Vocabulary/ B2 Vocabulary lessons and / Tourism – B2 English Vocabulary
Tourism
Learn essential English vocabulary for travel, destinations, and experiences.
About This Lesson
In this pre-advanced vocabulary lesson about Tourism, you will learn about common places to visit, verbs and idioms related to travel, and adjectives to describe different types of places. Check the pictures below and read the definitions and sentence examples to enhance your tourism-related vocabulary.
Places to Go
Infographic showing key tourism locations: seafront, ruins, food markets, nature reserves, etc.
Places to Go
Common destinations and locations travelers visit around the world.
Tourist attractions
Places such as monuments, famous buildings, and museums that are popular among visiting tourists.
There are many tourist attractions in my city.
Seafront
A coastal part of a town or city that faces the sea. People often walk along the seafront to look out to sea.
We walked along the seafront, looking out at the rough sea.
Backstreets
Narrow streets behind the busy main streets, often in a poorer area of town. They are usually quieter and less visited by tourists.
It was quiet in the backstreets as there wasn’t much to see.
Amusement parks
Outdoor areas where people can enjoy rides, games, and other forms of entertainment.
We had a great day at the amusement park, playing games and going on rides.
Ruins
The remains of buildings, cities, or monuments that are in a state of disrepair.
We visited the ruins of a medieval castle.
Hiking trails
Paths through mountains or forest areas that are marked out for walkers.
We followed a hiking trail through the forest.
Food markets
Covered outdoor areas with many different vendors selling various types of food.
We tasted some great cheeses when we visited the food market.
Nature reserves
Parks, forests, or other outdoor areas managed to protect their plants and wildlife.
We spent the afternoon wandering around the nature reserve.
Crafts fair
An event where people gather to showcase and sell handmade items like artwork, jewelry, and pottery.
We bought some beautiful handmade gifts at a crafts fair.
Verbs and Idioms
Infographic showing travel-related actions: stroll, hit the shops, go off track, etc.
Verbs and Idioms
Action words and expressions used when traveling or describing trips.
Go off track
To go away from the popular tourist routes to experience a more authentic side of a place.
I prefer going off track to following the normal tourist routes.
Make a reservation
To book something ahead of time, such as a table at a restaurant.
I made a reservation at a popular local restaurant.
Chill out / Unwind
To relax and take it easy; to forget about work and daily stresses.
We spent the afternoon chilling out by the pool. It took me a few days before I was able to unwind and enjoy the holiday.
Stroll
To walk at a leisurely pace, with no particular aim.
After dinner, we like to stroll along the beach and enjoy the sunset.
Hit the shops
To go shopping, usually for clothes, presents, or souvenirs.
I plan to hit the shops and buy some new sandals.
Sample the local cuisine
To taste the food of the area you’re visiting.
I love sampling the local cuisine and tasting new flavours when I travel.
Pack your bags
To put your clothes and belongings in a suitcase or rucksack before a trip.
It didn’t take me long to pack my bags.
Take a detour
To take a different route to avoid traffic, road closures, or other obstacles.
There was a lot of traffic on the main road, so we took a detour.
Go on (a trip, tour, cruise, etc.)
Used before nouns related to travel: holiday, trip, journey, excursion, tour, cruise, safari, etc.
He went on a cruise with his family. Let’s go on an excursion to explore the area.
Adjectives to Describe Places
Infographic showing descriptive words: picturesque, remote, vibrant, exotic, etc.
Adjectives to Describe Places
Words to vividly describe destinations, scenery, and travel experiences.
Unspoilt / Unspoiled
In its natural state, not ruined or changed by humans—often used for countryside.
The scenery near our hotel was delightfully unspoilt.
Remote
Isolated and far from transport links; usually quiet and unspoilt.
The cottage was in a remote area with few amenities nearby.
Off the beaten track
Away from areas usually visited by tourists; less crowded and more authentic.
I enjoy venturing off the beaten track and visiting less touristy destinations.
Touristy
Full of tourists and commercial attractions; often seen as less authentic.
We stayed in a touristy area, full of hotels, restaurants and attractions.
Picturesque
Beautiful like a scene from a picture or postcard.
The picturesque scenery near our cabin is something I will never forget.
Breathtaking
So beautiful it takes your breath away.
When I reached the top, I was greeted by breathtaking views of the entire valley below.
Overrated
Said to be better than it actually is; often used for restaurants or attractions.
That bar is definitely overrated; it was expensive and disappointing.
Vibrant / Lively
Full of life, energy, and activity—often describing cities or neighborhoods.
It’s such a vibrant town, with many things to see and do. We stayed in a lively part of town with an awesome nightlife scene.
Exotic
Exciting or unusual because it comes from or is characteristic of a distant or different place.
There were plenty of exotic spices wafting for sale at the food market.