“Overtourism.” It’s more than just a buzzword. It’s a problem that affects nearly every aspect of local life in the world’s most popular tourist destinations, from the environment to rent, transportation costs, and the cost of eating out. And overcrowding not only harms the quality of life for locals, it also compromises the quality of their vacation.
But small steps could make a difference: Destinations from Italy to Japan are devising ways to reallocate tourists from crowded hotspots to less-frequented areas. Overtourism has even spawned a fad for “destination dummies” among travelers, where crowded vacation spots are replaced with less crowded, cheaper but just as good alternatives.
Our newly updated list of the world’s most underrated travel destinations won’t feature Bangkok, Bali, Amalfi or Amsterdam – it’ll feature a Yosemite knockoff, Morocco’s oft-overlooked neighbour, a place where penguins outnumber people and plenty of travel inspiration to draw from.
Selected by our expert editors and a network of global travel writers, these oft-overlooked spots offer great (or quieter) alternatives to the classics. And in many cases, these spots are actually places that are genuinely welcoming to visitors. In other words, traveling to any of these 24 oft-overlooked destinations is a win-win situation. We hope to see you there.
Recommendation:
🏰 Europe’s most underrated destinations
🚞 12 ways to become a better tourist right now
