You may not think of the United Nations (UN) as your go-to travel source, but with good intentions, they momentarily put on their Travel Off Path hat to reveal an abundance of undiscovered villages ready for the spotlight.
Totaling a whopping 52 unsung gems scattered across the globe from Guatemala to Vietnam, our expert team took a Mariana Trench deep dive into every last one to compile an insightful round-up of the 7 most exciting destinations for your next adventure abroad.
Skipping far-flung locales not worth the trek, the following 7 unknown towns are waiting to be discovered by U.S. tourists via accessible flights, welcoming locals and visitor-friendly vibes from the top down.
7) Akyaka, Turkiye 🇹🇷
If you have the Turkish Riviera on your mind and don’t care to deal with Antalya’s newfound fame and soaring prices, little-known Akyaka is just the place.
Still clinging to “hidden gem” status, this map-dot paradise hugs the Aegean coast between more popular Bodrum and Marmaris
Known for being a prime windsurfing location with cozy wooden houses to reside, and laid-back vibes unlike its rowdy neighbors, Akyaka is the relaxing beach vacay you didn’t know you needed, and it’s just one extra flight to Dalaman from Istanbul.
6) Koyasan, Japan 🇯🇵
It’s easy to understand why so many travelers are magnetized by Tokyo, but the blinding neon lights and juxtaposed izakaya-laden alleyways are just a glimpse of Japan’s fascinating culture.
Hidden high in the misty Kii Mountains, Koyasan is a UNESCO-listed retreat worth the trek. You’ll fill your soul with monk-run lodges, astounding temples, and unmatched views of cedar forests and mountain peaks.
Not to mention crack-of-dawn prayer rituals and picturesque lantern-lit pathways as well. Koyasan is reachable by scenic mountain railway from Osaka or an extra layover from Tokyo to Kansai.
Given how Japan is encouraging foreign tourists to venture beyond its bustling metropolises, Koyasan is a seamless fit.
5) Mertola, Portugal 🇵🇹
What do you picture when you envision Portugal? If it’s terracotta, whitewashed townscapes with virtually no crowds in sight, then Mertola is right up your alley.
Unlike Lisbon, Porto, or my unbearable experience in Albufeira, Mertola gives travelers new grounds to explore in one of Europe’s most historical countries.
Anchored by the staggering Moorish hilltop fortress, and Anchored by the staggering hilltop fortress, and home to the last surviving medieval mosque in Portugal, don’t worry — Mertola is not just an immersive history tour.
You can still indulge in addicting pastel de nata sweets and cheap glasses of local wine for a more authentic Portuguese getaway.
Americans can fly nonstop to Faro from Newark (if you dare). Mertola is just a 2-hour journey from there.
4) Asolo, Italy 🇮🇹
Want one of Italy’s famed storybook towns that has yet to be discovered by the masses?
We present to you, Asolo.
This ancient town boasts a cobbled maze of walkways that you can actually walk through downtown, yet has been dubbed as “The City of a Hundred Horizons” given its sweeping countryside views.
Cheap and delicious as you’d expect, Asolo can also safely be dubbed “Italy’s best kept secret”, but the UN is encouraging travelers to take notice rather than go full-blown Fort Knox.
Located just an hour from Venice, travelers can hop on a train to nearby Castelfranco Veneto and be here in no time.
3) Agaete, Spain 🇪🇸
Travelers may rightfully feel a she-loves-me, she-loves-me-not relationship toward Spain given the country’s well-documented anti-tourism stance of late.
However, there’s an exception to every rule, right?
In this case, it’s Agaete — possibly the Canary Islands’ last real secret as these paradise isles continue on a record-breaking tear.
Either the UN missed the memo that the Canaries don’t want more tourists, or they recognize the downside of such protests risking the survival of small, off-the-grid communities like Agaete that actually may need mindful tourism to keep their traditions and small businesses alive.
We’re going with the latter — so if you’re willing to brave the Canary Karens, then practically unknown Agaete, perched on a windswept corner of the Atlantic lined with cliffs, coves, and quiet charm, is just the place.
2) Valendas, Switzerland 🇨🇭
You might be wondering how Switzerland beat out Spain, and you’re right to question.
However, Switzerland has been reeling with overtourism in a variety of popular villages.
We, along with the UN, believe Valendas to be the antidote to these concerns. So much so that some Swiss villages are considered best not to visit right now.
Offering guests storybook mountain views, centuries-old timber houses, and the kind of stillness you can’t find in Lauterbrunnen anymore, Valendas simply beams with Alpine charm.
Unfortunately, there’s no Swiss cheese holes in their prices — there’s no loophole for that.
Americans can fly direct to Zurich from numerous cities and hop aboard a train straight from the airport.
1) Bled, Slovenia 🇸🇮
Slovenia has become one of Europe’s trendiest countries — even being one of the latest to offer a digital nomad visa.
Still considered off-path, now is a great time to visit before Slovenia surges even more. Ironically, what you see above is the most photographed location in the country — many men, including NBA superstar Luka Doncic have gotten down on one knee here.
But despite its European fame, Bled has managed to keep a low profile by doing what so many European hotspots can’t — embracing tourism without selling its soul, in a country recognized as the world’s first “Green Destination”.
We believe Bled is one of the most beautiful destinations In Europe. As such, given this lakeside treasure’s astute practices to preserve its mirrored waters and heritage, it’s no harm, no foul to visit such a bucket-list worthy destination.
The UN’s Full 52 Destination List
Below you will find all 52 destinations the UN is urging travelers to visit to increase tourism: (in alphabetical order)
- Agaete, Spain
- Akyaka, Türkiye
- Aldea San Cristóbal El Alto, Guatemala
- Anıtlı, Türkiye
- Antônio Prado, Brazil
- Arquà Petrarca, Italy
- Asolo, Italy
- Asuka, Japan
- Barbaros, Türkiye
- Bellano, Italy
- Bled, Slovenia
- Carlos Pellegrini, Argentina
- Chamarel, Mauritius
- Digang, China
- Dongluo, China
- Ezcaray, Spain
- Flößerstadt Schiltach, Germany
- Grand River South East, Mauritius
- Hosszúhetény, Hungary
- Huanggang, China
- Jikayi, China
- Kale Üçağız, Türkiye
- Kandelous, Iran
- Kaštelir Labinci, Croatia
- Khinalig, Azerbaijan
- Kolochava, Ukraine
- Koyasan, Japan
- Krupa na Vrbasu, Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Loriga, Portugal
- Lô Lô Chải, Vietnam
- Maimará, Argentina
- Marktgemeinde Bad Hindelang, Germany
- Masfout, United Arab Emirates
- Mertola, Portugal
- Mórahalom, Hungary
- Muju Village, South Korea
- Murillo, Colombia
- Neot Semadar, Israel
- North Azraq, Jordan
- Pacto, Ecuador
- Pemuteran, Indonesia
- Plateliai, Lithuania
- Pont-Croix, France
- Quynh Son Community-based Tourism Village, Vietnam
- Shafiabad, Iran
- Shodoshima, Japan
- Soheili, Iran
- Synevyrska Polyana, Ukraine
- Tonosho, Japan
- Valendas, Switzerland
- Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, Portugal
- Yangsuri, South Korea
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