Coolest Neighborhoods Around the World

We all have our list of cities to visit before we die. Many places like Rio de Janeiro, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen are popular tourist destinations, but knowing the right neighborhoods to visit once you get there can mean the difference between finding yourself in a tourist trap and feeling like you understand a country and its culture. Here are the coolest, up-and-coming neighborhoods from around the world that will help you immerse yourself in amazing local art and food wherever your bucket list takes you.

ASIA

Plekhanov
Tbilisi, Georgia

Formerly part of the Soviet Republic, Georgia has become one of the trendiest countries to visit, and its capital of Tbilisi is a great first stop. While the old town has all the character of a charming city center, Plekhanov is where the navies live. It is speckled with old-style houses and became even more fashionable when the main avenue was renovated. See the whole city from the Aerial Tramway, visit any of the many historical religious sites, then join the young artist crowd at the Fabrika cultural center which boasts bars, cafes, restaurants, and live music.

 

Seongsu-dong
Seoul, South Korea

Not well known by tourists, Seongsu-dong is an up-and-coming neighborhood popular among young Koreans. The neighborhood was built on the remnants of factories by young artists and designers who have transformed the dilapidated buildings into industrial cafes and restaurants. With the help of House of Collections, an art group based in Seoul and New York City, Seongsu-dong has created a thriving arts scene. Large street murals and graffitied walls make this city a trendy hotspot, especially for the avid Instagrammer or photographer. After finding the coolest art in the city, head to Café Onion, the neighborhood’s most famous spot. The cafe is a renovated metal factory with many visible reminders of its past. Featuring delicious pastries and coffee, it has become a gathering space for the hippest people in the area.

 

District 5
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The most popular places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City are Districts 1 and 2, but in District 5 you’ll find fewer crowds and plenty of culture and life. It’s a mix of diverse cultures and endless activity bursting from every alleyway. Here you’ll find Saigon’s Chinatown, beautiful Taoist temples like Phuoc An Hoi Quan Pagoda, and the Binh Tay market, selling everything you can imagine. The nightlife here is bustling with bars and restaurants with live music.

 

EUROPE

Amsterdam Noord
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Only 15 minutes from the city center by ferry, Amsterdam Noord is a vibrant neighborhood on the rise. Here, among shipping containers and old trams, you’ll find NDSM, an epicenter for independent art galleries and bars. The quirky Hotel Faralda has three rooms suspended in a crane with a Wes Anderson vibe. Look for IJ Hallen also, one of Europe’s largest and most unique flea markets.

 

Exarcheia
Athens, Greece

Long a symbol of opposition to the establishment, Exarcheia has a reputation for politicized riots and violent far-left gangs. It was here that the Athens Polytechnic uprising took place in 1973 when 24 students demonstrating against the dictatorship were killed. The counter-culture attitude remains, however, these days the neighborhood is lively with young people and welcoming to newcomers. Even though the neoclassical buildings are doused in graffiti, the neighborhood is a must see in Athens. This area has retained its old world Greek charm, but welcomed a new crowd of creatives with its revitalization. Discover international music at Amola Kalimba, turn someone’s trash into your treasure at Yesterday’s Bread, grab a bite at Ama Lachei, and finish off your day with a cocktail at Alexandrino.

 

Vesterbro
Copenhagen, Denmark

Previously famous for its red-light district, Vesterbro, now home to cool bars, restaurants, independent hotels, organic food markets, and antique stores, has not lost its gritty charm. Creatives from all around are flocking to this neighborhood inspired by New York’s infamous Meatpacking District. A visit to this city in transition might entail an urban running tour, some organic breakfast pizza at Neighbourhood, or a visit to V1 Gallery, the first gallery in Scandinavia to showcase the street artists like Banksy and Eine.

 

NORTH AMERICA

Pilsen
Chicago, United States

Historically a working class, residential neighborhood for immigrants coming to Chicago, Pilsen is an artistic hub, replete with hip galleries and colorful murals dating back to the 1970’s. It’s an incubator for cutting-edge culture and art. Successive waves of immigrants, students as well as local artists have molded the neighborhood over the past 150 years. Here you can visit the National Museum of Mexican Art, where you’ll find over 10,000 pieces by Mexican and Mexican-American artists. Also check out any of the growing numbers of performance venues, art studios, and trendy bars.

 

Casco Viejo
Panama City, Panama

In the 1990’s, Casco Viejo was overrun by gangs and filled with violence and turf wars, keeping any visitors far away. Now, the original gang graffiti from abandoned buildings is displayed as wallpaper in the trendy American Trade Hotel. Clearly, Casco Viejo has come a long way. Everywhere you look, buildings are being restored and new businesses are opening. Be sure to stop at Donde José, an upscale chef’s table restaurant, Fonda La Sexta, a pioneering restaurant that employs low-income women, and Karavan, a beautiful shop for handmade Panamanian gifts.

 

Getsemani
Cartagena, Colombia

Just outside the walls of Cartagena’s historic Old City, Getsemani was once a haven of drugs and prostitution. Now, the once seedy neighborhood is the coolest spot in Cartagena. Among the brightly colored walls, beautiful graffiti, and narrow alleyways, you get a feel for what city life is like for the locals. Not yet fully gentrified, you will still meet families who have lived in the same house for multiple generations. On the cusp of commercial explosion, you’ll also find stylish new additions like the cool Café del Mural, Demente bar, and tiny restaurants like Caffé Lunático, Malagana, and La Cocina de Pepina.

 

La Juárez

Mexico City, Mexico

A small but noteworthy neighborhood, La Juárez is said to be the newer, hipper version of its southern neighbor, Roma. It was formerly a wealthy colonial area where many of the richest families in Mexico City lived until the mid-century. Now, the neighborhood is seeing a With three main city arteries— Insurgentes, Paseo de la Reforma, and Avenida Chapultepec — as its borders, the neighborhood is perfect for young creatives and visitors alike. Many of the city’s best restaurants and bars, like Panadería Rosetta, are opening second locations here. Find delicious tamale carts roaming the streets or explore the performing art scene by attending a cabaret or theater.

 

 

SOUTH AMERICA

Botafogo
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Full of talented young chefs, entrepreneurs, and creatives, Botafogo is Rio’s most up-and-coming neighborhood. The influx of young makers and doers has been the driving force behind a revitalized neighborhood with a prominent nightlife. The neighborhood is also rich with cultural attractions, like Pão de Açúcar, or Sugarloaf Mountain, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Find new artists to follow at GaleRio, an art gallery that displays paintings, sculptures, repurposed objects, and installations to showcase the works of Brazil’s street artists. Learn about the tribal communities in Brazil at the Museu Do Índio. You can also hang out at the new funky concept bars and multi-use spaces that are joining more established spots like Bukowski and Comuna. At night, join the party at Rua Nelson Mandela, a street packed with bars or any number of clubs including Casa da Matriz and Bar Bukowski.

 

AFRICA

Maboneng
Johannesburg, South Africa

When apartheid ended in 1991, Maboneng was in ruins from crime and urban blight, and was even ranked one of the most dangerous places on earth. However, a steady economic growth and decline of crime have allowed Maboneng to thrive once again. The small but noteworthy community is known for its cultural attractions like the Museum of African Design and Arts on Main—a complex of dilapidated buildings renovated into cool galleries. With a restaurant scene as diverse as its people, you’ll have your pick of restaurants. A local favorite is Che, an Argentine grill restaurant with to-die-for specialties like short ribs asado and empanadas.

Featured photo courtesy of @kellytalamas