Picture this: you’ve finally booked that dream trip to Venice. You imagine romantic gondola rides on serene canals and quiet moments in ancient piazzas. The reality? You’re shuffling shoulder-to-shoulder through a sea of selfie sticks, paying €15 for a coffee, and the only serene moment is the 30 seconds before another tour group floods your view. This is the unfortunate reality of overtourism in many of the world’s most beloved destinations.
But what if you could have the magic without the madness? What if you could experience enchanting canals, sun-drenched islands, and vibrant historical cities without the crushing crowds and inflated prices? You can. The secret lies in choosing the path less traveled. For every world-famous hotspot, there’s an equally charming, more authentic, and more affordable alternative waiting to be discovered.
This guide is your passport to the best alternative travel destinations 2025 has to offer. It’s time to swap the crowds for charm, the tourist traps for genuine discovery, and create travel memories that are uniquely yours.
Why Choose an Alternative Destination in 2025?
Opting for a “destination dupe” is more than just avoiding crowds. It’s a smarter, more rewarding way to travel.
- Combat Overtourism: You actively help reduce the strain on overburdened cities and ecosystems, contributing to a more sustainable travel industry. [Read our guide on Sustainable Travel Tips].
- More Bang for Your Buck: Your money goes significantly further. Accommodation, food, and activities are often a fraction of the price of their famous counterparts.
- Authentic Experiences: You’re more likely to interact with locals, discover hidden gems, and experience the culture in a more genuine way, rather than through a pre-packaged tourist lens.
- The Joy of Discovery: There’s a unique thrill in visiting a place that not everyone knows about. You get to be the one to tell your friends about the incredible city or island they’ve never heard of.
Europe’s Hidden Gems: Swap These Crowded Classics…
Europe is full of iconic cities, but many of its most charming spots fly under the radar.
1. Instead of Venice, Italy… Try Annecy, France
The Classic: Venice, the “Floating City,” is undeniably beautiful, a labyrinth of canals and historic romance. But its popularity is also its downfall, with an overwhelming number of tourists navigating its narrow streets year-round.
The Alternative: Nestled in the French Alps, Annecy is rightfully known as the “Venice of the Alps.” Its medieval old town (Vieille Ville) is a stunning network of canals fed by the crystal-clear waters of Lac d’Annecy. The vibe is enchantingly similar to Venice but with a breathtaking mountain backdrop and a more relaxed, breathable atmosphere. You can wander through cobblestone streets, admire pastel-colored houses, and enjoy the scenery without feeling suffocated.
What to Do in Annecy:
- Explore Vieille Ville: Get lost in the maze of canals and charming streets. Don’t miss the Palais de l’Île, a 12th-century castle on an island in the canal.
- Relax by Lac d’Annecy: Reputed as Europe’s cleanest lake, it’s perfect for swimming, paddle-boarding, or taking a boat tour.
- Hike or Cycle: The surrounding mountains offer incredible trails with panoramic views of the lake and town.
Planning Your Trip: The nearest major airport is Geneva (GVA), just a 45-minute drive away. Find a seamless airport transfer with Kiwitaxi. For a stay with canal views, check out the options on Hotels.com. To truly understand the town’s history, book a walking tour of Annecy’s Old Town on Get Your Guide.
2. Instead of Santorini, Greece… Try Paros, Greece
The Classic: Santorini’s caldera views and blue-domed churches are the stuff of legends. Unfortunately, so are the crowds that flock there, leading to packed pathways for the famous Oia sunset and sky-high prices for everything.
The Alternative: Just a short ferry ride away lies Paros, an island that offers the quintessential Cycladic experience without the chaos. You’ll find the same charming, white-washed villages, winding stone alleys, and beautiful sandy beaches. The fishing village of Naoussa is arguably one of the most picturesque ports in all of Greece, with seaside tavernas and a vibrant, chic atmosphere. Paros feels more authentic, more relaxed, and gives you space to breathe the salty Aegean air.
What to Do in Paros:
- Discover Naoussa: Spend evenings wandering the labyrinthine streets and dining at the harbor.
- Beach Hop: From the golden sands of Kolymbithres Beach with its unique rock formations to the windsurfing hotspot of Golden Beach, there’s a beach for every taste.
- Day Trip to Antiparos: Take a 10-minute ferry to its smaller, even more laid-back sister island for a day of exploration.
Planning Your Trip: You can fly to Paros (PAS) or take a ferry from Athens. Renting a car or an ATV is the best way to explore the island; compare prices on Localrent.com. For a beautiful villa with a pool, browse the stunning options on Vrbo.
3. Instead of Barcelona, Spain… Try Valencia, Spain
The Classic: Barcelona is famous for Gaudí’s whimsical architecture, bustling nightlife, and La Rambla. It’s an incredible city, but it can also feel overrun with tourists, and petty crime is a notable concern.
The Alternative: As Spain’s third-largest city, Valencia offers the same vibrant, big-city energy but with a more laid-back and local feel. It boasts its own spectacular architecture with Santiago Calatrava’s City of Arts and Sciences, a stunning futuristic complex. It has wide, sandy beaches right in the city, a unique park in a dried-out riverbed, and, as the birthplace of paella, an unbeatable food scene. It’s sunny, affordable, and endlessly charming.
What to Do in Valencia:
- Visit the City of Arts and Sciences: This architectural marvel is a must-see, housing an opera house, science museum, and aquarium.
- Cycle the Turia Gardens: Rent a bike and explore this 9km-long park that winds through the city.
- Take a Paella Cooking Class: Learn to make Spain’s most famous dish in its hometown. Book an authentic cooking experience on Viator.
Planning Your Trip: Fly directly into Valencia (VLC). Find the best flight deals using Aviasales. The city is very walkable and bike-friendly.
4. Instead of Amsterdam, Netherlands… Try Ghent, Belgium
The Classic: Amsterdam’s picturesque canals, world-class museums, and liberal atmosphere make it a top-tier destination. However, its popularity has led to crowded streets and a city center that can sometimes feel more like a theme park than a living city.
The Alternative: Welcome to Ghent, one of Belgium’s best-kept secrets. It has everything you love about Amsterdam—gorgeous canals, stunning architecture, a vibrant youthful energy thanks to its large student population—but it feels more real and less crowded. The city’s crown jewel is the Gravensteen, a massive 12th-century castle located right in the city center. Ghent is a fairy-tale city that perfectly balances history with a modern, creative spirit.
What to Do in Ghent:
- Tour the Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts): Explore this formidable fortress and its museum.
- Take a Canal Boat Tour: See the beautiful guildhalls of the Graslei and Korenlei from the water.
- Admire the Ghent Altarpiece: See the world-famous “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” by the Van Eyck brothers in St. Bavo’s Cathedral.
Planning Your Trip: Ghent is easily accessible by train from Brussels (BRU) airport. If you’re exploring for the day, store your bags safely with Radical Storage. For a hotel in the historic center, browse deals on Trip.com.
5. Instead of Prague, Czech Republic… Try Ljubljana, Slovenia
The Classic: Prague is a real-life fairytale city with its Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, and magnificent castle complex. This beauty, however, draws staggering crowds, especially in summer, making it hard to appreciate the city’s charm.
The Alternative: Ljubljana (pronounced lyoo-blyah-nah) is the heart of Slovenia and one of Europe’s greenest and most liveable capitals. It shares Prague’s fairytale aesthetic, with a beautiful hilltop castle overlooking a charming old town, a tranquil river (the Ljubljanica) crossed by picturesque bridges, and vibrant, colorful architecture. The entire city center is a pedestrian zone, making it a joy to explore on foot. It’s cleaner, less crowded, and has a relaxed, friendly atmosphere that’s incredibly infectious.
What to Do in Ljubljana:
- Walk up to Ljubljana Castle: Enjoy the best views of the city and learn about its history.
- Explore the Old Town: Wander along the river, cross the famous Dragon Bridge and Triple Bridge, and relax at a riverside café.
- Day Trip to Lake Bled: Slovenia is small, and the iconic Lake Bled is less than an hour away, making for a perfect day trip.
Planning Your Trip: Fly into Ljubljana Airport (LJU). The city is compact and best explored on foot. For a truly unique stay, browse the boutique hotels on Hotellook. An eSIM from Airalo will keep you connected across Slovenia.
Global Alternatives for the Adventurous Soul
6. Instead of Bali, Indonesia… Try Siargao, Philippines
The Classic: Bali is the “Island of the Gods,” famous for its lush rice paddies, spiritual yoga retreats, and surf culture. In recent years, however, areas like Canggu and Seminyak have become heavily developed and plagued by traffic.
The Alternative: Siargao is the teardrop-shaped island in the Philippines that has quietly become the new Bali for those in the know. Dubbed the “Surfing Capital of the Philippines,” it has a raw, undeveloped beauty and a deeply entrenched surf culture. The vibe is laid-back, bohemian, and adventurous. Instead of traffic jams, you’ll find dirt roads leading to pristine beaches, natural rock pools, and stunning turquoise lagoons.
What to Do in Siargao:
- Go Surfing: Whether you’re a pro heading to Cloud 9 or a beginner taking a lesson, surfing is the heart of the island.
- Island Hopping: Visit the nearby islands of Naked, Daku, and Guyam.
- Visit Sugba Lagoon & Magpupungko Rock Pools: Swim in stunning natural pools and lagoons.
Planning Your Trip: Fly into Siargao (IAO). The island is rustic, so comprehensive travel insurance is a must. Get a reliable plan from VisitorsCoverage or EKTA.
7. Instead of the Maldives… Try The Cook Islands
The Classic: The Maldives is the epitome of tropical luxury, with its iconic overwater bungalows perched over impossibly blue water. This paradise, however, comes with one of the world’s highest price tags, often confined to a single resort experience.
The Alternative: Welcome to the Cook Islands, a South Pacific paradise that offers the same jaw-dropping beauty for a fraction of the cost. Specifically, the island of Aitutaki boasts a lagoon that many argue is the most beautiful in the world. You can find those dream overwater bungalows here, but you’ll also find a rich, living Polynesian culture, opportunities to explore the main island of Rarotonga, and a feeling of intimacy and authenticity that is hard to find in the Maldives.
What to Do in The Cook Islands:
- Take the Vaka Cruise on Aitutaki Lagoon: A must-do day trip to snorkel, visit tiny islets (motus), and get your passport stamped on One Foot Island.
- Explore Rarotonga by Scooter: Rent a scooter and circumnavigate the main island in a few hours, stopping at deserted beaches and local fruit stands.
- Experience a Cultural Night: Enjoy a traditional “Island Night” with dancing, music, and a delicious umukai (feast cooked in an earth oven).
Planning Your Trip: Fly into Rarotonga (RAR). Find the best fares using a powerful search engine like WayAway which offers cashback on flights. From there, it’s a short flight to Aitutaki.
How to Discover Your Own Alternative Destination
Finding your own hidden gem is one of the most rewarding travel experiences. Here’s how you can do it.
Step 1: Pinpoint What You Love
First, ask yourself what specifically draws you to a famous destination. Is it Venice’s canals? The art in Florence? The beaches in Thailand? Once you identify the core appeal, you can search for other places that offer a similar feature.
Step 2: Become a Digital Explorer
Use tools like Google Maps and Google Earth. Look at the famous destination, then zoom out. Explore nearby regions, coastlines, or mountain ranges. Look for towns with similar geography or historical roots.
Step 3: Seek Out “Second Cities”
Almost every country has a “second city” that is often overlooked in favor of the capital or main tourist hub (e.g., Porto vs. Lisbon, or Krakow vs. Warsaw). These cities are often cultural powerhouses with their own unique identity and far fewer tourists.
Step 4: Follow the Flight Paths
Look at flight routes from your home airport. Sometimes airlines, especially budget carriers, fly to smaller, lesser-known airports that can be gateways to incredible regions you’ve never considered. Use a flexible search tool like Aviasales to explore different destinations.
Step 5: Embrace the Unknown
The most important step is to be open-minded. The alternative destination won’t be an exact replica of the famous one, and that’s the point! It will have its own unique character, quirks, and charms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Are alternative travel destinations always cheaper?
Generally, yes. You can expect to pay significantly less for accommodation, food, and activities. However, a very remote or hard-to-reach destination could have high travel costs, so it’s important to budget for the entire trip.
2. Is English widely spoken in these lesser-known places?
It varies. In most European alternatives like Annecy, Ghent, and Ljubljana, English is widely spoken in tourist areas. In more remote places like Siargao, you may encounter more of a language barrier, which can be part of the adventure! Learning a few basic phrases in the local language is always appreciated.
3. Is it safe to travel to less touristy destinations?
Less touristy does not mean less safe. In fact, major tourist hotspots are often magnets for petty crime like pickpocketing. As with any travel, it’s crucial to research your destination, be aware of your surroundings, and follow local advice. [Check out our Solo Travel Safety Tips].
4. How do I get around in places with less tourist infrastructure?
This requires a bit more planning. Renting a car is often the best option for freedom and flexibility. For shorter distances, ride-sharing apps like Indrive (city to city) may be available. Research local bus or train schedules in advance.
5. Will I feel like I’m missing out by not going to the famous place?
Not at all! You’ll likely feel the opposite—like you’ve discovered a secret. The feeling of enjoying a beautiful place without the stress and expense of a crowded one is incredibly rewarding. You can always visit the “classic” destination another time, perhaps in the off-season.
Choose Your Own Adventure
The world is full of incredible places, and many of the most memorable are the ones that haven’t yet made it onto every travel influencer’s feed. By choosing one of these alternative travel destinations for 2025, you’re not just booking a holiday; you’re opting for a richer, more personal, and more sustainable adventure.
You’re choosing to create a story that’s truly your own.
Ready to ditch the crowds? Discover unique tours and experiences in the world’s best hidden gems on Get Your Guide and find incredible deals on accommodation with Hotels.com. Your authentic adventure starts now!
