18 Best Underrated Destinations for Travelers Who Hate Crowds

1. Svalbard, Norway

Located just 1,300km from the North Pole, Svalbard delivers Arctic magic without the tourist hordes. 

In this land of rugged terrain, you’re likely to spot more polar bears than people!

Visit during May-September when the midnight sun gives you endless daylight to spot polar bears, marvel at sea ice, and catch the northern lights dancing across the sky. 

For beer fans, the world’s northernmost craft brewery awaits at Mack Bryggeri.

Where to Stay: Funken Lodge offers luxury accommodations with stunning fjord views and an incredible restaurant specializing in sharing platters.

2. Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda

Uganda’s most remote national park sits 700km from Kampala near the borders of South Sudan and Kenya. 

This hidden safari jewel boasts 77 mammal species and 476 bird varieties across golden savanna landscapes framed by distant mountain ranges. 

You’ll spot lions, buffaloes, elephants, and Uganda’s only wild ostriches without fighting through safari traffic jams. 

The cultural bonus? Meeting the semi-nomadic Karamojong people and the hunter-gatherer Ik tribe who maintain fascinating traditional ways of life.

Where to Stay: Apoka Safari Lodge offers luxury accommodations in the heart of the park with stunning views of the Narus river.

3. Bhutan, South Asia

Nestled in the Himalayas, it’s known as the Switzerland of Asia for its stunning landscapes and tranquility. 

This Himalayan kingdom limits tourism through its policies, preserving its pristine environment and rich Buddhist culture. 

The iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched dramatically on a cliff, rewards hikers with breathtaking views and spiritual significance. 

Buddhism touches every aspect of life here, from fluttering prayer flags to meditation retreats near monasteries. 

Where to Stay: Gangtey Palace Hotel in Paro is an actual 19th-century palace converted into a hotel.

4. Isle of Harris, Scotland

This Outer Hebrides gem delivers jaw-dropping landscapes without Skye’s tourist buses. 

The Isle of Lewis and Harris (actually one island with two parts) offers mesmerizing beaches, rugged landscapes, and rich history with dramatically fewer visitors. 

You’ll often have stunning spots completely to yourself, especially in the less-visited Harris section. 

The island requires a ferry journey, naturally filtering out casual day-trippers. 

Where to Stay: The Beach House at Seilebost offers direct access to the famous beach with uninterrupted views.

5. Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Offering a slice of serenity on historic Route 66, Santa Rosa delivers vintage Americana vibes without big crowds. 

The Blue Hole, a crystal-clear natural spring 80 feet deep, attracts swimmers and scuba divers to its vibrant waters. 

History buffs will love the Route 66 Auto Museum’s collection of classic vehicles and the Trail of the Forty-Niners, once walked by Gold Rush immigrants. 

For family fun, Park Lake offers a floating playground with water slides. The nearby Puerto de Luna settlement showcases original 1848 architecture.

Where to Stay: Best Western Santa Rosa Inn provides comfortable accommodations with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool right on Historic Route 66.

6. Raja Ampat, Indonesia

While Bali gets swamped with tourists, Raja Ampat remains blissfully uncrowded with its scatter of 1,500+ islands and islets. 

Snorkelers and divers can spot over 1,600 fish species and 75% of the world’s known coral species in these pristine waters. 

The white-sand beaches feel almost private, and hiking through jungles rewards you with views of rare birds of paradise showing off their colorful feathers. 

The locals are super friendly and happy to share their traditional way of life with the few visitors who make it here.

Where to Stay: Papua Paradise Eco Resort offers overwater bungalows built on stilts above a house reef. 

7. Cumberland Island, Georgia

Only reachable by boat, this pristine barrier island keeps crowds naturally thin with ferry capacity limited to just 145 people daily. 

What awaits? Wild horses galloping along empty beaches, massive oak trees draped in Spanish moss, and fascinating ruins from the island’s storied past. 

Wildlife spotting goes beyond horses – keep your eyes peeled for deer, armadillos, wild turkeys, and even dolphins playing in the surf. 

History buffs will love exploring the ruins of Dungeness, a once-magnificent 59-room Carnegie mansion that burned in 1959.

Where to Stay: Greyfield Inn, the only commercial establishment on the entire island, offers an all-inclusive stay in a historic Carnegie home built in 1890. 

8. Montserrat, Caribbean

Two things make Montserrat totally unique: incredibly welcoming locals and an active volcano that has reshaped the island – it’s even formed brand new beaches! 

The people here don’t just greet visitors – they welcome you like old friends! Expect to walk into restaurants and shops and be treated like you’ve lived there forever. 

History buffs will appreciate the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, where you can learn about the island’s fiery past. 

Where to Stay: Gingerbread Hill offers charming, eco-friendly cottages nestled in lush tropical gardens with stunning Caribbean Sea views. This family-owned retreat blends rustic charm with modern comforts, including self-catering facilities and a commitment to sustainability.

9. Yoho National Park, Canada

Constantly overlooked for its more famous neighbors and nestled in the Canadian Rockies, Yoho National Park is a place where you can really spread out. 

The Natural Bridge will leave you amazed with its odd rock formations and milky turquoise waters rushing through a narrow opening. 

The water’s unique color comes from “rock flour” – tiny particles ground by glaciers that change how sunlight reflects off the water. 

Just beyond lies the crown jewel: Emerald Lake, where that same glacial water creates a stunning jade-green lake surrounded by towering mountains.

Where to Stay: Emerald Lake Lodge sits on a small island within the lake itself, offering a true escape with century-old fireplaces and an oak bar salvaged from an 1890s Yukon saloon. 

10. Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana packs a big punch in a small package, with its fairytale castle, winding cobblestone streets, and dragon-adorned bridges. 

Cruise down the emerald-green Ljubljanica River on a traditional wooden boat, or join the locals for a coffee in one of the many riverside cafes. 

Foodies will love the bustling Central Market and the hip Metelkova district, where street art and alternative culture thrive. 

Don’t forget to ride the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle for sweeping views of the red-roofed old town.

Where to Stay: The Zlata Ladjica Boutique Hotel offers stylish rooms right in the heart of the old town, with some boasting balconies overlooking the river.

11. Mozambique, East Africa

With powder-white beaches stretching for miles along the mainland and idyllic islands, Mozambique’s shores feel like your own private escape. 

The turquoise waters hide incredible coral reefs where you can spot whale sharks, manta rays, and the rare dugong.

After beach time, head to Gorongosa National Park where elephants, lions, and hippos roam across lush landscapes – a true conservation success story after years of civil war.

Where to Stay: Anantara Medjumbe Island Resort offers the ultimate private island experience with just 12 beach villas, each with its own plunge pool.

12. The Azores, Portugal

Often called the “Hawaii of Europe,” the Azores showcase every shade of green across fields dotted with free-roaming “happy cows.” 

Hike up Mt. Pico, Portugal’s highest point, for views that’ll make your Instagram followers green with envy. 

Don’t miss the chance to soak in thermal pools heated by the earth’s inner fire or taste traditional cozido dos Açores stew cooked underground using volcanic heat.

Where to Stay: Octant Hotels Furnas offers an exceptional spa experience with thermal pools, sauna, and Turkish baths.

13. Negril, Jamaica

With one of the most stunning coastlines you’ll ever see, Negril’s beautiful open waters and white sand beaches will have you grinning from ear to ear.

Unwind on Seven Mile Beach, a long stretch of powdery sand and clear sea, far from the bustling crowds typical to more tourist-heavy spots.

Beyond sunbathing, you can jump into warm Caribbean waters from 40-foot coral formations at Negril Cliffs.

As the sun sets, Negril’s legendary nightlife kicks in with live music, beachfront bars, and the kind of laid-back vibe that makes you forget all your worries.

Where to Stay: Westender Inn offers a secluded retreat with generous rooms, porches with hammocks, and stunning ocean views. 

14. Zambia, Africa

While Kenya and Tanzania get all the attention, Zambia offers the chance to see the “Big Five” (lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos) with far fewer Land Rovers crowding your photos. 

South Luangwa National Park stands out as one of Southern Africa’s most amazing game reserves, where you can join walking safaris led by expert guides who’ll point out animals you might miss from a vehicle. 

The park’s landscape changes dramatically between wet and dry seasons, creating different but equally stunning backdrops for your wildlife watching adventures.

Where to Stay: Flatdogs Camp offers comfortable safari tents and chalets right on the banks of the Luangwa River. 

15. St. Elmo, Colorado

Tucked high in the Rockies at 10,000 feet, this perfectly preserved ghost town feels like you’ve traveled back to the Wild West. 

Once home to nearly 2,000 gold and silver miners, St. Elmo now stands frozen in time with 43 historic buildings that earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Stroll down Main Street to see the town hall (rebuilt after a 2002 fire), peek inside the one-room American House Hotel, and visit the general store for souvenirs and chipmunk food. 

Yes, you read that right – the friendly chipmunks here will eat seeds right from your hand!

Where to Stay: Nearby Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort offers the perfect base for your ghost town adventure. 

16. Faroe Islands, Denmark

Tucked between Iceland and Scotland, the Faroe Islands are a hidden Nordic gem just begging to be discovered. 

Emerald-green hills are dotted with colorful houses, dramatic cliffs plunge into the churning Atlantic, and puffins galore! 

Hike to stunning viewpoints like the Múlafossur waterfall, where water cascades directly into the sea. 

Don’t miss a boat trip to the Vestmanna bird cliffs, where thousands of seabirds nest in towering rock faces.

Where to Stay: Hotel Føroyar in Tórshavn offers rooms with grass-covered roofs and panoramic views of the city and harbor. It’s the perfect base for exploring these magical islands.

17. Gobi Desert, Mongolia

The Gobi Desert is a land of extremes, where towering sand dunes give way to rugged mountains and dinosaur fossils hide beneath your feet. 

Ride camels across the vast steppes, sleep in traditional ger tents under a blanket of stars, and meet nomadic families who’ve called this harsh landscape home for centuries. 

Keep your camera ready for Bactrian camels, Przewalski’s horses, and maybe even the elusive snow leopard.

Where to Stay: While traditional ger camps dot the desert, the Ramada by Wyndham Ulaanbaatar Citycenter offers a comfortable base in the capital before and after your Gobi expedition.

18. Anguilla, Caribbean

Anguilla is all about pristine white sand, impossibly blue waters, and laid-back island vibes. 

With 33 beaches to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find your perfect slice of paradise. 

Snorkel with colorful fish in Shoal Bay, feast on fresh lobster at beachfront shacks, or dance the night away to live reggae. 

For a real treat, hop on a boat to the tiny islands of Prickly Pear or Sandy Island for the ultimate castaway day trip.

Where to Stay: Zemi Beach House offers luxurious beachfront rooms, a Thai-inspired spa housed in a 300-year-old Thai house, and some of the best sunset views on the island.