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If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably had it up to here with the same tired travel lists. Santorini, Tulum, Paris, Lisbon… We’re not here for that!
We’re here for the real-deal magic, the kind you won’t really find on your feed unless you’re following that ex-Vanlifer who now sells online yoga courses.
We’re looking for the beyond-the-guidebook type of places, the type that is getting harder and harder to come across as the years go by… The strange, small, soon-to-be-travel-hotspots that still feel real and exciting.
But The Broke Backpacker does not believe in such a thing as an “impossible mission”. We like to think of it as a mysterious challenge that we’ll obsess over until it gets solved.
And that’s what we did.
So here you have it – our very own list of the best hidden gems to visit in 2025. Chosen by a rogue team of wanderers, wondering vagabonds and travel writers who actually go to the places they write about.
You’re welcome 😉
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Photo: Nic Hilditch-Short
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
So, What Makes a Place a “Hidden Gem”?
Words get thrown around so much that sometimes it’s hard to know what they really mean.
And “hidden gems” is one of those, right… a travel buzzword that we… well, that we probably love and hate just as much as the next person.
This is what The Broke Backpacker believes to be essential for a place to be considered a gem:
- Authenticity – Places that still feel local, lived-in and unpolished. If there’s a Starbucks in town, you’re probably in the wrong destination.
- Off the beaten path – if the ratio between locals and people wearing tote bags feels off, it probably doesn’t make the cut (unless it’s the locals wearing them!);
- Value for money – We like places where your budget stretches and the food still slaps;
- Hard to get to – If it takes a bus, a boat, and a dash of luck and faith to get there, you’re probably on the right track. It’s all about embracing the art of getting lost!
- Quiet… for now – Most of these spots are still flying under the radar – but that probably won’t be the case for long.
The World’s 7 Best Hidden Gems to Visit
From the East to the West, the whole world is filled with precious diamonds. And they’re just waiting for the right people to find them at the right time.
We hope you take something out of this list and go have a great time on the road. We’ll catch you there.
1. Bundi, India
Ahh, Bundi, the small town in Rajasthan that inspired Rudyard Kipling to write The Jungle Book. It’s the perfect place to get off the beaten track and escape the crowds of Northern India for a peaceful, authentic and raw experience. It doesn’t overwhelm the senses like many other places in this region… instead it tantalises them with that heady mix of the exotic and unfamiliar without the fear of getting run over by a rickshaw or scammed by a local con artist!
Its fairytale palace and meandering fort sits high above this ramshackle but charming town in a beautiful yet haunting scene that looks like it has been taken straight from a Disney animation.
Photo: Nic Hilditch-Short
This crumbling yet elegant architectural marvel, with its ornate carvings and peeling, detailed frescoes, is a throwback to the times of Royalty looming over its subjects from high above. These days, it’s home to a pack of rowdy monkeys who run through the town at dusk and dawn, causing havoc amongst the street dogs, wild pigs, free-roaming cows and locals going about their daily business. Swinging from the trees and running across the rooftops, it’s not hard to see why old mate Rudyard spent his days writing by the water’s edge.
The sleepy atmosphere of Bundi is punctuated by the chit chat of women draped in brightly coloured saris, kids playing in the streets, and teenagers flying kites from the rooftops. Rather than getting hassled in this blue-walled town, you’ll be warmly invited in to join in the festivities or have a chai with an intrigued local.
It truly is the India you dreamt of.
2. Guadix, Spain
Spain’s magnificent Andalucia region is absolutely packed with weird wonders from the abandoned Spaghetti western film sets to the DMT-esque pillars of Cordoba’s La Mezquita. But none can compare to the balmy little cave-town of Guadix that sits high up in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
The famous instagrammable cave houses of Guadix do exactly what they say on the tin, partially natural, partially excavated caves that have been fashioned into full-blown home-steads with modern kitchens, lockable doors and even WI-FI.
Photo: Nic Hilditch-Short
Originally used as shelter for shepherds and gypsies, the cave houses of Guadix were once upon a time the only safe places to hide from the summers punishing heat. Sadly, the cave town is experiencing something of a slow decline, and a lot of the cave houses are abandoned as their occupiers forsake the remote towns to find work in the cities.
While there isn’t a lot to do here, it’s an absolutely unmissable photo op, you’ll have the place to yourself, and the glorious ride from the coastal region or nearby Granada is well worth the half-day round trip.
3. Hunza Valley, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
The word Pakistan doesn’t usually make it to hidden gems lists. And that’s because 99% of the population has no idea that there’s a territory administered by it that happens to have the most legendary mountain scenery (yes, better than Nepal) on the planet.
And in Gilgit Baltistan, as it’s called, lies the Hunza Valley – a truly AI-looking hamlet that I’ve been #BLESSED to call home since 2021.
Photo: Samantha Shea
What’s so special about Hunza? Aside from having the highest density of 7000-metre peaks on the planet, the valley is home to incredible indigenous communities, cultures and languages that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s incredibly safe and has virtually nothing in common with the chaotic, dirty, oppressively hot, India-like mainland. Trust me, when it comes to tips for visiting Pakistan… It’s got to be visiting this magical place.
Bordering China at the Khunjerab Pass, Hunza itself is geographically in Central Asia and leads to Xinjiang and other ‘Stans via the incredible Karakoram Highway, named for the famous mountain range that cuts through the region.
Go for a high altitude hike on one of the many trails, swim or paddle in the salt water Borith Lake, and have the best (yak) burger of your life at the Yak Grill – these are some of my personal fave attractions. But the best experiences you can have in Hunza are when you get to know locals, their unparalleled hospitality and traditions will be the best experience you’ll have travelling in Pakistan.
See you here?
4. Javea, Spain
Spain itself isn’t exactly the hiddenest of gems. Most backpackers flock to the likes of Valencia, Barcelona or Malaga to eat Paella and party til’ dawn. But nestled in between these popular spots, you’ll find a completely different side of Spain. A smaller, local, even more passionate side (hard to believe, I know).
An hour south of Valencia, an hour north of Alicante and a short boat ride from Ibiza – you’ll find Javea. My happy place whenever I travel to Spain.
Javea holds a strong Spanish charm, a charm that seems to have been lost in nearby towns in a mist of high-rises and drunk Brits – yep, I’m looking at you, Benidorm!
Get lost in the windy, cobbled streets of the Old Town or grab a sangria along the front of The Port and soak in the soothing sound of the Spanish language.
Javea is also blessed with a ridiculously gorgeous coastline. Picture pebbly beaches, crystal clear waters and towering cliffs. The best way to experience it is to hire a scooter and zip along the cruisy, coastal roads.
Some may come at me for saying it is a “hidden gem”, as it is a VERY popular holiday town for Spanish people. However, I can’t say I’ve come across another backpacker with it on their list. All I can say is, they’re missing out. Go to Javea, you won’t regret it.
5. Panglao, Philippines
When you think of those quintessentially Filipino white sand beaches and the bluest of blue waters, chances are you’ve been thinking about Panglao without even realising it. Bursting with marine life, untouched beaches and a rich Spanish colonial history, Panglao is a place where you can really let the adventurer in you indulge.
Take a day trip to Balicasag and pass flocks of dolphins on the way, flying fish and peaks of the corals to come as snorkelling or diving down to see them is all the aim of the game here. The marine life here is ridiculously diverse, it should be top spot on your Philippines bucket list if you’re looking to tick off the heavy hitters.
Photo: @Rhenzy
Visiting Panglao really is a two-for-one deal as the larger Bohol is connected and easily accessed via a bridge. If you’re bored of the beach bum life, rent a scooter and drive through jungles to reach the infamous Chocolate Hills or make a quick pitstop to say hi to the tarsiers, a species endemic to the Philippines.
Sure, Panglao has its fair share of tourist traps, but it’s a world away from the overhyped buzz of Palawan or the resort-heavy gloss of Boracay. It’s weird and wonderful and just rough enough around the edges to stay interesting. Despite a shiny new airport, it hasn’t morphed into a Bali-lite or Phuket wannabe. Yet. For now, it’s still got that authentic vibe that makes you want to keep it to yourself, at least until everyone else figures it out.
6. Itacoatiara, Brazil
Itacoatiara is the kind of place that makes you ask yourself why everyone else goes elsewhere. And it’s best to keep it like that, so keep it quiet and don’t post it on your huge travel blog…
Nah, but seriously, hear me out. You take Rio de Janeiro, then you think about how it could’ve been when it was at its prime. And this is what you get.
You won’t find any neon caipirinha stands here, thumping favela tours, nor will you find drama besides its dramatic jungle cliffs. But you pair that with fresh golden sand, a stretch of Atlantic rainforest, and you get this slice of paradise.
Photo: @monteiro.online
The main beach is a stunner, and there are actual rules in place to limit vendors and sound systems. Itacoatiara is sacred ground for those in the know.
The city is bikeable, it’s likeable, it’s sweet and safe, and all things nice. And you can reach it within about an hour from the chaos of Copacabana.
I spent two amazing and regenerating weeks there. Then I went back to Rio to destroy my body and soul. I recommend you do the same when you’re visiting Brazil.
7. Theth, Albania
Part of me wants to tell you about this place. Part of me wants to keep it a secret and protect its beauty from hordes of backpackers. But, fuck it…suit up solider, we’re going in.
Theth in Albania has the chaos of Asia, the Charm of Europe and nature worthy of David Attenborough himself. Albania is no longer a secret, but Theth still feels like one. A nature lover’s wet dream with towering peaks, more hikes than you’ll know what to do with and rivers with the most insane colour of blue I’ve ever feasted my eyes on. And yeah, you’ll still need to fly into Tirana Airport and make you’re way there!
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
We hiked from Valbona to Theth, and I can safely say I’ve never said ‘wow’ so much in my life. We wandered through local villages, trekked into the Albanian Alps and eventually landed in the town of Theth, where I had dreams of a warm shower and cold beer. Instead? A town-wide power cut, with only one restaurant open, running on a backup generator. Whilst I didn’t get my warm shower, I most definitely made the most of their cold beers.
Oozing with character, the beauty that surrounds this mountain town deserves to be explored. The next day, legs still sore, we decided to go for an even longer hike through Grunas canyon to the blue eye, again, just insane. The entire way we were rewarded with breathtaking views and a glimpse of local life.
So, comrade, pack a good pair of hiking shoes and go explore this undiscovered gem; you won’t regret it.
Insurance For Visiting These Hidden Gems
If you’re anything like me, then it doesn’t matter if you’re in the safest place in the world, or crossing the road in Vietnam, you’re always prone to an accident!! Well, getting good travel insurance means I can trip and slip my way around all these hidden gems without a care in the world! Get on it!
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Photo: Nic Hilditch-Short
Final Thoughts on the Top Hidden Gems for Tourists this Year
While we may be at the end of this list of truly hidden travel gems for you, I hope you’re feeling inspired and ready for your offbeat adventure. From Brazilian jungle and record-breaking mountain valleys, to quiet beach towns and everything in between, low-key adventures far away from mass tourism are still possible, you just have to get off the beaten path.
…which is pretty much TBB’s signature travel style as you can see from these reccs 🙂
Sure, the TikTokfication of backpacking may be upon us, but I’m sure at least one of these locales has made you want to book a trip. A trip that puts experiences over luxury, and allows you to have immersive experiences filled with local connections and foodie-approved street treats.
But these hidden gems won’t stay that way forever: all the more reason to take a chance on one of these this year, and feel the travel magic that only far-flung destinations like these truly conjure up.
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links, since we’ve decided to keep the site ad-free. So here it is!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
