Architecture & Design Travel Guides | CoraTravels

Architecture & Design

71 destinations to live like a local.

Architecture & Design destinations

71 locally curated experiences.

Aachen, Germany 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…

Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria

Abuja, West Africa

Abuja: Purpose-Built Capital & Nigerian Unity

Purpose-Built Capital Reality: Unlike <a href="https://coratravels.com/guides/lagos-algarve-surf-soul-sea-caves">Lagos</a> which grew organically, Abuja was designed from scratch in 1980s - wide bo…

Agra, India 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, Netherlands Netherlands

Amsterdam, North Holland

Amsterdam: Canals, Bikes, and Brutal Dutch Honesty

Bike Theft Capital: Locals use two locks minimum and expect their bike stolen eventually—buying a cheap second-hand bike is a survival strategy. If you’re building a bigger itinerary, anchor the “A…

Astana, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan

Astana, Central Asia

Astana: Futuristic Capital, Nomad Soul, Steppe Winds

Second Coldest Capital Reality: Astana hits -40°C regularly in winter, yet locals casually stroll outdoors like it's nothing. Visitors freeze in 5 minutes while babushkas sit selling fish on street…

Athens, Greece 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, Portugal 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, Spain 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…

Brasov, Romania Romania

Brasov, Eastern Europe

Brasov: Gothic Spires & Carpathian Soul

The BRASOV Sign Obsession: Locals are fiercely proud of the Hollywood-style letters on Tampa Mountain - they'll correct you if you pronounce it wrong (it's brah-SHOV, not BRAZ-ov). The sign gets li…

Budapest, Hungary 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, Morocco 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…

Chongqing, China China

Chongqing, East Asia

Chongqing: Mountain City & Hotpot Heaven

8D City Navigation: Chongqing defies normal city logic - the 1st floor of one building might be the 11th floor of the building next door due to the dramatic terrain. GPS navigation is basically use…

Christchurch, New Zealand 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…

Cincinnati, United States United States

Cincinnati, North America

Cincinnati: Queen City Chili & Charm

The Chili Debate Is Real: Nowhere else on earth will you find people arguing so passionately about chili served over spaghetti. The Skyline vs. Gold Star rivalry has divided families, ended friends…

Copenhagen, Denmark 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, Ecuador 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, Brazil 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, Croatia 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, Portugal 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, Malaysia 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, Brazil 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…

Grenoble, France France

Grenoble, Western Europe

Grenoble: Alps Capital of Innovation & Walnuts

The Bubbles Are Not a Joke: Locals call the cable car "Les Bulles" (The Bubbles) because of their egg-shaped design - these 1976 pods are the first urban cable cars in the world and locals use them…

Groningen, Netherlands Netherlands

Groningen, Western Europe

Groningen: Bikes, Students & Northern Soul

More Bikes Than People: Groningen has 300,000 bicycles for 190,000 residents - locals average 3.1 bikes per household. The city center is divided into four quadrants where cars cannot travel direct…

Hoi An, Vietnam 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, Vietnam 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, Turkey 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, India 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 …

Karlsruhe, Germany Germany

Karlsruhe, Western Europe

Karlsruhe: Fächer Blueprint & Innovation

The Fan-Shaped City Layout: Karlsruhe's 32 streets radiate outward from the Palace tower like a hand-held fan (Fächer in German) - locals use this geometry for navigation, saying things like "two s…

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 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, Japan 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, Pakistan 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…

Leiden, Netherlands Netherlands

Leiden, Western Europe

Leiden: City of Keys & Discoveries

Leidens Ontzet Obsession: Every October 3rd, the entire city shuts down to celebrate their 1574 liberation from Spanish siege - locals queue at 6 AM outside city hall for free herring and white bre…

Lisbon, Portugal 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, United Kingdom 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, Morocco 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…

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mostar, Central Europe

Mostar: Bridge Divers & Ottoman Soul

Bridge Diving Culture: Young men leap 24 meters from Stari Most into the icy Neretva River - locals have done this for 450+ years to prove virility and bravery, tourists pay €25-30 to watch organiz…

Muscat, Oman Oman

Muscat, Middle East

Muscat: Frankincense, Forts & Arabian Hospitality

Coffee Ritual Everywhere: Locals offer qahwa (Omani coffee) and dates within minutes of arriving anywhere - refusing feels awkward but accepting requires learning the cup shake (shake before return…

Nanjing, China China

Nanjing, East Asia

Nanjing Six Dynasties Capital Duck City

N/L Sound Swap: Locals pronounce Nanjing as "Lanjing" due to dialect quirk - initial N becomes L in speech, "grandmother (nǎinai)" becomes "lǎilai". Duck Obsession Rivals Pandas: Every neighborhood…

New Delhi, India 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…

Norwich, United Kingdom United Kingdom

Norwich, Western Europe

Norwich: Medieval Mustard & Literary Soul

Norwich Has More Medieval Churches Than Any City in Northern Europe: There are 31 medieval churches within the old city walls - locals use them as arts centres, puppet theatres, climbing walls, and…

Nuremberg, Germany 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, United States United States

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, Greece 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, Portugal 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, Czech Republic 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…

Querétaro, Mexico Mexico

Querétaro, North America

Querétaro: Colonial Baroque & Wine Country

UNESCO Center Without Tourist Mobs: One of Mexico's best-preserved colonial cities gets overlooked by tourists rushing to San Miguel de Allende - locals love the peaceful streets. Professional Mour…

Quito, Ecuador 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, Brazil 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…

Rhodes, Greece Greece

Rhodes, Southern Europe

Rhodes: Medieval Walls Meet Azure Waters and Dodecanese Soul

Medieval Town Living: 6,000 people actually live inside UNESCO medieval walls, locals navigate cobblestones and tourists daily, modern life in 13th-century Knights' fortress creating surreal realit…

Rome, Italy 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, Cambodia 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, India 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, Singapore 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, Bulgaria 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, Sweden 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, Estonia 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…

Tampere, Finland Finland

Tampere, Western Europe

Tampere: Sauna Capital & Industrial Soul

Sauna Capital Reality: Tampere has over 50 public saunas for a city of 250,000 - locals take sauna culture more seriously here than anywhere else in Finland, which is saying something. Expect stran…

Tashkent, Uzbekistan 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, Georgia 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…

The Hague, Netherlands Netherlands

The Hague, Western Europe

The Hague: Royal Shores & World Justice

Scheveningen Pronunciation Test: During World War II, locals used the word 'Scheveningen' (SKHAY-vuh-ning-un) to identify German spies - the harsh 'sch' sound is nearly impossible for non-Dutch spe…

Timișoara, Romania 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, Japan 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, Tunisia 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, India 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…

Utrecht, Netherlands Netherlands

Utrecht, Western Europe

Utrecht: Canals, Students, and Medieval Heart

The U-Salute: Utrechters respond 'UUUUU' as a greeting at events and concerts, making a U-gesture with their hands—tourists think it's cheering, locals know it's city pride. Wharf Cellar Confusion:…

Valencia, Spain 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, Lithuania 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, Namibia 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, Poland 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 and now beloved symbols locals protect fiercely. The previous official tou…

Xi'an, China 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, Croatia 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—if you want a solid explainer before you go, Zadar…