36 Underrated And Totally Incredible Destinations Around The World, According To Travel Lovers
There are certain destinations like London, Paris, and Tokyo that draw in huge flocks of tourists...and for good reason. But there are also plenty of under-the-radar destinations that are full of culture, adventure, amazing food, and life-changing experiences.
So redditor u/NuclearWinterGames asked "what is an underrated travel destination that you would highly recommend?" The responses were plentiful and intriguing. Here are some to consider for your next getaway.
1.Northern Greece
"Everyone travels to the Greek islands and doesn't really spend time on the mainland, but regions in Northern Greece like Halkidiki are very nice too! And the mainland has a fairly overlooked repertoire of wildlife preserves." —u/Pontios93
"I'm an ancient historian and have spent plenty of time in Greece. The north is overlooked and has some real treasures. It also feels worlds away from the islands. I particularly love Meteora: pictures can't capture how beautiful it is." —u/Deirdre_Rose
2.The south of Chile, from Valdivia to Punta Arenas
"IMHO, Chile is probably the most underrated travel destination on the planet. It feels like an enchanted forest from a fantasy novel." —u/Plantayne
"Chiloé Island in Chile." —u/JzOzuna
3.Nicaragua
"It's incredibly beautiful and very inexpensive. It's often compared to Costa Rica.'" —u/sHockz
4.North Wales, UK
"It has the Snowdon Mountains and so many small steam railways." —u/FarPension2
"Plus excellent cheese and great hikes." —u/matty77
5.Taipei, Taiwan
"It's my favorite city in Asia: a great mix of traditional Chinese culture with Japanese and US influences. There's fantastic food (especially great street food at the night markets). It's modern enough to be convenient, but not expensive. It's big enough to have lots to do, but small enough to be manageable and not overwhelming. And the people are friendly, open, and helpful." —u/gotthelowdown
6.Tallinn, Estonia
"Any of the Baltic states really, but Estonia is an absolutely delightful place. It's super affordable, easy to navigate, the capital city Tallinn is so beautiful and clean, the coast is lovely, the people are friendly, and the food is delicious. I absolutely loved our trip there and it would be a great base camp if you want to check out the nearby countries of Finland, Norway, and Denmark." —u/missluluh
7.The Southern Uplands, Scotland
"Most tourists bypass the south of Scotland and head right to the Highlands, so the Southern Uplands tend to be quieter and less touristy." —u/Steamboat_Willey
8.Maastricht, Netherlands
"Maastricht is a train ride from Amsterdam. I visited on a whim, and it ended up being my favorite part of my trip."— u/no_booms
"Amsterdam is fabulous, but so expensive and crowded. Smaller towns like Haarlem, Alkmaar, Amersfoort, Leiden are equally as beautiful." —u/quintinaturnip
9.Great Basin National Park, Nevada
"It’s known for stargazing and is the least visited state park." —u/_manicpixie
10.Bulgaria
"A lot of people don't realize it's right above Greece, so the climate and food are somewhat similar. It's cheap to stay, eat, and drink, plus it's very safe." —u/coreytrevor
11.Lima, Peru
"I hear so many people say skip Lima or only spend a day there. The historic downtown is gorgeous and it’s on the coast with plenty of beaches. Plus, the food and people are awesome. I spent 4 days there and still wish I had more time." — u/Ninjadwarf00
12.Olympic National Park, Washington
"It's definitely one of the more underrated spots in the US. It's a rainforest in the Pacific northwest and has great hiking, lodges, lakes, etc. ... It's a one-of-a-kind environment in the States." —u/MaizeNBlueWaffle
13.Brazil, beyond Rio de Janeiro
"If you come to Brazil, visit Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Jalapão, Bonito, Chapada dos Veadeiros, or Alter do Chão. All are much less known than Rio and amazing." —u/Intelligent-Newt1925
14.The Azores, Portugal
"They are Portuguese islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. I spent three weeks there island hopping and the city of Furnas on São Miguel was magical." —u/godless-life
15.Lombok, Indonesia
"I enjoyed the time I spent in Bali, but I really loved Lombok, which is only one island over. It felt more affordable and more authentic." u/assynclassy
16.Sicily, Italy
"You get great food, sun, great beaches, beautiful mountains and forests, culture, and history in the form of ancient Greek temples and cities. Unlike many parts of Italy, it's not full of tourists." —u/EnvironmentalAd2655
"Sicily is gorgeous and the food is out of this world. You get to experience a culture that has been inspired by the Italians, Greeks, Normans, Romans, Ottomans, and Spanish. There are beaches, skiing, and Mt. Etna is one of the best wine regions in Europe." —u/RNae75
17.Slovenia
"Everyone goes to Croatia, but I loved Slovenia. Triglav is super beautiful. I never made it to Ljubljana, but I can't wait to go back." —u/d_-_-__p
"I went on the recommendation of an old flatmate who was blown away. Absolutely stunning scenery and an excellent holiday destination if you like the outdoors." —u/beckylou67
18.Bratislava
"A lot of people traveling through this part of Europe tend to skip it and go straight to Vienna, Prague, and/or Budapest, but I recommend stopping in Bratislava for a day or two. It's really cheap, the old town is cozy, the food is excellent, and the view from Hrad is amazing." —u/edwinodesseiron
19.Canada, beyond the major cities
"Canada is a very travel-friendly place, but it isn't such a common destination. We have sprawling coniferous forests, prairies, Red Creek Fir forests, tundra, and more. Don't spend all your time in Toronto or Ottawa and explore the more undiscovered parts." —u/Prudent-Pop1856
"The Banff area is out of this world. St. John’s — one of the oldest cities in Canada — is culturally beautiful. If you like urban travel, Canada's cities are very cool." —u/Justin-The-Asian
20.Brussels
"It was an afterthought when I was planning a trip to Europe, but it was my favorite place on a vacation that also included Reykjavik, Dublin, Athens, Rome, and Helsinki." —u/Rance_Mulliniks
21.Castile and León, Spain
"This country is way more than sun and beaches. Inland (like in Salamanca), you'll find history, castles, good food, nice people, and affordable travel." —u/ruloreddit
22.Osaka, Japan
"People tend to only visit Tokyo and Kyoto, but Osaka shouldn't be overlooked. It's a big city like Tokyo, but with a much longer history. It's located smack dab in the middle of the Kansai region, the historical cultural center of Japan. It's known to be more fun and laid back, and I think there's some truth to that. It's also the culinary capital of Japan, a must-visit for all foodies." —u/CaptainNomihodai
23.Poland
"I was so pleasantly surprised by how beautiful this country is. I road-tripped and every city was very beautiful and had a unique history. Poland has something for everyone, whether you're looking for culture or to party. The mountains are also beautiful with great hiking. Prices are very affordable, especially if you come from a Western country." —u/towapi
24.Sakhalin Island, Russia
"I almost don't want to tell people because I don't want it to be spoiled by tourists." —u/RasaBeseline
25.Van, Turkey
"It's a really remote place with lake and mountain views. It's a must-visit for tranquility seekers." —u/lt__
26.The Black Hills and Badlands, South Dakota
"It's almost like something out of a fantasy novel. Especially Sylvan Lake." —u/MaxemSI
27.Quissico, Mozambique
"The country is extremely beautiful, especially Quissico, the capital of the Zavala District." —u/pristine_coconut
28.Adelaide, Australia
"Think: stunning wineries, a beautiful coast, and a vibrant food scene. The city itself is absolutely stunning and the locals are so friendly. There's just as much to do in Adelaide as there is in Melbourne or Sydney." —u/Gretchenmeows
29.Dorset, UK
"I’m from the Jurassic Coast and we have plenty of places to camp or glamp, plus lots of seaside hotels surrounded by miles of beach. There's an abandoned ghost village, an old castle, and New Forest in the county of Hampshire." —u/Angrypenguinwaddle96
30.Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
"Beat the tourists and go to Lassen instead of Yosemite. It's beautiful, uncrowded, and absolutely incredible. The ecosystem and landscape are totally unique." —u/Cody_97K
31.Viana Do Castello, Portugal
"It's about an hour north of Porto, and it was one of my favorite places in the country." —u/squiidlees
32.Emilia-Romagna, Italy
"Bologna is fairly well known, but the smaller cities are incredible. Check out Parma, Modena, Reggio Emilia, Rimini, Ravenna, Ferrara, and Piacenza. Each is truly unique and not over-crowded. Plus, they boast some of the best food cultures in the world." —u/centaurquestions
33.San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico
"It is located in Southern Mexico, but nowhere near the ocean. It's a mountain town with cute shops, great food, and history. From there, you can visit ruins and beautiful waterfalls. It's also far cheaper than touristy places like Cancun." —u/psychologicalfuntime
34.Northern Bali
"Most people visit the south for the beach, but the north side of the island is breathtaking. There are many ancient temples, few tourists, crafts markets, and great, cheap food." —u/WhereIsMyFox
35.Montreal, Canada
"If you want a French experience but not the price tag, go here. From the northeastern US, a trip to Montreal is a cheap and quick way to scratch an international travel itch." —u/greeperfi
36.Albania
"The northern part is filled with beautiful landscapes and mountain ranges, and the south has beaches with crystal blue water. You can find incredibly nice resorts and hotels to stay at for very affordable prices. The people are extremely welcoming and the hospitality is great." —u/Handsomeclooney
