Off-the-beaten-path destinations

Places most travelers miss — and the ones who go remember.

For travelers who'd rather skip the famous-because-famous list. Some are emerging, some are inexplicably overlooked, all of them reward the harder logistics with much fewer crowds.

22 destinations

Patagonia

South America

The most dramatic landscapes on earth.

Off-season

Taiwan

East Asia

Best street food in the world, dramatic gorges, deeply welcoming culture.

Good now

Georgia (Caucasus)

Caucasus

Extraordinary food, wine, hospitality, mountains, and old cities — all cheap.

Peak now

Nepal

South Asia

The Himalayas. Trekking that changes how you see scale.

Good now

Iceland

Northern Europe

Geysers, glaciers, northern lights, hot springs.

Peak now

New Zealand

Oceania

Fjords, volcanoes, glaciers, beaches — in one country.

Good now

South Korea

East Asia

Seoul is one of the most exciting cities in Asia.

Peak now

Argentina

South America

Buenos Aires has the best steakhouses and nightlife in South America.

Good now

Colombia

South America

Medellin is one of the most exciting cities in the world right now.

Good now

Costa Rica

Central America

Surfing, rainforest, volcanoes, and wildlife in extraordinary density.

Good now

India

South Asia

Overwhelming, beautiful, and utterly unlike anywhere else.

Off-season

Morocco

North Africa

Medinas, desert, mountains, and coast — sensory and varied.

Peak now

Norway

Northern Europe

Fjords, northern lights, midnight sun — utterly unlike anywhere else.

Peak now

Peru

South America

Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Lima's food scene, and the Amazon.

Peak now

Southern Portugal

Western Europe

Atlantic beaches, excellent food and wine, slow pace.

Peak now

Scotland

Northern Europe

Highlands, lochs, castles, and whisky. Dramatic, moody landscapes.

Peak now

Vietnam

Southeast Asia

The best food in Southeast Asia, remarkable scenery, a long coastline.

Good now

Canary Islands

Atlantic

Year-round warm weather, volcanic landscapes, easy from Europe.

Peak now

Jordan

Middle East

Petra alone justifies the trip.

Good now

Philippines

Southeast Asia

Over 7,000 islands and some of the most beautiful beaches on earth.

Good now

South Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa

Cape Town is stunning. Safari, wine country, dramatic coast in one trip.

Good now

Sri Lanka

South Asia

Beaches, ancient ruins, tea country, and wildlife in one compact island.

Off-season

Frequently asked

What's the most underrated destination?

Patagonia is genuinely underrated — The most dramatic landscapes on earth.

Other ways to find a destination

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