September 2, 2024, 3:43 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Places like Bangkok, Bali, London, or Amsterdam are always on everyone’s lips – and unfortunately, they also have increasing problems with overtourism. For many travelers, the trend is therefore increasingly moving towards lesser-known but equally beautiful places. “Time Out” has compiled a ranking of the travel destinations that are currently the most underrated.
TRAVELBOOK repeatedly reports on the problems that overtourism brings with it. Rising rents and declining quality of life are just some of the issues that locals complain about in places like Mallorca or Barcelona. Many even take to protesting against the crowds of tourists. Meanwhile, there are numerous destinations that are still an insider’s tip. These are usually cheaper and even less crowded. If you want to go on vacation to one of these places, you should definitely take inspiration from the current “Time Out” ranking of the most underrated travel destinations in the world.
The three most underrated destinations in the world
1. Filandia, Colombia
Why do travelers so often overlook this charming little town with its colorful balconies and rolling green hills? For years, nearby Salento has attracted attention because of its proximity to the Cocora Valley. This is where the world’s tallest palm trees grow. Yet many remain unaware of this jewel, which impresses with its colorful architecture and impressive views of the landscape. Recently, Filandia was even named one of the best tourist villages in the world by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. This underrated destination is located in the Departamento de Quindío, in the heart of the Colombian coffee zone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2. Southern Tunisia
When most people think of vacations in North Africa, the first place that comes to mind is Morocco. But Tunisia, with its sun-drenched Mediterranean coastline and breathtaking sand dunes, is an underrated destination. A guided tour of the sand dunes with a local guide on a quad bike or camel is an extraordinary experience. Entering the desert feels like exploring an alien planet. This is definitely an experience that the travel experts from “Time Out” would recommend.
3. São Sebastião, Brazil
If you are traveling to Brazil but don’t fancy the overcrowded city of Rio de Janeiro, this underrated destination is just right for you. It is just a three-hour drive from São Paulo, making it the perfect retreat for beach lovers, kite surfers and divers. São Sebastião boasts almost 100 kilometers (62 miles) of coastline, and the warm Atlantic Ocean is perfect for water sports enthusiasts. Despite this picturesque coastal landscape, the region is rarely on the lists of Brazil’s best beaches, which makes it all the more pleasant to find true tranquility here. Visit the beaches of Maresias, Juquehy, Barra Do Sahy and Boicucanga; stroll through the colonial old town of São Sebastião; and take the ferry to Ilhabela to explore some of the island’s 400 waterfalls.
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The top 12 most underrated destinations in the world
The following 12 places are still relatively unknown, but still impress with their beauty and culture. You can find the full ranking of Time Out’s underrated destinations here.
- Filandia, Colombia
- Southern Tunisia
- São Sebastião, Brazil
- Côn Đảo, Vietnam
- Prince Edward Island, Canada
- Sibiu, Romania
- Tasmania, Australia
- Cochamó Valley, Chile
- Newcastle, Australia
- Bentonville, Arkansas, USA
- Brown Bluff, Antarctica
- Mongolia