Architecture & Design Travel Guides | CoraTravels

Architecture & Design

53 destinations to live like a local.

Architecture & Design destinations

53 locally curated experiences.

Aachen skyline Germany

Aachen, Western Europe

Aachen: Border Triangle & Imperial Soul

Triple Border Culture: Stand at the Drielandenpunt where Germany, Belgium, and Netherlands meet - locals casually shop across three countries depending on prices. Öcher Platt Confusion: Local diale…

Agra skyline India

Agra, South Asia

Agra: Taj Mahal & Mughal Marble Soul

Taj Mahal Friday Closure: The monument closes every Friday for prayers - tourists panic when they realize, locals know to plan around it. Pollution Mask Reality: Winter air quality rivals Delhi's w…

Amsterdam skyline Netherlands

Amsterdam, North Holland

Amsterdam: Canals, Bikes, and Brutal Dutch Honesty

Bike Theft Capital: Locals use two locks minimum and expect bike stolen eventually, 70,000+ bikes stolen annually, locals buy cheap second-hand expecting loss. Drunk Canal Drownings: 15-20 people f…

Athens skyline Greece

Athens, Southern Europe

Athens: Ancient Stones Meet Modern Chaos and Mediterranean Soul

Acropolis Dominance: Ancient citadel visible from everywhere, locals barely glance at Parthenon while tourists crane necks constantly. Traffic Anarchy: Motorcycles on sidewalks, double-parking ever…

Aveiro skyline Portugal

Aveiro, Western Europe

Aveiro: Canals, Ovos Moles & Atlantic Charm

Ovos Moles Obsession: Locals don't just eat this egg yolk and sugar delicacy - they debate which century-old confeitaria makes the most authentic version, and get genuinely offended if you compare …

Barcelona skyline Spain

Barcelona, Western Europe

Barcelona Beyond Las Ramblas

Siesta Reality Check: Shops close 2-5 PM, but restaurants don't open for dinner until 9 PM (locals eat at 10 PM). Beach Etiquette: Topless sunbathing is normal at city beaches, but don't stare like…

Budapest skyline Hungary

Budapest, Central Europe

Budapest: Thermal Baths & Ruin Bars

Thermal Bath Etiquette: Locals take it seriously - no swimsuit in saunas, bring flip-flops, don't splash. Ruin Bar Reality: Szimpla Kert is tourist central, locals go to smaller ones in District VI…

Casablanca skyline Morocco

Casablanca, North Africa

Casablanca: Morocco's Economic Heart & Cultural Melting Pot

French-Arabic Language Dance: Conversations switch between Darija Arabic, French, and Berber mid-sentence - locals code-switch without thinking, creating unique linguistic fusion. Prayer Call Coord…

Christchurch skyline New Zealand

Christchurch, Oceania

Christchurch: Rebuild & Resilience

Shoe Removal Culture: Wearing shoes indoors is uncommon in most Kiwi households - look for shoe racks at entrances and always ask if unsure. Earthquake Resilience Identity: Locals call it 'Shake Ci…

Copenhagen skyline Denmark

Copenhagen, Western Europe

Copenhagen: Hygge, Bikes & Nordic Cool

Bicycle Authority: Copenhagen locals will ring their bike bells aggressively if you're walking in the dedicated red bike lanes - these lanes are sacred territory and pedestrians are considered inva…

Cuenca skyline Ecuador

Cuenca, South America

Cuenca: Andean Charm & Eternal Spring

Four Seasons in One Day: Cuencanos joke constantly about this - morning mist gives way to afternoon sunshine, then evening chill arrives by 6 PM. Locals carry umbrellas religiously and you'll see s…

Curitiba skyline Brazil

Curitiba, South America

Curitiba: Green Capital & Urban Innovation

BRT Worship: Locals treat the tube-shaped bus stations (Estações Tubo) with pride bordering on obsession – these glass cylinders invented by Jaime Lerner are considered more iconic than Eiffel Towe…

Dubrovnik skyline Croatia

Dubrovnik, Dalmatia

Dubrovnik: Pearl of the Adriatic Drowning in Cruise Ship Tourists

Game of Thrones Curse: Locals exhausted by King's Landing tourists, streets clogged with walking tours, resentment toward HBO tourism boom. Cruise Ship Invasion: 800+ passengers disgorge simultaneo…

Faro skyline Portugal

Faro, Western Europe

Faro: Gateway to Algarve & Ria Formosa

Airport Gateway Syndrome: Most tourists fly into Faro then immediately leave for beach resorts - locals watch confused travelers rush past Portugal's most authentic Algarve city. Ria Formosa Obsess…

George Town skyline Malaysia

George Town, Southeast Asia

George Town, Penang: Street Food Paradise, Colonial Charm, and Digital Nomad Haven on Malaysia's Island

Ranked #4 Globally for Digital Nomads: Penangites still surprised island became top remote work destination, locals casually work from hawker centers. Three Languages Daily: Locals switch between E…

Goiânia skyline Brazil

Goiânia, South America

Goiânia: Sertanejo Capital & Cerrado Soul

Bar Culture Over Beach Culture: Goiânia is perfectly summed up by the famous local saying 'Já que não tem mar, vamos pro bar!' (Since there's no sea, let's hit the bar!) - capturing the city's easy…

Hoi An skyline Vietnam

Hoi An, Southeast Asia

Hoi An: Ancient Town Lantern Paradise

Lantern Making Tradition: Every family has lantern-making skills passed down generations - locals craft silk lanterns by hand during monsoon season. Ancient House Rules: 800+ year-old houses still …

Hue skyline Vietnam

Hue, Southeast Asia

Hue: Imperial City & Perfume River

Imperial Etiquette Remains: Locals still bow when passing royal tombs, speak quietly in Citadel grounds - 150 years after monarchy ended, respect continues. Royal Cuisine Complexity: Hue's imperial…

Istanbul skyline Turkey

Istanbul, Eastern Europe

Istanbul Bridge Between Worlds

Call to Prayer Schedule: 5 daily prayers starting before dawn - beautiful but loud if staying near mosques. Haggling Expected: In Grand Bazaar and markets, start at 30% of asking price. Tea Culture…

Jaipur skyline India

Jaipur, South Asia

Jaipur Pink City Secrets

Pink Paint Police: Jaipur Municipal Corporation legally mandates that all buildings in the walled city be painted terracotta pink (Pantone 16-1526 TPX) - building owners receive government notices …

Kuala Lumpur skyline Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Southeast Asia

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's Melting Pot

Multi-Cultural Etiquette: Respect all three major cultures (Malay, Chinese, Indian), locals appreciate cultural sensitivity. Prayer Time Respect: Business slows during Muslim prayer times, especial…

Kyoto skyline Japan

Kyoto, East Asia

Kyoto Temple Traditions

Geisha vs Maiko Spotting: Real geisha wear subdued makeup and kimono, tourists in rental kimono are obvious (and that's okay!). Temple Photography Rules: Some temples forbid photos inside, others c…

Lahore skyline Pakistan

Lahore, South Asia

Lahore: Where Mughal Emperors Meet Street Food Kings

Food as Religion: Locals argue about paaye (trotters) and nihari (slow-cooked beef) with religious fervor, breakfast debates can last hours. Walled City Maze: 13th-century labyrinth where locals na…

Lisbon skyline Portugal

Lisbon, Western Europe

Lisbon: Seven Hills & Atlantic Soul

Tram 28 Survival: Historic yellow tram packed with tourists and pickpockets - locals only ride it at 7 AM or after 8 PM to avoid chaos. Earthquake Superstition: Buildings lean visibly from 1755 ear…

London skyline United Kingdom

London, Western Europe

London: Beyond the Tourist Trail

Tube Etiquette: Stand on the right, walk on the left - breaking this rule causes passive-aggressive tutting. Pub Culture Rules: Order at bar, never at table, tipping not expected but appreciated. Q…

Marrakech skyline Morocco

Marrakech, North Africa

Marrakech Maze Master

Haggling is Expected: Start at 30% of asking price, walk away if they won't budge - they'll often call you back. Fake Guides: Ignore anyone offering to show you around for "just tips" - they work o…

New Delhi skyline India

New Delhi, South Asia

New Delhi: Chaos Capital Where Locals Navigate Pollution, Power Cuts, and Mughal Glory

Delhi Belly Reality: Stomach issues universal - locals build immunity over years, tourists destroyed first week, hand sanitizer obsession justified. Street food gamble locals take daily, tourists w…

Nuremberg skyline Germany

Nuremberg, Western Europe

Nuremberg: Medieval Heart, Modern Soul

Drei im Weggla Obsession: Locals don't just eat Nuremberg's famous tiny sausages - they order them specifically "drei im Weggla" (three in a bun) and will debate which bratwurst stand is authentica…

Ogden skyline USA

Ogden, North America

Ogden: Mountain Junction & Wild West Soul

Al Capone's Quote Lives On: Historic 25th Street was so wild in the 1920s that Al Capone allegedly said "Ogden is too wild a town for me" - locals embrace this gritty railroad heritage with pride. …

Patras skyline Greece

Patras, Southern Europe

Patras: Carnival Capital & Gateway to the Peloponnese

Carnival Obsession: Entire city shuts down for three months January-March preparing floats and costumes, locals discuss carnival year-round like it's a religion. Port City Transience: Gateway to It…

Porto skyline Portugal

Porto, Western Europe

Porto: Wine, Tiles & Portuguese Soul

Fado vs Fado: Porto fado is different from Lisbon - more melancholic, locals prefer Coimbra-style university fado. Port Wine Rules: Never call it 'porto wine', just 'port' - locals get defensive ab…

Prague skyline Czech Republic

Prague, Central Europe

Prague: Beer Culture Meets Bohemian Soul in Heart of Europe

Beer Cheaper Than Water: Half-liter pivo (beer) costs less than bottled water in most pubs, locals drink beer daily and judge quality strictly. Tram Ticket Inspectors: Plain-clothes controllers app…

Quito skyline Ecuador

Quito, South America

Quito: Equator Line Adventures & Andean Soul

Soroche Reality Check: At 9,350 feet (2,850m), Quito's altitude hits hard - locals chew coca leaves, drink aguas aromáticas (herbal teas), and walk slower than anywhere else. Visitors pant climbing…

Recife skyline Brazil

Recife, South America

Recife: Venice of Brazil, Frevo Soul

Bridge City Navigation: Recife has 50+ bridges connecting islands, rivers, and districts - locals know the city is built on water and some areas sit below sea level, earning the nickname "Brazilian…

Rome skyline Italy

Rome, Southern Europe

Rome Like a Roman

Cappuccino Rules: Only drink cappuccino before 11 AM, never after meals - locals will judge. Aperitivo Culture: 6-8 PM drinks with free buffet snacks, essentially replacing dinner for many. Traffic…

Siem Reap skyline Cambodia

Siem Reap, Southeast Asia

Siem Reap: Temple Town Khmer Heart

Sampeah Hierarchy: The traditional Cambodian greeting involves placing palms together and bowing - but the higher your hands go toward your forehead, the more respect you're showing. Locals know ex…

Sikar skyline India

Sikar, South Asia

Sikar: Shekhawati Fresco Capital

Painted Haveli Treasure Hunt: The city contains over 2,000 historic havelis with elaborate frescoes, but 90% are locked away or crumbling - locals know which merchant families will let you peek ins…

Singapore skyline Singapore

Singapore, Southeast Asia

Singapore: The Lion City Insider

Chewing Gum Ban: Illegal to sell or import, but not illegal to chew if you brought it from elsewhere. Death Penalty for Drugs: Signs everywhere, locals take it very seriously - don't joke about it.…

Sofia skyline Bulgaria

Sofia, Eastern Europe

Sofia: Balkan Soul in Mountain Shadow

The Head Shake Confusion: Bulgarians shake their heads horizontally for "yes" and nod vertically for "no" - completely opposite to the rest of the world. According to [legend, Bulgarians swapped th…

Stockholm skyline Sweden

Stockholm, Western Europe

Stockholm: Archipelago & Lagom Living

Punctuality Is Sacred: Swedes view being late as deeply disrespectful - trains run exactly on time, and locals arrive 5 minutes early to everything, including fika. Personal Space Obsession: Locals…

Tallinn skyline Estonia

Tallinn, Eastern Europe

Tallinn: Medieval Walls Meet Digital Future and Baltic Innovation

E-Residency Global: Digital identity for entrepreneurs worldwide, locals proud of tech innovation making Estonia digital pioneer. Soviet Legacy Everywhere: Russian-speaking minority 30%, locals nav…

Tashkent skyline Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Central Asia

Tashkent: Where Silk Road Meets Soviet Dreams

Soviet Architecture Meets Silk Road: Marble metro stations underground while bazaars operate above using 1000-year-old trading methods. Triple Language Reality: Locals switch between Uzbek, Russian…

Tbilisi skyline Georgia

Tbilisi, Central Asia

Tbilisi: Where Europe Meets Asia Over Wine & Khachapuri

8,000-Year Wine Heritage: Locals invented winemaking in clay vessels called qvevri, buried underground for fermentation. Polyphonic Singing Tradition: UNESCO-recognized Georgian polyphony, locals h…

Timișoara skyline Romania

Timișoara, Central Europe

Timișoara: Little Vienna, Revolution City

First in Everything: Timișoara locals are incredibly proud of being the first city in mainland Europe to have electric street lighting in 1884 - mention this and watch their faces light up (pun int…

Tokyo skyline Japan

Tokyo, East Asia

Tokyo Local Secrets

Elevator Etiquette: Always stand on the left side of escalators in Tokyo (opposite of Osaka). Shoe Culture: Remove shoes when entering homes, some restaurants, and temples - look for shoe racks at …

Tunis skyline Tunisia

Tunis, North Africa

Tunis: Mediterranean Soul Meets Medina Maze

Café Culture is Male-Dominated: Traditional cafés (qahwa sha'biyya) are still mostly male spaces where men play cards, smoke shisha, and watch football - women's presence is rare but slowly changin…

Udaipur skyline India

Udaipur, South Asia

Udaipur: City of Lakes Mewar Romance

Lake Level Obsession: Locals constantly discuss Lake Pichola's water level - summers drain it to mud flats revealing temple foundations, but monsoons can fill it within 72 hours, and hotel rates va…

Valencia skyline Spain

Valencia, Southern Europe

Valencia: Where Paella Tradition Meets Mediterranean Innovation

Paella Lunch-Only Rule: Authentic paella eaten at lunchtime only, locals judge tourists ordering it for dinner as clueless foreigners. Valenciano Language: Local dialect between Catalan and Spanish…

Vilnius skyline Lithuania

Vilnius, Eastern Europe

Vilnius: Baroque Bohemia & Baltic Soul

Easter Granny Not Bunny: Instead of the Easter Bunny, Lithuanian children expect Velykų Bobute (Easter Granny) to bring painted eggs - tourists get confused when locals talk about the 'old lady who…

Windhoek skyline Namibia

Windhoek, Southern Africa

Windhoek: Where Desert Meets German Heritage

German-African Fusion: German street names with African pronunciation, schnitzel served with pap. Windhoek Lager Pride: Local beer is point of national pride, rivals South African brands. Himba vs …

Wrocław skyline Poland

Wrocław, Central Europe

Wrocław: Dwarfs and Discoveries

Dwarf Obsession: Over 600 bronze dwarf statues scattered throughout the city - started as political satire against communism, now beloved symbols locals protect fiercely. Each dwarf tells a story (…

Xi'an skyline China

Xi'an, East Asia

Xi'an Ancient Capital Secrets

Ancient Capital Pride: Former capital of 13 dynasties, locals constantly reference 3,000-year history in daily conversations. Noodle Obsession: City revolves around hand-pulled noodles, locals judg…

Zadar skyline Croatia

Zadar, Central Europe

Zadar: Sea Organ Sunsets, Roman Ruins, and Adriatic Soul

Sea Organ Midnight Magic: Tourists crowd the Sea Organ at sunset, but locals return after midnight when the music plays for empty shores and stars. Hitchcock's Sunset Claim: Alfred Hitchcock called…