As someone who travels and explores places domestically and internationally quite frequently, I try my best to explore places other than those found on social media. Usually, the ones you see while scrolling on TikTok or Instagram are tourist traps, created for the comfort of everyone, local or not. There’s nothing wrong with going to those spots, of course, but I’m the type of traveller who likes to immerse myself in the local culture when travelling, as pretentious as that may sound.
Here are a few ways I find hidden gems in even the most mainstream cities:
Take the road less travelled.
When I see that there are a lot of foreigners or a large younger crowd in a certain area, I’d try to avoid it. That place would likely be a tourist trap (an overpriced one too sometimes). I opt for restaurants that look not too full, but not too empty, and have local people eating there. I try to visit local attractions that are popular with locals rather than the “recommended for tourist” type.
Open Google Maps.
This is a trick I learned while travelling in the Maldives. When you open Google Maps, you can see the highly rated places. Then, you can simply filter it to show either food, attractions, or any other category you want. Additionally, you can read reviews from others and look at pictures from those who have visited the places before, helping you decide if you want to go there. For restaurants, Google even provides the menu, which is super helpful.
Follow the crowd.
I learned this method from Keeshaav. I know it contradicts my first point, but hear me out. When I’m exploring hawker stalls and night markets, I see which stalls have a larger queue (because more often than not, that’s where the good food is at). This strategy has worked wonders for me so far, especially when exploring lesser known places.
Ask the locals.
When in doubt, I always approach people around me for recommendations. Of course, sometimes they may not know the less touristy places. But you can bet on the local crowd to find the best food spots that suit the local palate (which may not be the same as yours). When in Rome, right?
Again, this is my preference. If you’re like me and want to ditch the popular choices for the underrated gems, feel free to try these out. If you have better options, please do let me know too!