Sometimes the best travel decision is choosing where not to go.
The era of unchecked mass tourism has left many of the world’s most iconic destinations feeling more like crowded theme parks than authentic cultural experiences. In 2025, smart travelers are making a conscious choice to skip the most overrun hotspots, not only to save their own sanity but to reduce their impact on these fragile places. They are discovering that a far more rewarding experience often lies just around the corner.
This is a guide to swapping the most popular places for their equally beautiful but less-crowded alternatives.
1. Instead of Venice, Italy, go to Trieste, Italy.
Venice is a city sinking under the weight of its own popularity, with its narrow streets completely choked with tourists. For a similarly beautiful but far more authentic and less crowded experience of a grand port city, head to Trieste, as stated in Yahoo! Life. Located on the Adriatic coast near the border with Slovenia, Trieste has a stunning Hapsburg-era waterfront, grand Viennese-style coffee houses, and a rich literary history.
It has a unique, multicultural vibe that feels completely different from the rest of Italy, and it is almost entirely free of the overwhelming crowds that plague Venice.
2. Instead of Santorini, Greece, go to Naxos or Paros, Greece.
The iconic white-washed villages and blue-domed churches of Santorini are breathtaking, but the island is overwhelmed by cruise ships and massive crowds. For a more authentic and relaxing Greek island experience, take the ferry to the neighboring islands of Naxos or Paros. Both islands offer beautiful beaches, charming white-washed villages, and fantastic food, but without the insane crowds and inflated prices of Santorini.
Naxos has a rugged, mountainous interior perfect for hiking, while Paros has a more sophisticated and cosmopolitan vibe, as mentioned at Travel Off Path. Both offer a much more genuine and peaceful taste of Cycladic island life.
3. Instead of Barcelona, Spain, go to Valencia, Spain.
Barcelona is a fantastic city, but it has a serious overtourism problem that has led to a local backlash. For a city with a similar combination of historic architecture, a great beach, and a world-class food scene, but with a more relaxed and local feel, head south to Valencia. Spain’s third-largest city is the home of paella and boasts a stunningly futuristic City of Arts and Sciences complex, according to The Independent.
The old town is a beautiful maze of gothic architecture, and the Turia Gardens, a park built in a former riverbed, is a unique urban green space. Valencia offers all the same charms as Barcelona, but with a more manageable and authentic atmosphere.
4. Instead of Zion National Park, Utah, go to Snow Canyon State Park, Utah.
The main canyon of Zion National Park is one of the most popular and crowded places in the entire U.S. National Park System, with a mandatory shuttle bus system and packed trails. For a similar experience of stunning red rock canyons and sandstone cliffs without the overwhelming crowds, head to the nearby Snow Canyon State Park, just outside of St. George.
Snow Canyon offers a spectacular landscape of petrified sand dunes and volcanic rock, with a great network of hiking trails that are far less trafficked than those in Zion. It provides an equally awe-inspiring but much more peaceful desert experience.
5. Instead of Lake Tahoe, California, go to the June Lake Loop, California.
Lake Tahoe is a California treasure, but on a summer weekend, the traffic and crowds can be unbearable. For a quieter but equally beautiful taste of the Eastern Sierra, drive a few hours south to the June Lake Loop. This scenic, 16-mile drive winds past four stunning alpine lakes—June Lake, Gull Lake, Silver Lake, and Grant Lake—all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Nevada peaks.
The area offers fantastic hiking, fishing, and boating, with a much more laid-back, old-school mountain vibe than the resort atmosphere of Tahoe. It’s a perfect alternative for a serene mountain getaway.
6. Instead of Amsterdam, Netherlands, go to Utrecht, Netherlands.
Amsterdam is a world-class city, but it is actively trying to discourage the mass tourism that has overrun its historic center. For a city with the same beautiful canals, historic architecture, and vibrant cafe culture, but without the crowds and the party-centric vibe, take a short train ride to Utrecht. Many consider Utrecht’s canals to be even more beautiful than Amsterdam’s.
The city is a major university town, which gives it a youthful and energetic feel. It’s a place where you can experience authentic Dutch life, with a beautiful, walkable city center that is a joy to explore.
7. Instead of Bali, Indonesia, go to Lombok, Indonesia.
The “Island of the Gods” has become so popular that many of its southern beaches are now plagued by traffic and overdevelopment. For the kind of pristine, undeveloped paradise that Bali was 20 years ago, take a short boat ride to the neighboring island of Lombok. Lombok offers stunning, often-empty white sand beaches, world-class surfing, and the majestic Mount Rinjani volcano to climb.
The nearby Gili Islands offer a completely car-free, laid-back island experience. Lombok is a much more rugged, adventurous, and less commercialized alternative to its more famous neighbor.
8. Instead of Reykjavik, Iceland, go to Akureyri, Iceland.
Reykjavik is the gateway for most visitors to Iceland and is a vibrant, fun city. However, to escape the crowds of the Golden Circle and the South Coast, head to the “Capital of the North,” Akureyri. Located at the head of a beautiful fjord, Akureyri is a charming city that is the perfect base for exploring the less-visited but equally spectacular wonders of North Iceland.
From here, you can easily access the powerful Dettifoss waterfall, the unique geological formations of Lake Mývatn, and some of the best whale watching in the country, all with a fraction of the crowds you’ll find in the south.
9. Instead of Dubrovnik, Croatia, go to Split, Croatia.
The “Game of Thrones” fame has turned Dubrovnik’s small old town into a crowded and expensive tourist attraction. For a city with an equally fascinating history but a more vibrant, local feel, head up the coast to Split. The heart of Split is a living, breathing city built within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace, a massive Roman ruin.
The city has a beautiful seaside promenade, a bustling market, and is the main ferry hub for exploring the stunning Dalmatian islands like Hvar and Vis. Split feels like a real city, not just a tourist destination, offering a more authentic Croatian experience.
10. Instead of the Thai Islands, go to the coast of Cambodia.
While the islands of Thailand are beautiful, they are also heavily developed and can be very crowded. For a more laid-back, rustic, and affordable Southeast Asian beach experience, consider the coast of Cambodia. The islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem offer pristine, undeveloped white sand beaches and turquoise water that feel like a world away from the hustle of Phuket or Koh Samui.
The coastal town of Kampot, with its decaying French colonial architecture and relaxing riverside vibe, is another charming and off-the-beaten-path destination. It’s a chance to experience a less-trodden corner of Southeast Asia.