Traveling isn’t just about sightseeing—it’s about immersing yourself in a new culture, connecting with locals, and discovering the hidden gems that make a destination unique. While guidebooks and travel blogs can provide helpful recommendations, the best local experiences often come from stepping off the beaten path and engaging with the community.
Here are four effective ways to find the best local experiences while traveling.
1. Stay with Locals or in Locally-Owned Accommodations
One of the best ways to experience a destination authentically is by staying in locally-run accommodations, whether it’s a small guesthouse, a boutique hotel, or even a homestay. Unlike big hotel chains, local accommodations often provide insider tips, personal connections, and a deeper cultural experience.
Why It Works:
- Local hosts offer valuable recommendations—they know where to find the best food, secret viewpoints, and unique cultural events.
- Homestays allow for deeper cultural immersion, where you can experience daily life, local traditions, and even home-cooked meals.
- Boutique hotels and guesthouses support the local economy while offering a more personal and memorable experience.
How to Do It:
- Use platforms like Airbnb or Couchsurfing to find homes hosted by locals who enjoy sharing their culture.
- Choose family-run hotels or guesthouses over corporate resorts.
- Look for farm stays, eco-lodges, or traditional inns for a more authentic touch.
Staying local not only enhances your experience but also helps you build meaningful connections with the people who call your destination home.
2. Explore Local Markets and Street Food Stalls
A city’s heart often beats strongest in its markets and street food stalls. These lively spots are not only great for tasting authentic food but also for observing daily life and interacting with locals.
Why It Works:
- Markets showcase the freshest local produce and traditional dishes, allowing you to taste authentic flavors.
- Street vendors often serve some of the most delicious, affordable, and unique meals, from steaming bowls of pho in Vietnam to sizzling tacos in Mexico.
- Markets and food stalls offer cultural insight, as you see what locals eat, how they shop, and how they interact with one another.
How to Do It:
- Visit farmers’ markets or night markets to explore seasonal ingredients and regional specialties.
- Ask locals where they eat—if a food stall has a long line of locals, you know it’s good!
- Try local specialties that you won’t find elsewhere, such as laksa in Malaysia, ceviche in Peru, or khachapuri in Georgia.
Exploring local food markets and street stalls guarantees a delicious and immersive travel experience.
3. Join Local Tours or Cultural Workshops
Rather than booking large, mainstream tours, opt for smaller, locally-run experiences that allow for personal interaction and hands-on learning. Cultural workshops and walking tours led by locals provide a deeper understanding of the destination beyond its tourist attractions.
Why It Works:
- Locally-run tours offer unique perspectives that big tour companies might miss.
- Cultural workshops (like cooking classes or craft-making) allow you to learn a skill directly from local artisans.
- Walking or bike tours take you through hidden alleys, markets, and historical sites that you might not discover on your own.
How to Do It:
- Look for community-based tourism experiences—websites like GetYourGuide and Airbnb Experiences offer local-led tours.
- Join a cooking class where you can learn to make traditional dishes with a local chef.
- Take part in craft or art workshops, such as pottery-making in Japan, weaving in Guatemala, or painting in Morocco.
By joining local tours and workshops, you’ll gain hands-on experiences and deeper cultural connections while supporting small businesses.
4. Attend Local Festivals and Events
Nothing immerses you in a destination’s culture quite like participating in local festivals and celebrations. These events often provide unfiltered, joyous experiences where you can see traditional music, dance, rituals, and customs in their most authentic form.
Why It Works:
- Festivals showcase the culture, history, and traditions of a place in a way that no museum or tour can.
- You’ll interact with locals in a lively and welcoming setting, whether it’s a religious festival, a music event, or a food fair.
- Each festival is unique, offering experiences you can’t replicate anywhere else.
How to Do It:
- Research events before your trip—some of the best experiences come from unplanned festival discoveries!
- Ask locals about upcoming celebrations, as smaller, lesser-known events can be just as meaningful as major festivals.
- Be respectful of local customs and traditions, especially at religious or sacred ceremonies.
Some of the world’s most incredible festivals include:
- Holi Festival (India): A vibrant, color-filled celebration of love and spring.
- Oktoberfest (Germany): The ultimate beer festival in Bavaria.
- Día de los Muertos (Mexico): A fascinating festival honoring the dead with altars, parades, and decorated skulls.
Attending a local festival allows you to experience a destination’s culture at its most vibrant and energetic.