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Top hidden gem travel destinations

By Martha Hales | 10 May 2025

Finding that elusive spot that feels truly special is even sweeter when you’ve stumbled upon it before the crowds arrive. With the world becoming more accessible every day, discovering hidden gem destinations that remain untouched and uncelebrated feels like a real achievement in our age of oversharing. As more people travel for leisure and adventure, the list of hidden gems untrampled by curious visitors continues to shrink.

Hidden gem destinations around the world

Here, we’ve rounded up our top hidden gem destinations that are still blissfully low on tourists but definitely deserve your time and attention.

An undiscovered corner of Europe

Albania, Southern Europe

Sharing the same region as Italy, Greece, and Croatia, Albania is one of southern Europe’s best hidden gem destinations. With a long Adriatic and Ionian coastline that basks in sunshine much of the year, it’s a fantastic summer spot without the crowds of its beach-loving neighbors. Quiet sandy beaches line the coast, and the charming town of Saranda looks directly across the bay to the much busier Corfu.

Inland, there’s even more to explore, nature reserves and mountain hiking trails wind through stunning landscapes of blue lakes and flower-filled meadows. The country is rich in history too, with crumbling Roman ruins and picturesque villages scattered with Ottoman architecture. Albania’s communist and isolationist past kept it largely closed off for much of the 20th century. Now, visitors are starting to discover it, but tourists are still a novelty and receive a warm welcome.

Asia’s hidden travel gems

Nusa Ceningan, Indonesia

Nestled off the southwestern corner of Bali are the idyllic Nusa Islands. One of the best hidden beaches in Indonesia and Southeast Asia can be found on the smallest of the three, Nusa Ceningan. Accessible only by footbridge from its larger neighbors, Lembongan and Penida, Ceningan sees far fewer tourists since most of the island is lined with rocky shores. Head to the northwest corner of the island, and you’ll find Secret Point, a small strip of pristine white sand tucked between cliffs. The beach is the perfect spot to relax at low tide while watching a handful of surfers catch waves just west of the shore.

The Visayas, Philippines

This island group in the central Philippines archipelago is filled with deserted beaches, outstanding dive spots, and lush volcanic hiking trails. There are seven main islands, each with its own highlights and a fair share of visitors. But what makes this region a hidden gem are the hundreds of islets and smaller islands surrounding these seven tropical gems. On these tiny islands, you can leave fresh footprints on powder-soft sand and soak up the sun without a soul in sight.

The small island of Apo is especially idyllic for diving and snorkeling, with a main village of about 400 residents. Many travelers find it best to stay on one of the larger islands for a wider variety of restaurants and bars, then take day trips to the smaller isles. Siquijor Island is the quietest of them all, but none of the islands ever feel overwhelmingly crowded.

El Nido island in the Philippines; hidden gem destination

Hidden travel gems of the Americas

San Blas islands, Panama

Spread across 250 square miles of the Caribbean Sea, the 378 islands of Panama’s San Blas archipelago are a tropical daydream come to life. These islands are especially appealing because they’re cared for by the indigenous Kuna people, who inhabit fewer than 50 of the islands but fiercely protect them all from overdevelopment and heavy tourist traffic. They’ve managed to preserve the idyllic vision of pristine white beaches lined with swaying palms and surrounded by the clearest blue waters. Take your time drifting between these laid-back islands, dropping anchor for a picnic and a swim on an islet where you might be the only person there.

Las Lajas, Colombia

Less than 12 kilometers from the border with Ecuador, a hidden gem destination lies tucked in a deep green river canyon, the Santuario de las Lajas Church. It’s a breathtaking sight, perched on ledges along the steep ravine walls, its location made even more magical by how unlikely it seems. The building itself is an impressive neo-Gothic masterpiece dating from the mid-20th century, but it’s just the latest (and most stunning) version—there have been a series of shrines here since the mid-1700s.

The story goes that in 1754, a mother and her deaf-mute daughter took shelter in the canyon during a violent storm when the daughter saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary and was then able to speak. Word quickly spread about the miracle, and the site became a pilgrimage destination. Many visitors to Colombia don’t realize just how striking this basilica is. While it’s popular among South American travelers, foreign tourists remain scarce. Cross the bridge and head to the waterfall for the best views of the soaring spires. This site is truly one of the most remarkable hidden gem destinations.

A secret spot in Africa

Ilha de Moçambique, Mozambique

Picture Zanzibar in miniature (but without the crowds) and you’ll get a sense of the charm of this incredible piece of ancient Africa. Little has changed since the Portuguese arrived and built a fort in the early 1500s; the weathered stone town moves to the rhythm of the sea, and bringing in the day’s catch is about as much excitement as you’ll find, except during Islamic holidays, when a festive atmosphere takes over.

Life on the island is simple and peaceful, despite a history marked by conflict that contrasts with its beauty. For centuries, this was a place of sieges and counter-sieges, inhabited by pirates and slaves, and traders determined to hold onto their valuable location. Today, as you stroll across the two-mile bridge connecting the island to the mainland, you can feel the distinct influences of the Portuguese, Dutch, Indian, and Arab cultures in the narrow streets. The difference now is that all is calm, and wonderfully free of tourists.

A beach coastline in Mozambique; hidden gem destination

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