepping into another world,” he added. “I’ve been there during the summer, and I’m surprised that not more people visit, it really is outstanding in my opinion. It’s very laid-back and a mid-sized city, with around half a million people living there, and almost half of the entire population of Estonia.”

As pollution becomes an increasingly pressing issue globally, particularly in major metropolitan areas, Henrik highlighted that Tallinn’s air quality presents another remarkable draw.

“It probably has the best air quality of any city, at least capital cities, but maybe of any major city in Europe. The air is really good, and that is often a downside to visiting a major city in this world.”

Henrik particularly champions the Tallinn card, which provides holidaymakers with complimentary public transport and free or reduced-price admission to numerous museums and attractions throughout the city.

He said: “It’s a fantastic way to experience an already fantastically valued city.”

There are also several nearby islands that can be explored, such as Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, as well as Pärnu, which is known as Estonia’s ‘Summer Capital’ due to its extensive white sand beaches. “It’s a stunning place to visit, especially in the summer,” the expert added.

“Pärnu, Viljandi and islands are well worth looking into, especially if visiting the country for more than a week.” Another major asset of the city is the warmth of its residents. “There are lovely people there. They are extremely friendly in Estonia.”

Henrik recalled an occasion when he became lost late at night while discovering the city in 2014, and complete strangers offered assistance, collecting him from the streets of Tallinn to escort him back to his accommodation.

“How many European capitals would you just get a ride from someone in the street and take you there? I don’t think that would happen in London. I have great memories daydreaming about this city.”

You can discover more of Henrik’s global adventures on his website here.