How to Make the Most of a Weekend in a New City
Weekends are the perfect opportunity to escape your daily routine and explore a new city, but with limited time, it’s crucial to make the most of every moment. Whether you're visiting a bustling city or a charming town, here’s how to get the most out of your weekend getaway.
1. Plan Your Itinerary Ahead of Time
To maximize your time, start by researching the destination. While spontaneity is fun, knowing what you want to see and do in advance will ensure you don’t miss out on the city’s top attractions. A good rule of thumb is to prioritize the must-see landmarks, but also leave some flexibility for unplanned adventures. Begin by making a list of things you want to experience: iconic sites, hidden gems, local food spots, and any special events. Use Google Maps to organize your itinerary and pinpoint the best routes between locations. I just start pinning everything, it’s easy to go back and uncheck things that you want to see, but its most helpful for you to just favourite every restaurant, coffee shop, hot spot and hidden gem you can find and then figure out where there are clusters and outliers. I use Booking.com for all my hotels and I book a couple options before choose which one I’m going to stay at, so those are below on my Valencia Map represented by a blue suitcase. Green flags are hotspots or things to do that I want to do and then hearts are celiac safe places that I want to go to.
2. Opt for a Central Location to Stay
Where you stay can make all the difference when you have just a couple of days to explore. Book accommodation in a central location, close to public transport or within walking distance of major attractions. This will minimize time spent commuting, leaving you with more opportunities to explore the heart of the city. I’ve learned the hard way that although slightly cheaper, sometimes the hotel that’s 45 min away and requires expensive transit (or that doesn’t run on time or frequently) can make it really hard to go see what you want to see. As you can see in the Google Map above, after doing all of my pinning, there is a clear winner in which location I should be staying at!
Staying in a lively neighborhood can also give you a taste of the city’s culture from your doorstep. It’s tempting to stay close to the airport, and maybe you stay there the night before you depart, but oftentimes, the airport area doesn’t have great transportation (other than going to the airport), and their food/nightlife options are limited or non existent. A couple trips ago, we stayed near the airport in Naples and it was not only the sketchiest place I could ever imagine, it also required us walking in sketchier areas to find a grocery store or restaurant. It was equally as scary walking from the hotel to the airport (we got it for the 15 min walk it boasted) at 4 AM in the morning.
3. Embrace Public Transportation
Using public transport is not only cost-effective, but it’s also one of the best ways to experience a city like a local. Most cities have reliable and affordable metro systems, buses, or trams that can take you to key destinations. If you're exploring a larger city, consider purchasing a multi-day transport pass that allows unlimited travel. Places like Venice have transit passes for 3-7 Days and it just takes the thought out of having to buy tickets from the tabaccheria every time you need to take a bus. Some of them include extra slike entry to museums or discounts to attractions. Larger cities like London allow you to just tap your contactless payment in and out of transport so it doesn’t require another step.
This is the ACTV Venezia Unica pass that I usually get when I go to Venice which covers all the bases. You can also add transport to the airport if you need it!
Alternatively, rent a bike or use ride-sharing apps like Uber to get around efficiently. Some cities, like Amsterdam and Copenhagen, are especially bike-friendly, making cycling a perfect way to get around if you want to rent a bike. Otherwise, many cities have uber these days or a similar ride sharing app (GoJek and Grab in Asia), which is sometimes the most convenient option.
4. Start Early, But Don’t Overbook
While it’s tempting to pack your weekend full of activities, it’s important not to overwhelm yourself. Start your days early to get a head start before the crowds, especially when visiting popular museums, markets, or attractions. However, avoid the trap of trying to see everything in one weekend. Focus on quality, not quantity, and leave time to relax and wander. Allow yourself breaks to stop at a local café or explore side streets. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that packing things in can also exhaust you. You need to take into account travel days, and how exhausting travel can be, so make sure to allow yourself breaks for spontaneity but also breaks to rest or you’ll end up spending your trip with a energy meter that is half empty the whole time.
5. Embrace Local Experiences
One of the joys of visiting a new city is the chance to immerse yourself in its unique culture. Make time to enjoy local experiences beyond tourist hotspots. This could include attending a cultural event, like a local festival, concert, or market. I love looking for cooking classes locally, especially if I love the cuisine at home or at least popping into the local supermarket to check out what they have. I love spending a morning (if there is time) to grab a coffee, walk around, see what is around where I am staying like local parks, shops and markets.
6. Be Strategic with Meals
Since your time is limited, plan your meals wisely to get the most out of the local cuisine. Research local food hotspots before you go (and use the Google Maps pins you’ve been creating), and make reservations for any must-try restaurants. For breakfast or lunch, consider visiting a café with a view to also get some people watching in. If you have severe allergies (or like me, celiac disease), being strategic with meals is necessary. Using the Google Maps to plot out the nearest safe restaurants to your hotspots will make it easier when you’re starving to know that you don’t have to try and find yourself a place thats safe to eat or accomodates your allergies or preferences.
Dinners are a great time to slow down and soak in the local atmosphere. Enjoy a leisurely meal, especially at local eateries, where you can try specialties that reflect the region’s cuisine. Don’t forget to ask the waiter for their favourite things on the menu, they may know more about what’s popular as well and what might be worth skipping.
7. Squeeze in a Sunset or Nighttime Activity
After a day of sightseeing, take time to enjoy the city as it comes alive at night. Whether it’s a sunset at a viewpoint, a leisurely dinner with friends, or a nighttime walking tour, seeing the city after dark offers a whole new perspective. Cities like Paris, Barcelona, and Rome are known for their beautiful illuminated landmarks and it can be a great escape from the hot days or busy crowds to wander around when you’re not competing for space with 1000 other tourists.
If you’re in a city known for its nightlife, explore local bars, clubs, or attend a cultural performance. There is also nothing wrong with not being interested in the bars and clubs, and wanting a more laid back experience. Going to an opera, theatre performance, or even finding a cute jazz spot thats low key might be a great option.
8. Be Flexible and Go with the Flow
Finally, embrace the unexpected. Sometimes the best experiences happen when you’re not rushing to tick things off a list. Take time to talk to locals, make spontaneous decisions, take the cute alleyway that has a nice souvenir and enjoy the journey rather than just focusing on the destination.
Hopefully these all help with planning your next trip!
Love, M