Popular vacation spots are usually well known for many different reasons. Several big tourist destinations offer plenty of options for visitors to enjoy a variety of things such as delectable cuisine, incredible views of the landscape, well known historical landmarks, several opportunities to buy unique souvenirs, and local events that are distinctive to the area and not found anywhere else in the world.

Popular destinations can come with a few drawbacks however. In addition to huge crowds of eager tourists, well known vacation spots also typically come with more expensive lodgings and entertainment, and a more watered down version of the local culture so as to be appealing to outsiders.

Although it can be fun to go to popular destinations because they are sure to provide a lot of options for entertainment and activities, when you are craving a real getaway that is far from the crowds and off the beaten path, one of the following places below might be exactly what you are looking for.

Below, we take a look at 25 different places around the world that offer just as many unique opportunities to enjoy yourself than other more well known and crowded locations at lower prices and with a more relaxed atmosphere.

25 St. Vincent & the Grenadines

Located near the point where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean, the island chain of St. Vincent & the Grenadines is a great location for people who want to enjoy beautiful beaches and serene landscape. The islands have been influenced by French and British architecture and because their tourism industry is not as well developed as other Caribbean islands, they do not receive as many visitors per year. This only means that visitors to these islands will have the opportunity to enjoy water activities like swimming and snorkeling and land activities like hiking the gorgeous trails without the usual crowds of tourists making their presence known. (svgtourism)

24 Fes, Morocco

Visiting Morocco does not have to be limited to visiting the well known city of Marrakesh where you will undoubtedly find many tourists roaming around. Instead, for a rich taste of history and culture, visit, what is often referred to as, Morocco’s cultural capital, the city of Fes. Fes is a treasure trove of history and medieval architecture is abundant and open for exploration along the market lined streets and famous city squares where music festivals take place often. The city is known for its various UNESCO World Heritage Sites that offer visitors a peek at well preserved and valuable history. (visitmorocco)

23 Comoros

Lying off the coast of East Africa is the island nation of Comoros. The tourism industry in the island is not as well developed as the neighboring islands of Mauritius or Seychelles, but the pristine beaches and diverse marine environment make it a perfect getaway for those who prefer their island vacation to be a bit more secluded than other options. The island lies at the crossroads of two different worlds and carries a bit of the influences of both Africa and Arabia which make it a very unique island to visit if you want a taste of something different. (worldtravelguide)

22 Mývatn Nature Baths, Iceland

Iceland is well known as a great destination spot for people who want to destress in a completely natural way by offering water pools filled with water that is good for your skin and overall health. While the Blue Lagoon is certainly a beautiful location that offers some great health benefits, it is also a huge tourist attraction and not the best place to relax in silence. The Mývatn Nature Baths in northern Iceland offer the same incredible benefits of mineral water and mud, but with less people around and more of a chance to truly enjoy some alone time away from crowds (nationalgeographic)

21 Playalinda Beach, Florida

If you want to head to the beach in Florida but want to skip the crowds that are sure to be around Miami at all times of the year, Playalinda Beach may be the perfect spot for some sun, sand, and quiet. Playalinda Beach is located on the Canaveral National Seashore which is the longest undeveloped stretch of oceanfront on Florida’s east coast. The relatively remote location and the lack of high rise buildings allow visitors to truly relax and enjoy even enjoy the sun without worrying about any tan lines! Some parts of the beach are family friendly while others are geared more towards adults. (visitflorida)

20 Lapland, Finland

One of the best places in the world to watch the phenomenal natural spectacle of the Northern Lights is in the country of Finland. But if you want to avoid the large crowds that gather around to gaze at the sky above, then head to the country’s sparsely populated, northernmost region of Lapland. Lapland borders Sweden, Russia, Norway, and the Baltic Sea which makes it a place of crossroads that is not often on people’s radar. In addition to enjoying the Northern Lights in an ideal location, you can also marvel at the midnight sun in the vast subarctic wilderness that comprises most of the area. (visitfinland)

19 Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Located in the West Papua Province, Raja Ampat in Indonesia is a perfect spot to enjoy the lush wonders of nature. Raja Ampat translates to mean “The Four Kings” and is an archipelago that contains over 1,500 smaller islands. There is very little evidence of the traffic and noise that city dwellers often have to learn to drown out in the background which makes it a perfect getaway for those who want to get away from the bright lights and noise of urban life. For those who want to explore the underwater world, Raja Ampat is home to over 540 types of coral and 1,000 types of coral fish which makes it a perfect place to explore. (indonesia.travel)

18 Hamburg, Germany

For a getaway that includes more nightlife, restaurants, and attractions that you can easily find in urban areas, the city of Hamburg in northern Germany may be a more attractive option than other, busier European cities like Amsterdam. Hamburg is a port city which means that there are hundreds of canals that cross across the streets for guests to hop on and explore the city. The Inner Alster Lake is also a focal point as there are many different cafes and shopping areas that dot the sides of the Lake for people to enjoy within an easy distance from each other. (hamburg)

17 Bosnia and Herzegovina

Lying at the crossroads of Europe and Asia Minor lies the country of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the Balkan Peninsula. The country is a treasure trove of ancient history and a place where east meets west in terms of cultural influences and cuisine that you will not be able to find anywhere else in the world. The people in Bosnia and Herzegovina pride themselves on retaining many of their traditional customs and this is reflected both in the attire and in the music. The mountain valleys are home to many small towns that focus a lot of their small but growing tourism industry on historical, religious, and cultural aspects. (bhtourism.ba)

16 Tuvalu

One of the self-proclaimed “smallest and most remote nations in the world”, Tuvalu is an island that welcomes less than 2,000 tourists each year! While the tourism industry is not well developed, this means that you can avoid the throngs of tourists that crowd beaches year round in other more popular islands and enjoy some real peace and quiet on this corner of the Pacific. The environment lays mostly untouched so visitors are treated to amazing coral reefs, magnificent lagoons, and numerous small, uninhabited islands that are home to many different species of animals that are rare in so many parts of the world. (timelesstuvalu)

15 Aegadian Islands, Italy

Italy as a whole is a pretty popular country for tourists to visit because of the incredible cuisine and the one of a kind historical and cultural landmarks. If you are looking for a taste of Italy without the usual spots full of tourists however, the Aegadian Islands are a great alternative from the mainland. The islands lay off the northwest coast of Sicily and are small in size, only 14 square miles! What the islands lack for in size however, they more than make up for in history since there are various caves that tourists can explore which feature wall paintings from Palaeolithic and Neolithic times. (italymagazine)

14 Liechtenstein

If you are looking for a vacation spot that will transport you to a different time period in the past, the country of Liechtenstein may be just the right destination. The country is located between Austria and Switzerland and has many historical structures that are still standing such as their numerous medieval castles that offer a view at how royalty once lived in the area. In addition to touring the castles in the area, visitors are also able to hike alongside alpacas and llamas which set a leisurely pace to really be able to soak in the natural beauty that offers a tranquil environment to relax. (tourismus.li)

13 Bocas del Toro, Panama

The magical destination of Bocas del Toro lies on the northern Caribbean coast of Panama and is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Panama's first National Marine Park, making it a great place for travelers who are interested in ecotourism. The archipelago consists of 9 main islands, 52 cays, and thousands of islets that are ready for curious explorers who can appreciate one of the most biologically diverse places on the entire planet. Bocas del Toro offers both a more luxurious stay in their luxurious resorts, but also a more down to earth stay at their various jungle eco-lodges. (bocasdeltoro.travel)

12 São Tomé and Príncipe

Located on a small archipelago 140 miles out in the Gulf of Guinea lies the country of São Tomé and Príncipe in Central Africa which offers tourists an incredible, out of the mainstream experience. São Tomé and Príncipe are both two individual islands about 99 miles away from each other and can boast surprisingly tall peaks of mountains which have very few recorded climbers and makes it the perfect location for hikers who want to ascend a peak that does not see a lot of action. In addition to climbing little known mountain peaks, visitors are also treated to unbelievably lush and untouched swaths of land that truly look like they are from another time and place. (telegraph)

11 Naxos, Greece

Greece is home to an incredible amount of historical sites and jaw dropping views that make it a top visited country worldwide. However, if you want to avoid the large crowds but still enjoy Mediterranean culture, history, and cuisine, then the small island of Naxos is a perfect escape from the busier mainland. Naxos lies a few hours from the popular destination of Athens and just one hour away from the more tourist oriented island of Mykonos. In addition to the white sand beaches and the vibrant blues of the water, visitors can enjoy a much quieter atmosphere and marvel at the ancient Byzantine history that has been well preserved. (intrepidtravel)

10 Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste is a small country that occupies half of the island of Timor which lies in Southeast Asia. The island nation is well known for its abundant marine life since it is ringed by spectacular coral reefs and its 27 meter tall statue of Cristo Rei de Dili which sits on a hilltop high over the city. The country does not have as well of a tourism industry as other islands, but that only means that not many people are aware of the world class diving, hiking, and beaches that are open to anyone who is willing to go a little off the beaten path without compromising on adventure and relaxation. (timorleste.tl)

9 Bonaire

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of traffic lights and a quick, regimented pace of life, the island of Bonaire prides itself on the slower and calmer pace of life. Bonaire has been recognized as one of the top destinations worldwide for its sustainable tourism and is consistently ranked highly for its wide selection of scuba diving and snorkeling among the pristine waters. Despite receiving awards and recognition, the island which lies off of Venezuela’s coast in the southern Caribbean, is not as popular as other destination which ensure that visitors will be able to enjoy the incredible wildlife protected by expansive National Parks. (tourismbonaire)

8 Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Unlike the much more well-known spots to visit in México such as Cancún and Acapulco, Isla Mujeres is a hidden gem in the southern state of Quintana Roo that not many people know about; which is precisely why it is such an appealing option for travelers who want to enjoy the sun and sand away in a location that still manages to retain its natural beauty and splendor. The island lies on the Caribbean Sea and means “Island of Women”. One of their most famous attractions are the underwater sculptures that can be seen up close for anyone willing to don scuba gear and wade through the crystal clear waters. (visitmexico)

7 Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah

If you want to explore the wilderness in the United States that has not been heavily commercialized and is not constantly filled with eager tourists, a trip to the lesser visited state of Utah might be exactly what you are looking for. Big Cottonwood Canyon offers a variety of different trails that can accommodate various different experience levels for hikers and has a number of picnic spots to take breaks in while being surrounding be scenic vistas as far as the eye can see. Along with hiking trails, numerous small and larger lakes and waterfalls are interspersed which guarantees a visually beautiful hike through a less frequented canyon. (visitsaltlake)

6 Colmar, France

Located on the tip of northeastern France near the border with Germany, the small town of Colmar, France is a great location to enjoy delectable cuisine, medieval and early Renaissance buildings, and spectacular views of the entire town while gliding along a relaxing gondola ride. The cobblestoned lined streets look like they are right out of a picture book and you won’t find too many tourists in this out of the way town. The town is nestled among the vineyards and in addition to having an impressive selection of wines, they also pride themselves on the hospitality shown by their 67,000 inhabitants. (tourisme-colmar)