Experience Your Destination Like a Local

Nothing is more rewarding for a traveler than experiencing a destination from the perspective of a local resident. If you’d like to truly experience your next travel destination, keep reading and discover our tips on how to feel like a local, even in the most foreign places. Whether you’re strolling through the cobblestone streets of a quaint European village or exploring the lively markets of a bustling Asian city, these tips will help you blend in with the locals.

#1. Do Your Research and Prepare for Your Trip!

It’s hard to blend in with people in a foreign place you know nothing about. Learn something about the place you’re going, avoiding just the superficial information. Websites and travel blogs are a good start, but if you want to fully experience the location, it’s worth digging deeper. Familiarize yourself with the local culture, dress code, and language. You don’t have to speak it fluently, but knowing a few common phrases will certainly help. If you can, talk to locals before you leave. You can find locals helping tourists in dedicated groups on social media platforms. Understand how to behave, what’s culturally acceptable, and what the locals prefer about tourists visiting their cities. This knowledge will help you blend in quickly and possibly save you from disapproving looks.

#2. Learn Something From the Locals!

Unsure how to leave your temporary home without ending up in some tourist trap? Most cities and towns worldwide offer the perfect solution for those who wish to blend in—workshops and courses. Depending on the city, you can attend workshops on cooking local cuisine, baking, clay painting, and more. Not only will you learn new skills, but you’ll also meet locals and practice the language.

The internet is a valuable resource here. Workshops and courses are often organized by city communities and cultural centers, so searching for options that interest you is beneficial. To avoid overspending, consider using an eSIM app that allows for quick data plan purchases from a local carrier. Before attending a workshop, it’s smart to confirm with the organizer if foreign participants can understand the instruction. Usually, it’s not a concern, as many instructors speak some English, and with hands-on activities like cooking, following visual cues becomes intuitive.

#3. Do Your Shopping Like Everyone Else!

Restaurants may be the most convenient and tasty option for a tourist, but they are also the most expensive and least local. Most people don’t eat out every day. Sure, treating yourself is common, but generally, people buy their food at grocery stores and markets. Therefore, if you want to live like a local, adapt their shopping habits.

If you’re renting an apartment with a kitchen, use that to your advantage. Grocery shop at the nearest market and attempt to cook something local. You’ll find plenty of recipes online and in local stores. Also, don’t overlook street food! Observe where locals go when they feel hungry, and you might discover delicious and inexpensive places that are less touristy.

#4. Live Like (And With) the Locals!

Local citizens in any location don’t live in hotels. If you want to feel like you belong, consider renting a place that resembles regular living conditions. Many rental options feature a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen that are similar to standard local apartments. For an even more authentic experience, you might explore couchsurfing—where travelers stay on locals’ couches in exchange for a small gesture, like cooking a local dish. Should you find a local willing to share their space, you’ll gain insight into everyday life and customs often overlooked by tourists.

#5. Travel Like Everyone Else!

Few individuals utilize Uber services daily, at least in many parts of the globe. Locals may also use taxis, but they typically consider them a last resort for budget reasons. If a city has reliable public transportation, it is likely the most preferred option among residents. Thus, if you aim to feel like a local as you navigate your surroundings, travel as they do—by bus, tram, subway, or train. Purchase a ticket like everyone else and forget about using ride-sharing services for a bit.

#6. When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do!

Familiarize yourself with your destination beforehand, acknowledging that customs will vary from your own. People may be unexpectedly friendly or quite reserved, boisterous or overly subdued. That’s the local culture. Observe typical behaviors and aim to blend in with the crowd. Remember: tourists are often easily identifiable due to distinct dress and behaviors that make them appear out of place. For example, American tourists may be recognized abroad for their volume. Therefore, to receive local treatment, aim to act like a local.