See What Others Don’t
How often do you think about visiting countries that nobody else seems to pay attention to? We can all visit Australia, Brazil, Italy, etc etc etc, alongside the millions of other people that were bitten by the travel bug. Or you could really immerse yourself in a culture and spend some time exploring countries that never get their time in the spotlight.
1. Kiribati
Kiribati may be the least-visited country in the world. It had 2 thousand visitors in 2022, almost 20 thousand fewer people than the next least-visited country, Bhutan. Thanks to its low population and remote location, you can enjoy activities like diving, snorkeling, fishing, and birdwatching.
2. Bhutan
This kingdom is located on the eastern edge of the Himalayas and is well-known for its monasteries, fortresses, and ever-changing landscapes. Popular activities include hiking to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, exploring the country’s capital, Thimphu, or attending a Tshechu festival.
Christopher J. Fynn on Wikimedia
3. Tonga
Tonga is a Polynesian kingdom that’s made up of more than 170 islands. The country only received around 22 thousand visitors in 2022, making it one of the least-visited countries worldwide. Unfortunately, you can swim with humpback whales, explore historical sites like the Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon, and enjoy their countless white-sand beaches.
4. Samoa
This oceanic country is made up of several islands in the South Pacific Ocean. The country has a population of just under 200,000, but it has an incredibly rich culture that you can learn about. Samoa is home to famous swimming holes, a canopy walk, and lava fields you can explore.
5. Vanuatu
This country is made up of 80 islands that span 1,300 km (807 mi) across the Pacific Ocean. You can take a full-day road trip around Efate Island to see attractions like Blue Lagoon, Hot Springs, and gorgeous beaches. Port Vila is also a hub of great food, shopping, and a blend of urban fun and relaxation.
6. Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is home to countless attractions, cultures, and biological diversity. It’s well-known for its rich coral reef system, active volcanoes, and dense rainforests. We’d definitely recommend going snorkeling if you find yourself here.
7. Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is a small country situated between Austria and Switzerland that only stretches 25 km (15 mi). The capital, Vaduz, is a cultural and financial center and is home to many museums and galleries. If you prefer a more nature-oriented trip, you can visit sites like Vaduz and Gutenberg Castle, or enjoy a hiking or skiing trip in Malbun.
8. Cook Islands
Located in the South Pacific, this country is made up of 15 islands that span 236 km² (91 sqm). It’s well-loved for its plethora of snorkeling and scuba-diving sites, but is also home to night markets, boat tours, hiking trails, and whale watching.
9. Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country located in West Africa. While it's currently recommended to avoid traveling to this country due to its unstable political situation, it is home to gorgeous palaces, national monuments, and wildlife sanctuaries.
10. Angola
Angola is located in the southern region of Africa on the eastern side of the South Atlantic Ocean. It’s the second-largest Portuguese-speaking country, and the seventh-largest country in Africa. You can visit the very popular Kalandula Falls, the Miradouro da Lua lookout, and the Ilha do Mussulo.
11. New Caledonia
This French-occupied territory is made up of a series of islands in the southwest Pacific Ocean. It’s known for its rich marine life, featuring a massive barrier reef around its main island, Grand Terre. The state also has a heavy French influence, so you can enjoy delicious French food and experience the culture of the Kanak people, the Indigenous group with an incredibly rich history.
CIA World Factbook on Wikimedia
12. Djibouti
Djibouti is located on the eastern side of Africa and is home to some of the saltiest bodies of water in the world. It has several coastal areas to explore, like Khor Ambado Beach and Moucha Island, or if you prefer, you can visit their deserts like Lac Abbe and Grand Bara.
13. Moldova
Moldova is a landlocked country located in Eastern Europe, between Romania and Ukraine, and only became a country as recently as 1991. Popular attractions in Moldova are the Cricova Winery, Dendrariu Park, and visiting Bendery Fortress. However, due to the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, it is best to exercise caution if you plan a visit there.
14. Saint Vincent And The Grenadines
This country is located in the eastern Caribbean, and encompasses several islands spanning 389 km² (150 sqm). Like any other Caribbean country, you can enjoy its many beaches, visit waterfalls, or go snorkeling or diving. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also hike the La Soufrière Volcano.
15. Myanmar
This country is located in Southeast Asia, between Bangladesh, China, Laos, and Thailand. It is home to the Shwedagon Pagoda, a structure that contains Buddhist relics dating back to the 6th century. Unfortunately, it’s not currently recommended to visit Myanmar due to an ongoing Civil War.
16. Dominica
Dominica is a Caribbean island home to many natural hot springs and tropical rainforests, and is a great place to visit for nature walks. You can visit the Boiling Lake, Middleham Falls, the Emerald Pool, Titou Gorge, and Morne Trois Pitons National Park.
17. Trinidad And Tobago
This country is made up of two islands situated close to Venezuela, and is well known for its Creole traditions and cuisines. The country is home to a bird sanctuary and a nature reserve, as well as countless options for swimming and snorkeling. There’s also an option to do a Trinidadian food tour, which takes you through many local establishments across the country.
18. French Polynesia
Another collectivity of France, French Polynesia, is made up of over 100 islands in the South Pacific. It’s well-known for its over-the-water bungalow hotels, white and black-sand beaches, and gorgeous waterfalls.
19. Guyana
Located on South America’s North Atlantic coast, Guyana is filled with gorgeous, dense rainforests, calypso music, and a plethora of British colonial architecture. You can experience the lively city of Georgetown, or take a tour down the Essequibo River.
20. Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country that borders China and Russia, and is a must-visit for any history buff. The capital, Ulaanbaatar, is situated around Genghis Khan Square, the leader who founded the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Mongolia is also home to countless historic and ethnographic artifacts, and the 19th-century Gandantegchinlen Monastery.
