Best destinations for first-time travelers
Best destinations for first-time travelers
Walkable capital city grids and English-friendly public transit tracks
A first trip abroad works best somewhere that eases you in, rather than throwing every possible culture shock and logistical headache at you at once.
Some first-time travelers want a destination where English is widely understood and signage is easy to follow, taking one layer of stress out of the trip. Others prefer a guided tour that handles the logistics entirely, leaving them free to focus on the experience rather than the planning. Direct flights and simple transport once you land also make a real difference on a first trip, cutting down on the number of things that can go wrong. A gentler culture shock helps too, easing travelers into independent travel before a bigger leap later on. Sorting out travel insurance ahead of time is worth doing too.
The destinations on our list reflect that same idea, favoring places that are easy to navigate without feeling watered down.
Lists by region
City in Japan
Osaka
Castle, neon canals and street food
Dotonbori canal glows with neon signs and giant food displays after dark. A Glico Running Man sign has looked over the canal since 1935. Street stalls sell takoyaki, crisp octopus balls topped with sauce. Osaka Castle, rebuilt in 1931 with a golden trimmed roof, is a short subway ride away.
City in Germany
Munich
Bavarian capital of beer gardens and museums
The Glockenspiel on the New Town Hall in Marienplatz performs every day at 11 am and noon. Life sized figures reenact a royal wedding tournament from 1568. Crowds gather in the square below to watch the show. The Viktualienmarkt food market is a short walk away.
Country
Singapore
Tropical city-state of hawker food and gardens
Eighteen metal Supertrees between 25 and 50 meters tall rise at Gardens by the Bay. A free light and sound show plays among them every evening. Hawker centres nearby serve cheap plates of chicken rice and satay. English is an official language across the city state.
City in Germany
Hamburg
Port city with warehouses and the Elbphilharmonie
The Elbphilharmonie opened in 2017 on top of an old brick warehouse. A free public plaza 37 meters up has views across the harbor. Visitors ride a long curved escalator to reach it. The nearby Speicherstadt, a red brick warehouse district, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
City in Japan
Tokyo
Japan's capital of temples, towers and food
Up to 3,000 people cross the famous Shibuya Crossing each time the lights change. Sensoji Temple in Asakusa traces its origins to the year 645. Visitors enter through the huge red Kaminarimon gate with its giant paper lantern. A Suica card pays for trains, subways and vending machines.
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