These Are the 10 Under the Radar Destinations To Travel To In 2027

From TikTok trending towns to over-touristed capitals, us humans tend to swarm to just a small handful of well-trodden destinations. As such, those hotspots become wholly reliant on tourist culture; hotels and restaurants rack up their prices, and beloved beauty spots become overwhelmed with travellers. As Erica Kritikides, the general manager of experiences at B Corp travel brand Intrepid, explains: ‘If we want tourism to continue to be a force for good, we need to constantly rethink how and where we travel.’

Inspired by that sentiment, in 2018 Intrepid launched its first Not Hot List in a bid to help travellers to discover new destinations where their visit can make a meaningful contribution to local communities and economies. Close to a decade later, it has become one of our hotly anticipated annual launches. Want to explore a road less travelled? Here’s Intrepid’s Not Hot List for 2027, spotlighting the emerging and under-appreciated destinations to add to your travel agenda next year.

Intrepid Not Hot List 2027

Samburu National Reserve, Kenya 

Kenya is already a country known and loved for its safari tourism. But as the busiest parks become increasingly overwhelmed by those on the hunt for their perfect wildlife shot, Samburu National Reserve in the centre of the country, offers a quieter, more intimate wildlife experience. Here, community is at the helm, with tourism designed to support conservation and local livelihoods.

Mestia, Georgia 

As a new passenger terminal lands in Queen Tamar Airport, and Georgia revives its highland tourism strategy, the mountain town of Mestia is set to become a gateway to the Caucasus. Here, tourists can explore everything from the UNESCO-listed landscapes and remote medieval tower villages, to the largely uncrowded trekking routes though the Trancauccasian way and the impressive Chaaladi Glacier.

Northern Highlands, Jordan  

With recent Middle Eastern conflicts deterring tourists from Jordan, 2027 is set to be its comeback year. Whilst Petra and Wadi Rum are already well-loved destinations for tourists looking for an Indiana Jones adventure, there is much more to the country than these sandstone sites. The Northern Highlands, by contrast, offer a greener, less-trodden region complete with Roman ruins and forest reserves.

Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada 

Following the launch of the Arctic Canada Tourism Network, Whitehorse in Canada is set to provide a gateway to Canada’s rugged, northwestern region of Yukon. Here, there is the chance to explore wilderness, wildlife, and its rich First Nations history.

Alonnisos, Greece 

Of Greece’s 6,000 islands and islets, there’s only a few handful we know by name – and Mykonos, Crete and Santorini aren’t the only places you can dip into crystal blue seas. As Greece attempts to disperse tourists from its more crowded islands, the lesser-known Alonnisos and its newly updated port offers a lower impact way to explore the Aegean.

Dili, Timor-Leste

Can you name every countries in South East Asia? Give it a go, and there’s a high chance you’ll miss off the little-known nation of Timor-Leste. A former Portuguese colony, and then an Indonesia territory, in 2002 it became a sovereign nation of its own. Having more recently entered the ASEAN, its capital city of Dili is officially on the map – with new flights, upgraded infrastructure and community-led experiences on offer for tourists. 

Pekoe Trail, Sri Lanka 

Thanks to relaxed visa rules and new flight routes, Sri Lanka is a more popular tourist destination than ever, becoming a go-to spot for ‘gap-yah’-ers and those looking for a cheaper route to sunny luxury. But where to visit? Skip the coast and explore the largely undiscovered Pekoe Trail. This route winds through the island’s green central highlands, linking tea estates, rural villages and native forests on an enchanting journey.

Liepāja, Latvia  

2027’s European Capitals of Culture? Évora in Portugal and Liepāja in Latvia. Diversifying its tourism offerings beyond the capital of Riga, the coastal city of Liepāja offers military history, cultural heritage, and most importantly, white-sand beaches beyond the packed shores of the Mediterranean.

Carretera Austral, Chile 

Patagonia may be on every traveller’s bucket list, but more often than not it’s the well-trodden routes of the Torres del Paine and the iconic Route 40 that are explored. Instead, head up north to the Carretera Austral – a remote road trip backed by one of Chile’s largest infrastructure programmes, winding through fjords, glaciers and rainforest landscapes. 

Dalsland, Sweden

Crystal lakes, nordic forests and a total escape from reality – it sounds like the dream. With new rail links set to strengthen access to Sweden’s west coast, Dalsland promises to be a new wilderness escape complete with kayaking, paddle boarding and extreme gravel cycling.

Discover more and book at intrepidtravel.com