Greece and Other Hidden Travel Destinations Capture Global Attention Among the World’s Most Underrated Escapes for 2027

Greece, Romania, Spain, Portugal, Australia, the United States, Costa Rica and several other countries have earned international recognition after Time Out published its list of the world’s 41 most underrated travel destinations for 2027 on 13 October 2026. Romania’s Bucovina claimed first place, followed by South Dakota in the United States and Spain’s Asturian cities, while Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, Peru’s San Martín, Portugal’s Azores, Greece’s Karpathos and Australia’s Tasmania and Newcastle also secured positions. Selected for their landscapes, cultural heritage, local experiences and alternatives to heavily visited tourism centres, these destinations offer fresh opportunities for international travel agencies, tour operators and destination marketers preparing their 2027 holiday programmes.

The ranking stretches across Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, Australia and even Antarctica. Its destinations range from mountain villages and remote islands to modern cities, wildlife reserves and historic coastal settlements. The list was compiled by Time Out’s editors and travel writers, focusing on places that offer rewarding experiences beyond mainstream tourism routes. Rather than measuring visitor numbers or economic performance, the ranking highlights destinations that deserve wider recognition.

Romania and Spain Lead a Spectacular European Travel Discovery for 2027

Romania’s Bucovina has secured first position, drawing international attention to a region where mountain landscapes, painted churches and traditional rural culture come together. Located in northeastern Romania, Bucovina offers an alternative to the country’s better-known Transylvania region. Its attractions include forests, wildflower meadows, historic settlements and the UNESCO-listed Churches of Moldavia.

The eight protected churches were constructed between the late fifteenth and late sixteenth centuries. Their exterior walls feature elaborate religious frescoes, making them among Romania’s most distinctive cultural landmarks. Bucovina also marks the northern starting point of the approximately 1,400-kilometre Via Transilvanica, a cross-country walking route connecting communities and natural landscapes. The village of Ciocănești adds another cultural attraction through its decorated houses and traditional painted-egg craftsmanship.

Spain’s Asturian cities secured third position, presenting a different European holiday experience. Oviedo, Gijón and Avilés combine historic architecture, coastal landscapes, restaurants and cultural attractions. Oviedo is recognised for its historic centre and pre-Romanesque heritage. Gijón offers beaches and its traditional Cimadevilla quarter, while Avilés combines medieval streets with the modern Niemeyer Centre. Asturias is also famous for its traditional cider houses, Cabrales cheese and northern Spanish cuisine. The region benefits from improved railway access through the Pajares Bypass, which supports connections between Asturias and central Spain.

Greece and Portugal Reveal a Different Side of Mediterranean and Atlantic Island Tourism

Greece’s Karpathos secured 33rd position and became the only Greek destination featured in the global selection. Located in the Dodecanese between Crete and Rhodes, the island is recognised for traditional villages, clear coastal waters and rugged mountain landscapes. Its mountain village of Olympos preserves distinctive local customs, traditional clothing, music and food practices. The settlement remains one of the island’s most important cultural attractions.

Karpathos also contains protected natural habitats supporting more than 80 rare or endemic plant species, birds of prey and the endangered Mediterranean monk seal. The northern part of the island and surrounding marine area are included in the Natura 2000 conservation network. An important aviation development is strengthening the island’s tourism prospects. Århus Charter, part of Travelheart Family, has announced a new direct seasonal flight programme from Aarhus, Denmark, beginning on 17 May 2027. The programme is scheduled to extend into October, creating opportunities for holiday travel beyond the peak summer months. In October 2026, the operator reported that more than one-third of its available Karpathos holidays had already been sold.

Portugal also secured two positions in the ranking. Zambujeira do Mar placed sixth, highlighting the appeal of Portugal’s Alentejo coastline, sandy beaches, coastal paths and traditional seaside atmosphere. The Azores ranked twelfth. Located in the North Atlantic, the Portuguese archipelago comprises nine islands known for volcanic scenery, crater lakes, waterfalls and geothermal features. São Miguel’s Sete Cidades landscape is among its most recognised natural attractions.

The islands also support whale-watching tourism. Official Azores tourism information identifies more than 20 types of whales and dolphins that may be observed in surrounding waters. Together, Greece and Portugal demonstrate how island destinations can attract visitors through cultural heritage, outdoor activities and natural landscapes rather than relying entirely on conventional resort experiences.

Australia Takes the Global Spotlight With Tasmania Newcastle and Gippsland

Australia secured three positions, reflecting the country’s range of wilderness, coastal and regional travel experiences. Tasmania ranked 28th, with its national parks, mountain scenery, wildlife and cultural attractions receiving international attention. The island contains extensive protected landscapes, including the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Time Out highlighted more than 800 walking trails, making hiking an important part of Tasmania’s tourism appeal. Visitors can explore coastal routes, mountain environments, historic settlements and wildlife habitats.

Tasmania is also associated with opportunities to observe the Southern Lights, or Aurora Australis, when atmospheric and viewing conditions permit. Newcastle in New South Wales secured 30th position. Located north of Sydney, Newcastle combines surfing beaches, coastal walks, restaurants and a developing cultural tourism offering. The city’s six-kilometre Bathers Way connects important coastal attractions, including Merewether Ocean Baths, Newcastle Beach and Nobbys Beach. Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial and port centre into a destination with strong recreational and hospitality attractions provides another example of regional tourism development.

Victoria’s Gippsland ranked 39th. The region offers alpine scenery, lakes, waterways, coastal landscapes and rural food experiences. Its tourism appeal includes outdoor recreation, regional produce and access to smaller communities away from Australia’s major metropolitan centres. For tourism businesses, Tasmania, Newcastle and Gippsland offer opportunities to market different Australian experiences within broader international itineraries.

United States and Latin America Bring Wildlife Adventures and Remarkable Heritage Into Focus

South Dakota in the United States secured second place, with its national parks, dramatic landscapes and wildlife experiences attracting recognition. Badlands National Park provides striking geological formations and fossil heritage, while Custer State Park offers opportunities to observe bison and explore scenic mountain roads. The Needles Highway, approximately 14 miles long, is known for winding roads and granite formations. Another American destination, Bisbee in Arizona, ranked seventh. The former copper-mining town has developed a tourism identity around historic architecture, arts venues, galleries and preserved streets.

Its Lowell district includes Erie Street, a streetscape associated with mid-twentieth-century American life. California’s Tioga Pass placed tenth, highlighting the Sierra Nevada mountains and Yosemite’s eastern landscapes. Bentonville in Arkansas secured 41st position, recognised for its cycling infrastructure and cultural attractions, including Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

Latin America also featured strongly. Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula ranked fourth, drawing attention to one of Central America’s most significant biodiversity regions. Official Costa Rican tourism material identifies the peninsula as supporting approximately 2.5% of the planet’s biodiversity. Corcovado National Park protects 41,788 hectares of ecosystems, including rainforests, wetlands, rivers and coastal habitats.

Peru’s San Martín region ranked fifth, offering Amazonian landscapes, waterfalls and wildlife experiences. Colombia’s Filandia secured eleventh position, known for colourful buildings, coffee-region heritage and surrounding green hills. Chile’s Cochamó Valley ranked 29th, with its granite mountains, waterfalls and walking routes attracting adventure travellers. Mexico’s Lake Bacalar, Ecuador’s Cuenca and Brazil’s São Sebastião also appeared in the global selection.

Asia and Africa Reveal Extraordinary Cultural and Nature Based Travel Opportunities

Asian destinations also feature prominently in the 2027 ranking. China’s Shenzhen secured eighth position, attracting attention through its modern architecture, technology-driven urban landscape, creative districts and contemporary cultural experiences. Japan’s Ishikawa prefecture ranked sixteenth. The region offers historic gardens, traditional neighbourhoods and cultural attractions, including Kenroku-en Garden and Kanazawa’s historic districts. Mongolia secured eighteenth position for its steppe landscapes, nomadic traditions and outdoor experiences. Macau ranked twentieth, recognised for its historic neighbourhoods, cultural heritage and distinctive Chinese and Portuguese culinary influences. Vietnam’s Côn Đảo archipelago secured 21st position, offering tropical landscapes, beaches and important historical sites.

Africa’s destinations provide equally varied experiences. Morne Seychelles National Park ranked fifteenth, highlighting the tropical landscapes and mountain environments of Mahé. Southern Tunisia secured 24th position, with its desert landscapes, oasis settlements and Saharan tourism experiences. São Tomé and Príncipe ranked 36th, recognised for volcanic islands, rainforests and cacao heritage. Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands placed 38th, offering mountains, waterfalls and walking opportunities. Together, these destinations show how natural environments, historic communities and distinctive local cultures can support more varied international travel programmes.

Complete Global Ranking of the World’s Most Underrated Travel Destinations for 2027

The full ranking covers 41 destinations across several continents, highlighting an extensive range of cultural, coastal, urban and nature-based travel experiences.

The rankings were compiled as editorial recommendations and should not be interpreted as official measures of visitor arrivals, popularity growth or tourism competitiveness.

Hidden Destinations Create Fresh Commercial Opportunities for International Tourism Businesses

The global selection offers travel companies an opportunity to examine destinations beyond their established holiday portfolios. The strongest opportunities lie in developing products around experiences that are closely connected with local attractions.

Several important tourism segments emerge from the ranking:

• Cultural and heritage tourism: Romania, Spain, Japan and Greece offer historic sites, traditional settlements and distinctive regional identities.
• Nature and wildlife tourism: Costa Rica, Tasmania, Seychelles and the Azores provide opportunities for guided nature experiences.
• Adventure travel: Chile, Mongolia, South Dakota and the Georgian Military Highway support walking, mountain and road-trip itineraries.
• Coastal and island holidays: Portugal, Greece, Australia and Brazil offer alternatives to heavily promoted beach resorts.
• Urban discovery: Shenzhen, Malmö, Newcastle and The Hague provide contemporary cultural experiences beyond familiar city-break destinations.
• Regional gastronomy: Asturias, Filandia, Gippsland and Macau offer opportunities to incorporate local food traditions into travel packages.

The ranking may help increase awareness of these places among potential visitors, although awareness alone cannot establish higher demand. For destinations seeking long-term tourism benefits, transport accessibility, accommodation availability, conservation measures and local business participation remain important.

Better Transport Connectivity Could Support Regional Tourism Beyond Traditional Hotspots

Transport access is an important factor in determining whether international recognition can translate into practical travel opportunities. Karpathos provides a confirmed example through the new Aarhus charter programme scheduled for May 2027. Spain’s Asturias also benefits from railway infrastructure improvements that connect northern destinations with central Spain. Other destinations require more specialised travel arrangements.

Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula may involve domestic flights, road transfers or boat journeys, while remote mountain and island locations can require longer travel times and careful seasonal planning. Antarctic expedition tourism operates under particularly demanding environmental, operational and regulatory conditions. Improved access can support tourism distribution, but development must also account for sensitive environments and the needs of local communities.

What Comes Next as the World Prepares for a New Era of Travel in 2027

The recognition of 41 destinations creates opportunities for tourism authorities and businesses to diversify international travel offerings. Rather than concentrating entirely on famous capitals, resort islands and major attractions, the selection highlights places where natural beauty, cultural traditions and regional experiences remain central to tourism.

Romania’s Bucovina offers centuries of religious and artistic heritage. Spain’s Asturias combines urban culture with coastal scenery. Portugal’s Azores provides volcanic landscapes and marine experiences. Greece’s Karpathos highlights traditional village life and protected coastal habitats, while Australia presents wilderness, beaches and regional cultural experiences. The United States, Costa Rica, Peru, Colombia and Chile contribute distinctive opportunities for outdoor tourism and historic travel.

Asia and Africa expand the range further through modern cities, traditional communities, tropical landscapes and mountain environments. The ranking alone does not confirm that any featured destination will experience a tourism boom in 2027. Nevertheless, it places a diverse group of locations before an international audience at an important stage in the holiday planning cycle. As international travel businesses prepare their 2027 programmes, Greece, Romania, Spain, Portugal, Australia and other featured countries are gaining an opportunity to show that memorable holidays can be found far beyond the world’s most familiar tourism hotspots.

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