October 19, 2026, 1:07 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Which corners of the world are picturesque or full of adventure, yet completely unknown, if not entirely underestimated? The British magazine “Time Out” regularly takes on the task of filtering these from the mass of travel destinations. This year, once again, a ranking of the world’s most underrated travel destinations has emerged. At the top this year is a region in Europe. TRAVELBOOK presents the top three in the ranking and shows the complete list.
The list of the most underrated travel destinations reads like a list of worthwhile vacation spots that have not yet become mainstream. And that seems to be its goal, as “Time Out” describes the featured places as “41 quieter and cheaper alternatives to the classics.” They were selected by the magazine’s editors and travel journalists. Apparently, not only are the crowds missing, but the regions even wish for more visitors, as they are underestimated.
The World’s Most Underrated Travel Destination
… according to “Time Out” is in Romania. And it’s not the now frequently visited region of Transylvania, where horror fans search for traces of the most famous vampire. Instead, it’s where the so-called Via Transilvanica begins, a pilgrimage route that stretches over 1,400 kilometers through the country.
The most underrated region is called Bukovina and is described by the magazine as “a region rich in tradition with ancient forests, blooming meadows, and small mountain villages,” as well as eight monasteries adorned with biblical scenes and local folklore, which are under UNESCO protection. Not least, Bukovina is known for egg art and hosts the national Egg Museum in Ciocănești.
Also interesting: Via Transilvanica – one of Europe’s most spectacular long-distance hiking trails
The World’s Most Underrated Travel Destinations for 2026
This Is Officially the Coolest Neighborhood in the World
The Second and Third Places
In second place in the ranking of the most underrated travel destinations is the U.S. state of South Dakota. Here, travelers can find some truly impressive nature parks, such as the Badlands and Custer State Park, “but without the crowds of Yosemite or Yellowstone,” as “Time Out” writes. Additionally, the more well-known Mount Rushmore, the giant sculpture of past American presidents carved into rock, is located here.
In third place is another European region: the cities of Asturias in northern Spain. While the beaches and mountains of this region are no longer insider tips, the cities have largely gone unnoticed, “Time Out” asserts. The magazine particularly recommends the green and historic Oviedo, the trendy Gijón, and the medieval Avilés.
Also interesting: Northern Spain is the best region in the world for a road trip
The 41 Most Underrated Travel Destinations in the World According to “Time Out”
- Bukovina, Romania
- South Dakota, USA
- Asturian cities, Spain
- Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
- San Martín, Peru
- Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal
- Bisbee, Arizona, USA
- Shenzhen, China
- Carry-le-Rouet, France
- Tioga Pass, California, USA
- Filandia, Colombia
- Azores, Portugal
- Cartagena, Spain
- Georgian Military Road, Georgia
- Morne National Park, Seychelles
- Ishikawa, Japan
- Skopje, North Macedonia
- Mongolia
- The Hague, Netherlands
- Macau, China
- Côn Đảo, Vietnam
- Malmö, Sweden
- Gibraltar
- Southern Tunisia
- Bwlch Mountain, Wales
- São Sebastião, Brazil
- Prince Edward Island, Canada
- Tasmania, Australia
- Cochamó Valley, Chile
- Newcastle, Australia
- Brown Station, Antarctica
- Cuenca, Ecuador
- Karpathos, Greece
- Lake Bacalar, Mexico
- Srebrenik, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
- Eastern Highlands, Zimbabwe
- Gippsland, Australia
- Turku, Finland
- Bentonville, Arkansas, USA