PSA: My hostel in Lisbon had a free walking tour that saved me $25 on my first day.

I almost missed the sign-up sheet by the kitchen, but a guy from Toronto pointed it out. What's the best free activity you've found that wasn't in the guidebook?

3 comments

3 Comments

spencerl322mo ago

Found a free kayaking trip in Slovenia just by chatting with the hostel owner over breakfast. He had a couple extra spots on a trip he was doing with friends that afternoon. Paddled down the Soca River for hours, saw places you'd never get to on a bus tour. Those random local tips always beat any planned activity in my book.

julia921mo ago

lol that's so true about the best stuff not being for sale. I had a similar thing happen in Thailand once. I was just sitting at a random street food stall eating noodles and the owner started chatting with me. Turns out his cousin ran a small boat tour to some hidden islands that weren't in any guidebook. He just wrote down the number on a napkin and told me to ask for 'Pong' lol. I ended up going the next day and it was just me and three locals, swimming in places tourists never go. Way better than those crowded longtail boat trips everyone else does.

river1902mo ago

My third day in Porto, a cafe owner drew a map to free Fado music in a tiny square. It's like @spencerl32 said, those local tips are gold. I've started to believe the best stuff in any city isn't for sale, it's just quietly happening if you know who to ask.