My Go-To Ways to Get More Off the Beaten Track While Traveling
Ever felt like every place you visit is already packed with tourists and selfie sticks? Like you’ve walked straight into someone else’s Instagram feed instead of discovering something for yourself?
I’ve been there. After years of slow travel through Asia, Europe, and North Africa, I’ve learned how to sidestep the crowds and find the authentic heart of every destination. This post is about my go-to ways to get more off the beaten track while traveling—practical, experience-tested hacks that transform regular trips into rich, cultural adventures.
Ready to ditch the checklist and uncover hidden gems? Let’s go.
Why Go Off the Beaten Path?
“Off the beaten track travel” means seeking destinations and experiences that most tourists overlook. It’s about stepping away from the bucket list and into the backstreets, rice fields, mountain villages, and quiet corners where real life unfolds.
Here’s why I’m passionate about it:
- Discover hidden gems: When you’re not following the crowd, you find unexpected beauty—a waterfall with no name, a market without tourists, a café run by a grandmother.
- Support local communities: Your dollars go directly to families and small businesses, not multinational hotel chains.
- Avoid overtourism: You reduce your footprint by skipping places already overwhelmed by visitors.
- Experience true culture: When you’re not surrounded by English menus and tour buses, you’re immersed in how people really live.
Off the beaten path travel isn’t always easy—but it’s always worth it.
My Go-To Ways to Get More Off the Beaten Track
1. Ask Locals for Recommendations
Skip TripAdvisor. Seriously.
Some of my best travel memories came from chatting with the locals—whether it was a barista in Sarajevo recommending a hidden hiking trail or a couchsurfing host in Chiang Mai inviting me to his cousin’s wedding.
Taxi drivers, hostel owners, café staff—these are your goldmines. They know what’s not on Google. Try asking:
- “Where do you go on your day off?”
- “What’s a place near here that most tourists don’t visit?”
Apps like Couchsurfing or Tandem can help you connect directly with locals willing to share their culture.
2. Use Maps Differently: Zoom Out & Explore Small Villages
Here’s a trick: open Google Maps or Maps.me, zoom out from your main destination, and look at nearby towns and villages. If there are fewer reviews, fewer photos, and it takes some effort to reach—it might just be perfect.
Once, while traveling through Morocco, I stumbled upon a tiny village near Azilal where no tour groups go. The people were welcoming, the views were insane, and I ate the best tagine of my life with a Berber family.
3. Travel in Shoulder or Low Season
Timing is everything. Off-season doesn’t mean off-limits—it means peace, lower prices, and deeper connection.
Example? I visited Thailand in May. It was warm, yes, but I shared temples with monks instead of crowds, got better rates on accommodation, and was able to enjoy Chiang Rai’s countryside nearly solo.
Traveling in shoulder seasons (like October–November or April–May) often means you get the sweet spot between good weather and less foot traffic.
4. Skip the Capital, Choose Secondary Cities or Towns
Main cities often feel the same: Starbucks, Zara, and the same Instagrammable cafes.
So instead of:
- Bangkok → Go to Chiang Rai or Pai
- Rome → Try Lecce or Matera
- Istanbul → Explore Trabzon or Şirince
Smaller places hold charm, culture, and authenticity that bigger cities often polish out.
5. Use Offline Travel Apps Built for Adventurers
If you want real adventure, ditch the basic apps and go deeper.
Try:
- iOverlander: Great for road trips and remote locations
- Wikiloc: Excellent for hiking and biking routes
- Gaia GPS: For wilderness and backcountry maps
I found a secluded waterfall in Northern Vietnam using Wikiloc—zero tourists, just locals washing clothes and kids playing.
6. Walk or Rent a Bike to Explore Slowly
Slow travel opens doors. When you’re on foot or cycling, you notice things: smells, sounds, people.
In the Philippines, I once took a bike through a sleepy town and found a beach completely empty except for two fishermen. We shared coconuts, stories, and laughs—even with no shared language.
Go slow. Go deep.
7. Join Local Experiences on Airbnb or Facebook Events
Not all off-the-beaten-path moments are about going remote. Sometimes it’s about how you experience a place.
Airbnb Experiences and local Facebook groups are great places to find:
- Cooking classes with families
- Village market tours
- Cultural exchanges and language meetups
In Istanbul, I joined a Facebook event for a poetry reading in a local tea house—completely in Turkish, but absolutely moving.
8. Follow Your Gut and Say Yes More Often
The best travel stories usually start with: “I wasn’t planning on it, but…”
Saying yes to a local invitation, a detour, or even a strange-looking meal often leads to the most memorable moments.
In Laos, a stranger invited me to a family party. I ended up dancing with grandparents, eating fresh buffalo meat, and sleeping in a bamboo hut.
Trust your gut, keep safety in mind, and be open.
Bonus Tips for Authentic Travel
- Learn 5–10 phrases in the local language (“hello,” “thank you,” “how much?”)
- Eat where there’s no English menu
- Stay in locally owned guesthouses or homestays
- Dress like locals do, especially in conservative areas
Final Thoughts: The Joy of the Unknown
Going off the beaten path isn’t about being a travel snob. It’s about embracing the joy of discovery, the thrill of the unknown, and the deep satisfaction of connection.
“Travel is about the stories you bring back, not just the sights you saw.”
Try one or two of these tips on your next trip. I guarantee the memories will last far longer than a touristy selfie ever could.
What’s Next?
What’s the most off-the-beaten-path place you’ve discovered? Drop it in the comments—I’m always looking for new gems!
And if this inspired you, share it with a travel buddy who’s ready to explore differently.
Happy wandering 🌍