( Departures ) -- It 's not hard to identify the cultural capitals of the world . Cities such as Paris , Rome , London , Istanbul , Berlin and New York are the first-round picks for travelers seeking the best of fine art , architecture , history , music and food . And deservedly so — any one of these towns offers such an embarrassment of riches , it would be easy to spend a lifetime exploring their greatest hits . With Paris 's museums and Rome 's architecture , Berlin 's art scene and New York 's gastronomy , why bother looking farther afield ? There are , actually , many reasons . Some of the world 's best , most interesting cultural offerings , monuments and movements can be found outside the major centers . As any well-traveled polyglot knows , some of the best finds require veering off the beaten path ( and perhaps down the stairs and through an unmarked door ) . For every well-trod favorite there is a lesser-known city with a buzzing cultural scene worth discovering and mercifully few tourists vying for access to the best sites . Departures : World 's most cultured beach cities . Those visiting Germany , for example , might skip Berlin in favor of Dresden , a gorgeous Baroque metropolis that was the center of German high culture until it was destroyed during World War II . Its famous philharmonic survived , though , and a painstaking restoration process has revitalized the city as a destination for art and architecture . Or contemplate Helsinki : The Finnish capital rarely makes the list of European places to visit , but the city , named 2012 's World Design Capital , is exploding with new design initiatives , cutting-edge architecture and creative innovation . Whether undergoing a renaissance or remaining a well-kept secret , all the destinations on this list are — suffice it to say — worth the journey . GALWAY , Ireland . The scene : A seaside sampling of traditional Irish heritage . The signature : Galway lies on the coast of Ireland , in a part of the country strongly connected to traditional Irish culture . ( Many of the city 's outlying villages are primarily Gaelic-speaking . ) Visit Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe , the country 's national Irish language theater , to get a taste of the interplay between Ireland 's heritage and the city 's art scene . Insider knowledge : Galway is a wonderful place to hear traditional Irish music — or `` trad '' music . Skip tourist traps and opt instead for local pubs like Crane Bar . Do n't miss : The beautiful St. Nicholas ' Collegiate Church , which was built in 1320 and has the distinction of being the largest medieval parish church in the country . ALMATY , Kazakhstan . The scene : A post-Perestroika bloom of experimental art and theater against a backdrop of traditional architecture flourishes . The signature : For an introduction to Kazakh culture , visit the National Museum , which stands across from the presidential palace and offers exhibits on Kazakh art and history . Afterward visit idyllic Panfilov Park to see St. Ascension Cathedral , which is one of the largest wooden structures in the world built entirely without nails . Insider knowledge : The theater scene is where the most interesting , cutting-edge art is happening . Catch a show at Art & Shock Theatre , the internationally acclaimed conceptual theater group , or visit Lermontov Russian Drama Theatre , which stages Russian plays Tuesday to Sunday and turns the theater into an exhibit space for local contemporary artists on Mondays . Do n't miss : An exhibit at Arvest Art Gallery , which opened five years ago and has quickly become the contemporary arts center of the city . Departures : New attractions in New York City . ANTWERP , Belgium . The scene : Quirky and modern northern European style meets classic Flemish elegance . The signature : Antwerp is a blend of the historic and the contemporary . For a taste of the historic , visit the iconic 14th-century Cathedral of Our Lady , which houses several important paintings by Peter Paul Rubens . For a modern turn , stop by the flagship location of Dries Van Noten , Antwerp 's most significant avant-garde fashion designer . Insider knowledge : Typeface enthusiasts will love the Museum Plantin-Moretus , which honors the history of typography . The collection includes the two oldest printing presses in the world . Plan to go at the end of the week since the museum is located in the Vrijdagmarkt , a 16th-century square known for its Friday market . Do n't miss : Rubenshuis , the former home and studio of the painter Rubens . The house is an architectural curiosity , built to resemble a Renaissance-era Italian palace and featuring a Baroque garden and a portico . Guests can tour here now and see many of the artist 's most famous works , including Adam and Eve . DRESDEN , Germany . The scene : An old cultural hub revives 60 years after mass destruction . The signature : Before World War II , Dresden was Germany 's arts capital , but much of its famous architecture was destroyed in the firebombing of 1945 . The stone Frauenkirche , or Church of Our Lady , underwent a $ 218 million restoration in 2006 to mark the city 's 800th birthday and now anchors the Altstadt ( Old Town ) . See other beautifully restored Baroque buildings here , like the Zwinger Palace or the Semperoper . Insider knowledge : Six times a year the illustrious Dresden Philharmonic performs in the Frauenkirche -- including concerts for Advent and New Year 's and two events this coming season to mark Wagner 's 200th birthday . Do n't miss : Visit the Military History Museum to explore how the city has been affected -- structurally and socially -- by war . The museum , one of Germany 's largest , is only a year old but offers important , if painful , insight into Dresden 's cultural past . Departures : 10 new reasons to love the Old South . HELSINKI , Finland . The scene : Imaginative , hyper-current European design . The signature : Helsinki is nearing the end of its year as the World Design Capital , a distinction that brought a major influx of artists , events and design-related projects . There is plenty to catch between now and December , including a food-and-design pop-up market at the city 's abattoir ( slaughterhouse ) and the timber-made Kamppi Chapel of Silence , recently built in bustling Narinkka Square . Insider knowledge : Only Helsinki 's food scene rivals its design scene . Visit Chez Dominique , the city 's only restaurant with two Michelin stars , to sample Finnish gastronomy at its most elevated . Or swing by Herring Market for a taste of Helsinki 's fishier heritage . Do n't miss : Wander Punavuori , the Design District , to get the most concentrated dose of Helsinki style . The neighborhood boasts a little of everything , from antiques and fine art at Haddadin to runway fashions from Ivana Helsinki , an art , fashion and film collective that just showed at New York fashion week . HAVANA , Cuba . The scene : A postcolonial time warp with a thriving music scene . The signature : A decades-long embargo has taken Havana off the radar for most American travelers -- and suspended the city in the aesthetics of the 1960s ( picture old Ford Thunderbirds on the roads ) -- but the music keeps evolving . Hear Cuba 's biggest acts alongside up-and-comers at Casa de la Música Miramar . Insider knowledge : Skip the government-run restaurants and opt instead for paladares , privately run eateries like La Galería , which serves elevated Cuban fare on a breezy terrace . Do n't miss : El Malecón , an esplanade and seawall that begins in Old Havana and stretches four miles up the coast . The walk offers views of several of the city 's important historical landmarks , like El Morro castle and the Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta . Departures : Secret European summer getaways . Le Mans , France . The scene : Ancient history meets pastoral French charm . The signature : While best known for its epic annual 24-hour auto race , Le Mans dates back to the first century B.C . and has a rich cultural history , including links to the Plantagenet dynasty . Visitors can wander cobbled streets among 15th-century timber houses in the old town , and the recently renovated Carré Plantagenêt gives a good overview of the region 's history . Insider knowledge : The Entre Cours et Jardins Festival gives the public access to roughly 20 exquisite -- and often classically French -- private gardens in the region . Do n't miss : The original Gallo-Roman walls and Roman baths that lie near the outskirts of the city . Departures : See more under-the-radar culture hubs . © 2010 American Express Publishing Corporation . All rights reserved .
Uncovering the world 's best culture requires some exploration . If visiting Germany , try the restored city of Dresden instead of Berlin . Consider stopping in Helsinki , Finland , named 2012 's World Design Capital .