It’s called grocery store tourism, and it gives a familiar activity a different purpose: getting to know a destination through its food.

The trend also raises a question about where you stay. If you find something you’d like to cook, refrigerate, or share over breakfast, having a kitchen makes a difference. That’s one reason to consider a timeshare rental for your next trip.

What Is Grocery Store Tourism?

Grocery store tourism means visiting supermarkets, neighborhood food shops, and local markets as part of exploring a destination. You might compare the snack aisle with the one back home, try a regional drink, or pick up ingredients for dinner.

The appeal is easy to understand. Grocery stores offer a glimpse of everyday life, and you can explore at your own pace without booking a tour.

There’s evidence that travelers enjoy it. In Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report, 77% of travelers surveyed said they enjoy exploring local grocery stores, while 48% said they cook their own meals while away.

Those findings connect two parts of a trip that often get planned separately: discovering local food and choosing accommodation.

Why a Full Kitchen Makes a Difference

Some grocery store finds are ready to enjoy straight from the bag. Others need a little more room than a bedside table and a mini-fridge.

A full kitchen gives you somewhere to wash fruit, chill drinks, prepare ingredients, and put together a meal. You can buy something because you’re curious about it, knowing you have a way to use it.

That might mean eggs and fresh bread before heading to the beach, a quick lunch between activities, or dinner made with ingredients you picked up that afternoon.

You can also keep things simple. Having a kitchen leaves you free to decide how much cooking belongs in your vacation. Some days, making coffee and slicing fruit may be enough.

Where Timeshare Rentals Fit In

Many timeshare rentals offer condominium-style accommodation with full kitchens, living areas, and separate bedrooms. They can provide the space to prepare and share a meal alongside the facilities of a resort. Explore how timeshare rentals work.

Depending on the property, those facilities might include pools, restaurants, fitness centers, or activities. You can spend the afternoon at the resort and decide later whether to eat out or make something in your kitchen.

You don’t need to own a timeshare to rent one through Koala. Travelers can book available stays from owners at a fraction of the resort’s price.

Kitchen facilities vary by resort and unit, though. While larger villas typically have full kitchens, some studios may have kitchenettes. Check the exact accommodation before booking, especially if cooking is part of your plan.

More Choice Around Meals—and Your Budget

A kitchen gives you more control over when, where, and how you eat.

For families, that might mean breakfast before everyone is ready to leave. For friends traveling together, it could mean keeping snacks and drinks on hand or sharing an easy dinner.

Preparing some meals may also help manage food spending, depending on grocery prices, what you buy, and how much you use. Breakfast in your villa could leave more room in the budget for a restaurant you’re excited to try.

Start with a small shop. Buy enough for a couple of meals, then see what fits your plans. An overfilled refrigerator on checkout morning helps nobody.

How to Plan a Stay Around Local Food

When comparing vacation rentals with full kitchens, look beyond the word “kitchen” in the listing.

Check for a refrigerator, cooking appliances, cookware, and enough dining space for your group. If you’re planning a particular meal, confirm that the equipment you need is available.

Then look at the surrounding area. A nearby supermarket makes everyday shopping convenient, while a local market or specialty food shop could become part of a day out. Consider whether you’ll walk, drive, or need transportation.

Leave room for discovery, too. You don’t need a meal plan for every day. A few breakfast staples and one ingredient you’ve never tried can be a good place to start.

Find a Stay With Room for Your Discoveries

Grocery store tourism adds another way to experience a destination. A kitchen lets you bring some of that experience back to where you’re staying.

For travelers who want that flexibility alongside resort amenities, timeshare rentals are worth exploring.

Browse stays on Koala and check the kitchen details for your chosen unit. Your next grocery stop could become part of the trip.