Slow Travel Sounds Nice—But What Is It, Really?

Somewhere between racing through three cities in five days and realizing I couldn’t remember what country I was in without checking my camera roll, it hit me: I wasn’t traveling anymore. I was collecting passport stamps like they were coffee shop loyalty points.

So I did something wildly unambitious. I booked a one-bedroom guesthouse in a sleepy Portuguese village, deleted my itinerary, and told myself I’d figure things out once I got there.

That’s how I accidentally fell in love with slow travel.

Not slow in the “tour bus breaks down on the highway” kind of way. Slow in the deliberate, grounding, hyper-local, let’s-talk-to-the-baker kind of way. It’s not new—but in a world of viral “20 places to see in 3 days” lists and fast-paced FOMO, slow travel feels quietly radical.

And honestly? It’s better than any checklist.

This guide is for anyone who’s curious about what happens when you stop treating travel like a task list—and start treating it like a life chapter. Because slow travel isn’t just a way of exploring—it’s a way of being. Here’s what it actually looks like, how to do it well, and why it could change how you move through the world (and maybe even your day-to-day life).

Triptuition: What’s your most vivid travel memory? Chances are, it wasn’t planned down to the minute.

So What is Slow Travel?

Slow travel isn’t about moving at a snail’s pace. It’s about traveling with intention. That means giving yourself time to absorb a place—not just see it. Instead of racing from attraction to attraction, slow travelers focus on experiences: cooking classes in a home kitchen, language exchanges at the local bar, or simply walking the same street enough times to be recognized.

It’s a bit like savoring a really good meal. The kind where you don’t check your phone, you don’t rush dessert, and you actually remember what you tasted.

Slow travel invites you to ditch the highlight reel in favor of nuance—and that can mean different things for different people. For some, it’s staying in one town for three weeks. For others, it’s spending a single day in a bustling city, but choosing just one meaningful experience instead of trying to do ten.

What Makes Slow Travel So Rewarding?

You Stop Consuming, and Start Connecting

When you slow down, you don’t just see the city—you start to notice the rhythm. You see which shopkeepers open first. You recognize the family who always claims the same café table at 10 a.m. You start to feel the texture of daily life.

That shift—from outsider to participant—is subtle but powerful. It’s the moment a stranger at the bakery remembers your name. Or the barista starts pouring your coffee before you order.

It doesn’t happen when you’re sprinting to make a 3 p.m. museum reservation on the other side of town. It happens when you sit still long enough for the place to see you back.

It Costs Less—and Gives You More

Staying longer in fewer places often leads to deeper discounts on accommodations, especially if you use platforms that offer weekly or monthly rates. But it’s not just about money. When you’re not constantly booking trains, flights, and transfers, you cut out a lot of travel “waste”—the kind that’s both expensive and exhausting.

That freed-up budget? It can go toward a cooking class, a locally guided walk, or simply lingering over more meals (which we fully endorse). Slow travel often ends up being more affordable and more immersive.

You Burn Out Less, Enjoy More

Fast travel fatigue is real. It’s that moment when your body is in Florence, your mind is still processing Barcelona, and your feet would rather be horizontal.

Slow travel avoids that spiral. Instead of needing a vacation from your vacation, you build rest into the experience. You give yourself permission to have “lazy” days without feeling like you’re wasting time—because those quiet days often lead to the most meaningful connections.

Trip Tale: “In a tiny town in southern Japan, I sat on a bench for hours just watching the tide come in. An old man eventually sat beside me, and though neither of us spoke the other’s language, we shared an orange and watched the light shift on the water. I don’t have a photo of that moment. But I still think about it more than most major landmarks I’ve visited.”

How to Actually Do Slow Travel

This isn’t about shaming fast-paced trips (some vacations need to be short and packed). It’s about being deliberate when you can. Here’s how to embrace slow travel, whether you’ve got a month—or just a weekend.

1. Stay Put (Even If You're Tempted to Roam)

The temptation to cram in “just one more city” is real. But every time you change locations, you reset your energy, your bearings, and your rhythm. Try limiting yourself to one region or town—and see how much richer your experience becomes. Even within a city, consider choosing a single neighborhood to explore deeply. Know it like a local, not a visitor.

2. Prioritize Experiences Over Sights

It’s okay to skip the big-ticket attractions. Truly. Instead, sign up for a foraging walk, join a local language meetup, or hang out at a bookstore or park where locals spend their time. You might not get a perfect photo—but you may leave with a story worth telling.

3. Travel in the Off-Hours

Early mornings and late nights are often when a city reveals its truest self. You’ll see how locals move when the tourists are asleep, and experience spaces without the pressure to capture them perfectly. Slow travel is about being present, not just busy. So set the alarm a little earlier—or walk the city after dinner—and just observe.

Triptuition: Are you traveling to be seen—or to see?

Where to Try Slow Travel (If You’re Not Sure Where to Start)

Slow travel works anywhere—but some places naturally lend themselves to a slower pace. These destinations reward patience, lingering conversations, and long walks.

Luang Prabang, Laos

With its riverside cafés, saffron-robed monks, and almost meditative quiet, this UNESCO-listed town is slow travel in physical form. Spend mornings watching the alms-giving procession, afternoons biking to waterfalls, and evenings at the bamboo bridge markets.

Alentejo, Portugal

Far less crowded than the Algarve or Lisbon, Alentejo is all rolling vineyards, quiet hill towns, and leisurely lunches. Locals are generous with time—and wine. Settle into a village like Monsaraz or Estremoz and get to know the pace of Portugal beyond the headlines.

Hokkaido Countryside, Japan

Skip Tokyo for a moment. The northern reaches of Hokkaido offer hot springs, wildflower fields, and locals who’ll invite you into their homes if you stay long enough to earn trust. Public transport is slow. But that’s the point.

Slow Travel Tips from Long-Term Explorers

We reached out to travelers who regularly embrace slow travel, and here’s what they recommend:

Pack light—and stay longer. “You don’t need five outfits and three guidebooks. You need time, and room to be surprised.”

Don’t Google everything. “Let yourself discover something without a review first. You might hate it. Or it might be the highlight of your trip.”

Journal—don’t just post. “The small observations won’t show up on Instagram, but they’ll stay with you if you write them down.”

Don’t Just Visit—Belong for a While

There’s no gold star for the traveler who sees the most countries. But there’s something quietly profound about becoming a regular in a place where you don’t speak the language. About being remembered, even briefly. About knowing where the best bakery is—and which bench catches the morning sun.

That’s what slow travel gives you.

So next time you’re booking a trip, don’t ask: “How much can I fit in?” Ask: “How much can I take in?”

You might leave with fewer photos—but you’ll come home with far more to hold onto.

Miles Dawson, Writer, The Wild Wanderer

For years, Miles roamed the highways of the U.S. and Europe, exploring mountains, forests, and backroads that most people only dream of. His adventure-packed stories will have you ready to ditch your day job and hit the open road.