The world’s most underrated destinations

You probably know the excitement, even if you don’t realise what has provoked it. It’s the feeling of discovery, the realisation that this place you’re visiting is giving you so much more than you expected.

What you’re experiencing is an underrated attraction, an underrated hotel, an underrated meal, an underrated destination. There are few things better in the travel world than realising you’re getting the best of a place few other people know about, and that you can share this knowledge and help promote something that should be far more popular and appreciated.

Vanuatu – not even a quarter as many Australians come here as Fiji.

And that’s what this annual Traveller story is all about: sharing appreciation for underrated travel experiences. Each year we scour the globe for the criminally unloved, the sadly under-appreciated.

All of these should be more popular and better known than they are now. And we’re here to change that.

CONTRIBUTORS Ben Groundwater, Belinda Jackson, Brian Johnston, Katrina Lobley, Kristie Kellahan, Rob McFarland, Julie Miller, Tim Richards, Sue Williams

Pays Basque, France

Biarritz in Pays Basque, a small, gorgeous part of south-western France.Credit: iStock

When people talk of southern France they’re usually referring to Provence – Nice, Avignon, Cannes – or perhaps Occitania. But they should be talking about Pays Basque, a small, gorgeous part of south-western France with everything you could want in a destination. Visit Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Biarritz and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port for beaches, mountains, food, character-filled accommodation, and culture that is distinct from the rest of the country. See france.fr

Madrid, Spain

Spain’s capital always lags Barcelona and even Seville when it comes to tourists’ attention, but the truth is this arty, cosmopolitan city might just be the best of the bunch. The restaurant scene in Madrid is world-class; the art galleries feature some of history’s most famous works; plus you have sprawling parks, heaving tapas bars, and a sense that you’re escaping the bulk of the tourist hordes. See spain.info

The Central Coast, NSW

Surf without the crowds… North Avoca Beach.Credit: Central Coast Council

Here’s a coastal region that is nowhere near as famous as Bondi, and has far fewer Hemsworths than Byron. But what the NSW Central Coast does have is a string of beaches that are among the most beautiful in Australia – check out Copacabana, Avoca, Putty and Pearl – serviced by pretty, friendly towns with accommodation that is far more affordable than its famous siblings. See visitnsw.com

Matsumoto, Japan

This ancient castle town doesn’t have the gravitas of Kyoto or Kanazawa, but it does have history, and beauty, and small-town charm – not to mention a rich culture of soba-noodle making. Matsumoto, in the heart of the mountainous Nagano prefecture, was a provincial capital and seat of the Tokugawa shogunate. These days it’s a pleasant city with historic attractions, good food, and an onsen area. See japan.travel

St Gallen, Switzerland

In a region with fewer mountains than the rest of the country, St Gallen in Switzerland’s north-east often falls off visitors’ radars. However, this small city has an old town packed with historic buildings dating back centuries, including the gloriously rococo Abbey Library near the beautifully decorated St Gallen Cathedral. South of the city, the cableway up to the mountain of Santis is a must. See st.gallen-bodensee.ch

Bozcaada, Turkey

Street scene in Bozcaada.Credit: iStock

Chances are you haven’t heard of this charming island – which is precisely why you should go. Some Med cruises call in, or you can take a 40-minute ferry from Turkey’s north-western coast. The highly walkable port town retains a traditional vibe, with cobblestone streets and pops of colour. Flop into an oceanfront deckchair and punctuate your day with salty swims.

Hoi An, Vietnam

By day, the central Vietnamese city of Hoi An bustles with visitors shopping, stuffing their faces with banh mi and other delights, and seeing the sites that earned the well-preserved trading port World Heritage status. By night, the ancient town’s charms are amplified thanks to those who take a short boat ride to release floating candles on the river.

Alice Springs, NT

Alice Springs often makes headlines for the wrong reasons, but art lovers flock to the Red Centre city for its cultural riches. Head to Parrtjima, a festival of light, in April or visit Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) Art Centre – the home of Namatjira watercolour artists – and Tjanpi Desert Weavers. An 80-minute drive west is Hermannsburg, world-famous for quirky pottery. See parrtjimaaustralia.com.au, northernterritory.com

Rotorua, New Zealand

The famous Champagne Pool thermal lake of Rotorua.Credit: iStock

Rotorua is the adventure capital of the North Island but, with the 2023 opening of world-class Maori-owned spa Wai Ariki, it’s also now the country’s epicentre of wellness and relaxation. Step inside to experience a hay-scented sauna, an ice-cold frigidarium, a herb-infused thermal pool and an up-close encounter with Maori culture. See wai-ariki.co.nz

Umbria, Italy

Todi, a medieval town in Umbria.Credit: iStock

Umbria is certainly not undiscovered but, despite sitting between Rome and Tuscany, isn’t overwhelmed with visitors, particularly if you seek out minor (but still wonderful) historic hilltop towns such as Todi and Gubbio. Orvieto is a centre of the slow food movement and has a dazzling zebra-striped cathedral, and magnificent Perugia retains a lively, university-student vibe. See umbriatourism.it

French Polynesia

Everybody has heard of Tahiti and Bora Bora, but what of Taha’a or Huahine? Both have lush hills, glorious lagoons and abundant coral and tropical fish, yet lie over the horizon from jet-setting, overwater-bungalow visitors. Stick a hibiscus flower behind your ear, tune your ukulele, and enjoy the ultimate, low-key castaway fantasy. See tahititourisme.com

The Balkans

This part of Europe is cheap, cheerful and as yet – apart from some key cities – un-tramped by tourist hordes, although that’s changing, especially in Albania, the latest go-to Mediterranean beach destination. You’ll find terrific mountain, gorge and coastal scenery, ancient Greek ruins, castles, cultured towns and a heady blend of east-west influences and cuisines. See montenegro.travel, tourismbih.com, albania.al, serbia.travel

Vancouver Island, Canada

Sunset on the untamed coast of Vancouver Island.Credit: Getty Images

The unceded territory of three Indigenous peoples, Vancouver Island is a breathtakingly beautiful, raw pocket of wilderness, carved by the elements from brooding oceans to glacial heights. Surrounded by a tapestry of waterways with an abundance of wildlife, life is sweet on this westernmost British Columbian island, with an appreciation of its natural produce creating gourmet pockets in snug waterfront towns. See hellobc.com

Uruguay

This small nation squashed between more glamorous Brazil and Argentina is seldom in the news – maybe a good thing in South America. It’s safe, well-organised and relatively well off, and has great beaches, wide pampas for farm stays and cowboy culture, and a lively and arty capital, Montevideo. World Heritage-listed, cobbled Colonia del Sacramento is a delight. See uruguaynatural.com

Santiago, Chile

Hard to make your mark when competing with Rio and Buenos Aires. Santiago is more sedate but does have substance, including grand Spanish-era architecture, eclectic neighbourhoods for dining and nightlife such as Bellavista and Lastarria, and a thriving arts scene. The Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art is outstanding. Santiago is chic, rapidly changing and relatively inexpensive. Thumbs up. See chile.travel

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Decades of violence have given Belfast associations that are difficult to shake off. But the Troubles have gone, the city’s grand Victorian-era centre has been buffed up, shops and pubs are thriving and the excellent Titanic Belfast has become a major attraction on the revamped waterfront. Belfast is arty, optimistic and worth a visit. See visitbelfast.com

Zagreb, Croatia

Zagreb is the antithesis of crowded Dubruvnik.Credit: iStock

Few of Croatia’s 20 million annual tourists make it inland to Zagreb, yet it has all the stereotypes you expect of a small European capital, from leafy parks to beer halls, Gothic architecture to cobblestones. Its lively energy is, however, still happily driven by locals. Zagreb is the antithesis of overcrowded Dubrovnik, and far more satisfying. See croatia.hr

Washington State, US

Australians rush to California, with 290 million tourists a year not realising an American state offering the same things exists … an hour’s flying time north. Like San Francisco, Seattle’s built on a massive harbour, though you can escape to islands where few visitors go on this one. They’ve got ski mountains too, and America’s second-largest wine industry. See stateofwatourism.com

Vanuatu

Ranked as the No.1 country to visit in 2025 by Lonely Planet, Vanuatu may soon receive due attention. While 330,000 Aussies visit Fiji each year, fewer than 60,000 come here. There are 83 islands to explore, where you’ll find everything from translucent blue holes to swim in, the world’s most accessible live volcano and the Pacific’s prettiest beaches. See vanuatu.travel

Slovenia

Boats on Lake Bled, Slovenia.Credit: iStock

Tucked between Northern Italy and Croatia, Slovenia has avoided the overtourism experienced by its neighbours, with just 6.2 million visitors in 2023 (as opposed to Croatia’s 20 million). Snowcapped peaks, emerald lakes, intricate cave systems and medieval castles create landscapes straight from a fairytale; while Slovenia’s commitment to preserving its natural and cultural heritage make it a leader in green tourism. See slovenia.info/en

Arizona, US

From saguaro-strewn plains to red rock canyons, pine forests to isolated mountain ranges known as “sky islands”, Arizona is a geological wonderland, with the Grand Canyon the jewel in its striated crown. Add to that a rich Western heritage, ancient pueblo ruins and the nostalgia of Route 66, and Arizona becomes the perfect road trip destination, punctuated by cool cities to round out the experience. See visitarizona.com

Lake Maggiore, Italy

While Lake Como’s hotspots are staked out by paparazzi on the trail of Clooney and Swift, neighbouring Lake Maggiore flies under the radar, allowing a more tranquil tourist experience of Italy’s stunning Lake District. Known for its islands and formal gardens, this shimmering waterway is best explored from Stresa, a delightful cobble-paved village beloved by Ernest Hemingway. See illagomaggiore.com

Ningaloo Reef, WA

Worth the effort: Ningaloo Reef.Credit: iStock

It takes some effort to get to Australia’s “other” coral reef, but Ningaloo offers marine wildlife experiences beyond compare, from swimming with whale sharks to snorkelling in gin-clear waters. And unlike Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef, the magic occurs just steps off its white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoons protected by a 300 kilometre-long fringing reef less than 400 metres offshore in some places. See australiascoralcoast.com

Ethiopia

One of the only two African countries not colonised (the other is Liberia), Ethiopia is a proud, and immensely variegated, nation that’s a feast for all the senses. Its highlands offer stunning views and fascinating wildlife, Lalibela’s medieval rock-hewn churches are simply awe-inspiring, the animist tribal south is quite startling and its people are among the friendliest, and most colourful, on the continent. A jewel. See visitethiopia.travel

Guatemala

Tikal Temple I in Tikal, Guatemala. Visit while it’s still relatively undiscovered.Credit: iStock

A lost Mayan pyramid in the heart of the jungle, the white-washed Baroque colonial city Antigua, live volcanoes, rafting, trekking, mountain-biking, temples, museums, archaeological sites, natural reserves, lively markets and buzzing communities … this Central American nation is a burgeoning tourist destination. Happily, there are far more colourful locals than tourists but visit before it’s truly discovered. See visitguatemala.gt

Uganda

A gorilla family at Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.Credit: iStock

The one-time “Pearl of Africa” is back on the up. One of the most picturesque countries in east Africa, it’s a budget-friendly country with an abundance of wildlife including mountain gorillas in the Mgahinga National Park, chimpanzees on Ngamba Island, a rhino sanctuary and game drives. It’s also alluring as the legendary source of the Nile, the world’s longest river. See exploreuganda.com

Berlin

Berlin – hip and historic.Credit: iStock

The German capital is an amazing city – vibrant, colourful and endlessly interesting. There’s history on every street corner and every marker for the old Berlin Wall that once divided the city, and its museums are endlessly varied and alluring. Take a tour to get your bearings, then walk, bus, train or tram to pack in as much as you can. See berlin.de

Northumberland, UK

Perpetually overshadowed by its more famous neighbour, the Lake District, Northumberland is England’s least-visited and least-populated national park. Wedged between Newcastle and the Scottish Borders, it’s a gentle landscape of rolling hills, forests and moorland. What it lacks in geological drama, it makes up for with historical clout, boasting numerous Iron Age hill forts and the snaking 117-kilometre-long Hadrian’s Wall. See visitnorthumberland.com

Palau

The famous Jellyfish Lake is just one of Palau’s remarkable attractions.

A dreamy archipelago of about 340 islands near Micronesia, Palau is an unexpected global trendsetter in sustainable tourism. In 2009, it declared itself the world’s first shark sanctuary, and in 2015, it became the first country to ban reef-toxic sunscreens. A top diving destination with an intriguing matriarchal society, it’s now even more accessible thanks to Qantas’ new direct flight from Brisbane. See pristineparadisepalau.com

Cilento, Italy

The “other side” of the Amalfi Coast is attracting visitors who want a more affordable, local holiday experience. In the towns of Cilento and Paestum, where the Mediterranean Diet movement started, there are beautiful sandy beaches, Ancient Greek ruins (they were there before the Italians), phenomenal wine, Michelin-starred restaurants and destination spas. New seasonal direct flights from major European cities to Salerno airport will turbocharge the tourist influx.

Todos Santos, Mexico

Lined with boutiques, Todos Santos is considered an art hub.

Located an hour north of Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos is a welcome respite from Los Cabos’ glitzy all-inclusive resorts. Designated a “pueblo magico” by the Mexican government for its cultural heritage, the town’s picturesque squares and cobblestoned laneways are lined with fabulous galleries, restaurants and boutiques. The new Todos Santos Boutique Hotel is an elegant base from which to explore. See hoteltodossantos.com

Arnhem Land, NT

The land that time forgot at the top of Australia where indigenous culture has been gloriously preserved as a way of life for so many. Art, crafts, song, dance, storytelling and survival skills all flourish in one of the last pristine stretches of bush and swampland in the country. Travel there isn’t so easy, but incredibly worthwhile. See northernterritory.com/arnhem-land

The Pantanal, Brazil

Virtually no one has heard of the Pantanal, yet it’s the world’s largest wetlands, a vast, swampy floodplain in the west of Brazil that’s home to jaguar, caimans, giant anteaters and more than 650 species of birds. During the dry season, you can stay in a “fazenda” farm homestay and explore this watery wonderland by 4WD, canoe and horseback. See visitbrasil.com

Galicia, Spain

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Galicia.Credit: Getty Images

This autonomous region on Spain’s north-west coast doesn’t get the attention lavished upon its better-known cousins (aka Andalusia, Rioja and the Basque Country), yet it’s home to one of the world’s most popular pilgrimage destinations (Santiago de Compostela), delicious seafood specialties such as pulpo a feira (paprika-dusted octopus) and produces dangerously drinkable albarino white wine. See spain.info

Washington Heights, New York City

Bordered by Harlem and Inwood in northern Manhattan, Washington Heights is a vibrant Spanish-speaking neighbourhood with a large population of Dominican Republic immigrants. For visitors, it’s a chance to sample traditional Dominican delicacies, such as chicken pastelitos (a Dominican empanada), and enjoy a loud, lively, baseball-obsessed community where people still visit traditional botanicas for healing herbs and spiritual guidance. See nyctourism.com

Osaka, Japan

Kyoto has geisha culture and centuries-old temples, Tokyo has big-city excitement and unparalleled luxury shopping. But are either of these wonderful Japanese cities the birthplace of kushikatsu? Didn’t think so. Spunky, blue-collar Osaka invented kushikatsu: skewered, deep-fried everything from wagyu beef to salmon belly and enoki mushrooms, the perfect food to eat while drinking Japanese draft beer.

The Caribbean

Underrated by Aussies, beloved by North Americans and Europeans, the Caribbean is much more than turquoise water, white sand and rum cocktails. There are 13 independent countries and nearly two-dozen non-sovereign territories, each with their own culture, traditions, food and festivals. Go for the beaches, stay for the annual Carnival celebrations, return for the fun-loving vibes.

Albanian Riviera

Albania – still time to beat the crowds.Credit: iStock

The fast ferry from Corfu to Sarande takes you from Greece to Albania in 30 minutes and delivers you into a parallel universe where sunbeds and beach umbrellas are a quarter the price of other Mediterranean hotspots. The welcome is warm, the food is great, the value for money is extraordinary, and we can’t believe we’re sharing this secret gem.