View of arches and pillars in a quiet cloister.

How to Choose What’s Worth Seeing: An Artsy Traveler’s Approach

Arts & Culture, Cultural Experiences, Travel Smart

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When you’re planning a trip, you may quickly begin to feel overwhelmed. I feel your pain because I’ve felt the same way many times.

You’re faced with so many choices! Should you devote all your time to touring the “must-see” sights, or should you slow down and choose a handful of off-the-beaten-path gems?

If seeking out arts and culture is one of your travel priorities, consider shifting your priorities away from ticking off the big attractions and towards exploring lesser-known destinations that will reward you with a quieter experience, far fewer crowds, and frankly, more bang for your buck (or euro).

In this post, I define what it means to be an artsy traveler and provide tips for how to plan your sightseeing so that at the end of the day, you feel relaxed and fulfilled.

Table of Contents

How I Learned to Travel Like an Artsy Traveler

Many travelers wonder how to decide what’s truly worth seeing when time is limited.

I’ve been traveling around Europe for decades and I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) to stop chasing the major sites just because they are bucket-list-worthy.

I’ve discovered that standing in long lines in the heat with thousands of cranky tourists and shuffling through a place that has long since lost its charm isn’t for me.

I get much more enjoyment from touring the Keats-Shelley Museum in Rome, for example, and chatting with the attendant about literature than I do waiting for hours to be herded through the Colosseum where even getting a place at the railing to snap a photo is a struggle.

I think we all, to some extent, suffer from FOMO, otherwise known as Fear Of Missing Out.

When you let that go and instead use your precious sightseeing time to seek out authentic arts and cultural experiences, you’ll enjoy rather than endure what you’ve come so far to see.

In this post, I provide tips for how to do just that.

What I Mean by “Artsy Travel”

Artsy travel is not about checking off sights, but rather about making connections, understanding context, and following your curiosity.

Artsy travel also involves seeking cultural experiences such as walking tours of noteworthy areas, food tours, homestays, and more.

Be open to possibilities.

Ask the question: How can this experience bring me closer to the people and culture of my destination?

One of my favorite things to do when I travel is going to art openings. I meet local artists, chat with fellow art lovers, and get a feel for a destination that would be impossible if all I did was visit the major sights.

Think about what you like to do, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone!

Start With Your Interests, Not the Destination

Being an artsy traveler is an extension of my lifelong love of the arts and culture.

If you also share this love, start with what interests you and then study the destination in terms of how it meets those interests.

When I plan a trip, I don’t start with the city’s “top sights”. I start by asking myself what kinds of cultural experiences I’m most drawn to, and then I build from there.

Museums

What kinds of museums are at your destination? Search online for local museums and choose two or three that appeal to you.

For example, in Paris, maybe skip the Louvre and check out a smaller art museum devoted to a favorite artist, such as the Rodin Museum. If you love history, choose to tour the stunning medieval collection at the Cluny Museum.

Architecture

What about architecture? Prioritize interesting temples, churches, palaces, and other architectural monuments that you find interesting but that are not necessarily three-star sights.

Seek out the places that may be fascinating, but don’t draw the crowds. For example, in Athens, skip the Acropolis and spend time wandering around the magnificent Temple of Haephestes in the Agora.

Music

If you love music, then build your itinerary around concerts and performances. Check what’s playing in your destination and get tickets in advance.

For example, if you’re traveling to Vienna, you won’t want to miss an evening concert and a visit to one or more of the composer houses. Standing in the room where  Beethoven composed the 7th Symphony is artsy traveling at its best.

Carol Cram in front of one of Beethoven's houses in Vienna

Dance

What kind of dance is popular in your destination? If you’re visiting Seville, Spain, for example, you may want to allocate time to take in a flamenco performance (highly recommended).

Literature

If you’re a literature lover, find museums, locations, and tours associated with your favorite authors. For example, in London, join an Oscar Wilde walking tour, and in the Lake District, visit Dove Cottage where Wordsworth lived.

Theater

I love theater and so when I’m traveling around England, I almost always pop into Stratford-upon-Avon to catch a performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company. And, of course, I never miss taking in a few West End musicals when in London.

If you love theater too, find out what’s on and purchase your tickets in advance.

An evening spent at a theatrical performance brings you closer to locals and gives you insights into a destination that you can’t get by following the tourists hordes.

Cities and sights don’t matter as much as what you’re personally drawn to. You really don’t need to visit the big sights just because everyone says you should.

That’s not to say you should never visit a major attraction, but do so judiciously to avoid crowds and enjoy the experience.

For example, if you love architecture and you’re visiting Barcelona, you don’t want to miss touring the Sagrada Familia. To ensure a stress-free visit, purchase your timed-entry ticket well in advance of your visit.

An artsy traveler is a savvy traveler!

Interior of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
sagrada familia in barcelona spain

How To Decide What’s Truly Worth Your Time

When I’ve deciding how to spend my time in a new city, I apply these criteria to deciding what to see and what to skip.

Does This Sight/Experience/Performance Add Something New?

I prioritize sights that give me new experiences. For example, on a recent visit to Rome, I joined a small-group photography tour that took me to seven churches I’d never visited and taught me new photography skills.

Now that’s a win-win sightseeing experience!

Is There Context or Story?

Seek out museums or sites that help deepen your understanding of a subject, whether it’s of an artist, a period in history, or a cultural icon.

Instead of waiting in line to take the elevator up the Eiffel Tower, go to the Musée Quai Branly and explore one of the world’s richest collections of Indigenous art and artifacts. You’ll have the place to yourself and you’ll learn a lot.

Will I Remember This a Year From Now?

Consider how the place will resonate emotionally. When you think back on your experience, will you be glad you took the time to go deeper and connect with the experience, or will you just remember sore feet and sharp elbows?

An artsy traveler prioritizes sensory, personal experiences that create lifelong memories.

Does It Fit My Energy?

Take into account your energy levels when deciding what to see in a day. Schedule active sightseeing for the morning and take time in the afternoons to relax in a café and watch the world go by.

Why Skipping Major Sites Is Not a Failure

I get it. You go to Paris and you feel that if you don’t shuffle through the Louvre, you’ve not really seen Paris. And don’t get me wrong—the Louvre is incredible, but it’s also hot, crowded, and enormous.

If you don’t have a lot of time in Paris, go to the Orangerie and commune with Monet’s water lilies, or seek out an off-the-beaten-path gem like the Musée Zadkine with its quirky sculptures.

Make joy your priority, and don’t feel guilty about skipping famous sights.

Instead of worrying about “skipping”, think “intentional”. Every site you choose to visit will be one that resonates with you and your interests.

The only perfect itinerary is the itinerary that brings you into harmony with what gives you joy.

Developing A “Worth-It” Filter

Over time, I’ve developed what I think of as my “worth-it filter”, which is a simple way to decide what belongs on my itinerary and what doesn’t.

The worth-it filter consists of three questions:

  1. Does this sight or experience genuinely interest me?
  2. Is this something I can only (or best) experience here? For example, I may pass on a generic sightseeing tour and instead choose a neighborhood walk or food tour that helps me understand how people actually live.
  3. Does it fit the pace I want for this trip?

The Role of “Perfect Days” and Slower Itineraries

I like to craft perfect, thoughtfully shaped days in the destinations I visit. Instead of rushing around seeing six sights in eight hours, I structure a day that builds in free time and opportunities for serendipity.

Think about what a perfect day might look like for you.

What’s Your Perfect Day?

For example, on your perfect day, you may get up early and have a stroll through the historical center of a city before the crowds emerge and then enjoy a leisurely breakfast in a small café.

You might then visit one museum that really speaks to your interests. For me, such a museum would be the Etruscan Museum in Rome because I’m fascinated by the Etruscans, or the Courtauld Gallery in London with its incredible collection of Impressionist and medieval art.

Following a museum visit (or whatever site you choose), take an hour or two to enjoy lunch at a restaurant filled with locals, with no plasticated menus in four languages to be seen.

In the afternoon, wander around a neighborhood to window-shop and people-watch and then relax in a garden. What’s the hurry?

In the evening, take in a concert followed by an awesome dinner featuring local cuisine. End the day with a stroll back to your hotel.

How This Approach Changes the Way You Travel

An artsy traveler is a calm and happy traveler (well, most of the time!). By seeking out sites and experiences that resonate with your interests, you are engaged and involved.

For example, touring the DDR Museum in Berlin to learn about life in East Germany gave me an appreciation for the Cold War, an era I lived through and yet knew very little about in terms of its effect on people living in Soviet Bloc countries.

The goal of artsy traveling is to feel less rushed and more present. Months later when you reflect on your trip, you want to feel good about what you saw and experienced.

An Invitation

When you’re planning a trip, trust your curiosity and give yourself permission to travel at your own pace. Less is more!

If this way of traveling resonates with you, you might enjoy:

Perfect Day Itineraries for Culture Rich Cities

These posts present itineraries for thoughtfully shaped days designed around art, culture, and unhurried exploration:

Museum Guides that Focus on Depth Rather Than Volume

Here are some of my guides for travelers who want to experience museums without burnout.

Guides to Planning Meaningful Cultural Travel

These posts help you plan trips around curiosity, context, and connection, rather than crowded must-see lists.

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