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- Top seven village escapes the UN recommends for US visitors
- Akyaka, Türkiye — Calm beaches and windsurfing without the crowds
- Koyasan, Japan — Mountain monasteries and lantern-lit pathways
- Mértola, Portugal — Moorish history tucked away in the Alentejo
- Asolo, Italy — A cinematic hillside town near Venice
- Agaete, Spain — A Canary Islands secret with rugged coastline
- Valendas, Switzerland — Timber houses and Alpine stillness
- Bled, Slovenia — A lakeside classic that protects its charm
- Complete UN-backed list: 52 off-the-beaten-path places to consider
- Practical tips for visiting small, sustainable destinations
The United Nations has quietly pointed travelers toward small towns and villages around the world that rarely make mainstream itineraries. These places promise authentic local life, manageable crowds, and photo-ready scenery — ideal for travelers who want discovery without the hassle of overtourism.
Top seven village escapes the UN recommends for US visitors
Akyaka, Türkiye — Calm beaches and windsurfing without the crowds
Located on the Aegean coast between Bodrum and Marmaris, Akyaka offers a relaxed alternative to Turkey’s busier resorts. Expect low-key wooden homes, sheltered bays, and breezy conditions ideal for windsurfing. Flights to Dalaman and a short transfer make it easy from Istanbul.
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Koyasan, Japan — Mountain monasteries and lantern-lit pathways
Set high in the misty Kii Mountains, Koyasan is a UNESCO-recognized spiritual center. Visitors can stay in temple lodgings, join morning rituals, and hike through towering cedar groves. The village is reachable by scenic rail from Osaka or via Kansai connections.
Mértola, Portugal — Moorish history tucked away in the Alentejo
This fortified town perches on a hill above the Guadiana River. Mértola’s whitewashed streets, a surviving medieval mosque, and quiet plazas offer a slower, historic Portugal. Faro is the nearest airport; the town sits roughly two hours inland.
Asolo, Italy — A cinematic hillside town near Venice
Nicknamed for its panoramas, Asolo wraps visitors in cobbled lanes, historic villas, and pastoral views. It feels like an Italian postcard but remains refreshingly uncrowded. The town is an easy train hop from Venice via Castelfranco Veneto.
Agaete, Spain — A Canary Islands secret with rugged coastline
Perched on Gran Canaria’s northwestern coast, Agaete mixes cliffside scenery with quiet coves and traditional markets. It’s a place for mindful travel, where local life and small businesses still shape the visitor experience.
Valendas, Switzerland — Timber houses and Alpine stillness
Valendas offers a scenic antidote to Switzerland’s busiest valleys. Stone and timber architecture sits above steep river gorges, with trails that reward hikers with sweeping mountain views. Zurich’s airport connects to regional trains for a convenient approach.
Bled, Slovenia — A lakeside classic that protects its charm
Famous for its island church and emerald water, Bled manages tourism with an emphasis on sustainability. It remains one of Europe’s most photogenic small towns, and its conservation practices help keep the landscape intact for future visitors.
Complete UN-backed list: 52 off-the-beaten-path places to consider
Below are all 52 locations the UN highlighted as worthy of visitation. These spots span Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. They are listed alphabetically for easy scanning.
- Agaete, Spain
- Akyaka, Türkiye
- Aldea San Cristóbal El Alto, Guatemala
- Anıtlı, Türkiye
- Antônio Prado, Brazil
- Arquà Petrarca, Italy
- Asolo, Italy
- Asuka, Japan
- Barbaros, Türkiye
- Bellano, Italy
- Bled, Slovenia
- Carlos Pellegrini, Argentina
- Chamarel, Mauritius
- Digang, China
- Dongluo, China
- Ezcaray, Spain
- Flößerstadt Schiltach, Germany
- Grand River South East, Mauritius
- Hosszúhetény, Hungary
- Huanggang, China
- Jikayi, China
- Kale Üçağız, Türkiye
- Kandelous, Iran
- Kaštelir Labinci, Croatia
- Khinalig, Azerbaijan
- Kolochava, Ukraine
- Koyasan, Japan
- Krupa na Vrbasu, Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Loriga, Portugal
- Lô Lô Chải, Vietnam
- Maimará, Argentina
- Marktgemeinde Bad Hindelang, Germany
- Masfout, United Arab Emirates
- Mertola, Portugal
- Mórahalom, Hungary
- Muju Village, South Korea
- Murillo, Colombia
- Neot Semadar, Israel
- North Azraq, Jordan
- Pacto, Ecuador
- Pemuteran, Indonesia
- Plateliai, Lithuania
- Pont-Croix, France
- Quynh Son Community-based Tourism Village, Vietnam
- Shafiabad, Iran
- Shodoshima, Japan
- Soheili, Iran
- Synevyrska Polyana, Ukraine
- Tonosho, Japan
- Valendas, Switzerland
- Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, Portugal
- Yangsuri, South Korea
Practical tips for visiting small, sustainable destinations
- Book regional flights and public transport in advance to support local operators.
- Stay in family-run guesthouses to keep tourism revenue local.
- Pack light and bring cash for small vendors who may not accept cards.
- Learn a few words of the local language; it goes a long way with residents.
- Respect seasonal rhythms — some villages are quieter or even closed off in low season.
