hull marina
Hull will be the UK's city of culture in 2017 Getty

According to Rough Guides' list of cities to visit in 2016, Hull is the eighth most desirable destination in the world. The Yorkshire city was narrowly beaten by Amsterdam, in seventh place, with the top spot going to Iceland's capital, Reykjavik.

About Hull, the travel guidebook publisher said: "It'll be brimming with new hotels and restaurants, and even more of that distinctive home-grown creativity the city has always had."

"There are atmospheric old-timey pubs, eight excellent museums and a picturesque Old Town with cobbled streets. This year's fun is set to culminate in the September Freedom Festival, when the entire city is turned into a stage for performers and artists."

Rough Guide's top 10 places to visit

  1. Reykjavik, Iceland
  2. Mexico City, Mexico
  3. Seoul, South Korea
  4. Ljubljana, Slovenia
  5. Wrocław, Poland
  6. Nashville, USA
  7. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  8. Hull, England
  9. Vancouver, Canada
  10. Agra, India

Hull has long been derided as one of the UK's worst cities, infamously topping a list of Crap Towns in 2003. Even as recently as 2015, it was voted the least romantic destination in the UK. Though, the city's resurgence includes it being named as the UK city of culture for 2017.

The city beat both Vancouver in Canada and Agra in India to grab the number eight spot. Reykjavik came first, with the travel guide saying: "Increasing numbers of tourists are heading to Reykjavík for the city's arts scene, cool nightlife and the slew of natural wonders that lie right on its doorstep."

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