City Trip with a Twist – No Stress, No Boredom, No FOMO

Whether you’re a city person or a nature lover – exploring urban centres is as much a part of travelling as eating ice cream is a part of summer. Personally, I’d definitely count myself among the outdoor freaks. I’d always prefer hiking out in the countryside instead of being surrounded by tall buildings, flashing lights, and everyday street noise.

And yet, I’ve visited quite a few megacities – and rarely regretted it. From European capitals like Bratislava, Budapest, Madrid, and London to Latin American hubs like La Paz, Santiago de Chile, Bogotá, and Lima. I’ve already mentioned some of them on my blog.

Big cities simply offer immense cultural heritage. Through city tours, museum visits, or walks through different neighbourhoods and alleys, you can learn so much about history and culture.

A trip to Madrid gave me the inspiration for this post. I know – the internet is already full of thousands of blog posts on “how to explore a city the best way.” Online you’ll find tips like: book tickets in advance or join free tours, a budget-friendly alternative to the usual guided city tours. With my tips, however, I want to help you make the most of any city – whether you’re a city person or a nature fan.

Take Your Time

In my opinion, the worst way to explore a city? Trying to see as much as possible in the shortest amount of time.

City trips are often designed exactly like that: fly in Friday evening, return Sunday night. In between, a packed 48-hour program. In extreme cases: fly to a nearby city in the morning, back home at night. And people still call that vacation?

Unfortunately, I speak from experience. During my Interrail trip four years ago, I visited eight cities (plus three spots for hiking and relaxation) in just one month – which meant about two days per place, if you subtract train travel. No wonder I ended up exhausted and tired. I almost skipped Rome altogether because I was tired of the constant information overload.

The logical conclusion: spend more time in one place. That way you can explore calmly, without stress – and it’s more sustainable, too. But of course, I understand that’s not always possible. Work, relationships, kids, responsibilities… not everyone can just book a one-way ticket to Mexico 😉. So, should you give up city trips entirely? Of course not. If you can’t extend your trip, then just remember: Less is more.

You Don’t Have to See It All

Read three blogs, browsed through one guidebook – and suddenly you’re convinced you must tick off 15 landmarks, 30 museums, and 10 restaurants. In three days.

I call this “bucket list tourism.” You know exactly what you have to see and do but often miss the real experience. Sure, you can say afterward: “I went to all the museums and took photos with every monument!” But did you actually feel the culture? Did you get a glimpse of daily life?

Maybe for some people that’s not important – what matters most is being able to say: „I saw it all, no more FOMO, no need to return.“ And that’s perfectly fine if it works for you.

But if city trips sometimes stress you out or the “classics” bore you, then let go of the “I must see it all” mindset.

When a friend once told me she hadn’t visited a single museum in Florence, my first reaction was: “What?! Not even the Uffizi?!” At the time, it felt almost criminal. But you know what? She still lives happily and guilt-free to this day 😅.

Of course, there are places worth seeing – like Machu Picchu in Peru or the Louvre in Paris. But if you’re not interested, why force it? Better to visit two museums and five landmarks that genuinely excite you than rush through them all.

And in Mexico City, with the highest number of museums in the world, even I will have to slow down.

Focus on Your Own Interests

The most important thing: know your interests, follow your interests – then every trip becomes a positive experience.

On my first visit to Madrid during my Interrail trip, I was heavily influenced by travel reports and recommendations: free tour, half a day at the Prado, walk in the Retiro Park, city center (and churros, of course😉). Overall, it was a good first impression, and I thought to myself that I’d love to come back again some day.

And indeed, I recently went back. Instead of being bored because I had already ticked off the “must-sees,” I enjoyed getting to know the city from a slightly different angle – with more focus on what I enjoy. I wandered through lesser-known parks, strolled along quiet streets, took photos, relaxed on benches, let the city vibe guide me, and escaped the tourist crowds.

If I could, I’d spend hours searching for the best sunset spots and breathtaking viewpoints. And of course, food is always part of the journey. In Madrid, I indulged in tortilla, croquetas, huevos rotos, and – obviously – loads of churros. Luckily, I had a friend as a guide who had already been living there for three weeks and showed me the best food spots.

In everyday life, we all too often dance to the tune of others. While traveling, it’s okay to go your own way. Especially when traveling solo. With company, compromise matters – but your own interests shouldn’t get lost either. Just find the right travel buddy 😉.

Add Creative Elements

Want to truly immerse yourself in a culture and peek behind the scenes? Then get hands-on and let your creativity flow. Pottery, dance, painting, cooking – depending on the city, you’ll find plenty of options. Learn tango in Buenos Aires, take a painting class in Florence – or, like I once did in Florence, join an Italian cooking course.

We prepared tiramisu, pasta, and ravioli from scratch. In the end, I didn’t just take home a wonderful memory but also new skills I can share – much to the joy of family and friends who will get to enjoy real Italian food.

These creative courses are one of the best ways to experience a city not just passively, but actively – while also connecting with locals. And locals always have the best insider tips for exploring the city.

Your Trip, Your Rules

So, at the end of the day, there’s only one thing left to say: explore cities in your own way. Get tips from others – especially locals – but make your own choices.

And if you’ve been to Florence but didn’t visit the Uffizi – honestly, who cares?

Stay open, let yourself be surprised, and sometimes head out without a plan. It’s often the unexpected moments that make a city trip truly unforgettable.

And if you stay open to local traditions and meet the day with a smile, chances are you’ll get a few insider tips from locals along the way 😊.

So, tell me: how do you approach city trips – more planned or spontaneous? Have you ever skipped a “must-see” attraction on purpose? And what was your most beautiful, unexpected city trip moment?

Bussi Baba!