When I’m touring a city, there are moments when I sometimes need a bit of calm.

I’m introverted by nature, and although I love travelling, sometimes being in a new place can feel like a “heavy lift” mentally. All of the things taken for granted in my regular life—that I’ll know what all the street signs say, how to order a coffee, and what way to look before I step into the street—all go out the window. It can be challenging to question things you take for granted.

Add that to my introverted nature and  love of cities, and it can be easy for a day of travel to exhaust me. But sometimes going back to the hotel or accomodation isn’t a convenient option—and if all I need is an hour of downtime, it might not be the right fit for what I want.

My go-to in these situations is usually to find a café where I can linger; somewhere that isn’t too busy, where I can order a large coffee or pot of tea, and take up space for a little bit while my brain gets a rest. I like to stay off my phone, as my default is to check social media, which turns into more mental noise. Instead of looking at my phone, I make notes with a pen and paper (journalling—even in bullet points—is a great way to get to a clear mind!). When I don’t want to be disturbed, I wear headphones without anything playing. I’ve written about my love of keeping off technology on busy travel days in my guide to analogue technology for slower travel.

If I’m worried about something more imminent (for example, I’m noticing signs of an anxiety attack coming on), I try to focus on my breathing exercises, and do visualisation/grounding practises (like naming 5 things I can see, 4 things I can feel, 3 I can hear, 2 I can smell, and 1 I can taste. Or I try to see how many things in the space are squares, look soft, or are red. It might sound odd, but these things help!)

Your experience might be different than mine, of course. A mental break could mean tuning into your favourite song, or delving into a novel. It could even just look like getting off your feet after a day of walking. There’s more than one way to find a peaceful moment on a city trip.

Lately I’ve been trying to drink less coffee, and I’m realizing that most of the places I go to for these moments of calm are cafes or bars. If you’re looking for a moment of respite in a new city, but you don’t want to spend money, I’d suggest searching for these types of places nearby.

Public Parks and Gardens

London is great for having large commons and tiny urban parks alike. Personally, if I’m feeling like I need a break, I try to seek out parks that are less child-friendly (more green space, less playgrounds) because the endless energy kids have can feel chaotic to me when I’m already frazzled. I look for small gardens, that aren’t in view of city traffic where I can sit and be alone with my thoughts for a little while.

Galleries

Smaller galleries can work best for this; because of their size, they might attract fewer visitors than larger ones (I’ll admit, I’ve gotten pretty overwhelmed going to national galleries on a weekend—large crowds circling the same paintings can lead to sensory overload sometimes, especially when the spaces aren’t well-ventilated). Seek one out and feel free to move as slowly as you need to. Remember that it’s not unusual for art lovers to sit and take in a painting for 15 or 20 minutes, noticing all of the fine details—making this a perfect space to slow down, breathe deeply, and ground yourself.

Libraries

Even if you don’t have a library card for the city you’re in, most libraries will allow visitors to use seating areas and study spaces without needing a membership. Old cities often have libraries that have a history to them, which can be interesting in itself; but if you’re looking for an excuse to use a desk for a while, feel free to grab a book off the shelves!

Arts Centres

I’m not sure if there’s a better name for these, but here in London there are a few art centres like Southbank Centre, the BFI, the National Theatre, and the Barbican—spaces dedicated to live shows, or movies—which feature open-floorplan, indoor spaces designed to give people spaces to work and chat with friends. Within them, there are often bars, coffee shops, and occasionally shops for books or themed merchandise, but I’ve found that there’s never a pressure to buy the way there is in traditional cafés; you can just sit and hang out for a bit!

Rooftop Lookouts

I often find that rooftop anythings (bars, clubs, parties)are less populated, unless it’s the dead of summer. But—in London especially—there are observation decks for the city, like at One New Change, where there’s plenty of room to sit and look out over the city, without huge crowds. And they’re great places to experience the city without needing to be among the crowds!

Finding moments to rest and recharge on busy travel days doesn’t need to be expensive. They don’t even need to require a purchase; just the time and space for you to take a mental pause, and the permission you give yourself to take one. Happy travels!