How to avoid tourist traps in any city

Before you even pack your bags, spend some time digging into what locals actually love about their city. Skip the top 10 lists on generic travel blogs—those are often outdated or written by people who’ve never set foot in the place. Instead, check out local subreddits (like r/askTO for Toronto or r/paris for, well, Paris), Facebook groups, or even Instagram hashtags like #[CityName]Eats or #[CityName]HiddenGems. For example, if you’re heading to Rome, you’ll find locals raving about tiny trattorias in Trastevere instead of the overpriced restaurants near the Trevi Fountain. Another great trick? Look up ‘best [city] food markets’—places like Borough Market in London or La Boqueria in Barcelona are packed with locals and offer way better (and cheaper) eats than touristy spots.

Tourist traps thrive on convenience—if it’s right next to a major attraction, you can bet it’s overpriced and crowded. The simple fix? Walk just one or two blocks away from the hotspot, and you’ll often stumble upon hidden gems. For instance, in New York City, Times Square is a sensory overload of overpriced chain restaurants and souvenir shops. But walk 10 minutes in any direction, and you’ll find amazing hole-in-the-wall spots like Joe’s Pizza in Greenwich Village or Xi’an Famous Foods in Chinatown. Same goes for attractions: the Colosseum in Rome is incredible, but the nearby Palatine Hill is just as stunning (and way less crowded). Pro tip: if a restaurant has a menu in 10 languages and a guy outside trying to lure you in, keep walking. Locals don’t eat there, and neither should you.

If you want to eat like a local, look for places where you’re the only tourist in sight. One dead giveaway? A menu that’s only in the local language (or at least not translated into 15 languages). In Tokyo, skip the sushi chains and head to tiny izakayas where salarymen grab a quick bite after work. In Lisbon, avoid the restaurants with pictures of food outside and instead look for tascas (small taverns) serving petiscos (Portuguese tapas). Another trick? Check out where the lunch crowds go. In cities like Barcelona or Buenos Aires, locals take their lunch breaks seriously, and the best spots fill up fast between 1 and 3 PM. If you see a line of office workers or students, that’s a good sign. And if you’re feeling brave, ask a local for a recommendation—most people are happy to share their favorite spots if you’re polite and genuinely curious.

Nothing kills the vibe of a great attraction like a crowd of selfie sticks and tour groups. The solution? Visit at off-peak times. Most major attractions are busiest between 10 AM and 2 PM, so if you can swing it, go early in the morning (right at opening) or later in the afternoon (a few hours before closing). For example, the Louvre in Paris is way more enjoyable if you go right when it opens at 9 AM—you’ll have the Mona Lisa (almost) to yourself. Same goes for the Sagrada Família in Barcelona or the Acropolis in Athens. Another pro move? Visit on a weekday if possible. Many attractions are packed on weekends with locals and tourists alike. And if you’re traveling in Europe, keep an eye out for ‘late-night openings’—some museums, like the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, stay open late on certain days, which means fewer crowds and a totally different vibe.

Tourist traps love to target people who look lost or overwhelmed, and nothing screams ‘tourist’ like standing in the middle of a busy street staring at a map. The fix? Learn the basics of the city’s public transport system before you arrive. Most cities have great apps (like Citymapper or Moovit) that’ll plan your route in seconds. In cities like Tokyo or Hong Kong, the subway systems are so efficient that you’ll wonder why anyone bothers with taxis. Plus, public transport is often way cheaper than tourist shuttles or hop-on-hop-off buses. For example, a single ride on the Paris Métro costs €2.10, while a tourist bus ticket can set you back €30 or more. And here’s a bonus: public transport lets you see how locals live. You’ll spot cool neighborhoods, quirky shops, and maybe even a street performer or two. Just be sure to avoid rush hour if you can—nobody wants to be packed into a subway car like sardines.

In some cities, bargaining is expected—especially in markets or with street vendors. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it. First, know where bargaining is appropriate. In places like Marrakech’s souks or Bangkok’s Chatuchak Market, vendors expect you to haggle, and you’ll often get a better price if you do. But in a department store or a restaurant? Not so much. The key is to be friendly and playful, not aggressive. Start by asking, ‘What’s your best price?’ or ‘Can you do better?’ and go from there. For example, in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, vendors might start at 100 TL for a scarf, but if you counter with 50 TL and meet in the middle at 70 TL, everyone walks away happy. And if you’re not comfortable bargaining, just walk away—often, the vendor will call you back with a better offer. Just remember: the goal isn’t to lowball someone into giving you a product for free. It’s about finding a fair price that works for both of you.

Sometimes, even the best-laid plans go awry. Maybe you followed a recommendation from a friend, but the place feels off. Or maybe you’re just not vibing with the crowd. That’s when you should trust your gut. If something feels too good to be true (like a ‘free’ walking tour that pressures you to tip heavily), it probably is. Same goes for reviews—if a place has 5,000 reviews but they’re all vague and sound like they were written by bots, take them with a grain of salt. Instead, look for detailed reviews that mention specific dishes, experiences, or even the name of a server. For example, a review that says, ‘The carbonara at this place was life-changing, and our server, Marco, was hilarious’ is way more trustworthy than one that just says, ‘Great food, 5 stars!’ And if you’re unsure, ask a local. Most people are happy to steer you in the right direction if you’re polite and genuine. Just don’t ask the guy trying to sell you a ‘designer’ watch on the street—he’s not your friend.