City travel in 2026 is going to change and move away from the old guidebook style. Are you ready to discover a new city the Gen Z way? 

Tailor Your Journey

You probably want to design a trip that’s all about seeing and experiencing what is actually on your bucket list, not just what some tour operator has lined up for you. But at the same time, you want the knowledge and expertise of a tour operator. How can you combine both? More and more services are appearing and offering travelers the option to build custom packages that suit their tastes.

For example, if Macau is on your list of places to visit, starting with a bespoke package of the top things to see in Macau will guarantee you get to tick off the things you really want to see.

This is a total game-changer for travelers who’ve always felt like they’re being shoehorned into someone else’s idea of what’s cool. 

Escape Room Travel

Escape rooms are not just popular, they are becoming a reason for international travel. In fact, enthusiastic players are ready to plan international trips just to tick off quality rooms that have received the recognition of the industry. That’s why a website like Terpeca (Top Escape Rooms Project Enthusiasts’ Choice Awards) is gaining more and more traction. Players vote on the best escape rooms in the world each year, and this list is central to many travel plans for enthusiasts. 

How can one discover a city through its escape rooms? Escape rooms often reflect the local culture, sense of humor, and even local folklore in a way museums and guided tours can’t do. It’s anchored into local life and encourages players to stop at local restaurants and sites between games. 

A Sporty City Visit

Should you turn a city visit into a challenge? This is the principle of Conqueror challenges, which encourage people to walk a specific distance. For instance, you could join the Rome walking challenge, which is 34 miles virtually. All you need to do is log 34 miles, and you qualify to receive a medal. But the virtual challenge also has a map of the real landmarks you’d be seeing if you were to follow the itinerary in the city. So, why not use the map and log the distance in the real city? 

Remembering to Take it Easy

City travel doesn’t need to be hectic. There is so much to see and do that you can be sure every city is packed with tourists. So, it’s important to make time to relax and find your peace, even when you are visiting a new place. 

There may be a lot of museums and attractions, but they will not be as fulfilling as spending an hour in a local coffee shop with a local pastry and a book. Ultimately, it’s important to make time for yourself when visiting a city, rather than letting your to-do list take over. Sure, you may see less, but you will enjoy what you see and do a lot more than if you were stuck in a loud crowd all day long. 

The real question is not which city you are going to visit in 2006, but which city visitor you will be in 2026.