Instagram tells us constantly that the only places worth visiting are the latest trendy megalopolises: Paris! Tokyo! Barcelona! Melbourne! We tend to talk about exciting cities only, this discourse amplified by social media and its never-ending stream of city break recommendations. But never-sleeping metropolises are not the norm – I would even argue that they are, in fact, the exception to the rule. Some of us are inhabitants of boring cities. But here’s a radical thought: must you really escape your sleepy hometown the minute Summer hits? And, frankly, who has the means in this economy? We can’t all afford to jet away to New York, and I would argue it is more worthwhile to learn to appreciate a 'boring' city, whether that be your home or a temporary refuge.

“That slower pace can be the whole point”

I probably shouldn’t use the term boring so loosely. Let’s be honest, it’s the laziest take imaginable, especially if you deem a city uninteresting immediately after having set foot in it. But, I’ll admit, I’m guilty. This article is as much a reflection on past mistakes as it is a guide to consult in the future.

So what makes us deem a city boring? Often, it’s just a place with a calmer lifestyle. The absence of a frantic, never-ending carousel of events in a place is not necessarily a catastrophe. That slower pace can be the whole point. To truly discover and enjoy a city for what it is, you have to get accustomed to its rhythm, and this often means learning how to slow down. Putting in the effort to explore a place you previously judged as uninteresting can be surprisingly fruitful.

Each summer my family goes back to Panevezys, a city only known to Lithuanians (and not for the best reasons!). This yearly pilgrimage consists of endless reunions, obligatory family dinners and a considerable amount of bickering with said family members. But there are so many family functions to attend, that I end up with precious free time on my hands. Even though I love my family dearly, I’ve always nursed the feeling that I was giving up valuable summer time for a boring place. For years, I only ever counted down the days until we left.

“Not everything is recorded on TripAdvisor”

However, this year I had a sudden epiphany. I realised that, instead of moaning about the boredom, I should try to fight it. Instead of attempting to Google “things to do in Panevezys” and coming up empty once more, I should leave my phone behind. Without direction or distraction, I let myself get lost. The result? I discovered a wild swimming spot with a very photogenic swing (giving major Granchester Meadow vibes), an impromptu yoga session, and a free open air cinema. Not bad for a city that supposedly had “nothing to do”. In cities that seem to be closed off, you need to be more persistent. Not everything is recorded on TripAdvisor. Stroll and look, stop, and inspect. If you stumble across something unusual or interesting, linger. That’s what I did anyway, and managed to crash a white-tie dinner followed by a free Indie concert. Don’t ask how.

“They’re not boring – you are, if you can’t be bothered to explore them”

Especially in the summer, a light spot of excercise can be a great way to change your perspective on a place. Renting bikes to cycle along leafy passages (channel your inner Cambridge cyclist) or trying to keep your balance on a paddle board while revelling in the mirroring reflections of a lake is always fun.

This whole spiel is not to say that all cities can deliver hidden gems. Inevitably, there will be cities that just don’t click and are just… dull. But the prospect of failure shouldn’t discourage us from trying to appreciate the slower and sleepier cities. Resist the urge to complain. The truth is, they’re not boring – you are, if you can’t be bothered to explore them.