Check Out These Amazing 20 Least Visited Destinations
Going on vacation is supposed to be relaxing. If you already live in a big city, you might dream of a vacation away from crowds, where you can be on your own. But if you follow travel sites, most talked deals and destinations will likely be for places where everyone wants to go. So often you end up finding crowded attractions, beaches etc. But what if you skip the most visited places in the world, and go for the least visited destinations instead?
Just to get an idea of what that means, in 2017 for example, nearly 87 million international tourists arrived in France. That same year, just 2,000 international tourists visited the South Pacific country of Tuvalu, where it’s easy to find a beach, or a whole island to yourself. Tat number increased to 2,700 in 2019, but it is still one of the least visited destinations.
Based on the most recent data by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the list below represents the world’s least-visited countries and overseas territories. The list excludes some places that have been deemed dangerous from the US Department of State. But you’ll find gorgeous natural beauty, culture and history without having to fight long lines and crowded streets.
Least Visited Destinations
Getting to these least visited countries might not be the easiest feat, even more so now with all the travel restrictions and requirements. But if that’s what you’d consider a perfect vacation, then it might be worth the trouble. So let’s take a look at these 20 amazing least visited destinations.
1. Tuvalu
With more than 100 tiny islands scattered across the South Pacific, the country of Tuvalu is among the world’s most isolated nations. It is number one in the list of least visited destinations. Only the main island, Funafuti, has an airport. From there, travelers continue to the outlying communities by passenger ferry. Free from the crowds that fill beaches in popular destinations like Fiji, these islands are an untouristed haven where you can watch flying fish skim the water, spend a lazy afternoon in a hammock or snorkel candy-hued coral reefs. If you’re planning a trip to Tuvalu, don’t wait: The waves that lap Tuvalu’s stilt houses have long been seen as an existential threat here, since rising seas could swamp the low-lying country.
Worth noting:
- Stroll powdered sugar beaches at risk from rising sea levels.
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level Unknown
- International tourist arrivals in 2018: 2,700
2. Marshall Islands
Bombs and bathing suits put these Pacific isles on the world’s radar — bikinis were named for the United States’ nuclear testing on the Marshall Islands’ Bikini Atoll. Decades later the island is still radioactive, as is the test site at Enewetak Atoll, but the waters surrounding Bikini Atoll have become one of the world’s most spectacular scuba diving sites. There are more than a dozen shipwrecks on the seafloor near Bikini Atoll. Make your first dive to see the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga, which was present at the Battle of Iwo Jima before the US military used the ship for nuclear target practice. Divers will find deck guns blooming into colorful coral reefs, and schools of fish threading between bombs still strapped to the ship’s metal decks.
Worth noting:
- Scuba dive into a ship graveyard transformed into an eerie underwater playground.
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level Unknown
- International tourist arrivals in 2019: 6,100
3. Montserrat
Velvety green hills pinch towards the rim of Montserrat’s Soufrière Hills volcano, whose incendiary force has shaped the landscape of this Caribbean island. Much of Montserrat was overshadowed by volcanic eruptions in the 1990s, when the capital city of Plymouth was buried under a deep layer of ash and volcanic stone. Now, visitors come by plane or ferry from the nearby island of Antigua to see the fallout of the volcano’s furious power. Tours of Plymouth reveal a 17th-century church turned gray with ash and the ruins of a once-grand hotel.
Worth noting:
- See a modern-day Pompeii, then lounge on new beaches created from crumbling volcanic stone.
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level 1 (Low)
- International tourist arrivals in 2017: 8,000
4. Niue
If your image of a Polynesian island is all gentle waves and soft sand, think again: Niue’s rugged and cave-pocked coast is etched in sharp coral. From July through October, humpback whales use Niue as a warm-water nursery, lolling close enough to the island to be spotted from shore. During those months, the sound of the whales’ songs and slapping tails can be heard above the sea breeze. Here, visitors can even join trained guides to swim with the humpback whales, one of the few places on earth where it’s possible.
Worth noting:
- Swim alongside school bus-sized whales in one of the world’s smallest countries.
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level Unknown
- International tourist arrivals in 2017: 10,000
5. Kiribati
Scatter-shot atolls and lagoons barely peek above the central Pacific waters in Kiribati, whose islands and atolls cluster into three groups: the Gilbert, Phoenix and Line Islands. It’s hard to overstate the isolation of these faraway isles — neighboring Fiji is relatively close at 1,394 miles away — and few travelers make the journey here. Those that do, however, will be treated to a rich tradition of hospitality. While not every visitor will secure an invitation to a traditional feast, or botaki, many have. If you’re lucky enough to attend, you might see dancers in pandanus skirts, listen to drums beating out a traditional rhythm then dine on breadfruit, taro and sprouted coconut.
Worth noting:
- Experience a botaki in an open-air maneaba, or meeting house.
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level Unknown
- International tourist arrivals in 2019: 12,000
6. Federated States of Micronesia
- The ancient city of Nan Madol is home to grand basalt palaces and temples. Nicole Evatt/AP
If you plan to spend one day on every island in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), you’ll need more than a year and a half to explore the Pacific nation. There are 607 islands here, but put them together and they add up to a mere 271 square miles of land — and that’s spread across nearly 2.6 million square miles of water. Many of the islands are uninhabited. But exploring Pohnpei, the largest island in the FSM, is a fascinating reminder that the archipelago’s been shaped by humans for centuries. Off the island’s southeastern coast is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nan Madol, which comprises 100 man-made islets created by a great Pacific dynasty. Here, travelers can explore grand basalt palaces and temples constructed at the center’s apex between 1,200 and 1,500 AD.
Worth noting:
- Visit an ancient ceremonial center rising from the ocean.
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level 1 (Low)
- International tourist arrivals in 2019: 18,900
7. Solomon Islands
Desperate battles unfolded against a paradise-island backdrop in this South Pacific archipelago after US Marines landed on Guadalcanal Island in 1942. Decades after the last skirmish, the lush jungle holds rusting tanks, amphibious vehicles and fox holes that are a haunting reminder of that era. And the history doesn’t stop at the waterline. Sunken seaplanes, oil tankers and submarines are strewn across the ocean floor, sprouting coral formations on corroded metal sheathings. For travelers who snorkel or scuba dive, exploring the Solomon Islands is the chance to watch sea life colonize the remnants of a brutal war.
Worth noting:
- Discover Second World War history in a vast archipelago.
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level Unknown
- International tourist arrivals in 2019: 28,900
8. São Tomé and Príncipe
Making up a nearly equatorial nation in west Africa’s Gulf of Guinea, the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe are packed with endemic plants and animals. In the lush jungle that has overtaken former coffee plantations here, travelers might find begonias growing high as a house, hundreds of orchid species and birds in every hue. For a nature-lover’s introduction to this biodiversity hotspot, start by flying into the main island of São Tomé then continue by small plane to tiny Príncipe. The volcanic island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and new species are discovered here on a regular basis, from reed frogs to owls. Peer carefully into the foliage, and you may spot a blooming flower or furtive creature that’s yet to be documented by scientists.
Worth noting:
- Search for undiscovered species in a biodiversity hot spot.
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level Unknown
- International tourist arrivals in 2019: 33,400
9. Comoros
Cupped in the ocean between Madagascar and Mozambique, Comoros has the kind of clear water and pale beaches that draw travelers to the Seychelles — but with few tourists and little development. There’s something in the air here, too. Often called the “Perfume Isles,” the islands of Comoros have been cultivating aromatic plants for making scents since the French colonial era. Now, the blossoms of the ylang-ylang tree infuse the breeze with an evocative aroma, mixing with cloves, bergamot, jasmine, vanilla and lemongrass to intoxicating effect.
Worth noting:
- Breathe the perfumed air of an island that overflows with blooms.
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level 1 (Low)
- International tourist arrivals in 2019: 45,000
10. American Samoa
- Matafao Peak dominates the skyline above Pago Pago Harbour. Torsten Blackwood/AFP/Getty Images
Steeply pitched islands drop towards crystalline water in American Samoa, a South Pacific island group northeast of Fiji that’s the only US territory in the Southern Hemisphere. Whether you’re skimming Pago Pago Harbor in an outrigger canoe or casting a line for hefty tuna and marlin, there are endless ways to explore the sea here. To find the treasures hidden in the dense forest canopy, head to the National Park of American Samoa for a trek through fruit bat country. The Samoan fruit bat has a wingspan of up to three feet, and the fuzzy mammals can be spotted dangling from trees or swooping through the air in search of fresh fruit and nectar.
Worth noting:
- Hang with the endangered fruit bats of the National Park of American Samoa.
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level 1 (Low)
- International tourist arrivals in 2019: 52,700
11. Djibouti
Perched at the confluence of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, Djibouti has a strategic location — but the landscape itself can seem otherworldly. White-salt beaches ring the hyper-saline Lake Assal, steam pours from the Ardoukoba Volcano and camels graze amidst lunar towers in Lake Abbé. There, travelers can spot bubble gum-colored flamingos that lend the otherwise desolate scene a rococo flourish. It’s a testament to human ingenuity that the nomadic Afar people have carved a life in this harsh environment, leading their flocks to graze on widely scattered pockets of marsh grass.
Worth noting:
- Have an off-planet experience without the costly space flight.
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level 1 (Low)
- International tourist arrivals in 2019: 52,700
12. Sierra Leone
If thinking of Sierra Leone doesn’t inspire daydreams of powdery beaches, surf breaks and nesting sea turtles, you might need an update. From civil war to Ebola outbreaks, this west African country has faced hard knocks in recent decades, but that’s one more reason to support the slowly recovering tourist economy. Stake out a sunny piece of sand on the Western Peninsula, and you can sip a locally brewed Star Lager as you scan the waterline for sea turtles.
Worth noting:
- Picture-postcard beach vacations way off the tourist map. And…pygmy hippos!
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level 2 (Moderate)
- International tourist arrivals in 2019: 71,000
13. Timor Leste
- East Timor hosts an annual mountain bike stage race. STR/AFP/Getty Images
Better known to aid workers than tourists, Timor Leste had a chaotic few decades as it emerged as Asia’s newest country. Now, the mountains that once provided shelter for Timorese resistance fighters are being put to use as a testing ground for the super fit. The Tour de Timor, a 5-day mountain bike stage race, follows dirt tracks through the lush wilderness, tackles sustained climbs and passes through remote villages. It’s known as both a grueling challenge and a rewarding experience. Obviously skip that, if you’re trying to avoid crowds. Not that you need to be a competitive athlete to go cycling in Timor Leste. If you don’t mind the hills and the heat, bring your own bike here to pedal remote mountain roads with little car traffic.
Worth noting:
- Challenge yourself to the ride of a lifetime.
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level 3 (High)
- International tourist arrivals in 2019: 74,800
14. Anguilla
- By limiting tourism to high end resorts, Anguilla has avoided over-development. Cedrick Isham Calvados/AFP/Getty Images
Ringed in pale sand and topaz inlets, the British overseas territory of Anguilla has some of the Caribbean’s finest beaches, but there’s one thing that’s notably absent — other people. By limiting tourism to high-end resorts, this island escape has dodged the intense development of neighboring islands. If you’re flush enough to pay the high prices here, that means access to wonderfully uncrowded beaches. There are 33 to choose from, but Rendezvous Bay is a gorgeous place to start. A handful of bright-painted beach bars are scattered along the beach, inviting repeated cocktail breaks as you stroll along the nearly 3-mile shoreline.
Worth noting:
- Experience high-end Caribbean cool with plenty of room to relax.
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level 1 (Low)
- International tourist arrivals in 2019: 88,000
15. Tonga
- Tonga is famous for its hospitality. Torsten Blackwood/AFP/Getty Images
Traditional feasts and fluttery palms set the scene in the Kingdom of Tonga, a South Pacific island group where travelers are treated to laid-back hospitality. There are hidden beaches to explore here, as well as trees filled with flying foxes and islands that can be reached only by slow boat. While Tonga can lull travelers into a tropical reverie, the coast is downright explosive. Hollow channels in the sharp volcanic rock create spectacular blowholes on the island of Tongatapu, where crashing waves shoot seawater hundreds of feet into the air — it’s a natural show worth traveling for.
Worth noting:
- Watch the ocean erupt from the rocky Tongan coast.
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level Unknown
- International tourist arrivals in 2019: 94,000
16. Guinea
Just next door to Sierra Leone is Guinea, whose wildly scenic highlands are among west Africa’s most spectacular places to hike. Powerful rivers flow from the forests of Fouta Djallon, where an afternoon snack can mean plucking an avocado or mango from a nearby tree. Join a Pular-speaking guide for a memorable trek through the rocky landscape for the chance to meet local people as you spend each night in a highland village. You can check out rain-flush waterfalls, sharp canyons and a memorable taste of Guinean hospitality.
Worth noting:
- Tone your quads on a culture-bridging hike through the mountains.
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level 2 (Moderate)
- International tourist arrivals in 2019: 99,000
17. Liechtenstein
- Historic castles keep watch over Liechtenstein. Jan Hetfleisch/Getty Images
With an Alpine perch between Austria and Switzerland, the Principality of Liechtenstein is one of two doubly landlocked countries on earth — that’s a landlocked nation surrounded only by landlocked nations. (The other one is Uzbekistan.) No one seems to mind the lack of a seacoast. Here, hiking trails navigate between stony peaks, while vineyards lap steep hillsides. Historic castles keep watch over it all. To visit the country’s most dramatic stronghold, travel to the village of Balzers, where you can set out on foot for Gutenberg Castle. Visitors can linger in the castle rose garden, which fills with princess-pink blooms during the summer months.
Worth noting:
- Visit a fairy-tale castle in a mountain kingdom.
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level 1 (Low)
- International tourist arrivals in 2019: 99,000
18. Vanuatu
- East Tanna’s Mount Yasur volcano is among the world’s most active. Thierry Suzan/Figarophoto/Redux/Figarophoto/Thierry Suzan/Figarophoto/Redux
The few tourists that venture this deep into the South Pacific will enjoy lots of Instagram worthy views, such as think white sand, palm trees and crystalline water. But there’s a hint of danger in the paradise landscape. East Tanna’s Mount Yasur volcano is among the world’s most active, with a pyrotechnic display of lava and sparks that keeps visitors at a distance. And on beautiful Pentecost Island, daring locals practice a tradition called Nagol, or land diving. Come here for the Saturday festivals from April through June to see men and boys scaling wooden towers up to 100 feet high, then leaping into space with vines secured to their ankles. The rite celebrates the yam harvest and male fertility.
Worth noting:
- Watch daredevil “land divers” practice the original extreme sport.
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level Unknown
- International tourist arrivals in 2017: 109,000
19. St. Kitts and Nevis
- The islands of St. Kitts and Nevis enjoy a slower pace of life. Chris Jackson/Getty Images
A pair of islands with a dreamy Caribbean landscape, St. Kitts and Nevis have magnificent beaches and a laid-back spirit. Of the two, Nevis is more remote. This is where Alexander Hamilton was born — his birthplace is the modern-day site of the Nevis Historical Society — but not even Hamilton mania has robbed the isolated island of its castaway feel. That slow pace of life invites lingering over the island’s distinctive cuisine. After trying the local specialty of goat water stew, enjoy ultra-fresh seafood and plenty of island-grown fruit. Don’t forget to finish your feast with a generous pour of aged, spiced rum.
Worth noting:
- Taste Caribbean cuisine that’s fresh from the garden and sea.
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level 3 (High)
- International tourist arrivals in 2017: 114,000
20. New Caledonia
Whether you’re sailing, snorkeling or just swimming off the beach, New Caledonia’s lagoons are magnificent. Look closer to find remarkable diversity. There are dozens of species of sharks, along with sea turtles and big fish. The gentle dugong — a relative of the manatee — lives in the shallow coastal waters, while fish explore the world’s third-largest reef system. And 95% of New Caledonia’s waters are protected, creating a haven for marine life that’s a dream destination for nature-loving travelers. Compared with the more remote Pacific islands, New Caledonia is a breeze to reach on flights from New Zealand and Australia. The French overseas territory’s capital of Noumea, which is more than 10,000 miles from Paris, is just 914 miles from the Australian city of Brisbane.
Worth noting:
- Loll in New Caledonia lagoons with a mellow herd of dugong.
- CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19: Level 1 (Low)
- International tourist arrivals in 2017: 121,000
Guru’s Wrap-up
These are clearly not destinations for everyone. But if you like peace and quiet these could be interesting destinations. Let me know if you’ve been to any of these 20 least visited destinations, or if you have any similar places in mind.
