One of the most meaningful parts of travel is the chance to discover new cultures and different ways of living.

Whether it’s sharing a meal with locals, listening to music in a unique setting or wandering through a centuries-old city, cultural travel opens your eyes to perspectives you might never encounter at home.

After exploring 58 countries, these are the cultural experiences we genuinely loved and highly recommend.

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Local Cultural Experiences

Cheese and cured meats vendor at a bustling village market in Provence under sunny skies.
Friday market in Lourmarin village

Immerse yourself into the local culture with unique experiences that represent a country’s way of life.

Argentina

Stained glass of tango dancers and guitarist under "Obelisco Tango" sign in Buenos Aires.
Buenos Aires, the birthplace of Tango

Take a tango lesson in Buenos Aires

11 Fun Things to Do in Buenos Aires

Experience the thrill of a rivalry football match

1 Week Argentina Itinerary

Bhutan

Buddhist monk walks beneath a large bodhi tree in Bhutan, beside a whitewashed temple wall.
A Buddhist monk under a bodhi tree

Discover Bhutan’s Deep Buddhist Roots

How to Plan a Trip to Bhutan

Brazil

A crowd gathers on Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro to watch the sunset, capturing Brazil’s vibrant beach culture.
Lively sunsets on Ipanema Beach

Soak up Carioca culture at the beach in Rio de Janeiro

Non-Touristy Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro

Canada

Campervan cafe set up in Tofino with coffee equipment, a barista, and rustic decor.
A campervan cafe in Tofino

Step into cowboy culture at the rowdy Calgary Stampede

11 Fun Things to Do at the Calgary Stampede

Discover Canada’s West Coast hippie culture

Hornby Island

Salt Spring Island

Pender Island

Galiano Island

Tofino

Denmark

Locals sunbathe and relax on the canal edge in Copenhagen on a warm summer day.
Summer hangs along the canal in Copenhagen

Swim and soak up the local scene along Copenhagen’s canals

2 Day Copenhagen Itinerary

4 Day Copenhagen Itinerary

21 Unique Things to do in Copenhagen

10 Coolest Places in Copenhagen

Finland

Cec in a towel sits on a bench by a lake after a traditional Finnish sauna, surrounded by birch trees.
Cooling off after a sauna in Helsinki

Go for a traditional Finnish sauna on the sea

2 Day Helsinki Itinerary

France

Cec and her sister at a sidewalk cafe with drinks in Montmartre, Paris.
People-watching with drinks in Montmartre, Paris

Sip aperitifs and people-watch at a Parisian sidewalk cafe

How to spend a day in Paris

1 Week Paris and Provence Itinerary

Experience daily life at Provence's lively village markets

3 Day Provence Itinerary

4 Day Provence Itinerary

7 Beautiful Villages in the Luberon Valley

Georgia

Cec in towel walks into sauna in a tiled thermal spa room in Tbilisi.
Our private spa room in Tbilisi

Soak in centuries of tradition at Tbilisi’s thermal baths

2 Day Tbilisi Itinerary

3 Day Tbilisi Itinerary

1 Week Georgia Itinerary

Germany

Cec and her friend picnic with drinks at sunset on Berlin’s Tempelhofer Feld, a historic airfield turned public park.
Pre-gaming for a night out in Berlin at Tempelhofer Feld

Drink Club-Mate at Tempelhofer Feld before a night out in Berlin

10 Unique Things to Do in Berlin

Hungary

Eclectic interior of a Budapest ruin bar with vintage posters, art, and hanging decorations on graffiti-covered walls.
Eclectic ruin bars in Budapest

Experience Budapest’s nightlife at an iconic ruin bar

2 Day Budapest Itinerary

Italy

Colourful seaside buildings of Camogli line the beach with green hills rising in the background under a clear sky.
Camogli, where Italians love to vacay for summer

Embrace la dolce vita on the Italian Riviera

7 Fun Things to Do in Camogli

Japan

Cec in yukata robe sits in a rocking chair at a traditional Japanese ryokan, gazing out at bamboo through a large window.
Our stay at a traditional ryokan in Hakone

Experience Japanese hospitality at a ryokan

2 Week Japan Itinerary with Hakone

Belt it out in Osaka, the karaoke capital of Japan

2 Week Japan Itinerary with Osaka

Kyrgyzstan

Yurts and grazing cows in a vast alpine meadow near Song Kul Lake with mountains in the distance.
Nomadic yurt camp in the alpine near Song Kul Lake

Stay in a yurt camp and experience the nomadic life in Kyrgyzstan

10 Day Kyrgyzstan Itinerary

Morocco

Rustic terrace at a Berber lodge in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, with colourful rugs and mountain views at dusk.
Our stay at a family Berber lodge in the High Atlas Mountains

Stay in a family-run Berber lodge in the Atlas Mountains

5 Day Morocco Itinerary

Discover Morocco’s bohemian spirit in the coastal city of Essaouira

6 Day Morocco Itinerary

Explore the maze-like streets of Marrakech’s ancient Medina

2 Day Marrakech Itinerary

3 Day Marrakech Itinerary

18 Unique Things to Do in Marrakech

New Zealand

Hobbit hole with round green door and flower garden at Hobbiton with a large tree above the house.
Hobbiton on New Zealand's North Island

Visit the real-life Shire at Hobbiton

New Zealand Itinerary - North & South Islands

Peru

Aerial view of an Andean wedding ceremony in Peru, with floral heart outline and traditional woven blankets.
Our Andean wedding ceremony in the Peruvian mountains

Celebrate love the Andean way in the Peruvian mountains

Our Andean wedding on our Trek to Machu Picchu

USA

Retro poolside loungers and striped umbrellas at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, framed by palm trees and a billboard.
Chateau Marmont, filled with Hollywood stories and secrets

Experience Hollywood's star-studded culture

2 Day LA Itinerary with Celebrity Hot Spots

5 Day Los Angeles Itinerary

Explore more of our travel guides with local cultural experiences

Exciting Art & Music Scenes

Bold geometric interior at Casa Gilardi in Mexico City, featuring red and blue walls with pool water reflections.
Casa Gilardi, a Luis Barragan masterpiece

Discover incredible music and art scenes that are ingrained into a country or city's cultural identity.

Brazil

Live Bossa Nova performance at Little Club in Rio de Janeiro with a singer in blue and a band playing to an intimate crowd.
Listening to Bossa Nova at Little Club in Rio

Get swept up in the music and spirit of Rio de Janeiro

Best Bars in Rio de Janeiro for Music & Socializing

Chile

Colourful mural of two abstract faces on a red and blue graffiti-covered wall in Valparaíso.
Valparaiso is known as the Berlin of Chile

Explore the street art-filled hills of Valparaíso, Chile’s creative capital

2 Week Chile Itinerary

Georgia

Sunlit art cafe in Tbilisi with ceiling-mounted paintings, vintage furniture, and stained glass windows.
Art-filled cafes that turn into party spots by night

Discover Tbilisi’s boundary-pushing nightclub scene

Things to do in Tbilisi at Night

Experience Tbilisi's art cafe culture

12 Uniquely Designed Cafes and Restaurants in Tbilisi

16 Cool Things to Do in Tbilisi

Germany

Funky street art in Berlin shows a DJ mushroom character and playful urban illustrations.
Street art in Berlin

See Berlin’s bold contemporary art in the streets and a WWII bunker

10 Unique Things to Do in Berlin

Dance through the night in Berlin, the world's techno capital

Our view of Berlin's club culture

Italy

Caravaggio’s ‘Medusa’ shield painting on display at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, with a deep red backdrop.
Medusa at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence

See Renaissance masterpieces in Florence

3 Day Florence & Tuscany Itinerary

4 Day Florence & Tuscany Itinerary

7 Day Florence & Tuscany Itinerary

Japan

Modern sculpture arch facing the sea on Naoshima Island with calm waters and distant hills.
Naoshima, an island dedicated to contemporary art

Get blown away at Naoshima Island, where nature meets art

2 Week Japan Itinerary

Mexico

Cec walking through a sculptural marble hallway with arched ceilings and checkered floors at an exhibition for Art Week in Mexico City.
Art Week in Mexico City

Tour one of Luis Barragán’s iconic homes in Mexico City

33 Unique Things to Do in Mexico City

Discover Mexico City’s cutting-edge art scene during Art Week

19 Amazing Contemporary Art Galleries in Mexico City

Explore the life and art of Frida Kahlo at La Casa Azul

4 Day Mexico City Itinerary

Explore Oaxaca’s artisan culture, rooted in tradition

Best Shopping in Oaxaca for Artisan Treasures

Morocco

The vibrant Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech, with lush tropical plants, tiled fountain, and colourful architecture.
Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech

See how Marrakech’s colours inspired Yves Saint Laurent

Marrakech 3 Day Itinerary

Marrakech 2 Day Itinerary

18 Fun Things to Do in Marrakech

Netherlands

Laser lights reflect off a spinning disco ball in a dark nightclub in Amsterdam.
Awakenings Festival in Amsterdam

Experience Amsterdam’s inclusive underground music scene

2 Day Amsterdam Itinerary

Scotland

Cec playing Scrabble beneath a Picasso painting at The Fife Arms in Scotland, surrounded by floral decor.
Playing Scrabble in front of a real Picasso at The Fife Arms

Stay in a living gallery at The Fife Arms, curated by Hauser & Wirth

10 Day Scottish Highlands Itinerary

USA

Mid-century Stahl House in Los Angeles with glass window walls perched on a cliffside with sweeping views of the city skyline.
The iconic Stahl House in Los Angeles

Step inside the Stahl House, a mid-century icon

5 Day Los Angeles Itinerary

Explore more art & music destinations

Fascinating Historic Sites Worth The Hype

Stone columns and ruins at Jerash, Jordan, one of the best-preserved ancient Roman cities.
Jerash, Jordan

Explore remarkable landmarks and ancient wonders that bring a country’s past to life. These are the places where you’ll feel the layers of culture and history all around you.

Bhutan

Tiger’s Nest Monastery clings to a cliff in Bhutan, surrounded by misty forested mountains.
Tiger's Next Monastery

Tiger's Nest Monastery: hike to the sacred cliffside wonder

Bhutan Travel Guide

Brazil

Back view of Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, framed by trees and a bright blue sky.
Christ the Redeemer

Christ the Redeemer: one of the New 7 Wonders of the World

7 Most Instagrammable Places in Rio de Janeiro

China

The Great Wall of China winds through lush green hills, dotted with tourists exploring the landmark
The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China: one of the New 7 Wonders of the World

2 Week China Itinerary

Terracotta Army: see life-sized warriors frozen in time

11 Reasons to Visit China

France

Visitors lounge on the lawn beneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris, framed by trees and a blue sky.
Picnic at the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower: the world’s most recognisable silhouette

How to spend a day in Paris

Paris and Provence Itinerary

Greece

People enjoying sunset drinks with a view of the Acropolis from a rooftop bar in Athens.
Drinks with Acropolis views

The Parthenon: a timeless temple on the Athenian Acropolis

1 Day Athens Itinerary

5 Day Greece Itinerary

8 Day Greece Itinerary

Italy

Florence’s Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore, stands tall at sunset with its iconic dome above the city.
Sunset view over Florence and the Duomo

Sassi di Matera: explore the ancient cave city

2 Day Matera Itinerary

Florence’s Duomo: Santa Maria del Fiore

3 Days in Florence & Tuscany

4 Days in Florence & Tuscany

7 Days in Florence & Tuscany

Jordan 

Cec sits on a red patterned rug overlooking Petra’s famous Treasury carved into rose-colored cliffs.
Petra

Petra: one of the New 7 Wonders of the World

What to know about Abraham Tours' 3 Day Jordan Tour

Jerash: walk through one of the best-preserved Roman cities

2 Week Jordan and Israel Itinerary

Mexico

Shadowy interior of Museo Anahuacalli in Mexico City with pre-Hispanic sculptures and modern art.
Museo Anahuacalli

Museo Anahuacalli: Diego Rivera’s volcanic work of art

5 Day Mexico City Itinerary

Oman 

Ari in a white robe walks toward the towering minaret of Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, framed by detailed Islamic architecture.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque: a masterpiece of Islamic design

7 Day Oman Itinerary

Peru 

Ancient stone ruins of Machu Picchu cascade down a lush green mountainside, shrouded in mist and mystery.
Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu: one of the New 7 Wonders of the World

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu hiking guide

UAE

Elaborate arches, intricate mosaic patterns, and stained glass windows inside the ornate Qasr Al Watan palace in Abu Dhabi.
Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace

Qasr Al Watan: the Presidential Palace with Arabian opulence

How to Spend 1 Day in Abu Dhabi

2 Day Abu Dhabi Itinerary

11 Things to Do in Abu Dhabi in Summer

USA

The iconic white Hollywood Sign sits on a dry hillside in Los Angeles, framed by palm trees and blue skies.
the Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood Sign: a symbol of stardom and the American dream

2 Days in LA

5 Days in LA

Explore more destinations with fascinating historic sites

Culinary Experiences

A hand holding a glass of Georgian amber wine overlooking the Kakheti wine region's rolling hills and rooftops.
Drinking amber Georgian wine in the Kakheti wine region

Food and drink are among the most powerful expressions of cultural identity. From time-honoured recipes to regional ingredients and the rituals of how people gather to eat and drink, every culinary tradition tells a deeper story.

It’s also an exciting way to discover new flavours and cooking techniques you might never come across back home.

Argentina

Cec and her friend smiling in a vineyard in Mendoza, Argentina, with the Andes Mountains and blue sky in the background.
Exploring vineyards in the Mendoza wine region

Experience an asado at a traditional Argentine steakhouse

11 Fun Things to Do in Buenos Aires

Taste Malbec in Mendoza, Argentina’s wine capital

1 Week Argentina Itinerary: Buenos Aires & Mendoza

Brazil

Caipirinha cocktail with lime wedges and mint on a table in a colourful street in Rio de Janeiro.
Drinking a refreshing caipirinha in Rio

Cool off with a caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail

7 Fun Bars in Rio de Janeiro

Canada

Cozy log cabin restaurant glowing with warm lights at night, nestled among tall trees on Galiano Island.
Pilgrimme restaurant on Galiano Island

Discover Pacific-Northwest cuisine on the wild west coast

2 Day Vancouver Itinerary

3 Day Tofino Itinerary

5 Day Vancouver Island Itinerary

1 Week Vancouver and Victoria Itinerary

11 Unique Galiano Island Restaurants

Chile

Two glasses of pisco sours on a table at sunset with views of Pisco Elqui’s golden mountains through a window.
Pisco sours in Pisco Elqui

Sip a pisco sour in Pisco Elqui, the birthplace of Chile’s spirit

2 Week Chile Itinerary

China

Close-up of a juicy roujiamo, China’s meaty street food sandwich, filled with shredded pork inside crispy flatbread.
Eating a roujiamo in Xi'an

Taste Peking duck, Beijing’s Imperial-era classic

10 Day China Itinerary

Devour a Roujiamo, a hamburger believed to be the world's first

6 Fun Things to Do in Xi'an

Try Pu’erh tea, China’s earthy, aged tea with a culture of its own

11 Reasons to Visit China

Denmark

Grilled pea pods garnished with edible flowers, presented on a cloth napkin in a woven dish on a fine dining table at Noma, Copenhagen.
Vegetable-forward dining at Noma in Copenhagen

Discover Copenhagen’s innovative plant-based dining scene

2 Day Copenhagen Itinerary

4 Day Copenhagen Itinerary

21 Amazing Things to Do in Copenhagen

England

Cec dressed up enjoying afternoon tea in a lavish tea room, holding a champagne flute and tea sandwich in London.
Afternoon tea at The Ritz in London

Enjoy a ritzy afternoon tea, a time-honoured English tradition

5 Day London Itinerary

France

Fresh oysters on ice with lemon wedges and tins of pâté and butter, served beachside in Cap Ferret.
Freshly shucked oysters in Cap Ferret

Slurp fresh oysters in Cap Ferret, the oyster capital of France

12 Fun Things to Do in Cap Ferret

Dine in Provençal villages rooted in farm-to-table living

7 Scenic Luberon Valley Villages

Drink rosé in Provence, made for long, sun-soaked lunches

3 Days in Provence

4 Days in Provence

Georgia

Close-up of khachapuri, Georgian cheese bread filled with melted cheese, egg yolks, and a slab of butter, served hot.
Khachapuri, Georgian cheese bread filled with melted cheese

Taste Georgian cuisine in Tbilisi, Europe’s underrated food capital

16 Unique Things to Do in Tbilisi

2 Days in Tbilisi

3 Days in Tbilisi

Learn about the world's oldest winemaking technique in Signagi

9 Unique Things to Do in Signagi

1 Week Georgia Itinerary

Italy

Cec's sister sipping Brunello di Montalcino wine beside a pot of bistecca alla Fiorentina in the hills of Tuscany.
Feasting on bistecca alla Fiorentina in the Montalcino wine region

Try Neapolitan pizza in Naples, the city that invented it.

2 Week Italy Itinerary

Taste truffles in Piedmont, home of the Slow Food movement

3 Day Piedmont Itinerary

Eat fresh pasta and ragù in Bologna, Italy’s culinary capital

2 Day Bologna Itinerary

Try bistecca alla Fiorentina, a classic with centuries of pride

5 Day Tuscany Itinerary

Try focaccia di Recco in Liguria, baked with cheesy layers

7 Things to Do in Camogli on the Ligurian Coast

Sip Nebbiolo wines in Piedmont, a region of quiet tradition

11 Best Things to Do in the Langhe Wine Region

Visit Tuscany’s famed wine regions from Chianti to Montalcino

4 Day Tuscany & Florence Itinerary

7 Day Tuscany & Florence Itinerary

Japan

Sushi chef preparing omakase-style dishes behind a wooden counter in an intimate, warmly lit Japanese restaurant.
Omakase in Tokyo

Enjoy the freshest sushi at Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji Fish Market

20 Unique Things to Do in Tokyo

Dine omakase style, a tasting experience full of surprises

2 Week Japan Itinerary with Omakase Experiences

Experience kaiseki at a ryokan, the art of Japanese hospitality

2 Week Japan Itinerary Including a Ryokan Stay

Treat yourself to melt-in-your-mouth Japanese wagyu beef

2 Weeks in Japan for the Food Lover

Mexico 

Plate of tacos al pastor and carnitas topped with pineapple, onion, and cilantro, served with cold bottles of Pacifico beer.
Eating al pastor tacos in Mexico City

Devour Al Pastor tacos in Mexico City

33 Top Things to Do in Mexico City

Try mole, a pre-Hispanic sauce with countless regional variations

4 Day Mexico City Itinerary

Feast at Oaxaca’s street food markets

3 Day Oaxaca City Itinerary

Discover the world of mezcal in Oaxaca

5 Day Oaxaca Itinerary

Morocco 

Traditional Moroccan tea service with mint tea, sugar cubes, and dried fruit on a silver tray.
Mint tea for our arrival at our riad stay in Marrakech

Eat fragrant tagine, a North African classic cooked in clay

7 Day Morocco Itinerary

Sip mint tea, a ritual of welcome on medina rooftops

3 Day Marrakech Itinerary

New Zealand

Outdoor wine tasting on a lawn in the Marlborough Region with glasses, beanbags, and a Forrest-branded umbrella.
Winery hopping in the Marlborough wine region

Winery hop by bike through the Marlborough wine region

17 Day New Zealand Itinerary

Portugal

Wine shop in Lisbon with shelves of vintage port and neatly arranged wine bottles.
So many vintage port wines to try in Lisbon

Try vintage port from your birth year, a Portuguese time capsule

2 Day Lisbon Itinerary

10 Unique Things to Do in Lisbon

Seychelles

Bright tropical cocktail on a seaside table on Mahe Island with a view of the ocean and nearby hills.
Drinking fruity local rum cocktails on Mahe Island

Sip Takamaka rum, the spirit of the Seychelles in a glass

5 Day Seychelles Itinerary

10 Best Things to Do on Mahe Island

Scotland

A dimly lit whisky bar with red velvet chairs and shelves full of spirits in vintage-style decor in the Scottish Highlands.
Whiskey bar at the Fife Arms

Sip your way through Scotland on a Scotch whisky trail

10 Day Scottish Highlands Itinerary

Singapore

A chef preparing bowls of noodles in a traditional Singapore hawker stall kitchen.
Tasting next-level hawker dishes in Singapore

Taste Michelin-starred meals at Singapore’s humble hawker stalls

2 Day Singapore Itinerary

South Korea

Cec drinking soju outside a Seoul convenience store at night with neon lights in the background.
Drinking a green bottle of soju in Seoul

Dive into Korean cuisine with classics like bulgogi and tteokbokki.

8 Coolest Neighbourhoods in Seoul

Share a green bottle of soju under neon lights at a corner store.

13 Alternative Things to Do in Seoul

Sip third-wave coffee in Seoul, where cafés feel like design studios

9 Aesthetic Cafes in Seoul

Spain

Cec dining outside a San Sebastián restaurant with classic bistro chairs and awning.
Pintxo bar hopping in San Sebastian

Go on a pintxo bar crawl in San Sebastian

1 Day San Sebastian Itinerary

Switzerland

Cheese fondue being enjoyed on an alpine terrace with a view of the Matterhorn in Switzerland.
Cheese fondue on the mountainside in Zermatt

Indulge in Swiss cheese specialities in the Alps

7 Delicious Mountain Restaurants in Zermatt

Explore more culinary destinations

See our round up of some of the most memorable and unique cultural experiences we've had around the world:

45 Unique Cultural Experiences For Your Next Trip

There are millions of travel blogs out there, so what makes Groovy Mashed Potatoes a bit different?

  1. All our recommendations come from our personal travel experiences - we only share things we genuinely think are awesome and worth your time.
  2. All together we've travelled to 58 countries, which has shaped our understanding of authentic travel experiences.
  3. Our travel itineraries are simple and designed to make planning your trip fun and stress-free.
  4. We feature a mix of unique experiences, from off-the-beaten-path places to popular activities that live up to the hype.
  5. We cover things we are passionate about: food, nature, road trips, hiking, architecture, art, design, music, fashion and restorative experiences.
  6. We love highlighting places that feel current and have a great local energy.
  7. Instagram does not influence where we travel. We love taking photos of the places we go to, but it doesn't dictate where we go.
  8. All the photos on our site were taken by us during our travels (except for the occasional accommodation pic).

Read more about who were are here.