The Best Ways to Experience Local Culture While Traveling

Not sure exactly what to see in a new country, but certain your goal is to dive into the culture and collect extraordinary experiences? Here are the top tips from seasoned travelers for maximum authenticity and full immersion.

Experience Traditional Festivals

Many travelers agree that nothing reveals a country’s culture and local mindset quite like its festivals and celebrations. Check the dates and cities in advance to catch the biggest events:

  • Carnival in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro);
  • Oktoberfest in Germany (Munich);
  • Gion Matsuri in Japan (Kyoto);
  • Holi Festival in India (Mathura and Vrindavan);
  • Diwali Festival in India (Jaipur and Varanasi);
  • Burning Man in the USA (Nevada Desert), and more.

Why go? To experience fascinating traditions, immerse yourself in festive atmospheres, enjoy colorful shows, and often taste authentic dishes. This is perfect for those who don’t mind crowds and noise.

Book a City Tours with Locals

A good guide can create the perfect city itinerary, allowing you to fully get a feel for the local atmosphere – this often includes iconic landmarks, colorful streets with stunning architecture, churches, and more. A few tips:

  • Look for online platforms that let you compare prices and tour options from different operators, such as GetYourGuide.
  • If you want to save money and get a personalized route, look for locals rather than companies – many are happy to show tourists around in their free time. They often charge a symbolic fee or even give tours for free. Try searching Google for «free local tour guides».
  • Check reviews on Google and TripAdvisor, and pay attention to factors like tour duration/extra costs not included in the price/group size/difficulty level.

Visit Local Markets

Markets are often underrated attractions. We recommend visiting both famous tourist spots, such as the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar in Istanbul (Turkey) or Khan El Khalili in Cairo (Egypt), as well as everyday local markets where residents do their shopping. You can buy fresh local fruits, spices, and colorful souvenirs. Some markets offer a truly exotic experience – for example, in Iquitos (Peru), you can see markets selling exotic meats like caiman and coati, local fish, as well as shamanic tinctures and charms.

Master a Few Local Phrases

This experience is handy – you can talk with locals and even save a bit at markets, cafes, or small shops. It’s also a fun way to get to know another culture. Try learning some basic phrases about prices («How much is this?») as well as colorful local greetings and common responses.

Skip SIM Card Shops: No lines, just travel – with PrimaSim eSIM

Time is often limited while traveling, so don’t waste it – instead of hunting for SIM cards from local operators, comparing plans, and setting them up, buy a travel eSIM online in advance. You’ll have internet from day one at the airport, and the PrimaSIM team will always be ready to assist you in your preferred language. Visit other sections of our website to learn more about our tariffs.

Conclusion

Travelers’ top tips for exploring a new country include visiting local festivals & markets, joining tours led by locals, and learning key phrases in the native language. We’ve shared specific examples and life hacks with you. To save time, we also recommend buying a PrimaSIM travel eSIM in advance, with plans starting from $3,99, so you can stay connected all the time.