Incredibly Underrated Travel Destinations Around the World

The feeling you get when you discover a hidden gem is something that really gets you hooked on travelling. We’re passionate about creating a travel experience that gives you this feeling, with adventures that really show off the lesser-known side of a destination. The experts who guide our walking and trekking tours know a thing or two about special travel experiences, and whilst nothing beats a personal recommendation, we’ve crunched the data on over 350 hidden gems around the world to find the ones that are truly underrated.

Our new study analysed 356 travel experiences in over 130 countries. The travel experiences were given a score based on how highly reviewed they were compared to how popular they – at least are according to Google search volumes and Trip Advisor data. The travel experiences with the lowest score were deemed the most ‘underrated’, with the global results and continent breakdowns below. 

Before we delve into the data, our experts share their most underrated travel gems:

Travel Experience	Region & Country	Underrated Experience Score
Hiking Schafberg Peak	Salzburg, Austria	2
Cynghordy Viaduct Walk	Llanfair-ar-y-Bryn, Wales	5
Jokkmokks Fjalltradgard Botanical Garden	Jokkmokks, Sweden	8
Boat Tour of the Streets of Giethoorn	Overijssel, The Netherlands	16
Hike to Sandwood Bay	Northern Highlands, Scotland	41
Rafting in Osumi Canyon	Berat, Albania	42
Visiting Blakeney Point National Nature Reserve	Norfolk, England	126
Hiking to the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks	NE Bohemia, Czech Republic	159
Soca River Rafting	Western Slovenia	206
Hiking the Massif de l'Esterel	Agay, France	353

1. Ranking in the first spot for the best experiences off the beaten path in Europe is hiking to Schafberg Peak, a fun-filled adventure in Austria that suits hikers of all levels. Whether you choose to hike out of St. Gilgen village, or take the southern route via St. Wolfgang im Salzkammergut, this summit in the Lechquellen Mountains provides breath-taking views over Austria’s mountains as well as the glorious Wolfgangsee Lake.

2. Second on Europe’s most underrated travel list is the Cynghordy Viaduct Walk. Tucked away in the valleys of Wales, a walking route from Cynghordy to Llandovery will lead you to this railway viaduct that looks like something straight out of a movie scene. With the bright green rolling hills contrasting against the awesome arches of the viaduct, the final destination of this walk is spectacular, but the walk there is also magnificent, so take your time to enjoy the journey and natural beauty of Wales.

3. Sweden’s Jokkmokks Fjalltradgard completes Europe’s top three most underrated travel experiences. This stunning botanical garden delivers beauty all year long and is a must-see for travellers who love to visit parks and gardens. If you can, book a tour around the site, you will be amazed by the wonderous flora hiding right under your nose and the history behind it. 

Travel Experience	Region & Country	Underrated Experience Score
Bodega Cerro Chapeu	Rivera, Uruguay	10
Parque Nacional das Emas	Goias, Brazil	11
Explore Navarino Island	Puerto Williams, Chile	13
Bernardo O'Higgins National Park	Puerto Natales, Chile	16
Dunes of Taton	Fiambala, Argentina	23
Hiking Cochamo Valley	Cochamo, Chile	27
Nomada Experience Motorcycle Tour	Uyuni, Bolivia	30
Quebrada de Las Flechas	Angastaco, Argentina	47
Kaieteur Falls Tour	Potaro-Siparuni, Guyana	48
Visiting the Vina Eden Winery	Punta del Este, Uruguay	60

1. Bodega Cerro Chapeu is a winery in Uruguay, bordering Brazil, and it takes first spot in our list of South America’s most underrated travel experiences. Home to horses, sheep and surrounded by open fields, the winery is a true ode to nature and the simplest joys in life. While wine tasting and delicious food is certainly integral to this winery’s experience, exploring the flat top hills and learning about the unique connection from soil to table is unmissable.

2. Whether you camp here, or take a guided tour, the 324,000 acres of Parque Nacional das Emas will leave an ever-lasting impression. This UNESCO World Heritage Site in Goiás is home to incredible wildlife such as yellow and blue macaws, maned wolved, giant ant-eaters and even jaguars. Some lucky visitors have even witnessed the other-worldly bioluminescent light of firefly eggs that have been deposited in the park’s great termite mounds.

3. Exploring Navarino Island is one of the most underrated experiences and highly recommended to anyone visiting southern Chile. Between Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn, Navarino Island is home to Puerto Williams, the capital of the Chilean Antarctic, and is surrounded by impressive mountains and cliffsides covered with white glistening snow. Plenty of trekking and hiking trails exist to explore the island, most notably the Dientes de Navarino Circuit. This is Chile like you’ve never seen it before.

Travel Experience	Region & Country	Underrated Experience Score
Tada Falls/Ubbalamadugu Falls	Chennai, India	6
Bambarakiri Ella Falls Suspension Bridge	Matale, Sri Lanka	8
King’s Highway Tour	Jordan	15
Diving in the Musandam Fjords	Khasab, Oman	26
Exploring Orchid Island	Lanya, Taiwan	32
Hauntu Haunted House	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	38
Mekong Delta Cruise	Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam	44
Mirror House	Kuwait City, Middle East	48
Zhangye Danxia Geopark Tour	Danxia, China	67
Walking the Amanohashidate Sandbar	Kyoto, Japan	167

1. Hidden in the dense forest of Siddulaiah Kona, the Ubbalamadugu Falls are a magical sight to behold, with crystal clear waters cascading over a 100-odd metre drop. Suitable for those with good mobility, courageous explorers can even brave the rocky climb to dip in the pool above the falls. 

2. Another waterfall is featured in Asia’s most underrated travel list, this time it is the Bambarakiri Ella Falls in Sri Lanka. The waterfall can be viewed from three different viewpoints along the site’s suspension bridge. Most people view the falls from the beginning of the suspension bridge, but the view from the middle of the bridge and the angle from the other side of the bridge also offer incredible snapshots of the tumbling waters. 

3. Historically, the King’s Highway road in Jordan was an important ancient trade route that ran from Egypt across the Sinai Peninsula to Aqaba. Nowadays the King’s Highway makes for an impressive drive with phenomenal views. And whilst essentially it’s just a road, the King’s Highway is one of the most underrated travel experiences for anyone looking to learn more about the history and culture of Jordan. 

Travel Experience	Region & Country	Underrated Experience Score
Gishora Drum Sanctuary	Gitega, Burundi	3
Roots Yard Off Grid Camping	Volta Region, Ghana	6
Kapishya Hot Springs	Chinsali, Zambia	9
Bazaruto Archipelago	Inhambane Province, Mozambique	16
Langebaan Lagoon	Western Cape, South Africa	16
Walking to Toubkal Refuge	High Atlas Mountains, Morocco	28
Boat trip to Nosy Fanihy Island	Nosy Be, Madagascar	40
Hiking The Drakensberg	Lesotho & South Africa	41
Spiagge di Anse Marron – The Secret Beach	La Digue Island, Seychelles	61
Pelican Point Kayaking	Walvis Bay, Namibia	66

1. Taking the top spot of Africa’s most underrated travel experiences is the Gishora Drum sanctuary in Burundi. This wonderful experience preserves and celebrates the art of Burundi's ancient drum rituals, with this sanctuary being one of the most prominent drum sites in Burundi. This drum and dancing performance is like a tour through history, fast paced and beautiful, and needs no translation.

2. Following up next is the Roots Yard Off Grid camping experience in Ghana. The name says it all: away from bustling towns and the touristy centres, this campsite is run by a British-Ghanian family and offers vegan food, a relaxed atmosphere, plus easy walks around the area. An undiscovered treasure for certain.

3. The third most underrated travel experience in Africa is a visit to the Kapishya Hot Springs. Located in Chinsali, Zambia, these hot springs will leave visitors feeling rested and reinvigorated. A true hidden gem tucked away on the banks on the Mansha River, the Kapishya hot springs offer crystal clear waters, natural scenery that excites the senses and unmatched tranquillity.

Travel Experience	Region & Country	Underrated Experience Score
Sable Island Tour	Sable Island, Canada	3
Auyuittuq National Park Tour	Pangnirtung, Canada	5
Great Stone Door Trail	Tennessee, USA	7
Wolf Creek Habitat	Indiana, USA	17
Eudora Welty House & Garden	Mississippi, USA	26
Kayaking River Yasica	Cabarete, Dominican Republic	31
Views from Hamilton Park	New Jersey, USA	31
Ron del Barrilito Tour	Bayamon, Puerto Rica	33
Pacuare River Rafting	Cartago, Costa Rica	35
Exploring Lake Willoughby	Vermont, USA	37

1. Canada is a country that is brimming with underrated travel experiences. Our study highlights the Sable Island Tour as one of North America’s standout hidden gems. But what makes visiting Sable Island so unique? How about the fact you can land a plane right on the beach? If that’s not thrilling enough, the wild horses and the world’s largest grey seal colony also await you here, the natural guardians of this special secluded island.

2. Canada is featured again at number two in North American’s underrated travel list, with the Auyuittuq National Park Tour. This one is for the serious hikers, with a 60-mile trail that requires overnight stays, but hardy backpackers are rewarded with some of the most gorgeous alpine sceneries in Canada’s eastern arctic. From melting glaciers to Mount Asgard and the Owl River valley, this hike is truly one for the books.

3. Rounding out the top three most underrated travel experiences in North America is the Great Stone Door Trail in Tennessee. Located in South Cumberland State Park, an area with multiple trail and hike options, the Stone Door is narrow 10-foot-wide but over 100-feet-deep crack that you can hike through. The Stone Door Trail itself is a fairly short and easy hike - roughly a two mile round trip amongst beautiful views, stunning drops from the high bluffs (over 200ft in some areas) and the purest air nature has to offer.

Travel Experience	Region & Country	Underrated Experience Score
Bungonia National Park Walks	New South Wales, Australia	3
Melbourne Dumpling Walking Tour	Victoria, Australia	6
Keep River National Park	Northern Territory, Australia	7
Desert Edge Tours	Queensland, Australia	9
Purnululu National Park	Western Australia	10
Mitchell River National Park	Western Australia	10
Mont Rouge Estate	Victoria, Australia	13
The Alan Gibbs Farm	Auckland, New Zealand	18
Oparara Basin	Karamea, New Zealand	25
Yubu Napa Art Gallery	Northern Territory, Australia	37

1.  Heading Down Under? The Bungonia National Park walks in New South Wales top the list of most underrated travel experiences in this part of the world. The protected national park offers multiple trails, all set amongst some of Australia’s most striking nature. From towering trees to crystal clear waters, this park is a must visit for anyone looking for a relaxing day away from crowded city streets.

2. Next on this continent’s most underrated travel list is the Melbourne Dumpling walking tour. If the name doesn’t give it away, this walking tour takes you across Melbourne’s Chinatown with plenty of chances to dine on delicious dumpling and other delicious morsels of local cuisine. With a guide by your side, you’ll be sure to hit hunt down the tastiest samples whilst learning more about the area’s history.

3. Australia’s third most underrated travel experience is a trip to Keep River National Park. This park has less visitors than Australia’s other national parks, but boasts some wonderful examples of natural red rock outcrops and rock art. The Jememoon walk gets particularly high praise from people who have hiked the park’s trails. 

Travel Experience	Region & Country	Underrated Experience Score
Schafberg Peak Hike	Salzburg, Austria	2
Sable Island Tours	Sable Island, Canada	3
Bungonia National Park Walks	New South Wales, Australia	3
Gishora Drum Sanctuary	Gitega, Burundi	3
Cynghordy Viaduct Walk	Llanfair-ar-y-Bryn, Wales	5
Auyuittuq National Park Tours	Pangnirtung, Canada	5
Melbourne Dumpling Walking Tour	Victoria, Australia	6
Roots Yard Off Grid Camping	Volta Region, Ghana	6
Tada Falls/Ubbalamadugu Falls	Chennai, India	6
Keep River National Park	Northern Territory, Australia	7
Great Stone Door Trail	Tennessee, USA	7
Jokkmokks Fjalltradgard Botanical Garden	Jokkmokks Fjalltradgard Botanical Garden	8
Bambarakiri Ella Falls Suspension Bridge	Matale, Sri Lanka	8
Desert Edge Tours	Queensland, Australia	9
Bodega Cerro Chapeu	Rivera, Uruguay	10
Purnululu National Park	Western Australia	10
Mitchell River National Park	Western Australia	10
Parque Nacional das Emas	Goias, Brazil	11
Mont Rouge Estate	Victoria, Australia	13
Explore Navarino Island	Puerto Williams, Chile	13
Bernardo O'Higgins National Park	Puerto Natales, Chile	16
Boat Tour of the Streets of Giethoorn	Overijssel, The Netherlands	16
Bazaruto Archipelago	Inhambane Province, Mozambique	16
Langebaan Lagoon	Western Cape, South Africa	16
Wolf Creek Habitat	Indiana, USA	17

Study notes: We looked at 356 travel experiences around the world that have been deemed ‘hidden gems’ and summed the Google search volumes for terms relating to that experience with how many Trip Advisor reviews its accumulated. This was then cross-referenced with each experience’s Trip Advisor review score to reveal the experiences that are the least popular (in terms of Google searches and review count) but have the highest review score. 

Data sources include Google Keyword Planner, Trip Advisor and data is correct as of October 2022. 

Experiences in countries that the FCDO advises against travel to have been omitted from the list, as have experiences that are deemed unsafe or unsustainable.