We’re talking locations that don’t get anywhere near the number of tourists as the likes of Paris and Rome. They feel raw and authentic, offer really cool experiences, and are often affordable as well.
These spots won’t stay that way forever, so you’ll want to get there before it’s too late. Here are our top recommendations!
Quick Answer
Kiwi’s rundown of the most unique travel destinations is right here:
- Europe: Shkodër, Braşov, and Kaunas
- Asia: Amritsar, Yogyakarta, and Malacca
- The Americas: Lake Atitlán, Valparaíso, and León
- Africa: Constantine: Lalibela, Salalah, and Beirut
Now, shall we get started?
Why Choose Underrated Travel Destinations?
Lower costs
A major advantage of traveling somewhere that not many tourists visit is that it’s usually cheaper. From hotel rooms for next to nothing to random churches that would cost you €10 to enter in Europe but instead have a local kid who’s happy to show you around for free, what’s not to love?
It’s also usually possible to pick up some great flight deals to these sorts of places, especially if the country has a solid budget airline. This is very much the case when traveling to lesser-known parts of India with IndiGo.
Fewer tourists
Let’s be honest: even though we’re tourists ourselves, the big crowds can be seriously annoying. It puts such a dampener on things and ruins the world’s most beautiful places. We’ve got our eyes on you, Vatican City.
You don’t get that in underrated destinations because the numbers are nowhere near the same.
Authentic experiences
Camping overnight with the Tuareg tribes in the Algerian Sahara or visiting the floating markets of the Bangladeshi backwaters; this is my kind of authentic. Not queuing up for a photo of the Manneken Pis in Brussels.
Where there are minimal tourists, you tend to get far more raw experiences like the ones I’ve mentioned, and they stay with you long after you’ve come home for all the right reasons.
More availability
Everything gets snapped up in the blink of an eye in towns and cities with lots of tourists. Restaurant reservations, seats on public transport, all that kind of stuff.
When visiting underrated travel destinations, your only competition is a handful of adventurous souls just like yourself and a few domestic tourists.
13 Underrated Vacation Spots Around the World
So, you’ve mustered up the courage to try somewhere new besides that resort in Benidorm your family has been dragging you to since you were five years old. Good on you! It’s going to be far more interesting than being stuck under a brolly for ten days. And, cheaper too.
In case you need some inspiration, here is our list of 13 underrated vacation spots scattered across the globe!
Europe’s Hidden Gems
Shkodër, Albania
Albania seems to be making waves at the moment, particularly down south along the Riviera, but up north lies one of its best-kept secrets: Shkodër.
Shkodër is often used as a base for exploring the Albanian Alps before tackling the iconic Theth to Valbona multi-day hike (one you should do). That’s not all it has going for it, though; this city deserves some of your time as well.
Mornings in Shkodër revolve around cafés packed with older gentlemen nursing Balkan coffee, the kind that sends your brain into overdrive, for next to nothing. The attractions here are equally as enjoyable, especially trekking up to Rozafa Castle (LEK 400 (€4.20)) to soak up the sunset.
Braşov, Romania
In southern Transylvania lies a firm favorite among those who like getting off the beaten path: Braşov. Some of you may have visited Bucharest before, but I can guarantee far fewer have heard of Braşov, which is why it’s one of Romania’s most unique travel destinations.
A walk around the Medieval old town will cost you absolutely nothing, and you’ll get to see all of its stunning, colorful structures with the rugged Southern Carpathian Mountains surrounding you from every angle.
If you’re not comfortable exploring alone, Walkabout’s Free Walking Tour is a great way to get your bearings. Hear the eerie stories of Dracula while on foot without the high price tag. It starts at 10:30 am every morning with no reservations needed, though tips are always welcome.
Kaunas, Lithuania
Vilnius may steal all the spotlight in Lithuania; however, Kaunas’s bohemian vibes won’t fail to catch you right in the feels.
First, let’s talk street art. Elaborate murals like the ‘Wise Old Man’ stop every passerby in their tracks. Kaunas University of Technology’s ‘contemporary ladies’ showcase the beauty of women from the Renaissance period. It’s fair to say Kaunas is a proper feast for the eyes.
For sightseers, the Kaunas Castle is on most people’s itineraries, being one of the oldest masonry castles in the country, and it only costs €4 to get in.
A European getaway without the high prices, who would have thought, aye?
Affordable Destinations in Asia
Ah, Asia. If you’ve been, I bet you already have a soft spot for this incredible continent.
It’s rough around the edges and filled with so many different cultures that make for truly unique experiences. Your money also goes a whole lot further, especially in these underrated travel destinations.
Amritsar, India
India is an assault on the senses wherever you go, especially Amritsar, in the far north, which feels like an entirely different country altogether. While the typical Golden Triangle tourist path attracts many of India’s international visitors, very few make it to Amritsar.
Punjabi traditions run deep here, as Sikhism is the dominant faith. It won’t take long before you run into a friendly Sikh wearing a brightly colored dastar, wanting to show you around their city. Making people feel welcome is just what they do.
The iconic Golden Temple, in all its glitz and glamor, has free entry. A tuk-tuk ride out to the Wagah border for the Beating Retreat ceremony should only set you back around INR 500 (€4.49). Both the Indian and Pakistani sides put on an insane parade that attracts hundreds every day. Consider this your sign to visit Amritsar.
Yogyakarta, Indonesia
I genuinely can’t understand why Yogyakarta, on Indonesia’s island of Java, doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Here, you’ll find crumbling temples, rolling rice paddies, and bustling night markets where nasi goreng costs a mere Rp 15,000 (€0.73).
The most expensive part of visiting Yogyakarta is Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist monument. Tickets cost IDR 455,000 (€22.15), but when you can eat three meals a day for under €3, it takes the sting out of it quite a bit. Indonesia is more than Bali, you know!
Malacca, Malaysia
While Malaysia is sometimes added on as an extension of the well-trodden banana pancake backpacker trail, it doesn’t seem to draw the same crowds as its neighbor Thailand. That’s good news for you, because it means you can have the colonial city of Malacca almost entirely to yourself.
An important city on the Strait of Malacca, it has long been a key point on major trade routes, and those influences have shaped its architecture in a big way. The bright red Stadthuys, once the residence of the Dutch governor, is the standout, alongside more modern developments like the Malacca Straits Mosque.
A highlight for solo travelers, groups, and families in Malacca is the Jonker Street Night Market. Come hungry and indulge in some of Malaysia’s finest street eats. Chicken satay, nasi lemak, roti canai - everything you’re looking for can be found here, ready to devour.
Underrated Spots in the Americas
The Americas are a land of undiscovered locations. While everyone knows the hotspots in the US and Canada, once you start heading down into Central and South America, there are endless surprises in store, like these underrated vacation spots.
Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Lake Atitlán is just wow. My favorite place in all of the Americas, this is a giant lake sitting inside a volcanic crater that would have you believing you’re on the ocean.
I think the most special aspect about Lake Atitlán is that it’s surrounded by unique villages, each with its own distinct vibe. San Marcos attracts hippies with yoga sessions and Reiki. San Pedro La Laguna is a hit with backpackers and has some seriously nice cafés, including Café Cristalinas, which might just have served the tastiest coffee I’ve ever had.
There are also plenty of amazing hikes you can do at Lake Atitlán. Force yourself to wake up and do the Indian Nose trek. You’ll be glad you did after seeing the sunrise over the lake.
Valparaíso, Chile
Parts of Chile can be quite touristy, especially down south in Patagonia, but just an hour and 40 minutes away by bus, you can be in the lovely coastal city of Valparaíso.
The only crowds you’ll encounter in Valparaíso are the people fighting for the funicular ride up top (CLP 1,000 (€0.96)) to take on the city of 40 hills. Once up there, check out the open-air gallery of Cerro Concepción, with its charming houses, winding alleyways covered in graffiti, and seriously impressive views over the Pacific coast.
León, Nicaragua
Nicaragua has plenty of colonial cities, including ones that really stand out like León. Expect bright white cathedrals, revolutionary museums, and volcanoes on the outskirts where you can actually board down the slopes. Yes, really, it’s a thing.
Like a lot of parts of Central America, León gets its fair share of backpackers passing through. It’s nothing like other parts of the world, though. Just watch out for the street scammers, and you can easily get away with spending under NIO 1,281.60 (€30) a day.
Unique Destinations in Africa & the Middle East
Africa and the Middle East offer some of the most unforgettable travel experiences in the world, with adventures unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere.
Cross the iconic bridges of Constantine in Algeria, or get lost in the underground Orthodox Christian churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia. Salalah’s lush green landscapes glow during the rainy season, along with its striking blue waterfalls like Wadi Darbat. Then there’s the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Beirut, where world-class nightclubs share the streets with vibrant souks like Souk El Ahad.
Very few tourists ever get to see these unique travel destinations. Be brave and book those flights!
How to Find Cheap Flights to Hidden Gem Destinations
What’s great about flying to lesser-known places is that you won’t be up against the same challenges as popular spots. That said, you’ll always have Kiwi’s flight hacks to enjoy even more savings.
Even if you’re not a naturally flexible traveler, we give you plenty of ways to change that. For instance, when choosing your dates, you’ll see filters at the top of the search results like ±1 day, ±3 days, and ±5 days. These let you compare flight options across a range of dates rather than just one.
Look, nobody likes waking up at the crack of dawn for a flight, but that’s what neck pillows are for. If it saves you €150 on your flight to Yogyakarta from Jeddah, who cares? A cheap flight at 5 am beats paying double to fly in the afternoon any day of the week. Sleep when you’re dead.
This is the whole point of platforms like Kiwi.com. We make travel more fun and affordable. Build one itinerary with multiple underrated destinations. Mix and match airlines through virtual interlining to unlock lower fares. Compare dozens of possible routes in one place instead of searching flight by flight. That’s our motto.
Best Times to Travel for Lower Prices
Like everywhere, certain times of the year are better to visit underrated travel destinations than others.
Every region has its own high season. The trick is to aim for the shoulder months instead. For instance, Central America’s high season runs from December to April, while May, October, and November are the shoulder months, with fewer crowds and better prices.
As for the best day to book flights to these destinations, it’s hard to pin down exactly. Sundays can sometimes be a good day to buy, depending on availability.
Ready to Explore Hidden Gems for Less?
Thanks to social media, real hidden gems are getting harder to come by these days. They do still exist; you just have to be willing to put in a bit of research time, which Kiwi has already done for you.
Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, or the Americas, take your pick. There are underrated vacation spots in all of them, no matter your travel style.
Start moving the needle toward your next adventure with Kiwi. We make it easy for you to buy airfares to far-flung destinations in minutes. Before you know it, you’ll have knocked a few hundred off your airfares and be heading somewhere none of your friends have ever even heard of.
