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Major tourist destinations like Venice or Barcelona are popular for a reason, but when our love for certain cities is negatively impacting the locals who made it great in the first place, it’s time for a rethink.
The world is a big ol’ place, and there are plenty of lesser-known spots crying out for more visitors. Plus, you’ll have a far better time without having to constantly battle crowds.
Which is where Time Out’s list of the world’s most underrated travel destinations comes in.
Updated annually, the latest ranking has 41 cities and regions on it – and this year’s number one spot is in Europe.
Romania’s Bucovina topped the list for 2027, with Time Out drawing a comparison to the better known Translyvania, saying the region has “the same wild mountain scenery, age-old traditions and mind-boggling architecture”, but without the crowds.
Bucovina has been growing in popularity in recent years as the gateway to Via Transilvanica, the 1,400 km-long hiking trail that our writer Rebecca Ann Hughes took on earlier this year.
Europe’s most underrated travel destinations
The next highest-rated underrated travel destinations in Europe are Spain’s Asturian cities, which placed third.
Coastal spots here have already proven popular, but Time Out suggests heading to cities like Oviedo, Gijón and Avilés, particularly if you’re a foodie.
If you’re looking for a crowd-free beach escape, look no further than Zambujeira do Mar, which ranked sixth overall.
The cliffside town in Portugal’s Alentejo region is home to a Blue Flag-listed beach, and with the exception of the weekend of the MEO Sudoeste music festival, you won’t find many other tourists here.
Placing ninth overall is Carry-le-Rouet in France. The magazine compared the seaside resort to more popular spots like St. Tropez and Cannes, declaring it to be “just as idyllic with sea-to-cliff landscapes, turquoise waters and fresh seafood at a fraction of the cost”.
Just outside of the top 10, The Azores ranked 12th overall. The remote Portuguese archipelago has been attracting more attention in recent years, having been dubbed the “Hawaii of Europe”, but it has been working to ensure its tourism develops sustainably.
A destination certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, there are numerous policies in place to protect the nine islands’ cultural, historical and natural assets.
The top 10 most underrated spots globally
- Bucovina, Romania
- South Dakota, US
- Asturian cities, Spain
- Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
- San Martín, Peru
- Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal
- Bisbee, Arizona, US
- Shenzhen, China
- Carry-le-Rouet, France
- Tioga Pass, California, US