👉 How Digital Nomads Discover a New City: Smart Ways to Explore & Settle In 🌍🧳
As digital nomads, we live a life of movement — packing up and heading to a new city (or country!) every few weeks. It’s exciting, inspiring, and sometimes… a little disorienting. 🤯
After over a year of full-time travel, we’ve fine-tuned our process for getting to know a city fast — not just to survive, but to thrive. Whether you’re arriving for a few weeks or a few months, these tried-and-true tips will help you explore confidently, connect deeper, and feel at home faster.
🔍 1. Do a Virtual Walkaround Before You Go
Before booking a place, we use Google Maps, Street View, and blog reviews to get the lay of the land. We’re looking for:
- 🏪 Markets within walking distance
- ☕ Cafes for working or relaxing
- 🏢 Coworking spaces or public hubs
- 🚶 Walkability & safety of the area
📌 Why it matters: Knowing where your essentials are before you land saves time and reduces stress — especially when you’re tired and jet-lagged.
✈️ 2. Sort Out Your Arrival Game Plan
Don’t leave airport or train station transportation to chance. It’s chaotic enough arriving in a new country with bags in tow and no sleep. 😩
🧠 Pro Tips:
- Book an airport transfer or check if rideshare apps work in that country 🚖
- Avoid taxis with “broken meters” (common near airports)
- Write down the full address, and if possible, in the local language
- Avoid far-out apartments with “great views” if they’re nowhere near anything useful
🧻 Nomad tip: Always pack tissues. Trust us — some “stocked” rentals won’t even have toilet paper.
🛒 3. Hit the Local Market (Not the Supermarket)
Skip the shiny supermarket (for now). Go straight to the traditional local market. That’s where the real magic happens. 🍍🍅🥬
You’ll find:
- Authentic local ingredients
- Wild new fruits and veggies
- Fresh, affordable food
- Friendly locals (and maybe some bartering!)
💬 Learning what people eat teaches you how they live. It’s one of the fastest ways to tap into the local culture.
🚍 4. Hop on the Tourist Bus (Yes, Really!)
We know, it sounds touristy. But hear us out — Hop-On Hop-Off buses are a fast way to:
- ✅ Understand the city’s layout
- 📸 See major landmarks
- 🧭 Identify areas you want to return to on foot
🗺️ It’s an efficient way to get your bearings early on, especially in large, unfamiliar cities.
🚇 5. Use Public Transportation Like a Local
Subways, trams, buses, cable cars — get on them! They’re budget-friendly and offer a window into daily life. 🚆🚌
🎒 In Medellín, we rode a cable car with school kids. In Lisbon, we took trams to hidden neighborhoods. These are the moments that make your trip.
💸 Learn the system early and you’ll save money and find hidden gems that tourists miss.
👟 6. Join a Walking Tour with a Local Guide
Walking tours = cheap, insightful, and social. Most are tip-based and led by locals who love their city — and it shows.
Why we love them:
- 💡 Local insight you won’t get from a blog
- 🧭 Tips on where to eat, hang out, and explore safely
- 🤝 Often great for meeting fellow travelers
🎧 Want to go solo? Download an audio guide or self-guided walking tour map to explore at your own pace.
👨🍳 7. Take a Local Cooking Class
Cooking classes aren’t just for foodies. They’re a shortcut to culture, history, and connection — all in one meal. 🍜🍽️
We’ve taken classes in:
- 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai – Thai curry
- 🇲🇽 Playa del Carmen – Street tacos
- 🇵🇹 Lisbon – Grilled sardines
✨ The best part? You’ll get restaurant tips from your chef, discover local dishes not in the guidebooks, and often meet fellow travelers.
🔥 Ask your host: “Where would you go for dinner?”
🏠 Final Thoughts: Make a New City Feel Like Home
Being a digital nomad isn’t just about working from cool places — it’s about connecting. These steps help us feel rooted, even when we’re constantly moving.
Every new destination becomes more than a pin on the map — it becomes a part of our story. 🌎💬
💬 What Are Your Go-To Tips?
How do you get to know a new city when you arrive?
🛡️ Bonus Tip: Don’t Forget Digital Nomad Insurance
Exploring new cities is exciting — but things can go sideways fast. Whether it’s a stolen laptop 💻, a scooter crash 🛵, or unexpected food poisoning 🌮🤢, having reliable travel insurance is a game-changer.
We always travel with digital nomad-friendly insurance that covers:
- ✈️ Trip delays & cancellations
- 🏥 Emergency medical care abroad
- 🧳 Lost or stolen gear
- 🌐 Flexible coverage in multiple countries
👉 Pro tip: Many countries now require travel insurance for entry. So don’t skip this.
✅ Looking for smart, affordable nomad insurance?
Check out our trusted partner below ⬇️ — we’ve used them ourselves across 15+ countries!
