September 5, 2025, 12:50 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
When places are beautiful and also affordable, word spreads quickly. However, the more popular a destination becomes, the less likely both descriptions remain true. For the locals, overtourism brings additional problems. It’s all the more interesting that there are still numerous (unjustly) underrated travel destinations. The renowned magazine “Time Out” has named the 33 most exciting ones for the coming year.
The Most Underrated Travel Destinations According to “Time Out”
Where can you still go on vacation? Many people face this question when planning their holidays. Destinations popular with Germans, such as in Spain and Italy, are already affected by overtourism. Locals are sometimes forced to protest against the influx, and some places are taking measures to at least regulate it. Those who want to have a good time while also preserving the nature and population of popular tourist hotspots will find plenty of inspiration in the latest ranking from “Time Out,” offering possible answers to the initial question.
Concerns may arise. The fear that destinations currently labeled as hidden gems might be the next to be overrun is understandable. These are destinations not yet in the tourism spotlight, with fewer visitors, allowing for a relatively affordable stay.
Some Destinations from Last Year Reappear
Indeed, some of the villages, cities, regions, mountain ranges, countries, and islands featured in last year’s “Time Out” list of the most underrated travel destinations appear again this time. Filandia in Colombia, for example, which topped the ranking in 2024, still holds a prominent fourth place. It’s puzzling that this community, located in the heart of Colombia’s coffee zone and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2021, often remains in the shadow of nearby Salento. Also, South Tunisia, the city of Côn Đảo in Vietnam, and São Sebastião in Brazil, which you’ll find in the overview below, were listed last year.
Now to the three highlights of the current ranking.
1st Place: Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of many countries with consistently high visitor numbers. “Time Out” recommends leaving the beaten path and embarking on the somewhat challenging journey to the Osa Peninsula. Typically, this requires both a domestic flight and a boat tour through dense jungle canals. However, what awaits is “one of the world’s greatest eco-adventures.”
A magazine editor reports having observed humpback whales breaching in the Golfo Dulce and sloths hanging in the trees of Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula. He also saw crocodiles and occasionally families of coatis crossing the roads. The pristine beaches of the Osa Peninsula are also worth a visit. The Corcovado National Park occupies a large part of the peninsula, he explains. It’s advisable to plan the visit well and book a tour with a licensed guide, who can also assist in finding suitable accommodations.
2nd Place: Carry-le-Rouet, France
Nice and Cannes, the beautiful cities on France’s famous Côte d’Azur, are certainly no longer hidden gems. But not too far away, you might still find something: on the more westerly Côte Bleue. According to “Time Out,” it also boasts dramatic rocky coasts, turquoise waters, and fjord-like bays. Specifically, the magazine recommends a visit to Carry-le-Rouet, a small fishing village about an hour west of Marseille. Whether you want to relax on the (untouched) beach or be active–the approximately four-kilometer “Lizard Trail” invites a moderate hike–this underrated destination offers a wonderful vacation, and you can enjoy fresh fish relatively affordably.
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3rd Place: Tioga Pass, California
You’ve probably at least heard of Yosemite National Park with its ancient giant sequoias. Most visitors explore it through the well-known western entrances. According to “Time Out,” however, the nearly hidden side awaits from the east–a true insider adventure that will especially delight nature lovers, particularly hikers and campers. There, the Tioga Pass winds through the impressive Sierra Nevada, far from the large visitor crowds, offering breathtaking views. Highlights include the panoramic view of Half Dome from Olmsted Point, the mirror-like surface of Tenaya Lake, and the expansive Tuolumne Meadows, which glow in warm colors in the evening light. Editors urge you to reach Mono Lake, whose bizarre landscape seems almost otherworldly. From there, you can delve even deeper into California’s wild nature.
The 33 Most Underrated Travel Destinations According to “Time Out”
- Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
- Carry-le-Rouet, France
- Tioga Pass, California
- Filandia, Colombia
- Morne Seychelles National Park
- Georgian Military Road, Georgia
- Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
- Skopje, North Macedonia
- Mongolia
- Azores, Portugal
- Flåm, Norway
- Côn Đảo, Vietnam
- Malmö, Sweden
- South Tunisia
- Bwlch Mountain, Wales
- São Sebastião, Brazil
- Prince Edward Island, Canada
- Sibiu, Romania
- Tasmania, Australia
- Cochamó Valley, Chile
- Newcastle, Australia
- Almirante Brown Antarctic Base, Antarctica
- Cuenca, Ecuador
- Karpathos, Greece
- Lagoon of Bacalar, Mexico
- Srebrenik, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- São Tomé and Príncipe, Africa
- Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
- Eastern Highlands, Zimbabwe
- Gippsland, Australia
- Turku, Finland
- Bentonville, Arkansas
- Lombok, Indonesia