7 Underrated Travel Destinations to Visit Before the Crowds

Underrated travel destinations still exist, even in a world where every viewpoint seems to be on social media. Arrive in the right month and you find places where the atmosphere is local, prices are fair and you share the view with a handful of people instead of a coach party.

The key is timing as much as place. A quiet coast in June can be packed in August, and a mountain town can be empty in October for good reasons. This guide covers seven lesser-known destinations, what makes each worth the trip, and when to go for the best balance of weather and crowds.

What Makes a Destination Underrated

A place is underrated when its quality is high but its visitor numbers stay moderate. That usually comes from one of three things: it is harder to reach, it sits next to a more famous neighbour, or it has not yet been heavily marketed abroad.

Places like Bhutan in October show the pattern well: excellent conditions, a strong culture and controlled visitor numbers. The seven picks below follow the same logic at a range of budgets.

7 Underrated Travel Destinations at a Glance

Destination	Why go	Usual best months	Crowd note
Albanian Riviera	Clear water, beaches, villages	June and September	July and August are busy
Gjirokastër, Albania	UNESCO stone town, castle	April to June, September to October	Quiet outside summer
Agadir, Morocco	Long beach, surf, mountain valleys	March to May, September to November	Busy in summer holidays
Uvita, Costa Rica	Whale-tail sandbar, whales	December to April (dry season)	Busier in Costa Rica’s holidays
Kavala, Greece	Harbour town, Philippi	June to September	Far quieter than the islands
Isle of Skye, Scotland	Mountains, sea cliffs	May, June and September	Very busy in July and August
Kaunas, Lithuania	Modernist city, low prices	May to September	Rarely crowded

1. The Albanian Riviera

For years, the Mediterranean meant Italy, Greece and Spain. Albania’s southern coast, facing Corfu across the Ionian Sea, offers clear water, small beaches and hillside villages at lower prices.

Beaches and nature: Ksamil has white sand and turquoise water, though it is crowded at the height of summer. Himarë, Dhërmi and the coves between them are often calmer. Inland, the Blue Eye is a deep blue spring in a forest setting; swimming there is not allowed.

When to go: June and September give warm sea temperatures with far fewer people than July and August. May and October are quieter still, with cooler water.

Tip: Rent a car to reach smaller beaches, since public transport along the coast is limited. Drive carefully on the mountain road over the Llogara Pass.

2. Gjirokastër, Albania

Inland from the coast, Gjirokastër climbs a hillside in tiers of stone-roofed Ottoman-era houses. It is listed by UNESCO together with Berat as an example of well-preserved Ottoman town architecture.

Culture and history: Gjirokastër Castle looks over the Drino Valley and holds a museum of arms. The Ethnographic Museum stands on the site of the house where the dictator Enver Hoxha was born. The old bazaar area is good for crafts and traditional food.

When to go: Spring and early autumn, when the weather is good for walking the steep cobbled lanes and the summer heat has eased.

Tip: Stay in a restored traditional house. Many are run by local families and are good value.

3. Agadir, Morocco

When most travellers think of Morocco, they think of Marrakech or Fes. Agadir, on the southern Atlantic coast, shows a more relaxed side of the country, with a long sandy bay, a modern centre and easy access to surf spots and mountain valleys.

Beach and surf: Agadir’s main beach is long and sheltered, with a promenade lined with cafés. North of the city, Taghazout and nearby breaks are well known for surfing, with schools for beginners.

Mountains: Paradise Valley, in the foothills of the High Atlas about an hour’s drive away, has rock pools, palm groves and short walks. Water levels depend on recent rain.

When to go: Agadir is mild all year. Spring and autumn are especially comfortable. Winter days are often sunny and warm enough for the beach, while summer brings domestic holiday crowds and some morning sea mist.

Tip: Visit Souk El Had, one of the country’s largest markets, for spices, produce and crafts. It is closed on Mondays. Our When to Go: Morocco guide covers every region month by month.

4. Uvita, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is well known for eco-travel, but Uvita on the South Pacific coast is still quieter than Manuel Antonio or Tamarindo. It offers long beaches, rainforest and one of the country’s best whale-watching areas.

Wildlife and nature: Uvita borders Marino Ballena National Park, home to a sandbar shaped like a whale’s tail that appears at low tide. Humpback whales visit in two seasons: roughly July to October, from the southern hemisphere, and December to March, from the northern hemisphere.

When to go: The dry season, from December to April, is best for beaches and hiking. The green season brings afternoon rain but also whales and lower prices.

Tip: Check tide tables before visiting the whale tail, since you can only walk it at low tide. See our When to Go: Costa Rica guide for each coast’s seasons.

5. Kavala, Greece

Most visitors to Greece head to Athens or the islands. Kavala, a harbour city in the north, offers a historic old town, a waterfront promenade and beaches nearby, with a far more local feel.

History and culture: The Panagia old town climbs a headland to Kavala’s Byzantine fortress, with views over the Aegean. A large Ottoman-era aqueduct runs through the centre. Nearby Philippi is a UNESCO World Heritage site, linked by tradition to the Apostle Paul, who is said to have founded the first Christian community in Europe there.

When to go: June to September for beaches and outdoor dining. Late spring and early autumn are good for sightseeing in milder heat.

Tip: Kavala is known for its fresh seafood; try grilled fish and octopus at harbour tavernas. The island of Thassos is a short ferry ride away. Our When to Go: Greece guide compares the north with the islands month by month.

6. Isle of Skye, Scotland

Skye is not a secret. Its cliffs, ridges and sea lochs draw large summer crowds, and accommodation is limited. It stays on this list because it is still underrated outside peak months, when the island feels much wilder.

Scenery and hiking: The Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing are the classic walks. The Fairy Pools in Glen Brittle are clear pools and waterfalls below the Cuillin mountains.

When to go: May, June and September usually give the best mix of daylight and smaller crowds. July and August are the busiest. Midges can be a nuisance from late spring through summer, and the weather can change quickly in any month.

Tip: Book accommodation well ahead, and arrive at popular car parks early or late in the day. Nearby Raasay and the Outer Hebrides are quieter alternatives.

7. Kaunas, Lithuania

Lithuania’s second city is one of Europe’s better-value city breaks, with a medieval castle, a long pedestrian boulevard, interwar modernist buildings listed by UNESCO and a lively café scene. Most travellers skip it on the way to Vilnius or Riga, so it rarely feels crowded.

When to go: May to September for warm days and outdoor terraces. Winter is cold but cheap.

Read our full guide to budget-friendly travel in Kaunas.

How to Find Your Own Underrated Destinations

• Look next door to the famous name. Albania beside Greece, Kavala beside the islands, Kaunas beside Vilnius.
• Travel in the shoulder months. Even well-known places can feel underrated in May, June, September or October.
• Go one step further. The second town, the next valley or the island beyond the ferry port often has the same scenery with fewer people.
• Respect local limits. Quiet places can be fragile. Stay in locally owned accommodation, follow park rules and leave no trace.

Plan Before the Crowds Arrive

Underrated destinations reward travellers who plan around the calendar. Choose a place where your preferred month falls just outside the peak, and you get the weather without the queues.

For more ideas, browse our country guides.