Norwich has been named alongside New York and Paris as one of the most exciting places to visit this year. 

The Times has listed the city as one of the most exhilarating places to visit in the world. 

The only other UK destinations to be named are Edinburgh, Colchester, Belfast and Manchester.

Norwich Evening News: Norwich Castle is undergoing a multi-million-pound refurbishmentNorwich Castle is undergoing a multi-million-pound refurbishment (Image: Denise Bradley)

The Times said: "This summer, Norwich Castle’s Norman Keep reopens, transformed by a five-year programme that has reinstalled missing floors and added the British Museum’s first medieval galleries outside London.

"Visitors can keep things historical by staying at the recently renovated Maids Head Hotel (previous visitors include Catherine of Aragon and Elizabeth I), and exploring the city’s 900-year-old market."

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The £15m redevelopment of Norwich Castle began in the summer of 2020 and is finally set to finish this year. 

The medieval keep was initially intended to be open in 2023 but Covid and other delays pushed back the opening date. 

Norwich Evening News: The Times recommends a visit to Norwich MarketThe Times recommends a visit to Norwich Market (Image: Denise Bradley)The Times recommends a visit to Sir Toby's Beers and Cocina Mia at Norwich Market.

The owners of Sir Toby's Beers are currently working on a "continental beer bar" in King Street.

The venue is set to open in February.