'Not Hot List': 10 lesser-known destinations to put on your radar

Overtourism is a major problem for residents living in some of the world’s most popular destinations.

Visiting in off-season, or opting to avoid the busiest neighbourhoods and sights, can help, but the best thing you can do is to just not visit these cities in the first place.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t travel at all – on the contrary, you just need to choose your holiday spots wisely.

Which is where Intrepid Travel’s annual “Not Hot List” comes in. First launched in 2018, the list puts the spotlight on under-the-radar alternatives and lesser-visited spots where your tourism money will have a positive impact on locals.

“If we want tourism to continue to be a force for good, we need to constantly rethink how and where we travel,” Erica Kritikides, general manager of experiences at Intrepid Travel, said.

“The Not Hot List isn’t just about surfacing lesser-known places, it aims to shift the conversation and help travellers to discover new destinations where their visit can make a meaningful contribution to local communities and economies.”

Each of the spots on the list must have the infrastructure and capacity to support more tourists, and the 10 were selected because of new initiatives, improved connectivity or major events that mean 2027 is the year to visit.

At the top of this year’s list is Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve, having been chosen as an alternative to East Africa’s busiest national parks, like Serengeti in Tanzania or Maasai Mara in Kenya.

Under-the-radar spots in Europe to visit next year

Certain Greek islands are among the most overtouristed spots in the world, with the summer months seeing tourists far exceeding the number of residents.

Those who want all the charm of the islands (read: great food, picturesque towns and some of the best beaches in Europe) without the crowds should take a look at Alonnisos.

Located in the Northern Sporades archipelago, and only accessible by ferry or private yacht, Alonnisos saw just 70,000 visitors in 2024.

Tourists make the effort to visit here for its underwater delights, with the National Marine Park of Alonnisos and Northern Sporades being Europe’s largest marine protected area. The island is also home to Greece’s first-ever underwater museum, the Peristera shipwreck.

Even those who don’t scuba dive will find plenty to love about the island, like the picture-perfect old town Chora.

Liepāja in Latvia also made it onto the list, having been named a European Capital of Culture for 2027.

The year will see more than 500 cultural events taking place, but it’s also a great coolcation alternative to the Mediterranean thanks to its eight kilometre beach.

Rounding out the top 10 is Sweden’s Dalsland.

Known as Sweden’s Lake District, Dalsland is massively underexplored, but it won’t stay that way for long thanks to the launch of a new rail link between Malmo and Oslo in June this year.

There are more than 2,000 lakes for you to explore, and Dalsland is also known for its gravel biking, with 850 km of roads.

According to Intrepid, “the drawcard isn’t so much a specific sight, destination or highlight – it’s the opportunity to travel slowly and the type of freedom that is hard to come by in the modern age”. Sounds good to us.