Truly local tips in 80+ cities
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Gillian Morris

Spotted by Locals 2.0 - Truly local tips in 70+ cities

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Jupe
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Spotted by Locals 2.0 is an app full of city guides curated by handpicked locals in 70+ cities who write about their favorite spots. Version 2.0 is a completely rebuilt app for iOS & Android.

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Nikos Palavitsinis

It could be nice to have the option of selecting some spots on the map and then creating a printable PDF that you can print and have with you with all the spots and information so that you don't have to have your phone in your hand as you walk around, visiting the spots.

Pros:

Most, if not all, of the spots I visited in Prague, Budapest and Lisbon, were really really one-of-a-kind spots.

Cons:

Nothing major. Works just fine and I was able to use it without internet as well.

Sanne van Poll
Maker
Thanks a lot Nikos for your kind review and nice idea... We used to publish PDF city guides actually! But since 2016 we're trying to do everything 100% digital - we don't have a printer and want fewer people to use paper. That was one of the reasons we shut it down...
Erinc Arik

I found SpottedbyLocals in their early stages several years ago. I met with their founders and became a witness of their expansion and improvements. Wherever I travel, I make sure I download that city if it is available.

I almost stopped visiting places, which are not listed on SpottedbyLocals.

The latest version of the app has great improvements in design and stability. Their content is the king anyways.

Pros:

Completely changed the way I travel. Offline maps is a good plus.

Cons:

Although it is very rare, I have ended up at closed spots. After my feedback, they were removed quickly.

Bart van Poll
Maker
Thank you very much Erinc! So nice to have you following our journey - and vice versa - over the years! Let's meet again in Istanbul - about time we come back...
martins

If one is interested to see where the locals are hanging out and to check the cities more than tourist books are suggesting - then this is a must have app.

Pros:

up-to-date, unique tips to dicover cities from a not touristic perspective

Cons:

dont know of any

Abhishek Bhutra
@bartvanpoll This is awesome. Bought few city guides a year back to have a look and as a founder of travel start-up, I know how helpful and how awesome this is. Only thing is I have not been able to use it till now as it was limited to EU. I see you have expanded a lot. Kudos.
Bart van Poll
Maker
@abhutra Thanks so much for your kind words Abhishek! Yes, we've expanded to North America (13 cities now) - we haven't decided on the next continent yet... PS: Zostel looks great! I can't wait to go to India again... I will remember!
Abhishek Bhutra
@bartvanpoll Sure man. Ping me on twitter when you are in India or Nepal. Would love to host you. Also, if you have any plans to expand to India/ South-east Asia and need any help. let me know. Cheers
Bart van Poll
Maker
@abhutra Will do, thanks a lot!
Phoebe Ferris-Rotman
So hard to really get to know proper local places when trawling through the internet before visiting a city. You end up with the same list which has been usually published by some 'what's hot' list. The recommendations from locals on the app are much more personal. The app is so helpful in getting me to places I would never be able to without help from the Spotters!
Sanne van Poll
Maker
So it's midnight in Athens 🇬🇷 where we currently are. We have to stop refreshing this feed after 14 hours and get some sleep... Thanks for all your feedback - tomorrow morning we'll back to answer you questions 😴
istanbul gooner
@bartvanpoll how do you makse sure that spotters have a good taste and have no deals with the locations that they suggest?
Bart van Poll
Maker
@gooneristanbul Nice question! And thank you so nice for your kind words in your previous comment... Taste is a personal thing - but we let Spotters write a sample article and do a personal interview with them before they start. We can never be sure Spotters don't make deals with spots they suggest. But I think there's certainly less chance of this happening at Spotted by Locals than at other travel guide publishers or user generated travel content website. 1. Spotters sign a contract that does not allow them to get anything (not even a drink or so) for free in return for writing about a spot 2. By meeting all Spotters in person and making sure (or as sure as we can) people are not in it for "business", we think we minimize the chance of this happening. Everybody is welcome at Spotted by Locals, but there's one rule we have set up after some not so nice experiences meeting people. If we would not trust a person with our house keys, we will not hire them as a Spotter. Does this answer your question?
istanbul gooner
@bartvanpoll yes thank you and good luck
Radt Dujarric

This is a great alternative for travelers, because it includes real places locals like instead of the ones that pay more to the guide.

Pros:

Authentic valuable info provided by actual people living in the place

Cons:

You have to find a spotter with whom you have taste and interests affinity

Sanne van Poll
Maker
Thanks a lot @radt_dujarric for your thoughtful comment. It's a very good point you're making - as a user you do have to find Spotters that have the same interests as you do. We have some ideas to make this "matching" less painful in the future!
Jean-Jose Garcia

I found this app when planning a trip to Istanbul. Really worth the download cost!

I loved it so much that I downloaded the guide for my own city, discovering lots of cool spots.

I knew some more good spots, so I told Bart and Sanne. They suggested I could become a Spotter. I did a nice Skype "interview" with them and they picked me!

Bart and Sanne are great and met the majority of the spotters in person, as they travel when they have the opportunity, meeting everyone. I met them too!

The Spotter by Locals community is also great, helping each other when traveling. Every year spotters are invited to meet for a weekend, looking forward to go myself!

You won't regret getting the app, if you don't like it, which I doubt, you can always ask for your money back.

Happy Spotting!

Pros:

Map and Spots available without Internet. "Secret" tourist-free spots hand-picked by local people. No typical tourist spots. Great Value!

Cons:

Small con: Only one picture available per spot.

Michiel Alkemade

Think I already recommended it to about 30 friends when asking on social media where should I go.. says enough.

Pros:

Great overview in so many cities of the best tips. Love the authenticy!

Cons:

Sometimes miss a city, but they are expanding quickly.

Bart van Poll
Maker
Thanks a lot Michiel! Which city would you like to see next?
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