10 underrated places to visit in 2026 where you can avoid the crowds

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Paris, Amsterdam and Venice have drawn visitors for centuries, but their popularity often result in packed streets and rising costs that can dampen the travel experience and put a strain on local communities. 

These major cities aren’t alone. Tensions have reached a boiling point in many overtouristed areas, with irate locals occupying overcrowded beaches in the Spanish islands and even sabotaging short-term vacation rentals in Rome. Fortunately, there are many beautiful and underappreciated places to visit around the world where the local population welcomes tourism. 

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Intrepid Travel’s annual Not Hot List for 2026, released on Sept. 10, is designed to highlight the lesser-known destinations that are every bit as captivating as their more popular peers, whilst encouraging responsible travel. The tour operator’s list challenges traditional guides that often showcase the same destinations year after year, contributing to ongoing overtourism.

“While some destinations receive millions — even tens of millions — of visitors each year, many lesser-known places go virtually unnoticed by travellers. A key consideration when we’re developing trips is how we can spread the economic benefits of tourism more widely and how our presence in a destination can positively impact the communities we’re visiting,” said Erica Kritikides, general manager of experiences at Intrepid Travel.

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Here’s a closer look at Intrepid’s Not Hot List, a list of places welcoming tourists, where you can connect with nature, soak up a relaxed pace and enjoy an immersive experience with local culture.

Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone

Tiwai Island in Sierra Leone is first on Intrepid’s list. This West African country has developed a bold 10-year strategy to become a leader in ecotourism — with recent developments including a solar-powered airport terminal and the newly-designated UNESCO World Heritage site on Tiwai Island. The Gola Forest hosts diverse primates and stunningly beautiful and rare flora and fauna. Experience Tiwai Island’s rainforest and take a boat ride down the Moa River or head to the secluded beaches of the Banana Islands.

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“What sets Sierra Leone apart is its raw authenticity. Tourism here is still in its infancy, offering a rare chance to explore a destination untouched by mainstream tourism,” said Meghan Verbeek, product category manager for sub-Saharan Africa at Intrepid.

Tien Shan Mountain Range, Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan’s Sustainable Tourism Development Program launches this year, featuring improved infrastructure, digital travel services and community-led experiences. The Kyrgyz Nomad Trail, over 2,000 kilometres of trails winding through the Tien Shan Mountain Range, is an unparalleled opportunity for adventure seekers to explore some of the most remote places on earth. It’s not just scenic views or challenging mountain treks, but also a chance to connect with the heart of nomadic families whose way of life has endured for generations. 

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Sierra Norte, Mexico 

Mexico is a familiar destination for many Canadians. However, far from the crowded beaches, the Sierra Norte mountains of Oaxaca provide an uncommon experience for travellers. According to Intrepid, eight self-governing Zapotec villages have created a blueprint for Indigenous-led tourism. This off-the-grid destination offers 100 kilometres of uncrowded trails, home cooked meals and sustainable tourism practices that protect the local culture and the environment.

Vis Island, Croatia 

If you’re looking to visit Croatia, but you want to skip the crowds in Dubrovnik and Hvar, Vis Island will provide a serene refuge in 2026. Located in the Adriatic Sea off the Dalmatian Coast, Vis Island offers a slower pace. New walking and cycling paths open in 2026 next to the Museum of Issa offering new views of the beautiful scenery. When visitors aren’t sampling the local food and wine in the traditional villages, they can swim or snorkel the island’s abundant coves and caves.

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“Vis Island invites travellers to slow down and experience the Adriatic at a different pace. It’s free from long queues and heavy crowds, removing the stress that often comes with popular destinations,” noted Intrepid assistant product manager Duje Dropuljic. “While some see Vis’ remoteness as a drawback, it’s exactly what makes Vis so special.”

Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey 

While Istanbul and Antalya attract most of Turkey’s international arrivals, those looking for a more immersive experience may want to set their sights on Gaziantep. Since earthquakes rocked the region in 2023, the area has focused on sustainable travel. UNESCO World Heritage Sites preserve the culture and history. The world-famous baklava was created in Gaziantep, earning the city a UNCESCO Creative City of Gastronomy designation.

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Arunachal Pradesh, India

From ancient monasteries to the soaring Himalayan peeks, the northeast India area called Arunachal Pradesh is striding into the tourism spotlight with a strategy that emphasizes community-based travel. Homestays and locally-led experiences connect travellers with the hospitality of the 26 major tribes and 100 sub-tribes who live here. Visitors can experience the unique rituals, crafts, festivals and food that make northeast India such a remarkable destination.

Via Transilvanica, Romania 

Imagine a hiking holiday that connects you through villages, ancient forests and 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Via Transilvanica or “the road that unites” expands to open 170 kilometres of new trails in 2026, part of a 20-year growth plan. The paths will connect visitors to spiritual sites and monasteries, and even the site long linked to the Dracula legend, Bran Castle. Over the next two decades, the paths will provide a unique connection to Romanian culture.

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“This slow-travel route isn’t just scenic, it’s built to revive depopulated villages, support local enterprise and give visitors a rare chance to experience traditions that feel untouched by time,” said Anna Szekely, vice-president of the Tasuleasa Social Association.

Ruta de las Flores, El Salvador

You could be forgiven for overlooking El Salvador as a tropical destination. Its history is marred by unrest that would deter even the most ardent traveller. However, the country has turned things around to improve traveller safety and reduce crime. This means you can explore El Salvador’s diverse scenery, such as Mayan Ruins, world-class beaches and even active volcanoes. For those who love to surf, the Pacific coast has been transformed into a world-class surfing mecca. One of the country’s best-kept secrets is the 36-kilometre route called the Ruta de las Flores.

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The Ruta de las Flores connects five colonial-era towns, featuring coffee plantations, waterfalls, vibrant murals, weekend food markets and cool mountain air. Few people venture to the highlands of Ruta de las Flores, which means the area is uncrowded and authentic, and its beauty untouched.

Oulu, Finland

Under the radar doesn’t mean boring, even if your destination is just south of the Arctic Circle. Recently dubbed the “European Capital of Culture”, the city of Oulu in Finland has created a year-long program that will have visitors rethinking their travel plans.

Summer sees visitors utilizing the bike trails and hiking through swamps or bobbing in the Baltic Sea in a floating sauna. Winter doesn’t dampen the itinerary with fat bikes and snowshoes winding through a mysterious snowy landscape.

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Oulu is prepared to champion environmental awareness. And the Arctic Food Lab events showcase ingredients from the regions around the wilds of the city. And the Sami people, the only Indigenous population recognized by the European Union, provide hands on workshops on nature-based living.

Great Basin National Park, United States 

One of the least-visited parks in the United States is Great Basin National Park on the eastern edge of Nevada. The remote area and sparse visitors makes it a natural attraction for stargazers and adventurers looking for an uncrowded environment with a slower pace, while still offering a deep connection to nature in its wildest forms.

Aside from nighttime excursions to soak up glimpses of the Milky Way, visitors can check out the Lehman Caves for archeological wonders. 

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