Traveling to a city can be challenging. Navigating public transport, dealing with the noise and the traffic, avoiding pick-pockets and scammers. Yet cities are also atmospheric. They have great museums, wonderful food, and give a deep insight into a country. So it is well worth persevering. In this article, I provide simple tips so you can have the best city breaks ever.
From New Delhi to Athens, via Rangoon and Oulan Bataar, I’ve heard the same complaint. Travelers hate the city. They feel harassed and stressed out. They rush to leave as soon as they can to reach calmer places. Somewhere they can relax on a beach or explore a sweet village. Places that are easier to love. Cities are complex beasts, they are in your face, they are hard to define and they are never all good.
People rarely give enough time to cities to fall in love with them. In my opinion, they miss out on a large part of their travel experience when they do so.
Sure, I’m a nature girl at heart. I’m never happier than when I am lost in the mountains. Awestruck by a spectacular view and an amazing climbing route.
Still, I love cities because they show a lot about a culture. They are a place where people of all types mix and clash. A place where real life happens regardless of tourists, in all its beauty and ugliness. Some experiences you can only have in cities.
Plus, from a purely practical point of view, travelers generally have to go through cities as they are transport hubs. So we might as well enjoy our time there! Here are a few easy steps to make sure that you do.
Get the Right Apps
One thing that is often unpleasant and stressful in big cities is the transport. This can easily be fixed if you find out beforehand which apps locals use.
This could include public transport apps, events apps or specific maps. Russia and post-Soviet countries often use Yandex more than Google maps, for instance. Consider downloading a pdf map of the transport system. Check out the local taxi app and install that — Uber is still not widely available in many countries.
It’s also a great idea to download a food delivery app. That way if you get in late, or feel exhausted one evening or in the mood for breakfast in bed one morning, you can have it brought to you in a few clicks. This is better than having to go on a hunt when you feel too lazy.
Oh, and download Organic Maps to have an offline map available if you won’t have data. That way you can go strolling down random side streets, and always know where you are.
Connect with locals
What is great about cities is the huge choice that they offer. When you don’t know a place, this can feel more like a liability. If there is a “place to be”, you are less likely to stumble across it.
That is why when it comes to visiting cities, it is worth knowing locals who can take you to their favorite places. You will get a more authentic experience. See the city through the eyes of those who live there, and make life long friendships along the way.
There are many ways to connect with locals. Scan Facebook events for things that you might be interested in. Take part in a hobby that you do back home. For example, you could head to a climbing wall, a spin class or a knitting class. Get chatting to people in bars or clubs. Ask the receptionists at your accommodation. Better yet, use couch surfing to stay with someone in their home. Or check Airbnb experiences to see what locals are offering to show you.
This is how I ended up being shown:
- a road in Marseille where you feel like you roll up hill
- a cheap olive stand on a market in Athens where I tasted the best olives of my life
- a shaman temple in a yurt in Ulaanbataar
- a Soviet era pub lit by gas lights in Sofia …
How to Stay Safe on a City Break
The fastest way to ruin a city break is to get pick-pocketed or mugged. This can happen in most cities in the world.
Make sure you take the usual precautions:
- Be on guard in busy areas, metro stations, buses and public transport.
- Ask your accommodation if there are any areas that should be avoided at night.
- Google any common scams to pay attention to.
- Don’t keep all your money and cards in the same place. Consider using a money belt or under the shirt bag.
Pick the Right Place to Stay
The area of the city where you stay has a huge impact on your experience. Pay particular attention to what reviews say about the location, and research the area you will be staying in.
It is better to stay in something smaller or less comfortable but in a better area of the city, than to waste time traveling too far or being stuck somewhere noisy or unpleasant.
Have a think about what you want to do while in the city. If you are going to party, you will want to be just a short walk from the nightlife.
If you are planning early morning sightseeing, then you won’t want to be disturbed by noise at night.
If you know a city to be noisy and bustling, find somewhere that will be a little haven of peace. Then you can retreat there to recharge your batteries.
Give yourself time to get lost
The most common reason that people hate a city is that they don’t give it enough time.
They arrive at an airport or train station, get harassed by taxi drivers and souvenir sellers. They queue up for a monument. Eat at a nearby, mediocre tourist trap. And, understandably, they rush to leave the city.
Cities take time to fall in love with. You need to know nooks and crannies, great restaurants and bars and side streets.
Don’t just go to the most famous monuments. Make sure to walk off the beaten track and go ambling in side streets. Follow your intuition and the things that look pretty. It can also be a great idea to take a walking tour. Many cities offer them for free (or tips only). Guides will bring a city to life with anecdotes, beautiful routes and tips on where to go.
There is so much wonder to be found in cities, if you know how to see it.
Have you visited a city that you loved, even though most people don’t? Let me know in the comments.
Ellie x
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