Are you eager to learn about ancient histories, local customs, and heritage, connect with friendly locals, or try your hand at unique crafts that bring joy and wonder? Exploring new cultures is one of the best ways to experience the world and this guide will take you to 20 must-visit spots that you can visit for a rich cultural experience.
Cusco, Peru
Cusco’s artisans are famous for their colorful, handwoven textiles, which you can learn since many craft workshops are open to teaching interested visitors the art of weaving. The best time to visit is during the Inti Raymi Festival in June, a celebration of the Sun God that includes parades, music, and traditional dances.
Marrakech, Morocco
You can begin your journey in Jemaa el-Fnaa, the city’s main square, where snake charmers, storytellers, and street food vendors come alive at sunset. Don’t miss the serene Jardin Majorelle, once owned by Yves Saint Laurent, showcasing exotic plants and cobalt-blue buildings. For a true Moroccan experience, indulge in a relaxing hammam—a Moroccan steam bath.
Kyoto, Japan
Traveling to Japan in July will make you a part of Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri festival, a 1,000-year-old festival where you’ll feel the ancient Shinto traditions in full bloom. Locals will tell you to try “kaiseki,” a multi-course meal representing the finest Japanese dining, and try matcha desserts, which you’ll find in small, family-owned shops.
Barcelona, Spain
Remember to participate in a flamenco show to experience Spain’s passionate dance culture firsthand. The city’s festivals, like La Mercè, celebrate its rich heritage with parades and fireworks. For a local experience, visit a calçotada (in winter), a traditional feast celebrating the harvest of calçots, a type of green onion unique to Catalonia.
Varanasi, India
Varanasi offers travelers a chance to witness the country’s spiritual heart. The ghats, the steps leading down to the river, come alive at dawn with pilgrims bathing and priests performing fire rituals. Every evening, the Dashashwamedh Ghat lights up with the Ganga Aarti ceremony, where lamps, chants, and incense fill the air in a mesmerizing ritual.
Fez, Morocco
The medina of Fez, a labyrinth of alleyways and lively bazaars, is a portal to Morocco’s ancient past. Artisans pound and shape leather by hand in the open-air tanneries. Potters, metalworkers, and carpet makers pour generations of skill into each piece they create while scents of saffron and cumin fill the air from the savory B’stilla.
Istanbul, Turkey
Locals recommend taking a ferry to Kadıköy on the Asian side to experience a quieter, more residential side of Istanbul. Explore charming cafes and cozy bookstores, offering a welcome break from tourist crowds. Don’t miss Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamamı, where you can indulge in centuries-old wellness traditions.
Havana, Cuba
Your cultural exploration of Cuba begins in Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site with colonial architecture and lively plazas. For a unique experience, visit Fábrica de Arte Cubano, a cultural hub in a converted factory that offers art, live music, and dance performances. Remember to sample their ropa vieja, a flavorful shredded beef dish.
Kathmandu, Nepal
Katmandu is home to centuries-old stupas, temples, and living monasteries that remain vital hubs for worship. Dropping by Durbar Square, a UNESCO site, to witness the architectural marvels of Nepal’s past should be at the top of your to-do list. Remember to try their momos, dumplings filled with spiced meat or vegetables.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
A trip to Buenos Aires allows you to explore San Telmo, the city’s oldest neighborhood, and visit their Sunday market for tango performances and antiques. You can choose to join their milonga, where locals dance. And don’t leave without trying an Argentine asado (barbecue) or their yerba mate, a traditional tea shared among friends.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali is steeped in spirituality, which is evident in the beautiful canang sari and baskets offered at temples, homes, and street corners. Each basket, woven from young coconut leaves and filled with colorful flowers, rice, and small treats, is a handmade offering to the gods meant to bring peace and balance to the day.
Luang Prabang, Laos
Due to its rich Buddhist heritage, Luang Prabang is a destination that invites you to slow down. The morning alms-giving ceremony, where monks collect food from villagers, is a silent, meditative ritual that has remained unchanged for centuries. Their April’s Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year) is a festive atmosphere filled with water-splashing, dancing, and street parades.
Rome, Italy
Rome’s culture may be ancient, but its street art scene shows its modern, rebellious side. Neighborhoods like Ostiense and Pigneto are covered with murals celebrating Italian icons, political messages, and local stories. Every morning, the Campo de Fiori Market buzzes with vendors selling and locals shopping for fresh produce, flowers, local cheeses, and cured meats.
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Walking through Psah Chas, Siem Reap Old Market, you’ll encounter locals bargaining for fresh produce, colorful herbs, and handcrafted goods. Nearby, Phare, the Cambodian Circus tells Cambodian stories through acrobatics, theater, and music. Make sure to try their delicious local cuisine, amok, a flavorful fish dish steamed in banana leaves with fragrant lemongrass, kaffir lime, and coconut milk.
Mexico City, Mexico
The Zócalo, Mexico City’s grand central square, once held the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán. You can visit the Templo Mayor, an ancient temple revealing centuries-old artifacts and stories of Aztec rituals and gods. Besides, with its stunning stained-glass curtain, the nearby Palacio de Bellas Artes hosts traditional ballet performances where the dancers whirl in conventional attire.
Hoi An, Vietnam
The Thu Bon River glows with floating paper lanterns at night, an ancient good luck tradition. Each month, the town hosts the Full Moon Lantern Festival, where the city is filled with music, games, and candlelit lanterns. Hoi An’s street dishes are unbeatable, like cao lầu, noodles with fresh herbs, and crispy pork made from ancient Cham well water.
Jerusalem, Israel
Jerusalem is deeply significant to three major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Beyond the religious sites, the Mahane Yehuda Market is a lively, bustling place where vendors call out their specials, like fresh pomegranates and olives. Friday evenings here are exceptional, as families and friends gather to celebrate Shabbat in warmth and laughter.
Lhasa, Tibet
As the spiritual heart of Tibet, Lhasa is home to some of Tibetan Buddhism’s most sacred sites, including the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. Monks in crimson robes walk the streets and spin prayer wheels as they go. The hospitable local Tibetans often invite visitors to share a warm cup of salty yak butter tea.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
This city is known for its warm-hearted people, who proudly share their culture through colorful festivals like Loy Krathong, where locals release candlelit floats onto rivers to symbolize renewal. Here, night markets fill the city with food stalls selling mango sticky rice. And visitors can join cooking classes and learn the secrets of Thai cuisine.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
As the home of the African Union, Addis is a center for African diplomacy. At the National Museum of Ethiopia, you can see Lucy, one of the world’s oldest human ancestors, offering a glimpse into humanity’s deep history. Additionally, the traditional coffee ceremony showcases a vibrant social event where beans are roasted, ground, and brewed in a jebena.
