Why You Should Always Befriend a Local Grandma

Forget travel influencers and overpriced guidebooks—the real key to an unforgettable trip is a local grandma. She’s seen it all, knows where to find the best food, and won’t hesitate to tell you exactly what you’re doing wrong. Whether you meet her in a family-run café, a tiny village, or sitting on a park bench watching the world go by, here’s why befriending a local grandma is the smartest travel move you can make.

She Knows the Best Food (And Might Even Feed You)

Grandmas don’t do tourist food. They know where to find the best, most authentic, home-cooked meals—the kind that never make it onto TripAdvisor. If you’re lucky, she might even invite you to her house for a meal that will ruin all other versions of that dish for you forever. Trust her food recommendations—they’re better than any Michelin-starred restaurant.

She’s the Ultimate Storyteller

Local grandmas have lived through history. Whether it’s war, revolutions, or just the changing face of their city, they’ve seen it all. Sit with them long enough, and they’ll tell you stories that no museum or tour guide ever could. Bonus points if you find a grandma who remembers when “this place was all farmland” or who can tell you the secret history of that old building everyone else walks past.

She Knows the Unwritten Rules of the Culture

Every country has unspoken customs—things tourists do that instantly give them away. A local grandma won’t hesitate to correct you if you’re holding your chopsticks wrong, sitting in the wrong spot, or accidentally offending someone. Listen and learn—her advice will help you blend in better than any travel blog ever could.

She Can Get You Into Places You’d Never Find Alone

Want access to a hidden restaurant? Need to find the best tailor in town? Trying to track down an ingredient from the market? Grandma knows a guy. She’s got decades of connections, and if she likes you, she might just introduce you to people who will open doors you never knew existed.

She Doesn’t Care About Your Instagram—And That’s a Good Thing

Grandmas don’t care about “content.” They care about experiences. Spending time with one means you’ll put your phone down, stop thinking about the perfect photo, and actually live in the moment. And honestly? That’s what makes the best travel memories.

The Verdict: Find a Grandma, and Your Trip Gets 10x Better

Locals are the best travel guides, and grandmas are the best locals. If you’re lucky enough to meet one who takes you under her wing, listen, learn, and—if she invites you for a meal—never say no. Because when it comes to travel wisdom, grandma always knows best.