While famous sights and big cities are popular for a reason, the world abounds with charming small towns and gorgeous natural formations that we typically don’t see on top travel lists.
Hidden Gems Around the World
One user in the popular travel community on Reddit specifically sought out these hidden places. They asked the community to share the incredible small places they’ve been to that aren’t on anyone’s travel radar.
May the responses inspire you to book a trip to an undiscovered locale!
Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan rarely makes travel lists, but the hidden gem holds numerous wonders for the trepid explorer. Samarkand was a critical stop on the old Silk Road. Visitors can immerse themselves in the country’s history, culture, and natural beauty.
Białowieża Poland
Visitors to Poland typically visit the capital city and tour the horrific history leftover from Nazi occupation, but they’d be wise to discover the charming small towns scattered throughout the country.
Step in Białowieża to step back in time and see a glimpse of rural Europe.
Greek Isles
Everyone goes to Santorini, Crete, and the famous islands that line cruise ship itineraries, but take a small ferry to the smaller, inaccessible isles for a real glimpse of island life.
The Greek isles contain nearly 6,000 small islands, a little over 200 of which are populated. Skip the famous ones and enjoy the tranquil beauty of the lesser-known isles.
Akrotiri
Tourists flock to Pompeii to view a volcanic city, but an older, lesser-known ruin is just as well preserved. The 16th Century BC settlement highlights how advanced the Minoans were, with the marble multi-level buildings preserved in ash.
Head to Santorini to tour these impressive ancient ruins.
Waterton Lakes National Park
Everyone obsesses about Banff National Park in Canada, leaving its lesser-known counterpart, Waterton Lakes, an ideal destination for tourists looking to avoid crowds.
Waterton Lakes National Park boasts impressive scenery and vast swaths of wilderness.
Cartago Province
Though Costa Rica sees thousands of yearly visitors, most head to San Jose and Tamarindo. However, the Cartago Province is just as beautiful and far more undisturbed.
The area features charming mountain towns and fantastic hiking opportunities.
Orkney
The small Island archipelago off Scottland’s northern coast features stunning scenery and neolithic architecture.
Though Orkney does see a fair share of tourists, many skip the smaller islands.
Namibia
African countries don’t get a lot of love on travel bucket lists, but tourists would be remiss to overlook stunning Namibia.
The country features a lively culture and fantastic street food, the best dark skies you’ll ever see, and numerous wildlife sanctuaries protecting the most impressive large land mammals calling Africa home.
Madhya Pradesh National Parks
The National Parks in India are just as impressive as those in Africa, but they have tigers.
According to one user, the scenery in the famed Disney tale The Jungle Book was inspired by the Madhya Pradesh National Parks.
Turkish Kurdistan
The southeastern portion of Turkey borders Syria, Iraq, and Iran, so many tourists tend to avoid it. However, the region abounds with history.
It’s the safest place in the world to view Mesopotamia, the birthplace of civilization. The region also boasts the finest Turkish cuisines, so travelers won’t feel they missed out if they go here rather than the larger, more popular cities.
Duluth
Minnestota’s Twin Cities may attract a fair share of visitors, but few from outside the region prioritize visiting Duluth.
The city is a gateway to Lake Superior, offering fantastic adventures for outdoorspeople. The area features splendid hikes, roaring waterfalls, and excellent skiing in the winter.
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You Don’t Need to Travel Overseas for Ancient Ruins
Explore stunning ruins in your own backyard with an adventure through the Canyons of the Ancients.
Visit a Real Haunted Hotel
For a real-life encounter, consider staying at one of America’s most haunted hotels.
The Best Places to Visit in the US
The US bursts with cool cities, gorgeous national parks, and niche cuisines. There’s something for everyone to enjoy in the diverse country!
Here’s the Best Places to Visit in the US for your specific travel goals!
Enjoy All Things Macabre at a Horror Convention
Celebrate the horror genre by checking out the best horror conventions across the US.
Source: Reddit
Melanie launched Partners in Fire in 2017 to document her quest for financial independence with a mix of finance, fun, and solving the world’s problems. She’s self educated in personal finance and passionate about fighting systematic problems that prevent others from achieving their own financial goals. She also loves travel, anthropology, gaming and her cats.