Written by Ambre Montespan - Updated on Mar 11, 2026
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If you’re a musician, traveling can be a perfect way to sharpen your craft. The guitar, for example, is a universal instrument, but its style, sound, and technique can vary widely from one culture to the next. On the road, you can discover more about the instrument itself and the musical movements that shaped it.
In this article, we’ll share a few places to visit to broaden your guitar knowledge, from Spain to Hawaii. Happy travels!
1 - Flamenco in Spain
Although flamenco music traces its roots back to the 15th century, the flamenco guitar really began to take its place in Latin music around 1850. Here’s an example with soft, gently rocking tones, performed by Seville-born guitarist Rafael Riqueni:
He was a child prodigy, earning national recognition for his talent as early as age 14.
Signature trait: made from lighter wood than a classical guitar, the flamenco guitar (or flamenca) highlights percussive effects and is typically played with the instrument held closer to the body.
2 - The saz in Turkey
The saz originated in Asia before spreading from country to country, eventually reaching Turkey, where it’s also known as bağlama. If you’re thinking about buying a saz, you can stop by the Yilmaz Saz Evi shop in Istanbul, which offers quality instruments at reasonable prices. And don’t forget to grab an eSIM in Turkey to help you get around once you’re there!
Signature trait: descended from the lute, this beautiful instrument is known for its long neck and movable frets, which help create a clear, expressive sound.
3 - The ukulele in Hawaii
Although the ukulele was created in Portugal in the late 19th century, it became popular across Polynesia, especially in Hawaii. Its name comes from Hawaiian, with “uke” meaning to strum and “lele” meaning to strike, a nod to the player’s technique. We recommend visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center on the island of Oahu, which has a wonderful ukulele shop where the staff can demonstrate the different melodies you can play.
Signature trait: the ukulele stands out, of course, for its small size. It also uses nylon strings, which feel especially beginner-friendly. “Over the Rainbow” is undoubtedly the most recognizable song associated with this instrument. Give it a listen below:
4 - The sitar in India
Originally from northern India, the sitar is also part of the lute family. Big cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata are great destinations for catching live music performances. If you want to go deeper into the world of the sitar, you can also visit the Indian Music Experience Museum in Bangalore. There, you’ll find instrument galleries, an exhibit on famous musicians such as Ravi Shankar, and a historical journey through traditional songs. It’s a guitarist’s paradise!
Signature trait: the sitar’s large resonator and hollow neck create its distinctive tone—bright, complex, and almost buzzing.
Conclusion
From the Polynesian islands to India’s vibrant cities, there’s no shortage of inspiration. Tracing the roots of the guitar around the globe is a fantastic way to enrich your travels and add a musical dimension to your itinerary. Just remember to leave a little extra space in your suitcase—you might come home with an instrument as a souvenir!
And it’s not just the guitar that can be fun to explore. Why not consider the piano? It’s certainly a much more expensive instrument, but you can still find used models that are very budget-friendly.
