10 Underrated Travel Destinations Worth Visiting in 2026

The world’s most popular destinations are hotspots for a reason. We love NYC, London, and Paris and think everyone should explore them at least once. But sometimes the smartest travel move means choosing a place that’s a little lesser known, with fewer crowds, and amazing adventures that provide lifelong memories.

These ten destinations are places we’ve personally explored that offer a rich experience. From the Andes to the Baltics to the Caribbean to Southeast Asia, we got a world-class experience for a fraction of the cost and crowds. Here’s a ranking of our top ten underrated travel destinations, and why we think you’ll love them too. Number 1 is our best kept secret!

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10. Santiago, Chile

Santiago is clean, cosmopolitan, and incredibly easy to navigate. We spent our days wandering through the food markets and soaking up the history in the center before heading to the top of San Cristobal Hill for the views.

Smart Tip: Head to the W Santiago in the Las Condes neighborhood. We grabbed swanky drinks at their rooftop bar overlooking the Andes. It’s the perfect way to get a five-star view without the five-star room rate. The city has a vibrant energy that reminds us of a more mountainous version of an East Coast hub, but with better wine and a Latin flare.

👉 3 Perfect Days in Santiago: Best Markets, Wine Tour, and Day Trip

9. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo is hauntingly beautiful and deeply moving. There is a specific energy here that’s a mix of Ottoman history and Austro-Hungarian architecture, as well as reminders of the tragedies of the 1990s. It’s a resilient and uniquely beautiful culture.

One of our favorite memories was making local friends and joining a basement Sevdalinka sing-a-long (traditional, soulful Bosnian folk music). Sarajevo is a walkable city where your money goes far, and the hospitality is some of the most genuine we’ve ever experienced.

Pro tip: Take the gondola up to the old Olympic bobsled tracks. It’s a bit eerie and cool to see the concrete ruins reclaimed by nature, and the panoramic view of the city is breathtaking.

👉 Croatia and Beyond: How to Spend a Week in the Balkans

8. Luang Prabang, Laos

Anyone who’s been to Luang Prabang knows that it’s special. Have a coffee on the Mekong River and just exhale. There’s such a relaxing vibe here. We participated in the morning alms giving, which is a quiet, meditative tradition that sets the tone for the day.

Pro Tip: Take a longboat to explore the Mekong, which is the lifeline of the country. Go see the caves and the waterfalls, then come back and have a beautiful dinner. The star is really the river itself. We found that the luxury boutiques here offer incredible value compared to similar accommodations in Thailand. We absolutely loved Le Sen Boutique Hotel.

👉 Laos in 3 Days: Your Relaxing Luang Prabang Itinerary

7. Inverness, Scotland

Most travelers treat the Highlands as a day trip from Edinburgh, but Inverness is easily our favorite spot in Scotland. It’s a vibrant hub with cobblestone streets, elevated riverside restaurants, and live music in almost every pub (check out Hootananny or MacGregor’s). Walking along the River Ness at sunset is the perfect pre-dinner activity. The food scene here was fantastic with a focus on fresh, local game and seafood.

Pro Tip: Use Inverness as your home base for the Highlands instead of moving hotels every night. The town is the perfect launching point to see Loch Ness and the surrounding ruins. Isle of Skye is a long day trip, but we did that from here, too.

👉 3-Night Inverness Itinerary: Top Activities in Scotland’s Highlands

6. Hopkins, Belize

If you want a break from the resort feel of the more popular Belizean destinations, go to Hopkins. It’s not as posh and polished as some other spots but it has such a great vibe. Hopkins more bohemian and local, and centered around the Garifuna culture. We stayed at Coconut Row in a cabin right on the beach where we left the windows open to hear the waves hitting the shore at night.

Pro Tip: You can book world-class snorkeling adventures or just soak in the scene at a beachside shack. If you like escaping the high rises and resorts, this spot is for you.

👉 Belize for First-Time Visitors: Where to Stay and What to Do

5. Warsaw, Poland

Poland might not be what you think of as a winter destination, but we had a wonderful time exploring the Christmas markets and ringing in the new year in Warsaw. We used a smart budget strategy here that balanced a high-end experience with an affordable stay. We booked the Ibis Styles Warszawa City for a very reasonable $100 a night, which allowed us to splurge elsewhere. It was basic, but comfortable and clean and even had a nice little bar and restaurant near the lobby. It was about a 15-minute walk into old town, which was perfect for us.

Travel Mishap: We accidentally ended up at a New Year’s Eve dinner celebration at the gorgeous Raffles Europejski that cost us $800. We thought the menu would leave use with a pricy $300 bill, but the holiday pre-fixe pricing caught us off guard. However, when we looked at the total cost of the trip – the budget hotel and cheaper eats the rest of the long weekend made the magnificent NYE celebration more manageable. It turned out to be a legendary night of music, dancing, fine dining and fun that we still talk about today.

4. Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca might be the most underrated destination on this list. It is the culinary capital of Mexico, which is saying a lot. We tried the “chapulines” (grasshoppers) as bar snacks, and while they were fine, the real star of the show for us is the Tlayuda. This is basically the O.G. Mexican pizza and it’s so delicious.

Oaxaca is a vibrant city, with multiple amazing food markets, big celebrations in the streets, and rooftop restaurants overlooking cathedrals that are lit up at night. Between the Zocalo (big main square), the weekend parades, the cheap eats, and the fine dining, Oaxaca offers an experience that rivals any major European city for a fraction of the cost.

Pro Tip: This is a great place to do a cooking class. Check out our link below to learn more.

👉 Where to Eat in Oaxaca: A Culinary Adventure in the Heart of Mexico

3. Quito, Ecuador

Many people skip Quito or stay a night on their way to a Galapagos or Amazon adventure, but we think it deserves more attention. We arrived in Quito ready for the altitude – drinking lots of water, limiting alcohol, and slowing our pace – but we were ready for some long walks and exploration. The city is a UNESCO destination, and the architecture in the Old Town is super interesting.

Pro Tip: The greatest thing, which happens a lot in South America, is the Sunday festivities where the streets are closed off for bikes and pedestrians to encourage activity. It’s a massive community activity and the best way to see the city’s character.

👉Quito for First-Time Visitors: 2 Perfect Days in Ecuador’s Capital

2. Medellín, Colombia

We stayed in El Poblado, which is definitely the touristy side of town, but it’s popular for a reason. It’s fun, green, and packed with great food options. For a luxe experience that won’t break the bank, head to The Charlee for their Sunday brunch. You’ll feel like you’re in Miami for half the price.

Luxe-for-Less: We stayed at a gorgeous hotel just down the street from the main action where we booked a luxury suite for a quarter of what we would pay in the States. The only downside is that it wasn’t super walkable. But for $80 a night, it was worth taking a short uber ride to the heart of everything.

Pro Tip: Be sure to check out the Botero art in the plaza downtown. We absolutely loved the scale of the sculptures – and there are a few cool museums nearby if you want more.

👉 6 Things We Loved About Medellín

1. Vilnius, Lithuania

People often skip this spot in favor of its neighbors, but we loved everything about Vilnius. Our only regret was that our stay was too brief. It’s an incredibly walkable city with a charm that’s completely distinct from its Baltic neighbors, Latvia and Estonia (which are also absolutely worth a visit). We took excursions to the island castle at Trakai and spent time in the quirky, independent Republic of Užupis.

Vilnius is the perfect spot for travelers who want European charm and high-end service without the crowds or the high price tags. Our Hilton Garden Inn was a bit of a walk into old town, but new and beautiful and affordable. They even offered slippers, bathrobes, and left some chocolates in the room. Such a nice touch!

Pro Tip: You can enjoy a dinner from the Michelin Guide here for a fraction of the cost of a similar meal in London or New York.

👉 Vilnius Lithuania: Best Fine-Dining Spot For Local Cuisine

What are your favorite underrated destinations around the world? Let us know in the comments.