Overtourism was the travel buzzword of 2024, and the impacts of mass tourism show no sign of slowing down. To shift the limelight onto some lesser-known destinations, we recently published a list of five incredible countries that really need more travellers this year.
We’re not the only publication highlighting under-touristed spots, mind you. BBC Travel has just released its inaugural list of places to travel this year, all chosen because they’re welcoming visitors with open arms (not to mention their incredible travel experiences and sustainability credentials).
A couple of the destinations (Greenland and Jordan) are also included on our list, but the Caribbean island of Dominica tops the BBC’s roundup.
According to the BBC, Dominica now offers the chance to sustainably swim with sperm whales after establishing the world’s first-ever sperm whale reserve, and infrastructure on the island has seen massive improvements, with 2025 marking the launch of digital immigration systems and a cable car, connecting the Roseau Valley with the Boiling Lake.
Uzbekistan (which was recently named the most desirable emerging destination by Wanderlust magazine) also made the roundup, thanks to the launch of its first major biennale (the Bukhara Biennial) as well as the restoration of the Palace of Prince Romanov. Read on for the full top 25.
These are the 25 most underrated places to travel in 2025
- Dominica
- Naoshima, Japan
- The Dolomites, Italy
- Greenland
- Wales
- Western Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Tuscon, Arizona, US
- Western Australia
- Sri Lanka
- Panama
- Rif Mountains, Morocco
- Bradford, England
- Jordan
- Haa Valley, Bhutan
- Hawaii
- Uzbekistan
- Haida Gwaii
- Emerald Coast, Nicaragua
- Isle of Man
- Pakistan’s Gilgi-Baltistan region
- Azores
- Kansas City, Missouri, US
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Oslo, Norway
Did you see that two South American cities have been named best in the world by Time Out?
Plus: It’s official: these were the world’s busiest airports in 2024.
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