Exploring a new city is always an exciting experience, but popular tourist destinations can often feel overcrowded and predictable. If you prefer adventure, discovering secret city spots can offer a unique, authentic perspective on a destination. Whether you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path travel experiences or searching for hidden travel locations, knowing where and how to find these gems can make your journey unforgettable.
While well-known landmarks have their charm, immersing yourself in a city’s lesser-known side allows you to see its true character. By venturing away from major tourist hubs, you’ll uncover hidden alleys, secret rooftop cafes, and historic corners that tell a deeper story about a place. This guide will show you the best ways to uncover hidden places in well-known cities, ensuring your next trip is filled with surprises and discoveries.
1. Researching Before You Travel
Guidebooks and mainstream travel websites tend to focus on the same attractions, but local travel blogs and forums offer insights into lesser-known spots.
- Reddit communities like r/travel and city-specific subreddits often have discussions about hidden gems.
- Travel blogs run by locals or long-term expats provide detailed and personal recommendations.
- Facebook groups dedicated to travel and expat life can be valuable sources of unique suggestions.
- Quora discussions often feature in-depth insights from locals sharing hidden places that don’t make it into mainstream guides.
Follow Local Social Media Influencers
Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest are full of travellers who showcase unique destinations beyond the usual tourist hotspots.
- Search for hashtags like #HiddenParis, #SecretTokyo, or #UndiscoveredLondon.
- Follow food bloggers who often explore lesser-known cafes and street food markets.
- Look at location tags on social media posts to uncover areas not widely discussed online.
- Watch YouTube vlogs from travellers who focus on non-touristy attractions.
Quick Guide: How to Find Hidden City Gems
- Read local travel blogs and forums like Reddit or Quora.
- Follow niche social media accounts and city-specific hashtags.
- Use satellite view and street view in Google Maps for exploration.
- Seek out repurposed buildings, alleyways, and lesser-known neighbourhoods.
- Try apps like Atlas Obscura or Spotted by Locals for unique tips.
- Ask locals where they go—not what’s in the guidebook.
Pro Tip
When researching a city, search for “[city name] hidden gems” on YouTube. Many content creators document secret bars, underground spots, and quiet corners with detailed directions.
Important
Avoid assuming that “hidden” means “unsafe.” Many off-the-radar places are perfectly safe but simply under-publicised. Still, use your judgment, travel during daylight when exploring unfamiliar areas, and trust your instincts.
2. Exploring Hidden Gems in Popular Cities
Most travellers stick to well-known areas, but venturing into local neighbourhoods can reveal a city’s true character.
- London: Instead of Oxford Street, explore the creative markets of Hackney Wick or the colourful houses of Notting Hill’s hidden mews.
- New York: Skip Times Square and visit the artistic streets of Bushwick, Brooklyn, or take a ferry to Governors Island.
- Tokyo: Beyond Shibuya, visit Shimokitazawa, a neighbourhood famous for its vintage shops and indie cafes.
- Barcelona: Avoid La Rambla and head to Gràcia, a charming district with bohemian cafes and local boutiques.
Look for Underground Attractions
Some of the most fascinating sites are below the surface, often overlooked by mainstream tourism.
- Paris: The Catacombs are famous, but lesser-known are the secret tunnels of Les Carrières des Capucins.
- Edinburgh: The Real Mary King’s Close offers a hidden look at the city’s underground history.
- Beijing: The Underground City, built during the Cold War, remains a fascinating and mysterious relic.
- Naples: The Napoli Sotterranea showcases an intricate network of tunnels dating back to ancient Rome.
Explore Abandoned and Repurposed Spaces
Many cities have repurposed abandoned areas into cultural hubs, offering unique experiences for travellers.
- Berlin: Teufelsberg, an abandoned Cold War listening station, now serves as a graffiti-covered viewpoint.
- Bangkok: The Ghost Tower (Sathorn Unique Tower) is an unfinished skyscraper with breathtaking city views.
- Barcelona: The Bunkers del Carmel offer panoramic views and a historical WWII site away from the crowds.
- Detroit: The city’s abandoned theatres and factories have been transformed into art spaces and community hubs.
3. Finding Hidden Culinary Experiences
Avoiding tourist-filled restaurants and finding authentic local spots is one of the best ways to experience a city.
- Use Google Maps to find well-reviewed spots that aren’t in tourist districts.
- Visit street food markets where locals eat rather than famous restaurants.
- Ask hotel staff or Airbnb hosts where they eat instead of tourist recommendations.
- Try local supper clubs where chefs prepare unique, home-cooked meals for small groups.
Seek Out Speakeasies and Secret Bars
Many cities have hidden bars tucked away behind unmarked doors or disguised as other businesses.
- New York: Please Don’t Tell is hidden inside a hot dog shop.
- London: Evans & Peel Detective Agency requires guests to ‘consult’ a detective before entering.
- Tokyo: Ben Fiddich has no menu, just custom-made cocktails crafted by an expert mixologist.
- Paris: Lavomatic is hidden behind a functioning laundromat.
4. Using Technology to Your Advantage
Use Google Maps’ Lesser-Known Features
- Turn on satellite view to find hidden courtyards, gardens, or rooftop bars.
- Use Street View to explore alleyways and side streets virtually before visiting.
- Search for terms like “locals’ favourite” or “hidden gem” in Google Reviews.
Try Alternative Travel Apps
Beyond Google, several travel apps help uncover hidden spots:
- Spotted by Locals – Guides written by locals with insider recommendations.
- Atlas Obscura – A collection of unique, lesser-known places worldwide.
- Geocaching – A digital treasure hunt that leads you to hidden corners of cities.
- Like a Local – A community-driven app with local-approved recommendations.
5. Embracing Spontaneity
Some of the best discoveries happen when you don’t plan everything.
- Wander through streets without using a map.
- Follow street performers or musicians to find where locals gather.
- Take local transportation to random stops and explore the surroundings.
- Join a walking tour but break away from the group to explore on your own.
5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are hidden spots safe to visit in big cities?
Generally, yes—especially if recommended by locals or trusted sources. However, always research safety, visit during daylight, and avoid isolated areas at night.
2. How do I find hidden food spots that locals love?
Ask hotel staff or Airbnb hosts where they eat. Explore outside tourist districts, check Google Maps reviews, or use food-focused apps like TheFork or Eater.
3. What’s the best app for finding secret city attractions?
Apps like Atlas Obscura, Spotted by Locals, and Like a Local are great for discovering unusual and under-the-radar places curated by real residents.
4. Should I skip major landmarks altogether?
Not at all. Iconic landmarks have cultural value—but balance your itinerary with both big-name attractions and lesser-known experiences to get a fuller sense of place.
5. How can I explore hidden places without a plan?
Wander purposefully. Take side streets. Get off at a random public transit stop. Let curiosity lead—some of the best discoveries happen by accident.
Unlocking Hidden Gems: Discover Secret Spots in Popular Cities
Finding secret city spots and embracing off-the-beaten-path travel allows you to experience cities like a true explorer. By researching ahead, using technology, engaging with locals, and keeping an open mind, you can uncover hidden travel locations that most tourists miss.
The next time you visit a popular city, challenge yourself to look beyond the famous attractions—you might just find something extraordinary. From underground hideaways to secret rooftop cafes, the possibilities for discovery are endless.