The 1970s left an indelible mark on our cultural landscape with its distinctive design aesthetic, carefree attitude, and revolutionary spirit. While we can’t literally time travel back to the era of disco, mustaches, and wood paneling, certain places around the world have preserved or recreated that unique ’70s atmosphere.
These locations offer more than just nostalgia—they provide an immersive experience into a defining decade that shaped modern culture. Here is a list of 20 fantastic destinations where you can groove to the rhythm of the 1970s, from preserved architectural wonders to lovingly curated retro experiences.
Palm Springs, California
This desert oasis remains the spiritual home of ’70s modernism with its preserved mid-century architecture and retro hotel scene. The angular rooflines, sunken living rooms, and geometric patterns have been meticulously maintained rather than renovated away.
Boutique hotels like The Parker and Ace Hotel channel that quintessential ’70s Palm Springs vibe with macramé hangings, rattan furniture, and kidney-shaped pools where you half-expect to spot Sonny and Cher lounging poolside.
Napier-Hastings, New Zealand
This unassuming wine region houses an unexpected concentration of pristine 1970s architecture that has remained remarkably untouched. Local preservation rules have kept many commercial buildings in their original burnt orange, harvest gold, and avocado green color schemes—hallmarks of the decade.
The annual Art Deco festival has expanded to include ’70s weekend events where locals dress in period clothing and drive beautifully maintained Ford Cortinas and Holden Kingswoods through the streets.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Austin Motel, Austin
This reimagined motor lodge captures the free-spirited road trip culture of the 1970s with thoughtful, modern touches. The kidney-shaped pool, surrounded by vintage loungers, hosts evening film screenings featuring classic ’70s cinema projected against white walls.
Guest rooms feature record players with curated vinyl collections heavy on Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, and local Austin artists from the era.
Kamari Cinema, Santorini
This open-air movie theater on the Greek island of Santorini has operated continuously since the early 1970s with much of its original character intact. The terraced seating, projection equipment, and concession stand remain largely unchanged, creating a time capsule of ’70s leisure culture.
Evening screenings under the Mediterranean stars recapture that special communal movie experience before multiplexes and streaming services changed how we consume films.
Sächsische Schweiz National Park, Germany
The viewing platforms and visitor facilities in this stunning national park near Dresden were built primarily in the 1970s and have been preserved in their original state. Geometric concrete platforms, with their distinctive ’70s brutalist aesthetics, frame the natural sandstone formations in a uniquely retro way.
The park headquarters building remains a textbook example of East German modernism, with wood-paneled walls and orange modular furniture that could have come straight from a Sears catalog of the era.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Mumbai’s Irani Cafés
These atmospheric eateries have preserved their distinctive 1970s character with bentwood chairs, Formica tables, and patterned tile floors that transport visitors back decades. Café Mondegar and Leopold Cafe maintain not just their vintage interiors but also their original menus, serving comfort food that hasn’t changed since the disco era.
The ceiling fans, mirrored walls, and glass display cabinets filled with baked goods create an authentic time capsule of ’70s Mumbai dining culture.
Hotel Okura, Tokyo
This landmark of Japanese modernism preserves distinctive ’70s design elements throughout its public spaces and restaurants. The hexagonal lighting fixtures, geometric carpeting, and sunken conversation pits in the lobby lounge set the tone for a complete retro experience.
The Orchid Bar has remained virtually unchanged since opening, with smoked glass, vertical wood paneling, and low modular seating that perfectly captures high-end ’70s hospitality design.
Barbican Centre, London
One of the most complete and well-preserved examples of 1970s architectural vision anywhere in the world, this colossal brutalist complex offers itself for interpretation and appreciation. From the textured surface of concrete walls to the elevated walkway and built-in gardens, the retro-futuristic ambiance makes one feel a stasis in time.
The residential apartments within the complex feature original ’70s details like built-in furniture, sliding room dividers, and space-age kitchen units—now cult favorites among design enthusiasts.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
Housed in a historic building, this unusual museum maintains its exhibition design from a major 1970s renovation with glass display cases, wood paneling, and distinctive typography on information cards. The medicinal herb garden features planters and landscaping that perfectly capture the earthy, natural aesthetic that defined the decade’s approach to botanical display.
The gift shop sells replica packaging of ’70s health products, complete with that distinctive graphic design that characterized the era.
Habitat 67, Montreal
This experimental housing complex, designed by architect Moshe Safdie for the 1967 World Expo, continues to function as originally intended, maintaining its distinctive modular concrete design. Many apartments feature preserved ’70s interiors with original kitchen units, sunken living rooms, and built-in furniture systems that embodied the decade’s forward-thinking domestic design.
The complex offers limited tours that showcase apartments maintaining their original ’70s décor, complete with shag carpeting and conversation pits.
The Standard Hotel, Los Angeles
The rooftop bar of this downtown hotel deliberately channels 1970s Los Angeles with its waterbed pods, vibrant color scheme, and spectacular city views. The retro-futuristic furniture, hanging egg chairs, and geometric pool tiles create a setting worthy of a ’70s film set.
Weekend pool parties feature DJs spinning vinyl from the era, while staff uniforms subtly reference the decade with wide collars and earth-toned color palettes.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Chamonix’s La Flégère Cable Car
This French Alpine ski area maintains several gondolas and mountain stations built during the 1970s ski boom, preserving their distinctive orange plastic seating and geometric patterned exterior. The mountain restaurant at the top station features a sunken fireplace surrounded by built-in seating, embodying classic ’70s ski lodge design.
The wood-paneled walls, exposed beams, and panoramic windows create that quintessential après-ski atmosphere that reached its pinnacle during the disco decade.
ABBA The Museum, Stockholm
This interactive museum goes beyond simply displaying memorabilia to recreate entire environments from the 1970s when the legendary Swedish group dominated global pop culture. The recording studio recreation features original equipment, wood paneling, and acoustic treatments typical of ’70s music production facilities.
Visitors can try on virtual replicas of the group’s famously flamboyant stage costumes that defined ’70s performance fashion with their platforms, jumpsuits, and glittering embellishments.
The Georgian Hotel, California
This boutique hotel has embraced its 1970s architectural roots rather than hiding them, highlighting terrazzo floors, geometric balconies, and its distinctive color palette. The faithfully restored lobby features rattan peacock chairs, hanging ferns, and a sunken bar with original glassware and cocktail menus from the period.
Guest rooms combine authentic vintage pieces with contemporary comforts, striking the perfect balance between nostalgia and functionality.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
The American Hotel, Amsterdam
This legendary hotel and bar maintains its authentic 1970s interior, complete with original wood paneling, red leather booths, and patterned wallpaper. The establishment played host to rock royalty throughout the decade—photos document visits from David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Led Zeppelin.
The jukebox still works and contains an impressive collection of original 45s from the era, allowing guests to select their own ’70s soundtrack while enjoying drinks in this perfectly preserved time capsule.
Museu do Design e da Moda, Lisbon
This Portuguese design museum houses an exceptional collection of 1970s furniture, fashion, and home goods displayed in period-correct room settings. The museum’s building—a converted bank from the era—features preserved elements like the original elevator with wood paneling and brushed aluminum details.
The museum café recreates a typical 1970s Portuguese coffee shop with Formica tables, vinyl seating, and period-appropriate tableware and lighting.
Hotel Il Pellicano, Italy
This legendary Tuscan seaside resort maintains much of its ’70s jet-set glamour that once attracted celebrities like Mick Jagger and Rudolf Nureyev. The poolside atmosphere, with its distinctive yellow towels and umbrella arranged on terraced platforms overlooking the Mediterranean, has remained virtually unchanged since its heyday.
The cocktail bar still serves the same menu of classic drinks that were popular during the decade, presented in original glassware that completes the authentic experience.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
El Caminito del Rey, Spain
This reconstructed walkway in southern Spain carefully preserves the aesthetic of the original 1970s mountain path while adding modern safety features. The distinctive orange structural elements and minimalist design philosophy reflect the engineering approach of the decade when it was first constructed.
The visitor center features exhibitions with original photographs, equipment, and materials from the initial 1970s construction, offering insights into the technical achievements and design thinking of the era.
SO36 Club, Berlin
This basement venue in Kreuzberg has maintained its original 1970s German disco interior, complete with mirror spheres, colored spotlights, and a vintage sound system. The sunken dance floor surrounded by tiered seating represents a classic ’70s nightclub design that emphasized watching others as much as dancing yourself.
Weekend events dedicated to different musical movements from the decade—from glam rock to early electronica—attract both nostalgic older crowds and younger patrons discovering the era for the first time.
Cine Thisio, Athens
This open-air cinema in the heart of Athens has preserved its 1970s character with remarkable authenticity since its renovation during that era. The entrance features original poster cases with their distinctive aluminum frames and hand-painted signage that has weathered gracefully over the decades.
The projection booth still houses vintage equipment alongside modern digital technology. At the same time, the concession stand maintains its 1970s-area menu board, offering traditional Greek snacks against the breathtaking backdrop of the illuminated Acropolis.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Rediscover the Decade
These remarkable locations demonstrate how the 1970s aesthetic continues to resonate with both those who lived through the era and younger generations discovering its distinctive charms for the first time. Beyond just visual appeal, these places capture the decade’s unique cultural attitude—that special blend of optimism, experimentation, and relaxed social codes that defined the time.
Whether you’re seeking architectural appreciation, Instagram-worthy backdrops, or simply a nostalgic journey, these groovy destinations offer a chance to experience the decade that taste supposedly forgot but that style keeps rediscovering.
More from Travel Pug
- Cities Growing so Fast You Won’t Recognize Them in 10 Years
- 13 Destinations Where Tourists Regularly Regret Their Trip
- 20 Obscure WWII Sites Even History Buffs Don’t Know About
- 10 Under-the-Radar Mountain Towns That Are Both Affordable and Beautiful
- Remote Villages in Europe Where You Can Live for Free in Exchange for Work
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.