8 top hipster travel destinations for your inner beatnik

Yeah, we know—you read this article before it was cool.

You rock the beanie slouch and transcend lumberjack-chic. You are achingly awesome, but you can’t even help it. So why shouldn’t your travel destinations match? Forget Athens and Rome, Austin and Riga are more your speed.

If you’re serious about your hipster status, see our list of the ultra-cool (but, like, not in the trying-to-be-cool-way, you know?) hipster travel destinations for your next holiday.

Austin, Texas, USA

For a truly on-point taco scene, take a trip to this desert paradise. The city slogan, “Keep Austin weird,” is exactly what the locals try to accomplish. Enjoy historic architecture, happening nightlife and live music, cheap cocktails, truly envious farmers markets, and more food trucks than you’ll know what to do with. Plan in advance and hit the world-famous SXSW (South by Southwest) music, film and interactive festival each March.

Toronto, Canada

It’s New York City—but cleaner, and (dare we say it?) dive-ier. And tourists are minimal. Ok—it’s not actually like New York at all, but Torontonians like to think it is. For funky neighbourhoods and boutique shops up the yang, visit Toronto. Cinema buffs: get on a new level by visiting the Toronto International Film Festival each September.

Berlin, Germany

Famous for its art scene, Berlin is quickly becoming the hipp(ster)est city in Europe. Club until 6AM and then get an organically-raised sausage brunch. Stroll through the Tempelhofer Freiheit park and browse for antiques before checking out the memorial Cold War artwork at the East Side Gallery.

Riga, Latvia

For a truly random yet inspiring holiday, take a trip to Latvia. In this Eastern European country, Peace Street is a diamond in the rough. This bohemian community of shopkeepers, gallery-owners, painters and writers have created a breathtaking collection of shops and cafes. Site note: if herbal tea is your vice, come to Latvia and drink organically-grown beverages in flower shops around the city.

Melbourne, Australia

Save money with the hipster staycation of a lifetime. Visit the Fitzroy neighbourhood to find great albums and paperbacks. From broke students, to fashionistas, to boho artists, to the ulta-chic and independently wealthy—you will find every slice of life in this Melbourne neighbourhood. If you’re about that cage-free, all natural, gluten-free lifestyle, there’s no judgment here—find more cafes catered to you than you’ll know what to do with.

Lima, Peru

Visit Peru for some of the best hiking and coolest bars in the world. Barranco is the historic bohemian district of Lima. The neighbourhood is known for its funky bridges, views of the Pacific Ocean and nightlife. Looking for a piano bar inside an old train car? Lima has it. Looking for an ’80s-themed German discotek? Lima has it. Looking for Andean acoustic artists? Lima has them.

Stockholm, Sweden

Known for its hip music scene and cutting-edge fashion, Stockholm is where the hip go to get hipper. Shop for vintage clothing with the world’s next big DJ—anything is possible in Stockholm. And if the opinion of Vogue is important to you, you’re in luck; the Södermalm neighbourhood of Stockholm was recently named the world’s coolest.

Singapore, Singapore

A soon-to-be hipster city, Singapore’s cool factor is on the rise. The Tiong Bahru neighbourhood stands apart because of its distinctive art deco-style and kitsch specialty shops selling hipster “essentials” like black-rimmed glasses and homemade jewellery (*editor’s note* we can’t decide if these shops are intentionally ironic, or so lame they’re great).

Before you depart on this envious adventure — before you even pack those Chucks in your old-timey suitcase — consider travel cover from youGo. There are tons of uncool things in this world, but probably the lamest is losing all of your money in a foreign accident. See how youGo can cover what you need and give you the freedom to enjoy your holiday.