Sibling rivals… Paris vs Marseille.Credit: iStock
Who wins when two cities are locked in fierce competition? Often, it’s not the places themselves. These great feuds, where two large population bases vie for power, prestige and the attention of the world, rarely result in an obvious winner.
And they’ve been going on for a while. City rivalries can date back centuries and grudges have been baked into residents’ psyches through generations. Their sporting teams despise each other; their foodies are fierce in their sense of superiority; their political leaders claim financial or cultural dominance. We’re talking Barcelona versus Madrid, Rio de Janeiro versus Sao Paulo, New York City up against Boston – age-old beefs between close neighbours.
There are, however, people who benefit from these rifts. And that is us, the travelling public. When two traditional rivals go head-to-head they compete for many things, including travellers’ dollars. They introduce new attractions, they highlight organic culture, and they try to make life easier and cheaper for those who would like to visit.
So we, the disinterested traveller, can truly enjoy the world’s great rivalries. Some in Australia would point you towards our own classic rivalry, Sydney against Melbourne. But really, our two largest cities are close friends compared with the feuds we see in other places. Here, we look at some of our favourites – and discover the proof that it’s the traveller who wins.
Barcelona v Madrid, Spain
The Prado Museum facade at the Diego Velaszquez memorial, Madrid.Credit: Getty Images
The backstory The match-up between Spain’s two football powerhouses, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, has its own special name: “El Clasico”. This is indeed a classic sporting rivalry that represents the clash between Spain’s two most important cities, the self-styled “team of the people” against football royalty.
Their take Those in Barcelona would point to their world-famous Gaudi architecture, their beachy lifestyle and distinctly Catalan culture; though, they might also ask tourists to refrain from visiting in such high numbers. Madrilenos, meanwhile, would say their city is cheaper, less crowded, and yet still boasts the Prado Museum and its ilk.
Beat this – Park Guell, Barcelona, Spain. Credit: Getty Images
Our take Madrid is the underrated gem here, where travellers need not worry so much about their impact on an already overcrowded destination and can instead enjoy a blend of Spain’s many cultures, its best museums, plus relative affordability.
See + do In Barcelona, avoid the busy area around Las Ramblas and instead base yourself in Sant Antoni or the like to enjoy a more relaxed version of the city. In Madrid, the obvious starting points to see are the Prado, El Retiro park and the Museo Nacional.
More barcelonaturisme.com; esmadrid.com
New York City v Boston, US
Beautifully brash: Manhattan is not short on bragging rights.Credit: Getty Images
The backstory For as long as these two cities have existed – that is, the 17th century – there’s been a beef between Boston and NYC. The former began as the blue-chip location, the cultural and economic hub; New York, meanwhile, was a city of scrappers that rose to steal Boston’s crown. Neither has forgotten it.
Their take New Yorkers wouldn’t even consider this an argument – of course their city is better. They’ve got the culture, the attractions and the confidence that they’re at the centre of the world. Bostonians, meanwhile, would point to their historical significance, their sporting teams and their cleaner, less crowded city.
Walk the Freedom Trail, taking in Old State House, Boston’s oldest surviving public building.Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Our take NYC is hard to beat, particularly for cultural attractions such as art galleries (the Met, MoMA) and theatres (Broadway), not to mention its bar and restaurant scene. Boston, however, is a pleasure to visit, where there’s less hassle for tourists, and plenty of rewards.
See + do In New York, tick off the big attractions in Manhattan if you need to, but then get out to Brooklyn and Queens to soak up the myriad cultures of these cosmopolitan boroughs. In Boston, walk the Freedom Trail to its historic locations, and catch a baseball game at Fenway Park.
More nyctourism.com; meetboston.com
Sao Paulo v Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Dance off: Samba dancers in Rio de Janeiro.Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
The backstory Brazil’s two most important cities are only 400 kilometres apart, which makes for a rivalry that’s sometimes friendly, sometimes not. Sao Paulo is Brazil’s economic powerhouse, its centre of business and commerce; Rio de Janeiro, meanwhile, has the beaches and the party atmosphere.
Their take Cariocas (people from Rio de Janeiro) would grudgingly visit Sao Paulo for a work conference, but that’s about it. Why go to an overly busy city with no beaches? Paulistanos, meanwhile, would gladly stay home for their food and bar scene, and only swing through Rio when they fancy a swim.
Metropolis Sao Paolo makes a strong case with its architecture and dining.Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Our take Rio de Janeiro is Brazil’s most famous tourist destination for a reason: you have two iconic beaches in Copacabana and Ipanema, samba culture, and a party atmosphere that’s inevitably seductive. Sao Paulo, however, is the dark horse, with the nation’s best fine-dining restaurants, notable architecture, plenty of green space and four huge football teams.
See + do It’s a pleasure to indulge in the cliches in Rio: have a caipirinha by the beach, spend days people-watching on the sand, see Christ the Redeemer, take the cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain. In Sao Paulo, make a booking to eat at award-winning A Casa do Porco, and get a ticket for a football match.
More visitbrasil.com
Glasgow v Edinburgh, Scotland
Glasgow’s leafy Park District.Credit: Getty Images
The backstory Scotland’s two most important cities have almost identical populations and are only an hour apart, so a rivalry is inevitable. This one kicked off in 1656, when the then-Glasgow council complained of the low-quality bread its bakers were producing; those in Edinburgh then helpfully offered to bake higher-quality bread for their “Weegie” counterparts. The slight has never been forgiven.
Their take For the most part, Glaswegians and Edinburghers see absolutely no reason to visit their counterparts. Glasgow is classically a working-class city, laid-back and friendly, though it now has a thriving arts and culinary scene; Edinburgh has all the power and good looks, not to mention numerous historic attractions.
Pole position ... Edinburgh’s castle: The city’s rivalry with Glasgow means apparently few residents of either city bother visiting the other.Credit:
Our take Edinburgh speaks for itself as a tourist attraction, with Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and Palace of Holyroodhouse. Glasgow, however, is vastly underrated, and has shed its formerly rough reputation to present visitors with a range of cultural attractions and charm.
See + do In the warmer months, Edinburgh’s city centre can be very crowded; instead, base yourself in the revamped Leith Shore area, or character-filled Haymarket. In Glasgow, Great Western Road is the heartland of the city’s artistic scene.
More visitscotland.com
Paris v Marseille, France
Buzzing shopfronts in Paris’ bohemian Marais district.Credit: Getty Images
The backstory Remember “El Clasico”, the football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid? In France, there’s an equivalent: “Le Classique”, between Olympique de Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain. Again, this is a representative match-up, the working-class scrappers against the rich club from the capital, a rivalry that lives strong on and off the pitch.
Their take There are stereotypes here that need to be pushed back on. Paris, according to most of the country, is snobbish and rude, with little to compare to its southern counterpart’s coastal lifestyle. Parisians would no doubt counter with outdated notions of Marseille’s grit and violence, while pointing to their own world-famous monuments, galleries and gastronomic attractions.
Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean, Marseille.Credit: Getty Images
Our take There’s no denying Paris is one of the world’s greatest tourist destinations – if not the greatest. Marseille, however, has plenty to offer visitors, with a vibrant modern arts scene in both traditional museums and repurposed factory spaces, plus excellent Mediterranean cuisine, parks and beaches, and a cosmopolitan feel.
See + do See the big-ticket attractions in Paris, of course, though also leave room to simply soak up neighbourhoods such as the Marais, Pigalle and Charonne. In Marseille, check out MuCEM, the city’s cultural hub, visit the Palais Longchamp, stroll in the parks, lie on the beaches, frequent the bars, and head into Provence for wine-tasting.
More parisjetaime.com; marseille-tourisme.com
Hanoi v Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Hanoi’s Beer Street in the Old Quarter, also Ta Hien Street.Credit: Getty Images
The backstory Almost all the rivalries we have covered here are friendly – this one, however, hasn’t always been so. There’s a deep divide between north and south Vietnam that is the remnant of a 20-year war, and the rivalry is strong between the old capital, Saigon – renamed in honour of the northern leader – and the new capital, Hanoi.
Their take While wartime memories are fading and the country is united, there are still perceived cultural differences between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The former is seen as a more traditional city, with historic attractions and political power. The latter sees itself as more cosmopolitan and vibrant, and the economic powerhouse of Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh City’s supremely modern downtown district.Credit: Getty Images
Our take Both these cities are a joy to visit, for their own reasons. Hanoi’s Old Quarter has a different feel to, say, downtown HCMC, which is more modern and quickly changing. And while there are subtle variations in cuisine, the quality of food in both cities is very high.
See + do In Hanoi, soak up the history in the Old Quarter, eat everything in sight, and take a trip out to Ha Long Bay. In Ho Chi Minh City, see the War Remnants Museum, shop at Ben Thanh Market, drink coffee, eat pho and take a trip down to the Mekong Delta.
More vietnam.travel
Edmonton v Calgary, Canada
The Calgary Stampede grounds.Credit: Getty Images
The backstory You might think the chief rivalry in Canada would be Toronto and Montreal, but the real animosity in this country takes place in Alberta: Edmonton versus Calgary. One is the provincial capital; the other thinks it should be. One has the state university; the other is the economic powerhouse. One is blue-collar, left-leaning; the other white-collar and conservative. And when their hockey teams clash … you get the idea.
Their take Edmonton residents are proud of their diverse culinary scene, their access to vast tracts of nature reserves, and … their really big shopping mall (West Edmonton). Calgarians, meanwhile, would point to not only their own attractions – shopping, dining, the Calgary Stampede festival – but their access to beautiful Banff and Lake Louise.
Skyline of downtown Edmonton Alberta.Credit: Getty Images
Our take The best attraction at both these cities is what you can see and do outside them. Elk Island National Park, north of Edmonton, is peaceful and gorgeous, with plenty of wildlife; Banff and Lake Louise, meanwhile, are snow-sports hubs that form the gateway to the Rocky Mountains.
See + do First, if the Edmonton Oilers are playing the Calgary Flames, beg, steal or borrow to get a ticket. It will be huge. Otherwise, visit Edmonton in summer to enjoy long days and the best of Elk Island; head to Calgary in winter to access snow-sports attractions nearby.
More exploreedmonton.com; visitcalgary.com
Singapore v Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Singapore, as the larger transport hub, is attractive to Australian travellers.Credit: Getty Images
The backstory There was a bitter split between Singapore and Malaysia back in 1965, after just two years as a united nation free of British colonial rule. Disagreements over politics and economics led to bloody riots and Singapore’s expulsion; these days, however, relations are solid, with residents happy to celebrate similarities and enjoy a low-key economic rivalry.
Their take Though there’s an economic tug-of-war between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, its residents enjoy holidaying in each other’s homelands: Singaporeans are the largest group of tourists in Malaysia, while KL residents frequently holiday in Singapore. Both cities have incredibly good food scenes plus a mix of ethnic Malay, Indian and Chinese cultures.
Standouts: Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur.Credit: Getty Images
Our take There’s no winner here, and certainly no loser. A visitor to either Singapore or Kuala Lumpur will find themselves in a South-East Asian metropolis filled with cultural attractions and affordable, tasty food. Singapore is the larger transport hub, which makes it attractive to Australian travellers, though Kuala Lumpur also has its share of connections.
See + do Singapore’s tourist attractions are many and varied: Gardens By the Bay, the National Gallery, the charming Kampong Glam, and dining ranging from Michelin stars to hawker centres. In KL, visit Petronas Towers, eat street food on Jalan Alor, check out a rooftop bar, and visit Masjid Negara, the national mosque.
More visitsingapore.com; malaysia.travel
Auckland v everywhere else in NZ
Waiheke Island: One of Auckland’s boasts.Credit: Getty Images
The backstory There’s a classic story here of a major city, in this case one almost 300 per cent larger than its nearest rival, sucking up all the attention and relevance. Though in New Zealand’s case, curiously, it isn’t the capital. One in every four Kiwis lives in Auckland; everyone else is sick of hearing about the place.
Their take Auckland residents are secure in their place in the world. They have their harbour, their beaches, their food and wine scene, their access to the likes of Waiheke and Rangitoto islands. The rest of the country would point out small attractions such as the New Zealand Alps, the Bay of Islands, Queenstown and Marlborough.
Like nowhere else: Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa in the Bay of Plenty.Credit: New Zealand Tourism
Our take Don’t hate us Auckland, but while the big city might be the country’s economic engine, the rest of the country possesses the most attractions for tourists. A city is a city is a city. But the alps, the islands, the wine regions, the ski resorts, the hot springs, the Hobbit dwellings? You won’t find them anywhere else.
See + do From Auckland, do the day trips to Waiheke and Rangitoto, check out the dining scene in Ponsonby and Grey Lynn, climb Mount Eden, and then jump in a hire car and explore the rest of the country. You could spend a lifetime discovering all that’s out there.
More newzealand.com
Lisbon v Porto
Lisbon’s postcard-perfect Alfama District.Credit: iStock
The backstory To the outsider, it seems almost unbelievable that Lisbon and Porto would have any sort of feud. They’re both such friendly places, both so enjoyable, so warm in their welcome – how could they harbour any sort of animosity? And yet, it’s there. For evidence, just attend an FC Porto v Sporting Lisbon football match.
Their take Though both these Portuguese cities will feel historic to visitors, the Portuense (those from Porto) will point out that theirs has an older style to it, perhaps lacking some of the more modern touches of Lisbon (as the Lisboetas would mention). Porto is proud of its friendly, working-class atmosphere, while Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, would probably say it’s a little more wealthy and sophisticated.
Porto is proud of its friendly, working-class atmosphere.Credit: iStock
Our take You can’t go wrong with either city: Lisbon has charm to burn in historic neighbourhoods such as Alfama and Bairro Alto, not to mention a swag of high-end though affordable bars and restaurants, galleries and museums, and hilltop viewpoints; Porto, meanwhile, is all winding medieval alleyways and Port wine cellars, as well as several buildings of major significance.
See + do Lisbon’s Pasteis de Belem invented Portuguese tarts, so you have to go there and try one (or two); then take a tram ride, walk the hills, listen to fado music and visit a ceramics store. In Porto, visit a Port cellar for a tasting, see the gold-clad St Francisco church, and eat a giant francesinha sandwich.
More visitportugal.com
Five countries with traditional rivalries
Japan has some competition in South Korea: Neon lights of Seoul’s Myeong-Dong shopping district.Credit: iStock
Japan v South Korea
There’s an ugly history here of colonial settlement and war, which helps explain the animosity, particularly from South Korea’s side. In modern tourism terms there’s another rivalry here, one Japan has been dominating, though increased interest in K-pop culture and Korean food has helped make the likes of Seoul and Busan excellent alternatives to busy Japan. See japan.travel; visitkorea.or.kr
England v Germany
Again, there’s a serious history here: “Two World Wars and one World Cup”, as English football fans like to sing to their German rivals. Mostly, however, any modern feud between these nations is played out on the field. From a tourism perspective, the competition isn’t really direct, despite the countries offering similar attractions in their mix of historic and modern cultural charms. See visitbritain.com; germany.travel
US v Mexico
This is another modern rivalry that is mostly played out on the sports field. Though the US is a world economic powerhouse just to the north of relatively poor Mexico, the two countries are good neighbours, who offer very different tourism experiences: the polish and familiarity of the US, against the more traditional, colourful culture of Mexico. In both, you will find heavy influence from the other. See visitusa.org.au; visit-mexico.mx
Argentina v Brazil
There’s fierce competition between these South American giants: ask any Brazilian and they’ll probably tell you that Argentines think they’re better than everyone else; ask an Argentine and they’ll tell you it’s true – they are better than everyone else. Tourists have much to enjoy in each country, from natural attractions such as the Amazon and Patagonia, to meat feasts at churrascarias and parrilladas. See argentina.travel; visitbrasil.com
India v Pakistan
There’s genuine conflict here: a history of war, and ongoing disputes over territory. On the cricket pitch that rivalry is almost as serious. For travellers, meanwhile, Pakistan is unfortunately off limits to all but the hardiest travellers, as it struggles with internal conflicts. India, meanwhile, is well known for Rajasthani forts, the Taj Mahal, Varanasi, Mumbai and much more. See incredibleindia.org; tourism.gov.pk