Culture-based trips are surging in popularity in 2024, and that’s particularly true among American travelers, who in their vast majority, travel abroad specifically to get out of their comfort and expose themselves to completely different environments.
From a colorful Latin America, to deeply-historical Europe, to mystical Asia, there is a whole mapa mundis of options to pick from, and if you’re looking to get inspired, Tripadvisor‘s latest compilation of bucket-list cultural destinations might be a good place to start.
To our fellow culture buffs out there, these are the top five spots to visit in 2024:
Athens, Greece
Fifth on the list, Athens is capital of Greece and a sprawling metropolis with a History spanning over 3,400 years. Cradle of Western civilization, the birthplace of democracy, and the proud home of the ancient Parthenon, it is easily one of the world’s most culturally-charged cities.
Without question, the most striking feature and main point of interest in Athens is Acropolis Hill, atop which sits the Parthenon itself and a number of other temples that have stood the test of time, offering a glimpse into civil and religious life in Ancient Greece.
Other than admiring the hilltop monuments, as well as the view of the modern city of Athens from above, tourists can get lost in the cobbled streets of Plaka, with its whitewashed churches and gyros restaurants, or go shopping for quirky trinkets in traditional a Greek flea market off Monastiraki Square.
Fes, Morocco
Morocco as a whole is a hugely underrated destination you should definitely check out in 2024, but instead of pink-washed Marrakesh or the cosmopolitan Casablanca, Tripadvisor has elected lesser-known Fes as the North African country’s top cultural hotspot.
Seeing that it lays claim to the largest car-free zone and medina in the world – it’s a literal maze of winding alleys with 156,000 inhabitants – the oldest traditional university known to mankind, and the centuries-old Chouara Tannery, we can’t say we’re surprised.
Outside the medina, Fes is a rapidly-developing city tallying over a million residents, split between historic Muslim quarters, and French-built sectors, with wide, leafy boulevards, upscale restaurants and a distinctively European feel.
Agra, India
The only Asian destination to make the list, Agra is a medium-size Indian hub – by Indian standards – lining the banks of the Yamuna river, and boasting a high concentration of landmarks, from the iconic Taj Mahal to the ornate Akbar Tomb to the sandstone Agra Fort.
Though a majority of tourists will spend only a day in Agra, mainly for the perfect Taj Mahal picture, it is not somewhere you want to rush through, as this is an exciting city with plenty to offer on the cultural front and one of India’s best-renowned food meccas.
Mughlai cuisine is famous for its colorful spices and creamy curries, and simply wandering around the complex warren of interconnected streets lined by food stalls and bustling markets, you’ll come across unique scents and flavors that surpass the reaches of Western comprehension.
Cusco, Peru
Nestled in the heart of the Peruvian Andes, Cusco is one of the oldest settlements in the Americas, best known for its Incan-Hispanic heritage and UNESCO-listed Old Town, dotted with Baroque monuments and Mesoamerican archaeological sites.
The central Plaza de Armas was founded by the Spanish upon their conquest of the city, and it’s remained a lively square and center of commerce well into the modern era, dominated by a towering cathedral that replaces a much-older Incan palace dating back to the 13th-century.
Other than exploring the cobbled lanes lined by terracotta-roofed houses that make up the Cusco townscape, visitors will often couple a visit to this Imperial City with a side trip to Machu Picchu, an Incan citadel resting on a high Andean plateau and one of Seven New Wonders of the World.
Cuba
Number one on the list, Cuba has a complex baggage of socialism and unfriendly relations with the White House, and though it is yet to be in the Administration’s good graces, it remains a hugely popular destination for Americans.
Controversy aside, Cuba is a UNESCO-listed island country celebrated for its historic cities, most notably Havana, hands down the prettiest Caribbean capital with eclectic architecture, as well as a plethora of natural wonders, from white sand beaches to tropical parks.
Its coast is pristine and unspoiled, compared to the overdeveloped Mayan Riviera or Punta Cana, and it won’t take you long to fall in love with Cuba’s vibrant music scene, and the unique townscapes, almost frozen in time and still dominated by colonial structures and colorful vintage cars.
Dreaming of a cultural getaway this spring?
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