The world is full of incredible places to explore, but not all of them are overrun by tourists. While popular spots like Paris, Rome, and Bali certainly have their allure, there’s something magical about discovering lesser-known destinations before they become mainstream. These hidden gems travel destinations offer a chance to experience the beauty of a place without the crowds. From tranquil forests to historic towns, here are 10 underrated destinations you should visit before they get crowded—and why the bamboo forest in Kyoto tops the list.
Why You Should Visit: Kyoto is already famous for its temples, but one of its most breathtaking and tranquil experiences lies in the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. This otherworldly grove, where bamboo stalks tower above you like living skyscrapers, offers a surreal atmosphere that feels almost magical, especially when you visit early in the morning before the crowds arrive. The silence, broken only by the rustle of bamboo leaves in the breeze, makes this a must-visit destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat in nature.
The key to experiencing the bamboo forest at its best is to arrive at dawn. You'll have the place nearly to yourself, and the soft morning light filtering through the tall bamboo creates an ethereal experience. However, as the day progresses, the forest fills up with tourists, and you might even spot a taxi cab driving through the narrow lanes—something that would seem out of place in such a serene environment.
Why You Should Visit: Perched on the side of a cliff, Bhutan’s Paro Taktsang Monastery (also known as the Tiger's Nest) is a place of both spiritual and physical challenge. The hike to the monastery is a rewarding journey through pine forests and scenic landscapes. Bhutan, often overlooked in favor of other Himalayan destinations, offers a serene escape with its rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and commitment to preserving natural beauty and spirituality. With Bhutan's focus on sustainable tourism, it’s a destination that’s slowly gaining attention, so it’s best to go sooner rather than later.
Why You Should Visit: The Lofoten Islands, located above the Arctic Circle, are a dream for nature lovers and photographers alike. With their dramatic mountains, fjords, and traditional red fishermen's cabins (rorbuer), Lofoten offers some of the most striking landscapes in the world. Although Norway is well-known for its fjords, Lofoten remains relatively uncrowded, especially compared to places like Bergen or Oslo. The midnight sun in summer and the Northern Lights in winter make it a year-round destination for those looking to experience the beauty of the Arctic without the masses.
Why You Should Visit: Nestled in the Swiss Alps, the picturesque village of Gimmelwald is a peaceful retreat far removed from the busy tourist crowds that swarm more famous Swiss destinations like Zermatt or Interlaken. A hidden gem among mountain enthusiasts, Gimmelwald offers stunning views of snow-capped peaks, lush green valleys, and charming chalets. It's a great base for hiking, skiing, or simply soaking in the serene Swiss landscape. Visit before it becomes the next hotspot for adventure seekers.
Why You Should Visit: Known for its striking blue-painted buildings, Chefchaouen is a small town nestled in the Rif Mountains of northern Morocco. The town’s relaxed atmosphere and unique charm make it one of the most Instagram-worthy destinations that few tourists have truly discovered. While Marrakech often steals the spotlight, Chefchaouen remains a tranquil escape with narrow, winding streets, local artisan shops, and a laid-back vibe. It's the perfect place to unwind and get lost in the beauty of the blue-hued walls and cobblestone streets.
Why You Should Visit: Located halfway between Iceland and Norway, the Faroe Islands are an archipelago of rugged cliffs, waterfalls, and dramatic landscapes that remain relatively untouched by mass tourism. The islands offer some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in Europe, with towering peaks, vast green valleys, and quaint villages. If you're looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination that feels like a hidden world, the Faroe Islands are calling your name.
Why You Should Visit: Slovenia’s Lake Bled is one of Europe’s most enchanting destinations, but it has somehow managed to stay under the radar compared to its neighboring countries. This fairy-tale location features a stunning lake with a small island in the middle, home to the iconic Church of the Assumption. The picturesque setting, surrounded by the Julian Alps, is perfect for a peaceful getaway. Despite its beauty, Bled remains relatively quiet, and with Slovenia gaining popularity, now is the time to visit before the crowds arrive in full force.
Why You Should Visit: The Wulingyuan Scenic Area in China is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to some of the most breathtaking natural scenery on earth, including over 3,000 sandstone pillars, ravines, and ravishing gorges. It's a stunning destination for outdoor enthusiasts and photographers, and while places like Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (part of Wulingyuan) are becoming more famous due to the “Avatar” movie inspiration, it’s still relatively undiscovered compared to other attractions in China.
Why You Should Visit: While Patagonia is a popular destination for outdoor adventurers, the Aysén Region in southern Chile is still a hidden gem. Home to glaciers, lakes, and wild landscapes, this remote area offers spectacular hiking, kayaking, and nature photography opportunities. The lack of crowds and the authenticity of the region make it one of the best-kept secrets of South America. Visit soon before more travelers catch on to the beauty of Aysén.
Why You Should Visit: Nestled in the northern mountains of Vietnam, Sapa offers a breathtaking landscape of terraced rice fields, misty mountains, and vibrant hill tribe culture. Although it’s becoming more popular, Sapa remains a quieter destination compared to the bustling streets of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Trekking through the valley and interacting with the local Hmong and Dao people offers an authentic experience in one of the most stunning regions of Vietnam.
As the world continues to open up and travel becomes more accessible, it’s important to find and appreciate those hidden gems before they are overrun by tourists. While the destinations on this list may be relatively unknown now, they won’t stay that way for long. Whether you’re looking for a tranquil escape like the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Kyoto or the dramatic peaks of Lofoten, these underrated destinations offer experiences you won’t forget. Be sure to visit soon, before they get crowded!
These hidden gems travel destinations won’t stay secret for long—visit before they get crowded. Whether you’re chasing quiet mountain views, wandering blue-painted streets, or exploring islands untouched by mass tourism, now is the time to see these places while they still feel authentic. Add a few to your bucket list, pack your camera, and start planning the adventure before the rest of the world catches on. Planning your next adventure? Check out The Ultimate Packing List before you go!
Sky Ranch Lodge, Sedona. Booked it for the location, stayed for the sunsets.
This is not a five-star resort with ten restaurants and a spa menu the length of a novel. It’s a family-owned boutique hotel on Airport Mesa that knows exactly what it’s good at: red rock views from basically everywhere and one of the best sunset spots in town, private, with maybe four other couples instead of a crowd.
We booked a Premier Rim Room and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Watched the sunset from our own patio one night and it’s still one of my favorite moments of the whole trip.
✨ Six acres of botanical gardens to wander morning and evening
✨ Pool + hot tub that hit exactly right after a day of hiking
✨ On-site food truck for easy breakfasts and lazy room service nights
✨ Complimentary shuttle so you’re not fighting Sedona parking
✨ Robes, slippers, and a staff that felt genuinely happy to help
Two stays in and I’d book it again without a second thought. This is where to stay in Sedona if you want it to actually feel like Sedona.
Thank you to @skyranchlodge for having us, link in bio for the full review 🌵
Four hours on a train through a canyon you can’t reach by car — such a fun experience! We picked the indoor seats with unlimited access to the open-air viewing car, which honestly felt like the only right call. You’re not stuck in an assigned seat the whole time we bounced between the two, snacks in hand, chasing the best light.
The scenery is the whole point. Red rock cliffs, the Verde River, a 734-foot tunnel, historic trestle bridges views most people visiting Sedona never see, because you literally can’t drive to them.
The charcuterie box that comes with your ticket is shockingly filling ✨ so skip lunch at the Copper Spike Café beforehand, save your appetite for dinner back in Sedona.
Four hours with no stops did start to feel long by the end, but the trade-off for scenery like this? Worth it.
Would I ride it again? Yes. Would I buy lunch first again? No.
Link in bio for the full review cost breakdown, what to pack, and exactly how early to arrive 🚂
I ate chilaquiles while a Cessna taxied past the window, and that’s just a normal Tuesday breakfast in Sedona.
@mesa_grill_sedona sits right beside the Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout, so along with your food you get red rock views stretching in every direction and a front-row seat to tiny planes lifting off. Chef Mercer Mohr runs the kitchen, serving up Southwestern comfort food from breakfast through dinner, chilaquiles, elevated diner classics, burgers, steaks, seafood, all of it.
The view is what pulls people in the door, but the food actually holds its own. Good enough that this place stays packed with locals, not just tourists passing through on their way to the lookout. It also picked up the 2025 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice and OpenTable Diners’ Choice awards, so it’s not just me saying it.
Indoor seating if you want the AC, a pet-friendly patio if your dog’s along for the trip. Either way, get there before plane-spotting turns into a wait for a table.
Link in bio for the full Sedona breakfast roundup ✈️🌵
Confession: my newsletter is where the good stuff lives. Not the polished, edited-for-the-grid stuff, the “here’s the hole-in-the-wall I almost skipped” stuff, the packing lists I actually use, the “don’t book this hotel” warnings before you waste your money on them.
The newsletter is basically me texting you before a trip instead of after one. Sign up and you’ll be the first to know where I’m headed next, plus a few things I’ll never post here.
Link in bio if you want in. ✈️
Yes, it’s only July. Start planning anyway. Fall books faster than people expect, and a few of these destinations are worth getting ahead of. Here are five places worth putting on your radar right now.
Ireland: Cooler temps, moody skies, dramatic coastline fall was made for it. Tourist crowds drop, the green stays, and the whole country feels a little more like itself.
Great Smoky Mountains, TN/NC: Fall foliage in the Smokies is the real thing. The color peaks mid-October and the views from the ridgelines are hard to argue with. It’s also one of the most visited national parks in the country, so going on a weekday makes a real difference.
New York City: Fall is NYC at its best comfortable temps, the energy of the city shifting into a new season, and every neighborhood doing something worth showing up for. It’s also just a great walking city when it’s not brutally hot.
Japan: Fall foliage season is as good as spring cherry blossoms and somehow less talked about. The colors are dramatic, the temples and gardens are stunning, and it’s worth planning around peak dates by region.
Mystic, Connecticut: Small, walkable, genuinely charming Mystic in fall feels like exactly what a New England autumn is supposed to look like. Easy to pair with a broader New England road trip if you want to extend it.
Full guides linked in bio 🍂
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