Pilgrimage vs. Tourism: Finding Meaning in New Places
Even a brief visit can become a pilgrimage if you approach it with mindfulness.
There’s a subtle but profound difference between going somewhere and being moved by a place. The line that separates a tourist from a pilgrim isn’t found on a map - it’s drawn in the intention they bring.
This isn’t about religion or tradition, but about the way we choose to engage with the world and ourselves through a change of environment.
Take Dubrovnik, Croatia, for example. We touched down mid-Nov 2024 as the real, boots on the ground, next steps to finding our soon to be home - a yacht.
This is a city of breathtaking beauty, its medieval walls and red-tiled roofs have endured centuries of history. But in the last decade, Dubrovnik has become a pop culture icon - King’s Landing from Game of Thrones.
We heard from locals that during the busy season, the streets are crowded with fans retracing the steps of fictional characters, selfies taken where Cersei Lannister once walked.
That sacred place is now often stripped of depth, reduced to quick snapshots and fleeting impressions.
Tourism: Consuming a Place
Tourism, at its core, is about consumption. It’s the act of visiting a place to experience its sights, flavors, and culture, often without asking much of ourselves. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this. There’s absolutely joy in exploring new places for the sake of beauty, fun, and a margarita on the beach. But tourism tends to stay on the surface.
The tourist in Dubrovnik, for example, marvels at the grandeur of the city’s walls, grabs a souvenir, and moves on to the next destination. It’s a checklist approach, one that says, I’ve been here without lingering to ask, What does this place mean to me?
Tourism often lacks reverence. It’s not necessarily about depth; it’s about capturing moments, not being transformed by them.
Pilgrimage: Being Changed by a Place
A pilgrimage, on the other hand, is defined by intention. It’s the act of approaching a place, or even an experience, with the desire to be shaped by it. A pilgrim doesn’t ask, What can I see here? They ask, What can this open up in me? And how can I open up to it?
Imagine Dubrovnik through the eyes of a pilgrim. Instead of rushing to capture the perfect photo of the Jesuit Stairs (Cersei’s Walk of Atonement), they might pause and consider the meaning of atonement. What burdens are they carrying? What would it mean to lay them down? The medieval walls, which for centuries protected the city from invaders, might prompt questions about their own boundaries and resilience. The Adriatic breeze, salty and unrelenting, might feel like a reminder of nature’s power - and their own place within it.
While many pilgrims seek to find an answer, it’s at its core about being open to reflection so that the insights can flood in. It’s about noticing what arises in the stillness between moments.
Sacred Intention Changes Everything
The difference between a tourist and a pilgrim lies not in where you go, but in how you show up. A tourist may leave with a great story and a few photos, but a pilgrim leaves with something harder to define - an internal shift, a new perspective, a piece of the place carried in their heart.
The beauty of intention is that it’s a choice. You don’t have to be on a religious journey to bring sacredness to your travel. Even a brief visit can become a pilgrimage if you approach it with mindfulness.
How to Travel Like a Pilgrim
You don’t have to wander barefoot or chant hymns to travel with intention. Here are ways to infuse a sense of pilgrimage into your next journey:
- Pause Before You Enter
Treat your arrival as a threshold. Take a deep breath. Ask yourself: What am I here to experience? Curiosity? Healing? Connection? Define your intention before stepping into the place. - Seek Stories Beyond the Obvious
Engage with the history, culture, and people. For instance, Dubrovnik isn’t just a Game of Thrones set. Dubrovnik is a city of resilience, having survived wars, earthquakes, and a siege in the 1990s. Knowing its past deepens your understanding of its present. - Find Quiet Moments
Pilgrimages thrive in solitude. Visit at sunrise, wander the streets before they’re filled with tourists, or sit in a quiet corner and let the space speak to you. - Ask the Place a Question
Whether it’s an ancient wall, a local café, a windswept beach, or a stray cat, let the place become a mirror. What does it reflect back about your life, your choices, your questions? - Carry Something Back with You
Not a souvenir, but a shift—a lesson, a perspective, a small piece of yourself that feels newly uncovered. Pilgrimage isn’t about the place itself; it’s about what you bring home. Find a free token somewhere on your travels.
Finding Pilgrimage in Everyday Life
Not every journey needs to be to Dubrovnik or a faraway destination. Pilgrimage can happen close to home, in the way you walk through a forest, walk quietly through busy city streets, or even approach your morning coffee ritual. It’s not about the distance traveled but the intention behind it.
In the end, the pilgrim’s path is less about arrival and more about transformation. Whether it’s a medieval city on the Adriatic or the corner of your own neighborhood, the sacred is always available to those who seek it. It’s the act of showing up with reverence, curiosity, and an open heart.
Because whether you’re walking ancient walls or sitting on your balcony at sunrise, the true journey is always inward.
