Speaking Part 2 · PlacesIn the May–Aug 2026 forecast
Describe a Place You Would Recommend to Tourists
In short
“Describe a Place You Would Recommend to Tourists” is a common IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card. You get 1 minute to prepare and should speak for 1–2 minutes, covering all four points below. This page gives you a Band 9 model answer, an idea map so you can make it your own, the Part 3 follow-up questions with answers, and the vocabulary examiners reward.
The task card
Describe a Place You Would Recommend to Tourists. You should say:
- •What this place is
- •Where it is
- •What tourists can see or do there
- •And explain why you would recommend it
Band 9 model answer
The place I'd most enthusiastically recommend to tourists is the old town in the region where I grew up. Whenever friends from abroad come to visit, it's the very first place I take them, and it hasn't disappointed anyone yet. It's the kind of spot that photographs beautifully but is honestly even better in person.
It sits on a hill overlooking a river, and it's absolutely steeped in history — some of the buildings go back several hundred years. The heart of it is a maze of narrow cobbled streets that wind their way up towards an old castle right at the very top. Along the way there are little squares with cafes spilling out onto the pavement, small craft shops, and a market that's been held on the same site for centuries.
There's genuinely plenty for a visitor to do. You can spend a morning wandering around the castle and taking in the views over the valley, which are absolutely breathtaking, then have a leisurely lunch in one of the family-run restaurants. In the afternoon there are a couple of small museums that tell the story of the area, and if you time it right, the weekend market is a real highlight — stalls piled high with local cheeses, honey and handmade crafts that make wonderful souvenirs. In the evening the whole place takes on a lovely atmosphere as the streetlamps flicker on and everyone heads out for a stroll. The best part is that it's still fairly off the beaten track, so it never feels overrun with crowds.
The main reason I recommend it so strongly, though, is that it gives you a real, authentic feel for the place rather than a sanitised, touristy version of it. The thing is, so many popular destinations these days have turned into tourist traps — overpriced, packed and honestly a bit soulless. This town has somehow managed to avoid all of that. I took a friend from Canada there last spring, and I'll never forget her reaction: she just stopped dead in the middle of the square and said it felt like she'd walked straight onto a film set. We ended up chatting to a local baker who insisted on giving us something to try, completely free of charge, and moments like that are exactly what stay with you. You come away feeling like you've actually connected with the place and its people, not just ticked a box.
So if anyone asked me for a recommendation, I wouldn't hesitate for a second. It's got history, charm and warmth in equal measure, and it's well worth going out of your way for. Honestly, I get almost as much pleasure from showing it off as my visitors do from discovering it for the first time.
Make it your own: three angles
A historic city or old town
Offers ready-made talking points — architecture, food, atmosphere — and lets you use rich descriptive language.
A natural landscape such as mountains or coast
Ideal for 'breathtaking' vocabulary and a strong emotional reason, though you must describe activities not just scenery.
A lesser-known local gem
Sets you apart by letting you argue for authenticity over crowds — a mature, well-developed 'why'.
What the examiner is listening for
The examiner is listening for a persuasive, well-argued 'why', so treat this like a recommendation, not just a description. Devote your final and longest section to what makes the place special, and back it up with a concrete memory of a visitor's reaction. Contrasting your choice with generic tourist traps shows the sophistication of thought that separates Band 8 from Band 9.
Part 1 warm-up questions
- Do many tourists visit your country?
- Do you enjoy showing visitors around your area?
- What do tourists usually like to do in your city?
- Do you prefer visiting popular attractions or lesser-known places?
Part 3 follow-up questions & answers
Why do people enjoy travelling to other countries?
I think the biggest draw is the chance to experience something completely different from your everyday life — new food, new languages, a totally different way of doing things. It broadens your horizons in a way that nothing else quite does. For a lot of people it's also simply a break from routine, a chance to relax somewhere that isn't home.
What are the main benefits of tourism for a country?
Economically, it's huge — it creates jobs, brings in foreign money and supports countless small businesses like hotels and restaurants. Beyond that, though, there's a cultural benefit too: it encourages understanding between people from different backgrounds. When my own town gets visitors, you can feel it come alive, so I'd say the benefits are both financial and social.
What are the downsides of mass tourism?
The main problem is that popular places can simply be loved to death. Overcrowding damages historic sites and natural areas, pushes up prices for locals, and can strip a place of the very character that made it appealing in the first place. Some cities are now so overwhelmed that residents are actively protesting, which tells you it's become a serious issue.
Should famous tourist sites limit the number of visitors?
In many cases, yes, I think they have to. Fragile sites like ancient ruins or delicate ecosystems simply can't cope with unlimited footfall, and timed-entry tickets are a sensible way to protect them. It's a shame to turn people away, but preserving a place for future generations has to come first.
How has social media changed the way people choose destinations?
It's changed things dramatically. People now often pick places purely because they've seen a striking photo online, which has turned some fairly ordinary spots into overnight sensations. The downside is that it funnels huge crowds to the same handful of 'Instagrammable' locations, while genuinely wonderful places nearby stay completely empty.
Is it better to travel independently or with an organised tour group?
It really depends on the person and the destination. A tour group takes all the stress out of the planning and is reassuring if you don't speak the language, but it can feel rushed and a bit impersonal. I personally prefer travelling independently, because you have the freedom to wander off and stumble across things you'd never find on a fixed itinerary.
Do you think the way people travel will change in the future?
I suspect it will, largely because of environmental concerns. As people become more conscious of their carbon footprint, I think we'll see a shift towards slower, more local travel rather than jetting off constantly. Technology might play a part too — virtual tours could let people experience faraway places without actually flying there, though I doubt that will ever fully replace the real thing.
Useful vocabulary
| Word / phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| off the beaten track | away from the popular, crowded places that most tourists visit |
| a must-see | something so good or important that it should not be missed |
| steeped in history | having a long and rich historical background |
| cobbled streets | streets paved with small rounded stones, typical of old towns |
| a hidden gem | an excellent place that relatively few people know about |
| to soak up the atmosphere | to relax and fully enjoy the mood and character of a place |
| a tourist trap | a place that exploits visitors, often overcrowded and overpriced |
| breathtaking | extremely impressive or beautiful, especially of scenery |
| well worth a visit | definitely deserving of the time and effort to go there |
| to cater to tourists | to provide the services and facilities that visitors need |
More cue cards
Describe a City You Would Like to Live In
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