Tour and travel have various shades, some are about experiencing serene natural beauty or extreme adventure, and some are about exploring new places and living the local cultures or traditions. From picturesque historic sites and museums to local traditions and flavors, you will find many unique destinations to explore and have a lifetime experience.
If you are looking for the best places to visit and learn about local traditions around the world, we have compiled a list of 10 such destinations that offer unique glimpses into the culture and traditions of the locals.
10 Best Places to Visit and Learn Local Traditions around the world
Most of these destinations show how the local people live, their dress, what or where they eat, their overall way of life, etc. The more diverse the ethnicity of the locals, the deeper you need to dive to explore a certain place.
Your trip plan should include spots like large metropolitan areas, mountain areas, coastal areas, small towns farming areas, etc. Each kind of place contributes a unique flavor to the overall taste of a given culture.
01: Cusco
Andean Baroque and Incan Majesty co-exist in the stone streets of Cusco, embodied by the church of Santo Domino and the Qoriacancha situating along the Plaza de Armas. The high-altitude destination is referred to as a melting pot of Mestizo and Amerindian culture, a metaphor for both the ethnic locals blending as one.
You will find lively summer fests, extraordinary textiles, and the most fascinating archaeological wonders. Cusco is a great destination if your interests include historical tours, archaeological tours, art & history, and hiking tours.
02: Cuba
Cuba is an amazing destination for cultural exchange. It is a mixture of old-world tradition, architecture, and of-the-moment cultures. If you head out away from the capital city towards small towns like Trinidad, you will find more sights of Spanish colonial monuments and architecture.
Trinidad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From this spot, you can trip to the Valley of the Sugar Mills which was the center of Cuba’s sugar industry. Apart from experiencing the local cultures and traditions, in Cuba, you can enjoy the nightlife and tasteful bars after dark. The place is also great for outdoor activities, Art, and history.
03: Agra
Referred as a great testament of love, the Taj Mahal is one of a kind for a romantic holiday trip. Declared one of the 7 wonders of the world in 2007, the historical wonder was built by the grieving Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his late wife Mumtaz. The Taj Mahal gathers over five million tourists in a year.
India is vastly known for its diverse culture, ethnicity, and geographical landscape. Ranging from the lap of the Himalayan mountain, Rajasthan’s dune of deserts, rich culture, and natural picturesque of the North-eastern region, to the plateaus of Western and Eastern Ghats, India is a complete pack of wonders for travel enthusiasts.
If your trip bucket list includes Agra, the other two must-visit destinations in Agra are Fatehpur Sikri and the sandstone Red Fort. Both these sites are also declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Apart from all that, without a visit to the Taj Mahal your trip to India is incomplete.
04: Athens
Athen was once known for its tacky architecture, traffic, and smog, now it is reformed with the fortunes brought by the Summer Olympics 2004. For English-speaking tourists, its spotless streets and parks, new motorways, ultra-modern metro, and accessible airport with all the signs in English make the capital of Greece easily navigated.
If your trip includes visiting the nearby islands, Athens can be a home base for the trip. The sophisticated sites of Athens include many monoliths of Western history, ranging from the Temple of Olympian Zeus to the Acropolis, and also the precious treasures of the National Archaeological Museum.
Athens makes a great destination for archaeological tours, historical tours, and cultural tours, and also a great place for bars and nightlife.
05: Colombo
For most travelers, Colombo is referred to as the gateway to Sri Lanka. But it is more than just passing through the interesting and diverse city of Colombo. If you can take a train ride to the coastal area of Mount Lavinia, explore the beaches, or the Talangama Wetland, the trip will add the perfect place to get away from the bustling streets of Colombo.
While dwelling around the city, you will find various religious spots. St. Anthony’s Shrine is one of the holiest shrines in Sri Lanka, You can visit Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple, Temple of Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil which is built with different deities of Hindu religion, and over 100 years old Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque which is unique for its white and red striped decore.
Overall, Colombo is one of the best places to visit and learn local traditions for its rich art and history, cultural, and historical contribution. It is a great travel destination for safaris as well.
06: Tokyo
Pop culture collides with tradition in the streets of Tokyo. Here you can enthusiastically wander around the various ancient temples in the day, and sneak into a local karaoke bar for a rocking evening. You have to wake up early to witness the auctioning of lively fish at the Toyosu Market and enjoy a refreshing morning while walking beneath the cherry blossom trees alongside the Sumida River.
The picturesque East Garden of the Imperial Palace is open to tourists and is a great place to spend some peaceful moments. Not to forget the Edo-Tokyo Museum where you can brush up your interest in Japanese history. And food is one of the best parts of Japan’s lifestyle which you will miss if you don’t taste udon noodles, sushi, and Japanese sweet wagashi.
Tokyo is great for bars, city tours, cultural tours, and historical tours.
07: Singapore
Singapore is one of the few bustling cities in the world which is also among the safest and cleanest cities of its size. Before you visit Singapore, make sure that you pay attention to the local laws. Spitting or throwing a candy wrapper in the street might be a mere issue in your hometown, but in Singapore, you could end up paying a good penalty for the same.
Outdoor activities like shopping in superlative stops like Gargantuan Mall, enjoying in the beaches, and visiting historic sites can be included in the bucket list. Thian Hock Keng temple is a must-visit for a historical tour. Nightlife bars and walking tours are fascinating in Singapore,
08: Berlin
In the developing city of Berlin, the old structures of Mitte coexist gracefully with the Reichstag’s modern fashion. While you are in Berlin, some of the must-visit historic sites are Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall, Potsdamer Platz, and the Brandenburg Gate. There are some great Zoos and Aquariums to refresh your mind apart from all the historical spots.
09: Prague
Prague is one of a kind when it comes to exploring places with rich cultures and traditions. With many extraordinary cultural and historic sites, Prague is a grand city and definitely, a must-visit once in life. The Prague Castle has always been overlooked the place since the 9th century. The cemetery and synagogues of the Jewish Quarter are must-visit sites for tourists who are into historical tours.
Prague City is an attractive destination for cultural and historical tours, while its theme parks and city tours are incomplete without nightlife activities. You will find late night cellar bars, amusing wine bars, and trendy bars to cherish your nights in Prague.
10: Edinburgh
The capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh is renowned for its culture, heritage, and festivals. You can walk around the city to visit world heritage sites, galleries, and museums of New Town and Old Town. You can enjoy the best Scottish-produced meals before you head out to join many sophisticated events like the Winter Fest of Music, Summer Festival of Culture, or the Festival of Ceilidhs and Lights. Edinburgh is one of the best places to visit and learn about local traditions around the world and for cultural tours and historical tours.
Summing Up
Most of the mentioned destinations show how the local people live and their history. While you are dwelling around these hot cultural and historical destinations, you will have the opportunity to get a glance at local cultures if you simply spend some time to get off the beaten path. For learning local traditions, always try to find your way into the neighborhoods off the main tourist spots; because it is more difficult when you are on a guided tour.
