Finding the best hidden spots when you travel makes your whole trip feel way more special. Most people only visit the famous buildings but you can find much cooler things if you just look around. I found some amazing local places in busy cities that almost every tourist walks right past. These secret gems show you how people really live and they are totally worth seeing.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont In Paris
You should skip the packed parks by the Eiffel Tower. Go to the 19th district to see amazing cliffs and a temple. There is even a hidden waterfall. It feels like a magic world where locals spend their time. It is very peaceful and nice.
Sir John Soane’s Museum In London
This is not your typical boring museum because it is a packed house filled with random ancient sculptures and even a pharaoh’s sarcophagus in the basement, which is wild to see. It is very cramped and a bit dusty but that just makes it feel like you are exploring an eccentric old relative’s attic, I really found it quite fascinating to wander around.
The Appian Way In Rome
You can leave the loud city noise behind and walk on ancient stone roads that are thousands of years old. These paths are surrounded by quiet green fields and peaceful nature. You might even explore old underground tunnels if you want a fun little adventure.
The Cloisters In New York City
Most people stick to Midtown Manhattan but if you go way uptown you find this amazing museum built using actual medieval European monasteries and it overlooks the Hudson River. It is a very serene and quiet experience that makes you forget you are even in New York and I thought it was really peaceful.
Yanaka Ginza In Tokyo
I loved exploring these old streets because they feel so peaceful. The neighborhood has many small shops with traditional goods. You can buy tasty food right on the sidewalk. It is a very honest look at Japanese life. Most tourists completely miss this spot.
Hospital de Sant Pau In Barcelona
Everyone goes to see the Sagrada Familia church but this old complex of colorful hospital buildings is right up the street and it is just as beautiful with its amazing art nouveau architecture. It is huge and colorful and you can actually walk through the old wards and gardens without fighting through big crowds of tourists.
Begijnhof In Amsterdam
This old courtyard is tucked away behind a simple wooden door near a loud shopping area. Religious women once lived in these houses many years ago. It feels very calm and still today. Visitors need to be silent to enjoy this rare, peaceful city break.
San Giorgio Maggiore In Venice
Most people crowd into St. Mark’s Square but if you take a quick boat ride to this island you get the best views of the main city with absolutely no wait times. You can go right up the bell tower and look over the whole place and honestly I think this view is way better than the popular ones.
Gio-ji Temple In Kyoto
This tiny little temple is famous mostly for its stunning moss garden that has so many different shades of green it looks almost fake but it is totally real. It is located near the very busy bamboo forest but far fewer people make it here so you can actually enjoy the quiet.
Alfama District Fado Houses In Lisbon
You can hear this traditional Portuguese folk music almost anywhere but finding a tiny family owned restaurant in this old neighborhood to listen while you eat a simple meal is special. The music can seem a bit sad to some people but it is very emotional and a big part of the culture here.
Teufelsberg In Berlin
This is a former US listening station from the Cold War that is built on top of a man made hill outside the city and it is covered in some of the coolest street art. You have to take a tour to get inside but the history is fascinating and the view from the top of the old radar domes is really something else.
Wat Saket In Bangkok
Known as the Golden Mount this temple sits on a steep man made hill and you have to walk up hundreds of steps through misty gardens with bells to reach the top. Many people miss it for the bigger royal palaces but the view over the sprawling city of Bangkok from the top makes the walk totally worth it in my opinion.
Vyšehrad Fortress In Prague
While everyone is at Prague Castle this original old fortress on a hill offers spectacular river views and a beautiful cemetery where many famous Czech people are buried. It is very peaceful and historic and I found it much more enjoyable for a relaxed afternoon walk.
Marsh’s Library In Dublin
Tucked away near St. Patrick’s Cathedral this is the oldest public library in Ireland and it has not changed much at all since it opened more than three hundred years ago. You can still see old books chained to the shelves and even bullet holes in the walls from the Easter Rising which is truly incredible history to see.
Sutro Baths In San Francisco
Most people go to the Golden Gate Bridge but these are the remains of a huge indoor swimming complex that was built right on the rocky ocean coast and it is a really atmospheric place to explore, especially at sunset. It is kind of ghostly and beautiful and you get amazing views of the Pacific Ocean without having to hike really far.
Ihwa Mural Village In Seoul
This old hillside neighborhood was going to be torn down but artists came and painted colorful murals on the walls and steps and now it is a very unique and cheerful place to walk around. It is quite steep and a good workout for your legs but seeing the art mixed with the local houses is a really interesting experience.
Dean Village In Edinburgh
Right near the busy Princes Street this incredibly quiet and charming little old village sits right on the Water of Leith and it looks like it belongs in a fairytale book. It is just a residential area now so there are no shops but wandering through and seeing the old stone buildings is a perfect little escape.
Hundertwasserhaus In Vienna
Vienna is known for very serious and grand buildings but this apartment complex has bright colors and no straight lines and uneven floors and even trees growing out of the windows and roof. You cannot go inside because people still live there but just standing outside and seeing this fun architecture is a great break from the usual sights.
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