10 Hidden Gems Worth Visiting + 6 That’ll Take Your Breath Away
Ever dreamed of escaping the usual tourist traps? Our planet is filled with incredible places most travelers never discover. I’ve spent years hunting down spots that don’t make it onto postcards but deserve a place in your travel memories.
From mysterious caves to forgotten islands, these 16 destinations will make your friends wonder how you found them.
1. Jiuzhaigou Valley, China
Tucked away in China’s Sichuan province lies a fairytale landscape of turquoise lakes and multi-level waterfalls. The water here is so clear you can see straight to the bottom, even in the deepest pools.
Local Tibetan legends say these waters were created when a goddess dropped her mirror and it shattered into these colorful lakes. Though damaged by an earthquake in 2017, restoration efforts have brought back much of its magic.
Visit during autumn when the surrounding forests burst into fiery reds and oranges, creating a perfect contrast with the blue waters.
2. Socotra Island, Yemen
Imagine landing on an alien planet without leaving Earth. That’s Socotra Island for you! This UNESCO World Heritage site features bizarre dragon blood trees with umbrella-shaped tops that look straight out of a sci-fi movie.
Around 30% of the plant species here exist nowhere else on Earth. The island remained isolated for millions of years, allowing evolution to take some truly creative turns.
Despite political challenges in mainland Yemen, this island paradise remains relatively untouched and welcomes the few adventurous travelers who make the journey.
3. Salto del Tequendama, Colombia
Mist rises continuously from this magnificent 433-foot waterfall just 18 miles from Bogotá. Yet somehow, most international travelers have never heard of it. The massive cascade creates a perpetual rainbow when sunlight hits it just right.
Next to the falls stands an abandoned hotel with haunting architecture that looks straight out of a gothic novel. Built in 1923, this former luxury destination now sits empty, adding a mysterious element to the natural wonder.
Local conservation efforts are working to clean the Bogotá River that feeds the falls, gradually restoring this once-sacred site to its former glory.
4. Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain
Houses literally carved into rock overhangs make this Spanish town unlike any other place you’ve visited. Locals have built their homes directly under massive boulders, creating streets where natural rock forms the ceiling.
Dating back to the Roman era, this town evolved from cave dwellings into a thriving community. The unique architecture keeps homes naturally cool in summer and warm in winter.
Wander through narrow lanes like Calle Cuevas del Sol (Street of the Caves of Sun) where you can enjoy tapas in restaurants built right into the rock face. The town’s name comes from its history of storing wine in cool rock cellars.
5. Fanjingshan, China
Would you climb 8,888 steps to see twin temples perched atop a skinny rock spire? That’s what awaits at Fanjingshan, China’s newest UNESCO site. The stunning Red Clouds Golden Summit features Buddhist temples separated by a narrow gorge.
Mist frequently swirls around the 328-foot tall rock pinnacle, creating an ethereal scene straight from ancient Chinese paintings. Though recently gaining popularity among Chinese tourists, this sacred mountain remains largely unknown to Western travelers.
Beyond the famous peak, the surrounding nature reserve protects rare species like the Guizhou golden monkey, found nowhere else on Earth.
6. Kjeragbolten, Norway
Have you ever wanted to stand on a boulder suspended 3,228 feet above a fjord? That’s exactly what you can do at Kjeragbolten in Norway. This massive rock sits perfectly wedged in a mountain crevice, defying gravity for thousands of years.
The hike to reach this natural wonder takes about 6-8 hours round trip. Though challenging with three steep ascents, no technical climbing skills are needed to stand on the boulder itself.
While many visitors come for the Instagram-worthy photo opportunity, the surrounding Lysefjord views are equally spectacular. Just don’t visit if you’re afraid of heights!
7. Las Grutas de Tolantongo, Mexico
Imagine soaking in naturally heated blue pools built into a cliff face while overlooking a lush canyon. That’s the magic awaiting at Las Grutas de Tolantongo, just 3-4 hours from Mexico City yet somehow still under the international tourist radar.
The water gets its unique mineral content from the nearby caves, where hot springs emerge from the mountain. Beyond the famous infinity pools, you can explore underground rivers, swim in the warm canyon river, or relax under a natural hot waterfall.
Managed by a local cooperative, this paradise keeps prices affordable while maintaining the natural beauty of the area.
8. Svaneti Towers, Georgia
Medieval defense towers rise from misty mountains in Svaneti, Georgia’s remote highland region. These stone sentinels have guarded isolated villages for over 1,000 years, creating a landscape that feels plucked from Lord of the Rings.
Families built these towers as protection against invaders and blood feuds. Some towers reach nine stories high, with narrow windows perfect for archers. Many remain owned by the same families who built them centuries ago.
The region’s isolation preserved unique traditions and language dialects. Even today, some villages become completely cut off during winter months when heavy snow blocks mountain passes.
9. Huacachina Oasis, Peru
Finding a desert oasis feels like discovering treasure, especially one as picture-perfect as Huacachina. This tiny village of 100 permanent residents surrounds a natural lagoon amid massive sand dunes in southern Peru.
Legend says the oasis formed when a princess fled from a hunter, her tears creating the lagoon where she still lives as a mermaid. Today, adrenaline seekers ride dune buggies and sandboards down the surrounding 300-foot sand mountains.
After sunset adventures, relax at palm-fringed restaurants built right to the water’s edge. The contrast of lush greenery against golden dunes creates magical sunset views.
10. Bagan Temples, Myanmar
Over 3,500 ancient temples and pagodas rise from the misty plains of Bagan, creating one of history’s most remarkable spiritual landscapes. Though increasingly known to travelers, this archaeological wonder still receives a fraction of the visitors of similar sites like Angkor Wat.
Built between the 11th and 13th centuries when Bagan was capital of the Pagan Kingdom, these temples showcase incredible architectural diversity. Some feature massive stone spires while others house intricate frescoes and Buddha statues.
Rent an e-bike to explore freely, stopping at lesser-known temples where you might be the only visitor. The sunrise views with hot air balloons floating above the temples create unforgettable memories.
11. Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand
Floating silently through dark caves while thousands of living lights twinkle overhead feels like drifting through a galaxy. The Waitomo Glowworm Caves create this magical experience with tiny insects that illuminate the darkness with their bioluminescent bodies.
These aren’t actually worms but larvae of the fungus gnat. They create light to attract prey into sticky threads they hang from the ceiling – beautiful but deadly if you’re an insect!
For the ultimate experience, try black water rafting through the caves. You’ll float on inner tubes through the underground river system while gazing up at this living constellation created by nature.
12. Pamukkale Thermal Pools, Turkey
Mother Nature created the ultimate infinity pools at Pamukkale, where mineral-rich waters cascade down white calcium terraces that look like frozen waterfalls. The name literally means “cotton castle” in Turkish, perfectly describing these surreal natural formations.
For over 2,000 years, people have bathed in these therapeutic waters. The ancient city of Hierapolis was built alongside these springs, with impressive ruins you can explore after your soak.
Wade barefoot through the shallow terraces while taking in panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The water temperature stays around 95°F year-round, making this a perfect stop in any season.
13. Cappadocia Fairy Chimneys, Turkey
Waking before sunrise might seem painful, but watching hundreds of hot air balloons float above Cappadocia’s otherworldly landscape makes it worthwhile. This region’s unique “fairy chimney” rock formations were created by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago.
Early Christians carved entire underground cities here to hide from Roman persecution. Some go eight levels deep, with ventilation systems, living quarters, and even wineries! Many of these cave dwellings have been transformed into boutique hotels where you can experience troglodyte living with modern comforts.
Beyond balloons and caves, explore hidden valleys with bizarre rock formations named after what they resemble – from camels to mushrooms.
14. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Sixteen terraced lakes connected by waterfalls create nature’s perfect water park at Plitvice. Wooden walkways take you directly over the crystal-clear water, where you can watch fish swim beneath your feet and feel the spray from nearby cascades.
The water here contains unusual minerals that create ever-changing colors – from emerald green to deep blue – depending on the minerals, organisms, and sunlight angle. The park’s limestone barriers continue growing at a rate of about 1cm per year, constantly reshaping the waterfalls.
Visit in spring when waterfalls reach peak flow or autumn when fewer crowds and colorful foliage make for perfect photographs.
15. Zhangye Danxia Landform, China
Have you ever seen a rainbow turned to stone? That’s what the Zhangye Danxia “Rainbow Mountains” look like, with their layers of red, orange, yellow, and blue striped across rippling sandstone hills. These surreal colors formed over 24 million years as mineral-rich sandstone layers were pushed upward.
Though sacred to local people for centuries, these mountains only recently gained international attention. The Chinese government built viewing platforms connected by shuttle buses to help visitors experience different sections of this geological masterpiece.
Morning and sunset offer the most vibrant colors, especially after rainfall when the minerals seem to glow from within the mountains.
16. Deadvlei, Namibia
Picture this: ancient black trees frozen in time against towering orange sand dunes and a stark white clay pan under the bluest sky you’ve ever seen. That’s Deadvlei, possibly the most photogenic natural wonder you’ve never heard of.
These 900-year-old acacia trees died when drought cut off their water supply, but the dry climate prevented them from decomposing. Now they stand as natural sculptures against a surreal backdrop.
Getting here requires a 4×4 drive through Namib-Naukluft National Park followed by a hike through soft sand. The journey’s difficulty keeps crowds away, meaning you might have this otherworldly landscape all to yourself.