Underrated Travel Destinations: 10 New Adventures for 2026

In 2025, the world is connected than ever, with more information and travel inspiration than previous generations could have ever imagined. Yet, it’s surprising how many destinations remain relatively ‘undiscovered’, or at least underappreciated. Some travelers seek out these quieter destinations and avoid the travel hotspots in order to avoid waiting in lines and to enjoy an authentic feel.

This shift in preference isn’t just personal taste: irresponsible tourism or overtourism can have negative impacts on cities and towns. Local communities are often the ones who end up feeling the strain, with prices rising, streets becoming overcrowded, and ultimately, people being squeezed out of the place they call home.

As travelers, one way that we can help is by visiting places that are looking for more travelers to come and visit, and will benefit from our tourism. With that in mind, today at Civitatis, we’re taking a look at some underrated travel destinations for you to consider for your travels in 2026! Let’s get into it!

1. Salamanca, Spain

For most travelers visiting Spain, major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Málaga are the most obvious choices. While this is perfectly understandable, it means that much of Spain is left unexplored by international (especially US) visitors. One such city that doesn’t receive as much attention as it deserves is Salamanca.

This UNESCO-listed student city is home to the first university in Spain, which dates back to 1218. That said, there’s much more to Salamanca than its famous university. In terms of its architectural heritage, Salamanca is also home to one of the most beautiful main squares (plazas mayores) in the whole country, as well as two semi-detached cathedrals, the Old Cathedral and the New Cathedral from the 12th-13th centuries and 16th-17th centuries respectively. While both cathedrals are stunning in their own ways, the New Cathedral is incredibly grand and ornate, featuring intricate carvings all over its exterior and boasting a beautiful choir and two gorgeous organs.

• The best tours & experiences in Madrid.

2. Madagascar

Heading now to an island off the east coast of Africa, Madagascar is a criminally underrated tourist destination. One of the safest countries on the continent, this island nation lies off the southeast coast of the Horn of Africa and is famous for its stunning wildlife, unique landscapes, and incredible beaches.

One of the most famous and photographed locations in the country is the Avenue of Baobabs, a particularly striking section of Madagascar’s landscape, characterized by its thick-trunked baobab tree (known locally as renala or reniala), which is only found in Madagascar, and is endangered. If you’re staying in Morondava, you’re only a short drive away, and can easily see these wonderful trees for yourself on this Avenue of Baobabs sunset tour.

Another beloved species only found in Madagascar is the lemur. A primate there are over 100 species of lemurs, and every single one is endemic to Madagascar. The best way to see these wonderful creatures is on this lemurs of Madagascar tour, which includes a stop in the Analamazoatra Nature Reserve as well as the Vakona Nature Reserve. On this lemurs of Madagascar tour, you’ll learn all about lemurs and see some for yourself!

• The best tours & experiences in Madagascar.

3. Bogotá, Colombia

Right, Bogotá is indeed the capital of Colombia, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not constantly overlooked! For most international tourists visiting Colombia, Medellín and Cartagena lie at the top of the agenda, leaving the country’s most metropolitan, modern city out of the equation. This sprawling city is perched well up into the Andes, 8,500 feet (2,600 meters) above sea level.

Today, Plaza de Bolívar is sort of the spiritual heart of the city, surrounded by some of its most important buildings, the City Hall, the National Capitol, and the Bogotá Cathedral. However, the city was founded in 1538 in an area known as La Candeleria. In this area, you’ll find lovely Spanish Colonial architecture lining the city’s most ancient streets, featuring colorful façades. Here, you’ll also find the city’s most famous museums, including the Museo de Oro.

Check out this guided tour of the Museo de Oro and La Candelaria, or take a look at this Colombian culture tour, during which you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the historic center accompanied by an English-speaking guide, who will tell you all about the fascinating history of the city as a whole, from its Indigenous roots to Spanish colonization to the city as it stands today.

• The best tours & experiences in Bogotá, Colombia.

4. Sofia, Bulgaria

Moving swiftly onwards to Sofia, Bulgaria, this Eastern European gem is highly underrated. At a glance, this city mightn’t immediately impress. For many, Sofia’s architecture is largely lackluster, and there aren’t many tourist landmarks to discover. That’s partially true, but Sofia still has lots to offer, boasting a vibrant culture and a fascinating history, which can be discovered in the city’s striking street art and ancient ruins. The city is also very affordable by European standards and a good base for day trips to other Bulgarian gems.

In the city itself, Serdica Antica is an archaeological site, dating all the way back to Ancient Rome. Here, you can discover Sofia’s little-known Roman past right in its ancient city center. Glass walkways reveal Roman roads and thermal baths beneath the modern city. Other highlights include the Banya Bashi Mosque, the Sofia Synagogue, and the Bulgarian Communist Party Headquarters. The architectural highlight of the city, however, is the Alexander Navsky Cathedral, a gorgeous Orthodox, Neo-Byzantine style building. You can see all of these and more as part of this free tour of Sofia, Bulgaria!

As mentioned, there are a ton of day trips in Sofia to enjoy. We loved visiting the Orthodox Rila Monastery. Known as the ‘spiritual heart of Bulgaria’, this monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a history dating back to the 10th century. This Rila Monastery + Cave of Saint John day trip with Civitatis will let you discover this monastery for yourself, as well as the caves where its founder spent over seven years of his life.

Another great day trip option is the Belogradchik Rocks day trip. Discover the Belogradchik fortress, a nearly 2,000-year-old Roman construction that was initially built for surveillance. It expanded over the centuries, eventually becoming an important stronghold. On the tour, you’ll also see the town, as well as the famous Belogradchik rock formation.

• The best tours & experiences in Sofia, Bulgaria.

5. Kotor, Montenegro

Sticking with the Balkans, Montenegro is a small country with endless natural beauty across the mountain ranges and the Adriatic Sea, and buckets of cultural charm. And yet, Montenegro remains a criminally underrated tourist destination.

A perfect place to start is Kotor, a UNESCO-listed gem with a shimmering bay, lots of character, and surrounded by ancient city walls. Packed with history, you can spend hours happily wandering its winding cobblestone streets on foot, exploring Venetian palaces, shaded courtyards, and stone churches. In the mornings, you’ll smell fresh burek coming out of the bakeries—to start your morning like a local, grab one with your coffee to eat as you explore. When you’ve got a sense for the city, heading out onto the water on this Bay of Kotor private boat tour feels like a natural next step.

Back on dry land, one of the real highlights for me was the Maritime Museum. The building is impressive on its own, but the exhibits do a great job of telling Kotor’s story as a historic port and showing how deeply the town’s identity is tied to the sea.

Another highlight of Kotor (if you’re up for a little bit of exercise) is the hike up to St. John’s Fortress. The trail brings you right up above the Old Town, where you look over the entire bay. The fortress has existed in some form since pre-Roman times and was later rebuilt under the Byzantines and Venetians, with repairs made after various attacks and earthquakes.

Pro tip: The views at St. John’s Fortress are stunning at any time of day, but try to go up at sunset for the best experience.

• The best tours & experiences in Montenegro.

6. St. Louis, Missouri

Known as the ‘Gateway to the West,’ St. Louis is one of the most historically important cities in the United States. Strangely, St. Louis flies under the radar for most travellers, even though it delivers far more culture, history, and value than many better-known US cities. The city’s nickname dates back to the 19th century, when it was a hinge point between the settled East and the Wild West, often serving as a launchpad for trade and exploration for many years. Today, St. Louis is known for its prized Cardinals in Major League Baseball and its famous Gateway Arch, one of the most iconic and visited monuments in the country.

But, is it worth visiting? Absolutely! This city is fantastic for a city break, being highly affordable and genuinely filled with things to do and see. Culturally, this city punches well above its weight, boasting a variety of top-quality museums and galleries, many of which have free entry, including the St. Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum. These, along with the Science Museum (which is good, not great) are all located in Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country and an anchor for the city’s cultural life. Other museums definitely worth checking out include Campbell House Museum, the Contemporary Art Museum, and the Kemper Art Museum.

• The best tours & experiences in St. Louis, Missouri.

7. Mazatlán, Mexico

On Mexico’s Pacific coast, Mazatlán is one of the country’s best-kept secrets. Famed for its golden beaches, charming old town, and lively malecón, it’s the perfect mix of sun-soaked resort life and authentic Mexican culture, without the crowds, prices, and pretentiousness of somewhere like Cancún.

One of the joys of Mazatlán is going for a stroll along its gorgeous Malecón, which stretches around 12 miles (20 kilometers) along its coastline, right through the city’s downtown area. Along the way, you’re sure to encounter street performers playing Banda (traditional Sinaloan music), along with vendors offering fresh fruit, drinks, and, of course, fish.

Mazatlán is known for its wonderful fresh fish. Spicy ceviche, cheesy fried-shrimp tacos (tacos al gobernador), pescado zarandeado (grilled fish)… seafood is central to Mazatlán’s identity, and this city is one of the best places in the country to eat it, be it by the beach or in a fancy restaurant.

Another must in Mazatlán is checking out its historic center, which speaks to Mazatlán’s history as a major port city in the 1800s. From the stunning Angela Peralta Theater, to the lively heart of the old city in Machado Square, to the Pino Suarez Market… this city has character in spades, and is still unbelievably undervisited by international tourists

• The best tours & experiences in Mazatlán, Mexico.

8. Tallinn, Estonia

Estonia’s capital of Tallinn, is one of Europe’s most charming cities, and yet, for some strange reason, you rarely hear of people visiting! Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town of Vanalinn has remarkably remained largely unchanged since the 13th century, still following its original medieval street plan and enclosed by the imposing Walls of Tallinn. Enter through the 600+ year old Great Coast Gate, and head to St. Olaf’s Church, once one of the tallest buildings on the planet in the 1500s. Head to the top for fantastic views of this old city. Also check out Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral, Toompea Castle, and the city’s bright pink parliament building.

Beyond the old town, check out Kalamaja, definitely the coolest area of the city. Once a working-class fishing neighborhood, it’s now known for its colorful wooden houses, inventive cafés, craft breweries, and some seriously impressive street art.

Another must in Tallinn is a visit to the Japanese Gardens, a fantastically tranquil green space in Kadriorg Park. Designed by Masao Sone, these gardens blend Japanese aesthetics with Estonia’s natural scenery. When you’ve had enough, you’re only a short walk from Kadriorg Palace and the various museums that make this district one of Tallinn’s cultural centers.

• The best tours & experiences in Tallinn, Estonia.

9. Kobe, Japan

Kobe tends to sit in the shadow of its mega-neighbours, Kyoto and Osaka. However, Kobe’s offering of lovely mountain and sea views, as well as its cuisine and nightlife, makes it a heavy-hitter in its own right.

The city’s culinary reputation is led, of course, by its world-famous Kobe Wagyu, which is widely regarded as one of the finest and most meticulously produced meats on the planet, and trust me, it lives up to the hype. But reducing this city to its beef would be an awful shame. Kobe also has world-class fresh seafood, as well as excellent Chinese food, which is best enjoyed in the Chinatown district, Namkinmachi. Here, you’ll find a wide selection of fantastic street food, among which were some of the best dumplings I’ve ever tasted.

Kobe also has beautiful scenery waiting to be enjoyed. Hop on the Nunobiki Ropeway, which departs from Shin-Kobe Station and climbs above the Nunobiki Waterfall and Kobi Nunobiki Herb Gardens. At the top, you get brilliant views of the city, which makes it a popular spot to hang out, especially at night. If you fancy a bit more exercise, you can also hike up to the top, passing by the waterfall and gardens.

• The best tours & experiences in Kobe, Japan.

10. Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Once a key stop on the ancient Silk Road, Uzbekistan is a country of dazzling architecture and rich cultural heritage. From the turquoise domes of Samarkand to the intricate tilework of the city of Bukhara, this stunning historical country as a whole remains highly underrated on the international scene.

Pictured below is the dazzling main square of Samarkand, known as Registan. This vast public square was once the heart of the Timurid Empire, serving a role very similar to the Forum in Ancient Rome. Here, power, religion, scholarship, and public life all converged, making the square a main part of the empire’s cultural and political identity. Around the Registan, you’ll find three highly decorative madrasas: Islamic colleges that once taught everything from theology and law to mathematics, astronomy, and literature.

Another must-see site, be sure to check out the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, the final resting place of the conqueror Timur (Tamerlane). It’s one of the city’s most beautiful buildings, with a striking blue dome and a richly decorated interior. Check out these sites and much more on this Samarkand guided tour!

• The best tours & experiences in Uzbekistan.

There you have it! Those are Civitatis’ picks for the most underrated travel destinations in the world in 2026. If you have the chance to visit any of these destinations, be sure to check out the extensive selection of activities offered by Civitatis, to make the most of your travels!