An American traveller has heaped praise upon Newcastle, declaring it superior to renowned destinations including Prague and Barcelona.

“One of the joys of traveling, whether in the US or abroad, is coming across unexpected delights. Everyone expects to be charmed by Venice or Prague, almost to the point that it is hard for those popular tourist destinations to live up to the high expectations,” writer and explorer Walter Meyer told the Express when asked about his preferred location.

During a recent trip to visit American friends in Britain, Walter decided to take a detour to Newcastle. “I am so glad I did. If nothing else, I loved how British the town sounded: Newcastle Upon Tyne,” the YouTuber continued.

He found himself completely enchanted by the city, which boasts a population of 300,000 inhabitants. “Newcastle, like many European cities, has the requisite old cathedrals. But unlike Barcelona’s La Sagrada Familia, Paris’ Notre Dame or Cologne, these were not clogged with tourists-in fact, St. Nicholas and St. Mary’s were almost empty. There was no admission charge, and the tour guides seemed very happy to have visitors and talk about their churches,” Walter noted with enthusiasm.

“The old castle in Newcastle was certainly worth a visit, but the most intriguing feature, as I hadn’t encountered anything similar elsewhere, was the Victoria Tunnel. Initially constructed to transport coal beneath the city, this 2.25-mile-long tunnel was repurposed during World War II as an air raid shelter. Tours are available that guide visitors through this shadowy underworld, elucidating the two distinct roles this tunnel has played.”

However, it was the warmth of the locals that truly captivated Walter. “Everyone I encountered in Newcastle Upon Tyne was incredibly friendly and chatty,” he recalled, describing how a laundrette proprietor generously provided him with 50p to dry his garments.

The gesture came as Walter battled the persistent rainfall that hammered Newcastle during his stay. Nevertheless, even the weather failed to dampen Walter’s enthusiasm.

“The downpour was relentless, even by northern England’s standards – residents were complaining about it, and trips to Hadrian’s Wall were even cancelled due to flooding. As a result, hardly anyone braved the torrential rain. On a couple of nights, I ended up at the hotel bar chatting with Michael, the barman who doubled as the night receptionist, along with a small group of fellow guests. Michael proved remarkably welcoming and chatty, sharing recommendations about nearby sights and things to do,” he recalled.

We consulted two native Geordies to see if they recognised themselves in Walter’s depiction of Newcastle. Laura Hill, a news editor at the Mirror, was taken aback by Walter’s passion for the city’s cathedral.

“I am baffled by (him thinking) the cathedrals are so good. We’re very spoiled to have Durham Cathedral half an hour away, which is far more impressive in my opinion. The Newcastle ones are often overlooked.”

Simon Duke, a What’s On contributor for Chronicle Live, commented on the comparison made between Newcastle and Barcelona. “You could certainly argue the vibe between the two cities is pretty similar,” he noted.

“For a start, both destinations can always be relied upon to bring the party and keep it going. While Newcastle might not be the seven-day-a-week knees-up hotspot it used to be, you can still go out on dreary Monday night and still have a ball and, at the very least, bump into some brilliant characters, all with a story to tell.”

Beyond the city’s fervour for football, Simon sang praises of Newcastle’s flourishing food scene.

“Newcastle can also hold its own against its European counterparts when it comes to food, with several Michelin-starred restaurants, two of which have just made it into the top 1000 in the world ranking for 2026. Whether it’s a stottie from Greggs, a mouthwatering burger or something more refined, you won’t go hungry in Newcastle,” he enthused. “The spotlight has been shone on Tyneside for two huge events in 2025 – the MOBO Awards and the Mercury Prize, with the city resplendent and vibrant as millions watched. When it comes to throwing a party and doing it in serious style, Newcastle will never let you down.”