12 Most Underrated Vacation Spots + 5 Overrated Ones
Ready to shake up your travel plans? While Instagram feeds overflow with the same crowded hotspots, some of the world’s most magical places remain blissfully under the radar. These hidden gems offer authentic experiences without the tourist crowds or inflated prices.
Let’s explore some underrated paradises you should consider for your next adventure—and a few famous spots that might not be worth the hype.
1. Georgia (Country)
Ancient churches dot dramatic mountainsides in this hidden European-Asian crossroads. The culture here dates back millennia, with traditions virtually unchanged for centuries.
Georgia offers world-class hiking, incredibly affordable prices, and the oldest winemaking tradition on Earth—8,000 years and counting! The hospitable locals will likely invite you to feast on khachapuri and khinkali dumplings.
2. Azores, Portugal
Emerald jewels scattered across the Atlantic hide some of Europe’s most jaw-dropping landscapes. These volcanic islands blend Hawaii-like scenery with Portuguese charm, minus the tourist hordes.
The Azores offer world-class hiking, whale watching, and hot springs. Adventurous travelers can climb dormant volcanoes, swim in crater lakes, and feast on fresh seafood for a fraction of mainland European prices.
3. Lake Bled, Slovenia
Fairytale perfection exists in this Alpine wonderland, where emerald waters reflect snow-capped peaks. A tiny church-topped island sits in the middle, accessible only by traditional wooden boats rowed by standing locals.
Lake Bled combines natural beauty with cultural charm. Visitors can hike surrounding trails, sample cream cake at lakeside cafes, or explore the medieval castle perched on a cliff above the shoreline.
4. Salento, Colombia
Rainbow-colored buildings line cobblestone streets in this coffee region wonderland. Unlike Colombia’s tourist hotspots, authentic local life thrives here without the influence of mass tourism.
Salento serves as the gateway to the Valle de Cocora, home to the world’s tallest palm trees. Visitors can tour coffee farms, hike through cloud forests, and relax in town squares where locals gather for traditional games.
5. Isle Of Eigg, Scotland
Rugged wilderness meets sustainable living on this remote haven in the Inner Hebrides. The entire island runs on renewable energy, owned and managed by its 100 residents since 1997.
Eigg offers unparalleled solitude with dramatic landscapes. Visitors can climb the distinctive Sgùrr ridge, spot seals along pristine beaches, and connect with locals at the island’s single pub, where traditional music sessions happen organically.
6. Kotor, Montenegro
Medieval walls snake up mountainsides surrounding Europe’s southernmost fjord in this Adriatic gem. The limestone cliffs create a dramatic backdrop for one of the best-preserved old towns you’ve never heard of.
Kotor offers the charm of Dubrovnik without the Game of Thrones crowds. Visitors can climb 1,350 steps to the fortress for breathtaking views, wander narrow marble streets, or take boat trips to hidden swimming spots and tiny island churches.
7. Luang Prabang, Laos
Saffron-robed monks collect morning alms along misty streets in this spiritual sanctuary. French colonial architecture blends with ornate Buddhist temples in a setting that feels frozen in time.
Luang Prabang sits at the confluence of two rivers, creating a peninsula of tranquility. Visitors can witness the daily alms ceremony, swim in tiered turquoise waterfalls nearby, or take cooking classes to master Laotian cuisine’s complex flavors.
8. Madagascar
Otherworldly landscapes house creatures found nowhere else on Earth in this biological wonderland. After breaking from Africa millions of years ago, evolution took a completely unique path here.
Madagascar’s iconic baobab trees line dirt roads in the west, while lemurs swing through eastern rainforests. Visitors can spot chameleons smaller than your fingernail, hike through stone forests, and relax on pristine beaches without another tourist in sight.
9. Svalbard, Norway
Polar bears outnumber humans in this Arctic frontier where the sun never sets in summer. Despite sitting just 650 miles from the North Pole, this Norwegian archipelago is surprisingly accessible.
Svalbard offers adventures straight from an explorer’s journal. Visitors can dog sled across glaciers, spot walruses lounging on ice floes, and visit the world’s northernmost settlement. Summer brings 24-hour daylight, while winter offers spectacular northern lights displays.
10. Puglia, Italy
Conical trulli houses dot rolling olive groves in this sun-drenched heel of Italy’s boot. While tourists flock to Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast, this southern region remains refreshingly authentic.
Puglia produces most of Italy’s olive oil and boasts 500 miles of coastline with crystal-clear waters. Visitors can explore whitewashed villages, feast on orecchiette pasta made daily by nonnas, and relax on beaches that rival the Caribbean—without the Positano prices.
11. Hokkaido, Japan
Powder snow blankets volcanic landscapes in winter, while lavender fields stretch to the horizon come summer. Japan’s northernmost island offers seasonal magic most international visitors never experience.
Hokkaido delivers natural wonders without the crowds of Kyoto or Tokyo. Visitors can soak in volcanic hot springs, feast on the freshest seafood, and explore national parks where brown bears roam freely. Winter brings legendary skiing, while summer offers perfect hiking weather.
12. Albania’s Riviera
Crystal waters lap against dramatic mountain backdrops along this undiscovered Mediterranean coastline. Just a short hop from overcrowded Greek and Italian beaches, this stretch remains blissfully undeveloped.
Albania’s Riviera offers the same turquoise waters as neighboring countries at a fraction of the price. Visitors can explore ancient ruins, hike coastal paths connecting hidden coves, and feast on fresh seafood while watching sunset from beachfront restaurants charging half what you’d pay elsewhere.
13. Venice, Italy
Narrow walkways burst with day-trippers jostling for selfie spots in this floating museum city. The romantic gondola ride you’ve imagined often involves navigating traffic jams of other boats while your gondolier checks his phone.
Venice suffers from overtourism at its worst. Visitors face inflated prices, tourist-trap restaurants, and a theme-park atmosphere. The authentic Venetian experience requires venturing far from St. Mark’s Square or visiting during winter when flooding keeps most tourists away.
14. Bali, Indonesia
Instagram vs. reality hits hard when arriving at beaches littered with plastic and traffic-clogged roads. That serene yoga retreat photo you saw online carefully cropped out construction sites and crowds.
Bali’s popularity has led to environmental strain and overdevelopment. Parts of Kuta and Seminyak resemble tourist factories rather than paradise. Finding authentic Balinese culture requires heading far inland to villages where traditional ceremonies still happen without being staged for visitors.
15. Santorini, Greece
Cruise ships disgorge thousands of passengers daily onto an island barely 35 square miles. Those postcard-perfect white buildings with blue domes? You’ll need to queue for photos alongside hundreds of others.
Santorini’s infrastructure strains under tourism pressure. Visitors often pay premium prices for mediocre experiences. The famous sunset in Oia involves standing shoulder-to-shoulder with crowds, while narrow streets become impassable during peak hours. Consider less famous Greek islands for authentic experiences.
16. Times Square, New York City
Bright billboards illuminate crowds shuffling through what locals consider the city’s worst attraction. This commercial crossroads offers little beyond chain restaurants and souvenir shops selling overpriced trinkets.
Times Square represents New York at its most inauthentic. Visitors get accosted by costumed characters demanding tips for photos while paying triple for meals available elsewhere. The real New York thrives in neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, Harlem, and Brooklyn, where authentic culture flourishes.
17. Dubai, UAE
Artificial islands and record-breaking skyscrapers rise from desert sands in this monument to excess. Behind the glitz, visitors often find a soulless experience built on environmental disregard and questionable labor practices.
Dubai specializes in superficial attractions that impress on Instagram but feel hollow in person. The indoor ski slope in a desert and shopping malls with aquariums exemplify its prioritization of spectacle over sustainability. Cultural travelers often leave disappointed by the lack of authentic experiences.