filipa.figueira21Whenever I am travelling I always like to meet locals since we can learn a lot from them. They will tell us their favourite places to go, stories and curiosities and things to see and do. However, it’s not always possible to meet locals either because the trip is too short or you’re with your family or friends visiting the places you had planned to see.
Even if you are in your own country or you are abroad here are some suggestions to meet new people and have different experiences.
1- Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing is probably the most known platform to find a place to stay anywhere you go. I never used it to host someone in my house or to have a place to stay abroad. I only used it to meet new people in Lisbon or when I go abroad (on my profile I only have the option “Wants to meet up”, since I don’t use it to host anybody). Once I attended a Couchsurfing meeting in Lisbon and it was a really fun night in which I met people from Poland, the Netherlands, Brazil, Italy and France the best thing about these meetings is that people that usually go have a lot of crazy stories and adventures to tell.
You also can find many events, activities and several groups on the website related to the place you’re going and of course, travelling. Give it a try.
Note: Right now you have to pay a monthly or annual fee to use Couchsurfing.
2- Showaround
The purpose of this platform is just to find a local to show you around a city and it is very simple to use! I used it to meet a local in Madeira back in 2017 and it was a really nice experience. I was travelling with two friends and we decided that we wanted to meet a native from Madeira so that we could know what it really means to be a “madeirense” (none of us knew almost anything about the island). We then met Margarida, a really friendly girl with a really cool accent that took us to Pico do Areeiro you can see some amazing photos that I took there here) and she helped us plan our next days on the island. It was such an amazing trip!
From 2016 to 2018 I also used this platform to show around to tourists from all over the world! It was a really great experience for me! I learned a lot and had lots of fun!
Read more about my experience Showing around in Lisbon.
3- With Locals
I discovered this platform on Instagram and I have to say that is very organized and complete. It is made to offer the best experiences with the locals: from a home meal to the hidden secrets of a city or a lifetime experience. I never tried but maybe I will on my next trip.
4- Hi, hi Guide
Feel the local life, and meet new friends! Find your tour guide at Hi, hi guide and discover a new way of travelling! I also used this platform to show around Lisbon to tourists.
5- Eat with
I heard about this platform this year through some tourists from Sweden that tried it in Lisbon. Personally never used it.
“This is a technology platform that brings people together. Sharing a meal, sharing stories, sharing laughs with new people in someone’s house is deeply personal, authentic, and intimate…”
“Every time we have an EatWith dinner, our table turns into that very special place in the world where strangers become friends — distances between cultures and countries get reduced across a 28-inch table.” – José Angel, Mexico City (host since 2013).
6- Meetup
This is a very useful platform that I used! You just have to create your profile, choose the topics that interest you the most and start attending events. I went to a french meetup in Lisbon and it was really fun!
7- Free Walking Tours
I did free walking tours in Munich and Český Krumlov. There are plenty of companies that do these tours and it’s a great way to meet locals and new people to travel with! Give it a try on your next travel!
8- Facebook groups
There are plenty of groups on Facebook about Travelling! Why not post about your next trip and meet new people? When I went to Prague not only a met a Czech girl but I also had dinner with two Portuguese there.
9- Hostels
Some hostels organize activities for guests! Even if the hostel in which you’re staying doesn’t have any activities it’s most likely you will meet new people when having breakfast or cooking a meal.
Have you ever tried one of these platforms? Do you use others?
Life is about the people you meet along the way!
Travel Resources:
Other travel stories:
- How I plan my trips – my tips
- Making the most of your work trip – my tips
- My best tips to learn a new language
For more travel stories follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
