The world’s most underrated places revealed for 2025
Offbeat, underrated and completely unforgettable.
Tired of tourist traps? Over lining up for hours? Done with the same old bucket list? Intrepid Travel’s Not Hot List for 2025 just dropped, and it’s here to steer you away from the crowds and towards undiscovered destinations – perfect for travellers who crave the road less travelled.
1. Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone
Smart Traveller advisory: exercise a high degree of caution.
Tiwai Island is home to the endangered pygmy hippopotamus. (Image: Getty Images/MJ_Prototype)
Don’t let its name fool you –Tiwai Island isn’t in the middle of the ocean. The 1200-hectare landmass is actually located in the heart of Sierra Leone, encircled by the Moa River around a five-hour drive from the country’s capital of Freetown. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site just this year, Tiwai Island is a wildlife sanctuary with community and ecotourism at its heart. The island is managed by national NGO Environmental Foundation for Africa, with all revenue funnelled back into Tiwai’s eight host communities.
Nature buffs will love it here; Tiwai is home to a healthy population of the endangered pygmy hippopotami, as well as over 135 different species of birds and one of the highest concentrations of primates in the world. The island’s multiple guided forest hikes and boat tours make it easy to explore, too.
2. Tien Shan Mountain Range, Kyrgyzstan
Smart Traveller advisory: exercise a high degree of caution.
Spot wild horses throughout Tien Shan. (Image: Getty Images/Ozbalci)
Forget the Rocky Mountains, the Andes and even the Himalayas. If you’re keen to climb this year and have the track to yourself while doing so, look no further than the Tien Shan Mountain Range. Translated from the Turkic languages of Uighur and Kazakh, Tien Shan means ‘Celestial Mountains’ or ‘Mountains of God’ – a befitting name considering the majesty of these peaks.
Long traversed by nomads but relatively unknown to outsiders, this is one for only the most intrepid of travellers. The 2500-kilometre-long mountain range hugs the border between Kyrgyzstan and China, reaching heights of over 24,000 feet. Situated in one of Central Asia’s most isolated regions, Tien Shan is a little harder to access. But those willing to make the effort will definitely be rewarded – you’ll be fully immersed in the local culture, stay in yurt camps and trek through one of the world’s best natural wonders.
3. Sierra Norte, Mexico
Sierra Norte is one of Mexico’s most remote regions. (Image: Getty Images/Esdelval)
Smart Traveller advisory: exercise a high degree of caution.
Mexico’s Oaxaca region is famed for its stunning coastline – and for good reason. But few realise that beyond the beaches, it also boasts one of the world’s most beautiful mountainous areas. Sierra Norte is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a diverse landscape of forests, cliffs, caves and waterways that are accessible by biking and walking trails. You’ll be surrounded by everything from rushing rivers and wildflower fields to cave systems and thick pine woodlands, all just 62 kilometres from the city of Oaxaca.
But one of Sierra Norte’s biggest drawcards is the Pueblos Mancomunados, a mountain-dwelling cooperative of eight self-governing Zapotec villages. It’s a place where nature and culture collide in a spectacular fashion, where tight-knit communities are committed to sharing their culture while protecting their home. Visitor numbers are limited, so your best bet is joining Intrepid Travel’s five-day Hiking in Mexico: Oaxaca’s Indigenous Highlands tour for a real insight into this incredible way of life.
4. Vis Island, Croatia
Vis sits off the coast of Croatia in the Adriatic Sea. (Image: Getty Images/Xbrchx)
Smart Traveller advisory: exercise normal safety precautions.
Croatia may be among Southern Europe’s most popular summer destinations, but that doesn’t mean travellers seeking seclusion should avoid it altogether. If you want the vibes without the crowds, just head to Vis. The remote island has managed to stay relatively under-the-radar for a few reasons – primarily its location. Approximately 45–60 kilometres off the Croatian mainland, it’s one of the farthest inhabited islands in the Adriatic Sea and only accessible by boat. It also served as a Yugoslav military base, which kept it off-limits to the public until 1989.
Since it began welcoming visitors, Vis has retained a small-scale and intimate approach to tourism, ensuring it preserves its authenticity. And despite being only 90 square kilometres in size, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. Languor on pebbled beaches in the sun. Hike through forests for mountaintop views. Discover local food and wine. It’s the ultimate idyllic island escape.
5. Southeastern Anatolia, Türkiye
Mount Nemrut is one of the most astounding sites in Türkiye. (Image: Getty Images/Okan Metin)
Smart Traveller advisory: exercise a high degree of caution.
It’s no secret to the locals. But for the rest of the world, Türkiye’s Southeastern Anatolia region remains reasonably unknown, making it the perfect place for an intrepid adventure. You’ll get the best of both worlds here – from the burgeoning city of Gaziantep to the remote reaches of Mount Nemrut – it’s as diverse as it is unspoilt.
Southeastern Anatolia is generously sprinkled with UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites that have been recognised for their geographical, cultural and historical significance. Take Göbekli Tepe for example, a Neolithic archaeological site featuring some of the world’s oldest known megaliths. Or Diyarbakır Castle and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape, an ancient and enclosed fortress dating back to the Roman period. And that’s just the beginning.
6. Arunachal Pradesh, India
Visit ancient monasteries in Arunachal Pradesh. (Image: Getty Images/Daniel Rao)
Smart Traveller advisory: exercise a high degree of caution.
Considering its towering Himalayan peaks, ancient monasteries and diverse tribal cultures, you’d think Arunachal Pradesh would be flocked with tourists. But this northeast Indian state is so remote it still remains a secret, despite being in the most populated continent on Earth. Although there are strict permit rules, the region is opening up more to tourists, providing authentic homestays and locally led experiences that can’t be had anywhere else.
7. Via Transilvanica, Romania
The Via Transilvanica spans 1400 kilometres across Romania. (Image: Getty Images/Boerescul)
Smart Traveller advisory: exercise normal safety precautions.
Dubbed the ‘Camino of the East’, Romania’s Via Transilvanica walking trail is a hiker’s dream come true. The scenic track spans more than 1400 kilometres from Putna to Drobeta Turnu and traces 10 counties, 400+ communities and 12 UNESCO sites. Yet your chances of passing another traveller are slim to none. The best part? Around 170 kilometres worth of new paths are set to open in 2026.
8. Ruta de las Flores, El Salvador
Ataco is one of five towns along the Ruta de las Flores. (Image: Getty Images/Tim Newman)
Smart Traveller advisory: exercise a high degree of caution.
Not many take the time to look beyond El Salvador’s world-class surf beaches – if the country is even on their radar at all. But look a little closer and you may just spot the Ruta de las Flores or ‘Flower Route’, arguably one of the most magical regions in the world. Nestled into El Salvador’s lush highlands, this scenic road weaves through five quaint colonial towns bursting with culture and colour, revealing a side to Central America little will ever get to see.
9. Oulu, Finland
Oulu is the European Capital of Culture 2026. (Image: Getty Images/Lurii Buriak)
Smart Traveller advisory: exercise normal safety precautions.
Sitting pretty where the Oulujoki River meets the Bay of Bothnia in Finland, Oulu is all culture and no crowds – literally. The waterfront city has just been named the European Capital of Culture 2026 for its forward-thinking stance on everything from climate science to creative expression. And while it may be on the fringes of the Arctic Circle, Oulu is one of Europe’s hottest destinations right now – think museums, art galleries, music festivals, fine-dining restaurants and more.
10. Great Basin National Park, United States
Find peace and quiet among the pines of Great Basin National Park. (Image: Getty Images/Mile High Traveler)
Smart Traveller advisory: exercise normal safety precautions.
The United States is home to countless national parks. Yosemite and Yellowstone are showstoppers. Canyon Lands and Crater Lake are equally breathtaking. But their reputations mean that finding solitude can be tricky – a problem easily avoided by visiting Great Basin National Park instead. Not only will you have this place mostly to yourself, but you won’t miss out on anything, either. Home to ancient bristlecone pines, snow-fed alpine lakes and some of the darkest skies in America, it offers the quintessential national park experience, paired with peace and quiet like nature intended.
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