If you’re anything like me, you love visiting world‑famous places, but it usually means squeezing through crowds, spending more than you planned, and ticking off the same list of bucketlist sights as everyone else. Honestly, nowadays this does not appeal to me and spoils the whole experience, as it's much harder to appreciate and admire when you're being pushed along and ducking to get out of people's photos.

I’m sure you’ve heard about the protests by residents living in the big‑name cities like Barcelona, who make tourists feel very unwelcome with their landmark homes getting busier and more expensive to live in. Because of this, more people are quietly picking smaller, calmer places to go or easygoing all inclusive holidays that still have great culture, scenery, and food, just without all the chaos that spoils going to a typical tourist destination.

That’s where “destination dupes” come in. They have a similar vibe to the popular hotspots, but with fewer people, a slower pace, and often a smaller chunk of your budget at the end. It's these types of places that give you more breathing room and more time to actually notice the little things, such as local stories, everyday routines, and the kind of moments you’d miss if you were stuck in a crowd. Best of all, the locals are friendlier and happy to see you contribute to their local economy.

So, if you are craving a holiday but don’t fancy queuing and paying for overpriced attractions that you can’t fully enjoy, then check out this list of alternatives to popular tourist spots; there’s sure to be something you’ll love.

1. Lisbon Instead of Barcelona

Lisbon has such an easy appeal that wherever you look, you're sure to stumble across something rugged and scenic. It’s packed with streets, far-reaching viewpoints, and everyday, authentic scenes that make it feel properly lived‑in, not like it’s performing for tourists.

When you get there, I recommend hopping on the famous Tram 28 and rattling through neighbourhoods like Graça and Estrela, past tiled houses, tiny cafés, and old corner shops. In Alfama, it’s fun just to get lost and go wherever your eyes lead you.

Be sure to walk up to Castelo de São Jorge for views over the red rooftops, then visit Lisbon Cathedral, and lose yourself in the backstreets until you stumble upon a small tasca (local restaurant) for grilled sardines or bacalhau. If youre vegan, don’t worry, you’ll find something tasty, too.

Down by the river, you can walk or cycle along the waterfront from Cais do Sodré towards Belém. Stop at Time Out Market for an easy bite, then carry on to Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos. For an insider tip, you must join the queue at Pastéis de Belém, as those custard tarts really are worth it.

For a more modern feel, make your way to the LX Factory. This reinvented industrial area is now full of street art, bookshops, bars, and little independent stores. And if you fancy a night out, but the big flashy clubs aren't your thing, then go to Bairro Alto and Principe Real for some trendy bar‑hopping, live music, and long dinners.

If you’ve got extra time, Sintra is an easy train trip. You can see the colourful Pena Palace, the gardens at Quinta da Regaleira, and the Moorish Castle in the hills. When it’s warm, places like Cascais or Carcavelos Beach are close enough for a lazy few hours by the sea. Unlike the crowded places to go, you won’t have to worry about finding a space to bathe.

Overall, Lisbon doesn’t really need an itinerary. You just simply need to pick a neighbourhood, explore, stop when something looks good, and let the city do its thing.

2. Croatia’s Istria Over Italy’s Tuscany

Istria, in Croatia, is the kind of place that naturally slows you down. Even the drive is pretty, think vineyards, olive trees, and small hilltop towns suddenly appearing ahead of you. If you’ve ever been to Dubrovnik Old Town during peak season like me, you’ll understand how overwhelming it can be, so Istria is a much more appealing option with all the same sort of views as Tuscany.

Motovun is perfect for a slow walk around, with stone streets, views over the Mirna Valley, and plenty of spots to try truffle pasta or fuži. Grožnjan feels more artsy, with galleries, cute cafés, and quiet corners where you can just sit and stare at the countryside.

Food is a big deal here, but it’s not pretentious. Truffles show up on everything from scrambled eggs to homemade pasta, and relaxed taverns known as konobas serve local dishes without any fuss. If, like me, you are a wine lover, you can stop at places like Kabola or Kozlović, which are go-to spots for lots of small, family‑run wineries that are perfect for relaxed tastings that feel more like chatting at someone’s house than doing a formal tour.

On the coast, Rovinj is lovely for an afternoon or evening climb up to St. Euphemia’s Church. It's the most wonderful place to take in the views over the old town, then walk along the harbour or find a bar on the rocks for sunset. Pula has a slightly grittier feel, with its Roman amphitheatre, old town streets, and a mix of local bars and casual restaurants.

Istria is one of those regions where days fill up without much effort. For instance, you can visit a town or two, a winery, tuck into a long lunch, go for a walk by the sea, all at your own pace, without the queues and fuss.

3. Hoi An Instead of Bali

Hoi An, in central Vietnam, is one of those places where you often stay longer than you planned. The old town is full of intriguing yellow shophouses, lanterns, and the Japanese Covered Bridge, and it still feels like a real town that happens to be beautiful, rather than a backdrop.

You don’t need a big plan here; you can simply make your way through the riverside market, watch locals bargaining for fruit and flowers, then duck into a tiny café for strong Vietnamese coffee. If you love food, try dishes like cao lầu, mì Quảng, or white rose dumplings at a small family‑run spot. In the evening, a romantic walk along the Thu Bồn River, as the lanterns come on and paper boats float across the water, is a must-do.

Just outside the centre, rent a bike and ride through the rice paddies around Tra Que Vegetable Village, stopping at little farm cafés now and then. If you fancy some time at the coast, the best beaches in Hoi An are spots like An Bang and Cua Dai, which are close enough for a swim, a sunbed, and a cold drink.

Hoi An has its own slow living routine, so be sure to take the time to do a bit of wandering, go on a scenic bike ride, and have a few good meals by the river. To me, this sounds like a pretty ideal day.

4. Porto Over Paris

Porto feels quietly confident. Down in Ribeira, the old riverside area, the streets are narrow and hilly, with colourful houses stacked on top of each other. You’ll see washing on balconies, and tiny bars squeezed into every gap. You can happily drift around for hours, stopping for coffee, a glass of wine, or something comforting like a francesinha or grilled sardines.

The Douro River runs the show here. Walk along the waterfront, watch the old rabelo boats, then cross the Dom Luís I Bridge for the classic view over the rooftops. Be sure to check out the sunset from the top level, which is especially good. On the other side, in Vila Nova de Gaia, visit port wine cellars like Sandeman, Graham’s, or Taylor’s for a tasting and a slow drink with a view.

Back in the city, it’s worth popping into Livraria Lello, but I recommend you go early and check out the blue‑tiled São Bento station, and admire churches like Igreja do Carmo or Igreja de Santo Ildefonso, just to stare at the tiles for a while.

Porto is best when you keep things simple. Wander up and down the hills, cut through backstreets, pause at a miradouro, which is one of the best viewpoints, and let the day stretch around good food and the odd glass of port.

5. Medellín Over Rio de Janeiro

Medellín, Colombia’s second-largest city, has a steady, energetic feel, with green mountains surrounding it so you’re never far from a good view. The weather is generally spring-like year-round, so people are always outside socialising, such as sitting in parks, on terraces, or chatting on street corners.

Comuna 13 is one of the most eye‑opening places to visit. Take the outdoor escalators up the hillside, and you’ll walk past huge murals, hear music everywhere, and get a sense of how much the area has changed. For another angle, hop on the Metrocable and glide over the hills for expansive views of the city and its neighbourhoods.

In the centre, pair Plaza Botero with the Museum of Antioquia. Here you’ll find big, slightly wonky Botero statues outside, and more of his work (plus other artists) inside. If you like hands‑on stuff like me, Parque Explora has interactive science exhibits and a surprisingly good aquarium.

To eat, you can go from a giant, traditional bandeja paisa at a basic local restaurant to modern takes on Colombian dishes in areas like El Poblado and Laureles. In the evenings, both neighbourhoods are great for bar‑hopping, live music, and sitting outside with a drink. If you’re there during the Flower Festival, the whole city levels up, think parades, music, street parties, and locals showing off flower arrangements they’ve been working on for months.

To sum up, Medellín feels like a place that’s moving forward yet still deeply rooted in everyday life, and you notice it just by riding the metro, sitting in a plaza, or watching the city light up at night.

6. Vilnius Instead of Prague

Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, has a really laid‑back feel, which is just what I want from a destination nowadays. The old town is full of Baroque churches, cobbled streets, and colourful buildings, but it still feels like a real place where people live and work, not a museum.

You can easily spend a morning wandering. Whether it's a walk down Pilies Street, ducking into courtyards, or stepping into churches like St. Anne’s or the Cathedral, or climbing up to Gediminas Tower or hiking to the Hill of Three Crosses and looking back over the rooftops and newer parts of the city.

Across the river, Užupis is worth exploring. It calls itself a “republic” with its own tongue‑in‑cheek constitution on the walls, plenty of street art, and a mix of tiny galleries, bars, and cafés.

Food in Vilnius is cosy and filling, so be sure to get tucked into dishes like cepelinai (potato dumplings), kibinai pastries, and bright pink šaltibarščiai (beetroot soup) in simple spots that feel more local than polished. When you want a break, head to Bernardine Garden or sit along the river with a coffee and just people‑watch.

Depending on when you visit, you might stumble across a street festival, an outdoor concert, or a Christmas market. Most of the time, though, Vilnius feels calm and easygoing. It's the sort of city where you can take it slow and still feel like you’ve seen a lot.

7. Brisbane Instead of Sydney

Brisbane has an easy, sunny vibe, with most things centred around the river and the warm weather. South Bank is usually the first stop for visitors. Here you’ll find parklands, which include the man‑made Streets Beach, and the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, all in one stretch. You can swim, grab an ice cream, then stumble into a gallery without much of a plan.

Around the city, it’s nice just moving between neighbourhoods, such as Queen Street Mall for shopping, West End for cafés, bars, and weekend markets, and New Farm for riverside walks and picnics. The CityCat ferries are a convenient way to get around and see the skyline from the water.

If you’ve got a car, the Scenic Rim is close enough for a day trip. If, like me, walking is your thing, then this is the place to go for green hills, hiking trails around places like Mount Tamborine or Lamington National Park, and small country towns where you can stop for coffee or a pub lunch. For wildlife, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the classic spot to see koalas, kangaroos, and other Australian animals up close.

Back in the city, the food scene focuses on fresh, local produce, served from casual riverside pubs at Howard Smith Wharves to small neighbourhood restaurants and food trucks. Evenings in Brisbane can go either way. Think chilled drinks on a rooftop, live music in Fortitude Valley, or just a stroll along the river when it finally cools down.

If you’re craving beaches, the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast are both an easy trip away. This is the place to go for beautiful, wide sandy beaches, surf spots, and that classic East Coast ocean view when you want a proper beach day and simply do nothing in a lovely place.

8. Chiang Mai Over Phuket

While visiting Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand, you are likely to feel a calm, unhurried feel that makes it easy to slow down. Inside the old city walls, it's hard to miss sightseeing at temples like Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang that sit between cafés, guesthouses, and markets, so you end up dropping into them naturally rather than doing a big sightseeing “tick list”. Whether you are walking or cycling around, you pass monks in orange robes, little shrines, and family‑run shops that just add to the whole authentic experience.

In the evenings, things get livelier but still relaxed. The Night Bazaar and the Sunday Walking Street Market are great for grazing on khao soi, pad thai, grilled skewers, and my personal favourite, mango sticky rice. At the same time, you’ll see stalls selling handmade clothes, art, and souvenirs. If you want to get into nature, it’s easy to arrange a trip into the mountains to see waterfalls like Sticky Waterfall (Bua Thong), or head up towards Doi Suthep to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep for views back over the city.

Chiang Mai is also a good place to actually do stuff. Some great recommendations are joining a Thai cooking class, trying traditional crafts like silverwork or umbrella painting, or spending a few quiet hours at a meditation centre. There are also more ethical elephant sanctuaries in the area, where you can learn about the animals without riding them.

Spending days at this laidback dupe destination means you tend to fall into a lovely pattern of slow mornings in a café, going on a couple of temple visits, followed by a market in the evening, and the odd day trip, without ever feeling rushed and annoyed at the wasted time queuing, getting past people and overpriced goods and experiences.

To conclude

These alternative destinations are the perfect way to see the world from a slightly different angle. Instead of squeezing into the same crowded spots you see all over Instagram, you end up in places that feel more genuine and a bit less polished, where everyday life is still happening around you. You get to try local food, see traditions up close, and enjoy quieter views without having to elbow for space.

Overall, going to these less‑visited places also makes your trips feel more personal. You’re not just following the standard list; you’re finding your own favourite corners, small cafés, and random viewpoints that really stay with you as you’ve been able to enjoy them properly in the moment. Plus, spending time and money in these areas can be a simple way to support local communities more evenly.

So, next time you’re planning a trip, it’s worth looking at the not-so-obvious names. The “second choice” destinations often end up being the ones you won’t stop talking about.