Hidden gems in the world’s most visited countries

Are you the type to avoid a destination simply because it’s too crowded? Read on. We’ve trapsed through five of the world’s most visited countries to work out whether they still have any hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. And spoiler alert: they do.

In 2024, a combined 382.6 million tourists visited just five countries: France, Spain, the United States, China and Italy. With their rich cultural traditions, histories and cuisines (some more indulgent than others), it’s not hard to understand why.

At scout, we’re big believers in seeing things with our own eyes – even the landmarks (read: tourist traps) they put on the postcards. But we also believe that the joys of travel reveal themselves in the unexpected adventures, when you embrace the wrong turns and end up in the backwater.

So even though millions (hundreds of millions, even) of us visit these countries every year, they still yield surprises – quiet towns, serene landscapes, ancestral streets and local eats just waiting to be discovered off the tourist radar. Whether you’re drawn by medieval walls, coastal cliffs, geothermal oddities or candlelit cave-dwellings, these hidden gems offer something unforgettable.

As a man named Robert Frost once said, taking the road less travelled makes all the difference.

Dinan, in France’s Brittany region

Tucked between the natural beauty of Brittany and its medieval charms lies Dinan – a picture-perfect town that seems frozen in time. Cobblestone streets wind between half-timbered houses and a formidable rampart overlooking the River Rance, offering a romantic escape from the crowds of Paris and the Riviera. Known for its old-world character and postcard-worthy scale, Dinan lets you immerse yourself fully in French history and charm.

Natural wonders of the United States

Think US scenery, and Yosemite or the Grand Canyon probably spring to mind – but did you know some of nature’s most surreal landscapes are hidden away from the tourist throngs? Take Fly Geyser, for example, a technicolour geothermal marvel in Nevada that formed entirely by accident and remains a secret to most travellers. Or venture to Alaska’s glowing Mendenhall ice caves, the ethereal Fern Canyon in California, and the quiet beaches of Rhode Island’s Block Island. These are places built for explorers seeking beauty and solitude off the beaten path.

Asturias, Spain

Move beyond the overloaded beaches and bullfights to verdant Asturias. Nestled between the rugged Picos de Europa and the Cantabrian Sea, this region – technically an autonomous community blends dramatic coastal scenery, green mountains, historic towns like Oviedo and Gijón, and a celebrated culinary scene (complete with cider houses and Michelin-starred kitchens). With accessible rail links and year-round mild weather, Asturias offers authentic Spanish charm minus the crowds.

Orvieto, Matera, Corniglia and Spello, in Italy

While most flock to Rome or Florence, Orvieto offers a quieter escape. Perched high above the Umbrian landscape, its dramatic cathedral and labyrinth of narrow streets reward visitors with both history and serenity. Other hidden spots include Matera with its Sassi cave dwellings, Corniglia in Cinque Terre for a more intimate coastal experience, and medieval Spello in Umbria noted for its floral cobbled streets during local festivals.

Tranquil karst villages and hidden landscapes of China

Beyond Beijing’s bustle and the Great Wall, China offers serene escapes like undiscovered karst landscapes – defined by their limestone underlying, eroded over time to produce otherworldly towers, ridges and sinkholes. There are also quiet mountain villages, sacred peaks and hidden islands to be discovered here. These peaceful retreats serve as a gateway to China’s diverse cultural and natural terrain – far from the crowds, and rich in authenticity.