10 neighbourhoods around the world I’d travel to

No matter what city I travel to, I always make time to explore the neighbourhoods. And I don’t mean ‘stop by for a coffee’ sort of thing – I mean really explore them. I like to watch the world go by from the window of a café, see what the local shops have to offer, grab a bite to eat in the local eateries and observe life go by. This is the best way to see what living in that city (or more specifically neighbourhood) would be like.

Over the years there are certain neighbourhoods that were particularly memorable. So much so, that I’d travel just to visit them. Here are ten of my favourites…

1. Vieux Nice, Nice

Of all the old towns I’ve visited in Europe, Vieux Nice on the Cote d’Azur is my favourite. While others dash to get the best spot on Nice’s rocky beach, I prefer to wander the tiny streets of this effortlessly charming area. It’s full of churches, shops and squares and restaurants, my favourite being ‘Restaurant du Gesú’ on Place du Gesú.

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2. Little India, Singapore

Little India is one of those neighbourhoods that is so different to the rest of the city that you really do feel like you’re in a different country. The main strips here are Dunlop St and Buffalo Road where you’ll encounter food stalls, electrical goods and endless restaurants. That and donkeys pulling carts. Yes, really.

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3. The Medina, Marrakech

I genuinely have never experienced anywhere like Marrakech’s old town. Intimidating at first, it is a mix of food stalls selling fresh goods, markets with slightly pushy salesmen, and one of the world’s most fascinating squares. At night it really comes alive this square, Djemma el Fna, becomes one huge outdoor food market. Tip – eat from stall No. 32. It’s by far the best of the lot.

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4. Bondi, Sydney

I must admit, I’ve a soft spot for Bondi as I lived there for eight months once upon a time. During those months it really did feel like home thanks to the bus driver I said hello to every day, the guy in the local newsagent who chatted to me when I bought my weekly bus ticket and the staff in the restaurant next door to my apartment who waved every time I walked by. It’s one of those big city neighbourhoods that has a real village feel.

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5. Chinatown, Bangkok

Since Bangkok is one of my favourite cities, choosing a neighbourhood from here was extremely difficult. I was going to opt for Banglamphu, home of the infamous Koh San Road, but instead I’ve gone for Chinatown. This neighbourhood is hectic. I mean really hectic. From the traffic to the markets to the shopping malls to the electrical stores to the restaurants…it has it all. It’s a real feast for the senses.

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6. Greenwich Village, New York City

One of the first things I do every time I arrive in Manhattan is jump in a cab to Bleecker and MacDougal or take the subway to Sheridan Square. Both addresses are part of my favourite part of the Big Apple – Greenwich Village. Forgetting you’re in a city that never sleeps is easy here. There are chilled out cafés, local bookstores plus a host of bars and restaurants to unwind in.

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7. San Telmo, Buenos Aires

Thanks to the cobbled streets, tango shows, bars, cafés and restaurants, you could easily lose yourself in San Telmo for a day. There are also lots of markets where you can pick up everything from that evening’s food to second hand clothes. If you’re the creative type and you’re wondering where to go to get those creative juices flowing, San Telmo is the answer.

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8. The Old Town, Edinburgh

I don’t know what it is about Edinburgh, but every time I’m there I’m extremely content. While I enjoy the shopping and bars and restaurants of the New Town, as touristy as it is, I love the Old Town. There’s an extremely pleasant atmosphere along the Royal Mile, while the views from Edinburgh Castle are unforgettable. Then of course there are the pubs. Not for the whisky though – for the sticky toffee pudding…

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9. Shibuya, Tokyo

If you haven’t been to Tokyo before, you’ve probably heard that it’s a busy spot. Until you’ve actually experienced it first hand, it’s quite hard to fathom exactly how busy it is. This neighbourhood will show you though. Home to the most videoed pedestrian crossing in the world, it’s an extremely electric place.

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10. 9 Streets, Amsterdam

Photo courtesy of Bernardo Contopoulos

In my recent post about my ultimate day in Amsterdam I mentioned this neighbourhood. The reason being is that it’s unlike anything most people picture when they think of Amsterdam. There are no coffee shops, no red lights and no stag parties…there’s hardly even any traffic. All you’ll find are charming Dutch bistros, quirky stores and relaxing wine bars.

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