A few years ago, most travelers chasing a break would default to the usual suspects: New York, Paris, Rome, Tokyo. But in 2025, something surprising is happening – especially among Gen Z and Millennial travelers. They’re skipping the mega-metropolises and heading somewhere quieter, more charming, and infinitely less stressful.
Welcome to townsizing travel – a trend that first appeared quietly in the Priceline 2025 Trend Report in late 2024 and has since exploded into the mainstream.
Heidelberg
“The trend toward small towns offers different benefits for different generations. While Boomers are most likely to feel that small towns are more relaxing, Gen Z is Townsizing as a way to indulge in the charming, quaint moments depicted in their most comforting movies.,” said Priceline.
Now, The New York Post declared it officially viral. In this article, they quote Amy Thomasson, Indiana-based travel adviser at Travelmation, who told Fox News Digital: “These travelers are less interested in ticking off the boxes of what everyone says they should do on vacation and instead turning to more experiential trips where they can make memories in a new and exciting location.”
People are looking for fun places to drive to – so close to them – that have hotels and cool activities available.
The Soul of Townsizing: Charm Over Chaos
At its heart, townsizing is about swapping noise for nuance. Instead of spending hours in traffic or lining up for tourist-heavy landmarks, travelers are seeking experiences rooted in authenticity.
They’re booking long weekends or mini getaways in smaller, often-overlooked towns – the kind of places that don’t usually make global top 10 lists but leave you with a lasting sense of peace.
This movement isn’t just aesthetic. It taps into something deeper: the growing exhaustion with hyper-scheduled lives. Between constant notifications, fast-paced work environments, and digital overwhelm, many are looking for travel that feels like a true pause, not just another checklist.
And maybe we can all relate to this desire to get away from everything every once in a while.
As Yahoo! Life described it in a recent feature: “This kind of travel is all about going at a leisurely pace, living like locals and savoring simple pleasures like scenic strolls or diner meals.”
The Deeper Benefits of Going Small
While townsizing may have started as a novelty, it’s quickly proving to be better for travelers on many levels – emotional, financial, and experiential.
Here’s why:
It’s easier on your wallet. You’ll often find beautiful inns or boutique stays for a fraction of what a big-city hotel would cost, plus free parking, cheaper meals, and walkable downtowns.
You discover real hidden gems. Small towns surprise you: an old-school cinema, a local museum with eccentric collections, a bakery that still makes everything by hand.
You support real people. Every coffee, souvenir, or overnight stay boosts a local business, not a corporate chain.
There’s no tourist fatigue. No crowds. No chaos. No trying to “do it all.” Just time to explore, eat slowly, and breathe.
You create meaningful connections to the city, people, the area.
It’s healing. Less pressure. More space. More silence. In a world that glorifies being “busy,” townsizing offers a radical kind of rest.
It’s also a powerful contrast to modern life. Taking a break in a slow, gentle place, where the loudest thing might be birdsong or the buzz of a summer festival, can reset your nervous system and restore your energy. For many, this kind of travel is as much about mental health as it is about scenery.
One of the best parts of this trend is its flexibility. You don’t need to book an expensive international flight or quit your job to do it. In fact, many of the best townsizing trips are just a few hours’ drive away.
Here’s how to find the right destination for you:
Explore Travel Blogs for Hidden Gems
Travel bloggers are some of the best curators of small-town magic. I know, this is a travel blog so you may say: of course you would praise bloggers.
But let’s think for a moment. Who knows a destination better than someone who visited it with the aim of discovering as much as possible about it – including culture, hidden gems etc?
So, my recommendation is to search for phrases like “hidden gems in [country/region]” or “underrated cities in Europe/US/Country” to find towns with personality and soul, often missed by traditional guidebooks. These writers – we, the travel bloggers – have usually been there, stayed locally, and can offer honest, experience-driven tips.
Look Beyond “Top 10” Lists
Photo: a day trip to Brasov with my friend Mirela
Instead of googling “Best places to visit in Italy,” try “towns to visit in Italy besides Rome and Venice.” These alternative lists are where townsizing gold is hidden.
Here, I want to make a note: I am not against visiting big cities and popular attractions. Quite the opposite actually. What I am saying is that, based on your preferences, on your desire and needs RIGHT NOW, if you need a less traveled place to visit, this is the way to find it.
For instance, go to Brasov too when visiting Romania’s capital, Bucharest.
Browse Day Trip Articles
Many bloggers and publications write about day trips from major cities, and these towns can be perfect for overnight or weekend stays. If a place is charming enough to visit for a few hours, imagine how it feels with an entire weekend to explore. For instance, here you can find:
Search for Local Events or Festivals
Some small towns come alive during their seasonal festivals, like tulip blooms, vintage car parades, jazz weekends, or food and wine fairs. Plan around these to get a rich, immersive experience.
While this is also a trend – purpose travel – keep in mind that if you want peace and quite and no crowds, a festival is the exact opposite
Follow the Hashtags
Hashtags like #smalltowntravel, #townsizing, or #[town name] + travel often reveal influencer reels, travel videos, and local secrets that don’t show up in traditional research.
Why Townsizing Isn’t Just a Trend – It’s a Mindset
The movement might be fueled by Gen Z TikToks and Priceline data, but its momentum lies in the experience itself. Townsizing isn’t just a cheaper alternative to big-city travel. It’s a conscious decision to travel more intentionally.
It’s the joy of a slow morning at a small café.
It’s the chance encounter with a local artist whose studio is tucked behind a bakery.
It’s walking with no real plan, and discovering something beautiful anyway.
In a travel world that’s long rewarded seeing more, townsizing dares you to feel more.
Final Thoughts: Make the Small Choice – and Watch It Transform Your Travels
Townsizing is more than a passing hashtag. It’s a reminder that travel doesn’t have to be loud, expensive, or exhausting to be meaningful.
I have to say that I have been doing downsizing – without knowing this is what it is called – all my life.
I combine travels to famous, big cities with day trips or weekend getaways to smaller places, usually a trip by car. You probably already read my guide on how to prepare you car for summer trips and the other car-tips articles.
The next time you’re planning a getaway, resist the pull of the usual city break. Choose somewhere smaller, quieter, more soulful. You might just find that what you really needed wasn’t more activities, but more presence.
And that starts on a tree-lined street, with a cup of coffee, and nowhere to be but right there. Try it and see if it rewarding for you!
photo sources: 1, 2. photo pin 1
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